Case roundup: Samsung Galaxy S20

The Galaxy S20 has lots going for it, but it's still a fragile glass sandwich and needs protecting from day one. I should know, I managed to crack my iPhone 11 Pro screen the other day. Sob.

As usual for my case roundups, I'll cover a variety of styles, with most samples supplied by MobileFun, kind people that they are. See their complete range of Galaxy S20 cases and covers.

But on with the individual cases, each link goes to the relevant product page, of course.

Ringke Fusion-X, £13


The gadget man's dream case, this Ringke design has it all. Twin lanyard loops, corner protection spurs, cyberpunk panels and bevels. Yet it doesn't add too much bulk and you do get to see your original S20 colour (if any) through the clear back.


Ringke is a top brand for protection and I'd definitely trust my S20 to this. The end caps are raised, to help with face drops and face-down placing and the button cutouts are nicely weighted.


If I had one, very minor criticism, it would be that both the inside and outside of the case back show up dust and hairs (etc) all too well, so you've got to be meticulous when putting the Fusion-X on and you'll need to keep it clean in daily use.


Score: 9/10

Olixar X-Ranger, £15


Something of an oddball design, but everyone's a fan of multi-tools, surely, so why not have one in your phone case? (Actually, I've ended up keeping one of these tools in my wallet, but...)


The concept is exactly as it looks. A flap at the bottom of the rear of the case opens and then you extract the multi-tool. Maybe this case is one for weekend hikers?


The materials are solid and protective, the rear has a brushed metal effect, which is striking. There's no specific corner protection, but you do get raised top and bottom ends, for face-drops and placement.


My biggest gripe would be the inefficiency of having the whole rear/body of the case thickened by the depth of the multi-tool, just to keep things flat. The design feels like it could do with something else - perhaps a recess for a spare nano-SIM, another for a SIM extraction tool? That sort of thing!

Score: 7/10

LoveCases Starry Clear, £10


It's a fair cop, this is exactly the sort of patterned vanilla case you might get in a town centre phone stall. It's relatively flimsy and clearly designed to appeal to teenagers. And ships here at about the same price.


There's zero extra protection in terms of thickness or raised edges, so consider this a case for a second hand S20 in a year's time - I don't think I'd trust this on a brand new £800 smartphone in March 2020!



It's not a bad case, it's just not special enough to warrant picking it over some of the exemplary options on this page, just to save a few quid.

Score: 6/10

Olixar Ultra-thin, £7


Weighing - and costing, to be fair - almost nothing, this is a top design  for someone who really wants to feel their new S20. The 'Ultra-thin' adds almost no bulk, yet adds a load of grip and - casual - protection, thanks to the layer of clear TPU and the sensibly raised top and bottom, to protect from face drops.


To some degree, anyway. I wouldn't expect this to protect the S20 from a fall above waist height, but it'll do very nicely indeed around the office.



Score: 9/10

Olixar Nova-Shield, £13


This is a very capable case that does everything it can to stay under the radar. Aside from the scoped bezel on the back by the camera, there's nothing here that's worth of special note. The tough plastic is textured and grippy, the button covers deliberately kept super-flush.


The downside of everything being 'regulation', of course, is that there's no scope for extras, such as padding at the corners. You do get a slight raising of the edges at top and bottom, which is good to see.


But ultimately, the NovaShield design is recommendable because it's competent. And not recommendable, at the same time(!), because it doesn't go the extra mile in terms of protection.


Score: 8/10

Olixar Leather-style Wallet Stand, £10


Yep, you're not going to get real leather for a tenner, but faux leather does have another huge advantage (other than cost) - it can be made really thin, and this well-worn Olixar design does a good job of keeping this wallet case within bounds in terms of overall depth in the pocket.


Mind you, with a few cards in the slots and with the magnet closure, you're talking 14mm or so. But the benefits of not having to carry a separate wallet around and also having a media stand facility do rather outweigh the bulk, I think.



Folio (wrap around) cases won't suit everyone, of course. But if you don't mind the odd flap, knowing that this can be put to good use, then this is great value for money, I think.


Score: 8/10

Olixar Carbon Fibre, £13


Saving the best for last (in this early review batch, at least), this design, still affordable, is the sweet spot in terms of access and protection. You get almost all round protection with tough textured TPU, yet with surprisingly little additional thickness or bulk. It's just.... good design.


OK, you don't get lanyard holes, but do get reinforced, raised corners and a terrific texture in the hand, thanks to the 'carbon fibre' pattern.


Part of the secret of the slim feel in the hand is the way the sides are lowered, so as not to impede Android 10 side gestures. Technically this opens the glass up to a side impact at just the 'wrong' angle, but this is a relatively low risk and you get the benefit every day in terms of feeling fabulous in your grip.


Score: 10/10


Samsung Smart Clear View Cover, £49





Yep, you read that price right. Almost £50 for a phone case - you're paying for the Samsung name, in part, plus also the NFC tech that ties in with the S20 to change the way the Always On Display works.

Put the phone in and it's a snug fit, as you'd expect. The 'sandstone' texture looks hard wearing, though I'd have liked more corner protection, for the most common drop of all.


The front flap isn't secured, but it also doesn't wave around too much. The USP here is the combination of clear panel and a NFC chip to tell the S20 which case is fitted. Once recognised (it seems to take a few seconds), you get a special Clear View theme for the phone and an Always On Display that reconfigures itself to deliver the most important data: time, date and battery status without you having to open the flap.


Is a little front protection worth £50? Well maybe. It's certainly a very cool case, I'd just have liked to see a few softer materials for better shock absorption - perhaps an inner lining inside all the plastic.


My score has to also reflect value for money, apologies Samsung, but this doesn't really offer enough for the money in my opinion.

Score: 7/10

Samsung Clear Cover, £17


My joint winner here (in the round-up so far), Samsung usually nails its clear covers. The fit is immaculate, the clear nature means that you get to see every expensive inch of your new smartphone, and the price is just right, considering the name.


The TPU material is perfect. Tough without being soft. Grippy without being too rough. Smooth without being slippery. You get the idea.


Most importantly, perhaps, it's a joy in the hand. There's just enough material on the sides to aid grip and provide some protection, while the top and bottom are raised for drop protection.


Why the perfect 10 below? Because, like the Olixar Carbon Fibre, this protects without getting in the way in the slightest. Which is exactly what most people want from a case, after all, surely?

Score: 10/10

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