Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Cases in 2024

16th Apr 2024 | Source: CNET.com

Keep your aging Galaxy Z Flip 4 safe from drops, cracks, and spills with our favorite cases.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is rarely available new, now that it's been a few months since the Galaxy Z Flip 5 launched. The Z Flip 4 is still a great phone to have, though, and you can buy one used or refurbished. If you have one, you'll want to keep it protected till you're ready to upgrade. A good case will help you do that -- one that protects your phone without costing too much (and that satisfies your sense of style, too). We've put together this list with a wide range of choices.

This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung's most popular products.

Flip phones can be a bit easier to damage, since damage to the hinge and spine can render the phone unable to flip open and shut. A case can add a little extra security, protecting your Z Flip 4 from scratches and other damage that may shorten your phone's life. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 had some incredible cases, and the Z Flip 4 has even more options available. We've tried many of these Z Flip 4 cases and can attest to their quality.

Good-value silicone case

Caseology Nano Pop

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.

Translucent ring case

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.

Most protective clear case

Speck Presidio Perfect-Clear Fold

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.)

Top ring case

Samsung Silicone Cover with Ring

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.

Improved slim Otterbox case

Otterbox Thin Flex

I didn't like Otterbox's Thin Flex case for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It felt cheap and was hard to get off my phone once I 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.

Premium leather option

Galaxy Z Flip 4 Flap Leather Cover

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've seen deep 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 claims.

Rugged 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 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.

Good hinge protection

Spigen Tough Armor

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 wish it came in more colors: Black is the only option. Note that you can save $5 at Amazon when you activate the instant coupon on the product page.

Slim minimalist case

Spigen Air Skin

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.

Security strap

Samsung Silicone Cover With Strap

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.

Most protective Otterbox

Otterbox Symmetry Flex

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's expensive, but we should see some discounts on it.

All-around solid protection

Gear4 Bridgetown Case

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.