Samsung's Galaxy S23 may be the smallest of the company's flagship lineup, but don't let its pocket-friendly size scare you – It's still one of the best Samsung phones you can get. This small but mighty device packs the same SoC, performance, and most of the features as its larger counterpart, the S23+. This even extends to the display with identical resolutions giving the smaller phone a higher PPI. Still, this phone isn't cheap with its gorgeous materials so if your drop it without a case on, you'll feel it in your soul.
The popularity of Samsung's smartphones offers up a wealth of case options, each providing its own design with solid protection. However, if you're more of an outdoor adventure person, a construction worker, or just all thumbs, you might want to opt for a more rugged case. Getting a tough case doesn't necessarily mean a ton of added bulk with a solid range of options to choose from.
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UAG Metropolis LT Pro for Galaxy S23
Best overallThere's a lot going for the UAG Metropolis, which doesn't add much bulk or weight to the reasonably sized S23. It's rated for drops up to 18 feet, has just enough grip to hold securely, and fits perfectly, so you can easily use the phone's buttons. It's also one of the relatively few rugged cases supporting MagSafe accessories and charging.
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Casetify Ultra Impact Series for Galaxy S23
Premium pickOne reason we love the Casetify Impact series is the huge variety of designs available, but the pros don't stop there. It's also slim, lightweight, and equipped with advanced engineering like premium EcoShock lining and air-cushioned corners. The only thing keeping it from being the best overall is its 11.5-foot drop protection, which isn't quite as much as others.
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Ghostek Covert for Galaxy S23
Best valueThe Ghostek Covert and its price are about as small as they get, so your phone will fit in your pocket, and its cost will fit in your budget. The transparent rear panel is accented by your choice of nine interesting frame colors, and the raised, rounded bezels keep the screen, edges, and camera safe from harm.
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i-Blason Armorbox for Galaxy S23
Promoted pickIn partnership with i-Blason
The complete package, i-Blason's Armorbox sports all-around protection, including two separate front frames with and without an integrated screen protector. There's also a kickstand on the back that works in both portrait and landscape orientations. On top of all that, it's not very expensive and comes in three colors in addition to black.
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Simtect Case with Camera Cover for Samsung Galaxy S23
One of the best reasons to choose a Galaxy S23 from Samsung is for the incredible camera system. This case from Simtect has a sliding camera lens cover to keep your lenses dusts and scratch-free, so your phone can take the best pictures possible. It even has a 1.5mm raised lip on the front for extra screen protection.
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Speck Presidio Perfect for Galaxy S23
While it's not the fanciest looking phone, the Galaxy S23 is far from ugly, and the mostly clear Speck Presidio Perfect lets you show it off at all times. Despite its minimalist design, the case confers consistent protection from drops up to 13 feet. Note that it's not perfectly transparent but instead adorned with your choice of gold or platinum glitter.
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OtterBox Commuter Series for Galaxy S23
OtterBox is no stranger in the world of rugged cases, and the Commuter series keeps your phone extremely safe without the same level of bulk as its more heavy-duty relatives. Also noteworthy compared to other Otterboxes, it comes in black as well as three two-toned blue, pink, and green versions.
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Caseborne V Series for Galaxy S23
The Caseborne V was, at one point, tested by driving a car over it and continues to boast just about the most rugged construction on the market. We also like that it comes in purple and bright orange and that the front frame doesn't have a screen protector, so you can use your favorite tempered glass. Unfortunately, it's also a bit heavier than the rest.
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Poetic Revolution Series Case For Galaxy S23
Thanks in part to a built-in screen protector, all-around protection helps the Poetic Revolution give you peace of mind. It's offered in a few interesting colors like classy brown and deep maroon, although our favorite is probably the eye-catching pink and gray colorway. The only drawback is that Poetic doesn't divulge the specific drop rating.
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Temdan Full Body Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S23
Everyone has different needs and the Temdan Full-Body phone case is designed for those that need a tough, waterproof case. With clear plastic on the front and back, your screen and cameras are protected from basic drops and scratches. While the Galaxy S23 resists dust and water, it's not worth the risk to rely on that one set of gaskets every single day.
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Ghostek Exec for Galaxy S23
Rarely will you find a wallet case that truly classifies as heavy-duty, but that's exactly what the Ghostek Exec is. But it's also not as restrictively large as other wallet cases since you can detach the magnetic compartment for a sleeker package or to use wireless charging. Aside from black and gray options, it comes in a particularly charming white and pink version.
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Ringke Fusion-X Case For Galaxy S23
Rugged cases don't get much thinner than the Ringke Fusion-X, which has a mostly transparent back panel equipped with durable accents to protect the corners. If you want something a little more interesting, there's also a Camo Black version. Both versions have a pair of lanyard holes for further protection from drops, and they are as affordable as they come at just a hair over $10.
Smaller phones need protection too
While the Galaxy S23 is smaller than the rest of its lineup and harder to accidentally drop, that doesn't mean you never will. And bulking up the device with a thick rugged case generally defeats the purpose of owning such a nice, sleek phone. Thankfully, heavy-duty cases these days are designed with materials that allow for slimmer and more aesthetically pleasing designs. This means you don't have to choose between giving up the small nature of your S23 and the overall protection of it.
A great example of a slimmer case that still offers up remarkable drop and impact protection is Urban Armor Gear's Metropolis. With a nice grip to help from dropping the phone and rated for drops up to 18 feet in the event of an accident, this case is sure to withstand any daily abuse you put it through.
Casetify's Ultra Impact sacrifices a bit in terms of drop resistance for a more fashionable design, yet it still provides more than enough protection to be considered a heavy-duty case for most users. For something giving you the best of both worlds, the Ghostek Covert is beautifully crafted with a transparent back to show off your device's natural design while including enforced bumpers for added protection. Best of all, the Covert comes at a much lower price.
Of course, there are so many more heavy-duty cases to choose from, which all offer up their own unique features and designs. Simtect gives photographers some more peace of mind with lens protection, the Ringke Fusion-X shows off its own transparent or Camo Black patterns, and the Ghostek Exec has a detachable wallet compartment for all things handy. With your Galaxy S23 well protected with some of the best heavy-duty cases available, all that's left is to finish it off with one of the top Galaxy S23 screen protectors.