Another year, another Galaxy Z Fold phone. The eighth iteration, if you can believe it. And actually, it’s not just one, but two phones this time: the same-as-it-ever-was Z Fold 8 Ultra that looks just like the Z Fold 7, and the wider, passport-style Z Fold 8.
Before you pick a case for one of these phones, decide how much you want to compromise the look and feel of your phone, versus how much you want to protect it. As someone who sits at a desk all day, I like a slim case if I’m using one at all, despite what the chunky ESR clear case currently on my iPhone 15 Pro says. In my service industry days, I preferred something more protective, especially for something as damage-prone as a foldable.
Featured in this article
Phone makers don’t usually know for certain the precise dimensions and materials of a phone before it’s released, so my general recommendation is go with first-party cases, if you can afford it. Also, since these are brand new phones, keep in mind that this guide – like any others you encounter right as a phone has been released – is based on past experience with phone cases. For me, that’s about 17 years of slapping plastic, rubber and leather on my phones.
How to Pick a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Case
Your first consideration when picking a case for your phone is to figure out what you want out of it. Are you looking for something slender to protect the phone from scratches? Something purely aesthetic to express yourself? Is it full-blown protection, in-hand comfort be damned?
Next, pick your ideal price range and line up your options. Look first for long-established brands, and if none of those have what you’re looking for, feel free to expand to those that haven’t been around as long. It’s hard to find case reviews these days, but cases have also just generally gotten better over the years, in my experience. Still, foldables remain a relatively young category, so it’s a good idea to find a reviewer whose tendencies jive with your own. I look for commentary about fit and hand-feel: does it want to pop off easily? Is it too hard to remove? Will it slip out of my hand? That sort of thing.
Finally, don’t forget that these are brand new phones and that case makers don’t all get advance information that lets them make a precise fit. Some brands are good about that, and will ship you a replacement as soon as they’re dialed in later. If you’re committed to a third-party option, make sure they at least offer that. Otherwise, if you know you’re clumsy or you just want a guarantee, go with a phone case that’s made, or at least approved, by Samsung itself.
1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Hybrid Shield Magnet Case
Best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Case
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Hybrid Shield Magnet Case
0
If all you care about is a case that will definitely fit the Z Fold 8 out of the gate, this is the one for you.
Guaranteed to fit
Built-in magnetic charging ring
Pricey compared to other options
Samsung’s official Galaxy Z Fold 8 case is usually your best bet right out of the gate, and that’ll be especially true in a year when the company has totally overhauled the physical dimensions of its mainstay foldable. Sure, there have been plenty of leaks that have let case makers generate products based on the actual dimensions of the phone, but without the real thing, they can’t truly test them.
The Hybrid Shield Magnet Case features a split-hinge-cover only thing is that first-party cases are pretty much always pricier than third-party options, and that’s true here, too — the Hybrid Shield Magnet Case costs an eye-watering $100.
2. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case (Official)
Best Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case (Official)
0
Again, go straight to the source, Samsung, if you want to be sure your Z Fold 8 Ultra case will fit.
Guaranteed to fit
Built-in magnetic charging ring
Pricey
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the real continuation of the Z Fold 7 design, which could mean better luck with third-party cases. Still, it’s a good idea to go with Samsung’s first-party case if you want the best fit right out of the gate, and of those options, the Hybrid Shield Magnet case again seems like the best option for the most protection.
The main trouble with these cases is the price: it’s $100. Still, that can be worth it for a little peace of mind on day one.
3. Spigen Air Fit Pro MagFit
Best Rugged Galaxy Z Fold 8 Case
Spigen Air Fit Pro MagFit
0
Spigen brings a slender case with ultra-fast wireless charging to the Z Fold 8.
Fabric hinge protector
Built-in magnetic charging ring
Hinge protector adds bulk
Spigen is one of the longest-running phone case makers, and every case I’ve had from it has been solid. I’d expect no different from this case. It features a generous lip around the outside screen, a smooth, flat-backed design, and a hinge protector with built-in magnets to keep it covering your hinge. That last bit probably won’t mean it never flops off the folding edge of the phone, but it’s almost certainly less likely to break than the spring mechanism found in other Spigen phone cases.
This case is the only one of those Spigen shared with IGN ahead of Samsung’s official reveal that supports ultra-fast wireless charging, meaning it should reach up to 20W charging, or just five watts short of the full 25W offered by proper Qi2 support. And at just $30, I’m not mad at its price point.
4. Spigen Tough Armor Pro MagFit
Best Rugged Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case
Spigen Tough Armor Pro MagFit
0
Spigen’s spring-loaded hinge protector and thick case design is your best bet for keeping the spendy Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra from scratches, dings, and worse.
Hinge protector stays on the hinge
Thick back cover and front screen edge protection
Bulky
Spigen is also my pick for rugged cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, thanks to its thick design and its spring-loaded mechanism that keeps the hinge covering the most vulnerable point of the phone. The case takes a dual-layer approach, with raised bezels for the outer screen. According to Spigen, you’ll get ultra-fast wireless charging with the Tough Armor Pro MagFit, which has a magnetic ring on the back for Qi2 charging.
I have my doubts about the longevity of the spring mechanism, but if I’m spending this much money on a phone, I’d like to make sure the hinge is always protected. One thing to keep in mind is that the buttons aren’t covered. That’s one of those divisive things that some will like and others won’t (I’ve always preferred covered buttons, but only when it’s done well, which is rare.) Like the Air Fit Pro above, this case is blessedly cheap at $35.
5. Samsung Clear Magnet Case, Transparent
Best Clear Galaxy Z Fold 8 Case
Samsung Clear Magnet Case, Transparent
0
A guaranteed-to-fit clear case with a magnetic ring for Qi2 wireless charging.
Guaranteed to fit your phone
Not as pricey as other Samsung cases
Will probably yellow, eventually
The Samsung first-party Clear Magnet Case is the obvious choice if you want to be able to see the colorful back panel of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 while it’s in a case, mainly because there’s no doubt it’ll fit your phone. It’s also embedded with a magnetic ring, a necessity if you want to take full advantage of MagSafe-like Qi2 wireless chargers.
At $60, this case also has the benefit of being cheaper than the other Samsung cases I listed above. Unfortunately, it appears to be made of the same soft TPU that has made up most clear cases forever, which means chances are good that in just a few months, it’ll have gained a dingy, yellow hue. Alas.
6. Dbrand Grip Cases
Best Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra Fashion Cases
Dbrand Grip Cases
0
If you want lots of options for making your Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra look cool, Dbrand’s got plenty.
Plenty of pattern and color choices
Covers the hinge
Could ship after you get your phone
Dbrand’s Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra case options are as numerous as they are fun to look at. The company is offering both the expansive patterned cases and a few solid-color options. The Grip Case has a rubbery grip around the outside that should make it easier to keep it in your hand (hence the name), and it will cover the edge of the front display, the hinge, and the back of the Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra. It’s also got an integrated magnetic ring.
The cases cost up to $60, putting them on the pricey side compared to other third-party options. And Dbrand says they won’t ship until August, but not specifically when, so there’s the chance that it won’t arrive until after Galaxy Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultras start going out on August 7th.
7. Benks ArmorGrid Pro
Best Slim Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Case
Benks ArmorGrid Pro
0
A super slim kevlar case with magnetic charging.
Super slim kevlar backing
Front screen, edge, and hinge protection
Hinge protector needs to be pushed back on when closing
I’ve never used a Benks case, but of the thin case options out there, I like this one for its hinge protection, which is not always a given in this category. Benks uses kevlar for its back case, a pliable TPU frame for the outer screen’s edge, and includes a glass screen protector for the front display. The case also has a magnetic ring embedded in the back edge for Qi2 wireless charging.
One potential issue I see here is that, based on one early video review I spotted online, the hinge protection doesn’t close automatically with the case, so you’ll need to remember to shut it yourself. Also, at $110, it ain’t even close to cheap. If hinge coverage isn’t really a concern, the next best thing could be the Thinborne Ultra Thin Aramid Fiber case, which costs “only” $90, or Samsung’s own $105 Carbon Magnet case.
8. Thinborne Aramid Fiber Case
Best Slim Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra Case
Thinborne Aramid Fiber Case
0
An affordable super-thin Z Fold 8 Ultra case.
Super thin design
Built-in magnetic charging ring
Poor hinge coverage
The Benks ArmorGrid Pro for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is, at $120, just a bit too rich for my blood. Despite its superior-seeming hinge coverage, I’d recommend the Thinborne Aramid Fiber option, instead. It costs just $90.
The major drawback is that it won’t totally cover the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra’s hinge, but that might not be an issue for this particular phone. After all, Samsung has been making practically the exact same design for many years – plenty of time to make it hold up to punishment.
Wes is a freelance writer (Freelance Wes, they call him) who has covered technology, gaming, and entertainment steadily since 2020 at Gizmodo, Tom’s Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and most recently, The Verge. Inside of him there are two wolves: one that thinks it wouldn’t be so bad to start collecting game consoles again, and the other who also thinks this, but more strongly.