Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case Review – Awesome toughness meets exceptional peace of mind

Not all smartphone cases provide the same levels of protection with many barely providing any protection if at all and others purely there only for aesthetics. We managed to get one of Supcase’s casings for the Galaxy S22 Ultra that is arguably one of the toughest we’ve seen in recent memory. Here’s our Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case review where we put it to the test!

Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case Review – Build and Design

We recently tested the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Edge Bumper case for the Galaxy S22 Ultra which had an excellent balance of protection and aesthetics. The Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case prioritises protection to a greater degree and features a ruggedised design that won’t look out of place from a Halo series game with its stylised hexagonal backplate that is available in one of nine possible colours ranging from black to green. In the case of our review samples, we were provided with one in Metallic Blue and another in matte black.

In terms of design, the Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case looks and feels exceptionally robust with a thick two-piece case that sandwiches the Galaxy S22 Ultra in multiple layers of TPU, rubber and polycarbonate.

According to official literature, it’s even been tested to survive a 20 foot drop which CNET tested awhile back for similarly designed cases for the iPhone X. That’s literally the height of a drop from a second-storey building which is an impressive feat by any measure of the word.

Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case Review – The case also features a clip holster that lets you secure the phone to your belt

Out of the box, you get a belt clip that latches on to your pants with the display facing inwards along with the casing itself. By default, the design does not come with a screen protector though you can optionally acquire a front piece similar to that used in the Beetle Edge Bumper Case which consists of a hardened frame with a transparent layer of clear plastic in front to protect the display from scratches.

Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case Review – The case is compatible with the front piece used in the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Edge case that features a transparent screen protector.

The rear backplate is one solid piece with stylised faux hexagonal rivets and stamping along with a recessed cut-out for the rear camera array that helpfully protects it from scratches. Of particular note is that the rear features a semi-adjustable kickstand that folds flush with the casing itself with a tiny raised lip to pop it open.

Unfortunately, the kickstand itself is non-detachable though you can modify the angle of view somewhat from a 35-degree to 40-degree angle of view which is sufficient for watching movies when plonked on a table and it can also double as a handgrip. The backplate also allows for wireless charging though there’s a slight delay before it activates.

On the base of the phone, Supcase has kitted out the USB-C port with a thick rubber plug that protects the port from dust ingress though the S Pen stylus well is exposed to the elements. The rest of the sides are lined in thick rubber and TPU to absorb and disperse impacts with a set of raised buttons for the volume rocker and power button.

Up front, the casing has a front cutout that frames the Galaxy S 22 Ultra’s touch display with a raised metal frame that ensures that the touchscreen doesn’t get nicked if placed face down on a table. 

When fully assembled together, our Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case review sample looks like an extremely rugged, militarised case which will suit some users. The matte black version has a lower, more understated profile though the metallic blue variant looks more stylish.

Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case Review – Setup and Performance

Slipping the Supcase Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case onto the Galaxy S22 Ultra required some effort but it was certainly easier than other tough armoured cases we’ve tested before. Fortunately, you don’t need specialised tools to open it and all you need is a coin to lever an edge of the rubber outer casing out of position so that you can jimmy the rest of the case out. On account of the tight fit between both halves, this does require some muscle work and time.

In case it’s not particularly obvious, Supcase has also added a removable sticker to the edge of the case to indicate where you’re supposed to pry with the coin though for the purposes of our review and the product shoot, it stayed on for reference.

Once both halves of our Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case review sample were separated, it was simply a matter of placing the phone in between them and snapping both halves together again. Opening this case isn’t something that ought to be done often as it’s a time consuming affair which lessens its practicality for global travellers who often have to swap out SIM cards. One thing is certain though, the Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case is built like a tank.

When used over a period of several months, our Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case review sample for the Galaxy S22 Ultra proved to be a wonderfully rugged case. While it is a bit thicker than a standard phone case, its proven ability to shrug off most impacts, even from 20 feet high drops, offered exceptional peace of mind.

We experimented with several waist high drops to a concrete floor and our Galaxy S22 Ultra remained in pristine condition. The responsiveness of the volume rocker and power buttons was unimpeded with the case and functioned perfectly. There are, however, a few quirks with the design.

The rubber plug protecting the USB-C port at the base of the phone is tough to open. Once opened, it’s somewhat challenging to insert the charging cable due to the thickness of the casing that recesses the port deeper than usual as well as the rubber plug getting in the way. Oddly enough, while the USB-C casing is protected with a plug, the stylus well lacks one though it is heavily protected against drops by being recessed deeply into the case.

While the added thickness does make it a bit harder to wield, the added peace of mind and built-in kickstand made the Galaxy S22 Ultra more practical to use as it offered a secure hand grip and did double duty for watching YouTube on the go.

Should you buy the Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case for the Galaxy S22 Ultra?

The Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case is one of the toughest, most durable cases currently available for the Galaxy S22 Ultra that money can buy.

At USD24.99 which is RM110.62, it’s fairly priced for its protective capabilities and a good deal cheaper than other premium competitors who espouse similar drop proofing resistance. While it is a bit thicker than a usual case and some aspects of its design aren’t exactly ideal, it remains a fantastic choice for those who prioritise protection for their Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Supcase Galaxy S22 Ultra Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged Case review sample courtesy of Supcase. For more details and to purchase please visit https://www.supcase.com/products/galaxy-s22-ultra-unicorn-beetle-pro-rugged-case-dark-green