Protecting the Galaxy Z Fold8 – Benks Grand Combo cases review

Benks’ accessory set for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 provides well-designed, comprehensive protection. Thanks to their reinforced frame structures, the Grand Combo models offer noticeably better protection against drops and impact damage to the edges than extremely thin aramid cases. The OmniWarrior lens protector and the included cover glass, with its excellent glide characteristics, also complement the package well.

When it comes to pricing, however, the Grand Combo lineup varies considerably. At around €55, the Crystal Grand Combo stands out as a fairly priced overall package. For this price, users get a transparent case together with high-quality tempered glass, resulting in very solid value for money.

The Armor Grand Combo deserves a much more critical assessment. At just under €120, the aramid hybrid set is quite expensive. Although the combination of Kevlar fabric, a TPU frame, and display glass provides robust protection, the substantial price premium over the Crystal Combo is difficult to justify. With both cases, users also have to accept that the reinforced frame and relatively thick front glass take away some of the Galaxy Z Fold8’s sleekness and compactness.

Benks’ protective products can be purchased directly from the company’s online store, while some are also available on Amazon.

Accessory specialist Benks offers a well-thought-out protection concept for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, ranging from lightweight everyday cases to dedicated lens protection. This review covers the two complete solutions, the Armor Grand Combo and Crystal Grand Combo, as well as the OmniWarrior camera lens cover.

For the Armor Grand Combo, Benks uses a combination of Kevlar aramid fiber and sturdy frame elements, while the Crystal Grand Combo provides a crystal-clear look that leaves the Fold8’s design visible. The OmniWarrior lens protector complements the setup with hardened protection for the sensitive camera unit.

One thing all of the Benks products tested here have in common is their elaborate packaging, which uses a considerable amount of plastic. From an environmental standpoint, there is clearly room for improvement.

The Benks Armor Grand Combo uses genuine DuPont Kevlar in combination with flexible polycarbonate and TPU elements. Build quality is very high: The aramid fabric on the back is neatly integrated into the frame structure, with no noticeable edges where the materials meet. The slightly rubberized surface of the frame provides excellent grip and effectively protects the Fold8 against impacts. Magnets are also integrated into both sections of the case for attaching MagSafe-compatible accessories.

The fit is precise. The rear section sits extremely securely on the device and is precisely cut around the camera module. All cutouts for the speakers, USB-C port, and side-mounted fingerprint sensor are accurately positioned, while the hinge folds freely without any restrictions. The included cover-display protector is quite thick, but its oleophobic coating provides good glide characteristics in practical use. Although the glass adds some extra thickness around the edges, it does not interfere with touch input anywhere on the display.

The Crystal Grand Combo is aimed at users who want to preserve the original look of the Z Fold8. Benks uses highly transparent, yellowing-resistant polycarbonate for the case. The edges are smoothly polished, making the case comfortable to hold. Fit is on par with the high standard of the Armor series: Both halves of the case snap firmly and noticeably into place on the Z Fold8, although they also make the foldable considerably bulkier.

The hinge remains completely unobstructed when opening and closing the device. The included tempered glass protector for the front is quite substantial and adds noticeable thickness to the cover display. In return, the surface offers smooth glide characteristics for finger gestures and provides strong protection for the outer display against scratches and impacts. The glass is precisely matched to the case’s front frame.

The OmniWarrior camera lens protector consists of individually mounted tempered protective glass with precision aluminum rings. Build quality is excellent, and the glass shows no distracting air bubbles or impurities, so the optical quality of camera images should remain unaffected. In our testing, we did not notice any loss of image quality. However, adding another optical element inevitably affects light refraction and could impact image quality under certain lighting conditions, so this cannot be completely ruled out.

The protector is precisely matched to the lenses of the Galaxy Z Fold8. Thanks to the included installation guide, application is quick and centered. The protective rings sit flush with the lenses and are compact enough to remain compatible with most protective cases, including Benks’ Grand Combo series. Visually, however, the lens protector does add some bulk.