This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung’s most popular products.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 builds on the success of 2021’s sleeper smartphone hit, the Galaxy Z Flip 3. While the durability of phones has increased over the years, it’s reasonable to be cautious, especially with a folding phone. The number of flip phone case options available isn’t extensive, but grabbing a Galaxy Z Flip 4 case isn’t hard to do. It can give you extra peace of mind that your device will be safe from scratches and other damage if it takes a tumble. In fact, case manufacturers have made sure there are more choices available than the Flip 4’s predecessor had — and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 had some incredible cases. Anyone looking for a stylish case or those who value function over fashion will find a case to suit their preferences here.
We’ve tried many of these Z Flip 4 case options and can attest to their quality. As more new cases arrive for the Z Flip 4, we’ll be putting those models to the test and will update this list accordingly so you can find the best offers available.
Available in three color options, the Caseology Nano Pop has a soft-to-the-touch feel and offers decent protection with a raised camera ring. Its dual-layer design with eye-catching trim colors does give the case a little extra pop. Note that Caseology is a sub-brand of Spigen.
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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.
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Speck’s Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold, one of my favorites for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, returns for the Z Flip 4. The Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold is rated for 13-foot drop protection, and it’s the most protective clear case I tried, although there’s no hinge protection. It comes in a perfectly clear version and one imbued with glitter. (Note that the photo above is with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 but the Z Flip 4 version should be nearly identical).
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Samsung’s Silicone Cover with Ring returns for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with some small design enhancements. It’s protective, it has a nice soft-to-touch finish and there’s that built-in ring that helps prevent you from dropping the phone — and you can also clip the ring to a lanyard and wear the phone around your neck. Alas, while I could kind of prop the phone up using the ring on certain surfaces, I would have liked the case even more if it truly converted into a kickstand.
The case comes in multiple colors.
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I didn’t like Otterbox’s Thin Flex case for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It felt cheap and was hard to get off your phone once you put it on. But the new version for the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is much better and 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 now looks and feels like a premium case.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 Flap Leather Cover is an upgrade over last year’s Leather Cover case for the Galaxy Flip 3, as it incorporates a flap for hinge protection. It’s expensive, but nice — and slim. Available in three color options (black, peach and purple), the biggest knock against it is that it’s expensive, but we’re already seeing discounts on it.
You can find a bunch of generic clear cases on Amazon for the Galaxy Z Flip 4, several of which cost less than $15. The Restone is interesting because while it’s technically a two-piece design with no hinge protection (for the Z Flip 4’s hinge), it does feature a hinge of its own that keeps the two pieces together and helps prevent them from slipping off the phone. It also has a bit of extra corner protection. (I haven’t used this particular Restone case yet but I have used a Restone case on another phone and it was fine, particularly for its low price).
All these inexpensive clear cases say they have anti-yellowing protection (to keep your clear case from losing its clarity), but I don’t really believe those anti-yellow claims.
Urban Armor Gear
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 Flip 4. 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.
You’re receiving price alerts for Spigen Tough Armor [Hinge Protection] Designed for Galaxy Z Flip 4 Case (2022) – Black
Spigen makes a few cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. As its name implies, the Tough Armor is durable and offers the most protection in Spigen’s line. It’s also the only Spigen case that has an integrated protective covering for the hinge.
As far as protective cases go, it’s one of the better ones and is only missing an integrated kickstand. I also kind of wish it came in more colors. Black is the only option for now. Expect to see price drops on it in the coming weeks.
You’re receiving price alerts for Spigen Air Skin Designed for Galaxy Z Flip 4 Case (2022) – Cornflower Blue
Spigen’s Air Skin case line, which includes a Crystal Clear version as well as other color options, is a slim case that offers basic protection. I probably like the color versions instead of the clear, but a lot of people like to show the color of their phone, especially if you paid extra for one of the “bespoke” colors.
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This has the same soft-to-the-touch finish as Samsung’s Ring case, but instead of a ring it incorporates a strap. You slide your hand under the strap (and behind the phone), which allows you to get a grip and hold on to your phone without really wrapping your fingers around it. It’s essentially a security strap. The strap also offers a little bit of protection for the hinge when you fold up the phone. Additionally, you can attach the end of the strap to a lanyard or clip it to another strap (say, on a bag or backpack).
Aside from having some utility, the strap also seems designed to bring some attention to your phone. For better or worse, it does just that, so if you use this case, plan on having people ask you about your phone. It comes in two colors (white or black), but additional straps are sold separately if you want one that better fits your personal style.
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Otterbox makes only two cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 4: the Thin Flex (see above) and this one, the Symmetry Flex, which now offers hinge protection and is a top protective case for the Z Flip 4 (it comes in more color options for the Z Flip 4). It’s expensive, but we should see some discounts on it in the coming weeks.
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Zagg has a new “eco” screen protector for the Z Flip 4’s exterior screen that it says is biodegradable, a first for a screen protector. Along with the exterior screen protector Zagg makes for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, this is its smallest screen protector. Yet it somehow costs almost as much as the screen protectors it makes for much larger screens.
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Gear4’s Bridgetown case shares some similarities with Spigen’s Tough Armor case (see below). It, too, is a tough case that only comes in black and has some nice hinge protection. The case looks similar to the version for the Z Flip 3 but the new version is a bit sleeker and the hinge protector has been improved. It’s one of the best protective cases for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. I only wish it were available in more colors, or a clear version.
Do Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases fit the Galaxy Z Flip 4?
Yes and no. Your old Z Flip 3 case may fit on your Z Flip 4 — and stay on it — but there are some small differences in their design (and dimensions) that may make it a less-than-perfect fit. For instance, the flashlight on the Zip Flip 4 is a slightly different location than the flashlight on the Z Flip 3 and may not be centered in the cutout on a Z Flip 3 case. Also, the top microphone may get partially covered if you use a Z Flip 3 case with a Z Flip 4. You can try your old case with your new phone to see how well it fits (and potentially try to modify it slightly), but there’s a good chance you may have to get an official Z Flip 4 case for it.
Do Galaxy Z Flip 4 cases protect the entire phone, including the hinge?
The majority of Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases came in two pieces. But with the Z Flip 4, we’re seeing more one-piece cases that do offer some hinge protection. If that’s something you’re looking for, several of these picks will protect the hinge.
Are there screen protectors for the Galaxy Z Flip 4?
As with the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung doesn’t sell — or allow anybody to sell — screen protectors for the main front screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. The Z Flip 4 uses a high-tech bendable display that is equipped with Samsung’s own pre-applied screen protector (some people had issues with it peeling on the Z Flip 3 and simply took it off). You can find a handful of screen protectors for the mini exterior display.
Do all Galaxy Z Flip 4 cases allow wireless charging?
Most but not all the cases on this list allow you to wirelessly charge the Z Flip 4 with the case on. Those that feature an integrated kickstand, particularly if it’s made out of metal, may require you to remove the case to charge your phone wirelessly.
Watch this:
Galaxy Z Flip 4: Samsung’s Flip Phone Gets New Software,…
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