Case-Mate Tough Case and Krussell FrostCover review/pictures - Xperia Z1 Accessories

So I've bought 2 different cases for my Z1, the Case-Mate Tough Case and Krussell FrostCover. Both will serve their purposes, the Case-Mate is definitely more durable, but the Krussell is more sleek and lightweight, plus has access to the magnetic charging. The pictures should show the difference in size (which there is quite noticeable between them), plus the differences in port access/coverage. I personally like the FrostCover for every day use, and I'll throw on the Tough Case for when I'm doing things outdoors. Both have very good quality. The only issue I have so far is when the Case-Mate is on, the power/lock button is sort of hard to press, sometimes requiring several presses. The Krussell is made of a really good plastic, accidentally folded it in half and there is no visible damage or cracking.
I bought the Krussell from mobilefun for ~ $20 CAD, and the Case-Mate I got a deal for through a friend for ~ $15 CAD.
There are a few pictures that I'm uploading; all pictures with the cases on the phones were taken with a Nexus 5.
One thing to note (not sure if it deserves a totally separate post) is that while both screens are off they look a different colour. This can be seen in the last two pictures. Different screens used maybe?

Smokecheck said:
So I've bought 2 different cases for my Z1, the Case-Mate Tough Case and Krussell FrostCover. Both will serve their purposes, the Case-Mate is definitely more durable, but the Krussell is more sleek and lightweight, plus has access to the magnetic charging. The pictures should show the difference in size (which there is quite noticeable between them), plus the differences in port access/coverage. I personally like the FrostCover for every day use, and I'll throw on the Tough Case for when I'm doing things outdoors. Both have very good quality. The only issue I have so far is when the Case-Mate is on, the power/lock button is sort of hard to press, sometimes requiring several presses. The Krussell is made of a really good plastic, accidentally folded it in half and there is no visible damage or cracking.
I bought the Krussell from mobilefun for ~ $20 CAD, and the Case-Mate I got a deal for through a friend for ~ $15 CAD.
There are a few pictures that I'm uploading; all pictures with the cases on the phones were taken with a Nexus 5.
One thing to note (not sure if it deserves a totally separate post) is that while both screens are off they look a different colour. This can be seen in the last two pictures. Different screens used maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the review. Looking to get a decent case for my Xperia Z1 as well but no decent cases are available where I live (Karachi, Pakistan). I have had my eyes on Case-Mate Tough Case for a while but it looks pretty huge and makes an already large device larger. Will probably call for these cases from the next friend/relative who is coming from abroad (USA, UK, Canada, etc.).
And yes! I also notice the difference in screens. 1 seems to have a yellowish tint while the other is completely black. Does the yellowish screen Xperia Z1 (Krussell) have that yellow hue problem when the screen is on?

Actually the Z1 with the yellow tinted screen had the Case-Mate on it. But it's only slightly noticeable. I can try to take pictures of it again with the screen on tomorrow when I have access to the other phone.
Sent from my C6906 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Thanks, hard choice, I prefer case mate touch but have just received a magnet usb charger hmm

I have the white version of the frost cover but I hate it.
The fit is not perfect and there is some give and squeak on the sides.
The cutout beside the camera is there for no reason whatsoever and there's a cutout on the bottom back for the Xperia logo that is also pointless since the back is translucent.
The edges are sharp and easily gather dust.
Can anyone recommend a medium hardness translucent case like the poetic atmosphere? They don't make it for the Z1 yet.
Edit: Judging from your photos they both have that arbitrary opening next to the camera, why is that?

JuicyBrah said:
I have the white version of the frost cover but I hate it.
The fit is not perfect and there is some give and squeak on the sides.
The cutout beside the camera is there for no reason whatsoever and there's a cutout on the bottom back for the Xperia logo that is also pointless since the back is translucent.
The edges are sharp and easily gather dust.
Can anyone recommend a medium hardness translucent case like the poetic atmosphere? They don't make it for the Z1 yet.
Edit: Judging from your photos they both have that arbitrary opening next to the camera, why is that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes its weird I have a book type case which only has cut out for camera on the back, Think I'm after same case as you lol

Related

SGP Leinwand case review - clip + smartcover

I have the samsung official bookcover case, and was quite satisfied with it, except for two points. The screen having to rotate each time I transit from viewing to typing mode, and the lack of a deeper tilt in viewing mode, especially when I have the tab literally on my lap. So, I was hunting around for something just as slim and light,but with more tilting options and came upon this:
SGP Leinwand case
http://www.amazon.com/SGP-Galaxy-Le...01VG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1313357575&sr=8-4
I've been using it for a few days, and thought it ws worth sharing my review of the pros and cons of it.
Pros.
•Extrememly light and thin. Lighter than the sammy bookcover case and just as if not thinner.
•Premium quality leather and inner suede that have a great feel to it.
•Magnetic clip that keeps the cover in place closed and also when turned back open in handheld mode.
•Various tilting modes. The manual shows 2 viewing angles and 2 typing modes. One of each is done in a ipad smartcoverish manner while the other viewing mode is like a pyro/acase/roo clip cover.
•One extra typing mode, not mention in the manual, but possible by folding the first outer slip to support the tab. This one I liked the most cause it allows for instant transition from viewing mode to typing mode with out rotating screen and with keeping the power button and camera on top.
Cons.
•Expensive. Currently $89.99.
•Not as sturdy as the official bookcover, since its leather all over.
•No opening to plug in charger when the case is closed, though power button and headphone socket is accessible.
•Inevitably, like all smartcoverish cases, the inner suede can pick up dirt from the surface it touches while folded backwards.
Overall, I enjoy the combinstion of a slim clip coverish back and its viewing angle and the viewing and typing angles provided by ths smartcoverish front. Also its so light and the leather texture quite nice, that I don't need to take the tab out at all. It also comes in other colors, purple, red and brown, though dull black ws my choice. But not quite sure whether all this really does justify the high price. Still, I think its worth a look when choosing cases.
i am so saving up for this case. My SGS2 is already on SGP cases (ultra air and neo hybrid) I love these SGP products
Does it include a screen protector?
Does this come with a second job? Cause I'll need one to afford it. =/
*ignore-accidental double post*
fransarj said:
i am so saving up for this case. My SGS2 is already on SGP cases (ultra air and neo hybrid) I love these SGP products
Does it include a screen protector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no. But the quality of the case did tempt me to consider their screen proctectors too. I have a Acase screen proctector which is fine, but reflect a slight oily color when the tab is off and under direct light.
akarol said:
Does this come with a second job? Cause I'll need one to afford it. =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is pricey, though they seem to try to justify the high price by mentioning it is all hand made. I personally don't really need hand made.
I doubt this design is an exclusive patent, so I was hoping that if pyro or other case manufacturors saw this, they might build similar but less pricey cases.
All I can say is that I really like the desk. Especially because it has good thick pieces of wood instead of some less expensive MDF types...
This thing is really expensive but I have to say I'm sold to the tablet after seeing it ! Thanks a lot
Jnn1 said:
Pros.
•Extrememly light and thin. Lighter than the sammy bookcover case and just as if not thinner.
•Premium quality leather and inner suede that have a great feel to it.
•Magnetic clip that keeps the cover in place closed and also when turned back open in handheld mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering if I should get this case, but no idea if there were any magnetic clips to hold the case in place because the first few variations of the Leinward case for the iPad did not have the magnetic clasp. Now that you have confirmed the existence of it, I have no reason to ponder anymore. Thanks.
Selling my Leinwand case
Not sure if it is okay to post this, but thought I should sell it to people interested. (If this is inappropriate for the board, I'll take it down)
I switched to a SGT 8.9, so my Leinwand case has become redundant, and thought I might as well sell my SGP Lewinwand case for SGT 10.1. It's a really nice feeling lightweight and versatile case, as I wrote in my review, and though mine is second hand, it's in very very good condition.
I brought it for 89.99 and will sell it for 40 dollars. Anyone interested, please PM me. Thanks!
#sold#

DBA CASES: Complete Ultra Review

Just received my DBA Complete Ultra and I am extremely satisfied with the new case start up
I really enjoy the design choice of of the Ultra, very thin and nice to hold into my hand.
A substantial difference from the current otterbox commuter, with how thin the DBA case is and a refresh of design
Quote from DBA cases
"The Ultra is made of two pieces: 1) An advanced polycarbonate mix that allows better shock absorption and better durability and 2) TPU which surrounds the case making sure that if it’s dropped, the case will protect your phone from damage."
Feels very well constructed, will be able to sustain some damage and last over time (not sure if able to sustain damage like the commuter; either exceeding or just on par)
When the case is on, I barely notice it is actaully on, because of the great build quality that this case has for taken
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The only downside I see to this case, is the lack of the table grip it forstands; it can slide very easily on the table
Also the lip is not as tall compared the otterbox which is a big downside for me (but not a dealbreaker) as it will not protect as well for screen drops
Overall I am very happy about the DBA ultra and plan to use it as my primary case
and recommend to become an early adopter of this company, as you will not be let down
In order to receive an %20 discount from purchasing from DBA cases use the word Olympics when ordering
This case retails at $24.99 and comes in a big variety of colours that you are also able to mix and match with DBA Cases
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Don't forget to add a thanks if you enjoyedmy review !
Two questions.
1. Is it a two part TPU/Hard part case? Because in the pictures it only looks like a hard case.
2. Does the Slate Blue case match the Pebble Blue of the phone? Because I have not yet found a case that matches the Pebble Blue GSIII
UChoudhari said:
Two questions?
1. Is it a two part TPU/Hard part case? In the pictures, because it only looks like a hard case.
2. Does the Slate Blue case match the Pebble Blue of the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I forgot to add that, It is TPU then a hard case shell on top
Quick quote from their site
"The Ultra is made of two pieces: 1) An advanced polycarbonate mix that allows better shock absorption and better durability and 2) TPU which surrounds the case making sure that if it’s dropped, the case will protect your phone from damage."
and it is very similar to it, but it cannot copy the "pebble-ness" if I can say but it is still very good and well constructed
Hmm.
With the 20% discount it clocks in at 20 dollars. I might actually try this out.
Originally I was going to spring for the UAG, but it's too expensive for my tastes atleast currently.
Thanks.
UChoudhari said:
Hmm.
With the 20% discount it clocks in at 20 dollars. I might actually try this out.
Originally I was going to spring for the UAG, but it's too expensive for my tastes atleast currently.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also ordered that too, but if you are looking for more a sleek robust style I would choose this case itself rather than having a industrialized look.
I just bought the UAG for kicks but this DBA case is for serious everyday usage
Thank you for your review. Are you saying that the ultra is about as protective as the commuter? Also, I didn't understand whether you're saying the ultra or the commuter may be more durable.
Finally, do you think that the DBA screen protector, when combined with the ultra, gives adequate coverage and protection? Or, should one wait for a larger DBA screen protector?
RebDovid said:
Thank you for your review. Are you saying that the ultra is about as protective as the commuter? Also, I didn't understand whether you're saying the ultra or the commuter may be more durable.
Finally, do you think that the DBA screen protector, when combined with the ultra, gives adequate coverage and protection? Or, should one wait for a larger DBA screen protector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from what it appears it can protect from drops (unsure for the display, further usage is required)
also I do not own the DBA Just like Glass, I use the ZAGG invisbleSHIELD HD its served me well for past devices ( iPhone 4,4S and others)
T3hBraveBoss said:
from what it appears it can protect from drops (unsure for the display, further usage is required)
also I do not own the DBA Just like Glass, I use the ZAGG invisbleSHIELD HD its served me well for past devices ( iPhone 4,4S and others)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How well do you think the ultra can protect from drops in comparison to the commuter?
Can you say which case is better made or likely to be more durable?
RebDovid said:
How well do you think the ultra can protect from drops in comparison to the commuter?
Can you say which case is better made or likely to be more durable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well of course for durability the otterbox wins hands down they both have tremendous build quality
The complete ultra will be able to sustain falls on par with the commuter but unsure for display falls as the lip is not as tall
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
repost of Amazon review
I just posted a review for this case on Amazon. I also really like this case. Here is a copy of the review...
This review covers both part of the DBA Ultra case: the Ultra TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) & the outer Ultra PC (Polycarbonate) shell. Both parts are needed to build-up a proper case. This review has been copied to the entries which make-up both parts of the case.
It might be a little confusing that you have to order two separate parts to build-up a case, but the big advantage is you can choose the colors for each part and get just the look you desire. You can also order additional individual parts and change the look without buying a whole new case. Well worth it in my opinion.
This is my third case for the S3 having first used the Spigen-SGP Neo Hybrid and then the Incipio Silicrylic Hard Shell Case which is also two parts, but with only pre-configured colors. The Incipio uses a silicon/PC combo whereas the DBA is TPU/PC. The DBA is more form fitting, a bit less bulky, but still just as easy to install and remains in place better than the Incipio. Both cases offer good protection, in all the same areas. Both come up over the top of the front bezel offering some protection for the top side as well. The DBA seems to cut into the top bezel a bit less than the Incipio. There is much discussion of some cases interfering with the fit of screen protectors on the S3, so the DBA may have an advantage here depending our your particular screen protector. The Spigen-SGP Neo Hybrid was returned as it was unusable. With this case the volume-up button was always actuated no matter how you tried to fit the case to the phone; a complete failure.
The reason I originally looked for a different case is because I was forever accidentally hitting the volume buttons with the Incipio. The Incipio has silicon coverings over the volume and power buttons. It makes them easy to actuate, which is good, but also has the side effect of making them too easy to press accidentally. This is exasperated because I'm left handed so hold the phone in my right hand. This is more a design compromise with the phone itself, but lefties are always learning to make the best of different design consequences. In contrast, the DBA has openings in the TPU piece around those same buttons so the actual buttons are recessed vs. sitting above the rest of the case with the Incipio. I still accidentally hit the volume buttons, but much less frequently.
All the openings in the TPU part line up nicely with the features on the phone. The size of the openings for micro-USB and the headphones connectors fit the cables I own, however the over-molding on one USB cable from Monoprice just fits by a hair. The PC part also fits over the TPU part well. In use, the TPU part gives a secure grip on the phone. So far, the PC part (white color) has stayed clean whereas the Incipio PC (also white) seemed to pick up some black discoloration in spots which wouldn't come off (only time will tell how the DBA does in this regard). Overall, this is the best case I've used for the S3.
larry62 said:
I just posted a review for this case on Amazon. I also really like this case. Here is a copy of the review...
This review covers both part of the DBA Ultra case: the Ultra TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) & the outer Ultra PC (Polycarbonate) shell. Both parts are needed to build-up a proper case. This review has been copied to the entries which make-up both parts of the case.
It might be a little confusing that you have to order two separate parts to build-up a case, but the big advantage is you can choose the colors for each part and get just the look you desire. You can also order additional individual parts and change the look without buying a whole new case. Well worth it in my opinion.
This is my third case for the S3 having first used the Spigen-SGP Neo Hybrid and then the Incipio Silicrylic Hard Shell Case which is also two parts, but with only pre-configured colors. The Incipio uses a silicon/PC combo whereas the DBA is TPU/PC. The DBA is more form fitting, a bit less bulky, but still just as easy to install and remains in place better than the Incipio. Both cases offer good protection, in all the same areas. Both come up over the top of the front bezel offering some protection for the top side as well. The DBA seems to cut into the top bezel a bit less than the Incipio. There is much discussion of some cases interfering with the fit of screen protectors on the S3, so the DBA may have an advantage here depending our your particular screen protector. The Spigen-SGP Neo Hybrid was returned as it was unusable. With this case the volume-up button was always actuated no matter how you tried to fit the case to the phone; a complete failure.
The reason I originally looked for a different case is because I was forever accidentally hitting the volume buttons with the Incipio. The Incipio has silicon coverings over the volume and power buttons. It makes them easy to actuate, which is good, but also has the side effect of making them too easy to press accidentally. This is exasperated because I'm left handed so hold the phone in my right hand. This is more a design compromise with the phone itself, but lefties are always learning to make the best of different design consequences. In contrast, the DBA has openings in the TPU piece around those same buttons so the actual buttons are recessed vs. sitting above the rest of the case with the Incipio. I still accidentally hit the volume buttons, but much less frequently.
All the openings in the TPU part line up nicely with the features on the phone. The size of the openings for micro-USB and the headphones connectors fit the cables I own, however the over-molding on one USB cable from Monoprice just fits by a hair. The PC part also fits over the TPU part well. In use, the TPU part gives a secure grip on the phone. So far, the PC part (white color) has stayed clean whereas the Incipio PC (also white) seemed to pick up some black discoloration in spots which wouldn't come off (only time will tell how the DBA does in this regard). Overall, this is the best case I've used for the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your review. Can you comment regarding how protective and how durable the ultra is likely to be? Also, how much room does it leave for a screen protector?
RebDovid said:
Thank you for your review. Can you comment regarding how protective and how durable the ultra is likely to be? Also, how much room does it leave for a screen protector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tough to answer the question about how protective it will be. I think it's in the same general class as the Incipio. It tries to provide good protection against some types of falls, but isn't pretending to be bulletproof. You very much feel like your holding and using your phone rather than a phone embedded in another sub-system one step removed from the phone itself. Don't have the resources to drop my phone in various situations or drag it behind a car like you see in some on-line reviews, so all this is based on a "sense" of how it will perform. Obviously, if the phone falls and the screen hits a rock face-on it won't help.
My current screen protector (junky one Verizon sells) doesn't come close to the bezel edge. I'd say the TPU part of the case wraps around the top enough to stay put, but not any more than that. A bit less top wrap-over than the Incipio, so should work better for some of those fuller size protectors. Probably a tiny bit less top protection (refief off the bezel) than the Incipio, but it still protects from placing the phone screen down on a table. I like the design compromises DBA has done. My only wish is that the power button opening was rounded out a tiny amount to make it easier for a lefty to press it with their thumb. Tooling is expensive, so I wouldn't expect to see this change.
larry62 said:
Tough to answer the question about how protective it will be. I think it's in the same general class as the Incipio. It tries to provide good protection against some types of falls, but isn't pretending to be bulletproof. You very much feel like your holding and using your phone rather than a phone embedded in another sub-system one step removed from the phone itself. Don't have the resources to drop my phone in various situations or drag it behind a car like you see in some on-line reviews, so all this is based on a "sense" of how it will perform. Obviously, if the phone falls and the screen hits a rock face-on it won't help.
My current screen protector (junky one Verizon sells) doesn't come close to the bezel edge. I'd say the TPU part of the case wraps around the top enough to stay put, but not any more than that. A bit less top wrap-over than the Incipio, so should work better for some of those fuller size protectors. Probably a tiny bit less top protection (refief off the bezel) than the Incipio, but it still protects from placing the phone screen down on a table. I like the design compromises DBA has done. My only wish is that the power button opening was rounded out a tiny amount to make it easier for a lefty to press it with their thumb. Tooling is expensive, so I wouldn't expect to see this change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guy got it going on, he is correct it does feel this case is apart of the phone
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Excellent reviews and information here, this is the kind of stuff people need to allow them to make a decision. I might just go trying out one of these Ultra's myself.
If anyone orders the white Polycarbonate outer case from DBA, please let me know how the finish is and if it gets dirty or not. I cannot for the life of my understand why all these companys make white cases that turn brown with fingerprints and crap....they oughta just fork out the money for a nice clearcoat like the white SGS3 has that prevents it from getting dirty. I'd really like a snow white on white Ultra if it can retain its color.
Tellymon said:
Excellent reviews and information here, this is the kind of stuff people need to allow them to make a decision. I might just go trying out one of these Ultra's myself.
If anyone orders the white Polycarbonate outer case from DBA, please let me know how the finish is and if it gets dirty or not. I cannot for the life of my understand why all these companys make white cases that turn brown with fingerprints and crap....they oughta just fork out the money for a nice clearcoat like the white SGS3 has that prevents it from getting dirty. I'd really like a snow white on white Ultra if it can retain its color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you with the blue finish used, it doesn't scratch very easily
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Tellymon said:
Excellent reviews and information here, this is the kind of stuff people need to allow them to make a decision. I might just go trying out one of these Ultra's myself.
If anyone orders the white Polycarbonate outer case from DBA, please let me know how the finish is and if it gets dirty or not. I cannot for the life of my understand why all these companys make white cases that turn brown with fingerprints and crap....they oughta just fork out the money for a nice clearcoat like the white SGS3 has that prevents it from getting dirty. I'd really like a snow white on white Ultra if it can retain its color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the snow white PC. Have had it about a week now, and so far it isn't getting dirty. Within minutes my previous Incipio seemed to attract black grime out of thin air which couldn't be removed. Tried regular cleaners and even electronic grade alcohol (almost 100% pure) and it wouldn't clean. To be honest, we'll need several weeks or longer to really tell how the DBA holds up. Hasn't been long enough yet.
$20 is cheap. Have you dropped it yet? Does the case stay together?
stretched said:
$20 is cheap. Have you dropped it yet? Does the case stay together?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actaully did drop it, from a far height and sustained the drop very well and it's very durable due to the 2 part construction of tpu and polycarbonate
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
DBA is sending me 4 of the ultra case line in a variety of colors I will update when they arrive. I will have a full review of the thin grip cases as well.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
Sweepstakes
I just found this thread - I'll try to answer as many questions as possible.
But we do have a sweepstakes going for a screen protector of your choice here - https://www.facebook.com/DbaCases/app_112053162216760
Scott
CEO
DBA Cases
---------- Post added at 02:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 AM ----------
Thanks for the review. If you can put it in a format that isn't a message posting I'll post it under reviews on the website - it's well done. You can email it to me at [email protected] if you want.
Everyone wants the know how protective it is compared to the Otterbox and that's a very hard question. Otterbox makes a good case, but they use a cheap polycarbonate that usually falls apart over time (not my words, but I know a ton of people who have them and they always break).
The quality of materials used is extremely important. We had to special order the polycarbonate mix because no one uses what we wanted. Most polycarbonate (I'll use PC from here on) is either not real PC or cheap PC. I wanted something that could take a fall without shattering. If you try to bend another company's PC it will break. Ours will bend not break. That means like the bumper of a car it will absorb more impact.
No one in their right mind is going to take our case and bend it - but I can.
I could have bent it more, and in fact I've bent the corners without breaking it either. Our Thin Grip is made the same way.
The TPU was actually the hardest part because no one has put TPU under PC before. They all use silicone. It took a few months to get the exacting dimensions so when you put the PC in it looks like one case. We put a ridge around the edge of the TPU so the PC SNAPS in. That means on a fall it should stay on.
Most of your protective cases are silicone and PC. I really didn't understand why they didn't use TPU (other than the cost) until we tried it. Since TPU is so much harder than silicone the PC has to fit perfectly or it won't go on. Silicone will give enough so the PC stays on (most of the time). On the TPU we ended up making the parts you can see shiny and the parts you cannot matte. We had to do that to get it to work. Actually the release of all of our cases was delayed because of the Ultra. The TPU was the hardest part.
So when you ask what kind of drop can it take the first thing you need to ask yourself is what kind of drop can a quality TPU case alone take? Generally the answer is a pretty good drop. But TPU alone is not the most protective and most of the time ugly. Once you add PC which is the most protection you can put on a case I consider it a maximum protection case. However I have not tested it by dropping all kinds of different cases. I've dropped it many times using my dummy SIII's and the PC has never come off and the case doesn't get damaged.
No one likes a massive case covering their $750 phone so we made it slim enough that the actual buttons can be pressed. It weighs one ounce.
Then we made it so you can buy 35 combinations of colors. You can go to my site or Amazon and purchase a PC part or a TPU part for half the cost. That means you can change the look of the phone cheaply and many times.
The PC doesn't scratch easily. When I try my fingernails on it, it either doesnt scratch or I see a scratch I can wipe clear with my thumb. We have three layers of coating on it.
Everyone demands white - so we give white. I haven't had complaints that it gets dirty but I do have one person who stained it in a new brown leather bag. There is nothing I can do about that kind of thing but I've been trying to help them get the stain out. (factory said use white oil).
I hope that answers most of the questions. Our goal was to make affordable high end cases. I prefer light minimal cases so that's what we made (the Thin Grip is amazing).
Scott Weiner
CEO
DBA Cases, Inc.
Oh by the way look for us in the issue of Entrepreneur Magazine Startups coming out this weekend.
T3hBraveBoss said:
Just received my DBA Complete Ultra and I am extremely satisfied with the new case start up
I really enjoy the design choice of of the Ultra, very thin and nice to hold into my hand.
A substantial difference from the current otterbox commuter, with how thin the DBA case is and a refresh of design
Quote from DBA cases
"The Ultra is made of two pieces: 1) An advanced polycarbonate mix that allows better shock absorption and better durability and 2) TPU which surrounds the case making sure that if it’s dropped, the case will protect your phone from damage."
Feels very well constructed, will be able to sustain some damage and last over time (not sure if able to sustain damage like the commuter; either exceeding or just on par)
When the case is on, I barely notice it is actaully on, because of the great build quality that this case has for taken
The only downside I see to this case, is the lack of the table grip it forstands; it can slide very easily on the table
Also the lip is not as tall compared the otterbox which is a big downside for me (but not a dealbreaker) as it will not protect as well for screen drops
Overall I am very happy about the DBA ultra and plan to use it as my primary case
and recommend to become an early adopter of this company, as you will not be let down
In order to receive an %20 discount from purchasing from DBA cases use the word Olympics when ordering
This case retails at $24.99 and comes in a big variety of colours that you are also able to mix and match with DBA Cases
Other Links
Facebook
Don't forget to add a thanks if you enjoyedmy review !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 03:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:43 AM ----------
PC over TPU - 2 parts.
The reason you can't find anyone who can make that color is because we can't make that color. I tried. Calling it Pebble Blue is really stretching what blue really is. I'd call it gray with a little blue in it. Ultimately if we could have made it the same color it would have looked bad. Because the back of your phone is a different color blue than the front.
Now that they are coming out with a bunch of new colors I'm glad I have all of the variations.
But I do have three dummy white phones and one dummy blue phone. The blue is an official Verizon dummy S III. Here are some pictures.
UChoudhari said:
Two questions.
1. Is it a two part TPU/Hard part case? Because in the pictures it only looks like a hard case.
2. Does the Slate Blue case match the Pebble Blue of the phone? Because I have not yet found a case that matches the Pebble Blue GSIII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 03:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:03 AM ----------
RebDovid said:
Thank you for your review. Are you saying that the ultra is about as protective as the commuter? Also, I didn't understand whether you're saying the ultra or the commuter may be more durable.
Finally, do you think that the DBA screen protector, when combined with the ultra, gives adequate coverage and protection? Or, should one wait for a larger DBA screen protector?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the Just Like Glass screen protector which increases the break resistance of the glass by 35% you're getting closer to complete coverage.
The one we made just covers the display because it's almost impossible to do the full display on curved glass with no peel.
But the guys on another thread convinced me to try full coverage so I have five samples coming next week that I'll ship out to people to test. If they are good we'll offer both.
No need to send me a PM saying you'll test it - I've already had 30
---------- Post added at 03:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:10 AM ----------
We need more reviews on Amazon and DBA Cases. So please if you like our product please review it! Especially on Amazon where they don't even show your cases without alot of good reviews!
Here is everything on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&isAmazonFulfilled=1&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&isCBA=&asin=&seller=A2SDKPQEBTWOZW
Here is a link to our new site (still under a little construction for the look but everything else works). Reviews were broken until someone told me - now they should work.
http://www.dbacases.com/
Thanks!

ZooGue Review - full yet Slim Case for S3 (new pics Jan30)

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ZooGue S3 Case Review
Introduction
I have owned this case for several months, and have only sparingly used it. But recently, I have fallen in love with a few of it's very specific attributes and I cannot ignore the ZooGue any longer. Being passionate about my smart phone accessories, and being a real stickler for good design and maximum efficiency, this cheap (if not free) case really won me over. Therefor you may find this review slightly biased.
Dimensions
13.8mm Length 5.5 inches
7.4mm Width 2+15/16 inches
11mm Thick 7/16 inch
Weight
Not sure...very light though. Probably as light as it gets for this type of full case.
(Following 3 photos slightly enhanced to show closer to true colour which is BLACK or CHARCOAL GRAY, the darkest of the set in the photo above.)
ZooGue vs the competition
I recently bought a UAG case (the Blue one, AERO) and I think the workmanship is outstanding, to the eye of the beholder...it's beautiful looking, and it really has a super solid precision fit which will surely offer edge to edge protection. (not direct face plants on jagged rocks) BUT....I am contemplating staying with the ridiculously cheaper Zoogue (not really in the same class) for a number of reasons. It's a give and take, but I am trying to pick my battles so to speak, and decide what is at the TOP of my LIST for a case to protect my beloved S3.
My top 3 wants: in a case
1] SLIM: as possible while offering good fall protection.
Some cases fall off the phone when they drop but I don't think this one will. Some, like UAG/Outerbox etc., offer shock protection at the expense of moderate to high bulk. Also, very important to me, is one handed operation.
2] GRIP: easy to hold non slippery yet easy to pull out of pocket.
It seems that so many cases are either slippery or sticky, both of which can increase the rate of dropping your S3!
3] Esthetics: I prefer it to compliment the style quality of the S3 itself or actually improve upon it.
The Zoogue Advantages
- Price: got it for free + shipping = $7cad (I've seen 99cents advertised too) But that's not why I bought it. I bought it because I had an inkling that it was good simple case design.
- Slim: as thin as should be for the protection offered. As low pro as it gets really.
- GRIP: ***ribbed edges*** this is one of the best feeling side grips ever. So simple. Rear side is neither sticky nor slippery. In stiffness, the material feels like somewhere between a rigid soft plastic and stiffer than TPU. It hugs like much firmer than any silicon case I've seen, but still flexible if you pull on the edges with your finger. It's a strange composition.
- Contouring: curved edges, forming to the curves of the S3 and allowing maximum secured one handed reach. Also there is a low profile semi rigid lip that hugs around to the front edges of the display, allowing you to place the S3 face down without damaging the screen. (that obviously also keeps the S3 from popping out)
- Menu Button: the lip of the case near the menu button is slightly beveled out to allow your finger more room. Subtle Genius!!
- Colour: many to choose from. I have the Black one on a BLUE S3.
- Logo: decent logo on the back in beveled gloss black (not cheesy looking)
- Buttons: Stiffer covered power and volume buttons which I prefer. I mostly power my S3 on with the MENU button and power off with a gesture. Still, they are not stuck or broken...just more rigid.
- Docks: uniform edge dimension ensures one handed sliding compatibility with charging docks like CraigsDocks. Also, this case should fit most desk docks that are designed to hold S3 with slim cases.
- Lint and Finger Prints: so far not bad at all. Hardly any lint whatsoever...and definitely no finger prints. I wonder if the Zoogue will get a bit less powdery feeling over time. (my TV remote was like that and went smoother, nicer over time)
UPDATE: that powdery almost SANDY feeling is starting to dissipate nicely just a few days later.
- Weight: not much at all.
- Fire Proof: really? no. Just seeing if you are paying attention.
If I could snap my fingers
...and make the Zoogue better for my liking, I would:
- Sticky Back: add a pattern to the back of the case to allow more grip when laying flat on a table. It's not bad, but perhaps a strategic smoothened out strip or logo would help there. (the UAG has feet for this) I plan on testing it with a strip of Egrips that I ordered from the internet. Stay tuned.
- Colour: it's a matte black, and the deepness of the black is not near as rich as my Nillken slim minimalistic case.
- Holes: the cutouts for all the holes are not bad, but definitely not nearly as precise as the UAG. There are workarounds for this if need be.
- Shield: I don't use a screen protector, but from what I hear, it may be a hit or miss whether it will work in harmony with this case. Customizing the shield usually works too.
Dream Case
I would love to see a case like this that was part of a hybrid design.
So lets say I was going fishing, I would slip on an outer hard shell shell specifically made for this slim softer shell case and have perhaps water resistant properties.
Conclusion
It's a cheapo Charlie case guys. Nothing fancy. But sometimes that's what hits the mark better than complicated designs. There are many simple cases out there that probably share similar dimensions and thickness etc., but many are shiny lint, dirt and finger print magnets. The simplistic yet strategic design of the Zoogue may just satisfy my need for a non bulky, light weight, protective, easy to hold and use, decent looking case for my S3. My reasons for liking it may be different than your reasons for liking a case.
All in all, I give this would be 5/10 case...a more deserving 8.5/10. It works for me. So now the moment of truth. Will I be able to keep this case on for 30days without feeling the need to go back to my UAG? Stay tuned...
UPDATE Feb 4 2013:
I ordered another one tonight. The website says $9.99 but I inserted a free shipping coupon and a 20% off coupon and it was $7.99cad total. That's only about a dollar more than I paid for the first one months ago. I couldn't resist. Here is the coupon page. (I used a hot solder iron to melt a bigger headphone jack area since I have several headphones that have fat plugs. I wanna try to do a better job with the next case. Also, I ever so slightly increased the mic holes. I also want to try to put a dab of nail polish or paint on the buttons for feel. (the braille effect) And Lastly, when my Egrips come in, I am going to try putting a thin strip on the back.
themadproducer said:
ZooGue S3 Case Review
Introduction
I have owned this case for several months, and have only sparingly used it. But recently, I have fallen in love with a few of it's very specific attributes and I cannot ignore the ZooGue any longer. Being passionate about my smart phone accessories, and being a real stickler for good design and maximum efficiency, this cheap (if not free) case really one me over. Therefor you may find this review slightly biased.
(pictures in action...to come soon)
ZooGue vs the competition
I recently bought a UAG case (the Blue one, AERO) and I think the workmanship is outstanding, to the eye of the beholder...it's beautiful looking, and it really has a super solid precision fit which will surely offer edge to edge protection. (not direct face plants on jagged rocks) BUT....I am contemplating staying with the ridiculously cheaper Zoogue (not really in the same class) for a number of reasons. It's a give and take, but I am trying to pick my battles so to speak, and decide what is at the TOP of my LIST for a case to protect my beloved S3.
My top 3 wants: in a case
1] SLIM: as possible while offering good fall protection.
Some cases fall off the phone when they drop but I don't think this one will. Some, like UAG/Outerbox etc., offer shock protection at the expense of moderate to high bulk. Also, very important to me, is one handed operation.
2] GRIP: easy to hold non slippery yet easy to pull out of pocket.
It seems that so many cases are either slippery or sticky, both of which can increase the rate of dropping your S3!
3] Esthetics: I prefer it to compliment the style quality of the S3 itself or actually improve upon it.
The Zoogue Advantages
- Price: got it for free + shipping = $7cad (I've seen 99cents advertised too) But that's not why I bought it. I bought it because I had an inkling that it was good simple case design.
- Slim: as thin as should be for the protection offered. As low pro as it gets really.
- GRIP: ***ribbed edges*** this is one of the best feeling side grips ever. So simple. Rear side is neither sticky nor slippery. In stiffness, the material feels like somewhere between a rigid soft plastic and stiffer than TPU. It hugs like much firmer than any silicon case I've seen, but still flexible if you pull on the edges with your finger. It's a strange composition.
- Contouring: curved edges, forming to the curves of the S3 and allowing maximum secured one handed reach. Also there is a low profile semi rigid lip that hugs around to the front edges of the display, allowing you to place the S3 face down without damaging the screen. (that obviously also keeps the S3 from popping out)
- Menu Button: the lip of the case near the menu button is slightly beveled out to allow your finger more room. Subtle Genius!!
- Colour: many to choose from. I have the Black one on a BLUE S3.
- Logo: decent logo on the back in beveled gloss black (not cheesy looking)
- Buttons: Stiffer covered power and volume buttons which I prefer. I mostly power my S3 on with the MENU button and power off with a gesture. Still, they are not stuck or broken...just more rigid.
- Docks: uniform edge dimension ensures one handed sliding compatability with charging docks like CraigsDocks. Also, this case should fit most desk docks that are designed to hold S3 with slim cases.
- Lint and Finger Prints: so far not bad at all. Hardly any lint whatsoever...and definitely no finger prints. I wonder if the Zoogue will get a bit less powdery feeling over time. (my TV remote was like that and went smoother, nicer over time)
- Weight: not much at all.
- Fire Proof: really? no. Just seeing if you are paying attention.
If I could snap my fingers
...and make the Zoogue better for my liking, I would:
- Sticky Back: add a pattern to the back of the case to allow more grip when laying flat on a table. It's not bad, but perhaps a strategic smoothened out strip or logo would help there. (the UAG has feet for this) I plan on testing it with a strip of Egrips that I ordered from the internet. Stay tuned.
- Colour: it's a matte black, and the deepness of the black is not near as rich as my Nillken slim minimalistic case.
- Holes: the cutouts for all the holes are not bad, but definitely not nearly as precise as the UAG. There are workarounds for this if need be.
- Shield: I don't use a screen protector, but from what I hear, it may be a hit or miss whether it will work in harmony with this case. Customizing the shield usually works too.
Dream Case
I would love to see a case like this that was part of a hybrid design.
So lets say I was going fishing, I would slip on an outer hard shell shell specifically made for this slim softer shell case and have perhaps water resistant properties.
Conclusion
It's a cheapo Charlie case guys. Nothing fancy. But sometimes that's what hits the mark better than complicated designs. There are many simple cases out there that probably share similar dimensions and thickness etc., but many are shiny lint, dirt and finger print magnets. The simplistic yet strategic design of the Zoogue may just satisfy my need for a non bulky, light weight, protective, easy to hold and use, decent looking case for my S3. My reasons for liking it may be different than your reasons for liking a case.
All in all, I give this would be 5/10 case...a more deserving 8.5/10. It works for me. So now the moment of truth. Will I be able to keep this case on for 30days without feeling the need to go back to my UAG? Stay tuned...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where are these available sir?
I have 3 different cases. The Acase Superleggra, a cheap hard shell with kickstand and 2 of these ZooGue cases. The ZooGue is by far my favourite case. I also got them cheap (2 for $9 delivered) which makes it even better. I bought one black and one grey although I wish they had a dark blue one to match my blue S3. The material and grooved edges are perfect for grippiness and sliding in and out of my pocket which is usually a problem with other cases.
Overall it's awesome and I'd recommend them to anyone who prefer a slim case over a max protection type of case.
http://www.zoogue.com/galaxy-siii-social-case/
Awesome review! I'm reeeally considering getting one (or more) of these cases... anybody have pics on a Pebble Blue phone?
grillheadxl said:
Awesome review! I'm reeeally considering getting one (or more) of these cases... anybody have pics on a Pebble Blue phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will post some day light taken pics later tomorrow with my Pebble Blue S3 and the Black Zoogue.
Re: ZooGue Review - full yet Slim Case for S3
Ive been rocking black zoogue on my white s3. Im in love with this case. Was a huge fan of uag myself but after this i cant stand ths slick back of the uag cases. This zoogue is by far the best tpu case out there. Hands down. Ive had quite a few cases now, rearth ringke, seidio surface, seidio active, uag, ballistics, otterbox, you name it.. I wont use the others anymore for numerous reasons on each. I rock this along with the seidio holster. Perfect combination for me. Here are some pics with the holster in action. As you can see my ports line up perfectly. The only thing i disliked was that it doesnt play friendly with my full screen protector. Had to remove it and install a dry application one. But i can live with it no biggie.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
I re-uploaded the Pebble Blue + Zoogue case photos.
Bump for the best tpu case
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
Ordered one in gray. Can't wait to get it!
grillheadxl said:
Ordered one in gray. Can't wait to get it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice! Post pics if u can when u get it. Want to see the gray actual color.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
1slow4G said:
Nice! Post pics if u can when u get it. Want to see the gray actual color.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a pic of the grey on a Pebble Blue S3. Pic was taken in a bright sun-filled room. In regular light, the grey cover is a bit darker than it appears in the pic. In my opinion, the grey has a slight tinge of blue in it, so it complements the Pebble Blue very well (but will also look nice on a white handset as well).
I ordered another one tonight. The website says $9.99 but I inserted a free shipping coupon and a 20% off coupon and it was $7.99cad total. That's only about a dollar more than I paid for the first one months ago. I couldn't resist. Here is the coupon page.
JSCinSK said:
Here's a pic of the grey on a Pebble Blue S3. Pic was taken in a bright sun-filled room. In regular light, the grey cover is a bit darker than it appears in the pic. In my opinion, the grey has a slight tinge of blue in it, so it complements the Pebble Blue very well (but will also look nice on a white handset as well).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thinking about ordering the grey one. I have the white s3 not sure how well it would look.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
1slow4G said:
Thinking about ordering the grey one. I have the white s3 not sure how well it would look.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should note that the grey cover is definitely NOT as light as it appears in the OP's first post. If you wind up ordering it, expect to see a darker shade of grey.
How tight is the case. Cause I have a ghost amror screen protector will it cause that to come up?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
JSCinSK said:
You should note that the grey cover is definitely NOT as light as it appears in the OP's first post. If you wind up ordering it, expect to see a darker shade of grey.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah all the colors are different in person. I have the red and its more of a light red and pinkish lol. Not using it for that reason
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
1slow4G said:
Yeah all the colors are different in person. I have the red and its more of a light red and pinkish lol. Not using it for that reason
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I always tend to stick with black. Boring, but predictable.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
1slow4G said:
... I rock this along with the seidio holster. Perfect combination for me. Here are some pics with the holster in action. As you can see my ports line up perfectly. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what exact Seidio holster you have? I ordered one from Amazon, based on your reply. However, when it came it seems too small and that I got the wrong one.
Thanks in advance.
ticojpunk said:
That's why I always tend to stick with black. Boring, but predictable.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep same here
haxx said:
Do you know what exact Seidio holster you have? I ordered one from Amazon, based on your reply. However, when it came it seems too small and that I got the wrong one.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the seidio surface holster. U might of ordered the holster that requires no casr, just the s3 naked.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 using neighbors wifi
themadproducer said:
ZooGue S3 Case Review
Introduction
I have owned this case for several months, and have only sparingly used it. But recently, I have fallen in love with a few of it's very specific attributes and I cannot ignore the ZooGue any longer. Being passionate about my smart phone accessories, and being a real stickler for good design and maximum efficiency, this cheap (if not free) case really won me over. Therefor you may find this review slightly biased.
Dimensions
13.8mm Length 5.5 inches
7.4mm Width 2+15/16 inches
11mm Thick 7/16 inch
(Following 3 photos slightly enhanced to show closer to true colour.)
ZooGue vs the competition
I recently bought a UAG case (the Blue one, AERO) and I think the workmanship is outstanding, to the eye of the beholder...it's beautiful looking, and it really has a super solid precision fit which will surely offer edge to edge protection. (not direct face plants on jagged rocks) BUT....I am contemplating staying with the ridiculously cheaper Zoogue (not really in the same class) for a number of reasons. It's a give and take, but I am trying to pick my battles so to speak, and decide what is at the TOP of my LIST for a case to protect my beloved S3.
My top 3 wants: in a case
1] SLIM: as possible while offering good fall protection.
Some cases fall off the phone when they drop but I don't think this one will. Some, like UAG/Outerbox etc., offer shock protection at the expense of moderate to high bulk. Also, very important to me, is one handed operation.
2] GRIP: easy to hold non slippery yet easy to pull out of pocket.
It seems that so many cases are either slippery or sticky, both of which can increase the rate of dropping your S3!
3] Esthetics: I prefer it to compliment the style quality of the S3 itself or actually improve upon it.
The Zoogue Advantages
- Price: got it for free + shipping = $7cad (I've seen 99cents advertised too) But that's not why I bought it. I bought it because I had an inkling that it was good simple case design.
- Slim: as thin as should be for the protection offered. As low pro as it gets really.
- GRIP: ***ribbed edges*** this is one of the best feeling side grips ever. So simple. Rear side is neither sticky nor slippery. In stiffness, the material feels like somewhere between a rigid soft plastic and stiffer than TPU. It hugs like much firmer than any silicon case I've seen, but still flexible if you pull on the edges with your finger. It's a strange composition.
- Contouring: curved edges, forming to the curves of the S3 and allowing maximum secured one handed reach. Also there is a low profile semi rigid lip that hugs around to the front edges of the display, allowing you to place the S3 face down without damaging the screen. (that obviously also keeps the S3 from popping out)
- Menu Button: the lip of the case near the menu button is slightly beveled out to allow your finger more room. Subtle Genius!!
- Colour: many to choose from. I have the Black one on a BLUE S3.
- Logo: decent logo on the back in beveled gloss black (not cheesy looking)
- Buttons: Stiffer covered power and volume buttons which I prefer. I mostly power my S3 on with the MENU button and power off with a gesture. Still, they are not stuck or broken...just more rigid.
- Docks: uniform edge dimension ensures one handed sliding compatibility with charging docks like CraigsDocks. Also, this case should fit most desk docks that are designed to hold S3 with slim cases.
- Lint and Finger Prints: so far not bad at all. Hardly any lint whatsoever...and definitely no finger prints. I wonder if the Zoogue will get a bit less powdery feeling over time. (my TV remote was like that and went smoother, nicer over time)
UPDATE: that powdery almost SANDY feeling is starting to dissipate nicely just a few days later.
- Weight: not much at all.
- Fire Proof: really? no. Just seeing if you are paying attention.
If I could snap my fingers
...and make the Zoogue better for my liking, I would:
- Sticky Back: add a pattern to the back of the case to allow more grip when laying flat on a table. It's not bad, but perhaps a strategic smoothened out strip or logo would help there. (the UAG has feet for this) I plan on testing it with a strip of Egrips that I ordered from the internet. Stay tuned.
- Colour: it's a matte black, and the deepness of the black is not near as rich as my Nillken slim minimalistic case.
- Holes: the cutouts for all the holes are not bad, but definitely not nearly as precise as the UAG. There are workarounds for this if need be.
- Shield: I don't use a screen protector, but from what I hear, it may be a hit or miss whether it will work in harmony with this case. Customizing the shield usually works too.
Dream Case
I would love to see a case like this that was part of a hybrid design.
So lets say I was going fishing, I would slip on an outer hard shell shell specifically made for this slim softer shell case and have perhaps water resistant properties.
Conclusion
It's a cheapo Charlie case guys. Nothing fancy. But sometimes that's what hits the mark better than complicated designs. There are many simple cases out there that probably share similar dimensions and thickness etc., but many are shiny lint, dirt and finger print magnets. The simplistic yet strategic design of the Zoogue may just satisfy my need for a non bulky, light weight, protective, easy to hold and use, decent looking case for my S3. My reasons for liking it may be different than your reasons for liking a case.
All in all, I give this would be 5/10 case...a more deserving 8.5/10. It works for me. So now the moment of truth. Will I be able to keep this case on for 30days without feeling the need to go back to my UAG? Stay tuned...
UPDATE Feb 4 2013:
I ordered another one tonight. The website says $9.99 but I inserted a free shipping coupon and a 20% off coupon and it was $7.99cad total. That's only about a dollar more than I paid for the first one months ago. I couldn't resist. Here is the coupon page. (I used a hot solder iron to melt a bigger headphone jack area since I have several headphones that have fat plugs. I wanna try to do a better job with the next case. Also, I ever so slightly increased the mic holes. I also want to try to put a dab of nail polish or paint on the buttons for feel. (the braille effect) And Lastly, when my Egrips come in, I am going to try putting a thin strip on the back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yoobao Cases and extended battery review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ejLR1Z-tV-M
www.kevikev.com 10% off coupon code 10offxda or flossy

Accessory reviews for my SGSIII Sapphire Black. [SGP] [Genuine Samsung]

Hi guys. It's been a while since I have been a member of XDA developers, and I have learnt a lot of great stuff here. I acquired my S3 about 10 months ago, and as many of you, I had to buy some accessories for it as well. I scouted the internet and all of its review websites/forums to find recommendtaions for good products to match my phone, and while some of these were great, others were pure lies and just marketing bullsh*t.
Therefore I decided to review some of the stuff I bought for my phone. First let me start off properly, I have the international version of the Samsung Galaxy SIII I9300, Sapphire Black edition. This one was on a limited release at the time I bought it, and there were few to none accessories to match the colour of the phone, so I bought that I could find. Sorry in advance for the picture quality, I'm using my S3 as well as a Canon Powershot ELPH 300HS for these.
Here is a picture of things I have purchased over the last few months:
I have two genuine, but different Samsung flip cases, one SGP Spigen Modello case and one pack of SGP Spigen Ultra Nano Optics screen protectors. I I bought these, following reviews here on XDA as well as on Amazon. I will review these right now, I might review other products in the future.
1. SGP Spigen Ultra Nano Optics.
Let's start off with the screen protectors. You get two of them in a pack, as well as some tools to easily apply them. Simple stuff.
On reviews, they said these were great. What I say, these are the worse screen protectors I have ever used.
They do fit really well, but they are so thin, I could scratch them with my nails while cleaning the screen. The screen visibility is lowered due to the 'glare reduction' coat, but that does not work as well as advertised. Even the sensitivity is reduced. However, the WORST part is, whenever you swipe your finger on those, it makes an annoying noise, each time! That noise does not fade off with time, I have used those for 5 weeks, the noise was here everytime my finger touched that material. People could even hear the noise when they were close enough to me. For the price I paid for those (these are damn expensive!), I expected much better quality.
I couldn't bare that thing anymore, I bought 6 generic screen protectors from eBay for £2, works great (these are what is appearing in the top picture). I will never buy branded screen protectors again.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
2. Genuine Samsung Flip Case.
I have two of those, first the white one (Model EFC-1G6FWECSTD), which I bought last december, and a sapphire black one (Model EFC-1G6FSECSTD), which I acquired a couple of weeks ago. Why two? I'll tell you.
First, let's start off, while those are advertised as the same, they are not. The white one that I have comes in a smaller box, with a different packaging.
i. White - Model EFC-1G6FWECSTD.
Here is what the white one has in the box:
I had the white one first (the black one was not out yet at that time), and while it made my phone have a very slim profile, the material used was pretty poor. The corners peeled off, the white surface of the flip part turned yellowish with time, and worst of all, the clips to hold the case on the phone broke one day while I was trying to remove it with normal force exerted.
The Samsung Logo at the back also started peeling off while I was regularly cleaning the back surface with just a piece of cloth.
The good point about that case though was that the back plate was much more solid that the one you get with the phone. The original one is too flexible (photo proof):
Rating: 2 out of 5.
ii. Black - Model EFC-1G6FSECSTD.
The black one, on the other hand, has a bigger packaging:
t looks like a revised version of the white one.The materials used this time are better, The back plate is sturdier, and the phone fits perfectly as usual and this time, the colour matches!
There are a few differences between those two colours in the flip, the black one has kind of an additional layer, with space carved for the front speaker and the home button.
The edges are without the small coating that the white had (which peeled off after a few weeks). This design looks to be more durable.
Compared to the white case, the phone looks bigger in this one, but I would accept this trade-off for the better materials and design.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
3. SGP Spigen Modello Case (Black).
I bought that case after I stopped using the white case. Here is what is in the package.
I was very impressed with it. The material feels smooth and well crafted, the holes are perfectly aligned for all the ports, and the case fits tightly. It's very thin, and protects the phone fine.
What I really liked about this one, is that after months of using this on my phone and rubbing it everywhere, even falling on the ground a couple of times, the case still looks brand new, no scratches at all. The quality is top notch.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
If you guys want to know anything more on what I have bought, please let me know!
Are you sure the White flip is not fake ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
htcsnap93 said:
Are you sure the White flip is not fake ?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I don't think so, on the box of the white one it's written:
v7.0, 110902, manufactured 2012.05.17.
The black one has this on it:
v7.3, 120901, manufactured 2012.12.11
I'm pretty sure the black model is a revision of the white model I have.
Thank you for the review! I might give the modello case a try! Where did you buy that one? Link?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
tsukot said:
Thank you for the review! I might give the modello case a try! Where did you buy that one? Link?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I got it from Amazon, it was around £12.
EDIT: the link says unavailable now. :/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SPIGEN-SGP-Samsung-Galaxy-Modello/dp/B008L44ZOE
Vip_blast said:
The good point about that case though was that the back plate was much more solid that the one you get with the phone. The original one is too flexible (photo proof)
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Click to collapse
I'm sorry... but how exactly is flexibility a sign of being "more solid?" If by "More likely to break if you bend it", i'd agree.... but to say that what probably amounts to nothing more than putting ACTUAL cheap plastic on the back of the phone as opposed to higher quality polycarbonate plastic, i'd have to disagree.
elementaldragon said:
I'm sorry... but how exactly is flexibility a sign of being "more solid?" If by "More likely to break if you bend it", i'd agree.... but to say that what probably amounts to nothing more than putting ACTUAL cheap plastic on the back of the phone as opposed to higher quality polycarbonate plastic, i'd have to disagree.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the same polycarbonate material for both the original back plate and the flip case one. For me, the flexibilty of that back plate makes the phone feel not well built, the phone feels weak in my hand. The same phone feels much more sturdy with the one coming with the flip though, I dropped my phone with the case on, it didn't take any damage whereas my original back plate took some serious scratches. Speaking of scratches, that 'high quality polycarbonate plastic' as you said scratches really fast, (atleast for the original sapphire black one) whereas the the one with the flip case is very resistant to those. I can take close ups of that to show you.
Following your logic, if you think the flip case is made of cheap plastic, then what's the use of having 'high quality polycarbonate plastic' if normal plastic fits the phone the same way, is sturdier, and less prone to scratches, while having the exact same look?
I bought the black flip case with the main idea in mind that even if I don't like the flip part in the future, I'll cut it off and keep the back plate as it's much better than the original one.
anymore pics of the modello on the phone? back ports line up? thanks
There's the Modello in Ebay, but not in black. It's a shame, I really wanted one.
Can't see why all other colors are available but not black.

Shenit Bumper Case Review (LG Bumper Clone)

There have been a few threads linking to the Shenit TPU Bumper Case that have kinda died out because, well, it's no longer available on Amazon despite having been available long ago with a very future ship date. I ordered mine when the listing first went up on Amazon and it just arrived today! Here are my observations and judgments:
The Details
The case is made from two materials: TPU and a hard plastic. You can see the two materials in the photos on Amazon. It's done in a way that is still incredibly low-profile. The TPU covers all buttons, corners/edges, and ports (not the camera lens nor camera light, though). The hard plastic covers the back, the back corners, and some of the sides. The hard plastic is a *perfect fit* over the camera lens ring - from the back of the phone it is 100% impossible to tell the color of my phone.
Something that can be very clearly seen in the photos, and is the same with the official bumper, are the angles at which the sides have. This causes the feeling that the back edges of the phone "stick out". This seems to be a love-it or hate-it thing for most people. I'm torn about whether I like it or not - it definitely seems different than what I'm used to. That said, this was by no means a surprise for me and I expected it to be just like this. So in my Pro/Con list, this is what I'm talking about with the "back corners sticking out".
Oh, and it came with a piece of red velcro for some reason!
The Good
Overall, it's a very nice and snug fit on the phone yet it's not terribly difficult (also not terribly easy, in a good way) to get it off of the phone. With this case on the phone, I'm certainly not concerned with the phone slipping out whether pulling the phone out of a purse with something tugging on the case nor with skinny jean pockets or anything else. The feel of it is a mix of a TPU feel and a "soft" feel for hard plastic (think the feel of the back of the black version of the Nexus 5 to mean what I mean "soft" for hard plastic, not Quicksand case "soft"). Nobody will have problems with this slipping in and out of their pockets nor is it incredibly slippery either.
For protection, this provides the protection you would hope from a TPU case and not much more. As you can see in the photos, every corner and edge is covered by TPU including the four corners on both the front and back as well as the edges along both the front and back of the phone. The back of the phone, however is only covered with the hard plastic. Take a look at the photos and you can tell where the TPU ends on the insides of the case and where the hard plastic begins on the outsides of the case. This case might protect your phone from a drop and it might not - just like with all TPU cases. If you buy this and you play first-person shooter games where you can change your armor out, this case could be thought of as light armor or perhaps medium armor but no where near heavy armor.
It is definitely an attractive (and Nexus branded!) case that doesn't look like what many of the other $14 cases out there look like. As you can see from the photos, the case is molded perfectly to fit with the camera ring cutout. Speaking of the camera ring, the case is just a tad thicker on the back side than your camera ring so if you lay it down on the back, your camera ring is no longer a protrusion. This may have some implications for those of you with magnetic accessories for the camera ring but I can't really comment much on that. Ultimately, unless you look at the port cutouts or see my white speaker on the front, this case makes it impossible to tell the color of my phone - that's how perfect the molding is for the fit. The ONLY flaw I could find with the case's fit was for the microphone on the top of the phone. The microphone isn't perfectly centered in the hole but it's also not covered either.
The Bad
There are three primary problems I have with the case.
First of all, a quick browsing at the time I wrote this turned up quite unfruitful in actually identifying where you can even buy this case today! It is now listed as unavailable on all of the Amazon postings and even all of the eBay cases that look just like the OEM bumper case have seemed to vanish. I'm curious if you can even buy this case anymore as I couldn't find it anywhere now!
So here's the first knock on the case: The buttons have a mushy feel with terrible feedback on the power/volume buttons. We all know that cases tend to be Good, Meh, or Bad here and this case definitely qualifies as bad. Sorry!
And the last thing:The USB Port cutout, while appearing quite large, is unfortunately too small for a variety of USB cables. The first 3 USB cables I randomly grabbed didn't fit comfortable in the space provided although the fourth one did. So you'll have to find a cable that will fit in there if you ever need one and don't use Qi for all of your charging needs.
Pros:
Nexus Branded!
Plenty of color options and cheap (it was $14 shipped from Amazon)
Great snug fit with perfect molding to the phone
Feels like you hope it would feel from the photos
Very low profile - better than your typical TPU case (except for the back corners sticking out)
Plenty of room around the 3.5mm audio port.
Won't affect NFC, Qi, or radios
Cons:
Hard to buy (no longer on Amazon and the eBay lookalikes are no longer listed either)
Took a month to ship
Bad button tactile feedback
Many USB cables won't fit in the cutout for the USB port
I hope you enjoy!!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I just got mine today too. I got the blue one. Does it feel like pyramid shaped to you? Mine does. The back is thicker than the front. Buttons are not that bad. Better than some of the cheap tpus. I can still see some white bordering the camera in the back. Not too bad a case. But the shape is weird. Does the original case have that pyramid shape? If you hold it by the sides you cab definitely feel that the back is wider than the front (lip).
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Just added the more thorough review and several photos. Hope you guys enjoy! Feel free to ask any questions you might have!
guapinoy said:
Does it feel like pyramid shaped to you? Mine does. The back is thicker than the front. <<snip>> But the shape is weird. Does the original case have that pyramid shape? If you hold it by the sides you cab definitely feel that the back is wider than the front (lip).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I commented on this in my more thorough review. It's different than I'm used to but exactly what I expected from the photos on Amazon (and Google's OEM listings/reviews as well). I still don't know if I like it or not. Like you said, it's weird.
guapinoy said:
Buttons are not that bad. Better than some of the cheap tpus. I can still see some white bordering the camera in the back. Not too bad a case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I compared this to the worst TPU case I've ever had (and I've had some bad ones) that was rated as a 1 from 1-10, then I'd give this case a 2. You're right, there is worse. But not much worse - it's pretty bad. Maybe your blue one has slightly different buttons than mine but mine is pretty bad.
For the white around my camera on the back, I can't see any white whatsoever. At least I don't think I can even as I'm trying to look for it although I guess it's possible that the white + shadow makes it blend in with my light gray case. I don't see it, though.
Even no longer available but there are some cases like this in eBay if anyone would like to give it a try: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GOOGLE-PREM...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item3cdc425b73. But don't expect too much as this is chinese stuff. And Play Store now available for $26~ after 25% off (still got shipping fee+ tax).
Onismurai said:
Even no longer available but there are some cases like this in eBay if anyone would like to give it a try: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GOOGLE-PREM...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item3cdc425b73. But don't expect too much as this is chinese stuff. And Play Store now available for $26~ after 25% off (still got shipping fee+ tax).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks like the same case but is definitely different packaging than what I received. Thanks for the link though, I was unable to find those on eBay when I tried yesterday.
Onismurai said:
Even no longer available but there are some cases like this in eBay if anyone would like to give it a try: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GOOGLE-PREM...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item3cdc425b73. But don't expect too much as this is chinese stuff. And Play Store now available for $26~ after 25% off (still got shipping fee+ tax).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh have you seen what most people have been saying about the official bumper? It's a low quality POS for the most part. Not worth full price, and even at $26 it isn't worth it with the peeling, staining, etc. Doesn't matter if it's from the play store. The unofficial ones might even hold up better, who knows, but the standard Google set with the official bumper case isn't exactly high. Besides, there's extra colors with the unofficial ones that some people might enjoy.
Anyway, if anyone still wants these ones I did find a link for super cheap. Of course it will probably take 3 weeks to a month to get to you, which is the case for most things shipping from overseas. But $12.99 shipped should make up for it. The Nexus logo is printed in a different color than the case on some of the color choices (just scroll down on the page to see).
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/For-LG-Google-Nexus-5-bumper-case-FREE-SHIPPING-front-screen-protectors/1612944308.html
God, it can't be any worse than the official bumper. I wish we had a better selection of actual bumper cases.
I'm using the Gray bumper clone for couple days. No staining (yet) , nice soft touch. Back panel is a bit bigger than front (as mentioned in 1st post).
I also have glass protector from Nillkin on, the case doesn't seem to push the glass.
Update: Now it has some blue from my jeans. sigh..
I may certainly be wrong but I'm beginning to think these unofficial cases are the same as the official ones, same manufacturing line and everything.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

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