Best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases in 2023
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A rugged case is the perfect way to protect your high-end Samsung smartphone
Of the three Samsung Galaxy S22 models available, the Galaxy S22+ is the easiest to recommend. It has vastly superior battery life than its smaller sibling while being more manageable to hold than the Ultra. It might lack the fancy space zoom periscope lens, but the triple cameras are excellent.
As is the norm, the S22+ is made of metal and glass, so keeping it safe is a must, meaning you’ll need to buy a case. Unfortunately, the slimmest and lightest cases don’t always provide enough protection, especially if you’re clumsy or work somewhere that isn’t smartphone friendly. In that case, you’ll need a heavy-duty case to keep your precious Galaxy safe.
Many cases come with impact cushioning or high-stiffness aluminum frames, but the most thorough offerings include a screen protector and kickstand. The cases in this list might add a lot of bulk, but that’s a necessary evil when protecting your expensive flagship device.
The Galaxy S22+ may not be Samsung’s latest and greatest anymore. However, it’s still an excellent handset now available at a more competitive price thanks to the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S23+. Big and imposing but with plenty of style, the S22+ deftly offers all the features of the S22 but more screen real estate and battery life to go with it.
But “the bigger they come, the harder they fall,” as the saying goes, and the Galaxy S22+ features the usual combination of metal and glass, which means it’s vulnerable to scratches, scrapes, and more serious drops. If you want to make absolutely certain your handset is protected from the elements, you’ll want a heavy-duty case. Make no mistake: bulky cases aren’t for everyone, so be sure to check out our list of the best S22+ cases if you prefer something a bit less imposing. But for ultimate protection, these are the top picks.
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Source: Amazon
Urban Armor Gear Pathfinder for Galaxy S22+
Editor’s choice
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Source: Amazon
Urban Armor Gear Pathfinder for Galaxy S22+
Editor’s choice
As you can probably guess from the company name, Urban Armor Gear specializes in resilient and reliable phone cases. The S22+ version of the Pathfinder lineup is remarkable because it delivers the same premium protection we’ve come to expect from UAG. Surprisingly though, it weighs next to nothing and is quite slim. It won’t get in the way of wireless charging (including reverse wireless charging), and the raised bezel does an excellent job keeping the screen safe.
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Source: Amazon
Ghostek Atomic Slim for Galaxy S22+
Premium pick
If you’re looking for a durable case that looks great but is not overly busy or gaudy, the Ghostek Atomic Slim is an excellent choice. Its raised bumper is a rigid aluminum that protects the screen and camera and has a non-slip grip. There are seven colors to choose from, and the clear back lets you show off both sides of your device. It’s manufacturer-tested to withstand drops as high as 10 feet and doesn’t interfere with wireless charging.
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Source: Amazon
Caseborne V for Galaxy S22+
Best value
From the manufacturer formerly known as ArmadilloTek, the Caseborne V lends five-layer full-body protection to the Galaxy S22+ consisting of a two-piece main case and a separate front frame without a screen. The company goes above and beyond in terms of design, engineering it to withstand four times the standard mil-spec drop tests. It was even run over by a Tesla during development to prove how rugged it is.
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Source: Amazon
Spigen Tough Armor for Galaxy S22+
Lightweight and comfortable
You don’t have to get something bulky, heavy, or equipped with unnecessary features to keep your phone from breaking. The Tough Armor series is one of Spigen’s most popular because it performs nearly as well as some of the bigger ruggedized cases but is as small and light as a minimalist model. Inside the hard polycarbonate shell is both TPU and advanced foam material, providing some of the best shock protection in a small case.
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OtterBox Commuter Series For Galaxy S22+
OtterBox cases are known for their top-notch build, and the same is true for the company’s Commuter Series case. It’s durable and will safeguard your phone from daily bumps and scratches. Unlike many other rugged cases, it doesn’t have an industrial look. Instead, it has a modern design that slides easily into your pocket or bag. You also get a dual-layer structure that resists shocks and scuffs, and there are port covers to prevent dust and dirt from getting inside.
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Source: Supcase
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro for Galaxy S22+
Promoted pick
In partnership with Supcase
In addition to its memorable name, the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro will keep your phone in one piece and prevent scratches and dust ingress. It sports a dependable belt clip that’s rotatable and detachable. There’s a kickstand on the back for watching videos and streaming shows, and the stand also doubles as a ring holder, so you can use the phone with one hand without dropping it.
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Source: Amazon
Encased Rebel for Galaxy S22+
If you want a high level of protection for your Galaxy S22+ without spending much, the Encased Rebel is a great choice. It’s relatively simple but easily passes the 10-foot drop test and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The rear bumper is significantly thicker than the camera lens housing, which greatly minimizes the chance of disaster in the event of a fall. In addition, it supports wireless charging and screen protectors.
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Source: Amazon
i-Blason Cosmo for Galaxy S22+
Promoted pick
In partnership with i-Blason
If you’re as interested in style as much as functionality, consider the i-Blason Cosmo. Its three colorways each feature a similar design on the back that’s interesting and good-looking. There’s a built-in screen protector and slightly raised bezels around the screen and camera — though those bezels aren’t as tall as other cases and don’t quite provide the same level of protection. Be careful with that protector; your fingerprint scanner could have issues if it isn’t installed correctly.
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Source: Amazon
Poetic Spartan for Galaxy S22+
Poetic makes a lot of great cases, and the Spartan model for the Galaxy S22+ is no exception. It’s one of the safest cases on the market due to its all-around protection courtesy of the integrated screen protector, which doesn’t mess up the fingerprint reader, according to owners. If you’re not a fan of the plastic material that makes up the screen cover, there’s also an open frame included to use your own screen protector.
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Source: Amazon
Incipio Duo for Samsung Galaxy S22+
The Incipio Duo case for the Samsung Galaxy S22+ exceeds traditional mil-spec testing by at least 20% performance, thanks partly to an advanced design that includes internal struts to distribute and dampen the energy from drops and bumps. There’s a lifetime warranty and antimicrobial layer for peace of mind, while a soft-touch finish provides plenty of grip to help keep you from dropping it in the first place.
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Ringke Fusion-X For Galaxy S22+
Ringke’s Fusion-X is perfect if you want to flaunt the design and colorway of your Galaxy S22+ without compromising on protection. Its transparent hard back lets your phone shine through, and a flexible TPU bumper cushions every bump and scratch. You also get raised lips to safeguard your screen and camera, lanyard holes to keep your phone handy, and two color options to suit your personality: Black and Camo.
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Source: Amazon
VRS Design Damda Glide Hybrid for Galaxy S22+
Thanks to its built-in wallet compartment, the VRS Design Damda Glide Hybrid is perfect for keeping your important personal effects at hand when you’re out and about. Its door uses a semi-automatic system that slides open and shut smoothly and has enough room for a few payment cards and a few bills. The design is futuristic and stylish, although it comes in only two shades of black. Sadly, it doesn’t support wireless charging.
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Speck Products Presidio 2 Grip For Galaxy S22+
As the name suggests, the highlight of the Speck Products Presidio 2 Grip case is the no-slip grips that help you hold onto the relatively large S22+. The company has also included its Presidio 2 Armor Cloud Technology to cushion your phone with air pockets in case of a drop; it can withstand drops from as high as 13 feet. You also get port covers, antimicrobial protection, and a soft touch finish, among other features.
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Source: Amazon
Ghostek Nautical Slim for Galaxy S22+
There aren’t many fully waterproof cases these days, but the Ghostek Nautical Slim is explicitly intended for underwater use. That means it also excels at keeping even the finest dust particles from getting anywhere near your expensive electronics. It has an IP68 rating, which means it can handle being up to six feet underwater for as long as 90 minutes without leaking. However, it’s not the most comfortable case, so if you aren’t using it underwater, try something else.
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Crave Strong Guard For Galaxy S22+
Crave makes excellent bang-of-the-buck cases, and its Strong Guard for the Galaxy S22+ is no different. It sports a carbon fiber pattern that adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your phone and a dual-layer design that shields it from drops, bumps, and scratches. So you are getting both style and protection. In other features, the corners of the case are reinforced for added durability.
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Source: Amazon
Doxlion Defender for Galaxy S22+
The S22+ is outfitted with an advanced camera array, and the Doxlion Defender is designed to keep the camera glass safe no matter what. To that end, its physical shutter all but guarantees that nothing will break in the event of a drop; however, the manufacturer doesn’t advertise a tested drop height. The case isn’t quite as thick or rugged as some others, but the protection is still above average.
Our recommendations
With heavy-duty cases costing a bit more than their lighter counterparts, you don’t want an expensive period of trial and error. Fortunately, all the cases on this list should do the job in one form or another (especially if you combine them with our pick of the
best screen protectors.) If money is no object, then the two options from Ghostek — the Atomic Slim and Nautical Slim — offer enormous protection that justifies the higher cost of entry. Moreover, with the latter unusually offering full waterproofing, your phone should be protected no matter what.
But there are plenty of cheaper options on the list that will still give the S22+ more than enough protection for most people. The Urban Armor Gear Pathfinder is our number one budget pick, providing remarkable protection in a frame so thin and light that it won’t get in the way of wireless charging. If you want something more heavy-duty without breaking the bank, the Casebourne V goes above and beyond, providing enough protection to survive four times the standard mil-spec drop test. The makers, ArmadilloTek, even have a video of the case surviving being run over by a Tesla just to prove the point. The added bulk is also put to good use, with a kickstand built in.
As ever with rugged cases, your ultimate choice comes down to slimness against overall protection. But even if you opt for a slimmer pick, like the options from Ghostek, Urban Armor, or CaseSpigen’s Tough Armor, your phone will be significantly better protected than going without. Ultimately, the peace of mind that these cases offer is truly priceless.
