The Galaxy S23+ might have already been replaced by the S24+, but it’s still an excellent smartphone. If you already own one, there’s no reason to upgrade yet, and even if you’re buying a phone today, discounts make the S23+ a compelling option. It was one of our favorite Android smartphones last year for a reason. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a fantastic chip that ensures superb performance. The S23+ is made of Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, but that doesn’t make it invincible.
Glass will eventually get scratched or cracked through normal use, and if you’re particularly clumsy or work in an environment with more risk factors than usual, you’ll want to go above and beyond to protect your phone. If you want to keep your phone looking pretty, you’ll want to use a case. We’ve already made a list of our overall favorites, but here, we’re going to focus on heavy-duty cases.
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Best overall
Gear4 London for Galaxy S23+
Out of all Zagg’s ultra-stylish Gear4 cases, the London is a real favorite due to its understated but fun line art and stain-resistant fabric back. It’s safe from drops at least 13ft high, which is above average, and the plant-based impact resistance materials help keep the overall environmental impact as low as possible. You will, however, be paying a little bit more for this case.
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Premium pick
UAG Plyo for Galaxy S23+
$30 $40 Save $10
There’s a decent selection of clear cases out there, but none aside from the Ice version of the UAG Plyo offers the impressive (and third-party tested) drop rating of 16 feet. Even better, there’s a lanyard anchor to ensure you don’t drop it (lanyard sold separately, of course), and the oversized buttons make it especially easy to lock your device or adjust the volume.
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Best value
Spigen Tough Armor for Galaxy S23+
$21 $45 Save $24
Spigen’s Tough Armor looks like a run-of-the-mill phone case without a ton of bulk or aggressive styling. On the inside, though, it sports multiple layers of protection that all but guarantee your phone is safe from bumps and drops. It’s ideal for anybody who needs premium protection but wants to fly a little under the radar with these darker but very classy color options.
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Promoted pick
i-Blason Armorbox for Galaxy S23+
In partnership with i-Blason
If you like angular, sci-fi-inspired electronic designs, the i-Blason ArmorBox is right up your alley. It comes in green, red, or blue in addition to standard black and lets you choose whether you want an integrated front frame or a more common tempered glass layer. Our only gripe is that i-Blason doesn’t provide an official drop rating, but with the design of this case, one can assume it has pretty good protection.
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Otterbox Defender Series Pro for Galaxy S23+
With some decent color choices and a design that just feels proper in your hands, the all-loved and reliable Otterbox never lets its users down. The Defender Series Pro is not only heavy-duty but is also embedded with an antimicrobial additive for a cleaner case overall. Plus, the additional holster lets you clip to your belt for ease of access.
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Poetic Spartan for Galaxy S23+
This multipart case for your Galaxy S23+ is affordable, rugged, and quite versatile. Not only does the Poetic Spartan boast amazing protection, but it also looks great with the added leather texture and any of the five color options. It comes with a built-in screen protector cover that works with the fingerprint scanner, as well as a cover with no screen protector for those who already have one.
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Ghostek Atomic Slim for Galaxy S23+
Ghostek’s Atomic Slim continues the company’s efforts to produce well-built, rugged cases with good-looking and novel designs. Not only is there a wide range of colors to choose from, but a few also have transparent backs, while others boast simulated leather, fabric, or prismatic blends on the rear to really kick the appearance up a notch. Ghostek has really offered up options with this case.
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Casetify Impact Series for Galaxy S23+
The vast selection of fun, eye-catching, expressive designs is just one of the reasons we love the Casetify Impact Series for wrapping our Galaxy S23+. It’s also built from premium materials, has the perfect amount of grip, boasts a build quality you can count on for years, and is exceeded in some designs by the even more rugged Ultra Impact versions.
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Poetic Neon for Galaxy S23+
Gone are the days when heavy-duty meant overblown, bulky, and ugly. Today, you can easily get a dual-layer cover like the Poetic Neon Series, built with style and elegance in mind, but will faithfully take on everything life throws at your device. This case is even available in eight dazzling colors, and considering it is very well-priced, you’ll want to snag a piece for yourself at once!
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CaseBorne V for Galaxy S23+
For years, CaseBorne’s testing process included driving an actual car over its cases, and that hardcore ruggedness is still on display today. The heavy-duty multi-layer body rated for 21-foot drops is complemented by thick, raised protective bezels and a durable kickstand that works in either orientation. Despite its impressive performance, it’s not terribly costly and comes in black, orange, and purple variants.
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Armor-X MX Series for Galaxy S23+
Even among other waterproof cases, the Armor-X MX Series stands alone. It’s specifically engineered to protect from the hardest falls and most intense weather and is useful in activities like mountain biking and skydiving. Armor-X also makes a variety of mounting attachments to keep it fixed to a bike handle or tethered firmly to your wrist during extreme sports, including the in-box carabiner.
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Crave Dual Guard for Galaxy S23+
For most people, getting a case for their S23+ isn’t just about protecting it from damage; it’s also about making that slippery glass body easy to hold. And that’s exactly why the Crave Dual Guard is an excellent option. It’s a two-layered case, with the inner layer being the soft, shock-absorbing, rubber-like layer and the outer one more rigid with a grippy texture. Its buttons are also clicky, and it’s available in many different colors.
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Ringke Onyx for Galaxy S23+
While I’d love to recommend the Onyx for all three versions of the S23, only its Galaxy S23+ case features this checked, dot-matrix texturing across the back for added grip and style, and I am in love. Eschewing the bumper corners of the Spigen Rugged Armor, the Ringke Onyx offers a more compact feel in the hand and a better grip all around. We also get Navy, Black, and a Dark Green that’s about five shades better than the Spigen Liquid Air.
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Speck Presidio 2 Grip for Galaxy S23+
$27 $40 Save $13
If you’re searching for a case with less bulk but just as much protection, Speck’s Presidio 2 Grip is a great choice. With drop protection up to 13 feet and an added texturized grip should your phone leave your hand, it will be able to withstand a lot of impact. You will, however, be very limited on the color options with this design, so choose wisely.
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SaharaCase Armor Series for Galaxy S23+
The SaharaCase Armor Series is lightweight and durable, and MagSafe allows for wireless charging without having to take the case off. While it is only offered up in black, the non-yellowing design of the triple-hardened TPU will keep your case looking as fresh as the day you bought it. It also comes with reinforced corners and a built-in camera hood for added protection to your device.
Regular cases vs. heavy-duty protective covers
Phone cases are often purchased to reinforce phones against unforeseen disasters, but they also come with increased thickness and bulkiness. This can be a concern for some users, as they may not be able to tolerate the additional weight required. However, heavy-duty protective cases will offer the most protection against damage, and a lot of newer designs coming to the forefront prove you don’t need all that extra bulk to have premium protection. While regular cases can be great for day-to-day activities, over time and exposure to the elements, your case might not hold up as well as a heavy-duty case can.
If you’re particularly prone to accidents or take part in sports regularly and often use your phone outdoors, you’ll want to invest in a heavy-duty case. Otherwise, you’re probably better off settling for a less-costly classic cover or even a MagSafe Galaxy S23+ case. Nonetheless, if you still desire the extra peace of mind, you can opt for a sleek, stylish dual-layer case that strikes the right balance between sleekness and ruggedness. Such is the case (pun intended) with the Gear4 London, Poetic Neon, and Spigen Tough Armor.
The top rugged Galaxy S23+ cases
When it comes to safeguarding your precious Samsung Galaxy S23+, the Zagg Gear4 London is a popular choice. It offers superior defense and adds an elegant touch to its appearance. With its affordable price, it won’t drain too much of your spending power, making it a top choice for those looking to protect their device. However, if you don’t mind spending more on premium quality and protection, The UAG Plyo is a top-quality cover for the S23+. Offering exceptional defense against shattered glass, rough handling, and 20-foot drops, it is durable, long-lasting, and extremely reliable. It also maintains phone functionality, including access to ports and buttons, and is compatible with wireless charging despite its high cost.
On the other hand, if you desire unmatched protection for your device but do not want to spend a fortune on a rugged case, you can opt for the Spigen Tough Armor or the i-Blason Armorbox cases. Both are exquisite covers that offer remarkable protection against drops and impacts. Nevertheless, the i-Blason case has a bit of the upper hand in terms of comprehensive safety and convenience, featuring an in-built screen protector and an ergonomic kickstand.
Although these phone covers are our preferred heavy-duty options for the S23+, we understand that individual preferences may differ. Therefore, we encourage you to explore all the other cases in our collection before deciding which to settle with. Look out for the Casetify Impact Series if you’re a fan of artsy designs, the UAG Plyo cover if transparent cases are your thing, and the Oterkin case if you desire waterproof protection. But no matter the case you get, ensure you reinforce your display with a screen guard, be it a built-in-case shield or a stand-alone Galaxy S23+ screen protector.
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