Technologies

Best Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Case for 2023

Keep your phone protected at all times with the best Samsung Galaxy A53 5G cases on the market.

Having a protective case is almost always better than forgoing one, no matter what brand and model phone you own. Though the Galaxy A53 5G may not have as many cases as you might find for Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S22 lineup, there’s still a variety of Samsung A53 case options to choose from that are well worth your investment. The best Samsung Galaxy A53 5G cases offer a balance between form and function, we’ve found.

When picking out a phone case, it’s important to think about your priorities. Are you prone to dropping your phone often and need a sturdy case, or do you just want a slim sleeve to keep dust and debris away from your device? Do you want a case that adds something extra to your phone, like a credit card slot or kickstand? You should consider these questions — along with how much you’re willing to spend — when shopping for a new phone case.

I evaluated the cases below based on a variety of factors, including how much bulk they add to your phone, how easy they are to put on and remove, their build quality and how they hold up during drops. I dropped each case from a height of roughly three feet to test its durability. That might not sound very high, but it seemed like a good way to simulate the real-world experience of knocking your phone off a countertop or table, or dropping it as you take it out of your pocket. Spoiler: Every case in this list passed the test and protected the Galaxy A53 from damage.

Lisa Eadicicco

Speck ImpactHero

Slim but durable

$30 at Speck

Speck’s ImpactHero case for the Galaxy A53 5G is a slim shell with a soft touch back that’s stylish and easy to grip. The company claims the case was built with two layers of protective cushioning that enable it to withstand 8-foot drops. It’s fairly easy to install and remove, although it does take a bit more fiddling than the cases from Spigen and Samsung mentioned in this list.

Speck sells a standalone version of the case for $30 through its website, but you can also get it bundled with a screen protector for $45. Overall, the Speck ImpactHero is ideal for someone who wants a slim case that still feels protective and durable.

Lisa Eadicicco

Spigen cases

Thin, protective and plenty of variety

See at Spigen

$16 at Amazon

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Spigen’s cases shine for their sleek designs that barely add any extra bulk or heft to your phone. The company sells nine different cases for the Galaxy A53 5G, and I tested the $45 Core Armor, $25 Liquid Air and $35 Crystal Slot.

The Core Armor claims to have a military-grade shock absorbent layer, while Spigen says the Liquid Air has a premium shell designed for shock resistance. The Crystal Slot’s main draw is its rear pocket, which is designed to store a single credit card.

All three of these cases feel thin, light and durable. They’re also not as stiff as other cases featured on this list, which makes attaching and removing them on the Galaxy A53 5G very simple. Spigen’s cases are the right choice for those who prioritize thin and light designs above all else, but still want enough protection to guard against the occasional slip.

Lisa Eadicicco

Samsung cases

Subtle cases with extra features

$40 at Amazon

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Samsung’s selection of cases for the Galaxy A53 5G is small but diverse. There’s a silicone sleeve, a simple clear case, a wallet case, a durable case with a kickstand and a silicone cover with a strap attached to the back. I’ve been trying the wallet case and silicone strap case, and so far they’ve offered a solid combination of ease of use, protection and additional functionality.

The wallet case is simple and perhaps a bit plain compared to the pricier leather designs from companies like Nomad and Bellroy, neither of which make cases for the Galaxy A53 5G so far. But Samsung’s case is sleek, functional and relatively affordable at $40. And as its name implies, the S-View Wallet Cover has a tiny window near the top of its front flap that lets you see the time without opening it.

The $40 Silicone Cover With Strap earns its name from the colorful, bold seat belt-like strap positioned on the back of the case. It feels like Samsung’s version of PopSockets; it’s there to keep your phone securely in place but also serves as a statement piece.

But be warned: The strap cover’s metal buckle sounds jarring when hitting the ground, making drops and tumbles feel more dramatic than they actually are. Both cases are also partially made from recycled materials and snap onto the A53 5G fairly easily.

Lisa Eadicicco

Otterbox cases

Extra durability

See at Otterbox

See at Amazon

Otterbox is known for its durable cases, and it has plenty of options available for the Galaxy A53 5G. You’ll find cases that add varying degrees of protection (and thickness) to your phone. I’ve been testing three: the $30 Commuter Series Lite, $50 Symmetry Series Clear and $65 Defender Series Pro.

The Commuter Series Lite and Symmetry Series are both on the slimmer side for Otterbox. But the Commuter comes in a two-tone pink or black design, while the Symmetry has a clear build. The Symmetry has a slightly higher drop rating, since Otterbox claims it can withstand three times as many drops as military standard, while the Commuter is said to endure twice as many drops.

Those looking for something more rugged should check out the Defender Series Pro, which the company claims can survive four times as many drops as military standard and comes in three pieces: a polycarbonate shell, a synthetic slipcover and polycarbonate holster. But be warned: This case will add significant heft to your phone.

The Defender Series Pro and Symmetry Series Clear are both made of 50% recycled plastic. Otterboxes are sturdier but also stiffer than the other cases on this list, which means they can require a little elbow grease to install and remove.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, April 8

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 8.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Hint: It uses a lot of the letter Z for some reason. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: ___-Carlton (hotel chain)
Answer: RITZ

5A clue: Span of the alphabet
Answer: ATOZ

6A clue: Cable channel with an out-of-this-world name
Answer: STARZ

7A clue: Takes care of, as a squeaky wheel
Answer: OILS

8A clue: Toy on a string
Answer: YOYO

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: When a post receives far more negative comments than likes, in social media slang
Answer: RATIO

2D clue: World’s leading wine producer
Answer: ITALY

3D clue: Middle of the human body
Answer: TORSO

4D clue: Sleeping sound
Answer: ZZZ

6D clue: Tofu base
Answer: SOY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 8, #562

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 8 No. 562.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Working out.

Green group hint: Cover your face.

Blue group hint: NFL players.

Purple group hint: Leap.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Exercises in singular form.

Green group: Sporting jobs that require masks.

Blue group: Hall of Fame defensive ends.

Purple group: ____ jump.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is exercises in singular form. The four answers are crunch, plank, situp and squat.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is sporting jobs that require masks. The four answers are catcher, fencer, football player and goaltender.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Hall of Fame defensive ends. The four answers are Dent, Peppers, Strahan and Youngblood.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ jump. The four answers are broad, high, long and triple.

Technologies

The $135M Google Data Settlement Site Is Live — See If You’re Eligible

Use the settlement website to select your preferred payment method, and you may end up $100 richer.

You can now file a claim in the $135 million Google data settlement. The case centers on claims that Android devices transmitted user data without consent. Specifically, the class action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC contends that Google’s Android devices passively transferred cellular data to Google without user permission, even when the devices were idle. While not admitting fault, Google reached a preliminary settlement in January, agreeing to pay $135 million to about 100 million US Android phone users.

The official settlement website for the lawsuit is now live. The final approval hearing won’t occur until June 23, when the court will consider whether Google’s settlement is fair and listen to objections. After that, the court will decide whether to approve the $135 million settlement.

In the meantime, if you qualify and want to be paid as part of the settlement, you can select your preferred payment method on the official website. There, you can find information on speaking at the June 23 court hearing and on how to exclude yourself or write to the court to object by May 29.

As part of the settlement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that certain data transfers do occur passively even when you’re not using your Android device, and that cellular data may be relied upon when not connected to Wi-Fi. This can’t always be disabled, but users will be asked to consent to it when setting up their device.

Google will also fully stop collecting data when its «allow background data usage» option is toggled off.

Who can be part of the settlement?

In order to join the Taylor v. Google LLC settlement, you must meet four qualifications:

Be a living, individual human being in the US.
Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
Have used the aforementioned device at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the date when the settlement receives final approval.
You’re not a class member in the Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit, which is similar but specifically for California residents.

The final approval hearing is on June 23, so you can add your payment method until then. The hearing’s date and time may change, and any updates will be posted on the settlement website.

If you choose to do nothing, you will still be issued a settlement payment, but you may not receive it if you don’t select a payment method.

How much will I get paid?

It’s not currently known exactly how much each settlement class member will receive, but the cap is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and after any appeals are resolved.

After all administrative, tax and attorney costs are paid, the settlement administrator will attempt to pay each member an equal amount. If any funds remain after payments are sent, and it’s economically feasible, they will be redistributed to members who were previously and successfully paid. If it’s not economically feasible, the funds will go to an organization approved by the court.