Good hardcases? - Galaxy S II Accessories

Hi,
I just bought a SGS2 and I´m looking for good protection for it. I have a the top Ottercase case for my Atrix but it´s super bulky and it bothers me in my jeans pocket after sometime. What good, similar, thiner alternatives do I have? I really like the fact that the Otter cases use a non adherisive screen cover though.
Thoughts?
thanks
Rafa

rawfa said:
Hi,
I just bought a SGS2 and I´m looking for good protection for it. I have a the top Ottercase case for my Atrix but it´s super bulky and it bothers me in my jeans pocket after sometime. What good, similar, thiner alternatives do I have? I really like the fact that the Otter cases use a non adherisive screen cover though.
Thoughts?
thanks
Rafa
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Click to collapse
Are you aware of the magical search button?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125615

You should actualy read what is written before posting sarcastic comments. I´m asking for ALTERNATIVES to the Otter cases.

I've got a case-mate pop!case. It adds a little bulk, but I actually kind of like the new dimensions of the phone. It's got a hard outer shell with a rubberized inner shell and sides. We have a member who did a pretty good review of it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Ry0Lnhva4

Casemate Pop is a great case, better than the Casemate tough imo.
Otterbox Commuter series (not the super bulky version) has just been released too.

Thanks, guys. The casemate pop cases look really cool with the little colapsible stand. Does it also have a no adhesive protection for the screen? It´s also pricier than the Otter.

rawfa said:
Thanks, guys. The casemate pop cases look really cool with the little colapsible stand. Does it also have a no adhesive protection for the screen? It´s also pricier than the Otter.
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it doesn't come with a screen protector film of any kind, but the edges of the case are slightly raised to protect the screen from making contact with a surface when laid flat.
Screen protectors can be bought separately, letting you customize exactly what kind you want, from a cheapie static flim, all the way up to a $30 sgp glas cover.

Thanks for the link to the review, didn't know the Pop existed.
I have the Tough case and I'm not so sure the Pop is a batter case.
The Tough has hard left and right sides and soft top and botton, the Pop is the reverse. If you spend most of your time holding the phone in portrait view you would want harder sides. The harder sides also means less dust gets in under the case.
The tough also has a proper cut out around the head phone port, If you have an angled jack on your headphones it won't fit the Pop.
The Pop is also deeper than the Tough, i.e. the Pop is the same depth all over the back, the Tough has the lip just the phone back.
However, the Pop does seem easier to take on/off and it's not black which is a plus.

Mujja said:
Thanks for the link to the review, didn't know the Pop existed.
I have the Tough case and I'm not so sure the Pop is a batter case.
The Tough has hard left and right sides and soft top and botton, the Pop is the reverse. If you spend most of your time holding the phone in portrait view you would want harder sides. The harder sides also means less dust gets in under the case.
The tough also has a proper cut out around the head phone port, If you have an angled jack on your headphones it won't fit the Pop.
The Pop is also deeper than the Tough, i.e. the Pop is the same depth all over the back, the Tough has the lip just the phone back.
However, the Pop does seem easier to take on/off and it's not black which is a plus.
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True story about the angled headphone jacks.
As far as the portrait view, the soft rubber sides make it easier to grip. I prefer them that way.
Not sure about the dust yet, I've only had the case a few days.

I´ve just saw that the galaxy I bought actually comes with a barely there casemate. I guess I´ll look for a protective film for the screen now...I had the invisible shield for a while on my regular galaxy s but I found it stuck too much to your fingers...I was thinking of maybe getting one of those bestskinever films.

leftovermagic said:
Not sure about the dust yet, I've only had the case a few days.
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Make sure you take it out and give it a clean at least once a week. Dust and grime builds up just under the edges with all cases and the SGS2's shiny bezel could get stained, just the the iPhone 3s.

Are there any slim cases (hard of course) that also cover the top? I have the Pop case and I love it, but I also want a slim case that isn't TPU or silicone. I have the Ringke Rearth cases, too, and they're fantastic. But i'd simply like a hard case, too. Any ideas?

Im ordering one like you mean both soft & hard case with full protection, directly from korean not sgp which not included the top area
sent from my 2.3.3|dxjpe DJGTabs7

Related

Harder silicone case

I'm curious if there is a stiffer/stronger silicone case out there. I had a hard silicone case for my ipod touch and miss it. The htc silicone case is just to flimsy and I'm not wanting a hard case never had any luck with them
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk
What you want is a TPU case. It's a different material than silicon, somewhat stiffer and tighter fitting (maybe a bit less shock absorbent?), but pretty much superior in every respect imo... It's still a soft case tho, you still stretch it around the EVO to fit it in and whatnot, and you could bend it if you wanted (only difference is it snaps back to it's original shape much quicker than silicon).
It seems to have more grip on your hand but it slides out of your pocket a lot easier, a LOT easier, and unlike silicon cases it attracts almost no dust and lint whatsoever! My HTC/OEM silicon case (bought at the Sprint store) attracted so much lint and crap in my pocket that within a day of cleaning it all up I'd have this crusty line of crap all around the edges, it was pretty irritating. None of that w/my TPU case, at all!
The TPU cases also feel a lot slimmer on your hand even tho they're not that much thinner than the silicon one, they're still thick enough so that the camera is recessed below it and fully protected (most of them are anyway, there's some thinner ones)... I guess part of the reason they feel more svelte is that the edges are more rounded off and not as squre-ish as the HTC silicon one.
Button press feel is also much better w/these, probably because of the tighter fit, they actually improve the handling of the power button if you ask me. The side edges of these cases don't move at all unless you pull on it tightly, totally different feel compared to the silicon ones which loosen up and from just swiping your finger across the screen you can end up stretching the edge out.
In short, they're just superior in every way, just get one and you'll thank me later. All you have to do is choose one of the different ones out there based on aesthetics...
Amzer sells one w/an Argyle pattern on the back, that's what I've got right now, it's available on Amazon and off Amzer's site for around the same price ($9-10), it's semi-translucent and the pattern is actually a lot more subdued and doesn't stand out nearly as much as you'd think from looking at the online pics. I actually like the pattern, if anything I'd say the shade of the skin isn't quite smoked/black, it has a slight hint of amber/brown...
That's the only thing that bothers me about it. I'm gonna be ordering a plain black one along w/a red one from DCMugen on Ebay, he's selling some made by Epik that look to be the exact same thing w/o the Argyle pattern, and they're cheaper to boot ($3.50, or $6.50 for two). I can get you a link if you can't find 'em... I think they have 'em in blue and clear and a few other colors too.
Just don't fall for the cheap off-brand Argyle ones on Ebay, you can tell them apart easily because unlike the two I've mentioned those have one large cutout for the camera/LED/speaker, whereas these other ones have individual cutouts and from what I've read they're a bit thicker. Those other Ebay ones also have a large silly cutout for the fingernail hole on the battery lid that you use to pry it off, seems like a goof on the mold/design.
If you don't care for the Argyle pattern on the Amzer one I'd get the Epik ones from DCMugen, I think the colors/tint on those are closer to the photos. Here's a link to the red one, you can click on the seller for the other colors and the package pricing for two or whatever.
If you're not into the translucent look of either of those TPU cases you can always grab the matte black one at www.evocases.net There's a thread for those right here at XDA where misticjeff has even thrown in a $1 code discount for XDA members. The sides/front are still glossy (perhaps a bit glossier than the translucent ones, judging by the photos), back's matte. The frost one is no longer available.
On the thread about those some people were complaining about the feel of the power button, seems it's not as great as the Amzer/Epik ones, some people resorted to sticking a lil' bit of tape in between to make it easier to press... One thing the evocases.net does have going for it is the slightly raised ring around the camera, which I guess might protect it more in the long run... Even tho they're all thick enough that the lens is recessed (as well as the screen obviously).
My 2 cents, hope it helps... I'm loving the feel of these TPU cases tho, I'll probably never get a silicon case for a phone again.
Whew, that second post got pretty long... A picture or two would've made it easier to explain I guess. Lemme know if you're interested in the Argyle one and I can grab my camera and post some pics of how it really looks, there doesn't seem to be many pictures out there of the actual case ON the phone (for either of them really).
I was gonna wait 'till I had the Epik ones so I could photograph them all side by side but I can take pics of the Amzer Argyle one in advance and post 'em up. Like I said, I actually dig the Argyle pattern because it's pretty subdued, it's more of an etch or a shade (it actually feels like an etch on the inside of the case), rather than a print. The only thing that bothers me about it is the overall shade/tint.
I probably wouldn't even be ordering the Epik one if I wasn't also ordering some of those clear battery doors that are about to go on sale... I think those plain Epik cases w/the clear battery door will look very slick.
Best buy might have what you are looking for. My only gripe is the buttons feel hard to push. But give it a shot (most BB will let you try on the case) it might be what you are looking for.
Seidio Innocase Active Cased - Limited Edition
After looking around the net for some time I bought the Seido Innocase Active Limited Edition.
Can't post a link but search Amazon for the title in my thread.
It's a semi-hard silicon cover with a siliconized hard plastic that exo-skeleton. Perfect combo in my opinion. My one complaint is that the edges on the hard plastic piece have the siliconized coating peeling off a little but I think I may have gotten a defective unit as I haven't seen anyone else complaining about it yet.
Also got the ClearTouch screen cover anti-glare version. I've had this cover on a few phones and it's also the best for reducing glare and fingerprints while maintaining clarity. Kinda hard to install without getting dust underneath but once you get it on right it looks and feels great. ClearTouch is sold by boxwave and is on Amazon.
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover
Has anyone tried the Hybrid Flexi Skin cover from Daydeal.com? I'm also looking for a tighter case than my OEM silicone skin I got from Sprint. I just don't like the way the sides become flimsy and flaps off the phone when I swipe my screen. I'm looking at this case:
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G, Honeycomb (Smoke & Clear)
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G is a combination back cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) edge with a smooth hard back.
* Protects the side edges and back of your EVO 4G
* Hybrid cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft TPU edge and a smooth hard back
* Stylish glossy TPU edge provides shock-absorbing protection
* Lightweight TPU is resistant to taring, stretching and deforming
* Compatible with HTC EVO 4G
Sorry, I'm a newbie and can't post links, yet. I don't know if the TPU edges would solve the flapping problem, since it's supposed to be firmer & tighter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hiway said:
Has anyone tried the Hybrid Flexi Skin cover from Daydeal.com? I'm also looking for a tighter case than my OEM silicone skin I got from Sprint. I just don't like the way the sides become flimsy and flaps off the phone when I swipe my screen. I'm looking at this case:
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G, Honeycomb (Smoke & Clear)
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G is a combination back cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) edge with a smooth hard back.
...
Sorry, I'm a newbie and can't post links, yet. I don't know if the TPU edges would solve the flapping problem, since it's supposed to be firmer & tighter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
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As I said in my previous post, TPU rocks as a material for cases/skins... I don't blame ya for skipping right over it tho.
TPU >>>>>> silicon
TPU doesn't attract dust at all, it's much tighter/rigid so the side edges don't flop out at all, but it's still got plenty of give (so it'll absorb a fall/bump), you could bend 'em in half if you wanted... Only difference is it'll snap back into form in a second unlike silicon which will probably just bounce around in an arc.
TPU also seems just as grippy on your hand, if not more so, but it slides in and out of pockets way way easier, and most of the TPU cases I've seen feel way more svelte in the hand than the OEM/HTC silicon scene... Probably in part because they're a tad thinner, probably also because the edges are more rounded off and not as blocky. Physically I'm sure it isn't a huge difference, but it sure feels like it.
This thread has some further discussion on TPU cases, it's really hard to judge them based on pictures alone, I was very pleasantly surprised with mine.
So I tried googling the title you posted and came up with this, only place I could find it at. Looks pretty interesting, seems the back is hard plastic and the edges are TPU. If you dig that honeycomb pattern I'd say go for it...
Altho if it's actual plastic it might get scratched up over time Looks like it's also clear/translucent, clear plastic usually shows every single flaw... A plain TPU case wouldn't have that issue. I'm just not seeing the advantage over 100% TPU, which are also like $3.50 vs $14 (look for DCMugen's Epik/TPU cases on Ebay).
OTOH that red back + black edges on the video in the link I pasted before looks pretty sweet... The rest look kinda gaudy imo ('cept for the all black) but red/black looks really different, I like it.
P.S. This is the Honeycomb (Smoke & Red) combination I was alluding to... There's also Honeycomb (Smoke & Smoke) and plain Black & Smoke (no honeycomb pattern, solid black sides). The red is the most distinct imo, those are all probably better in the long run than the clear back (less forgiving).
Jayr00 said:
Kinda hard to install without getting dust underneath but once you get it on right it looks and feels great. ClearTouch is sold by boxwave and is on Amazon.
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Tip for the next time you gotta install a screen protector and its the hard type: get some scotch tape, put it on the non adhesive side of the screen protector so you can peel it back without touching anything, and then grab another piece of tape and start taping the dust out of the screen or adhesive side of the protector and you'll be dust free in no time. Friends came over cuz they all needed new protectors and i did 4 phones in 20 minutes.
Hybrid Flexi Case
I got my new case today....went with the Smoke & Smoke combo. This case is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it. the sides don't flap and it has a really tight fit and seems really durable. Got it off of EBay for about $8.50 ($4.50 for case + $4.00 shipping/handling) from Daydeal as opposed to going to their site and paying $13.99.
Impulses said:
P.S. This is the Honeycomb (Smoke & Red) combination I was alluding to... There's also Honeycomb (Smoke & Smoke) and plain Black & Smoke (no honeycomb pattern, solid black sides). The red is the most distinct imo, those are all probably better in the long run than the clear back (less forgiving).
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I went with the smoke on smoke honeycomb case and got it today. It's darker so I think it'll hide any scratching that my occur on the backing. I agree with you on the clear backs when I first saw them, but the back seems scratch resistant (only time will tell)
Hiway said:
I got my new case today....went with the Smoke & Smoke combo. This case is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it. the sides don't flap and it has a really tight fit and seems really durable. Got it off of EBay for about $8.50 ($4.50 for case + $4.00 shipping/handling) from Daydeal as opposed to going to their site and paying $13.99.
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If possible can you please post pics? Im interested in this case but have only seen Daydeal's review on it.

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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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.

A new case for my Vibrant

Hi all, I am looking for a new case for my Vibrant. I currently have the "Officially the best Case.." but unfortunatelly it is falling apart after a good 1+ year run. Now I am looking to replace it with the same one or with something better (have not been keeping up)
Looking at the "Officially the best case.." I do not see any current links for it. And I have to say that I am limited to purchasing a case from ebay and worldwide shipping. Can you guys recommend something?
I would recommend any type of TPU case. I have one, and it has lasted me 1+ years. Absorbs shocks well and is relatively thin. There are a bunch on eBay.
I am looking at some black TPU cases, but on the poor images they put, I cannot see if there are buttons, cut out buttons on the actual case.. For example this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-New-T...ccessories&hash=item20bdf50ab6#ht_2636wt_1392
I do not see power and volume buttons on the side..
From what I know, I doubt that any will have cut out buttons. But you could make the holes yourself.
Ya, ok, not cut out buttons, but at least take the shape of the buttons...so you can distinguish them where hey are by touching the phone..
The cases will have protruding buttons for the places where the buttons are located. I hope you get a good case.
You should get the otterbox. I've had mine since it came out and it still looks like new. Dropped it a couple of times and you'd never know to look at it. I'm sure that you can find it on ebay.
I just got the Trident Aegis case. It looks nice and provides good protection (silicone + hard plastic). The buttons are also easier to press than before.
However, the thing is a dust magnet (what kind of silicone isn't?), so I'd recommend keeping it out of dirty pockets as much as possible. It's also not cheap ($25 on Amazon), but is worth it IMO.
I also bought a Mercury jelly case off eBay today, so that's a cheaper option.
3D0
The 3D0 case seems to be pretty good. I just wish it covered the entire back like the model for the SGS II does.
casemate hard case and screen protector keep my phone mint, and very thin. Was $35 and I have a picture from my wedding on the back that i constantly get comments about. Had it a year and hardly shows scratches.
I'm returning my Trident Aegis. The plastic started chipping off and I wasn't really a fan of the dust it attracted.
I'm using the Seidio innocase now. Seems kind of flimsy, but is a lot lighter and thinner than the Aegis.
Get a TPU. It protects from scratches and dropping quite well, I'm reluctant to buy any other kind of case. I haven't seen any TPU cases with the buttons cut out. They're one piece units that are hard to rip, tear and really damage in any way. And all the functions of the phone are still easily accessible. The buttons may feel a little hard to press at firsts, but you get used to it. I bought one like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TPU-Silicon...576411?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item3371ccc19b
Trident Cyclops here. Available on ebay starting at $17.50 shipped and it is a tank. I did remove the built in screen protector as it annoyed the crap out of me. Gorilla glass is awesome and as far as I am concerned I do not need a screen protector.
My only gripe is getting it into and out of my pockets the silicone does tend to grab the cloth.
I have the Otterbox and would highly recommend it. It has good shock protection with an outer layer to prevent scratching. The silicone layer does attract lint but good luck finding one that won't!
As I understand it, the silicone cases are more environmentally friendly than the TPU. I've been using silicone, rotating through 6 colors (liturgical) seasonally, and have dropped my phone more times than I can count. It just bounces. Not a scratch to be seen, and given the softness of the silicone, it does a better job than most non-water resistant cases at keeping things dry. And, like Martha Stewart's silpats and silicone lubricant, nothing, but nothing sticks to it. Yes, it's a bit rubbery, but I can put it in the back pocket of some jeans I probably should finally put in the skinny-pants bin as easily as without the case. That's pure silicone, which isn't TPU. TPU is pretty plastic-y, rather than rubbery, usually, but it depends on what other, er, crap you put in it. I think the folks selling it don't care what kind of plasticized, probably-a-little-toxic material their selling, they just want to move them.
What I like most about it, though, is that it stays on when I want it to, but I can pop it off in .75 sec. OK, then there's the price...
Thansks for the info. I need back case asap. This thread helped.
i hope im not too late into recommendations but a silicon case should be the best choice, the vibrant is an extremely tough phone and hard cases would be almost a waste( plus the overall thickness will increase greatly)...
My case is a hard case and is very thin, the silicone case is good unless you carry your phone in your pocket. Then you get to experience lint and your pocket turning inside out whenever you need your phone . I recommend casemate hard cases, you can customize them.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Otterbox COMMUTER vs Case Mate TOUGH

For those interested, here is my OTTERBOX COMMUTER vs CASE MATE TOUGH comparison. I now own both of these cases and found some interesting differences.
OTTERBOX COMMUTER
+ Very solid case 9/10
+ Rubber has extra cushioning bumpers on corners to better protect against drops
+ Cutouts also have secure plugs to prevent dust and water from intrusion
+ top, bottom and sides have hard plastic protection over the rubber making a more secure fit all round.
+ Rubber is of a higher quality 8/10
- Sound quality of speaker phone is slightly affected by the raised plastic that sits closely around the speaker. Sound comes out a little louder and sharper but still sounds fine.
- Case can be quite difficult to remove because the plastic cover sits over all four sides and is very tight
- Plastic cover surface is very smooth and nicely designed but will be slippery with oily or sweaty hands
- Screen protector cutout is a little short near the top where the earphone is compared to other screen protectors I've used, but quality is fine, average.
- headphone and charging ports are a little smaller than I'd like but should fit most accessories.
- ON and VOLUME buttons are a bit difficult to press, quite like most TPU cases
- Having plastic covering on the front sides, it can be easily knocked off a table when sitting face-down, and back down is even worse.
CASE MATE TOUGH
+ Very solid case 8/10
+ headphone and earphone ports are a perfectly cut to fit all brands.
+ Very easy to remove with only sides covered by plastic cover
+ Plastic material has excellent grip on sides and back making it much more secure in the hand.
+ Plastic is less likely to show scratches over time
+ Quite easy to remove with only the sides cover the the plastic cover.
+ ON and VOLUME buttons are very easy and nice to press, with perfect feedback, almost a little 'too' easy actually.
+ The entire front is rubber, so when sitting face-down, it does not move and has a secure grip on surfaces, less likely to be knocked of a table etc
- Because the plastic cover only sits over the sides, the top and bottom have the rubber exposed and it could catch on things, such as removing from a tight pocket. not a huge deal in use.
- headphone and charging ports are open and exposed.
- rubber is a little thinner than the Otterbox's and more stretchy/flexible, though may not be a big deal in use/drops.
So in conclusion, I really like both cases for different reasons. At first impressions, the Commuter appears to be the better case due to it's port covers, more secure fit with plastic covering all sides and the extra protection given to the corners of the case.....BUT....
....the Tough case just feel better in the hand, more secure. While both are almost identical in size, thickness and weight, the Tough has a nicely textured hard surface (that looks like rubber in photos) and this is what I would call 'active' protection, compared to the passive protection on the Otterbox. What I mean is that the Commuter is more likely to slip out of the hand, but be better against drops, and the Tough case is less likely to slip out of your hands, but make be less effective against drops. Also with the Tough case having rubber all the way around on the front, it's rock solid when sitting face down on a table surface and less likely to be knocked off.
Also, if you like to change your case on a fairly regular basis, the Otterbox is not an easy case to remove. Not that difficult, but the Tough is about 3x easier. This is a big deal for me, and combined with the nice secure feel, the Case Mate Tough is the preferred case for me as a daily wearer. If there are days where I feel I may need some extra protection against, say rain, I may be a little more inclined to throw on the Otterbox Commuter.
Either way you can't go wrong as both are great cases.
leicashot, any chance of any piccies with the Galaxy in the commuter case ? I'm thinking of getting one for my shiny new precious !
Also, do you have a car holder of any type that fits with the commuter on it ?
Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...
Interesting! I always wanted to compared them, but I dont wanna buy those cases because I know i would never use them after.
abhifusion said:
Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try take some pics later today....
do these cases come with screen protectors or no?
My tough case did not come with a screen protector which is fine by me since I hate them. Bout all I can say is that I had the tough case on my sgs2 both of which I got when they came out (each respectively, the case followed by a week or two) and have no complaints about it. Phone lived through a few drops one of which was standing in the back of a pickup to unload stuff and it fell out of my pocket onto the pavement, some 6 or 7 feet I would guess. The phone was fine and the case showed no mark whatsoever. I have not had any issue with the rubber on the ends sticking to anything and it does not pick up lint. The phone is easy to get in and out of the case but still completely secure in it and wont come out unless you take it out. The case has no movement on the phone and feels solid. The texture on the case is just about perfect for grip and more has an undefineable "good" feel. The ports and all openings line up perfectly with the headphone and microusb ports being opened up a little extra to let larger based headphone jacks or usb cables fully insert to their base. Something I appreciate because I have some headphones that sometimes wont go in without trimming the case.
To be honest I only see one real downside to this case and its going to come down to preference. If you want your phone as slim as possible this case isn't for you. The lip around the top is probably near two millimeter by itself and while it fits like a glove you have the width of both the rubber and case across the bottom and sides. To someone like me its a win because I think modern phones are too thin and I would want to do something to bulk them up even if I didn't need the protection.
I considered the otterbox to try something new but did not. I have no beef with it and it seems like folks that have them like them but for me it was hard to get away from something I knew worked great and for which I had no gripes.
I have a Case Mate tough too and i realy like, i used it on all my phones i had.
Here are some pics http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Cases/Case-Mate-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Tough-Cases.asp.
Never had the Otterbox but it looks clunkier and bigger, the Case Mate is a bit more elegant and has a good grip and feel.
Do any owners of either case use them in car holders at all ? If so any chance of pics in the car holder ? Also, does the case interfere with the operation of NFC at all ?
Hey guys,
I have the CaseMate Though since last week when i got my S3.
Before that I had the Otterbox Commuter on my DHD and I must say, I like the CaseMate much better. It may does not protect the ports as already said, but it does feel very good in my hand.
Car mounting is not a problem for me, I have an universal holder in which it will fit in easily
leicashot said:
Don't mean to be negative but I got the case today and it feels great except I'll be returning it. Why? Because the top front and bottom front of the case don't have hard plastic holding down the rubber lips, so they get caught and stretch in the pocket when retrieving. This over time may cause the rubber to tear or stretch too much cause it's very elastic and thin.
Whereas the Otterbox Commuter has the plastic sides cover top, bottom and both sides so that no rubber is loose, but held down tight. A much better product from my experience in the past and looking forward to having it when it arrives in the next week or so. This review will cover what I was talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Dxcyfm3Vg
UPDATE: See my review on both cases here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27997216#post27997216
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read a negative point about Tough case from you in another thread. Didn't see it mentioned here.
So is this problem a big thing or can i go with Tough case?
I have the Otterbox Commuter case on my S3 and I love it!! I had a defender case on my Tbolt and it added weight and size to it. I did not like it for that reason. The commuter case for the S3 fits just right and doesnt take away from the size that much. I have to believe this is a must have case for some protection for your phone.
anyone know if the case mate tough fit the active holster because it does appear to be the same size as the commuter
What are the dimensions of the case mate tough.
Nice review! Have u ever used the incipio silicrylic? seems very much comparable to the Case-Mate Tough and I dont know which one to choose.. Heres a link http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-SA-302-Silicrylic-Silicone-Samsung/dp/B0085VAP38/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1353870767&sr=1-2&keywords=incipio+s3
Hi, just got my casemate tough for the galaxy s4. I've been using one with my galaxy s3 and am very pleasedwith it but, unfortunately the one for the s4 is a bit disappointing. Although the look is the same the lip around the screen isn't as deep and the rubber doesn't come over the metal border fully. The volume button only has the rubber over it without the plastic surrounding which makes it feel fragile. I'll be returning the case and have ordered an otterbox commuter, although I would've preferred the casemate. Hope it's helpful.
I have 2 brand new Otterbox Defender series warranty replacements for sale, a Grey on white and Black on black with clip holsters for sale. Looking to sell both for cheap in a bundle. Shoot me a PM if your interested.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk 2

Recommendations for a Slim, Soft-Touch TPU Case?

I'm a new Axon 7 owner and am currently searching for a case to use on this phone. The stock transparent case that comes with the phone is great but due to the fact it's a glossy plastic, it attracts a lot of grease from my fingers and feels dirty after a while. I also dislike it because the sweat from my hands will form into condensation on the back of the case. I also have a problem where the jack on my headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M50) is too large to fit in the hole provided.
I decided to purchase the Spigen 'Rugged Armor' case from Amazon after reading a lot of positive comments about it, but I have been left disappointed and debating whether to return it due to the sheer size and thickness that makes handling the phone (Which is already large enough!) incredibly difficult with small hands. The case does not add much friction despite the material used having a rubber-like appearance, and I actually feel more likely to drop the phone as a result of trying to fumble with the added size. As well as this, the cut-out for the headphone jack is still too small even though it's larger than the wider than the one seen on the stock case. I also find it a lot more difficult to access the fingerprint scanner due to the thickness of the case surrounding it. Another problem is that the case is quite difficult to put onto the phone and a lot harder to remove, to the point where it feels like i'm actually going to damage the phone by attempting to do this!
For my previous phone, a Lenovo ZUK Z2, I had a fantastic Nillkin 'Frosted Shield' shell case that was made from a soft-touch rubber-like plastic. It was very slim at about 2mm in thickness at most, and although it didn't offer much in the way of drop-protection, it did have a nice textured back and that increased the grip tremendously. So, despite the case not being able to protect the phone quite as much from being dropped, it didn't matter because the chances of dropping the phone in the first place were a lot less likely. I wondered whether there was something similar for the Axon 7, but instead in a TPU-style with the sealed corners, and the same thickness as the stock case that's included with the phone? Any recommendations would be most appreciated.
This one is the best one, hands down: https://www.amazon.de/ARTILVST-umgebene-Struktur-Oberfl%C3%A4che-Protector/dp/B01MTLLSPA/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505381744&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=axon+7+slim+case+sand
It is ultra slim and has a very nice feel.
Sui77 said:
This one is the best one, hands down: https://www.amazon.de/ARTILVST-umgebene-Struktur-Oberfl%C3%A4che-Protector/dp/B01MTLLSPA/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505381744&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=axon+7+slim+case+sand
It is ultra slim and has a very nice feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks nice, it's kinda like the old Sandstone Black finish on the OnePlus One. There was one similar to this on Amazon UK but I don't think it had the same texture to it. My only compliant with that one is that it isn't a TPU case which completely covers the corners, but on the other hand the sand texture probably adds a lot of grip to reduce the risk of it being dropped.
I'm currently looking into getting the J&D case from their official website. It's in TPU-form which covers the entire phone (Except from the power/volume buttons!) and has the textured soft-touch back I wanted. The only problem with this one is that the glossy plastic edges look a bit tacky in the pictures, but hopefully it's not as bad in person as it looks on the website. I have a discount code which knocks a subtle 15% off the price listed, so it might be worth a shot.
Looking into this now myself. The stock clear case will go yellow as they all do. Getting cheap see through black case as a temporary till I find a good one. I find the clear one a tad loose at the side.
Sui77 said:
This one is the best one, hands down: https://www.amazon.de/ARTILVST-umgebene-Struktur-Oberfl%C3%A4che-Protector/dp/B01MTLLSPA/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505381744&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=axon+7+slim+case+sand
It is ultra slim and has a very nice feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
Does this case provide good grip?
Thanks for confirming!
joaste said:
Hi there,
Does this case provide good grip?
Thanks for confirming!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
In my opinion it's the perfect one.
My buddies ordered it for their Samsung cause of the nice touch.
Color is anthracite, not fancy but decent
Sui77 said:
Yes.
In my opinion it's the perfect one.
My buddies ordered it for their Samsung cause of the nice touch.
Color is anthracite, not fancy but decent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm mostly interested in the grip. I had a similar case from Amazon. fr but it was in fact quite slippery (it had a satin feel to it). Had to send it back.
The stock case that came with the Axon 7 is quite grippy but it is slowly going yellow.
joaste said:
Thanks. I'm mostly interested in the grip. I had a similar case from Amazon. fr but it was in fact quite slippery (it had a satin feel to it). Had to send it back.
The stock case that came with the Axon 7 is quite grippy but it is slowly going yellow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is a different story.
It's the best pick you can get
Sui77 said:
This one is a different story.
It's the best pick you can get
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Just ordered it.
joaste said:
Thanks. Just ordered it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, have you received the case yet? Just wondering what you thought to it. If either you or @Sui77 could post a picture of it, that would be great as well. I'm still debating whether to choose this or the J&D TPU case that completely conceals the corners. I can't stand using the case which came with the phone much longer, as it's made from glossy plastic and attracts a lot of filth and grease. I imagine the ARTILVST case would be a lot better in this regard.
P650SE said:
Hey, have you received the case yet? Just wondering what you thought to it. If either you or @Sui77 could post a picture of it, that would be great as well. I'm still debating whether to choose this or the J&D TPU case that completely conceals the corners. I can't stand using the case which came with the phone much longer, as it's made from glossy plastic and attracts a lot of filth and grease. I imagine the ARTILVST case would be a lot better in this regard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I did. Or is ok, but not as grippy as I was hoping for. The original case provides more grip.
Some pics attached.
joaste said:
Yes I did. Or is ok, but not as grippy as I was hoping for. The original case provides more grip.
Some pics attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting those pictures! That's a shame to hear the grip wasn't as good as expected. I wanted something which provided more grip than the stock case, so maybe this isn't the right one for me. I also live in the United Kingdom and having the case shipped from Germany would make it more expensive in postage costs. It does look like a nice case but I am worried it might not offer much protection if the phone is dropped. I think the J&D case would perhaps be better because it has a soft-touch back and conceals all the corners properly.
I have that same Spigen case as above, an Incipio TPU case in smoked brown, and another thin "shell case". This thin shell offers zero protection in case it is dropped, making using one pointless , IMO.
The Incipio case is OK, but again thin and will show wear very quickly. The Spigen one is my favorite hands down, doesn't add bulk to the phone all ports easily accessable, and the edges offer good grip.
christoophat said:
I have that same Spigen case as above, an Incipio TPU case in smoked brown, and another thin "shell case". This thin shell offers zero protection in case it is dropped, making using one pointless , IMO.
The Incipio case is OK, but again thin and will show wear very quickly. The Spigen one is my favorite hands down, doesn't add bulk to the phone all ports easily accessable, and the edges offer good grip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions regarding the cases available for the Axon 7. It's interesting to hear how you found the Spigen case not to be bulky, because I found the opposite and returned it for that exact reason. I eventually purchased one of the cheap, plastic shell cases from AliExpress similar to the that in the pictures Joaste posted above.
My overall opinion on this case has been positive but it has worn on the edges and there are cracks down all four corners. As you mentioned, a shell case does not offer much drop protection but it's definitely better than not having a case at all and it does improve the grip quite notably. However, I wish it had a textured or 'Sandstone' back to help avoid grease buildup.
I am now looking for another case, but options in the UK are limited since the Axon 7 is not officially sold here.
I've been using my TPU smoke black case with a glass screen protector for a while and enjoyed that. I got fed up with the Poetic Revolution case because of the dry protector built into the front. It allowed dust and stuff in between the screen and protector. Tonight I stripped out the dry protector and put the case on with the glass protector still on the screen. Fits nice. I have a full coverage protector to fit and might see if it will work with the Poetic. Might need to trim the inner edges of the corners near the speaker grilles.
I've been using this Proworx case since right after I got my Axon 7, so for a bit over a year now. I wasn't super impressed when I got it so I figured I'd replace it as soon as I found something better or it wore out, but I'm still using it, which says something about it.
It isn't the slimmest, for sure, but it isn't as bulky as the Otter Boxes and whatnot that everyone with a non-cracked iphone seems to have. It protects very well - TPU around the edges, fully covering the corners (which is a must, in my eyes), polycarbonate back, enough of a lip on top to protect the screen if you set it down face-down, and the cut-outs and buttons are perfect. Good drop protection - I've "thrown" it onto asphalt, tile, and concrete without the phone getting a scratch. Also works well with the glass screen protectors we covered in another thread. Easy enough to put on and take off too, with no chance of the phone just falling out.
Again, not the thinnest, but not huge, and the protection is excellent. Plus they're cheap and come in multiple colors. And as is typical with cheap stuff manufactured in China, I've seen this same case under at least a couple of other brand names, CoverOn for one. For $5-$6 I recommend trying it - I like it enough that I pretty much never think about replacing it, even though it (a clear one) has yellowed a tad. After trying like 10 cases for my G3 and finding faults with each of them, I can say I like this one enough that I'll probably replace it with the same one, eventually.
emepher said:
I've been using this Proworx case since right after I got my Axon 7, so for a bit over a year now. I wasn't super impressed when I got it so I figured I'd replace it as soon as I found something better or it wore out, but I'm still using it, which says something about it.
It isn't the slimmest, for sure, but it isn't as bulky as the Otter Boxes and whatnot that everyone with a non-cracked iphone seems to have. It protects very well - TPU around the edges, fully covering the corners (which is a must, in my eyes), polycarbonate back, enough of a lip on top to protect the screen if you set it down face-down, and the cut-outs and buttons are perfect. Good drop protection - I've "thrown" it onto asphalt, tile, and concrete without the phone getting a scratch. Also works well with the glass screen protectors we covered in another thread. Easy enough to put on and take off too, with no chance of the phone just falling out.
Again, not the thinnest, but not huge, and the protection is excellent. Plus they're cheap and come in multiple colors. And as is typical with cheap stuff manufactured in China, I've seen this same case under at least a couple of other brand names, CoverOn for one. For $5-$6 I recommend trying it - I like it enough that I pretty much never think about replacing it, even though it (a clear one) has yellowed a tad. After trying like 10 cases for my G3 and finding faults with each of them, I can say I like this one enough that I'll probably replace it with the same one, eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to order one of these in black to try out. Have been quite happy with my Spigen, but after installing this Proworx case yesterday, I think I am falling in love. Seems to offer enough protection, fits & looks nice, AND I kind of like how the buttons are a bit harder to push in, which actually prevents me from squeezing open the screen every time I try to pick it up. :good:
RobboW said:
I've been using my TPU smoke black case with a glass screen protector for a while and enjoyed that. I got fed up with the Poetic Revolution case because of the dry protector built into the front. It allowed dust and stuff in between the screen and protector. Tonight I stripped out the dry protector and put the case on with the glass protector still on the screen. Fits nice. I have a full coverage protector to fit and might see if it will work with the Poetic. Might need to trim the inner edges of the corners near the speaker grilles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quoting myself here.
Today I fitted the full coverage protector to my Axon 7 and it fits into the Poetic Revolution case nicely! Glad I stripped out the dry protectors in the Poetic cases. I've also now fitted a plastic protector over the glass one as a quick and easy tear off to sacrifice for wear and tear but the glass one makes the front of the phone flat. Even with two stacked protectors, touch works perfectly.
The picture is slightly misleading as the black section also covers the capacitive buttons so there's no indicator of position, but not being backlit anyway, it makes little difference.
Here's a quicky bunch of pics. I have a soft TPU smoky case, black Poetic Revolution and a blue/grey Poetic Revolution which can be mix and matched. Got a couple of little bubbles under the plastic protector and will fix that later, or just remove it. Looks good with just the full coverage glass one.
If anyone is looking for a slim case I just picked up a Bear Motion Sand from eBay. Best case I've had so far for my A7 and I've tried quite a few. Feels like my OPO did.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9Y5CQ...d_r=3683683e-ab8d-11e8-96dd-777fa7fb2507&th=1
Been using this one for over 6 months now with out any issues , not as bulky as it looks and the stand is useful . I also have a full body clear skin from clear-coat that fits superbly, clear-coat has various outlets through the UK and installs as you wait , is a bit pricey at £30 for the full skin .
I work in the building trade so need it well protected .

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