Spigen Tough Armor Galaxy S24 Case Review: Should You Buy It?

Spigen is one of the largest phone case manufacturers in the world, but one of the biggest holes in its product line has always been a truly rugged case. It makes a number of hybrid cases with good drop protection, such as the Rugged Armor or the Optik Armor, but only the Tough Armor can truly claim to be a tough case.

At least, that’s what I think. It’s still thinner and lighter than something like the Otterbox Defender. Still, and at half the price, I’m happy to find it’s more than adequate to keep the Galaxy S24 safe.

In terms of construction, the Tough Armor features a hard polycarbonate backing and a flexible TPU shell. The top and bottom of the shell have exposed TPU for easy installation and removal. Not as simple as a full TPU case, but still a nice change compared to other rugged cases.

It’s not visible to the naked eye, but the polycarbonate backing has a soft texture. This gives it a good grip and makes the case very comfortable to hold. Since the polycarbonate material wraps around the sides of the device, it stays securely in your hand without any additional texture or grip.

Another element that sets this case apart from other Spigen cases is the fully covered buttons. These prevent any dirt or debris from sliding around in your case, but I found them to be a bit stiff in actual use. The volume buttons also don’t have a bump, making them difficult to find with your thumb.

Frankly, the back of the case is pretty plain, with only the stand interrupting the minimalist look. Speaking of the stand, it’s convenient for propping the phone on a table to watch YouTube or other media, but it can only be used horizontally. Even on a smaller phone like the Galaxy S24, it’s a bit fragile. If you have a larger device like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the stand will be difficult to mount if it’s not placed on a solid, flat surface.

Obviously, drop protection is the key feature here, and the tough armor ticks a lot of the boxes. It has thick bumpers, uses Spigen’s Air Cushion technology to protect the corners, and has a raised edge around the screen to prevent scratches. While it’s not as flamboyant as a rugged case from Otterbox or UAG, it will keep your phone safe.

My only real complaints with this case are the design and color choices. Spigen clearly prioritizes function over aesthetics, and there aren’t many colors to choose from.

If you can get over that, you won’t find a better solid case in this price range. Most rugged phone cases cost at least twice as much and probably won’t make your phone any safer.

Tough Armor is a rugged case suitable for everyday use, but if you regularly take your phone with you on adventures or into hazardous work environments, you may want to consider the following alternatives:

• Otter Guard Series ($53.51 at Amazon): The Otterbox Defender is the gold standard for rugged cases, and even though it costs more than twice as much as the Tough Armor, it features a dust port, belt holster, and extra-thick bumper to keep your The Galaxy S24 is protected from almost anything.
• Spigen Optik Armor ($20.99 at Amazon): For more targeted protection, check out Optik Armor, also from Spigen. It removes all the bulk of Tough Armor and adds a sliding lens cover to protect the most vulnerable parts of the device. The price is also about the same, making it another affordable option.
• Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro ($26.99 at Amazon): If you can spend a little more, the Supcase UB Pro has some of the best drop protection on the market. It’s a little more expensive than the Tough Armor, but it’s a very sturdy solid case if you like the futuristic look.

If you want more options, check out our picks of the best cases for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra.