Although it’s been around for a few years now, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is no slouch. With its octa-core 2.3 GHz CPU, 6GB of RAM, and a 1440p Super AMOLED display, it’s no surprise this powerhouse continues to be a popular phone.
If the Galaxy S8 has an Achilles’ heel, however, it would have to be its glassy fragility and slippery design. To protect your Galaxy S8, we suggest picking up one of the cases below. From slim, minimalistic cases to those offering superior drop protection, your hunt for your next phone case stops here.
Ringke Slim Case
As its name suggests, this case from Ringke is super slim and won’t add bulk to your sleek Galaxy S8. Its hard polycarbonate shell protects your phone from scratches and bumps, with easy access to all the ports and buttons, and it supports wireless charging. It’s available in a cool blue metallic finish, and for $10, you’d be hard pushed to find a better choice.
Crave Dual Guard Protection Series Case
Crave is known for its protective cases, but this one just so happens to offer excellent protection while being slim and form fitting too. Dual-layer polycarbonate and TPU protect your phone from drops, bumps, and scratches, with an enhanced rubber grip to keep your S8 firmly in your hand. The slim profile of this case makes it ideal to sling in your back pocket, and it comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, if you change your mind. Pick it up in gray, black, blue, red, or mint.
WUDN Wooden California Republic Case
WUDN’s cases are hand-carved with pride in Hidden Springs, Idaho, and the craftsmanship is evident in each case. You’ll find a variety of different woods to choose from, including cedar, mahogany, bamboo, and walnut — and a range of designs too. Our favorite is this California Republic one in mahogany. Because they’re handcrafted, each case is truly unique, with a natural wood grain and finish. A protective black bumper surrounds the wood to keep your phone safe from drops, too.
Olixar ExoShield Case
Constructed from reinforced bonded TPU and polycarbonate, the ExoShield case is flexible yet durable. It offer superior protection for your phone’s vulnerable corners, with reinforced corner bumpers that cover the length and width of the S8 and extend slightly beyond the screen’s edge, so it never touches down, protecting against scratches. A raised bezel around the camera offers additional protection for your camera lens. This case has a non-slip coating to keep it in your hand — after all, the best drop protection is not dropping your phone in the first place. All this in a slim, lightweight shell that adds practically no bulk to your S8 and slips into pockets with ease.
Incipio DualPro Case
Don’t favor protection over style when you can have both with the DualPro case from Incipio. Offering dual-layer protection thanks to a rigid Plextonium shell and soft, impact-absorbing silicone core, it features a soft-touch finish that has the added benefit of providing enhanced grip, but also feels great in your hand. Raised bezels around the screen and camera offer additional protection against accidental drops. This case is available in navy (our pick) or champagne and gray.
Pela Eco-Friendly Case
When it comes to conservation and saving the planet Pela’s Eco-Friendly cases are not fooling around. These stunning, quietly colorful cases come in a variety of colors or a special edition bee case with animal imprints. The Pela line of cases is 100% compostable to help keep plastic waste out of the planet’s oceans. The Pela Case is made of Flaxstic — compostable bioplastic elastomer and flax straw materials — which are tested to be safe and free of phthalates, BPA, cadmium, and lead. The base material meets U.S. and E.U. standards for composting in an industrial facility and has a lower carbon footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional plastic. It can also be left to biodegrade at home. The regular cases are $40 and the special edition cases are $50.
Peel Super Thin Case
Because the Galaxy S8 is such a sleek beauty, you might recoil at the thought of slapping a chunky plastic case on it. That’s why Peel designed these svelte, minimalist shells — to provide a thin, 0.35-millimeter layer of protection without spoiling the feel or look of the phone. There are no loud logos here and all your phone’s buttons, ports, and other features, including the curved edges, are easily accessible. The Samsung logo shines through subtly on the gray and silver versions, or you can opt for a matte-black configuration. These cases are quite expensive at $29.
Case-Mate Brilliance Tough Case
If you love sparkles, then this Galaxy S8 case is for you. Encrusted with real crystals and a metal accent, this eye-catching case comes in rose gold or lace. You don’t have to sacrifice functionality for style, either, because this is a dual-layer case that meets military drop test standards. A few buyers have reported problems with lost crystals, but given it comes with a lifetime warranty, you can contact Case-Mate for a replacement if you run into any issues.
Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet
Made from beautiful nubuck leather with a soft suede finish, these folio cases from British accessory brand Snakehive come in a variety of colors including black, brown, and plum. There are two-tone versions available, too. Each case is stunning on the outside and practical on the inside, with three card slots, a note compartment, and a phone holder that still provides complete access to your device’s buttons and connectors. The magnetic tab keeps the folio closed, and the cover can be flipped around to make a handy stand. The folio case is also available for the Galaxy S8 Plus.
Nomad Folio Wallet Case
Classic, durable, and practical, this genuine leather wallet case from Nomad could be the ideal companion for your Galaxy S8. It has a thin, plastic shell inside that holds your phone firmly in place and it’s wrapped in slate grey American leather which develops a beautiful patina over time that makes each case totally unique. The inside cover sports three neatly stitched card slots and there’s a larger pouch at the back for cash. There are generous openings for access to buttons, ports, camera, and everything else.
RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper
This protective bumper is a good alternative to a traditional Galaxy S8 case, because it provides protection where you need it most — around the frame. Your phone is open front and back, so it’s easy to access the screen and you can enjoy Samsung’s curved design, but the bumper extends a little to protect both. The combination of hard and soft polycarbonate enhances grip and offers solid drop protection for falls from up to 11 feet. There are chunky button covers and generous openings for your ports.
Ted Baker Folio Case with Mirror
Designer Ted Baker has partnered with Proporta on this gorgeous blue folio case for the Galaxy S8, showcasing the latest floral print trend. Flip open the magnetically secured folio cover to find a handy mirror inside, and be safe in the knowledge Proporta has used an electroplated shell to keep both the phone and the design looking its best.
Mujjo Leather Case
Mujjo’s leather cases for iPhone proved to be so popular, they decided to bring them to the Galaxy S8. This is the kind of case you want if you’re looking for a good quality leather case that will last you a long time. You can see that Mujjo chose to fold the leather inwards toward the camera instead of using a plastic ring. The interior of the case is a soft microfiber material, and the full-grain leather will look even better as it ages with long-term use. This case comes in black and a beautiful saddle tan color.
Speck Presidio Clear + Glitter Case
Jazz up your phone with this super sparkly case from Speck. The Presidio clear case comes in clear with gold glitter or rose pink with gold glitter and is capable of resisting damage from drops of up to eight feet. One of the most annoying side effects of owning a clear case is the dreaded yellowing, but Speck uses a material called Impactium Clear which will resist yellowing, even when exposed to the sun for a long period.
Zizo Static Series Case
If you’re looking for that extra added level of protection against drops and impact have a look at the Zizo Static Series Case. Even with its slim design and gorgeous color combos, it adheres to military grade 810.1-G compliancy and is shockproof, relying on impact dispersion technology to distribute force evenly through the case. Add to that the built-in kickstand, which you can conveniently use to chat, view images and videos, and read. The inch-perfect mold offers up a slim profile, while dual-layered TPU and polycarbonate provide protection from drops and scratches.
Mous Limitless 2.0 Case
Our appreciation for Mous cases comes from our experiences using them to cover our iPhone, and we therefore recommend them for slipping over your equally breakable Galaxy S8. The case has a polycarbonate body with a TPU bumper, which cleverly hides a system called AiroShock, which absorbs shocks and drops very effectively. While the shock protection is great, the surprising part is how thin and light the Mous Limitless 2.0 case is, giving you all the benefits of a tough case without the drawbacks. The leather on the back is real too, which makes us love this case even more.
Otterbox Commuter Series Case
Very few case manufacturers have Otterbox’s reputation for drop protection, and we found out why when we looked at how manufacturers test their rugged cases. If you’re looking for heavy-duty impact protection for the Galaxy S8, then Otterbox cases should definitely make your shortlist. The Commuter Series is more manageable, as Otterbox has made the cases as slim as possible without compromising toughness. The case features Otterbox’s dual-layer protection and dust covers to keep dirt out of the smartphone’s ports.
Pelican Voyager Case
One of the best rugged cases for the Galaxy S8, Pelican’s Voyager covers your phone from every angle and has a built-in screen protector and a holster. The back is transparent, but there’s a thick, protective frame with a soft-touch finish that enhances grip. The buttons have tactile covers and the cut-outs are accurate, so you can use your S8 just fine with the case on, which is just as well, because it’s not easy to remove in a hurry. The holster also has a swiveling belt clip which can double up as a kickstand. This is a reliable option for drop protection and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Tech21 Evo Wallet Case
At first glance, this case looks like your typical slim wallet case. The front cover allows you to keep two cards concealed and out of view for added safety. You can also take off that front cover when you don’t need it and turn this case into a simple, protective shell case. The Evo Wallet can resist drops from up to 10 feet, thanks to Tech21’s FlexShock technology.
UAG Plasma Case
Anyone concerned about dropping the S8 should have a look at UAG’s wares. These cases are really tough and practical, with a hard outer shell and soft protective core, reinforced corners, big rubber skid pads to prevent slips, and chunky button covers that are easy to feel and press. The openings offer easy access to all phone features, and the case extends top and bottom to safeguard the screen. This opaque case comes in translucent black, cobalt blue, or gray.
Moshi Overture Wallet Case
This wallet case combines style and functionality in a package that offers decent drop protection. It’s a folio-style case, in black, vegan (fake) leather, which opens to reveal a polycarbonate shell for holding your S8 securely in place. The cover offers four handy slots for cards and a full-length pocket at the back. You’ll find accurate cut-outs for the buttons, camera, and fingerprint sensor on the back, as well as the ports. The design also allows you to prop your S8 in landscape easily, which is great for watching movies.
VRS Simpli Mod Series Case
If you like the leather look, but you want a durable, shell-style case, then this option from VRS Design should make your shopping list. It’s a polycarbonate shell with generous openings for your S8 camera, fingerprint sensor, all buttons, and ports. The back has a textured, polyurethane leather finish with neat, contrasting stitching. It’s slim and light, so it won’t provide rugged drop protection, but it should be enough to cope with minor bumps. It comes in black, or a brown and gold combination and costs $25.
X-Doria Defense Clear Series Case
Here’s a tough case that combines three layers of protection to ensure that your S8 can survive drops from up to 6.6 feet. There’s an inner DropShield lining, which absorbs and disperses shock and impact, a clear hard polycarbonate outer, and rubbery TPU around the edges, giving additional grip. The button covers are well-defined, and there are accurate cut-outs for the ports, camera, and fingerprint sensor. It’s a pretty chunky case, but it does offer serious protection.
Griffin Survivor Strong Case
You can still get dual-layer protection in a slim package with this case from Griffin. It protects against drops from up to seven feet, but it’s very lightweight. There’s a layer of polycarbonate with flexible TPU around the outside which makes it easy to grip and comfortable to hold. You’ll find openings for the camera, fingerprint sensor, and ports are exactly where they should be, and there are individual button covers on the side for the volume and power buttons. This case comes in a range of color combinations with contrasting highlights and the Survivor logo on the back.
Spigen Tough Armor Case
Here’s an affordable protective case from popular manufacturer, Spigen. It meets military drop test standards, so your Galaxy S8 is safe in the event of a typical fall. The black inner shell is TPU with air cushions in the corners and there’s a polycarbonate layer to snap on top. You’ll find generous openings for easy access to ports and camera. The kickstand is handy for propping your phone in landscape view, but it is a bit flimsy.
Editors’ Recommendations
