Hey guys, after an intensive and thorough review + research via numerous threads and online videos, I have narrowed it down to three cases that I would like to get for my new S2.
In reality, I wanted to narrow it down to 2 cases: Case-Mate Tough & the SGP Neo Hybrid, but then came along the Pop! So now, I'm even more stuck on deciding.
Here's my breakdown to why I chose these three cases. My very first choice was the SGP Neo Hybrid. I really liked how it came with a SGP Ultra Crystal screen protector. Coming from an InvisibleShield on previous phones, I wanted something that was not wet or solution-based. All the reviews state the SGP screen protectors are dry applications and do not have that "tacky" feel that Zagg would have.
However, when I found the Case-Mate Tough, I was completely amazed by it's durability and protection. However, the case did not include a fancy SGP screen protector (although the reviews say it did come with a generic screen protector).
Next thing, the Case-Mate Pop comes up as a recent new addition, and I'm thrown into deciding again. One thing I am unsure is how thick the Pop is compared to the Tough. Is it even more bulkier? I could not find the dimensions or size on the website.
Anyhow, what are your thoughts on these three? I was really inclined to SGP because I felt like I was getting two things for the price of one: an good screen protector + a decent case.
Decisions, decisions...
hummmmm 3 very good cases there mate and i am sure you will be happy with what ever you go for .
I love the look of the sgp hybrid cases , the yellow one looks amazing from pics i have seen and it offers good protection as well . only thing is to get to me i might have to wait 15 days :-( i am waiting for uk stockists to grab one
i currently use the casemate tough and it is a very good case that again offers full protection and confidence that if i dropped the sgs2 it would be fine in this case . the only things with the casemate tough is the inner is silicone and it does attract a bit of dust around the edges of the screen due to this. a quick wipe and its back to dust free though .
i like the look of the casemate pop though as well and may grab one too . i did notice the casemate pop has a shiny back though and i think this will scratch easier then the sgp hybrid and the casemate tough which in turn could make the ''pop'' look a bit tatty before the other ones you mention . i like the idea of the stand though and it does again offer good protection .
There are some cases like the casemate barely there or the genuine sgs2 case and they dont offer full protection as the top and bottom are exsposed , i dropped my sgs2 with a barely there case on and it protected it ok but you guessed it the bottom and top silver got a few marks as they are exsposed so i couldnt recomened any case that doesnt cover the whole phone .
The ones you have chose are all good cases and its quite funny as it goes as i think they are my fave three out at the minute too although the alluminum bumper does also look quite good in the thread in this forum .
As i said earlier i think you will be happy with any of them mate , about the screen protector you can buy sgp ones seperate and even get anti fingerprint ones which are great The ones i got with the casemate phones didnt fit the sgs2 and they stopped sending them with their cases untill they got proper screen protectors , this may have happend now as it was about a month ago i bought my cases
sorry for long reply bud and good luck with your case hunt
Hey man, I don't know if this helps, but I purchased a Case Mate Tough and took some measurements on it with my digital caliper.
2.814 inches / 7.14756 cm Wide
5.108 inches / 12.97432 cm Long
.541 inches / 1.37414 cm Thick
Compared to the measurements of the phone itself.
2.614 inches / 6.63956 cm Wide
4.939 inches / 12.54506 Long
.345 inches / 0.8763 cm Thick
So logic says that the Case Mate Tough adds about .2 inches / .508 cm to the width, .169 inches / 42926 cm to the length, and .196 inches / .49784 cm to the thickness of the phone itself.
I haven't used my Tough at all really, I think it feels too thick unfortunately. I am one of the people who is fine with the feel of the phone the way it is, with the Tough it kind of makes it feel like some sort of industrial type of phone with all the rubber and thickness and what not. Maybe I would just need time to get used to it though. But the lip over the edges of the screen that the case provides does kind of annoy me.
@OP- Pretty simple to chose between those 3.
CM Tough- The best possible case out there. If you have no affection to looking then there is no other case than this.
CM Pop- Bit of looking, bit of toughness, but none to it's best level.
SGP Neo Hybrid- Great looking. Moderate build quality, thus average toughness.
Regards.
I'm trying to make the same decision except with just the Tough Case and Pop Case. What's putting me off the Pop Case though is that everyone's complaining of how the silicone wears away easily.
Anyway, on Amazon it lists the Pop's dimensions as 4.9 x 0.4 x 2.6 inches. Haven't found anything more official then that though. It'd be good for someone to post comparison photos if they've got both.
I have had a case mate pop for about a month and here is what I think :
Pros:
Great protection - the rubber around the edge would save the screen if it ever fell screen-down onto a hard surface
Looks nice
Case buttons do a great job protecting the phones real buttons
Cons:
I am finding it adds quite a bit of thickness to the phone, more so than I would like.
The headphone jack is pretty deep. If you have a huge 3.5mm adapter like the ones that come with big Sennheiser cans, they wont fit with the case.
It can be kind of tough to remove until you get the hang of it, due to the hard plastic back. The way I found that works best is to grab the bottom/midsection of the phone by the case, and then bend the top of the case back so it removes the top portion of the phone. Don't be afraid to bend the white plastic.
I have not had much issue with the silicon wearing away, except for a tiny spot where the hand grip meets the white plastic at the back. Then again I work in a factory so it is really rough on the phone, much more so than an average user.
Overall it is a great case, but not the best option if you want to keep it slim. I am going to try an SGP Air and Neo Hybrid next.
Thanks for the updates and replies, guys.
A few more questions. For those who have both and/or had the Case-Mate Tough & SGP Neo Hybrid... which one offers a better BACK-CAMERA protection? I noticed on some of the YouTube reviews, it shows that both cases have slightly recessed back-camera holes to protect the back camera from possibly scratching (when aligned and facing on a flat surface).
I assume the Case-Mate Tough would probably have a slightly deeper recession b/c the case as a whole is more bulkier than the SGP Neo Hybrid? Anyhow, it's quite hard to tell from the video reviews. Anyone know?
same question , and i need to take the Decisions in a few hours
any one could help ASAP ??
Just ordered a Neo Hybrid in black...
My view is this:
Pop = If you want a stand
Tough = If your main concern is protection
Neo = If you don't mind a trade off in protection for great look/design
CaspaTheGhost said:
Just ordered a Neo Hybrid in black...
My view is this:
Pop = If you want a stand
Tough = If your main concern is protection
Neo = If you don't mind a trade off in protection for great look/design
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly! I ordered both the Case-Mate Tough & SGP Neo Hybrid because it was just too hard to decide. Perhaps the best two available cases right now.
so which one do you like more? im getting my S2 on sunday and would like to have a case on the way to keep it safe
As soon as i saw the case mate pop i wanted it for the stand.
Then my brother told me about the otterbox covering the headphone jack and usb port with the silicone so it stops dust getting inside it so i ended up going for that.
The silicone near the top doesnt sit flush with the phone when the hard case is on it which annoys me, but apart from that im happy with the otterbox.
remove neo hybrid from your options if you are going for protection. the silicone is thin and the plastic frame is flimsy and can easily by deformed
I am using the case mate tough for 3 month now. Without it, my phone would be dead/seriously damaged by now. I am very clumsy guy, and so far my phone survived droping while biking, multiple table-drops, my girlfriend stepping on it and several children attacks.
The phone goes in my front pocket whith the screen pointing to the outside. This way the case being 2-3mm higher than the phone protects the screen perfectly from the pants touching it.
Once a month i free my phone for some cleaning job: it still looks like the day i bought it.
One thing: When looking for a car mount go for Herbert Richter (can't post link due to low post restriction)
Related
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
gkallivrousis said:
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Truthfully verizons body glove case is best for non bulkyness.Very stable fits well .ect.
I like my body glove
Personally I have tried the Body Glove case and I like the Otter Box Commuter case a little better. The new Seidio Innocase Active is also a very nice case; a close second to the Otter Box.
Definitely otter box. Slim sturdy and stylish
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
one problem though it has to slide into my jeans. Most of these cases have rubber and dont slide
Throwing in a vote for the Body Glove case.. great fit with just enough bulk to give you that warm protected feeling
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
You should check out Techie Warehouse. If you go to the Covers & Skins area for the Droid X you'll find over 300 covers to choose from.
Best one I got laying around was not a Seidio, Otterbox or Trident... it was the Dual Layer Vertex Covers just google "techie warehouse vertex cover for droid x"
I quote from our product description about this product "The Motorola Droid X gets ultimate protection. A Screen Protector and two virtual walls of defense. The inner silicone core absorbs shock from bumps and drops. A hard polycarbonate exterior shell prevents cuts, scrapes, dings, and damage for the Motorola Droid X."
Let me know what you think of it.
i bought one of the 3 dollar black silicone ones off amazon. works fine for me..
gkallivrousis said:
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
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Click to collapse
I have had the Otterbox, Seidio, Innocase, Verizon, Kragen, but I didnt really like any of them. Iphone cases are so much more refined compared to these.
The Otterbox Seidio, and Kragen cases are too bulky, the Innocase looks good but broke on me, and the Verizon Kickstand Case was too cheaply made.
There is a guy from another forum thats making a phone case. It looks great but its not for sale yet, I am personally looking forward to it because he claims its easy to open and has a bunch of other features. It looks absolutely beautiful, so lets hope he can pull this off.
Right now Im using a cheap Ebay Silicone case, its not great either but it was only $2 and thats value for money. I also got a Smartphone Coaster, its a cheap bit of tin but it does the job for now.
gkallivrousis said:
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phantomskinz does have skins for the droid X.. Check the site again!
+1 For the Body Glove
I really enjoy my Body Glove, Although I've managed to wear out the snap on the lower left side by removing the case over time to do a battery pull and it no longer holds securely.
I have a Green Trident Kraken on order, due to arrive today actually assuming UPS will brave the icy roads, Good reviews on protection but they all admit to the sacrifice of sleekness.
The pliable verizon silicone case is nice and it fits with extended battery-Motorola and cover. You can find them for $10 online or eBay.
Check ebay item #250759993717
I bought a Sedieo Innocase Surface back in December it cracked in half in January. They are really nice looking, but if you ever have to do a battery pull or if you want to use your car dock, forget about getting it out of the damn case. It fits way to tight. So I am back to the ole Silicone case, which works fine, but sucks if you put it in your pocket, cause it sticks to cloth / jean material.
I'm on my 2nd Body Glove case.
Likes: Belt clip, rubber texture, light weight
Dislikes: Rubber texture deteriorates, weak tabs will not survive impact.
It has kept my DX from scratches but the tabs that snap it together break too easily. First was replaced under warranty. I think I will kick out the $ for an Otter.
OnMy2ndGP said:
I'm on my 2nd Body Glove case.
Likes: Belt clip, rubber texture, light weight
Dislikes: Rubber texture deteriorates, weak tabs will not survive impact.
It has kept my DX from scratches but the tabs that snap it together break too easily. First was replaced under warranty. I think I will kick out the $ for an Otter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those cases with tabs that snap together aren't meant to be taken apart, after 4 or 5 times they will break. I created a case that opens easily, has no tiny tabs to break and has a multitude of other features.
I've also taken great care to make sure that the case is placed further away from the screen and buttons making it easy to touch the screen and press the buttons on the bottom.
There's space for the OEM extended battery, an extra micro SD card, and even an ID or credit card.
The case also functions as a stand and car mount, my case allows you to watch movies, make movies, capture photos, and use your phones GPS in your car with ease. These features not only work with the Motorola Droid X but with other cases, other phones, and even some other electronic devices such as digital cameras.
The case isn't any more expensive then other high quality cases either. Its 20 bucks and made from the same high strength plastic as other high end cases, so basically if your in the market for a case and other accessories you can pay for just the case and get the rest for free essentially.
If you think this case must be huge and weigh a lot you'd be surprised, its really a simple concept, its almost like a normal cellphone case but we've changed a the design a bit to allow it to function as an adjustable stand.
I can't post links yet so you'll have to google "Jawcase" to find more info, pics, and videos.
I like the Jawcase concept. Alot. I pledged. And good luck with getting your project off the ground Heather. Hope it gets funded.
I've gone through 3 body gloves now with my 4th's clips are broken yet again....
I think its a bit ridiculous that I cant take my phone case off because the clips can't stand it.
I need to find a new case, and I'm thinking of just going with one of the hard-ish silicone cases. The body glove looks great when you buy it, but the rubber wears away like no tomorrow and the clips are destroyed after a couple battery pulls. I had one for my enV touch and it lasted the entire lifespan of the phone with minor tears and such. My droid x's can't last anymore than maybe a month. Don't get me wrong, the body gloves are wonderful, but I'm clearly not having a good experience with it or maybe I'm not handling it properly
+1 for the body glove case. I havent had any issues with the tabs, but i always open it at the bottom with a coin.
Riddlin said:
I bought a Sedieo Innocase Surface back in December it cracked in half in January. They are really nice looking, but if you ever have to do a battery pull or if you want to use your car dock, forget about getting it out of the damn case. It fits way to tight. So I am back to the ole Silicone case, which works fine, but sucks if you put it in your pocket, cause it sticks to cloth / jean material.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shoot...I was pretty much sold on the Innocase Surface case, was gonna order one in the next few days. I've tried the cheap TPU case, the cheap 2-piece snap together case, maybe I'll try the Verizon silicon one instead of the Innocase.
I'll be getting a Galaxy S2 soon and wanted to know which case is better in terms of quality,
http://www.clove.co.uk/case-mate-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-i9100-gelli-case-clear
- According to the item description, this case features Flexible thermoplastic - softer and more robust than silicone or rubber
http://www.clove.co.uk/case-mate-samsung-galaxy-ii-i91000-barely-there-black
- According to the item description, this case has a cutting-edge appearance with its rubber matte finish
- Contains, Impact resistant flexible plastic shell
I only want to buy one of the two cases mentioned above. Are both cases TPU? What is a flexible plastic shell? Is the same as TPU? I specially want a case that is matte finish. If the 1st case mentioned above is TPU, shouldn't be matte. I'm having some trouble telling the differences.
Please let me know. Thank you.
Well I have used the Barely There case for my N8 for quite some times and its quite good. I mean it protects the back and the camera from scratches and it is barely there as the name suggests. Very slim for a hard case and I guess people will be wanting to keep the slimness on the GS II pretty much as it is. In that case, I would go for the Barely There.
But with that said, if you are in need from protection, because if your phone falls down especially with the front facing downwards, the extra protection on the front in the gel case will help absorb the impact. However its unprotected on the barely there case and it will get scratched.
So far the Barely There case ahs been good for me and I went for 8 months without scratches. Last week I dropped my phone facing downwards and it got scratched. It wouldnt have happened in a gel/silicon case. And it doesnt matter even if youre very careful with your device like me. Sometimes it just happens.
Using a case-mate barely there, had one on my Galaxy S and couldn't fault it. Keeps the phone at its original form factor plus give a nice amount of grip but still slides into pockets easily without sticking.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Arjun - case mate barely there cases are available from Croma ...though not the SGS2 cases right now...at least you can check it out and see if you like it or not...
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
Hey all, thanks for your responses so far.
My only main concern, is that I want a case of good quality that will give me good all-around full protection around the sides of the phone.
Does any one know if the Casemate Gelli Case provides this?
yes the gelli case provides that. it provides more protection that the barely there case
Might be kinda off topic (apologies if hijacking) but does anyone know if the case-mate fits either the official dock or any of the ones off eBay?
Ive done business with them in the past with my sgs2. I ordered about 5 different cases and used there matte screen protectors with no issues. I emailed them a month ago to release something for the galaxy note and they came through. Very high quality cases and screen protectors. Will post update once I recieve mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...cessories&hash=item41609d223e#ht_15433wt_1031
pictures.
http://myrearthusa.com/product_images/spec_images/galaxy_note_slim_prd.jpg
video of the case for sgs2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME6e-hK9w0E
That material looks very slippery. Are the sides "grippy?"
I love the headphone jack and micro USB caps to protect it from dust! Might grab a metallic color one!
I want their Steel Bumper series on my Note.
I like to looks of this. Does anyone have this case yet? I know it is silicone but is it more rigid than a regular tpu case?
planoman said:
I like to looks of this. Does anyone have this case yet? I know it is silicone but is it more rigid than a regular tpu case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered it last night from Louisiana. I'll post up a short review when it arrives.
Just ordered mine too, looks great ! thanks for posting
Any one received the case yet?
***there is no tether included with the Rearth Note case even though it says so****
Dear ericshmerick,
Hi,
I'm really sorry for the confusion. Our design made a mistake on the
detail description. However, this Kit does not have a lanyard with the
package. We are still working on an accessories option so that you can
purchase a lanyard separately. I hope this help. If you have any other
questions feel free to let me know.
Regards
Charlie
-rearthusa
****
So in other words, they advertised to include a 0.5 cent part but will instead offer if later for sale even though it's advertised as included.
Keep it classy rearth. No sale for me (and it was in my cart ready to purchase).
wow, that looks amazing.
I received my case last week. Unlike my great experience with sgs2, I received a damaged retail box and a case with buff marks all over it. Was very unhappy but they are sending me a brand new one now. Will post a short review when I receive the new one.
Like the poster above stated it does not come with a lanyard. Screen protector is pretty good though.
Just a few quick pics. Came in the mail today. Overall has a nice fit to it. The case is quite slick(slippery), yet feels okay in the hands because of the lack of lip around the entire face. It does get smudged quickly and it is noticible. It is a soft silicon type but much more rigid once on and the slickness actually helps the feel of the unit gliding in and out of your pocket.
Around the case basically the button areas are cutout and the sides are half covered by this(bumper part) of the case, hence no lip on the sides.
The top and bottom both have a decent lip to allow faceplanting of the Note. And the Stereo Headphone port and Micro Usb both have plugs to keep the dust away, very nice touch.
The screen protector is also better than the 5pk for $4.00 ebay special, as it has the entire face covered with the exception of the ft cam notch where it is blank in the space right above the cam itself.
In the first pic my I4 with Cleave Aluminum Bumper is shown for size along with the Note with Rearth case.
This case is quite nice. I basically echo everything previously said.
It's kind of a pain to get off if you need to change the battery though, but that goes for most hard cases like this I guess. I already have a screen protector on so I'm not touching the one that came with the case yet.
- Frank
I just got mine yesterday, and I have to say I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my purchase. I paid $28.00 for a case that is sub-par to the hard shell Nillkin I bought for about $10. The case is slick, shiny, easily smudged, and provides absolutely NO protection to the Note. If there was a single good thing I could say about it, it is the fact that it IS thin. It's like having no case at all. At the very least, they could have made it a matte finish. It's worth about $10.
This is about the 3rd or 4th different brand of case I have tried for my Note.
Save your money.
I agree with yeahmon. This case is expensive!!!
Go get a Nillkin ultra slim hard case instead. Only US$9.99 and comes with a screen protector too. Free shipping.
http://www.obostore.com/Nillkin-Ult...Faceplate-for-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-p-3357.html
I bought one and measured it. Only about 11mm thick. Great and nice fitting case with good quality material.
More colours at a slightly higher price at US$12.49.
http://www.obostore.com/Nillkin-Shi...Faceplate-For-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-p-3356.html
US$27.99? I can buy 2 cases and have change left.
There are a lot of nice hard cases in obostore at a really good price. Go take a look guys and gals.
a matte version does exist
yeahmon said:
I just got mine yesterday, and I have to say I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my purchase.
...
At the very least, they could have made it a matte finish. It's worth about $10.
...
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I have ordered this case as well but can not yet comment on it's quality, or lack thereof, since it has not yet reached me.
I will certainly comment on that once I have some experience.
They do have a matte finished black case though.
In fact I ordered a matte one, even though I visually prefer the shiny black version (they call it noble black). To avoid exactly the problems you are describing (easily smudged and scratched). As said, I can not comment on this actually being the case and certainly will report back on this.
yeahmon said:
I just got mine yesterday, and I have to say I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my purchase. I paid $28.00 for a case that is sub-par to the hard shell Nillkin I bought for about $10. The case is slick, shiny, easily smudged, and provides absolutely NO protection to the Note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What case are you comparing it to? The one in ddeath's post?
Compared to that Nillkin case, the Ringke case offers better protection since the bottom has zero protection on the nillkin case. It's not only covered on the Ringke case but the Ringke also has caps for the headphone/usb ports so you don't get lint in them.
Yes, the Nillkin case is cheaper. And I also shouldn't have gotten the shiny case. But from a protection standpoint it's exactly as advertised. I don't understand the dissapointment.
I'll probably use this case as a daily driver and swap it with a thicker, higher protection case for 'heavy days' (trips or whatever).
- Frank
Disregard this post
I bought their case two weeks ago, and I am reasonably happy with it. I bought the one with "matte black" finish, so it was not slippery. Feels pretty solid in hand, actually.
All the cutouts on the case are very precise. The rubber caps help a lot. But as everyone said, the lanyard was missing, so I emailed their support and they sent me a lanyard in a separate mail very shortly. The lanyard looks exactly like what the photo shows, but I don't know how to attach the lanyard, because the case was so tight, I don't see a hole where I can attach the string. If anyone knows, please enlighten me.
Because the case is so slim, I feel its primary purpose is to prevent scratches on the front, side and back in daily use. But I personally would doubt its shock absorption capability when you drop it.
This case is more for people who like to go naked. It adds no extra bulk to the note. And it will protect it from some small drops. It will protect from the housing getting scratched.
Its not for people who need maximum protection but for people who want something that's barely there.
GALAXY NOTE
I wanted a as slim as possible case and I wanted it to protect all the way around the perimeter of the phone. Here are the choices (in order from first to last), help me decide.
Rearth Ringke Slim - At $28 it's a bit expensive and it doesn't cover the sides. Also looks to be less grippy since it's hard smooth plastic.
BoxWave Blackout - I'm worried it's thicker than a case like the Rearth, but with that said it protects all around and is really cheap at $12. I think the material is more rubber like which sounds more appealing to a gloss hard case. Not many reviews anywhere for this case.
elago G4elago G4 - I'm not sure about this case in general.
Thanks for your input.
Personally I like the Leather style flip cases, The one that doubles up as a wallet.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-WAL..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item3374db7913
I would never pay more than £10 (delivered) for a case.
in terms of slimness i've basically narrowed it down to two giants.
1. sgp ultra thin
2. casemate barely there.
not sure which ones better but from what i can tell they're pretty much the same, both at a hefty 25 bucks.
anyways, i'm in the same boat as you. XD
not sure which case to get.
vipfreak said:
I wanted a as slim as possible case and I wanted it to protect all the way around the perimeter of the phone. Here are the choices (in order from first to last), help me decide.
Rearth Ringke Slim - At $28 it's a bit expensive and it doesn't cover the sides. Also looks to be less grippy since it's hard smooth plastic.
BoxWave Blackout - I'm worried it's thicker than a case like the Rearth, but with that said it protects all around and is really cheap at $12. I think the material is more rubber like which sounds more appealing to a gloss hard case. Not many reviews anywhere for this case.
elago G4elago G4 - I'm not sure about this case in general.
Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the rearth and it is very slim, the only down side it is a beeeoootch to take off (i have a dock/charger for the phone) and if you take it on and off a lot it cracks and the part closet to the usb port cover, nothing earth shattering it actually makes it much easier to take the case off - that and the sgp ultra clear and it is almost like having nothing on the phone at all.
I have used diztronic cases for the last year (for my SII and now my N7000). They are very similar to the boxweave case you posted.
http://www.amazon.com/Diztronic-Fle...0386413&sr=8-3&keywords=diztronic+galaxy+note
As you know TPU protects like a silicon case but doesn't stick in your pocket or collect lint and dust due to it not being "sticky" feeling. I recently sold my SII for over $300 after 8 months of daily use because my SII was in perfect condition as a result of being in a diztronic tpu case. No, I never dropped the phone on cement or anything but I dropped my SII on the carpet from 5+ feet and the phone was unchanged when I picked it up. Didn't pop out of case or battery, etc. Because the tpu cases have a 1/8 or so "lip" on the front they also allow the phone to be placed face down on flat surfaces. IMHO and experience, a good tpu case is all you need to fully protect your phone unless you work in construction or somehow expect to drop it on cement.
So, my vote goes to the boxweave or diztronic cases. BTW I got 2 diztronics for $14 from amazon, the black matte and smoke matte. Great deal!
^I'm actually thinking of getting a real cheap TPU case like that I can mod. My ideal case is a TPU Bumper, maybe the Boxwave Black out without the back part but have the vol and power buttons cut out. I guess it's just not feasible so far... ?
Anyway, Thanks for the input so far guys, keep it coming.
bumper TPU from Amazon
I'm actually thinking of getting a real cheap TPU case like that I can mod. My ideal case is a TPU Bumper, maybe the Boxwave Black out without the back part but have the vol and power buttons cut out. I guess it's just not feasible so far... ?
first post here,
I have one of these.
search amazon for bumper cases.
I'm not allowed to post urls.
I like it, I have it on right now. What I have is different from what's
in the pictures. No cutouts for the buttons and the other cutouts are not
as big. The covers of the buttons are pretty sensitive, unlike the covers
for the Boxwave type which I got from Hongkong for 2 bucks.
Check amazon out, they have a lot of cases.
I also have the elago Breathe case, I love them I have two.
I ended up taking my chances on this. I guess it's going to be as close as I get. Thanks everyone, I'll let you know how it is when I get it.
vipfreak said:
I wanted a as slim as possible case and I wanted it to protect all the way around the perimeter of the phone. Here are the choices (in order from first to last), help me decide.
Rearth Ringke Slim - At $28 it's a bit expensive and it doesn't cover the sides. Also looks to be less grippy since it's hard smooth plastic.
BoxWave Blackout - I'm worried it's thicker than a case like the Rearth, but with that said it protects all around and is really cheap at $12. I think the material is more rubber like which sounds more appealing to a gloss hard case. Not many reviews anywhere for this case.
elago G4elago G4 - I'm not sure about this case in general.
Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 3 of them
Go for the Rearth Ringke Slim , is THE BEST OF ALL !!!
Hi all, I'm in a similar dilemma.
I've got a choice between these two:
https://www.gearzap.com/media/catalog/product/3/4/34484-2.jpg
and
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYBRID-SI...lePhonesCasesPouches&var=&hash=item416682f7b6
I know I should pick the Zenus, but would the inside bit that holds my phone scratch the outer bezel? And since the hybrid one has a silicon case THEN a hard outer shell I figured it would be good too. Any ideas?
Thanks!
I use a an SGP Ultra thin. Comfortable case. Considering the size of the phone the case is great. Merges with the Phone. +1 anytime.
I ordered this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160732471512?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649. It has a stand that works in both axis.
good
Nice
Just wanted to share my impressions of several cases I just tried for my V20.
I'm sure there are still new owners like myself coming on board as well as others who want a new case.
Some of the older reviews on the web mentioned some cases that didn't appear to be manufactured anymore but all these are still readily available as of May 2018.
I'm not going to post pics or videos as there is plenty of that out there, I'm just going to focus on some observations I had that might help someone decide. Let me start by saying I am coming from an HTC M8, and my preferred case for that was a SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle as shown here. I liked this case for a couple reasons:
It was clear an showed the beautiful finish of the M8. The V20 is similar in it has a great metal look and it is a shame to hide it.
Lightweight. While there is always a trade-off between weight and protection I am generally careful with my phone. I would say I've had the following types of drops:
From my lap in the car to the pavement when I stood up not remembering it was in my lap
From my hand to carpeted floor at home
From a foot or two above a desk onto the desk
Cover didn't block the IR port...which many M8 cases did. Luckily most, if not all of the V20 cases I have seen have cutouts for the IR port so that's a non-issue.
Even with a slim-line case like the Beetle I have never had any real damage to my phone. I did have my camera focus go bad on my M8 but I don't believe it was associated with any particular drop and the M8 was known to have that issue on some devices. Point being if you are relatively careful with your devices and like slim-line cases you will probably be more in line with my preferences....I'm definitely not an Otterbox type of guy.
Also, I haven't used clip holsters since Windows Mobile Phones were in fashion, so don't look here for advice on that .
Anyway, onto the reviewed cases...
I tried out the following cases for my wife and I:
ZIZO ION
UAG Plasma (Ash)
Spigen Rugged Armor
Ringke Onyx
Caseology Parallax Series (Coral)
Ringke Fusion (Clear/Smoke Black)
Overall I was impressed in one way or another with all the cases. I think if a particular style of case is what you are looking for then each one seems pretty solid in their category. Of course each has pros and cons, but I could easily see how someone could decide on any of them.
All the cases, with the exception of the ZIZO were very easy to put on and take off. This isn't a primary concern, but I do like the idea that I can get to the battery and microSD card without feeling like I'm going to break the case or the phone.
I'll start comments on each one in the same order:
I ordered the ZIZO as well as the UAG because I wanted to try something "tough" that was maybe MIL Spec rated but not quite as bulky as an Otterbox. The ZIZO case is actually 3 parts and comes with a separate tempered glass screen protector of your standard variety. It is an interesting case and I think out of all of them it felt it might offer the best protection. Of course it is probably the bulkiest of the bunch. Hardest to put on and take off for sure. The volume buttons also gave a lot of resistance.
The UAG is just to cool looking not to consider, despite the UAG branding splayed across the back. In all honesty it was hard for me to say no to this case because I felt it would offer good protection along with the wow factor. It also isn't exceptionally heavy although it is pretty large almost doubling the thickness of the phone. Despite that it still feels good in your hand. It is a tad slippery, but I think it has to do with the added weight pulling it down more than the material. If you don't mind a little extra bulk and like the way the UAG looks you will not be disappointed when you get it in your hands.
Spigen Rugged Armor (see Ringke Onyx below)
Ringke Onyx. I'm gong to talk about the Rugged Armor and Onyx together because the two cases are so similar to each other. Despite the fact that they hide the beautiful metal phone and only come in black they are both sharp cases. The Onyx is a bit more rigid on the back, while still having some bend. This harder plastic allows them to have that "brushed metal" look which is honestly cooler than the more rubberized look of the Spigen. However, apart from the Onyx having a cooler look, the Spigen I think has all the advantages. Likely because it is slightly less rigid, the Spigen feels a bit better in your hand. The edges aren't quite as sharp as the Onyx. The volume buttons on the Spigen also have less resistance. The Onyx buttons definitely aren't hard to use, but not as effortless as the Spigen. Apart from this the cases are so close you probably can't tell from 2 feet away (apart from the shinier plastic on the Onyx).
All this being said I couldn't in good conscience accept either of these cases because they are both so damn slippery. The Spigen here is not quite as bad as the Onyx, but they are both pretty loose in the hand. The way I test this (unscientifically) is I simply hold the phone loosely in my hand and jiggle it. I also lay it down on my open palm and slowly move my hand to a vertical position and see how vertical I can get my hand before the phone just slides out. Using these informal tests, as well as just "gut feeling" these two cases are definitely the most slippery of the lot.
The Parallax was purchased for my wife. Though it's cool geometric back pattern made me think I might want one too if I like hers. Surprisingly the pattern on the back doesn't help the grip on the phone, this phone was almost as slippery as the Ringke/Spigen discussed above. It is a two piece case, softer TPU inside with a poly-carbonate rim shell. Despite this you don't need to disconnect the pieces to either put the phone in or remove it. I like the idea of this case and apart from the slipperiness it feels good in the hand. While a different design and not tested to any MIL spec, I think this would probably offer close to the same protection as the Ringke/Spigen combo. If this case was a bit more grippy I might have considered it for my main choice (although the same could be said about the Ringlke/Spigen combo).
The Fusion is another Ringke case and it isn't just another color from the Onyx reviewed above. It is more rigid than the Onyx with a poly-carbonate backing and TPU bumpers that run the edges of the phone. Before I ordered this case I thought it might be my favorite solely because it is the closest I found to the SUPCASE I have on my M8. It doesn't quite have the same style as the SUPCASE (beveled edges, rounded back, cool camera cutouts), it is actually pretty plain/boring apart from it's clear back. The back allows the V20 to show in all its glory and if you have a titanium model like me the smoke edges are very similar to the phone. Quite simply with this case on it is also like there is no case on. This is true not just in looks but also in size - this is probably about the slimmest you can get. While it has enough extra case to raise the screen on the front and the camera on the back high enough so its not scratching on a table surface, I'm not sure how well this case would do in an extreme drop. I suspect it will perform on par with how my SUPCASE protected my M8 which was always good enough for me. Even though this case's protection is on the low side of the bunch, it has one more thing going for it: grip. Even though this case is smooth without any ridges or grabby parts it actually felt the most secure in my hand. This is probably a combination of both it being small, but also the materials it is made with. It has a slightly tacky feel despite not being sticky at all. I will say that one negative to the case is because it is clear (and maybe because of it's tacky feel) it will attract fingerprints. I've been told that these clear cases yellow over time, though reports say that this Ringke may not be too affected by that. My SUPCASE was a bit frosted and it held up fine in that regard.
In the end, with a phone as big as the V20, I felt that I had to go with a slim line case for my comfort level. I think it was really down to this and the (vastly different/larger) UAG for me out of the bunch and I opted to go with a slimmer profile over the protection of a bulky case (again compared to this one the UAG was almost twice as thick).
Well - there you have it. My opinionated and wholly unscientific review. Hope it helps someone make up their mind if they are considering for or against one of these. I'll likely have all the cases for a week or so and am happy to answer any specifics. After that I'm still happy to answer based on memory!
Wanted to add one (negative) update to the Parallax case we just noticed.
While trying to take a screen shot (hold power + volume down) it wasn't always working and instead was just turning the volume down.
When we took the phone out of the case it was easy to perform the operation.
I have a feeling that when pressing on the volume down it might also somehow be depressing the volume up slightly? And this unexpected touch in the combo isn't triggering the screen shot. I'm not exactly sure except that my wife failed to do it 4 times and I succeed 2 out of 4 until we took the case off and did it 3 times in a row (each) no issues.
Nice review, thanks for sharing. Couldn't agree more with your review on Spigen Rugged Armor and Ringke Onyx (I own both of them). Yes they are both slippery and the Ringke is bulkier than the Spigen. That's why I'm thinking about buying Ringke Fusion (in smoke black color) because it's slim and non-slippery.
Just want to share about level of protection of my Spigen Rugged Armor. Last month my phone (while protected by that case) was accidentally thrown hard to the hard floor. Turned out, my LCD and wide-angle camera didn't survive the accident (despite having the Spigen case + tempered glass on). But for regular drops, I think both Spigen and Ringke are OK (at least, I didn't see any scratch on my V20's edges).
komedol said:
Nice review, thanks for sharing. Couldn't agree more with your review on Spigen Rugged Armor and Ringke Onyx (I own both of them). Yes they are both slippery and the Ringke is bulkier than the Spigen. That's why I'm thinking about buying Ringke Fusion (in smoke black color) because it's slim and non-slippery.
Just want to share about level of protection of my Spigen Rugged Armor. Last month my phone (while protected by that case) was accidentally thrown hard to the hard floor. Turned out, my LCD and wide-angle camera didn't survive the accident (despite having the Spigen case + tempered glass on). But for regular drops, I think both Spigen and Ringke are OK (at least, I didn't see any scratch on my V20's edges).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Accidentally thrown hard to the floor."
Must have been an interesting scenario
Yeah I doubt that most cases will definitively protect anything that is thrown. The amount of force added even from a light throw is significantly higher than just a drop, even from a foot or two. I don't think much but an otterbox type case would survive that type of impact. I've never used full protection cases. I've used slim cases for the past few years and before that I used harder shell outer cases like the SEIDO (with holsters) or some cheap equivalent of those.
I have *never* in over 10 years (first smartphone was HTC TyTN II ... not counting Blackberrys) damaged a phone by dropping it (or any other means). I'm not talking a little scuff on the body if, as often happens the case itself splits in two. But I have never broken a screen, camera, etc.
Now I've broken a few cases (especially the cheap hard 2 pieces that click on) and one time my holster phone actually got pushed out of the clip while lifting luggage out of a trunk at an airport (never saw that phone again)...but never damaged a phone.
I know some people are more accident prone and honestly those people should have warranties on their phones
I'm getting a few more cases today for my wife because she doesn't like the Parallax. I'll throw up another review (and link here) once we've tested them.
TraderJack said:
Just wanted to share my impressions of several cases I just tried for my V20.
I'm sure there are still new owners like myself coming on board as well as others who want a new case.
Some of the older reviews on the web mentioned some cases that didn't appear to be manufactured anymore but all these are still readily available as of May 2018.
I'm not going to post pics or videos as there is plenty of that out there, I'm just going to focus on some observations I had that might help someone decide. Let me start by saying I am coming from an HTC M8, and my preferred case for that was a SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle as shown here. I liked this case for a couple reasons:
It was clear an showed the beautiful finish of the M8. The V20 is similar in it has a great metal look and it is a shame to hide it.
Lightweight. While there is always a trade-off between weight and protection I am generally careful with my phone. I would say I've had the following types of drops:
From my lap in the car to the pavement when I stood up not remembering it was in my lap
From my hand to carpeted floor at home
From a foot or two above a desk onto the desk
Cover didn't block the IR port...which many M8 cases did. Luckily most, if not all of the V20 cases I have seen have cutouts for the IR port so that's a non-issue.
Even with a slim-line case like the Beetle I have never had any real damage to my phone. I did have my camera focus go bad on my M8 but I don't believe it was associated with any particular drop and the M8 was known to have that issue on some devices. Point being if you are relatively careful with your devices and like slim-line cases you will probably be more in line with my preferences....I'm definitely not an Otterbox type of guy.
Also, I haven't used clip holsters since Windows Mobile Phones were in fashion, so don't look here for advice on that .
Anyway, onto the reviewed cases...
I tried out the following cases for my wife and I:
ZIZO ION
UAG Plasma (Ash)
Spigen Rugged Armor
Ringke Onyx
Caseology Parallax Series (Coral)
Ringke Fusion (Clear/Smoke Black)
Overall I was impressed in one way or another with all the cases. I think if a particular style of case is what you are looking for then each one seems pretty solid in their category. Of course each has pros and cons, but I could easily see how someone could decide on any of them.
All the cases, with the exception of the ZIZO were very easy to put on and take off. This isn't a primary concern, but I do like the idea that I can get to the battery and microSD card without feeling like I'm going to break the case or the phone.
I'll start comments on each one in the same order:
I ordered the ZIZO as well as the UAG because I wanted to try something "tough" that was maybe MIL Spec rated but not quite as bulky as an Otterbox. The ZIZO case is actually 3 parts and comes with a separate tempered glass screen protector of your standard variety. It is an interesting case and I think out of all of them it felt it might offer the best protection. Of course it is probably the bulkiest of the bunch. Hardest to put on and take off for sure. The volume buttons also gave a lot of resistance.
The UAG is just to cool looking not to consider, despite the UAG branding splayed across the back. In all honesty it was hard for me to say no to this case because I felt it would offer good protection along with the wow factor. It also isn't exceptionally heavy although it is pretty large almost doubling the thickness of the phone. Despite that it still feels good in your hand. It is a tad slippery, but I think it has to do with the added weight pulling it down more than the material. If you don't mind a little extra bulk and like the way the UAG looks you will not be disappointed when you get it in your hands.
Spigen Rugged Armor (see Ringke Onyx below)
Ringke Onyx. I'm gong to talk about the Rugged Armor and Onyx together because the two cases are so similar to each other. Despite the fact that they hide the beautiful metal phone and only come in black they are both sharp cases. The Onyx is a bit more rigid on the back, while still having some bend. This harder plastic allows them to have that "brushed metal" look which is honestly cooler than the more rubberized look of the Spigen. However, apart from the Onyx having a cooler look, the Spigen I think has all the advantages. Likely because it is slightly less rigid, the Spigen feels a bit better in your hand. The edges aren't quite as sharp as the Onyx. The volume buttons on the Spigen also have less resistance. The Onyx buttons definitely aren't hard to use, but not as effortless as the Spigen. Apart from this the cases are so close you probably can't tell from 2 feet away (apart from the shinier plastic on the Onyx).
All this being said I couldn't in good conscience accept either of these cases because they are both so damn slippery. The Spigen here is not quite as bad as the Onyx, but they are both pretty loose in the hand. The way I test this (unscientifically) is I simply hold the phone loosely in my hand and jiggle it. I also lay it down on my open palm and slowly move my hand to a vertical position and see how vertical I can get my hand before the phone just slides out. Using these informal tests, as well as just "gut feeling" these two cases are definitely the most slippery of the lot.
The Parallax was purchased for my wife. Though it's cool geometric back pattern made me think I might want one too if I like hers. Surprisingly the pattern on the back doesn't help the grip on the phone, this phone was almost as slippery as the Ringke/Spigen discussed above. It is a two piece case, softer TPU inside with a poly-carbonate rim shell. Despite this you don't need to disconnect the pieces to either put the phone in or remove it. I like the idea of this case and apart from the slipperiness it feels good in the hand. While a different design and not tested to any MIL spec, I think this would probably offer close to the same protection as the Ringke/Spigen combo. If this case was a bit more grippy I might have considered it for my main choice (although the same could be said about the Ringlke/Spigen combo).
The Fusion is another Ringke case and it isn't just another color from the Onyx reviewed above. It is more rigid than the Onyx with a poly-carbonate backing and TPU bumpers that run the edges of the phone. Before I ordered this case I thought it might be my favorite solely because it is the closest I found to the SUPCASE I have on my M8. It doesn't quite have the same style as the SUPCASE (beveled edges, rounded back, cool camera cutouts), it is actually pretty plain/boring apart from it's clear back. The back allows the V20 to show in all its glory and if you have a titanium model like me the smoke edges are very similar to the phone. Quite simply with this case on it is also like there is no case on. This is true not just in looks but also in size - this is probably about the slimmest you can get. While it has enough extra case to raise the screen on the front and the camera on the back high enough so its not scratching on a table surface, I'm not sure how well this case would do in an extreme drop. I suspect it will perform on par with how my SUPCASE protected my M8 which was always good enough for me. Even though this case's protection is on the low side of the bunch, it has one more thing going for it: grip. Even though this case is smooth without any ridges or grabby parts it actually felt the most secure in my hand. This is probably a combination of both it being small, but also the materials it is made with. It has a slightly tacky feel despite not being sticky at all. I will say that one negative to the case is because it is clear (and maybe because of it's tacky feel) it will attract fingerprints. I've been told that these clear cases yellow over time, though reports say that this Ringke may not be too affected by that. My SUPCASE was a bit frosted and it held up fine in that regard.
In the end, with a phone as big as the V20, I felt that I had to go with a slim line case for my comfort level. I think it was really down to this and the (vastly different/larger) UAG for me out of the bunch and I opted to go with a slimmer profile over the protection of a bulky case (again compared to this one the UAG was almost twice as thick).
Well - there you have it. My opinionated and wholly unscientific review. Hope it helps someone make up their mind if they are considering for or against one of these. I'll likely have all the cases for a week or so and am happy to answer any specifics. After that I'm still happy to answer based on memory!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny i've often thought the V20 reminded of the HTC ones. I have a silver one instead of the all too common titan Because i wanted to show it off. Turns out its so slippery that i would have to get a case.
Quicker & easier to get was the spigen rugged armor. This offers adequate protection from regular drops but its slippery and i didn't like it. The ringke onyx was on order and would take a few weeks to arrive. So i lived with the Spigen until then
The ringke though slippery on the back has ridges on the side which help with grip. So you could say its an improvement of sorts. I've knocked the phone off a table numerous times onto a hard tile floor and the onyx protected well.
But i've got these black cases that hide everything. So much for showing anything off.
After six months i got the RIngke fusion. For the first time i got to appreciate the design of the phone. The Fusion is drop safe up to 4 ft also. This is my favourite case. The grip as you mentioned is better than the previous two. To the point where i never get the feeling i'm going to drop the phone this to me is a minimum test a case must pass. I find interesting your idea of slowly raising your hand towards the vertical to test grip-ability
Next to arrive is an incipio NSG, again all black but hopefully better feel than the other two black cases. never tried an incipio before.
I can't tell whether the fusion will yellow at all, how well has yours held up ? i have the clear case, not sure if you got clear or smoked. The latter won't yellow. As for clear half the reviews on amazon said they had a problem and the remainder said otherwise.
There is a case by Speck called Presidio that is clear, well it isn't as clear as the Fusion, but slightly frosted and looks like its a hard case unlike the fusion.