It might not be as new and shiny as the Samsung Galaxy S23, but the Galaxy S22 series still offers some of our favorite Android phones. It’s also extremely easy to find the smallest version on sale, making the S22 a good go-to for people who want a tough flagship device with a lot of oomph.
As with any flagship device, you’ll want it to have as much protection as possible, and the Galaxy S22 really shines when you’ve equipped it with one of the best cases available. We’ve already covered some of our favorite S22 cases, but now we want to spotlight the real heavy hitters. These cases are meant to turn your phone into a drop-protected powerhouse. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of our favorite heavy-duty Galaxy S22 cases.
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Otterbox Symmetry Series for Galaxy S22
Best overallOtterBox turned itself into the Kleenex of the heavy-duty case world, and after over a decade of amazingly rugged entries, it has its Galaxy S22 cases down to a science. Sleeker than the Defender Series and sporting way better colors than the Commuter Series, the Symmetry is the Goldilocks of the OtterBox line: durable and dependable without turning into an unwieldy tank. Of the options available, our favorite is purple.
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UAG Monarch for Galaxy S22
Premium pickThis case may seem a bit extravagant between the 5-layer design and the $60 starting price, but the UAG Monarch is truly fit for a king, or at least for an adventure-seeking prince looking to slay dragons for glory. Like the Supcase UB Pro, the Monarch is rated for 20-foot drops, but even with the 5-layer construction, the Monarch is still thin enough to allow for wireless charging on most wireless chargers.
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Poetic Neon for Galaxy S22
Best valueAs Poetic's newest case series, the Neon balances heavy-duty protection and a more lithe profile. It uses the same tried-and-true dual-layer design as the Spigen Tough Armor and OtterBox Commuter Series, but Poetic has refined the design to achieve greater functionality and an iconic look. Cutouts on the back and sides of the hard plastic shell allow the grippier, impact-absorbent TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to keep your phone from sliding around a table or falling out of your hand.
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Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series for Galaxy S22
Promoted pickIn partnership with Supcase
If you need a case that can survive the apocalypse, Supcase crafted the Unicorn Beetle Pro just for you. Tested against 20-foot drops and complete with a dust flap to keep sawdust and zombie guts out of the USB-C port, the UB Pro series can survive almost anything. It might be slightly too thick to work with most wireless chargers, but Supcase makes great use of that space with a sturdy pop-out kickstand that you can use as a phone grip in a pinch.
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Speck Presidio Grip2 case for Galaxy S22
The Speck Presidio Grip2 brings great protection to a small package. This case is designed to protect your phone during up to 13-foot drops, meaning you can rest easy knowing that your Galaxy S22 is safe when snug within it. It's also perfectly designed to fit around your device, making the cutouts easy to line up and secure. The buttons are extremely tactile, making it easy to interact with them even in the dark.
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i-Blason Cosmo for Galaxy S22
Promoted pickIn partnership with i-Blason
If you want to keep your S22 safe without adding too much bulk and look good doing so, the i-Blason Cosmo can do just that. The flexible TPU construction will protect against bumps and minor drops, and the included screen protector will keep the display scratch-free. The selling point for this case is how it looks. It won't be to everyone's taste, but this stands out nicely in a sea of desaturated rectangles.
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Gear4 Denali For Galaxy S22
From 16-foot drop protection to the use of recycled materials, the Gear4 Denali case has a lot going for it. For example, the case uses a special D30 material to deliver enhanced protection to the phone. Moreover, the company has coated the case with an antimicrobial agent so that microbes don’t harm the case and it lasts a long time. Lastly, Denali has a clear and elegant design that doesn’t scream rugged despite being so.
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Ghostek NAUTICAL for Galaxy S22
Waterproof cases aren't something you see every day. The Ghostek Nautical lives up to its name, though, as it has its own IP68 rating that protects the contents from 20 feet for up to an hour. If you're going on a trip that involves snorkeling, then taking your S22 with you to document the experience sounds great. Otherwise, you'll want a more normal case, like the Ghostek Exec.
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Ringke Fusion-X For Galaxy S22
Available in clear and camo black versions, the Fusion-X from Ringke delivers superior protection without completely hiding the design and colorway of the Galaxy S22. While the clear version has a completely transparent back, the camo black version offers a slight peek at the phone’s back through its semi-transparent design. You also get textured sides for improved grip and lanyard holes to attach straps.
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Spigen Tough Armor Galaxy S22 case
Spigen continues to offer great protection in a small and sleek package with the Spigen Tough Armor. This case is built to fit closely to the Galaxy S22’s slim profile while adding fantastic levels of protection in the process. A reinforced kickstand also makes it easy to set your phone up for movie time while providing it with great protection thanks to foam technology that helps absorb shock from any drops.
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FNTCase Shockproof Case For Galaxy S22
This FNTCase offering for the Galaxy S22 is chockful of features and enhancements, which will not only offer top-notch protection but will also make the experience of using the phone better. For example, it comes with a front frame that has a built-in screen protector. But if you don’t like it, you can use your favorite screen guard with the extra empty frame in the box. Moreover, you get a belt clip holder that doubles as a kickstand.
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Ghostek Exec for Galaxy S22
The Ghostek Exec is a well-designed case with some helpful bonus features you won't find in other cases. The textured back makes it comfortable to hold, and while it's bulky enough to keep your S22 safe, it isn't so large as to be unwieldy. In addition, there's a removable credit card holder, so this case has you covered if you don't want to take your wallet with you on a night out. The Exec is available in black, gray, and pink.
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Temdan Waterproof Case for Galaxy S22
Being clumsy is not a crime, but if you are clumsy handling flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S22, it may yield an expensive visit to the service center. This is where the tough Temdan case for the Galaxy S22 comes in. Thanks to its shock-absorbing TPU shell and polycarbonate body, it protects against impacts. Oh, and this case is also IP68 waterproof, which means splashes won't be of harm.
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Spidercase for Samsung Galaxy S22
Thanks to its MIL-STD-810G certification, the Spidercase Samsung Galaxy S22 case is certified to withstand drops of up to 10 feet, so you can be sure your phone will be safe, even if you're a bit of a klutz. The case also comes with two tempered glass screen protectors and two camera lens protectors, ensuring all-around protection for the phone from scratches, nicks, and dings.
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IKAZZ Samsung Galaxy S22 Case
One look at the IKAZZ Samsung Galaxy S22 case, and it's evident that beauty contests will not be won. However, it claims to protect the Galaxy S22 from drops as high as 16 feet, which is more important. It is made of high-grade TPU and PC materials and has air cushion tech that protects all four corners from the nastiest of drops. IKAZZ also has a handy integrated 360-degree rotating metallic kickstand for easy viewing.
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Simtect for Samsung Galaxy S22
Simtect’s Samsung Galaxy S22 looks like a normal silicone case, but it's a super tough design. It can protect your Galaxy S22 from the nastiest drops and even meets Military Standard (MIL-STD-810G) requirements. The case's standout feature is its unique sliding camera cover that protects the S22's camera when not in use. And, yes, the case is also wireless charging compliant.
Should you go with a heavy-duty case?
One of the nice things about many cases is that they offer some level of protection without beefing up your device's physical footprint all that much. However, rugged cases like those featured above can add thick layers to your device, making it tough to slip into your pocket. Before picking up a heavy-duty case for your Galaxy S22, answer these three questions to see if a rugged case is right for you:
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How much bulk do you want to add to your Galaxy S22?
- Big cases can handle considerable damage, but you're sacrificing the ergonomic benefits of the S22 in the process. You'll need to balance those things evenly, ensuring you get the protection you need while still comfortable handling the phone.
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Do you need protection from dust/debris or just drops?
- If you work with sawdust, sand, grass, dirt, or anything else, you'll want to keep it out of your USB-C port to avoid damage. However, these covers can add strain to cables plugged in for extended periods, so if you use wired Android Auto or charging a lot, you might want a case without them or perhaps a second case for use in those situations.
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Are there any extra features you want in your case?
- If all you want is basic protection, some cases provide that. Others have handy extras, like kickstands, rings, magnets, card slots, and more. Consider if you'd benefit from having any of those features before buying.
So which should you buy?
If you're looking for an excellent heavy-duty case that adds a ton of protection without beefing the device up too much, it's really hard to beat OtterBox's Symmetry Series. OtterBox is one of the most recognized names when it comes to heavy-duty cases, and the company's dedication to creating protective but sleek cases has clearly shown over the years of releases.
Want something a little flashier that still offers heavy-duty protection at a much easier-to-swallow price? Then Poetic's Neon case for the Galaxy S22 is a great option. This case is one of our favorites thanks to its sleek design and colorful options, not to mention how Poetic balances heavy-duty protection with an extremely lithe profile, making your S22 feel as thin as possible without feeling like the most fragile thing in the world.
If you just want a case with the most protection possible, the UAG Monarch is a good option. It comes with a 5-layer design that seems a bit extravagant, but definitely useful for those who want to ensure protection for their device no matter what happens to it. While the case isn't the prettiest, it offers an enormous amount of protection that's hard to beat. The only downside is that it will cost you a premium price for that level of security.
And while some cases, like the Cosmo, come with built-in screen protectors, you'll want a heavy-duty, tempered glass Galaxy S22 screen protector to keep that Gorilla Glass intact.