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Could someone give be a brief run down of the case types and attributes. Things like how thick they are, grip levels, impact protection, etc. I've seen tons of jell cases but not sure how jell compares to silicone or tpu and others.
ok theres Silicone cases which are really grippy often flimsy and fit phones kind of loose, they offer really good protection but get stuck in your pocket and attract a **** load of lint, and also because they dont fit tight they let a lot of lint and dirt in between the case and phone
theres hard plastic cases. they come with the grippy matte(rubbery) like material that a lot of like HTC phone use on their back covers, and they also come painted with all sorts of designs and in solid colors and also come in clear, and transparent colors(like smoke and all the colors of the rainbow), these protect your phone very well but the downfall is dirt and sharp edges.
most of these cases are a bit of a ***** to get on and off and most people leave them on for a long long time only to find out that dirt and lint got in between the case and phone and left horrible rub marks all over the phone, not to mention that while flexing and moving the case tends to scratch the contact points on the phone also.
then theres my favorite Gel/Jelly/Crystal/TPU all of which are the same they are a hard rubberish case that in most cases are easy to remove and put on and fit the phone like a glove (not leaving a lot of room for dust and dirt to get in) not meaning that dirt doesn't get in but its minimal when compared to the other two types of cases. they protect your phone just as well as any other case, have moderate grip (not too grippy like the Silicone and not too little grip like the hard cases) i compare the feel to kind of like the invisible shield "kind of grip" they come in solid colors and in clear tints
Ive bought all of these cases before on multiple phones (G1, Mytouch, Nexus, HD 2) and I have given all of these a chance and no matter how many times i buy a hard case or a silicone case i always end up with a Gel/TPU case, they fit great add the least amount of bulk out of the three and have saved all of my phones from concrete and tile drops multiple times (almost **** my pants when i did it with my Nexus and HD2 though )
with all these cases your going to have to remove the case every once in a while to get the dust out that gets in between the case and phone (unless you like scratches on your phone) thats the common downside to all of these cases but in return you have the security that you wont crack or damage your phone and it will last you
Great write up, thanks.
So is there little difference between the Gel/Jelly/Crystal/TPU? Reason I ask is that I have the t-mo jell case right now and find it makes the phone too big. I am willing to lose some protection to get something a little thinner and did not know if one of the other materials would be a better fit.
I actually found that the T-Mo case is one of the better ones out there. It it not your normal flimsy rubber gel like I had with my HD2, but fits very snuggly and actually adds a little bit of weight to the phone, which makes it feel a little more solid. (once again, coming from an HD2 that was metal).
There are a couple of other threads about the cases, but most of them say the T-mo case is one of the better ones right now. Because the phones are new, there is not too much in the way accessories at this time.
dmtaub said:
I actually found that the T-Mo case is one of the better ones out there. It it not your normal flimsy rubber gel like I had with my HD2, but fits very snuggly and actually adds a little bit of weight to the phone, which makes it feel a little more solid. (once again, coming from an HD2 that was metal).
There are a couple of other threads about the cases, but most of them say the T-mo case is one of the better ones right now. Because the phones are new, there is not too much in the way accessories at this time.
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that sounds kind of what i am looking for. so do they just have this one at t mobile stores? or are there several that i need to try to see which is which? the one you are describing, its not flimsly like those silicone gels?
also, what screen protector do you reccommend? I know there are other threads, but it sounds like you have tried many.
not trying to thread jack
kboater said:
not trying to thread jack
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Damn thread jackers... I kid.
Just an FYI and I know lots of popel love the t-mo case. Some pics to show how it increases the size of the phone. You can see a vibrant t-mo case, naked and G1.
i played with the one my tmo store had when i purchased my phone and it seems way more sturdy and better quality than most (I hated the one that came with my HD2 that ***** was flimsy as hell) my only gripe with that case is the fat lip around the edge of the screen, other than that i like it, but TPU cases IMO add the least amount of thickness heres some pics to clear up names between the different type of cases
Heres a Silicone (like the one at the T-Mo store) T-mo's is way better in quality though
http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-SILICONE-...ewItem&pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item43a077b6a9
heres the TPU/Gel/Jelly/Crystal/Hard Rubberish stuff
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-x-TPU-Case-Fi...AU_MobilePhoneAccessories&hash=item3caf486870
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-Silicone-Gel-...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item84b70ce076
I think Im about to take a plunge for a Galaxy S version since its been somewhat verified that it fits the Vibrant
Soooooo... theres also hybrid cases lol that mix both TPU and Silicone and that Mix hard Plastic and TPU
Hard Plastic and TPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QhIb8OT9zI&feature=channel
Silicone and TPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIi9cbm7HxU
to explain the differences in TPU, SILICONE and PLASTIC
TPU means Thermoplastic Urethane/Polyurethane BTW in case anyone was wondering (Sorry i just found out lol)
oh yeah and Silicone means BOOBIES lol
SykesAT said:
Damn thread jackers... I kid.
Just an FYI and I know lots of popel love the t-mo case. Some pics to show how it increases the size of the phone. You can see a vibrant t-mo case, naked and G1.
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that looks really nice and protective. does look like it adds some size though. I think im going to check it out as I really want something right now and dont want to wait form something to ship from hong kong off ebay.
i know, off topic, but what screen protector are you using in the pics? do you like it? I know in the other thread people recommned the somthing freak, but I dont love the idea of putting water all over my new phone. Most say the protectors from tmobile store are dull and dull down your screen...
kboater said:
that looks really nice and protective. does look like it adds some size though. I think im going to check it out as I really want something right now and dont want to wait form something to ship from hong kong off ebay.
i know, off topic, but what screen protector are you using in the pics? do you like it? I know in the other thread people recommned the somthing freak, but I dont love the idea of putting water all over my new phone. Most say the protectors from tmobile store are dull and dull down your screen...
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I still have the ones that came on the phone... Still trying to determine what to buy... given myself till the end of the week to decide.
On my G1 I use bodyguardz. I really liked it but two years have passed so I wanted to see if there was anything else that people liked. I would be happy to get bodyguardz again.
Gel/jelly are the same as silicone cases (soft)- not the same as crystal/TPU cases (a bit harder).
-bZj
_____
-sent from my Samsung Vibrant via XDAapp
YOU DONT KNOW ****!!!!!!! lol j/k ok lets just call it TPU and Silicone to keep it simple
just ordered my TPU case with 3 screen protectors (you know since i have 3 screens) and three wipe cloths (in case i forget my hanky?) as you can see in the description its a "Silicone" TPU case, it must be a hybrid case? lol j/k Ebay descriptions misinform everyone
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280537757969&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
when i "Google'd" Gel case and Jelly case and clicked on "images" a whole **** load of TPU cases came up BTW
^^^ that's what got me kind of confused cause eBayers can list their products as multiple materials and only when you get in and read the fine print does it clarify what it is exactly. I was about to buy the exact one you bought but the buy it now price jumped to $43 as I was going though the checkout process...
thanks for everyone's help with this. Last night I bought a cheapy (link) to hold me over till there are more options.
finally went to the t moble store and got their case. its the same as the one a few posts back that has pictures. I do like it, but wish it fit just a little more snug. im coming from a mytouch that had a snap on hard shell, so im used to them fitting tight. this will do for now. thanks for the info
now, guess ill order the clearfreaks screen protector from ebay... not thrilled, but dont see to many other "good" options at this point
is it true that the silicon type of cases doesnt allow the heat to dissipate and heats up the device ?
http://www.amazon.com/Impact-Resist..._1_5?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1319246803&sr=1-5
Im looking for a cheap decent case till trident releases the agies version, and this one looks to be the cheapest but yet decent, because it will has a drop resistant in it. i dont wanna spend 35 bucks on the case-mate tough due to gonna get the trident case when it comes out.
i liked it but i did not get one so i dont know how it is
majmuni said:
i liked it but i did not get one so i dont know how it is
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i like the kickstand idea of it, from the reviews it sounds ok, just the top and bottom are not well protected, just the corners.
They sell this case at the sprint store. so i would go there first and check it out but this is a way better deal then they have.
My local Sprint store also carries this case. I didnt buy it cause it really looked bulky.
atoy74 said:
My local Sprint store also carries this case. I didnt buy it cause it really looked bulky.
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I dont mind bulk really. i figure with big hands, that might help me a little because this phone i thin.
Scratches phone
Read my post here about this case...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1292459
Not everyone has troubles with it but I wouldn't trust the case if I dropped it. I ended up buying one of these from eBay and it provides way more protection with little bulk...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180729129853?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1480wt_1341
No kickstand but it's worth it till I find something better. Only took 6 days to receive it.
The problem I've got with most cases, is that it looks like "a phone snapped into a case". And having a flippy kickstand out the back adds some functionality, but if you don't need or wouldn't use that functionality, it contributes all the more to that "that doesn't look like it belongs there" look. Looks a bit like you've taken half your windshield mount with you.
It's like those cars you see college kids driving around, with the stuff bolted onto them that doesn't integrate well with the car, and you wonder if they've ever actually been to a car show and understand that the best modifications are done in a way that makes the car look more integrated, not less. Phone cases have always been sinners this way.
I bought a matte black TPU case more or less as a placeholder... I've been a person who personally hates cases due to the above, and these phones are so thin that I'd hate to ruin that as well...
Needless to say, I clicked "purchase" with a sigh, thinking it was just temporary, something cheap for protection until the market opened up and I might find that 1% case that was classier and didn't look like a "case snapped on a phone".
I have been more than pleased with the TPU case, I feel like I've accidentally stumbled onto that case. It's the right combination between soft and hard, to actually absorb and disperse shock, it wraps around the front to protect there too, 360 degrees.
It looks like "the phone", it doesn't look like a case even, and the matte black back and gloss front ring look classy, elegant. No rubbery gel look, no playskool plastics, no kids-toy colors or fades, no skulls or dragons, etc. The phone is thin enough to pull it off without looking like a brick too.
I'd recommend this case to others - especially for the $8 shipped cost.
I'd think it'd much better absorb shock than a hard plastic one... it'll absorb it rather than transfer the shock wave right to your phone like a hard plastic one would.
I have not found any worthy case for SG2...There is not a big variety.
i almost love the case
for twenty dollars its not bulky. Thinner than the tpu cases thats for sure ialso tried a gel but doint think i need the xtra protection. im not clumsy and take care of my phones. the top and bottom are not protected but kinda they are they have a lip over the corner and unless it falls on something that sticks out im good. falls on floor the corners are good. plus any case that is over protecte are over bulky an for the scratching have not seen any thing of the like
I'm with Vega. This case is very good, looks great, isn't bulky, and isn't scratching my phone.
I posted some pics in the thread for this case ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1292459&page=2 ) so you can maybe see it from some angles not in the sales shots, but everyone I show this phone to immediately comments on how small and light the phone is, and then I take the case off and they are amazed it gets even smaller.
I'm not a fan of cases, and I'm not a fan of any extra bulk, and I really like this case. Looks great, and gives some light protection.
Light protection? Yes. I did a drop test on linoleum (much harder than carpet, but not as hard/damaging as concrete) and in three drop from knee, waist, and chest high, it did fine. At head high, the case popped off. Which I expected. If you are throwing your phone around like a spaz, get a good gel case or something better than that. If you might accidentally drop your phone getting out of a car, but are not a spaz beyond that, this case is great.
Pics again:
I used this case for about 2 weeks and it scratched my phone on the side bezel on both sides of the phone and also on the back of the phone down by the speaker. I wouldn't use it again. Got the TC case from Amazon in matte black. is much better and cheaper.
@DevonSloan thank you for a little bit more review on that for me :-D i also like the pictures you added much better than what amazon showed
Vega said:
for twenty dollars its not bulky. Thinner than the tpu cases thats for sure ialso tried a gel but doint think i need the xtra protection. im not clumsy and take care of my phones. the top and bottom are not protected but kinda they are they have a lip over the corner and unless it falls on something that sticks out im good. falls on floor the corners are good. plus any case that is over protecte are over bulky an for the scratching have not seen any thing of the like
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Not so. This kickstand case is much thicker and bulkier than the TPU case. I know this for a fact because I have both. The TPU TC case is cheaper, thinner, feels better in your hand, protects your phone better, won't scratch your phone, is less slippery, and your phone won't fly out of it if you drop it. That happened to me with this case, too. The kickstand is lame as well. If you set it on a table with the kickstand out, the phone leans back at about a 45 degree angle making it really hard to see the screen.
DataHawg said:
Not so. This kickstand case is much thicker and bulkier than the TPU case. I know this for a fact because I have both. The TPU TC case is cheaper, thinner, feels better in your hand, protects your phone better, won't scratch your phone, is less slippery, and your phone won't fly out of it if you drop it. That happened to me with this case, too. The kickstand is lame as well. If you set it on a table with the kickstand out, the phone leans back at about a 45 degree angle making it really hard to see the screen.
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well somethings wrong if ur having issues seeing the screen. the type of screen it is, has the feature to be able to have the phone at an angle and still see the screen clear.i myself would prefer a bulky feel any. like the htc evo shift is semi bulky just a really small screen.
If you like a bulky case this is the one to get. Most of us don't, especially on a phone this big. Just sayin
i get the point that its to allow some protection while maintaining the form factor, BUT IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?! would i get similar performance from a case thats twice as big or would this just be a piece of crap if you dropped your phone (cause if i crack the screen on this phone ill be ass-out)?
If you want real protection you don't want the feather. At a minimum you want a Seidio surface (for minimum bulk) or active/ Otterbox case. If you want cheap, just go with a tpu from amazon. The problem with the Feather is it doesn't wrap around completely and therefor offers no protection for the screen or corners. That is a case worth bull-snot in my eyes.
In my experience, the thin'n'light cases are only for those who need a little bit of scratch protection (aka desk jockeys like me, but I work on cars and stuff so I need the durability).
If you want the ultimate durability, get an Otterbox Defender. They're bulky as hell, but extremely durable.
If you want good protection without nearly as much bulk go with an Otterbox Commuter like I'm running. No complaints so far, even after a few decent tumbles.
vrgelinas said:
In my experience, the thin'n'light cases are only for those who need a little bit of scratch protection (aka desk jockeys like me, but I work on cars and stuff so I need the durability).
If you want the ultimate durability, get an Otterbox Defender. They're bulky as hell, but extremely durable.
If you want good protection without nearly as much bulk go with an Otterbox Commuter like I'm running. No complaints so far, even after a few decent tumbles.
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+ 1
I work with cars too and I will never again use a snap on case. They shatter and send the phone flying in the air. I do like the look of the feather though. Maybe I'll try one down the line
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
I bought a feather and liked it, not the most protection, but it was enough for my needs and I can't stand big cases. However, after 2 to 3 months, I started noticing small cracks around some of the corners and around the camera opening. They haven't effected the overall structure of the case yet, and I'll admit to taking the phone out of the case god only knows how many times to do battery pulls when I was hacking and flashing a lot of roms. I'm sure this contributed to the cracks, so I won't fault the case entirely.
If you want basic protection in a super small and light case, it's a good option. And for the $16 I paid for it (on ebay, and it included a screen protector) I'm really not too upset at the cracks, again, since I did put the thing through hell.
i broke a feather. that said it took the hit instead of the phone, but they're not all that durable.
i have the feather and it cracked in three places without ever being dropped. not cool. but they shipped me a new one under warranty without making me send mine back. yay. the only reason i got it was because my back cover was making creaking sounds in one corner and this case stopped that without adding bulk.
I've recently picked up an otterbox defender for my 900. I dont have pictures but there's a video i watched on youtube before purchasing the case.
First off, for those who don't know, there are two cases for the 900, the communter and defender. The commuter appealed to me more due to the thinner form factor, but upon trying it on, there were several openings where dust/dirt could get in from everyday use, and the inner silicone did not exactly fit like a glove. Also, unlike the defender, the headphone jack is left open and lacks a "built in" screen protector. (you get a typical plastic stick on protector) So i went with the defender.
Like the commuter, it is a 2 part case, except the silicone is on the outside of the hard shell enclosing the phone. Unlike the commuter though, the defender comes with a belt clip/kickstand. Not very useful to me but maybe some of you use a beltclip.
The first thing you'll notice with the defender is it is thick, and by thick i mean it literally doubles the thickness of the phone. It seems cumbersome at first, but i've been using it for about 3 days and im getting used to it. Probably not for those who want to keep the form factor of the phone. It does however fit in my pocket no problem. no Lin issues with the silicone either. Also, you can put your phone facedown now because theres a 2 cm ridge from the screen. (check videos/online photos you'll know what i mean)
I've had otterboxes before (iphone 3GS, dell streak) and the Lumia otterbox is a huge improvement form the older ones. Previous otterboxes i've had slighty scratches the phone when clicked together, but the Lumia version has a layer of foam inside to prevent sliding/abrasion within the case and dirt/dust entry. It's also easier to take apart imo. The bulit in screen protector is excellent (however if you are currently using a stick on protector you need to peel it off or else ur screen sensitivity will become utter crap (you'll have to press really hard).
The outer silicone is also different form other otterboxes, it's stiffer, more difficult to put on but stays in place. switches now have a more "clickier" feeling, probably due to the switches being elevated by the silicone. The whole phone is basically covered, including the chrome at the back which is nice for a change. The only things left unprotected are the mics on the top and bottom (speaker grille)
I only have a couple complaints:
Price - it IS a 60 dollar case with taxes and everything.
The touch buttons at the bottom are a bit hard to press; sometimes my finger doesnt register due to the risen edge surrounding the front of the phone. It is a tad bit annoying but i rather put up with a minor inconvenience than shatter my phone's screen from a drop.
Overall I'd give this case an 8/10.
I have no clue how you can ruin the phone's amazing design with such bulku cases.
I have the original Nokia gel case and this case does justice to the phone's design.
I bought the Commuter but it was a lot bigger than I expected. Well, a lot thicker anyway. I loved the commuter for the iPhone 4 but it's just too big for my taste on the L900. I did end up buying the Speck Fitted for the L900 and it's a great case without too much bulk, however I do still really like the gel case cuz it looks like there isn't even a case on the phone
LordGreylock said:
however I do still really like the gel case cuz it looks like there isn't even a case on the phone
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Yeah the OEM Nokia gel case is unbelievably unobtrusive. People still have a hard time believing me that the phone is actually in a case.
xsever said:
Yeah the OEM Nokia gel case is unbelievably unobtrusive. People still have a hard time believing me that the phone is actually in a case.
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Same here, with the gel case everyone asks me if there is a case on it, and when I tell them there is they comment on how they can't even tell.
I was tempted to buy the Defender just cuz I sometimes I need that on my phone, but it's just insanely huge to me, I couldn't deal with it. I am also a strong advocate against men wearing skinny jeans too so, I don't have problems putting phones in my pocket lol.
LordGreylock said:
I am also a strong advocate against men wearing skinny jeans too so, I don't have problems putting phones in my pocket lol.
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Hahahaha thumbs up!
I won't buy this, you know.. Its like fitting your sexy Lumia 900 with a garbage bag..
If its smaller and thinner, perhaps I will consider.
Sent from my Lumia 900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Just wanted to do a review of some cases I bought and tried recently for my LGOG, hoping the info would be useful to other people. There are some other good and cheap options available online, but these are the ones I tried first-hand. I am really happy with all three of them, so here's the proof that sometimes you get more than you pay for...
First, a generic sleeve picked up at a local dollar store while I was waiting for my Amazon order to arrive. For just $2, it's pretty much as good as free. Simple, but ingenious: two pieces of synthetic leather (it's high quality, smooth, soft, and doesn't stink) stitched together, but with an added pullout ribbon that is surprisingly convenient, and works wonderfully to get the phone out. My wife was quite amused by the way it worked (as was I ). Sized perfectly for my phone, and looks pretty nice and elegant, too. Excellent basic protection sleeve, considering the price. Highly recommended, if you prefer your phone naked, but still want reasonable protection carrying it around. Five stars from me!
Next comes the Diztronic case, ordered from Amazon. It's a low-profile TPU wrap-around skin that looks and works much better than it costs. Very nice soft touch finish, clean design with precise cutouts, sharp looks and enough protection for daily use. The fit is perfect, feels like this phone was born in it. Some people on Amazon complain that it peels the screen protector at the edges due to a tight fit, but I don't use screen protectors, so I don't care. Adds very little bulk, but gives a nice protection around the bezel, so you can safely lay your phone face down. It also levels the protruding camera lens cover on the back, so it doesn't get scratched easily. One thing that seems weird at first is that the design around the volume and power buttons is very different. But then I realized how much it actually helps -- the power is recessed deeply in the cutout, making it much less prone to accidental presses, while still easily reachable with a fingertip. Very convenient. It would be nice to have a better grip on the sides (like a diamond pattern or something), but even as is, this case still makes the phone much less slippery than naked. And I didn't like the prominent logo on the back, as I prefer all my things with as little branding as possible (ideally, none, but that's just wishful thinking). Four stars (minus one for the grip and the logo).
The last one is a cheap dual-layer case pretending to be an OtterBox, also from Amazon. I saw this case there under different brands; mine was Aimo. I used OtterBox cases in the past, and to be honest, this one is quite impressive in comparison. Pretty much the same design features (except the port covers), build quality and the level of protection as Commuter series, but for just a small fraction of a price. And it has a handy folding stand on the back, which works in both portrait and landscape. If you are reeeally nitpicky, you might find the fit between the inner silicone layer and the outer hard shell a tiny bit loose along the top and bottom edges, but hey, it's not exactly an OtterBox, OK? Again, you really have to look hard and close to notice this. All the cutouts are precise, and the buttons are nice and light to the touch. Note that this case is quite bulky, and doesn't match the design style of the phone itself, so some people may not like it for its aesthetics. But as far as protection goes, this is probably the best option for this kind of money. This case is available in different colour combinations. Nothing beats black for me, but you can get yours in neon pink, if you want. Five stars, hands down!
Thanks for these suggestions and pics.
My first case for OG was Nilkins hard plastic case - at first it may look good, but actually is a piece of you know what. The rubber layer on the case started to peel off after 2 weeks first on the corners then the rest, due to this the phone looked ugly. After a while corners just broke off completely. All this happened with regular use without any extremes.
The next one I bought was a bit cheaper also from China - TPU X Type soft silicon I guess. I've been using it for many months now and it havent changed a bit. Good protection, looks nice and I guess it wont change forever unless you cut it with scissors
So yes, cheap can be good, but buyer beware as some cheap cases will be a headache.
I have this one:
aliexpress: /item/Genuine-Brand-New-IMAK-Crystal-series-PC-Ultra-thin-Hard-Skin-Case-Cover-Back-For-LG/1027800082.html
Phone looks nice in it. The plastic is sturdy, but it scratches easily. However it's a cheap one so no risk in trying it.
And the classic one gel case:
aliexpress: /item/Hot-Sale-8Colors-S-Curve-Line-Shape-High-Quality-Soft-TPU-Rubber-Wave-Gel-Soft-Skin/1310173671.html[/url]
This offers complete protection, but it's ugly.
PS: Just copy rest of URL after aliexpress.com to see it. I'm not allowed to post links.
First case I got was this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/QuickSan...lePhoneAccessories&hash=item3f25597db6&_uhb=1
It still works great to this day, but peeled the screen protector off.
I have had many E975 cases, flip ones, rubber and hard ones.
Currently I am using the LgOg official bumper and it is a dream, sometimes the holes are tight but I simply file them and they work fine
The bumper: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181246366449?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649