Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Cases for 2024 [CNET]

Article updated on August 7, 2024 at 9:00 AM PDT

Keep your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 looking shiny and new with one of the best cases on the market. Here are our top picks for 2024.

Our Experts

What is the best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 case overall?

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip3 is an all-around great phone. In addition to being one of the best foldable phones you can buy, it’s also a slightly cheaper option if you don’t need the latest and greatest model. Because of its unique shape, the phone has very specific needs in the phone case department. The best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 cases will protect the phone’s outer hinge and foldable screen without making it look too clunky.

Unlike with cases for Apple’s iPhone 15 or 14, or even for the Galaxy S24 or Galaxy S23, the number of companies making cases for the Galaxy Z Flip3 is relatively small. Thanks to its uncommon folding design, there are fewer options to choose from. You could probably still use some help comparing products before you buy.

I’ve tried all the cases on this list, and my choices focus on features, grip and uncompromising style, so you can get the best all-around protection and find the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 case of your dreams.

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 cases of 2024

Budget

Before anything else, you’ll want to figure out how much you’re willing to spend on a Galaxy Z Flip3 phone case. Value-priced cases continue to improve, so you can find a decent wireless charger for less than $15. But if you’re looking for a more premium model, you’ll likely have to pay more than $50 and even more for Qi-enabled cases.

Qi Wireless Charging support — or not?

Most Android phones since the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models introduced in 2015 offer inductive wireless charging. Android’s standard for these phones is called Qi, and power banks that are fully Qi compatible offer faster charging speeds for Android devices with speeds capped at around 7.5 watts for iPhones. In all cases, you’ll need to make sure your phone case is thin enough to allow inductive charging through the back of the phone.

You can save about $8 to $10 by getting a case that doesn’t have an integrated metal ring. I generally encourage people to spend the extra money for a Qi-enabled case because of the number of magnetic accessories on the market, some of them quite useful.

Thin or thicker?

Some people like minimal cases that add little to no bulk to their Galaxy Z Flips, but the majority of people are looking for a case that offers good protection — or even maximum protection. I tell people to find a case that’s not too thick and maybe even pretty slim and that offers at least 6-foot drop protection (and good corner protection).

Do you want a clear case?

Clear cases are popular because they show off your phone (and its color). Clear cases, especially cheaper ones, can become less clear over time and slowly start to yellow. Many case makers now add UV protection to their clear cases to prevent yellowing. 

Several of the cases on this list were available for the previous Samsung Galaxy models and we added them to the list based on our previous testing. Typically, we try to use the case on the phone for at least a day and make sure the buttons on the phone work properly with the case on. With some phone cases, we use them for several days or even weeks to see how they wear over time. 

• Design: We evaluate the more superficial and cosmetic aspects of cases and consider how aesthetically pleasing they are because people sometimes buy cases solely for their colors and artwork. 
• Durability: We look at how durable a case is, paying particular attention to corner and camera protection (raised corners on a case can help your phone survive face-down falls).
• Grip factor: We review the material the case is made of so we can talk about such factors as how grippy the phone feels in your hand and how protective the material is. 
• Extra features: Some Samsung cases have extra features such as Qi Wireless Charging rings, an integrated kickstand or grips, and, in the case of folio models, slots for storing credit cards and cash.
• Long-term testing: Although we don’t do long-term testing for most cases, we do use some of the most popular cases for longer periods to gauge how they wear over time and see how well our phone holds up during accidental drops with the case on it. We don’t do formal drop tests.
• Waterproof cases: Only a few fully waterproof cases are available, but If the case is supposed to be fully waterproof, we test it by submerging it in water. 

InvisibleShield Ultra Clear Plus With D3O: Zagg brings its line of InvisibleShield screen protectors to the Z Flip3’s exterior screen. This is probably the smallest screen protector Zagg’s ever made. It somehow costs as much as the screen protectors it makes for much larger screens.

Spigen GlastR Optik Lens Protector: This isn’t a phone case per se, but if you’re looking for some added protection for your Z Flip3’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 Flip3 cases’ cutouts around the back display are the same dimensions.)

Samsung Clear Ring Cover: Samsung’s Clear Ring Cover is the translucent version of its Ring Cover. While it doesn’t have the same soft-to-the-touch finish and isn’t quite as protective as that case, it is slim and allows you to show off your phone’s exterior color. It’s normally $30, but we’ve already seen discounts on it.

Otterbox Thin Flex: The Thin Flex comes in translucent options, a couple of which have colored trims (the pacific reef color is shown in photo). While it has a two-piece design and no hinge protection, it looks and feels like a premium case. 

UAG Civilian Series: Urban Armor Gear has long made attractively designed cases for a variety of phone models and its Civilian Series is one the best tough cases for the Z Flip3. It’s available in three color options — black, mallard (blue) and olive — and does offer hinge protection in a one-piece design. You do need to use the adhesive on the inside of the case to keep the case from sliding around on the phone.