CNET’s Patrick Holland calls the Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 “the first foldable you may actually want to buy.”
It’s been a popular model, if sales reports are any indication, and it may just be the first foldable to qualify as a mainstream phone. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases.
Unlike the best case list for Apple’s iPhone 13 or even the Galaxy S21, the number of companies making cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is relatively small so there’s less to choose from. But sometimes fewer choices are better. I’ll be updating this list as I try out more cases (yes, I’ve tried all the cases on this list).
Do Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases protect the entire phone, including the hinge?
The majority of Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases come in two pieces, with only a few cases covering the hinge or offering some hinge protection. In my conversations with case-makers, designing a case that offers full hinge protection is a design challenge. But if that’s something you’re looking for, as I said, a few of these picks will protect the hinge.
Are there screen protectors for the Galaxy Z Flip 3?
No, Samsung doesn’t sell — or allow anybody to sell — screen protectors for the main front screen of the Z Flip 3. The Z Flip 3 uses a high-tech bendable display that could potentially suffer some damage if you put something on top of it — or so I assume. However, you can find a handful a screen protectors for the mini exterior display.
Do all cases allow for wireless charging?
Most but not all the cases on this list allow you to wirelessly charge the Z Flip 3 with the case on. Those that feature an integrated kickstand, particularly if it’s made out of metal, may require you to remove the case to charge your phone wirelessly. That’s a shame — I like Z Flip 3 cases with an integrated kickstand.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Available in three colors, Spigen’s Thin Fit has a two-piece design with a soft-to-the-touch finish. It’s a straightforward, lightweight case that looks good on your phone. There’s no hinge protection.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Speck only makes one case for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and it’s a good one. The Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold is rated for 13-foot drop protection, and it’s the most protective clear case I tried, although there’s no hinge protection. It’s sold out at Speck but available on Amazon.
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David Carnoy/CNET
I liked Samsung’s Silicone Cover with Ring. It’s protective, has a nice soft-to-touch finish and there’s that built-in ring that helps prevent you from dropping the phone — and you can also clip the ring to a lanyard and wear the phone around your neck. Alas, while I could kind of prop the phone up using the ring on certain surfaces, I would have liked the case even more if it converted into a kickstand.
The case comes in multiple colors.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Gear4’s Bridgetown case shares some similarities with Spigen’s Tough Armor case (see below). It, too, is a tough case that only comes in black and has some nice hinge protection. One of the best protective cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, I only wish it was available in more colors, or a clear version.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Otterbox makes only two cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3: the Thin Flex and this one, the Symmetry Flex. Alas, the Thin Flex Series feels cheap and is hard to get off your phone once you have it on. However, the sturdy and more attractive Symmetry Flex qualifies as a top case for the Z Flip 3. It’s a translucent case with a black border around it that shows off your phone a bit while offering good drop protection. I only wish it came in more colors.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G Leather Cover is its equivalent of Apple’s leather case for the iPhone. It’s expensive, but nice — and slim. While it doesn’t offer quite as much protection as some of the cases on the list, it’s one of my favorites and if you get it in a bright color like mustard, it makes your phone easy to spot. It’s also available in green and black. The biggest knock against it is that it’s expensive, but Samsung has discounted it to as low as $40.
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David Carnoy/CNET
This has the same soft-to-the-touch finish as Samsung’s Ring case but instead of a ring it incorporates a strap. You slide your hand under the strap (and behind the phone), which allows you to hold on to your phone without really wrapping your fingers around it. It’s essentially a security strap. The strap also offers a little bit of protection for the hinge when you fold up the phone. Additionally, you can attach the end of the strap to a lanyard or clip it to another strap (say, on a bag or backpack).
Aside from having some utility, the strap also seems designed to bring some attention to your phone. For better or worse, it does just that and if you use this case, plan on having people ask you about your phone. It comes in a few colors.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Spigen makes a few cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. As its name implies, the Tough Armor is durable and offers the most protection in Spigen’s line. It’s also the only Spigen case that has an integrated protective covering for the hinge.
As far as protective cases go, it’s one of the best and is only missing an integrated kickstand. I also kind of wish it came in more colors. Black is the only option for now.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Part of Spigen’s Air Skin case line, the Crystal Clear version is a slim clear case that offers basic protection. There’s some adhesive that makes sure the case doesn’t slip off your phone (as you can see from the photo, I didn’t pull off the little tab to expose it). It’s hard not to get a dust particle or two trapped under the case when you’re putting it on — and those dust particles will show if you have an all-black phone like mine.
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David Carnoy/CNET
Aramid fiber is essentially Kevlar so this case manages to be durable but slim. It has a soft-to-the-touch finish and is easy to grip. A lot of people like this case, though it looks simple and it’s expensive. It adds very little weight (and size) to the Z Flip 3 and seems protective.
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David Carnoy/CNET
This isn’t a phone case per se, but if you’re looking for some added protection for your Z Flip 3’s exterior display, Spigen sells an exterior screen protector in a two-pack. It fits around the lenses and over the back display and should work fine with most cases, although it does pair best with Spigen cases. (Not all Z Flip 3 cases’ cutouts around the back display are the same dimensions.)
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David Carnoy/CNET
Zagg brings its line of InvisibleShield screen protectors to the Z Flip 3’s exterior screen. It’s probably the smallest screen protector it’s ever made. However, it somehow costs as much as the screen protectors it makes for much larger screens.
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David Carnoy/CNET
If you’re looking for an affordable case with an integrated ring that converts into a kickstand, this Vego is a good option though it looks more premium on the surface than it really is. It also sells under other brand names on Amazon. I can’t tell you how it will hold up over time, but it has some nice features, including a cover that slides up to protect the phone’s camera and it’ll stick to a magnetic car mount. The one big downside is that it does not support wireless charging.
Note that you can currently get 30% off certain color options (you can get the blue version for a little more than $11 before tax).
Watch this: Water-testing the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3
9:07
