Even by today’s standards, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a powerful device that can still be your smartphone of choice. With an impressive octa-core Snapdragon 835 CPU and a whopping 6GB of RAM, it packs some serious hardware within a sleek, phablet form factor.
This could unfortunately be one of the last Notes. Recent reports have suggested Samsung could soon discontinue the line in favor of its foldable devices. If that’s the case, you’ll want to safeguard yours as much as possible. Luckily, we’ve tested out some of the best Note 8 cases to keep your smartphone from the elements and unwanted impacts. A few even have special features to heighten your mobile experience. Here are our favorites.
Noreve Tradition E Leather Cover
Leather is a durable material that ages gracefully and feels good in the hand. French case maker Noreve uses the finest leather, and this is the most minimal case it offers. A simple thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shell wrapped in leather hugs your Note 8 and wards off scratches and bumps. There are generous openings for the buttons and the top and bottom are left open, and while the rim of the case does extend beyond the screen, we wouldn’t rely on this one for rugged protection. You can opt for different leather grains in a wide range of colors. Prices can rise significantly as you go for Noreve’s top-tier materials, but the quality is excellent.
ProCase Wallet Flip Case
ProCase has a solid reputation for developing protective cases and organizers for all types of devices. The best of both worlds comes together with this folding flip case for the Note 8. A book-like enclosure made of genuine leather keeps your phone in place with a hardshell case that fits snugly. An inside flap has three separate slots to hold cards and a large full-length pocket for cash. Moreover, you can use it as a kickstand to prop your phone up in landscape orientation. The nature of the design provides privacy with the ability to cover the Note 8’s always-on display, should you have it activated. We love the classic look of the brown color, but it’s also available in black and red.
Samsung Alcantara Case
This official Samsung Galaxy Note 8 case is covered in Alcantara, a soft blend of polyester and polyurethane that feels like suede but is more durable. The case is a slim shell, so it adds very little to the profile of your phone and won’t interfere with wireless chargers. It does still cover the phone’s corners and extends around the screen to provide basic protection. You’ll find large openings for uninhibited use of the camera, ports, S Pen, and other features, and there are button covers on the side for the volume and power. If you want a soft, warm feel with your case, then this could be the one for you. It comes in black, gray, khaki, or pink.
Caseology Parallax Series Case
With an eye-catching geometric design on the back, a protective combo of TPU shell with polycarbonate bumper on top, and an inoffensive price tag this is a tempting Note 8 case. The button covers and cutouts are all good, the sides are ridged for extra grip, and the top and bottom of the front extend to safeguard that big screen. It should afford a reasonable level of drop protection and look good while doing it. This one is available in black (above) and burgundy. Combine it with a screen protector for complete protection.
Incipio DualPro Case
The DualPro design is one of the original and best dual-layer cases, combining a hard, polycarbonate exterior with a shock-absorbent inner core. The soft layer includes chunky button covers and generous cut-outs for all your ports, cameras, and other features. This solid, unfussy case offers drop protection up to 12 feet and there’s a raised edge to safeguard that curved display. It comes in a choice of different color combinations to provide a bit of contrast between the inner and outer layers. You’ll also find that this case has a soft-touch finish that enhances grip and makes it really comfy to hold. Incipio puts a lot into making cases, so you can be sure of a quality product.
Tech21 Evo Tactical Case
Having seen Tech21’s testing methods first hand, we know they take drop protection very seriously. The Evo Tactical has a clever design that goes around the frame of your Note 8, effectively providing three layers of protection and ensuring your phone can survive drops of up to 10 feet without a mark. Despite this level of protection, the case is fairly thin and light. There are large openings for easy access to ports, cameras, and other features. You’ll also find button covers and raised lips top and bottom to protect the screen. Although it just comes in black, Tech21 has thrown in a design flourish on the back with a geometric pattern that’s also textured to create an interesting look and enhance your grip.
Speck Presidio Grip Case
It’s tough to find cases that combine style and reliability with a clever design like this one. This is a protective case that combines a hard polycarbonate shell with a shock-absorbing rubber material that will keep your Note 8 safe from falls of up to 10 feet. The flexible material is also used to create a series of ridges on the outside which give it an interesting look, but, perhaps more importantly, seriously improve your grip. This Graphite Grey version really lends itself to showcasing the case’s design, but it’s also available in several other colors.
RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper
We’re big fans of minimalist cases that don’t completely mask your phone’s original design and this RhinoShield bumper fits nicely in that category. It’s quite thick, but it’s just a frame that extends from front to back to ensure your Note 8 won’t make contact with the ground if dropped. The bumper is strong enough to guard against falls of up to 12 feet. We used one with our Note 5 for many months and it survived more than one fall unscathed. The port openings are over-sized for easy access and the button covers work well, once they’ve loosened a bit.
Case-Mate Tough Clear Case
Want more peace of mind without masking Samsung’s gorgeous design? Case-Mate’s Tough Clear case can do exactly that by adding scratch-resistance and impressive drop protection on falls from up to 10 feet. The crystal clear case has flexible sides for an improved grip in the hand on the sizable Note 8. There’s also extra cushioning in the corners specifically to soften the impact of bumps and falls at odd angles. A metallic finish on integrated button coverings brings a bit of unique flair to your phone as well. It’s ultimately a slim and subtle case that will still provide essential protection.
Spigen Thin Fit Case
This is another slim-fitting option, this time from Spigen. The thin and lightweight polycarbonate case sports a faint geometric pattern that looks great but doesn’t draw too much attention to itself. It also supports Spigen’s QNMP plate inserts which allow for the case’s attachment to magnetic car mounts. The simple design leaves ample space for all of the phone’s buttons and ports. This isn’t the case for you if you’re looking for supreme durability or great drop protection. Its thinness can make it brittle at the cutout points and it doesn’t come close to raising its edges past the screen. Still, the Note 8 is a stunning piece of hardware to hold in the hand and this case is one of the best at maintaining that look and feel.
Olixar FlexiCover Case
Things don’t get much simpler than this clear, soft-gel case from Olixar. It’s very slim, so it won’t provide much in the way of drop protection, but its front and back coverage should ward off scratches and dirt. The full-body protection still leaves perfect fit openings for all your phone’s ports, speakers, and cameras to use your Note 8 without any sort of hindrance. A non-slip coating also provides extra grip, meaning your phone is less likely to slip from your grasp when using this case.
Moment Galaxy Case
The Note 8 is a phone worth keeping for years. That kind of commitment can make features like the camera feel outdated as new phones continue to debut. That’s where Moment comes in. Their modular case system lets you attach a collection of lenses and filters to the Note 8’s cameras for extra versatility. There’s also a slot at the bottom of the case to attach a wrist strap for quick access to the phone while shooting a lot of photos or videos. You’ll get solid protection with a polycarbonate frame wrapped in a rubberized outer shell that improves grip. It’s rated for drops up to six feet onto hardwood and has a raised front edge to protect your screen. U.S.-sourced walnut makes up the stylish inlay in this featured model (lens not included). There’s also a version of the case with a black canvas inlay.
Spigen Rugged Armor Case
This flexible TPU case is easy to fit and offers enough protection to safeguard your Note 8 from drop damage if it takes a tumble from pocket height. The cutouts are exactly right and the button covers have a nice feel to them, with a textured finish on the power key helping it to stand out. There’s also a raised edge top and bottom to protect the screen. What really makes this case is the carbon fiber panels on the back and the gloss accents which elevate the overall look, transforming an affordable TPU case into something a bit more stylish.
Otterbox Defender Series Case
You get serious multilayer protection from the Otterbox Defender Series, but this case definitely adds some bulk. It will guard your Note 8 from drop damage, scratches, bumps, and dirt and dust. Otterbox has omitted the Defender’s traditional built-in screen protector, so you may want to snag a Note 8 screen protector separately. All the openings you need are there, with covers for the ports and buttons, though the thickness of the case does make it a little more awkward to use the fingerprint sensor on the back. You also get a holster with this case.
UAG Monarch Series Case
If you want really solid protection for your Galaxy Note 8, why not go all in with a tough case from Urban Armor Gear? The Monarch Series sports the usual industrial UAG look, adding leather panels and alloy metal highlights to the lightweight-but-strong plastic frame. This case exceeds military drop test standards, so there’s no need to be concerned if your Note 8 takes a tumble. You also get big textured, tactile button covers and generous openings for easy access to everything. The sides are textured to add grip and the corners are reinforced and extend in all directions to prevent your phone from ever touching down. This Note 8 case also doesn’t interfere with Samsung Pay or the fast wireless charging.
Editors’ Recommendations
