Phone cases, like everything else, are becoming increasingly expensive. It’s not uncommon to shell out $50 or $60 to protect a device that could set you back $1,000 or more. Intriguingly, phones are becoming more robust with the advent of materials such as titanium frames and Gorilla Glass Victus for the front and back glass.

The CYRILL UltraColor for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series is a great alternative for those who want to save some cash. I’ve tested CYRILL’s simple TPU case for the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and it’s clear that basic cases like this still hold their ground in a market dominated by wallet cases and ultra-durable multi-piece cases.

The flexible UltraColor may not offer any additional features like MagSafe compatibility, but it does provide a little extra peace of mind with air cushions in all four corners and minimal branding in the form of a white bump around all of the cameras with the CYRILL name proudly displayed. The back panel has a slight texture that feels pleasantly soft to the touch, somewhat mirroring Samsung’s own glass finish. The glossy side rails make locating the buttons a breeze, even without looking.

As the UltraColor name suggests, this case offers vibrant colors in Kale (green), Deep Sea (dark blue), and Dusk (gray-to-black gradient). Personally, I’ve found myself gravitating towards the Kale version, as it complements the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s rear glass quite nicely.

However, I have a minor gripe with the case, particularly regarding the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The UltraColor is almost too snug, so removing it from my phone becomes a struggle when switching cases. While this isn’t a negative in terms of security — the case certainly won’t come off unintentionally — it does make changing cases a bit of a chore.

With an affordable price and compatibility across the Galaxy S24 series, it’s a no-brainer to consider purchasing two colors or a complete set of three.

• Spigen Liquid Air ($17.99 at Amazon): A stalwart option for many devices, the Spigen Liquid Air offers a grippier exterior, a slim fit, and raised bezels. However, it’s only available in two colors.
• Caseology Parallax ($17.99 at Amazon): The Parallax is available for a swathe of devices, and its protective, attractive, and grippy design hasn’t changed much. It comes in less interesting hues, but it is highly affordable.
• dbrand Grip ($54.9 at dbrand): dbrand’s Grip case offers a more adventurous alternative to the UltraColor’s subdued hues with more than 40 user-swappable rear stickers. However, replacing these single-use designs can get expensive.