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

Facebook Brings Back Local Job Listings: How to Apply

One of Facebook’s most practical features from 2022 is being revived by Meta.

On the hunt for work? A Local Jobs search is being rolled out by Meta to make it easier for people in the US to discover and apply for nearby work directly on Facebook. The feature is inside Facebook Marketplace, Groups and Pages, Meta said last week, letting employers post openings and job seekers filter roles by distance, category or employment type.

You can apply or message employers directly through Facebook Messenger, while employers can publish job listings with just a few taps — similar to how you would post items for sale on Marketplace.

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Facebook offered a Jobs feature before discontinuing it in 2022, pushing business hiring toward its other platforms. Its return suggests Meta is attempting to expand Facebook’s usefulness beyond social networking and to position it once again as a hub for community-driven opportunities.

«We’ve always been about connecting with people, whether through shared interests or key life events,» the press release states. «Now, if you’re looking for entry-level, trade and service industry employment in your community, Facebook can help you connect with local people and small businesses who are hiring.»

How to get started with Local Jobs on Facebook

According to Meta, Local Jobs will appear as a dedicated section in Facebook Marketplace starting this week. If you’re 18 or older, you can:

Tap the Marketplace tab on the Facebook app or website.
Select Jobs to browse available positions nearby.
Use filters for job type, category and distance.
Tap Apply or message the employer directly via Messenger.

Businesses and page admins can post jobs by creating a new listing in Marketplace or from their Facebook Page. Listings can include job details, pay range, and scheduling information and will appear in local searches automatically.

The Local Jobs feature is rolling out across the US now, with Meta saying it plans to expand it in the months ahead.

Technologies

Tesla Has a New Range of Affordable Electric Cars: How Much They Cost

The new, stripped-back versions of the Model Y and Model 3 have a more affordable starting price.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 22 #598

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Oct. 22, No. 598.

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

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is a fun one — I definitely have at least two of these in my house. Some of the answers are a bit tough to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Catch all.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: A mess of items.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

BATE, LICE, SLUM, CAPE, HOLE, CARE, BARE, THEN, SLAM, SAMBA, BACK

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

TAPE, COIN, PENCIL, BATTERY, SHOELACE, THUMBTACK

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is JUNKDRAWER. To find it, look for the J that’s five letters down on the far-left row, and wind down, over and then up.

Quick tips for Strands

#1: To get more clue words, see if you can tweak the words you’ve already found, by adding an «S» or other variants. And if you find a word like WILL, see if other letters are close enough to help you make SILL, or BILL.

#2: Once you get one theme word, look at the puzzle to see if you can spot other related words.

#3: If you’ve been given the letters for a theme word, but can’t figure it out, guess three more clue words, and the puzzle will light up each letter in order, revealing the word.