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Thin case comparison/review- Incipio Feather vs. Casemate Barely There

I just got my Incipio Feather in the mail, and I must say I am very let down. When I looked at the picture on the website, I really thought that the case was going to wrap around the front but it does not. In all fairness, I did look at the picture again and it doesn't wrap around in it like I thought it did. The picture is very deceiving, the way they shade the Evo makes it look like the case wraps around, at least to me it does. Anyways...
The Incipio is a lot thicker than the Barely There, and doesn't come up as high on the sides either. That actually makes it feel rather awkward in the hand because there is a very pronounced lip around the whole phone. Also, the Incipio case has a full cutout, like a bite, from the front of the case for the volume rocker whereas the Barely There has a rectangular hole and covers the plastic in front of the rocker.
The Incipio also provides far less protection for the camera lens. With the Barely There, the lens is completely protected, it covers the edge of the glass, fully recessing the lens into the case. It has a separate cutout for the flash, lens, and speaker. The Incipio just has one gaping hole for all three to share.
My biggest complaint about the Incipio is that because it doesn't come up all the way around the sides, the face of the Evo sticks out from it and consequently the corners are not fully protected. If this thing takes a tumble on to concrete, there is a good chance your corner could still get scratched. With the Barely There case, while still not very protective, at least your corners won't get beat up.
The only positive about the Incipio is that I like the way the material feels better than the Barely There. It has a softer, almost velvety finish to it. The Barely There still has a nice rubberized texture to it, just not as nice as the Incipio's.
I see no reason at all to purchase the Incipio case when you can buy the Barely There case instead. The Barely There is thinner, feels more comfortable in the hand, and provides more coverage/protection. I am sticking with my Barely There case and will probably give the Incipio away.
Casemate Barely There
Incipio Feather
Both cases cost $19.99.

Thanks for the review ... appreciate it. Have you looked at the other Case Mate Evo case that is two part (Tough Case)? Just wondering about the protection and quality.

No I haven't, at least not in person. I'm sure it's a great case, and I know other people have had good experiences with it, but I personally don't like the way it looks compared to the OB Commuter case or the Seidio Active Limited, and I already have both of those.

_MetalHead_ said:
No I haven't, at least not in person. I'm sure it's a great case, and I know other people have had good experiences with it, but I personally don't like the way it looks compared to the OB Commuter case or the Seidio Active Limited, and I already have both of those.
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Couple of quick questions for you ... since you have both. I had the Seidio Active Limited from Amazon, really liked the feel of it, but the plastic back began to peel off. I didn't replace it with another ... afraid the same thing would happen. Any issues for you? So I've been using the Otter Box Impact case, but since I keep my phone in my front pocket ... it can be a lint magnet. If you don't mind ... tell me about your experience with the Commuter case from OB. Thanks.

wmdunn said:
Couple of quick questions for you ... since you have both. I had the Seidio Active Limited from Amazon, really liked the feel of it, but the plastic back began to peel off. I didn't replace it with another ... afraid the same thing would happen. Any issues for you? So I've been using the Otter Box Impact case, but since I keep my phone in my front pocket ... it can be a lint magnet. If you don't mind ... tell me about your experience with the Commuter case from OB. Thanks.
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I have the exact same issue as you with the Seidio. I have actually gone through 3 of them now, and they all started peeling within a week. The first one I had one of the tabs broke off while putting the case on. It's a shame that the build quality is so crappy on them because I really like the design, and I think it's a little more rugged than the OB Commuter. Not by much though, it just has thicker silicone.
My only complaint about the Commuter, and I know a lot of people share the same feeling, is that the cover for the charging and HDMI ports was poorly designed. It is a pain to get it closed, and it never stays in place for very long. Also, the way they cut the silicone for that cover, it is subject to tearing. Mine hasn't torn, and neither has my buddy's, but I know some people have had that issue. The good news is that Otterbox, unlike Seidio, has no problem whatsoever sending out a replacement case if by some chance that piece tears off, or any other defect for that matter. Overall I think it is a great case and I use it regularly, and even with the small issue of that cover, I can still recommend it to people.

Thank you ... I'm thinking about trying the "Barely There" since I'm an "in pocket" guy.

You can barely tell that there is a case on the phone with the Barely There, hence the name. If you're an in pocket guy, then that is definitely the case you want. I use it way more than all my other cases combined.

get the barely there case, i have it and love it, and as they say, its hardly noticable. plus case-mate came out with a full frontal screen cover, so you have case protection on back and sides and a full screen cover to cover the remaining parts
wmdunn said:
Thank you ... I'm thinking about trying the "Barely There" since I'm an "in pocket" guy.
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You said my words exactly. I too am very let down with the Incipio Feather case. I also thought that it would at least have a lip that came over the front edge but nothing. I dropped my phone on the carpet(fortunately it was carpet) and it popped right out of the case. If you want protection I don't think this is the case to use. They could have done much better. I would have preferred one of the Incipio NGP cases to this thing.

I've been using the Barely There case for almost 2 months. I love the feel of it. The material holds well. The screen protector it came with is awesome. I hated the way stealthguards and invisible shield felt on the glass. The screen protector that the Barely There came with feels just like glass when it's on.
The only thing is that this case is just to protect against scratches and minor drops on carpet maybe. I dropped it once on concrete and the case flew off and I have a small dent on the top front corner of my Evo.

This is my experience exactly
dcfella said:
I've been using the Barely There case for almost 2 months. I love the feel of it. The material holds well. The screen protector it came with is awesome. I hated the way stealthguards and invisible shield felt on the glass. The screen protector that the Barely There came with feels just like glass when it's on.
The only thing is that this case is just to protect against scratches and minor drops on carpet maybe. I dropped it once on concrete and the case flew off and I have a small dent on the top front corner of my Evo.
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I have the Seidio Rugged and it comes with the Innocase Surface as well and I really like the Surface, its not too thick and protects the camera lenses from scratches. I just need to get the belt clip for the Surface so outside of work I don't have all the bulk.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Get the Otterbox Impact. I love it. High quality silicone and nice thick screen protector.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Those aren't really barely there cases

xlGmanlx said:
Those aren't really barely there cases
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Barely there cases are counter-intuitive. If you want to protect a case against impact should you drop it, the case needs to be heavy enough to absorb most of the impact itself and not the phone. These barely there cases may protect from scratches on the phone body but that's it. So I guess you can safely slide the phone around on your desk but don't drop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Case mate barely-there case on newegg for $9.99. I would post the link but I don't have 8 posts yet.

Not really applicable in a thin case review check op as the subject isn't the merits of thin cases versus other types
mitchellvii said:
Barely there cases are counter-intuitive. If you want to protect a case against impact should you drop it, the case needs to be heavy enough to absorb most of the impact itself and not the phone. These barely there cases may protect from scratches on the phone body but that's it. So I guess you can safely slide the phone around on your desk but don't drop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse

the bottom flap on my commuter stays in place fine, also fits great in your pocket, unless your female and wear them skin tight the barely there doesn't have any lay on the table protection for the front glass, which is just too risky in my opinion.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Poetik said:
Case mate barely-there case on newegg for $9.99. I would post the link but I don't have 8 posts yet.
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Thanks, just order it. I had the ID case for the iPhone from them and that thing took a beating and never gave up. Hope to expect the same from them again

I still think the Otterbox Commuter is the best case out there. It doesn't add that much bulk, feels sturdy and protects like none other. Well worth the money.

Evo 4G case updates - Ballistic SG, Otterbox Commuter, CaseMate Tough

Yep, I'm starting another Evo 4g case thread. Mainly due to the fact that I can't find any decent reviews on the new Ballistic SG.
I've pretty much ruled out the Otterbox Defender and Ballistic HC because they seem a little more bulky than I want and overkill.
(link removed)
I'm aware of the Otterbox Commuter's issues with the silicone port cover coming off. I held the case and it just seems a little unsubstantial to me. The silicone seems very thin and the hard case is adequate but still seems very thin as well. I've also read a lot of complaints about the silicone deforming and not fitting the phone well after a short time.
(link removed)
The CaseMate Tough Case seems a little more substantial but I can't tell how thick/thin it is from the pictures. The corners seem better protected than the Commuter but there are no port covers.
(link removed)
I can't find any adequate reviews of the Ballistic SG case. It seems a little beefier than both of the others. I've heard the kick stand is a flimsy POS (if it's the same as the Ballistic HC) but I don't mind snapping it off and using the stock one. There are also no port covers with this one. Their customer service seems a little lacking so I don't know about support/warranty issues.
(I can't post links to the cases which is pretty annoying)
Does anyone have any updated information to share on these cases? I searched the forum but couldn't find anything current, especially on the Ballistic SG.

I too am looking for more information or detailed review of the Ballistic SG. Thakx in advance.

The Ballistic SG looks to basically be like the inner layer of the HC, but with a more finished look. It looks like the kickstand is the same. The kickstand on my HC has held up well, it isn't flimsy at all.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk

kd0axs said:
The Ballistic SG looks to basically be like the inner layer of the HC, but with a more finished look. It looks like the kickstand is the same. The kickstand on my HC has held up well, it isn't flimsy at all.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk
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Except that the very most inner layer of the SG is silicone instead of the outermost layer of the HC. Does the HC case have anything soft inside next to the phone to protect it or do you think the inside could possibly rub the paint off the phone eventually?
How do you like the built in screen protector of the HC? Is it better than a stick on if you've used one of those?
I totally forgot about not having to use the outer layer of the HC which would be good to take that off and stick the phone in my pocket. It looks like the most versatile case.
The only thing about the SG is it has the inner silicone which also servers as the corner bump guards.
I'm still torn. lol

The HC isn't lined with silicone, but it does have "shock absorbent polymer" on both the inside and outside of the inner case. The hard plastic does not touch the phone so there's no need to worry about it getting scratched. The corners are also well protected.
The built in screen protector is the only thing I didn't like about the HC. I actually removed it from the case and I am using a regular protector on my screen.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk

I was leary if the HC because of the built-in screen protector. I has been waiting months for the release and actually bought the Seidio Innocase Rugged instead. After a couple months I bought the HC simply cause I wanted something new. The screen protector is actually great and feels natural with no loss of function.

stanglifemike said:
I was leary if the HC because of the built-in screen protector. I has been waiting months for the release and actually bought the Seidio Innocase Rugged instead. After a couple months I bought the HC simply cause I wanted something new. The screen protector is actually great and feels natural with no loss of function.
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Are you also using the inner adhesive screen protector? I read the outer protector could show air bubbles if not used with the inner one.
A big concern of mine with the HC is the plastic cover around the front rim that covers the prox sensor near the ear piece. I also read that some people have had problems with this. The manufacturer may have resolved this by now.

I have the Ballistic HC case with the screen protector that came with it. No bubbles here. The cover for the 3.5mm is a little bit floppy, but otherwise ok. I haven't had any issues wit the proximity sensor. Overall, the case is good. I paid $30 at Amazon for it.

sqwerl said:
Are you also using the inner adhesive screen protector? I read the outer protector could show air bubbles if not used with the inner one.
A big concern of mine with the HC is the plastic cover around the front rim that covers the prox sensor near the ear piece. I also read that some people have had problems with this. The manufacturer may have resolved this by now.
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Click to collapse
I'm using a Zagg screen protector and did get the oil slick look. The cabby powder trick works to cure that though. I am about to try the protector that came with it and see if that helps. No issues with the proximity sensor here though. I love it though, no complaints from me.

I have the red Ballistic HC case. Love it, but I have the proximity sensor issue. Is there a fix, or should I call Ballistic and try to get a new case?
Sent from my rooted EVO 4G running Myn's Warm 2.2 ROM, using Tapatalk.

I have an Otterbox Commuter (Bought 11/1 Last Year) and it works great. I cut the port cover off the bottom a couple months after I got it because it took too much fidgeting with it to get it to close right and I did not really need it.
The headphone cover on top is also getting pretty close to getting removed since it is an annoyance to have to open/close it all the time when I need it. It does not flip open like the bottom port cover did, but I just don't find that I need the extra protection for the ports on the phone.

Blkdimnd,
I don't know of a fix. Is the plastic raised a bit over the speaker and proximity sensor? Mine wasnt snapped together all the way at the top one time and I had that issue, but it was my fault. You could try bending the front cover so it bows in, instead of out, if that is your issue. Other than that, call Ballistic and see what they say.

Im trying to find reviews on the Ballistic SG myself... Seems good so far in terms of form factor as compared to the HC and Defender. I might end up purchasing it !!!

I own an Otterbox Commuter for my HTC EVO 4G and it is my second case. My first case was a simple and very inexpensive Amzer black silicone case that did the job of saving the phone's battery cover and camera lens from wear and tear for the first few months. After a friend purchased the Commuter and spoke highly of it and my Amzer case started to fit poorly -- likely my fault from removing it too many times -- I felt the need for something a bit more substantial. I bought the Commuter for around $30 in January and, nearly two months later, I must say that I'm pleased with my second case.
I agree that the silicone port cover feels flimsy. However, the cover shows no signs of ripping and I recharge my phone daily, resulting in heavy use of the cover. It would be great had Otterbox designed the port cover similar to the headphone jack cover, e.g., a cover that fits inside of the ports themselves, preventing them from opening on its own. Nevertheless, I understand why this may not have been practical: the ports are tiny as compared to the headphone jack port and appear to be more delicate.
I love the hard shell that covers that back of the phone. I purchased an inexpensive silicone mat for my car to keep the phone from sliding around on my center console; my first silicone case kept the phone from sliding on much of anything. The silicone inner shell and the hard outer shell easily protect the phone's camera and the screen.
My biggest gripe about the Commuter was the lackluster screen protector. It was great that the case came with a screen protector; it wasn't so great that the screen protector had numerous scratches after only one week of use. I replaced it after two or three weeks with a REALOOK premium screen protector, which comes with two (2) screen protectors and applied more easily than the one included with the case. Thus far, the REALOOK screen protector is holding up much better than the one included with the case and I have a second one to replace the first if it starts to show excessive signs of wear.
I can't personally compare the Commuter with any of the other cases in which you're interested but will personally vouch for the Otterbox Commuter. For $30, I feel that it does a better than adequate job of protecting my phone and it's so much nicer looking than most of the ones that friends and co-workers use for their phones, EVOs or not.

matthewdavisnelson said:
I own an Otterbox Commuter for my HTC EVO 4G and it is my second case. My first case was a simple and very inexpensive Amzer black silicone case that did the job of saving the phone's battery cover and camera lens from wear and tear for the first few months. After a friend purchased the Commuter and spoke highly of it and my Amzer case started to fit poorly -- likely my fault from removing it too many times -- I felt the need for something a bit more substantial. I bought the Commuter for around $30 in January and, nearly two months later, I must say that I'm pleased with my second case.
I agree that the silicone port cover feels flimsy. However, the cover shows no signs of ripping and I recharge my phone daily, resulting in heavy use of the cover. It would be great had Otterbox designed the port cover similar to the headphone jack cover, e.g., a cover that fits inside of the ports themselves, preventing them from opening on its own. Nevertheless, I understand why this may not have been practical: the ports are tiny as compared to the headphone jack port and appear to be more delicate.
I love the hard shell that covers that back of the phone. I purchased an inexpensive silicone mat for my car to keep the phone from sliding around on my center console; my first silicone case kept the phone from sliding on much of anything. The silicone inner shell and the hard outer shell easily protect the phone's camera and the screen.
My biggest gripe about the Commuter was the lackluster screen protector. It was great that the case came with a screen protector; it wasn't so great that the screen protector had numerous scratches after only one week of use. I replaced it after two or three weeks with a REALOOK premium screen protector, which comes with two (2) screen protectors and applied more easily than the one included with the case. Thus far, the REALOOK screen protector is holding up much better than the one included with the case and I have a second one to replace the first if it starts to show excessive signs of wear.
I can't personally compare the Commuter with any of the other cases in which you're interested but will personally vouch for the Otterbox Commuter. For $30, I feel that it does a better than adequate job of protecting my phone and it's so much nicer looking than most of the ones that friends and co-workers use for their phones, EVOs or not.
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I appreciate the feedback. I just realized the Ballistic SG also doesn't come with a screen protector. While the one that came with your Commuter may not the best, I suppose it's still better than nothing if comparing it to the other case.
Quite a few people haven't really had a problem with the port cover like you say and if someone wants a case to be indestructible then you probably need to get a Defender.
Just for comparison these are the dimensions I got directly from Ballistic.
Ballistic said:
Thank you for your interest in the HTC Evo Ballistic HC case. Here are the dimensions you requested.
Dimensions in the Gel, including holster:
X – 85.34mm (3.36in)
Y – 145.91mm (5.74in)
Z – 42.47mm (1.67in)
Dimensions in the Gel, No Holster:
X – 81.69 mm (3.22in)
Y – 135.63mm (5.34in)
Z – 24.75mm (0.97in)
Here are the Dimensions for the Shell Only:
X – 77.59mm (3.05in)
Y – 131.27mm (5.17in)
Z – 21.99mm (0.87in)
Here are the dimensions of the HTC Evo Ballistic SG case.
X – 75.97mm (2.99in)
Y – 131.40mm (5.17in)
Z – 22.48mm (0.89in)
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What I don't understand is if the SG is supposedly thinner than the HC it doesn't appear that way by the dimensions, unless that takes into account the curvature and the "lay on table" feature of the SG.
One reason I haven't already snatched up the SG is the cost. It looks like no one besides Ballistic is selling it so I can get an HC on Amazon cheaper.

I love my otterbox case because it is big and fits in my hands

I used the commuters for many months and never had a problem with the bottom port cover. in fact, that was one of my favorite things about the case. i was impressed how well it stayed in, considering all the hating I had read about it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

I ended up buying a Ballistic HC. For the price, I couldn't beat it. Ballistic is charging $7.95 for shipping so the total on the SG would be around $43 when there are HCs on Amazon all day for a lot less. That's with no screen protector or you can buy a $10 screen protector and get free shipping for an order over $40. Still pricey for such a simple case that I haven't seen any reviews whatsoever on.
Besides price it came down to buying a case with or without a silicone boot. Every complaint I've heard about silicone is stretches out and I didn't want to have to constantly take the boot off my phone to remove dust and lint. I have a silicone cover on another device and it has some terrible scratches all over it from all the trash accumulating. The HC seemed ideal since the silicone layer is optional and has an attached screen protector which pretty much seals it off.
I love the semi-soft material over the inner hard shell. It's firm enough not to move around but soft enough to stick fairly well to most surfaces. It slides easily in and out of my pocket.
The power and volume buttons have a very solid feel.
I was surprised that having an inner and outer screen cover didn't make it any more difficult to register touching the screen.
My biggest gripe about the case is the terrible kickstand. It doesn't snap down very snugly and once you snap it out, it swings very loosely. I thought about taking it totally off but then about 3/4 of the area under the kickstand is only covered by thin mesh for a flush fit. The Otterbox Defender kickstand is much more solid. I'll probably stick some tape under it to stop the rattle.
My second biggest gripe about the HC is some lint/dust still gets inside the case. I hope the case will always stay snapped together well after a lot of opening it to dust off the phone screen. The case snaps together like you almost need a crowbar to get it open!
Whereas the Otterbox Commuter's silicone port plug doesn't stay in place but the headphone plug is good, the exact opposite is true of the HC's silicone jacket. The port plug fits and stays but the headphone plug doesn't stay very well.
Since the top area of the case drops down to right about the screen viewing area, it's difficult to drag the status bar down without a little finesse.
All in all, I think all these trade-offs were pretty acceptable considering the price I paid.

I *LOVE* my Seido Innocase Surface II/Best Buy Platinum case. It's solid, adds very minimal to the "footprint", doesn't collect lint, and with a screen protector, gives me about 95% coverage (camera lens/leds/kickstand/ear port). It's held up remarkably well with removing it many times to change the battery too. Some cases wear out & become loose or whatnot. I have added a couple pieces of paper to keep the edges firmly seated, but it does fine without it.
I always forget to check, but when I did, I found several different colors on ebay for $19 shipped.

OtterBox
I've used the Commuter and the Defender both. IMO, the Defender is too bulky, but offers great protection. As for the Commuter, I really liked the syle and feel of the the case, but after 3 days took an Exacto knife and cut off the bottom silicone port cover (very poor design). After I did that, I was happy with it. I've dropped my phone several times on the tile in my house and the case provided great protection. The silicone does seem to stretch out after time, especially if you change out batteries often.

Defender VS commuter

Hi,
Does anybody knows what is the bulk/size difference between the 2 cases?
same with trident aegis.
I bought my bro the commuter, but the store didnt have the defender to feel.
I think that the commuter is slick and nice, and hope the the defender is doing so as well.
Thanks!

BADtoBONE said:
Hi,
Does anybody knows what is the bulk/size difference between the 2 cases?
same with trident aegis.
I bought my bro the commuter, but the store didnt have the defender to feel.
I think that the commuter is slick and nice, and hope the the defender is doing so as well.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the defender case and I love it. It does add bulk to the phone. It actually makes the phone look huge, but I love it. It feels save and secure. I feel like if I were to drop my phone 5 feet down onto concrete, my phone would be fine. If you like the slick feel of the commuter, then I suggest you stay with that case. :good:

I have the commuter and I have to say that I love it and after dropping my phone from shoulder height which is prob around 5 ft high I can honestly say that this case does a great job protecting the phone.
A second thought is that there are cases like the commuter series that have a stand clip. Which is great if your going to use your phone as a media device. my sister just got the casemate pop which looks awesome.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

ergibson83 said:
I have the defender case and I love it. It does add bulk to the phone. It actually makes the phone look huge, but I love it. It feels save and secure. I feel like if I were to drop my phone 5 feet down onto concrete, my phone would be fine. If you like the slick feel of the commuter, then I suggest you stay with that case. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a generic very bulky case right now.
I dont care about thickness, and i ment slickness - i like the feel of the material in the commuter.
anyway, what is the size difference between them?

The size difference is not much. I have both cases. I am no longer using the Commuter case because the back is hard plastic and very slippery. The button plastic is very hard. I use the Defender case now because the silicone cover give me a better gripe and buttons are easy to press.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

Thanks, thats basically the answer i was looking for.
what is you opinion regarding the plastic screen protector compared to a sticker?

It's not bad, it will probably protect it better but isn't optically as good as a high end shield.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

contradude said:
It's not bad, it will probably protect it better but isn't optically as good as a high end shield.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
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such as?

zagg shields are the typical goto screen protector.... There are cheaper ones, but you typically get what you pay for.

Commuter: 5.61 in x 3.10 in x 0.56 in / 142.5 mm x 78.84 mm x 14.28 mm
Defender: 5.88 in x 3.47 in x 1.41 in / 148.84 mm x 88.14 mm x 35.81 mm

Hey badtobone. I'll give you my experiences with the cases i've bought and the zagg shield cover i purchased. At first i had a tpu case with the zagg shield and the corners started coming up where the tpu case would rub on it. Scratch that idea. Then i bought the casemate phantom. The screen protector for the case pops on the front of the phone and then you cram the phone inside the outer shell of the case. Snapped the screen protector part putting the phone in the case one day and to boot the case is huge compared to the defender series but it was on backorder of course and i couldn't wait. So scratch that idea. I've always been an otterbox fan so i was finally able to order the defender for it. Awesome to a point. The case is somewhat smaller than the phantom which is awesome and great protection but i just don't like the screen protector. I've always liked the commuter cases screen protector because it was crystal clear on my other galaxy s phones and you can appreciate the screen more. If otterbox still offers the seperate screen protector for the commuter i'll probably use that along with the defender for the ultimate case. Just my 2 cents. Hope i could help.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

I've never had an otterbox before a few days ago, but went with the defender model.
For previous Androids i've gone with the trident cases, and like them. The ones i've had are not comparable to the defender version of the otterbox, but i'll say now that any non-slide phone in the future for me will take into consideration defender case availability as part of the purchase decision.
It just feels safe now, the device.
Some things that could be better - the trident cases I've used have covers for speaker/mic with a filter behind to keep the dust out. This is decidedly lacking on the otterbox.
The holster is awesome, though. It's like the final stage of usefulness/protection. It makes a hard plastic shield over the screen and is an extra structural reinforcement of the protection level to the device.
Already i've turned it around in the holster, screen out, and clipped it to my visor in my car. Improv GPS mount.
In the same way you can just put something in the clip for back support and have a desk/tabletop mount for the device anywhere. Sitting in a hotel room watching a movie off the nightstand is much easier with this case.
My first impression of the clip on the holster was to cut it off and make a smooth outer shell for pocket carry. I may very well buy another case to try this out. The clip being on the case has literally proven it's case not to be cut off by how immediately useful it's been.
Another drawback, my only other complaint, the built-in screen protector.
Here again is another reason to buy a second case. Beyond trying it out without the belt clip, is trying it out without the screen protector.
I've seen a lot of threads where people mention cutting the on-board screen protector out of the defender with an xacto knife or something. Owning one, I now see why. I sit here debating the ramifications of the overall case structure if I do cut it out, because I would very much like to.
The silicon shell should still hold the case together, as well as the clips underneath that hold the case together, but I do worry about separation of the front of the case to the sides without the screen protector to hold them together. Especially given the holster clip will encourage that separation through use.
When the phone came in at the verizon store, I made sure that the first thing done to the device was to put a screen protector on it. Few days later I got the otterbox. It's whole life after unboxing, it's had a screen protector adhered to it's face. That part is important, as the otterbox screen protector just sits on the face, not adhered to it. This, to me, is an unacceptable level of compromise in protection of the device.
Without being adhered, the screen is subject to dust and oils getting between the screen protector and the screen itself. Once that happens, you are looking at the overlaid 'protector' acting like a piece of sandpaper with the dirt under it every time you touch it.
All in all, I can't see myself using anything but a defender to protect the SGSIII - a few slight modifications to the case and I will be completely satisfied.
I never played with a commuter model, but here are some thoughts on the defender.

Blue6IX said:
Another drawback, my only other complaint, the built-in screen protector.
Here again is another reason to buy a second case. Beyond trying it out without the belt clip, is trying it out without the screen protector.
I've seen a lot of threads where people mention cutting the on-board screen protector out of the defender with an xacto knife or something. Owning one, I now see why. I sit here debating the ramifications of the overall case structure if I do cut it out, because I would very much like to.
When the phone came in at the verizon store, I made sure that the first thing done to the device was to put a screen protector on it. Few days later I got the otterbox. It's whole life after unboxing, it's had a screen protector adhered to it's face. That part is important, as the otterbox screen protector just sits on the face, not adhered to it. This, to me, is an unacceptable level of compromise in protection of the device.
Without being adhered, the screen is subject to dust and oils getting between the screen protector and the screen itself. Once that happens, you are looking at the overlaid 'protector' acting like a piece of sandpaper with the dirt under it every time you touch it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need an xacto knife to remove the built-in screen protector. The screen is adhered to the case by a strip of removable glue. Just push the screen protector in with a little force and it pops right off. You can then remove the glue around the edges by simply pulling the one long strip up around the edge.
The built-in screen protector does suck. It makes the screen very pixalated and dust does get trapped under the screen protector.
Try this out... Remove the built-in screen protector and buy a best skin ever wet protector. Apply that wet protector, let it dry completely, now place you defender case (with built-in protector removed) on the phone. This is the setup I have and it is absolutely perfect. I promise you'll love this setup. I'm extremely anal about my screen protector and case combinations for my phones and I've tried 5 different combinations before going with the BSE/defender combination. Trust me, it doesn't get better than this combination. My screen quality is perfect and my phone is secure and safe.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Thanks to all the repliers!
so buying the case knowing that youre gonna take of the screen might be a good idea?
anl links or clips from people who did it?
anything in youtube?

BADtoBONE said:
Thanks to all the repliers!
so buying the case knowing that youre gonna take of the screen might be a good idea?
anl links or clips from people who did it?
anything in youtube?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need any videos or anything. All you're gonna need to do is pop the screen protector off by pushing it away from the case. It's actually really simple and doesn't require much effort at all. U won't break the case doing it. Just know that once u remove the screen protector, you can't reapply it. So u may want to see what the screen clarity looks like before removing the built in screen protector. You may think the screen quality is ok with it.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

had a chance to check out both the other day.
imo there's no real comparison between the two..and the commuter is almost useless to choose over the defender
its harder to take the commuter on and off imo...
it doesn't feel as nice as the defender..and its slippery..
the buttons are hard to press.... no where near impossible or anything like anyone really says when they complain but it's definitely not convenient and its fairly annoying...I actually had the phone try to slip out of my hand a few times while squeezing the phone to press the buttons.
and....the defender for the SG3 isn't as big as you'd think it is (especially in comparison to the commuter)
best part....the silicone otterbox uses on there defender has always been my main complaint...but they've used some stiffer stuff, doesn't flop off at all (or really stretch like at all) and it doesn't feel like it will collect a ton of lint or snag too much coming out of a pocket. It's just the right amount of grip

Can anyone post pic of the 'improved' defender (without plastic screen)?

I am loving my commuter. Buttons are fine for me even the power being hard to press Is not a deal breaker. My main gripe is screen protectors seem to be an issue if they are full like the curved crystal. Lesson learned, I am going to try the one that came with the case today.
Sent from my SPH-L710

alexyaz said:
I have the commuter and I have to say that I love it and after dropping my phone from shoulder height which is prob around 5 ft high I can honestly say that this case does a great job protecting the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely. I was thinking of getting a thinner case, but I drop my phone often enough that Commuter is worth it. I have the green one and I imagine it can get quite dirty in the future.
Buttons are definitely hard to press, but I can get used to it I guess. Definitely worth it for the protection alone.

BADtoBONE said:
Can anyone post pic of the 'improved' defender (without plastic screen)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks exactly like the defender.. Just without the plastic screen protector. Think of it as a window with no glass. The window will still look the same, it just has no glass. U will be using a wet screen protector instead of the builtin screen protector.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

[Q] otterbox defender VS ballistic maxx

hi guys
i have been comparing these two products for a quite some time and i cannot give my final decision to which product should i buy. i am looking for a case that has a front face cover. and i found the ballistic maxx and otterbox defender. but what makes me think twice between these product is the comes with screen protector. these protector is quite think and most likely it will ruin the colors of my S3's screen. i have seen it in some product reviews posted by youtube users. the screen becomes glary. and the second thing that makes me think twice is, if i remove the screen protector, will my S3 shake around inside the case if i dont use the screen protector?
i tried contacting the customer support of otterbox they said they cannot answer my concern. and for ballistic they told me i can still use the case even if i dont use the screen protector, but i still do not understand what they really meant. and they did not gave me a straight answer to my question on what will really happen if i did not use their product's screen protector.
now i would like to ask your personal opinion about these two products, which is better? and if you guys did not use the comes with screen protector will your S3 shake around inside the case? and lastly i am just looking for a case that has a front cover. i dont really like the flip cover cases.
thanks

From what I read about the defender taking out the screen protector does not affect the snugg-ness of the phone and case.
I have the trident kraken that came with a removable screen protector, that I decided but to use.
Sent from Pluto.

I know how you feel, i looked at both those cases and went with the Trident Kraken. Provides the same level of protection and the kickstand is a bonus. Second choice would be the otterbox.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

I personally hated the otter box, sold it as soon as I got the chance. I kept the maxx and it's the case I go for when I need a holster.

I took the screen protector off of my defender with no fit issues. I stopped using it because it squeeks so much. When you hold the phone. This may be due to extra flexing from the removed screen protector as it is rigid and glued in.

The otterbox is an awesome case, the only thing I hate is that the outer silicone layer always stretches out. The defender for my GS3 streched out after 2 months...
Sent from my SCH-I535

ricktat said:
I took the screen protector off of my defender with no fit issues. I stopped using it because it squeeks so much. When you hold the phone. This may be due to extra flexing from the removed screen protector as it is rigid and glued in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's just the case in general. My screen protector is still in tact and it squeaks like no other.
I'm tempted to get a new case, but can't decide. I've narrowed it down to the SG MAXX, Commuter, Kraken, PX260, and the Dualtek.

owlchemist said:
I think it's just the case in general. My screen protector is still in tact and it squeaks like no other.
I'm tempted to get a new case, but can't decide. I've narrowed it down to the SG MAXX, Commuter, Kraken, PX260, and the Dualtek.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the dualtek case yesterday, it's a really nice case. I just wish there was a compatible holster for it.
Sent from my SCH-I535

I have both cases mentioned in OP. The included screen covers are garbage. Make the screen look like crap plus particles such as sand, dirt (I am in construction field) and so on can get behind protector and scratch screen.
Standard zagg and otterbox working well for me. Zagg HD seemed to thin and marked up easy om my pocket. Otter box laps over the edge of the zagg, which so far has kept the edge from peeling on me which is a common problem for me and my use.
Ballastic has great rubber corners for drop protection but the otter box is easier to slip in and out of pocket and my preferred case.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

naturecannon said:
I have both cases mentioned in OP. The included screen covers are garbage. Make the screen look like crap plus particles such as sand, dirt (I am in construction field) and so on can get behind protector and scratch screen.
Standard zagg and otterbox working well for me. Zagg HD seemed to thin and marked up easy om my pocket. Otter box laps over the edge of the zagg, which so far has kept the edge from peeling on me which is a common problem for me and my use.
Ballastic has great rubber corners for drop protection but the otter box is easier to slip in and out of pocket and my preferred case.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have both cases described in OP and have to agree to a point, the screen protectors make the screen look terrible. I went with the Ballistic for a couple reasons. 1. The Ballistic seems to slide in and out of my pocket easier (probably because it has more smooth surface than the Defender). 2. The belt clip seems more comfortable to me. The Defender belt clip seemed to sit higher on me which would gouge my hip. Not cool. 3. I got the Defender used when I bought my phone and the rubber on it seems a little loose. I don't think this will happen with the Ballistic mainly because my wife has one on her Note and it's help up extremly well. 3. I got my Ballistic Maxx on ebay for $30 in the color I wanted and I thought that was a good price. Now I need to ditch this screen protector and get a nice one.

I too have both cases. I did/don't use any of the screen protectors that came with it. As for OP, it really depends what you're trying to get out of it. What's your average day like? do you work in an office? go to school? work in construction? I am a process engineer and i'm in and out of food plants and i pull my phone out to snap pictures at least 4 times a day on a daily basis for an hour or so. With that being said I NEED the protection because I have dropped it a few times. I'm currently using the Ballastic without the clip, i just hold it in my pocket. The otterbox is a bit bulkier for me and it slips easy (from hand and in and out of pocket). The ballistic on the other hand, doesn't. It gives you good grip, and isn't a pain for me to pull out of my pockets (i wear dickies for work and rvca romero ii jeans when i'm out and about or jordan basketball shorts when i feel like bumming it). I like the grip because it doesn't slip out of my pockets easily when i wear basketball shorts as the ottorbox did. HOWEVER, be warned that it does pull lint easily. It's not alot where you'll get a hairball when you pull it out of your pockets but it is there. Overall, I'm sticking with the ballastic because it offers great drop protection (as does the OB), but with the corners I personally feel it's more secure and it's not as bulky as people say it is. I'll post up pictures when i get the chance.

Trident case or otterbox?

Was hoping Some one could point me in the right direction, I was either thinking of getting the otter box defender or the Trident aegis
I'm mainly concerned about dust getting in the phone and it seems like the otter box has good protection but dust seems to find its way in, has anyone had some experience with both cases out can confirm how well the Trident blocks dust?, thanks!
Sent from my XT1034 using xda app-developers app

p00lshark5 said:
Was hoping Some one could point me in the right direction, I was either thinking of getting the otter box defender or the Trident aegis
I'm mainly concerned about dust getting in the phone and it seems like the otter box has good protection but dust seems to find its way in, has anyone had some experience with both cases out can confirm how well the Trident blocks dust?, thanks!
Sent from my XT1034 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Trident Aegis case. Initially, it will collect dust like crazy until the new wears off. Afterwards, its smooth sailing. Check out the threas, "finally found the case for moto g". I posted some pictures there.
Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk

zener773 said:
I have Trident Aegis case. Initially, it will collect dust like crazy until the new wears off. Afterwards, its smooth sailing. Check out the threas, "finally found the case for moto g". I posted some pictures there.
Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I saw your post earlier looks good, but was wondering does dust get under the case? And threw the ports? I'm told otter box is bad for that... I work in very dusty environments so I'm assuming that's the reason why my phone break down in less than a year, anyway would be helpful if I knew before I purchase !
Sent from my XT1034 using xda app-developers app

Well i have the otterbox commuter and its really great protection. And no dust will get in. Because you have to put a screen protector. And the otterbox defender the dust gets inside the protector. But the defender is stronger so idk.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I took out my Moto g out of its aegis case a few days ago. I didn't find a lot of dust inside. There was some very, very small quantities. I work at a electronics repair shop and there is some dust there. I suppose it could be a problem if someone works in a similar or worse environment.
Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk

I started the trident case thread, and for me there is no issue with dust. The trident case gives great protection without the bulk of the otterbox case. But if you plan on dropping it from 30 ft. up........

I have both the Otterbox Commuter and Trident Aegis cases, and I like the Aegis case more. I don't know how Aegis compares to the Defender, but the Commuter is denser and bulkier due to its curved back. Quite a bit of dust gets in around the screen edges since the silicone layer has a looser fit; even the port "doors" collect dust.
The Aegis case is thinner and trickier to put on (all the locks/slots/etc.), but it's been doing a wonderful job of keeping dust away from my device. It also has an additional dust filter on the plastic shell to keep more dust out of the speaker. The silicone layer can be a dust magnet especially by the port flaps, but I haven't found as much dust on my phone compared to when it was in the Commuter. The Commuter's optional screen protector only reaches the top edge of the display, whereas the Aegis's covers the screen with a cutout for the camera/speaker/sensor bits.

Commuter
I've never been a fan of the defender. From a structural point of view, it might offer better protection, but there's something about keeping my phone stuck to hard plastic all the time that gets to me.
It WILL scratch the phone. The commuter has never done that on all my previous phones. Which is why I have it ordered.
I don't know about the trident cases; frankly I'd never heard of them before; but to me, an otterbox is the epitome of main stream good quality and warranty backed cases that do their job 99% of the time, but yes, in a dusty environment, I don't think anything less than a waterproof case would suffice for absolutely ZERO dust.

I am also undecided...Aegis or Commuter.
I like the fact that the Aegis is less bulkier but I saw some negative comments regarding it:
The rubber bits that fit in the headphone and USB plugs don't fit snugly inside the ports and leave space around the rubber body. The plug bits don't stay inside and come out too easily and the space between gets filled with gunk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing that bothers me is the USB/Headphone jack covers have a grab tab to open the covers. This grab tab can snag anything that gets in the way with normal use and expose the ports. That defeats the whole purpose of the covers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tabs for the silicone that covers the charging port and headphone jack are no longer pulled through the outer shell. To me this feels cheaper and almost negates the purpose of these covers to keep out debris. I can see the headphone silicone tab breaking in the future without this feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Port covers aren't quite what I expected as they don't seat in place quite like an Otterbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what's the difference in bulkiness between the 2?
Also regarding a screen protector, I am looking at Orzly® - Premium Tempered Glass 0.3mm Protective Screen Protector, should I buy it or use a normal one?

ithanium2 said:
I am also undecided...Aegis or Commuter.
I like the fact that the Aegis is less bulkier but I saw some negative comments regarding it:
So what's the difference in bulkiness between the 2?
Also regarding a screen protector, I am looking at Orzly® - Premium Tempered Glass 0.3mm Protective Screen Protector, should I buy it or use a normal one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the SAME doubts about that topic! Can anyone clarify us?

anyone?

Ive had both. Not on this phone. But trident is just as good. Id compare it more to the defender series tho. Without as much bulk. It doesnt cover the speaker or camera. But does cover the ports. IMO i like trident better. Protection is closly comparable to the defender. But less bulk/easier to take on and off. I just ordered one off newegg for $19 free shipping. Best deal IMO
Edit: also. In my past experience, skinomi has been the best screen protectors. Completely clear, if applyed correctly you cant even tell its there. Their a bit pricey but worth it

I started off with the Trident. It looked like it could handle the load and the price was right. The Trident profile is trimmer than the commuter and therefore lighter. While I never drop tested the Trident it appears it can handle the shock. The slick hard shell had me concerned about easily dropping the phone. There are tabs on the port covers that after a few pocket pulls will expose ports and cause me to check port covers on every pocket pull. The Trident out does the Commuter in the categories of smaller size and they have a neat dust filter cover over the speaker grill.
But I know Murphy's Law only too well. So I got a commuter. I wish I bought it first. Had one on my first smart phone which passed every abuse test I gave it in 2.5 yrs. The commuter is not as bulky on the G as previous phone. The shell is textured for sure grip. The screen & camera/flash protection is better with the commuter. Tuck and roll port covers for a very streamlined case. The commuter case and gorilla glass gives me enough confidence to leave the screen protector in its wrapping. The commuter costs more but compared to insurance is a better deal. The commuter is my insurance on this Moto G and I feel secure.