Review of Ballistic Aspira, Shell Gel SG, and SG MAXX Series w/lots of pics!!! - General Accessories

This is a Review of Ballistic Series Lineup of new S4 cases: http://www.goballisticcase.com/collections/samsung-galaxy-s-4-cases
I just received a promo pack from Ballistic with samples of their new lineup of S4 cases. Since I'm already familiar with their Shell Gel SG for Note 2, I was expecting to see a familiar padded corner design. But as soon as I opened the package, I was in for a few surprises. I can see Ballistic raised their bar again!
First is the brand new series called Aspira. This design is the slimmest out of three from this new S4 lineup where you have a dual layer with inner rubber layer molded together with outer PC layer. No need to worry about assembly of two separate layers anymore, it's a single piece design now while still keeping the same reinforced corner protection. The inner rubber layer part wraps nicely around the screen providing a decent lip to keep the phone off the surface faced down or if you drop it on flat surface. Power/Volume buttons are covered and easy to push. All the port openings are precisely aligned. One nice detail, the combined camera/flash opening has a inner black lining to prevent pictures from being overexposed due to reflection. The rubber material is very smooth and non-sticky, the case is very pocket friendly for easy in/out. As a matter of fact, the back of the case has a high polish finish which looks nice, but actually on a slippery side. There are a lot of color variations with some sick honeycomb designs. http://www.goballisticcase.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s-4-ballistic-aspira-series-case
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Next one is their familiar Shell Gel SG which steps up to three layers with two separate pieces of inner soft silicone (with reinforced corners) and outer hard plastic with another third layer of non-slip rubber molded on top of hard plastic one. This design offers some serious drop protection from any corner, back, and front. You get a decent lip on the front of the phone to keep the screen off the surface, and non-slip protection padding on the back to lay phone flat face up without worrying of bumping/sliding phone off the slippery surface. Power/Volume buttons are covered, and easy to push. Ports perfectly aligned with an adequate opening to fit any oversized micro-usb connector or headphone connector. Camera/flash opening is combined and has the same nice black lining detail. I also noticed two slits on the sides, the same as in MAXX series for the holster, although I found MAXX holster to be a bit bigger for Shell Gel series. I wonder if there will be another holster released for this case. One thing to keep in mind, because of oversized soft silicone inner layer, there will be some pulling around the edges where outer plastic shell is not holding it down, and it's probably going to be noticeable when you pull the case out of the pocket. This one also comes in a variety of colors. http://www.goballisticcase.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s-4-ballistic-shell-gel-sg-series-case
Well, if you think Shell Gel SG is not enough protection for you - here you got SG MAXX. As the name suggests, this series will take your protection to the next Maximum level. The design of the case is similar to Shell Gel SG in terms of three layers with inner silicone shell and outer hard plastic shell with molded third non-slip back layer. It has the same reinforced corner protection and Power/Volume covered buttons with a nice response. And you get a great lip around the screen to lay it flat without worrying of display touching the surface. To distinguish itself, MAXX also adds micro-usb port and headphone port dust covers. These are nicely attached to the inner silicone shell and in addition to being covers also have molded plugs to go right into the port opening. MAXX also comes with its own hard plastic holster that securely holds the case in place and has a swivel clip for portrait or landscape position. Here comes a big surprise - a rigid, user replaceable screen protector that according to Ballistic provides impact protection. This is not a screen protector you apply to the screen of the phone. And its not a permanently attached to the case screen protector. This one is part of the case assembly as a separate fourth protection layer where you have a choice to either using it or not. And if you are in a situation where you drop the case on an object protruded from the ground and screen protector is damaged (while saving your phone display), you can easily replace it with another one without replacing the whole case. Very easy. Of course, don't expect a clarity of a regular PET thin film protector or tempered glass. But this relatively clear plastic protector does it's job where you can see the screen, and use your fingers for navigation. I had no problem using air view functionality. I'm not going to lie, the screen image will look a little grainy with this screen protector on. But it obviously intended not for everyday use or for those extreme situations where impact protection of your screen is more valuable than crystal clarity. But like I said, you always have a choice of using it only if you need to. It's just a matter of sticking it under the corners of inner silicone shell where it stays securely attached. http://www.goballisticcase.com/products/samsung-galaxy-s-4-ballistic-sg-maxx-series-case
Here is a shot of all 3 cases side by side for a general comparison. Overall, very impressive collection for those who value their phone and put drop protection with a style at the top of their list. Btw, for comparison, I weighted all 3 and found Aspira to be 1.4oz (40g), Shell Gel SG to be 2.2oz (60g), and SG MAXX to be 2.6oz (74g) and together w/holster to be 4.5oz (128g).

Wow....that SG Max looks damn protective.

lzk123 said:
Wow....that SG Max looks damn protective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a retail package, but looking it up on Amazon it says up to 15ft drop.

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Review of DBA Cases ThinGrip and Complete Ultra w/lots of pics!!!

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.
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Review of Trident Perseus, Aegis, and Cyclops S5 case w/lots of pics!!!

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.
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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.

Review of Trident Aegis and Cyclops cases for Note 4 w/lots of pics!!!

This is a Review of Trident Aegis and Cyclops cases for Galaxy Note 4. http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-products/samsung-galaxy-note-4/
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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.

Review of Seidio DILEX Pro case for Note 4 w/lots of pics!!!

This is a Review of Seidio DILEX Pro case for Galaxy Note 4. http://www.seidioonline.com/samsung-galaxy-note-4-dilex-pro-combo-black-p/bd2-ht2ssgt4k-bk.htm
As I usually say, you have to be living under a rock not to be familiar with Seidio line of popular cases such as SURFACE, DILEX (former ACTIVE), CONVERT, OBEX, etc. I had a pleasure to review and to post about these in our forums for a lot of different Galaxy phones and Nexus tablets. For me SURFACE and ACTIVE was always like two siblings, until ACTIVE name was replaced with DILEX and now enhanced with DILEX Pro. I think it was a good decision to rename it because some people probably associate Active with a more rugged outdoor design, something expected from CONVERT or OBEX cases. Either way, no matter what you call it - it's still the same design principle with an inner shock absorbing shell and outer soft rubbery flexible pc shell. This design stayed very similar throughout the last few years and dozens of models, until now. The “Pro” suffix took it to a whole new level of slim protection adding only 2.2mm of thickness! Here is what I found.
This two-layer interlocking design always surprised me with how Seidio was able to keep it thin and durable. But the latest reincarnation of ACTIVE/DILEX moved it even closer to SURFACE level with a lot of other design improvements without compromising the protection of your phone. This case used to have inner silicon shell with a rather stretchy fit. The new version has a slim form fitting TPU layer with a honeycomb pattern of Hexguard technology. You still get extra shock absorption cushioning and will be able to accommodate different screen protectors including various tempered glass brands where you don't have to worry about case pushing on the edges. During the test I had no issues with my tempered glass protector. Since this is not a soft silicone anymore, I’m no longer will be complaining about the material being a lint magnet. The exoskeleton shell goes over inner TPU shell to secure its position, and adds an additional layer of protection around the sides and the top/bottom of the Note 4. The outer shell material is flexible which is very important during a drop to survive any cracks. Soft rubbery finish is very nice to the touch and adds non-slippery grip as well as being very easy in-and-out of the pocket. There are two distinct sculptured grip points on each side of the inner shell which accessible from the cutouts of outer shell. These are strategically placed at the lower part of the phone for an enhanced grip.
Once interlocked and on your phone, every port opening has a precise cutout and perfect alignment. As a matter of fact, you have a very generous micro-usb opening to accommodate different connectors, a decent headphone opening for even fatter plugs, and S-pen opening is wide enough for a comfortable access. Also, DILEX Pro has universal bottom left mic opening to accommodate all Note 4 versions, including Verizon. Volume/Power buttons are covered and easy to push, and have a nice tactile response. Another star of this design is metal kickstand with a magnetic closure. It always adds a classy touch to Seidio cases, has a sturdy construction, and magnet doesn't interfere or blocks phone’s functionality. This kickstand is intended for a landscape viewing mode only, not the portrait. Last but not least accessory is a holster, something I always praise in my Seidio reviews. Besides felt lining to protect the display of the phone and swivel belt clip with a precise click mechanism, it has a very secure spring loaded clip for easy removal of the phone.
Overall, Seidio finally broke the mold of their classic ACTIVE/DILEX design with a new Pro version of it. They didn’t necessary re-invented the wheel, but surely improved it by making slimmer and slicker version while still keeping a high level of protection. People always used to look at SURFACE as the slimmest case in Seidio collection. Now DILEX Pro is going to challenge that, though you have to keep in mind that advantage of SURFACE is compatibility with OBEX layer for more advanced protection. But unfortunately SURFACE is not very friendly with tempered glass screen protectors, so if you want to keep it slim with a dual-layer protected – DILEX Pro will be a great choice. As always, shop around on Amazon where you can find the best deal on these cases.
Here are the pictures.
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Thanks, Vectron, for your detailed post and great photos.
After much searching, I think I'm leaning towards the Dilex Pro for my Note 4. I have the white phone and was thinking of the white case, but read a brief comment on the Seidio web site that caught my attention:
Our glossed white cases are smooth and polished
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The answer to my question is probably self-evident, but I'll ask anyway, just to be sure:
QUESTION: Does the "Glossed White" Dilex Pro case have a different finish than the other colors - specifically, its it more slippery?
I owned an S4 before the Note 4 - which met its demise when I dropped it on a tile floor and shattered the display. Overall, it was a great phone, but the damned thing was so slippery that its amazing that it lasted as long as it did (I know, I could have been using a case all along, but I just hate the extra size and weight that a real protective case adds). I was happy to see that the Note 4 had a textured back, though in the last week of ownership I've found it to be equally slippery as the smoother S4 back. Add the metal edges (which I don't understand what all of the hype is about, but I digress...), and it's dangerously slippery, even with my carrier's insurance plan (and commensurately high deductible).
I've been attracted to the Seidio cases because of the rubbery, grippy finish that everyone describes. I just want to make sure that the white color has the same texture - or that I choose another color, instead. TIA for any first-hand feedback from white Dilex owners.

Review of Otterbox Commuter and Defender series cases for Galaxy S6 w/lots if pics!!!

This is a review of Otterbox cases for Galaxy S6, Commuter Series: http://www.otterbox.com/en-us/samsung-galaxy-s6/commuter-series-case/sam4-galaxy-s6-byo.html#start=1 (available on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-COMMUTER-Samsung-Galaxy-Packaging/dp/B00TYTDN6Q/) and Defender Series: http://www.otterbox.com/en-us/samsung-galaxy-s6/defender-series-case/sam2-galaxy-s6-byo.html#start=1 (available on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-DEFENDER-Samsung-Galaxy-Packaging/dp/B00TYTBGOC/)
There is no denial, Otterbox is probably considered to be among the most popular brand names when it comes to smartphone cases. As a matter of fact “Defender” became part of our vocabulary referring to cases with tough multi-layer protection. And even in todays highly competitive and over-saturated market of smartphone accessories, a lot of the people still put safety of their phones in hands of Otterbox. Here I got a chance to test their latest versions of Commuter and Defender series for Galaxy S6.
Typically, Otterbox retail packaging has a nice presentation inside of a plastic clear box. I’m sure most of you are familiar with it or have seen it at Best Buy or your local carrier store. Since I received my review samples directly from Otterbox, they came inside of separately labeled small plastic bags. But regardless of packaging you receive these in, I would recommend saving it along with your purchase receipt. Otterbox warranty process is very thorough, and though it states “one year”, I know of situations when people submitted a claim with a picture of a damaged case and proof of purchase after warranty expired and were able to receive their replacement. True, you are paying premium, but you are also getting a reasonable support in return. More about the actual cases next.
Starting with Commuter Series, you get a dual layer protection with an inner silicone shock absorption layer and an outer PC impact resistant layer. In addition, Commuter case also comes with a film screen protector, to protect your display from scratches. The inner silicone layer has sealed power and volume buttons to keep dirt and dust away, while still having a nice tactile response. Micro usb charging and headphone opening both have port covers to protect from external elements, though it also adds some pressure on the connectors when you have charging cable or headphone jack plugged in. From my personal experience, if this bothers you – you can always cut them off. Other port openings at the top, bottom, and back of the case have precise cutouts and perfect alignment with S6.
The assembly of the case is straight forward where you start with an inner sleeve, making sure phone is fully inserted, edges are covered, and power and volume buttons are alignment, and then apply the outer shell. Once assembled, the case adds some bulk but at the expense of an additional protection. The inner silicone shell provides a decent front screen bumper allowing you to put phone face down. Also, you get a decent grip since outer plastic layer doesn’t fully cover silicone shell sides. Unfortunately, the outer PC shell is a bit slippery in your hands and could become a problem when placing your phone face up where it can slide off smooth surface if bumped. At the same time, smooth back cover means an easy way in and out of the pocket. Another observation, this case works well with most of the film protectors and some thin tempered glass protectors where silicone bumper of the inner layers shouldn’t lift the edges off.
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"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
While Commuter series is considered to be their “slimmer” version, Defender series adds some noticeable bulk with a full wrap around protection, but it’s too bad. Either way, it’s a price to pay for an ultimate protection – and that’s exactly what you are going to get! Starting with an inner interlocking PC shell you have a built-in screen protector and also another thin layer of shock absorbent material inside of that shell. A built-in screen protector is film based and has a cutout for home button. The assembly of inner plastic case was a huge improvement over the previous Defender cases where tabs are a lot easier now to interlock and pull apart. On top of that, you have another silicone shock absorption layer placed over the PC shell. That piece adds another layer of shock protection and also significantly improves a grip. Also, you don’t have to worry anymore about your phone sliding off the surface when placed face up. Of course, facing down you also have a considerable amount of front lip to keep it off the surface. Just keep in mind this is just a film screen protector where any direct impact will not protect your display. For that you will need a tempered glass protector, but with Defender you can only use a thin tempered glass to fit inside of the inner shell.
Just like with a Commuter, Defender has micro usb and headphone ports covered and protected from any dirt and dust. Also, volume and power buttons are covered and have a nice tactile response when pressed. The rest of the ports have precise cutouts and perfect alignment. The only issue which still remains is micro-usb port opening being limited by plastic guards of the inner shell that allow only use of an average or narrow charging connectors. It’s probably not going to be an issue for majority, but I do have to acknowledge that some micro-usb cables with a larger connector might not fit.
Last but not least, Otterbox also comes with a belt-clip holster which allows you to carry your Defender case attached to the belt. Belt-clip holster will come especially handy when you spend a lot of time outdoors. The Defender case fits inside of the holster both face in and face out. Typically for extra protection you would want to keep it face in, but there is also an advantage to place it face out since a belt clip locks in open position and doubles as a kickstand to place your S6 in landscape orientation to watch a movie or to play a video, etc.
Overall, lately I noticed that people prefer to minimize and to slim down their cases. Even a slim case can enhance a phone grip and provide a very minimum drop protection. But it’s not enough if you are camping or hiking or work outdoors where your Galaxy S6 is going to be exposed to a rough handling. The choice between Commuter or Defender will give you some room to decide how much protection you need depending on your everyday activities, but regardless of your choice – both of the cases will give you a piece of mind with a decent drop protection. I know a number of people who got both of these cases with Commuter for everyday use and Defender for when they’re going on biking or camping. Of course, everything is up to a personal preference, but if you require a maximum level of protection – Otterbox cases should be on your list to consider.
Very Nice Review, Thank You.
Does the phone slide around inside of the plastic shell after you snap it together but before you install the outer silicone?
felloffthetruck said:
Very Nice Review, Thank You.
Does the phone slide around inside of the plastic shell after you snap it together but before you install the outer silicone?
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No, it wedged in there pretty tight! Otherwise, it would defeat the purpose of "defender"
vectron said:
No, it wedged in there pretty tight! Otherwise, it would defeat the purpose of "defender"
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Yea, I have the Defender for the S6 and the it was pretty loose inside of the plastic shell. Otterbox is sending me a new shell.
felloffthetruck said:
Yea, I have the Defender for the S6 and the it was pretty loose inside of the plastic shell. Otterbox is sending me a new shell.
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Are you keeping the old one as well? Would be interesting to a/b to see what they have changed or if your original one was defective? Actually if you think about, being loose inside might be to your advantage since you can probably get away with tempered glass screen protector if there is any extra room
Do either of these cases work with wireless charging? That's what I'm curious about. Is the flash hampered by the cases in any way?
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