Released in 2018, Samsung’s flagship smartphone returned in the form of the Samsung Galaxy S9. Marketed as a premium Android device, the S9 boasts an enhanced camera, a new fingerprint scanner, and a 1440p Super AMOLED display.
The Galaxy S9 is built to last years, but to keep your S9 running strong, we suggest investing in a durable case that can strengthen your grip on this otherwise fragile and slippery smartphone. To help you find the right offering for you, we’ve rounded up a few of the best options on the market.
Samsung Alcantara Case
You won’t find another S9 case quite like this one from Samsung, which is made from light, soft, and durable Alcantara material. Alcantara feels and looks a bit like suede, but it’s actually made from a mix of polyester and polyurethane. It feels very comfortable in hand and enhances your grip, but is prone to picking up dust and lint. The button covers are metallic and the fit is perfect, with unencumbered access to ports, the fingerprint sensor, and camera. This case won’t interfere with wireless charging or payments via Google or Samsung Pay. If you’re after a luxurious feel, it’s a good case to pick. The corners are covered so you should have some protection in the event of a drop, but this isn’t a rugged case, so keep looking if that’s a priority.
Catalyst Impact Protection Case
A long time favorite among iPhone users, Catalyst has created its first protective case for the Samsung Galaxy S9. This rubber case is extremely durable and features a grippy design, making it easy to hold. It’s also able to handle drops of nearly 10-feet, thanks to its proprietary cushioning system. And the best part of all is the Catalyst case is slim and unobtrusive, ensuring your phone maintains its naturally gorgeous form factor.
Ringke Wave Case
The Ringke Wave case offers dual-layer protection with a hard-shell exterior and soft, shock-absorbent TPU interior to keep your S9 screen safe from scratches. With its slim, form-fitting design and eye-catching metallic purple color, it’s a stylish case that boasts raised front and rear bezels, which protect your camera and phone screen from coming into contact with flat surfaces. There’s even a handy Quikcatch lanyard hole if you want to attach a wrist strap or other accessory.
Spigen Liquid Crystal Case
With a flowery flourish, this lightweight TPU case will protect your Galaxy S9 from minor falls and bumps. There are air pockets in the corners, but this is also a thin case, so it’s not going to offer rugged protection. It’s transparent, with good openings for the camera, fingerprint sensor, and all ports, as well as tactile button covers. If you’re not keen on the flowers, you can get a plain clear version, sparkly variants, or a matte black case.
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Case
Proving that you don’t need to spend big to get rugged drop protection, the Supcase Unicorn Beetle offers complete dual-layer coverage with a built-in screen protector. There are tactile button covers, port covers to keep dust out, accurate openings for the camera and fingerprint sensor, and ridged sides for enhanced grip. This case even comes with a holster and belt clip. It will safeguard your S9 from falls of up to four feet. The screen protector is the weak link for us — it’s too easily scuffed — and the flaps can be fiddly, but this case does offer a lot for the money. You can get it in black for $20 or choose from blue, pink, or the pictured white for $23.
Rhinoshield SolidSuit Case
We’ve been fans of Rhinoshield’s CrashGuard Bumper for years now. It’s ideal if you want to add solid drop protection to your phone without covering it up. But the case maker has started to craft some other cases that are worth a look, and for the Galaxy S9, we’re recommending the SolidSuit case. This case offers impressive drop protection that has been fully tested up to 11 feet, so you can be confident that your S9 will survive drops unscathed. It’s also a slim, light case with accurate openings, tactile button covers, and a raised lip around the top and bottom of the screen. You can get a plain black one for $30 or pay an extra $5 for the carbon fiber finish.
Carved Traveler Wood Case
If you’re looking for a blend of natural wood and gorgeous artwork, then you have to head over to Carved. You’ll find basic, durable black plastic cases with grippy sides fitted out with a stunning array of back panels crafted from real wood and painted or inlaid with eye-catching designs. You can opt for plain wood if you prefer, but there are lots of great designs worth considering. The fit of the case is good, and it will provide basic protection, though you’ll want to look elsewhere if drop protection is a top priority. These cases are really all about the style.
Shieldon Leather Wallet Case
Looking for a phone case that doubles as a wallet? This genuine cowhide leather case from Shieldon fits the bill, with its slim design, three card slots, and extra side pocket for your cash. It features magnetic closure and seamless access to all your S9’s buttons and ports, and there’s even a kickstand for hands-free viewing. Its soft TPU interior protects your phone’s screen from scratches and knocks, and it’s available in classic black or brown leather.
Noreve Tradition D Case
Leather cases don’t get much more luxurious than this. Saint Tropez, France-based Noreve is an expert leather case maker that offers an extremely wide range of different leather finishes, colors, and other extras. The Tradition D is a folio-style case with a simple closure and generous openings for easy to access to everything from the camera to the volume buttons. It’s a padded case that feels good in the hand and offers all-around protection, but it does inevitably add some bulk to the svelte S9. Prices start at around $46 for fake leather and head toward $100 for special handcrafted finishes.
UAG Plyo Case
The Plyo series from Urban Armor Gear is a bit sleeker and more refined than its standard range. You still get an impact-resistant core and reinforced corners for good drop protection that meets military drop-test standards, but the main body is transparent and devoid of extraneous detail. Ridged edges enhance your grip, and the button covers are oversized to make them easy to find and press. There is also a surround above and below the screen to prevent it from touching surfaces. This case comes in four translucent colors and won’t interfere with Samsung Pay or wireless charging.
Scooch Wingman Case
We like the clever design of this case, especially its versatile, curling kickstand on the back. You can curl it around your finger to hold your S9 securely, use it as a landscape or portrait stand, or insert it into the air vent in your car. The case itself has all the cutouts you need for easy access, tactile button covers, and reinforced sections top and bottom that cover the corners and guard against drop damage. Scooch also donates 10 percent of each purchase to programs that support victims of crime and domestic abuse.
Otterbox Commuter Series Case
If you want decent dual-layer drop protection, then the Otterbox Commuter is worth checking out. It doesn’t provide the same level of protection as Otterbox’s top-of-the-line Defender case, but it’s also slimmed down by comparison. The soft inner layer absorbs shock and the hard outer shell deflects damage. You do also get port covers to keep dust out of your headphone jack and charging port. It comes in classic black or a two-tone blue/green scheme.
Mous Real Aramid Carbon Fiber Case
This striking case from Mous combines a flexible TPU bumper with a polycarbonate back and a magnetic mounting system. The back plate to finish it off and give it a distinctive look is carbon fiber, but you can also get wood, leather, or a shell-effect finish. These svelte cases only add 2.3mm to your Galaxy S9’s profile. There are air pockets inside to ensure drop protection and each case ships with a screen protector.
Skech Polo Book Case
For wallet case fans, the versatile Polo Book from Skech is going to tick a lot of boxes. The polyurethane cover has a leather-style finish in black, and there’s space for credit cards, an ID card, and some cash. There’s a magnetic clasp to hold the cover in place, and it can also bend back to act as a landscape stand. The slim polycarbonate shell case inside can be detached and, since it has a magnetic back, it works with magnetic docks.
Incipio DualPro Case
If you’re worried about cracking that curved display, then this dual-layer case is a sound investment. This has been one of Incipio’s bestselling cases for a decade now — and with good reason. It covers the S9 from every angle, with a protective lip around the screen, tactile button covers, and generous openings for the camera, fingerprint sensor, and ports. It boasts an understated style in matte iridescent colors, including lilac, rusted gold, red/black, and rose quartz/gray. There’s also a sleek black option if an iridescent case isn’t for you.
Speck Presidio Folio Case
We’re big fans of Speck’s Presidio Grip case, but for the S9 we’re recommending this new Folio case. You get the same excellent drop protection for falls from up to 10 feet, and the cover provides complete coverage and also folds back to act as a landscape stand. Inside the cover, there’s a hidden slot that opens to reveal space for three cards. It’s durable, protective, and comes in heathered black, dolphin gray, blue, or red, all paired with gray.
Tech21 Evo Check Case
With a protection system that offers drop protection from up to 12 feet, you can relax when your Galaxy S9 is wearing the Tech21 Evo Check case. The polycarbonate shell combines with Tech21’s proprietary Flexshock material to safeguard your Samsung smartphone. It’s a slim case considering the level of protection it offers, and it has all the cutouts you need for easy access plus flexible buttons for accuracy. Aside from black, this transparent check-patterned case comes in a range of colors including aqua, fuchsia, gray, midnight blue, and orchid.
Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet Case
Leather is the king of crafting materials. While it’s expensive, it’s also durable, attractive, and comfortable to hold in your hand—all essential traits for a smartphone case. SnakeHive crafts these folio cases with quality Nubuck leather in a wide range of colors. The wallet-style design envelops your Galaxy S9 for more complete protection than a standard case. The magnetic cover can fold back to act as a landscape stand, and the case also comes with three card pockets and a larger pocket on the back. The colors you can choose from include black, deep green, moss green, navy, plum, honey gold, and orange.
Griffin Survivor Clear Case
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a marvelous hardware piece, so it can feel criminal to cover it up—even if it’s with a stylish and protective case. Fortunately, a clear case like this one from Griffin provides a great solution. This case gives you plenty of protection, but you can still show off the sleek lines and eye-catching colors of your S9. Not only is this case affordable, transparent, and decent in terms of drop protection (it can protect your phone in drops up to four feet, even on concrete), but you can trust the Griffin name, too. While Military drop-test standards can vary, this case has extra drop protection along the edges to help shoulder any impact.
Editors’ Recommendations
