This is a review of Spigen Slim Armor Case for Samsung Galaxy S4: http://www.spigen.com/cell-phone/samsung/galaxy-s4-cases/galaxy-s4-case-slim-armor.html
When it comes to slim and light weight cases, Spigen never disappoints with their unique and rich styles. But in the past they weren't exactly known for their rugged touch. With their Slim Armor case it looks like they decide to turn the table around. So let's see if they were able to add extra "armor" protection while still maintaining their typical slim design.
Slim Armor is actually consists of two layers. Inner TPU layer surrounds the phone with extra cushion to absorb shock impact and adds extra thickness at the top/bottom bumper beyond the boundaries of Outer PC layer which bounds the sides and the back of the case with hard plastic material. Still, even with two separate layer, case feels very thin. The fitment of both layers is seamless and almost feels like one piece. Every port opening is precisely cutout and perfectly aligned between inner/outer layers and with a phone. What I found especially amazing is that case is actually easier to fit in with a phone while two layers are together. This was a pleasant surprise since I know that a lot of people like to take their cases on and off and when you are dealing with two layers it becomes a hassle to constant align two together. For the purpose of pictures, I demonstrated how the phone looks with inner layer without outer shell, but in everyday use I would recommend keeping both of them together when taking phone out.
One of the details that keeps both interlocked perfectly together are the power and volume buttons. Those are part of TPU inner layer, but made to feel and to perform like hardware buttons. A separate cutout around sides of these buttons makes them very easy to push with a nice tactile feedback, and while aligned with outer PC shell cutout it keeps both layers together. There is not too much to complain about Slim Armor except for the lip around the display. Typically those are designed to keep your phone off the surface when faced down. To my personal taste I found this lip to be very shallow. Actually, it's more shallow around the side edges while a bit more thicker around top/bottom part of the case's bumper cushion. So in theory it will protect your phone screen down from touching a surface, but you will not get as much clearance thus I highly recommend having a decent screen protector when you use this case. For those familiar with Spigen, you know that quality screen protectors is one of their signature products. Another thing to mention, which was actually a pleasant surprise, is a bonus of 3 home button stickers labeled as "jelly bean" buttons. Those come in assortment of 3 colors and will help you personalize your phone even further. The case itself comes in a selection of 5 different colors for the hard outer shell. The one I got was in black, and somewhat a fingerprint magnet. For those who are bothered by this, probably a good idea to go with a lighter color PC shell
Overall, this is a very impressive and high quality case (made in Korea, which I find lately to be of a higher quality than HK built cases). You will still get a slim and light weight design while maintaining a piece of mind in case if you drop your phone. Even so I wish the lip would be thicker to offer a better "armor", bundled with a good screen protector you should be OK.
Here are the pictures of black Slim Armor case I tested with my S4 display model of the phone (thus a slight misalignment of mic port next to micro-usb connector):
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
How's the case as far as drop protection go, is the lip high enough that dropping it face first won't crack the screen?
koraun said:
How's the case as far as drop protection go, is the lip high enough that dropping it face first won't crack the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Judging from the last pic posted, screen would be hit first.. ._.
SilentRazor said:
Judging from the last pic posted, screen would be hit first.. ._.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did feel friction when case is placed down which suggests there is some minimum clearance. Also, in theory if you drop your phone and it lands flat face down, a bigger lip will only help you on a perfectly flat surface. Any uneven surface will come in contact even with a rugged case. I'm always paranoid about this stuff and have tempered glass on my phone (N2). I would definitely suggest that a screen protector is a must for this case. For example if you place it face down and you have some crumbs or whatever on a table and slide it across - you need extra screen protection to keep display from being scratched. I can also imagine that with tempered glass you will not have any margin at all.
I do want to mention again, I have a display model of S4, not the real phone. But its 1:1 scale and I also read other online reviews suggesting lip is on a shallow side. I would appreciate if more people who have this case will chime in to offer their feedback about Slim Armor. There are a few threads about this case so we gotta have more users with a real S4 and this case. Keep in mind, Spigen is reading these reviews and any feedback will be valuable for them as well.
How about sound? Does the case muffle the speakers at all?
Does it get scratched? I want to get the white one but afraid it would get scratches and black marks/lines easily. Can you post pictures of its current status? Scratched or not and how many days used?
It looks like it might.
This is the best case I've ever had. So perfect
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Related
This is a review of DBA Cases line of ThinGrip and Complete Ultra for Galaxy S4: http://www.dbacases.com/galaxy-s4.html
Being familiar with their line of Complete Ultra cases for Note 2, I got an opportunity to test/review their S4 version as well as ThinGrip which was new to me. What attracted me originally to DBA cases was not just a design with one of the best color selections of interchangeable parts, but actually the science behind the material their use. PC and TPU are the most common materials used in all of the cases, but these one are made out of a special mix that keeps every case super light, flexible, and durable.
Lets first start with ThinGrip. From the first look you might think, uh seen this thin shell wrap-around design already. Well, not really because most likely what you have seen was a cheap plastic cases intended just for scratch protection of the battery phone cover. ThinGrip design wraps around all the corners and along the sides providing you not only a back protection but also a corner protection as well. The top/bottom and volume/power buttons are open. Speaker and camera/flash cutouts are precisely aligned. What sets this design apart is the material and finish of it. This is not a typical hard plastic mold but a flexible PC material that will not crack if you drop the case or flex it to take the phone out. I would not go as far as telling you it will offer a great drop protection outdoors. That's not an intention of it, but I can tell you it will provide some acceptable drop protection for indoor use and maybe even in some occasions outside. The flex nature of the material will distribute the shock and the grip of this Thin case will keep phone from falling out of the case. It will also keep the screen from touching the surface if placed face down, and will offer a nice friction with a surface both face up/down. Also, the sides of the case have a nice bumpy pattern for a comfortable hand grip. And to enhance this experience the whole case has this smooth rubbery finish inside out. This is one of the thinnest and lightweight cases you can find which also offers more than just scratch protection. Plus, you get a variety of 6 cool colors. http://www.dbacases.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-thin-grip-african-violet.html
The Complete Ultra takes it to the next level with enhanced drop protection of dual-layer design. I will talk more in details about each layer further in my review, but DBA took this dual-layer concept to a next dimension by offering a selection of 6 unique colors for its outer Ultra PC layer and 7 unique colors for its inner Ultra TPU layer where you can buy each one separately or in predefined combos as part of Complete Ultra. This way you're no longer locked into the same color combination and able to mix'n'match different PC/TPU colors to dress up your S4 for any occasion.
Now about the Complete Ultra case itself. The combo of PC/TPU is very lightweight. Inner TPU layer is thin, yet feels very durable. Typically similar dual-layer design cases have inner silicone sleeve for shock absorption which is usually too soft and pulls around the edges. This one is made out of a more rubbery flexible material and holds better around the edges, although you do get some pull next to volume buttons (due to the large cutout). All the cutouts are very precise and aligned perfectly. Power/Volume are not covered, and cutout around those areas makes it very easy to access corresponding buttons. This inner TPU layer can even be used by itself. In addition to back matte finish, the side grip and bottom parts of the case which are outside of outer layer are thicker and glossy. The sides actually offers a very nice textured design for an additional grip - a very important detail. For an enhanced protection, this Ultra Complete design adds an outer PC layer. And let me tell you, I never seen anything like this. It's not your typical Polycarbonate plastic material. First of all it has a very nice rubbery-soft coating which is anti-scratch, thanks to its triple coated process. Apparently this PC is some advanced Flex material which according to DBA used in bullet resistant glass and cockpit canopy of F-22 Raptor Jet Fighter. I know it's a mouthful, but I was able to completely bend it without snapping it in pieces and it flexed back to its original shape like brand new. I took a picture of that as well. So pretty much it's designed to flex instead of breaking if you drop the case. I also want to mention that this outer layer offers a very decent back and corner protection once assembled together with inner TPU layer. Also, captured in pictures, you get an acceptable lip around edges of the phone so you don't have to worry about putting it face down on the surface. But in general, you can put your phone down on it's face without a worry of screen touching the surface or phone sliding across the surface. The same goes for outer layer which adds some nice friction where you don't have to worry about phone sliding across the slippery surface. http://www.dbacases.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-complete-ultra.html
Overall, I was very pleased with this product and found the quality of its material to be exceptional. The capability to mix and match colors is definite a great idea where you can customize your case just by getting another PC or TPU piece.
Now, here are the pictures.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
This is a review of Trident Perseus, Aegis, and Cyclops cases for S5. http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-products/samsung-galaxy-s-v/
In the past I have reviewed a lot of different Trident cases for smartphones and tablets, and was always pleased with their design, build quality, and very reasonable pricing (make sure to check Amazon for that). That's why I was very excited to get an opportunity to review their cases for the new Galaxy S5. Cleverly partitioned into different series, these offer various levels of protection depending on your use. Here, I'm going to look at Perseus Series (light-weight protection), Aegis Series (everyday protection), and Cyclops Series (tough protection) cases.
Starting with Perseus, I was very impressed with a packaging box which provided a full display of the case and a detailed description of features on the back. In addition to a case, Trident also included a film screen protector which is a nice bonus. The case itself is constructed of shock absorbing TPU gel material. Although rated as light-duty protection, it's actually of a better quality than typical cheap TPU cases. It has precise cutouts and alignment with all S5 ports, and power and volume buttons are covered. It should protect your phone from scratches and will provide a basic drop protection. The lip around the screen will keep it off the surface if placed face down, and it also offers anti-skid protection and no wobbling when placed face up. Also, it features a smooth surface finish so it will be easy in and out of the pocket.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
When you ready to step up to a more serious protection, Aegis Series is the way to go. It consists of two layers, inner shock-absorbing silicone layer and outer hardened PC plastic shell. In addition, it also comes with a screen protector. According to description of features on the back of the packaging box, this case actually meets or exceeds Military standards (MIL-STD-810F for vibration and drop), and it sure feels like it. Inner silicone layer has nice textured thicker back padding and also a thicker all around bumper with enhanced corner protection. The screen bumper is raised so there shouldn't be any issues placing the phone down on the screen. It also has attached port covers for micro-usb and headphone ports. I do have to mention because this is silicone material there is a little bit of pull around the edges. At the same time, I have not noticed it being lint magnet, it worked great with my tempered glass screen protector, and it felt pocket friendly. Outer PC shell wraps around the back with extra layer of protection and with side grips to keep inner shell from sliding off. Also, it has a dust cover for the speaker port. Both shells interconnect with a precision and wrap around S5 to give a solid feel. In addition to covering headphone, micro-usb, and speaker ports, power/volume buttons are covered as well and have a very nice tactile feedback response. The camera/flash is one common opening, and with border lining of inner silicone layers it makes sure your don't get flash reflection which often a problem on white cases where pictures get overexposed.
When you think about Tough Protection cases, lightweight and slim doesn't jump into your mind. Lightweight and slim doesn't go together with a case which has been build to meet or exceed MIL-STD810F standard by independent testing, including a requirement to survive 26 drops onto concrete from 4ft height. Well, I hope your phone/case will never have to experience this kind of a torture because guys at Trident already verified it for you So let's take a closer look at how this Cyclops monster looks!
Once you take it out of the box, you can't help but notice how lightweight it is. At only 62g and with a very slim profile it will not add too much bulk to your S5. But don't let the light weight and slim design fool you. The case is made out of two fused layers of TPE and PC material to provide a serious shock-absorbing impact protection. The power and volume buttons are fully covered while still having a nice tactile response. The same with headphone and micro-usb ports, covered by a flexible flap of TPE layer extension. Every other port opening has a precise cutout and perfect alignment with S5. You can also find a skid pad around the whole back perimeter to prevent case from sliding off any surface. But the best feature of the case is the removable screen protector. It's permanently attached to an outer frame piece that goes on top and interlocks with a case. Once locked, it creates a solid seal with virtually no movement of the phone inside of the case. The screen protector has a cutout for home button, top speaker, and front camera. It worked great even with my tempered glass screen protector and I didn't notice any issues with screen touch sensitivity. Obviously, its not waterproof case, but you will be able to use your phone in some mild rain and wind with this extra seal protection. There is also a loop opening in the lower corner to attach a lanyard for extra security while using your phone outdoors.
Really cool cases. I especially like the fact that some of them have the port covers for the headphone jack and the usb plug. Most for the cases being made for the S5 don't have this feature and I guess It's not the biggest deal in the world but I prefer them. I guess I'm just accustomed to having them.
I tried out the Aegis case for my S5 with the wireless charging back and can confirm that it will not fit. However, I was surprised at how bad the quality has become on Trident's cases. I've owned other Trident cases in the past and they felt pretty solid, but the newer builds have a much thinner silicone layer that provides very little protection. I would definitely spend the extra cash to go with an Otterbox.
This is a Review of Trident Aegis and Cyclops cases for Galaxy Note 4. http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-products/samsung-galaxy-note-4/
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
In the past I have reviewed a lot of different Trident cases for smartphones and tablets, and was always pleased with their design, build quality, and very reasonable pricing (make sure to check both their www.tridentcase.com website for special offers as well as Amazon where you can always find a great deal). That's why I was excited to get an opportunity to review their cases for the new Galaxy Note 4. Separated into different series, these offer various levels of protection depending on your needs. Here, I'm going to look at their latest Aegis Series (everyday protection) and Cyclops Series (tough protection) cases for Note 4.
Designed for everyday protection, those familiar with previous Aegis cases for other phones won't find too many surprises in here. It consists of two layers, inner shock-absorbing silicone layer and outer hardened PC plastic shell. In addition, it also comes with a screen protector. According to a description of the features on the back of the packaging box, this case actually meets or exceeds Military standards (MIL-STD-810F for vibration and drop), and it sure feels like it. Inner silicone layer has nice textured thicker back padding and also a thicker all around bumper with enhanced corner protection. The screen bumper is raised so there shouldn't be any issues placing the phone face down without touching the screen. It also has attached port covers for micro-usb and headphone ports. I do have to mention because this is silicone material there is a little bit of pull around the edges. But even while being a silicone I haven't noticed it turning into lint magnet, also it worked great with my tempered glass screen protector, and it felt very pocket friendly being easy in'n'out of the pocket. Outer PC shell wraps around the back with extra layer of protection and with side grips to keep inner shell from sliding off. Also, it has a dust cover for the speaker port. Both shells interconnect and wrap around Note 4 to give it a solid feel. In addition to covering headphone, micro-usb, and speaker ports, power/volume buttons are covered as well and have a very nice tactile feedback response. The camera/flash is one common opening, and with border lining of inner silicone layer it makes sure your don't get flash reflection which often a problem with light color cases where pictures get overexposed.
When you think about Tough Protection cases, lightweight and slim doesn't jump into your mind. Lightweight and slim doesn't go together with a case which has been build to meet or exceed MIL-STD810F standard by independent testing, including a requirement to survive 26 drops onto concrete from 4ft height. Well, I hope your phone/case will never have to experience this kind of a torture because guys at Trident already verified it for you. So let's take a closer look at how this Cyclops monster looks!
Once you take it out of the box, you can't help but notice how lightweight it feels. With a very slim profile it will not add too much bulk to your Note 4, while offering a protection on a level of "defender". But don't let the lightweight and slim design fool you. The case is made out of two fused layers of TPE and PC material to provide a serious shock-absorbing impact protection with extra inner corner padding. The power and volume buttons are fully covered while still having a nice tactile response. The same with headphone and micro-usb ports, covered by a flexible flap of TPE layer extension. Every other port opening has a precise cutout and perfect alignment with Note 4. You can also find a skid pad around the whole back perimeter to prevent case from sliding off any surface. But the best feature of the case is integrated screen protector. It's permanently attached to the outer frame piece that goes on top and interlocks with a case. Once locked, it creates a solid seal with virtually no movement of the phone inside of the case. The screen protector has a cutout for home button, top speaker, and front camera. It worked great even with my tempered glass screen protector and I didn't notice any issues with screen touch sensitivity, though this screen protector had a bit of a flex. Obviously, it's not a waterproof case, but you will be able to use your phone in some mild rain and wind with a help of this extra seal protection. There is also a loop opening in the lower corner to attach a lanyard for extra security while using your phone outdoors.
Disclaimer: I DID NOT received this product for free or was given any discount nor the seller/manufacturer knows about this review before posting. I bought it with my own money.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Since I upgraded my phone to HTC10, it was time to buy some new gadgets and the case and screen protector were on top of my list.
I bought Spigen NeoHybrid (SatinSilver) case about 3 weeks ago along with the 3pack of Spigen Crystal screen protector.
HTC 10 Screen Protector Crystal by Spigen
Lets start with the screen protector first.
It comes in a nice package with anti dust stickers, Zeiss wet screen wiper and also positioning stickers. In the package you will find 3 pieces of the film. I payed about 10USD for it.
My first aplication was unsuccessful but I gained some experience, leveled up, changed armor and sword and oh wait...
And second try was a lot better. Positioning stickers help a lot since the screen protector is perfectly cut for the front but to align it perfectly it should almost touch the upper edge of the fingerprint reader which I did not like and I left a little margin which you will see on the photos. The film does not cover entire screen leaving little margin around screen for the curved edge of the glass. I think it could be a bit wider but I do not know if it would affect aplication by the end user. I think I would be very fine with it being a little taller and wider.
The screen is very clear and very hard to see once aplied. It is unfortunately very soft and thin - using your fingers and nails leave little "rivers" or traces which are visible only on very steep angle to the light. They are not visible from the front, you need to angle the screen to see them properly. Also you can permanently mark the film with your nail, often where the buttons are.(like GooglePlay store top left menu for example).
At first I was very concerned and a bit mad just knowing it is there but after one day when you do not see it and that it is only 10USB/3pcs film I stopped bothering. I looked at my previous phone which has a quite hard film and it look like scratched with a chainsaw so no point in whining really.
Overall I am satisfied but nothing fancy and If I had an opportunity to try other 3pack of film I would do it just for comparison.
HTC 10 Case Neo Hybrid (SatinSilver)
I bought for ~20USD the first version of the case which had cutouts on the top for scrapped IR blaster which was considered by the HTC and did not make it to the final design. Last week I contacted Spigen about updated case and they told me they will send me new one for free. Shipping was also very fast from USA to Europe. I was very glad and happy about, the support was very proffessional and they care about their customers base. Very good job Spigen. Kep it up!
You will find photos of both cases and the end of the review.
Neo Hybrid is my second case from Spigen overall. I have also NeoHybrid Gunmetal (or blue as I call it) for Iphone6+ which is quite more slimmer than case for HTC10.
HTC10 version has bigger and more edged frame and it feels more sturdy. At first I was sceptic for the chosen color - Satin Silver was really bright and eye catching which I wanted to avoid but after spending weeks with it I think it is the best color option for black HTC10. The silver frame looks gorgeous and adds a character to the entire design. Gunmetal or Black frame would be very stealth, way too much for me. Silver frame really follows the chamfered edge design of the phone making it more uniqe and eye catching.
Case front edges stick out a bit protecting the screen, maybe a bit too much for me but nothing really to whine about. It could affect you fingerprint scans though if you slightly put your finger on the case front edge. Rear is very well protected and the lens glass and LEDs are protected well enough. Also no problem with taking pictures but I do not personaly take any photos other that work stuff and "memos" so I can not say if the flash is affected. In the field or on a trip I am using my DSLR for photos, not a fan of taking pictures with my phone.
Case quality is very good. The design quality and frame fitting to the inner TPU/rubber case is nearly perfect. On the photos you will see the the top left corner on the rear does not completely flush with each other. It is present on the both cases off and on the phone.
Rubberised inne case is very nice to touch and the texture add to the grip. What I did not like very much is the lack of textured Power button. In my opinion it is a must to follow the original design of the HTC10 and for some people it might be a little confusing since all buttons are the same size and have almost same spacing between them. They do not stick out very much from the case.
As for the plastic frame grip, it could be a little slippy. I would like to see it textured just on the side edge around the case. Something like on the back would be very nice for grip and would feel the phone much more secure in my hands.
But overall design and looks are one of my favorites and Neo Hybrid for HTC10 nails the design very well. Same model for Iphone does not come even close. Over all I am very happy about it. Even more happy with Spigen support who sent me updated version of the case.
If anybody is looking for a nice looking case which is well built I could definitely recommend Neo Hybrid from Spigen.
What I liked:
- nice design, high quality case
- protects front and the rear glass on flat surfaces
- good price for such a product, Spigen customer support
What I disliked:
- lack of textured Power button, SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED!
- plastic frame could be slippy
- front case edges a little to tall for my preference, could be a bit slimmer
Nice review thnx
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
I can also vouch for the screen protector and agree with your comments. Hard to beat a 3 pack for 10 bucks. I also got the spigen "Rugged" one piece slip on style case and I am loving it. It looks just barely thinner than this case. One thing I'm slightly conscious of is scratching the sides of the metal body. My note 4 has a nice metal frame which is unfortunately scratched to hell from a similar style case.
guys, anyone has this case?
can i only use the tpu piece? or it will fall off?\
thanks
cobrax2 said:
guys, anyone has this case?
can i only use the tpu piece? or it will fall off?\
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only using the TPU piece will cause it to feel flimsy and not secure.
hmm, yeah i was afraid of that
Hi,
We renewed our phones plan and got 2 Pixel3. For cases, my initial plan to order 2 Spigen rugged armor on Amazon (2 x $13). Not in a hurry, I wanted to check out the quality of cheap cases. For the same amount of money I can buy a lot of cases on eBay ans still have enough money for some screen protectors. I spent sometimes to review images of the cases on eBay, mostly to avoid the crappy ones (like hard cases) or very expensive or weird looking. Sorry I prefer to avoid giving the eBay link I bought. You can find out easily by searching for Pixel 3 cases. Here is the quick summary of my "cheap case" experiment.
I don't do any drop test. However, with common sense, I think we can feel a below or above average protection. I think the cases I tried are as good and some could even be than the Spigen RA I got on my Pixel1. In my opinion, there is not a lot of hitech in a case. After all, brand name cases are probably also manufactured in China in anyway.
More expensive doesn't mean better. In fact the best is the cheapest ($1.75)
Avoid the multiple layers case with a hard polycarbonate shell (#5 in photo below). They are heavy, bulky and slippery
Plan in advance! Fastest delivery is 3 weeks (ship from China to US), probably 5 if non-US. The colors of the cases shown in eBay photos are not always accurate.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
My criteria of a good case is modest: good protection (corners, raised lips to protect camera and screen) and hold well in hands (no bulk and not slippery). I am not very concerned about the look. Colors is the only fancy factor. The photo above shows the models sorted by most preferred to least. Here is the rational of my ranking.
Rank #1: This case is incredible. I can't believe the cheapest case could be that good. I would even say I like it better than the Spigen rugged armor on the Pixel1 I got in the past. Very well thought, minimal bulk. I like the chamfered edges and the sanded surface on both side edges to increase grip. In spite of the glossy surface of the back, this case is NOT slippery. I am not sure how to explain that, maybe this has something todo with the Van der Waals force. The 4 corners have subtle raise to lift slightly the case/phone above a flat surface. If you knock the corner of the phone on a hard surface, you will hear a slightly muffled sound. While cases 2, 3, 4 you will hear a harder sound. Those air bubbles are not just for show.
The material is a TPU slightly harder and thick enough. Not like the softer rubbery TPU I got in the past with cheap $1 "crystal" cases. This case will turn slighly smoke/yellow in time. Personally this yellowish thing is not a problem at all. The buttons are slight hard, but fortunately I don't use that much. The case don't pick up too much dust entering by the back of the case.
Rank #2: Feel harder and slightly heavier. Add 1 millimeter in width and height compare to Case #1. The raised lip above the screen is slightly shallower than case #1. There is barely enough room for a glass screen protector. The buttons are very clicky and responsive. The button "click feel" is the best among the 5 models I tested.
Rank #3: Same dimensions as case #1 without the bubbles at the corners. The look maybe nicer if you don't like transparent case. The faux leather texture "seems" to increase grip. Actually this case is more slippery than case #1 (and also #2). This case has lower ranking simply because I feel that it's protective property is inferior. In case you are interested in this case, be aware that the colors is not always accurate on eBay. I ordered a light coffee color and got a dark gray instead. The photo above shows the navy blue model.
Rank #4: Minimal protection, barely a skin. The TPU is slightly thinner than Case#1. But still not rubbery. No raised grooves (as in case #1) to lift the case above a flat surface. Overall sloppy design, money wasted.
Rank #5: In terms of protection, this case is the best. The light gray rubber layer is not only a soft rubber but has ample air space to absorb shock. I use this case a few minutes and got immediately annoyed. It adds almost 10 millimeters to both width and height. Once the case is on, it becomes very hard to operate the phone with one hand. The back looks nice, it's a hard polycarbonate shell. But it is super slippery. I am certain I will drop the phone all the time with that case. Maybe this case is designed for rock climbers, but I really don't like it. Personally, it confirms a weird trend, each time I buy a multi-layered case, I always regret it. This one is the worst in particular, very bulky, slippery and a fragile assembling mechanism.
More photos
Notice the sanded stripe on the side-edges of the crystal case
Notice the bulk of case #5
Case #3 slighly wider by 1 millimeter
Case #3, ordered gray which looks like "light cappucino" on eBay images. The real gray is really dark.
Update 2019-05-13: After 2 months of daily use, this case now becomes my favorite. Like very much the rugged rubbery. Excellent material, thicker than the average TPU case (better protection). Hard but with a rubbery feel. Snug fit with device, give a good impression of protection. Bought 2 new colors.