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Hi everyone,
I was asked by Blake from RearthUSA.com to evaluate their new rubber case for the Sprint EVO 4G. I have the white EVO really wanted to get a good case for my favorite little everything device.
There are things that I was looking for. From my past experiences with other types of case I had some requirements.
1. I hated the hard cases, because they were very difficult to get off. So hard that eventually the face plate of the hard case will break. You have to pry them off and that cause scratches and nicks and scars on the edges of the seams of the case.
2. The silicon cases fit and give great grip, but everything sticks to the surface. The material grabs the lint and crap in your pockets and out of the air. It is very hard to pull out of your pocket. This make it more annoying when the phone is ringing and you are trying to get it out in time. You have to force it out and grab tighter, this causes you to accidently push buttons on the screen or the hard buttons on the phone.
3. I did not want the case to add to much thickness to the phone. I love how thin it is. Can’t understand why people want a thin sexy phone, but then add on these thick cases that give huge protection.
4. I don’t want it to look cheap. Most generic rubber cases look so plain, cheap, and non-sexy. They are like a potato bad on a sexy runway model.
5. I am also very concerned about the back camera lens. I am still trying to figure out what was on the designers mind when they thought it was a good idea to push the lens farther than the body. To be exposed to damage.. being on the back.. which will always hit all surfaces when you put it down.
Now for the Ringke cases that Blake wanted me to evaluate. They sent me 2 case to evaluate.
http://rearthusa.com/products-page/ringke-gadget-cover/htc-evo-4g/
I asked for the Red Wine and the Aqua Black.
Colors:
The colors are a little miss leading.
In normal indoor lights the color is lighter than you would think the name suggests. In the sun, it is looks more like cherry red. It is fine for me.
The Agua Black is completely miss-leading (unless I got the wrong color). Based on the only 2 dark colors available: Slate Gray or Aqua Black, what I have can not be Slate Gray because it is darker on the website. I wanted a “black/dark” cover. From what others that have gotten the Slate Gray, they said it it was too gray. The Aqua Black is partially transparent and the color is Gray! On the back side, you can see the my white EVO cover; and can read the “Sprint 4G” logo right above the kick stand.
Fit:
The 2 cases are different . The Red fits perfectly. All ports and buttons are aligned. All the edges hug the phone just enough. The phone is snug. Red case “fit” is perfect.
The Gray is slightly too small. On the front screen, the sides; the tight fit causes the lip to LIFT off the glass screen and pulled outwards to the sides. This causes the sides to not have clean straight lines. Around the kickstand the opening does not hinder it function, but lines do not match up right. I even used the Aqua for a week so that it might have time to “work itself in”, but it never changed it’s fit or shape. This also means that the Red case will keep it’s great fit; and not loose it over time.
Finish:
All the sexy lines of the EVO are not lost by this case. It highlights all the sexy curves. The detail is very good. I like the extra line that follows the battery cover. The add opening for the “htc” logo is a good touch and give it a quality design image. The added texture of the skin is nice too and give a plush feel while providing better grip.
To my 5 requirements listed above:
1. Check: it is a rubber case and is easy to get on and off. Simple.
2. Check: it has a great feel. Not sticky or grabby. Goes in the pocket and slides out clean.
3. Check: it adds a minimum of extra thickness, but still provides a good add rubber protection.
4. Check: the design and attention to extra detail keeps my EVO sexy and slim.
5. Check: they added a little extra padding around the back lens for protection.
Price:
The price is $16.99 with free shipping. This may seem a little high.
We all know we can buy generic rubber or silicon cases for $5 plus $3 shipping all day online. But at that low price, I still say they are not even worth the $8. For a good quality case that you will want to use daily, $17 is a good deal.
Conclusion:
The quality is great. (don’t order the Aqua Black unless they remake the mold)
The price is good, because you can spend more in retail stores.
Ringke case is a must buy for anyone that has the same concerns and requirements as I do.
Suggestion for RearthUSA.com:
They should have a 2 pack deal for $19.99 with free shipping.
With each color selection, it will include a solid jet black case.
Thanks and I hope this review is able to help others.
Special thanks to Blake at RearthUSA for his help to get these awesome cases to me for review.
Sincerely
Dan330
great review....looks like a nice case
Great review. I have been contemplating buying one of these cases and one of my options was going to be the wine color or slate grey. Looking at it in your pictures it looks more red than I thought I would be. I have to agree that their colors are deceiving. I notice they sell a solid black for other phone but the Evo only gets dark grey. If they had a solid black I would have purchased already. The slate grey is just a dark grey. I want this case but the colors are keeping me back.
The price is also a concern and should be changed to two for 19.99 like you stated. That would be a great deal.
Let me know if your looking to sell these if your not looking to keep them.
Ordered two as well. Should get them soon and will have my review. I got the white and dark grey for my white evo. Sold my otterbox commuter so I can buy one.
mikfroyo evo!
Good work (as always) Dan... love the write-up.
I agree: they make good stuff, and customer service is top notch.
Jjday7 said:
Great review. I have been contemplating buying one of these cases and one of my options was going to be the wine color or slate grey. Looking at it in your pictures it looks more red than I thought I would be. I have to agree that their colors are deceiving. I notice they sell a solid black for other phone but the Evo only gets dark grey. If they had a solid black I would have purchased already. The slate grey is just a dark grey. I want this case but the colors are keeping me back.
The price is also a concern and should be changed to two for 19.99 like you stated. That would be a great deal.
Let me know if your looking to sell these if your not looking to keep them.
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I will be keeping them. I think it would be wrong if I sold them.. and they loose a sale.
They will be sold with my EVO.. when the time comes
stricklerjosh said:
Ordered two as well. Should get them soon and will have my review. I got the white and dark grey for my white evo. Sold my otterbox commuter so I can buy one.
mikfroyo evo!
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why did you sell the Otterbox? what was it that u did not like?
Tre Lawrence said:
Good work (as always) Dan... love the write-up.
I agree: they make good stuff, and customer service is top notch.
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thanks dude.. after I was done writing it.. I was surprised it was so long. sorry
Alright time for my review of the rearth case:
My biggest issue was lint on my otterbox commuter, and the added weight and thickness.
I really liked the protection the commuter provided but it was a lint magnet. Was constantly wiping lint off as well as attaching the bottom flap.
I own a white evo and I didn't like the fact that the commuter completely hid that. I ordered the white cover to accentuate the white back.
I think it looks excellent. Also got a black one and you can see the white accents and it looks very good. All the cut outs are perfect.
Fit it very snug, the sides could be a little tighter but overall great fit.
Camera protection is perfect.
Most importantly for me it slides perfectly in and out of my pocket with no lint. I love it!
Came packaged very professionally.
Price is a little high but shipping is included, it is a local usa seller, and the build quality seems excellent. If you have any questions feel free to pm me.
Great job rearth on a great evo case!
mikfroyo evo!
mikfroyo... what color did you order? my Aqua Black was not like that! it was gray transparent.
update:
Blake from RearthUSA.. said that they are looking into my 2 pack deal... they liked it.. and are considering it. NO actual word to when or if they will.
Told him the same thing about 2 pack. I think it should be for the $16.99 though. I think that is aqua black. I like my white one best.
Dan330 said:
mikfroyo... what color did you order? my Aqua Black was not like that! it was gray transparent.
update:
Blake from RearthUSA.. said that they are looking into my 2 pack deal... they liked it.. and are considering it. NO actual word to when or if they will.
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mikfroyo evo!
So the red isn't a dark red? Any pics of the white one? How does this case compare to the otterbox impact?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-reviews/238720-rearth-usa-silicone-case.html
there are 2 pics of the white.
I have never used an otterbox... to me they are just too big!... they make phones look frankenstien-ish
Dan330 said:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-reviews/238720-rearth-usa-silicone-case.html
there are 2 pics of the white.
I have never used an otterbox... to me they are just too big!... they make phones look frankenstien-ish
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Thanks, leaning toward a white and red one but ill hold on to see if they have a bundle option soon. Would you say the red is a good choice?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
i would have liked the red to be darker... more "wine" color.
but still nice. of course that is a totally opinioned answer. I think my pics are very accurate to real world looks. so base it off that.
waiting....
he only said they are looking into it... it may or may not happen and maybe not soon.
and if your phone is walking around naked... hate for it to be damaged.. while you wait.
I bought this case before realizing that the reviews i've been reading about it have all been sponsored by Rearth... oh well. It was a good choice. I'm a case eilitist and silicone cases suck due to the "grippiness" of them.
TPU cases are pretty good but I found mine to be too thick.
The Seidio Innocase is really nice but their first round of production were too big, cases too expensive and even after they fixed production to make it fit better I still found the case to feel larger than the advertised "1mm' thickness. It made an allready wide phone super-wide.
This Ringke by Rearth is damn good. Best of both worlds imo. I've never felt a material like this before. I'm not stoked about the overlap on the front of the case--how it covers the borders around the screen--but I'm trying to look at it as a feature, that is, it keeps my screen protector's corners down and protected.
This thing is so thin, yet strong and smooth = no lint, no inverted pants pockets. It will, however, slide on a smooth surface so that may be a drawback for some. Off the phone it is as floppy as it looks in the video but reliably stiff once it's on the phone.
This message was not sponsored by Rearth
ALSO...
I emailed Rearth asking if they'll ever have a true black colored case, not grey, not transparent and they said they may have it as soon as one month from now.
Is it a tight fit case? I like tpu cases because of their tight fit no bulk.
Sent From My HTC Evo 4G On The Now Network From Sprint Using Tapatalk Pro!
yes.. it was sponsored.. but i was totally honest.. did not hold anything back.
yes.. it is a very tight fit.. the phone is hugged from all sides.
Dan330 said:
i would have liked the red to be darker... more "wine" color.
but still nice. of course that is a totally opinioned answer. I think my pics are very accurate to real world looks. so base it off that.
waiting....
he only said they are looking into it... it may or may not happen and maybe not soon.
and if your phone is walking around naked... hate for it to be damaged.. while you wait.
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I have the commuter from otterbox, seidio white, and the impact as well. Red would be a nice color change and looks like they would be easy to swap out if I get a red and white one.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
yeah... very easy to swap.... simple...
scirio said:
ALSO...
I emailed Rearth asking if they'll ever have a true black colored case, not grey, not transparent and they said they may have it as soon as one month from now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did he ever respond? about the black case?
Dan330 said:
did he ever respond? about the black case?
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Click to collapse
Yes. He said he sent his supplier (manufacturer) in Asia an email inquiring whether they would produce it in a (what I called) "true black."
He responded that they might and to check again and that he'd let me know at the end of the month. Haven't heard anything since, today's the last of the month and I understand these things take time.
Any white gn owners want to chime in on how the white version is? I wish the whole front was white. Not sure why they only made half white? Any major issues I might want to know about before pulling the trigger on it? For example does it get dirtier easier or scratch easier, etc? Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks.
They made the front black because it actually looks good with the dark UI and black top/bottom bars. it would look pretty awful if the bars were black and the framing/bezel was white.
I bought the white gn the last time daily steals had it... about a month ago. I completely agree about the front. I also have a white T989 that is all white (front & back) & I like that a lot, but I haven't touched it since I got my gn. I got a yakju build. No bugs, issues, scratches or anything else ::knocks on wood::... absolutely loving this phone...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
martonikaj said:
They made the front black because it actually looks good with the dark UI and black top/bottom bars. it would look pretty awful if the bars were black and the framing/bezel was white.
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That's a software thing. They could of made it white while sacrificing battery life it would be cool
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
I guess anyone could tell you about the White Galaxy Nexus.
It's white.
It's a Galaxy Nexus.
Pretty much it.
Smokeey said:
I guess anyone could tell you about the White Galaxy Nexus.
It's white.
It's a Galaxy Nexus.
Pretty much it.
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Basically. I like the look of it, compared to the titanium silver one.
It's one of the few phones where white looks a bit awkward.
Just look at the ceramic white i9100. White front/bezel = beautiful and thats how it should've been done.
But luckily, apparently some company is selling screen protectors with white top and bottom and bezel so that would make the phone much better looking.
At least its cheap to convert our titanium to white.
I wish someone made a straight up all black housing.....WOULD BE SEX!!! pure black Galaxy Nexus would look awesome with the already black screen and no buttons. Would be the purest thing ever hahaha
wilsonlam97 said:
That's a software thing. They could of made it white while sacrificing battery life it would be cool
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
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You mean completely re-skin the UI to be white on the white nexus? What?
if you're going to use a case, don't see a point getting the white since the case will cover it up
I always felt white phone where tacky. I don't have a white one but I assume the hyper skin would catch dirt
Sent from my iPhone smashing Galaxy Nexus
How much is a white one? best place to get it?>
You can also get a front skin to "complete" the white. http://www.decalgirl.com/skins/95096/Samsung-Galaxy-Nexus-Skin-Solid-State-White
I believe the Matte/Satin finish should match the back pretty well.
I've had both. White one is nice. Battery cover feels cheap because its all plastic and not rubbery like the titanium one. But it looks nicer overall in my opinion. And it doesn't get dirty. Not yet at least, have had it for a month. And it looks nicer with the black glass instead of white. The contrasted look is real nice.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Why buy a white one. Everyone knows black ones run faster.
^lol....don't know if thats gonna be accepted very well
My white i9100 didn't get dirty. It will stay white, dw.
But for the GN, it looks weird. The contrast doesn't look good IMO. It would definitely look better if the front was white also.
But at least it makes it easier for us with titanium to change to white. Really simple and cheap to just swap housing. Then buy a screen protector with the white decals
The question is, should the white decal go over the screen protector, or the screen protector over the white decal?
onthecouchagain said:
The question is, should the white decal go over the screen protector, or the screen protector over the white decal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Over the screen protector.....
But there's a screen protector where it's already colored in. So it's one piece, I forgot who sells it....saw it on another thread somewhere
That's what im talking about. Like the white SGP glas for the i9100, but for the Nexus
I bought a white one and I'm quite unhappy... It looks and feels cheap. Unlike the white apple products which look and feel great, this one looks like a cheap chinese toy when compared. Yuck...
lithdoc said:
I bought a white one and I'm quite unhappy... It looks and feels cheap. Unlike the white apple products which look and feel great, this one looks like a cheap chinese toy when compared. Yuck...
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Well first of all, iPhone is made from only glass and an aluminum bumper/trim so it's definitely going to feel more high end and nicer.
If you wanted just build quality feel....should've went with something else like HTC as Samsung uses plastic. Though it doesn't creak and feels very solid. My titanium color feels very nice with the textured back cover hyperskin. Super solid and the back won't crack if it falls =P
It definitely doesn't feel cheap though. It's light and feels nice and solid. Cheap toy is something that feels flimsy and the parts are squeeking and crap.
Sorry for bumping this old thread, but I just need to clarify one thing.
Does white Galaxy Nexus back cover have the same texture as the black version?
Im interested in the incipio feather after reading many reviews. I'm fairly set on it unless anyone has a better alternative. I have 2 tpu cases that I don't use anymore and would like to step up.
Also, I'm tossed on the color to get. I'm leaning towards the blue cause I like the look of the Lumia 900, but I don't know if its too much. I would consider another brand if it is recommend tho?
I just got the blue one last week on my Black E4GT. Love it.
dw3bb10 said:
I just got the blue one last week on my Black E4GT. Love it.
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Click to collapse
Would you mind posting a pic? I think ill like it, but I want to be sure
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
What color is your E4GT? I have the black feather on my white E4GT and I think it looks really good...but the grey one would probably look good as well...
I have a black e4gt. I wish incipio made a white feather, but they dont. thats why im on the blue one now. All the other colors dont seem right for me.
I wish i had a white e4gt. i would definitely put the black incipio on it as well
afinch1992 said:
I have a black e4gt. I wish incipio made a white feather, but they dont. thats why im on the blue one now. All the other colors dont seem right for me.
I wish i had a white e4gt. i would definitely put the black incipio on it as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd suggest getting the light grey feather then do minor sanding then paint/seal it.
Thanks for the suggestion. I really don't want to mess with it, kor do I have the time. Just seems odd they wouldn't make a white version.
Anyways, does anyone have a pic of the blue on on their phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
This case looks nice but there seems to be zero protection for the corners of the phone?
Sent from my slim n trim Galaxy S II.
I have one for the ns4g and I love it. Best phone case i have ever had.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
from what Ive read the pictures from incipio are a little misleading. one review i saw commented that there actually way more protection on the corner
I got this case
http://mobilemate.yetaa.com/samsung/nillkin-samsung-epic-4g-touch-d710-protective-case.html
Got both Black and Red colors, i like it a lot, makes the phone a lot slimmer and at the same time protects it well.
Will post pictures later
galexandr said:
I got this case
http://mobilemate.yetaa.com/samsung/nillkin-samsung-epic-4g-touch-d710-protective-case.html
Got both Black and Red colors, i like it a lot, makes the phone a lot slimmer and at the same time protects it well.
Will post pictures later
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that one as well. I don't know why these suppliers dont make white. I know case mate does, but those are terribly made
if anyone has a pic of the blue incipio feather i'd really like to see it on a real phone before I buy
afinch1992 said:
I saw that one as well. I don't know why these suppliers dont make white. I know case mate does, but those are terribly made
if anyone has a pic of the blue incipio feather i'd really like to see it on a real phone before I buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
White tends to fade/turn orange from exposure to the sun.
Sent from my slim n trim Galaxy S II.
Pheno.menon said:
White tends to fade/turn orange from exposure to the sun.
Sent from my slim n trim Galaxy S II.
Click to expand...
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true, my white sline got pretty dirty, but it depends on the material used. That was a very easily stained rubber. a feather case with an overcoat like they make for iphone would more than suffice for the average user
Sooo anyone got a picture of this thing?
http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Cases/Case-Mate-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Phantom-Cases.asp
It looks like a protective case with bulkiness and i'ts now availbel in different colors. Only black was available when I checked last time, and now it comes in pink, navy and another kind of black. Navy would look the best for the pebble blue phone.
That looks bad ass as long as it comes with a clip. Didn't see it mentioned tho
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
buy while it lasts
it is only $50! Try to beat that!
twoashj said:
http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Cases/Case-Mate-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Phantom-Cases.asp
It looks like a protective case with bulkiness and i'ts now availbel in different colors. Only black was available when I checked last time, and now it comes in pink, navy and another kind of black. Navy would look the best for the pebble blue phone.
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$50.00 and no belt clip????????????, HELL NO!!!!!!!
How do you think it will compare to the Otterbox Defender?
Interesting design. I would be down to try one... For about half what they are asking. $50 are you kidding me?
yeah $50 is pretty expensive for a case like that. I think they are just branding that case just like Otterbox cases in a look and the price! I 'm not interested in this case, anyway. I'm more looking into some cases in slim and thin designs, but as many people look for "protective" case, some people might be interested in this case! Still wanna see some reviews on it!
Honestly I find CM offerings way overpriced, especially considering what you get.
I purchased Case-Mate Phantom case.
However like review from olis (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk3SpvJ54ko) the buttons doesn't work properly and it hard to press.
But I managed to fix it, here the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX8KB3LHwcE
Any chance of getting some side profile pics to show the thickness?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Im trying to decide between the seidio surface or incipio silicrylic. Any help?
I have the seidio surface case and I love it...protects the phone well...i also have the holster as well...but I must say it is a b*tch to take the case off at first...but once you do it...it will be easy...I have no input on the incipio silicrylic case...sorry
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Seidio active..
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
I have both cases, and I'm currently using the sylicrilic. I really like the surface, but it was bubbling up my full coverage screen protector. The sylicrilic doesn't do that. I also like the two tone look of the sylicrilic better. I got the dark grey with blue from the verizon store. The surface is definitely less bulky though. Honestly, if it didn't mess with my screen protector I probably wouldn't have switched to the sylicrilic.
I just switched from the pebble blue to the garnet red. I love the look of it but there arent alot of cases that go with.
rodriguez236 said:
I just switched from the pebble blue to the garnet red. I love the look of it but there arent alot of cases that go with.
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Click to collapse
Yeah that was my thought exactly when considering between the blue and the red (not a fan of glossy white on the SGS3 sorry!).
I think on the Incipio the only color that matches with Garnet Red is the black/black. The pink/grey and yellow/grey are just way too bright and colorful, makes you look like a teenage girl (no offense intended). I thought about light grey/dark grey but I think the light gray is too light (too close to white) to match up well with the red. I do think it would work fine with the white and blue SGS3s though.
I have both cases. They are extremely similar cases, and they are also very similarly priced.
The Silicrylic doesn't attract dust while in your pocket, but the Active does, but it's only a little bit. You might want to remove the case and give it a nice wash every week or so though.
Also, the Active has the kickstand, which is the reason I decided to keep it.
In my opinion the colors of the Silicrylic weren't that great either, so I decided to stick with the Active.
I purchased my father the Active as well, except his has the included holster. Wow, that holster is absolutely amazing! I'd highly recommend it if you guys ar einto that sort of thing. It is build very well, and it keeps your phone locked into position. The phone will not move at all. However, it is easy to click open as well, so you can quickly remove your phone for a call, even with one hand.