Official Google Nexus 5 Bumper (semi-review?) - Nexus 5 Accessories

When I ordered my official Google Nexus 5 Bumper in Red I was more than excited to have an official case I knew I wouldn't have any problems with.
Upon opening I loved it. The red bumper on my Nexus 5 looked fantastic! I was thrilled that I was going to be carrying it around now.
First:
It fits perfectly with the buttons on the sides as well as cutouts for speakers and buttons. There's no doubt about it, although the buttons may be a a little harder to push at first, due to the case's button popouts being rigid, you can quickly get used to this and it isn't a real problem. The cutout for the speakers don't seem to limit the sound at all, so that was all good. And the cutout for the charging port fits most chargers without any issue. I only had an issue with one of my cables that has a huge plastic piece around the micro USB metal piece, but it wasn't made for the Nexus 5 so it doesn't really affect my opinion of the cutout. Plus it works with wireless charging, so that's a plus. The cutout for the headphone jack fit all my headphones perfectly, even ones with the L-shaped jack, so I was happy with that as well.
Other than that, I loved the relatively slim design of the case as well as the nexus logo on the back. I can noticeably feel the case's added width when I take it off, but it isn't a huge difference like many other cases may add. So it keeps the device still relatively slim.
BUT I WAS DISAPPOINTED after I put it on and started assessing the actual fit. I thought it would be a harder material. Although it "snapped" on perfectly, the case was loose around the top and bottom.
On the top:
The case could be pushed in, to where it would make a sound from rubbing on the Nexus 5. I adjusted the case and put it on again but nothing. It almost felt like the cheaper silicon cases bought for devices that eventually warp and don't fit properly. This is extremely annoying (at least for me) because I expected the case to be a perfect fit on the top and bottom without me being able to push parts of the case and have them move, or make a rubbing sound.
On the bottom:
The same thing occurred. The small piece of rubber above the charging port (closest to screen) is very flimsy. I noticed wear from two days of use. This involved taking it out and putting it in my pocket. My pants aren't tight so it wasn't a squeeze. It came from me grabbing the case right above this small piece of rubber and pulling it out. As with the top, I can push this piece of rubber pretty easily and have it move in and out (or up and down, however you want to say it). It seems it will continue to get looser until it is warped a bit.
Overall:
I was disappointed with the case. I contacted Google and as per their return policy they offered a refund without returning or swapping the case. The top and bottom "mis"-fits really killed the excitement for the case. With the top being able to be pushed in AND making a rubbing sound, it irritated the crap out of me. And with the bottom rubber piece over the charging port being flimsy and possibly warping JUST from everyday use of the case, I can't love the case like I wanted.
Last thing:
Anyone else have this issue? Or any other issues? When I read and watched multiple reviews, none of them seemed to show all of the bad things I found with my case. So part of me thinks it may be just mine. I am considering ordering another with the refund offer but I am hesitant to spend money on another and have the same results.

I use the official bumper case for my 5 in the really dark grey/black color. I really like this case. I didn't pay full price for it so that might be why I don't mind it as much.
I do not have any loose areas anywhere on mine and fits very snug.
I seem to be in the minority here as I really like using this case. It's simple, slim, feels good, fits nicely, it's everything I need and want in a case. I'm extremely cautious with my phones and would never be caught with an otterbox or any other humongous case. For me slim and simple is the way to go.
Sorry to hear you encountered some problems with yours.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

eazyweazy3 said:
I use the official bumper case for my 5 in the really dark grey/black color. I really like this case. I didn't pay full price for it so that might be why I don't mind it as much.
I do not have any loose areas anywhere on mine and fits very snug.
I seem to be in the minority here as I really like using this case. It's simple, slim, feels good, fits nicely, it's everything I need and want in a case. I'm extremely cautious with my phones and would never be caught with an otterbox or any other humongous case. For me slim and simple is the way to go.
Sorry to hear you encountered some problems with yours.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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same here. it works perfectly with my phone too. no loose top or bottom areas here. i don't know about slim but it is handy and gives a good grip. also the charging point rubber you talked about? for me it's a bit tight fit for the charging pin but it just gives way when pushed with a bit of presssure and comes back when pin is removed. otherwise no problems for me with this case and i'm pretty satisfied.

eazyweazy3 said:
I use the official bumper case for my 5 in the really dark grey/black color. I really like this case. I didn't pay full price for it so that might be why I don't mind it as much.
I do not have any loose areas anywhere on mine and fits very snug.
I seem to be in the minority here as I really like using this case. It's simple, slim, feels good, fits nicely, it's everything I need and want in a case. I'm extremely cautious with my phones and would never be caught with an otterbox or any other humongous case. For me slim and simple is the way to go.
Sorry to hear you encountered some problems with yours.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Where did you get it ?

I saw a video about the replica bumper cases from China and decided to get a couple of them. They said the quality was identical to the ones from Google. Plus, it was only $20 for 2 cases. When I get them, I'll post here with a mini review.

wolfen69 said:
I saw a video about the replica bumper cases from China and decided to get a couple of them. They said the quality was identical to the ones from Google. Plus, it was only $20 for 2 cases. When I get them, I'll post here with a mini review.
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Are they really the same quality ? And if they are would you post a link too ?

Vanilla Pudding said:
Are they really the same quality ? And if they are would you post a link too ?
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Here's a youtube video of the replica case. Looks good to me. Btw, just search ebay for the cases.

wolfen69 said:
Here's a youtube video of the replica case. Looks good to me. Btw, just search ebay for the cases.
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Can I buy from eBay with something other than PayPal ?

Vanilla Pudding said:
Can I buy from eBay with something other than PayPal ?
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Do you want me to hold your hand? Figure it out.

I would buy this, if the peeling issue wouldn't be present.. how is your opinion?

ToZoX said:
I would buy this, if the peeling issue wouldn't be present.. how is your opinion?
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I haven't received them yet. Will let you know as soon as I get them. Shipping from China takes a while.

I got a red one about 3 weeks ago.
It started peeling (sort of) at the corners within 10 days, black material was showing up.
Upon removing the case, I discovered that it left long marks on the rubbery back of the black Nexus 5, along the ridges of the bumper.
Thats when I decided to sell it off.
Simply put, it looks awesome, fits awesome, but as a product, its bad, and not at all worth the money.
Atleast those marks are slowly dissappearing (Trust me, those arent dust or something)

Related

New Case Review - Perforated Plastic

I was tired of waiting for SGP to get their $^#& together and decided to get yet another case.
I got this Perforated Retro Sports Case from Fommy.com.
http://www.fommy.com/view-full-page.asp?divid=Samsung&model=Samsung+Vibrant+T959&skuno=89299
I'm not sure what makes it "retro", but it is a nice looking case. It's a combination of hard plastic (the perforated area) and flexible plastic sides. It's thin - not like the Samsung mesh or Case Mate Barely There - thin, but probably a touch thinner than the average TPU case.
The case covers all sides, although you can still see a bit of the bezel. However, unlike a different case I tried, the amount that peeks out is consistent all around so it still looks nice.
Now, it's not without it's quirks - which may be deal breakers for some. First there are no cutouts for the speaker or the mic. The speaker is no big deal because the case is perforated - I didn't really notice much difference in volume of some music I tried. The mic, on the other hand, required a hammer and nail to deal with. It was pretty simple, though. I just lined up the hole from another case and then hammered a small nail through. It works just fine and I tested some calls with no reports of sound loss on the receiver's end.
The other "quirk" is that the cutouts on the top and sides are a little strange. The one on the volume side is really long and spans over the rocker keys and the strap-loop-hole. It's tapered well along the edges so it doesn't look bad or anything, just a little odd. The top opening also spans across both the jack and the usb port. This makes the bar along the top feel a little less solid than the rest of the flexible areas. I would have preferred they used two separate openings on top rather than one for the extra support. It's also cut rather close to the port, so if you are using a thick plug, you have to move the plastic up a bit. A little annoying, but at least you don't have to take the case off to plug it in like with some cases.
Things may change after a week of use, but my initial impression is positive. Overall, the case is very nice and is unique compared to the other stuff that's currently available. I do, however, think it's a bit pricey at $14.95+shipping (around $5 for super saver). But hey, money grows on trees.
Just ordered mine, From the looks of it, I think i will like this case better than the perforated plastic snap on case. This one looks like it offers full phone protection. tell me if the case would protect the phone in the event of a fall or drop. Rate its protection from a fall as either minimal, moderate, or maximum protection. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks
Since it covers all sides the protection is going to be better than the snap on. But its thin and pretty stiff so impact resistance is probably minimal to moderate at best, especially compared to silicone or TPU.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
thanks for the review, but i would be worried about knowing from the get go that i would need to use a hammer and nails to get a plastic case to work.
mikey98277 said:
thanks for the review, but i would be worried about knowing from the get go that i would need to use a hammer and nails to get a plastic case to work.
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Very true. I didn't try calls before making the hole so I'm not entirely sure it's necessary (although I imagine you would get a drop in sound quality with the hole covered).
I love this case. It is slim and perfectly follows the contours of the phone. The only thing that i didnt like was the hole missing over the microphone. But the texture and quality of the case is top notch. I have the mesh galaxy s back cover, the tpu grey argyle case, the body glove rubber case, the case mate tough case, and the carbon fiber samsung case. This one is the best of them all, I am very happy with this case
whoa, that looks like it'd be pretty ****in sweet if they made them 2 tone..
turbosix said:
whoa, that looks like it'd be pretty ****in sweet if they made them 2 tone..
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Blue-XMat...268389?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5d2b1cd525
Like this?
talltexan said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Blue-XMat...268389?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5d2b1cd525
Like this?
http://s3.amazonaws.com/daydeal_com/t959_xmartrix_blublk1.jpg[/IG][/QUOTE]
i love you more than you could ever know. :eek:
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turbosix said:
i love you more than you could ever know.
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they also have pink and white if your into that just search Xmatrix Vibrant case. They are cheaper than OP's so i dont know if they are the same or not but they do look the same.
I ordered this case on Tuesday and it came today. I am very impressed and the quality is much better then I expected.
Did the one you got off Ebay come with the hole for the mic already cut? Looks in their photos like it's there already.
No i ordered it from fommy and I forgot about the missing mic hole lol.
dashed said:
No i ordered it from fommy and I forgot about the missing mic hole lol.
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Click to collapse
I ordered the blue and black one from fommy on thursday and received it today. Mine has the mic hole already cut out. In my opinion it feels just a little bit loose and kinda cheep. I like the way it looks and is very slim so I'm gonna give it some time to see if it grows on me or if i want something else
The black case I received fits extremely well and is not loose at all.
Great Deal on this Case
I'm getting one from Handhelditems.com found here xmatrix case and it's 10.99 and $2.89 shipping, plus I used coupon code 30vibrantsamsung and got 3.30 (30%) off. Price out the door - $10.54. Helluvuh deal
Got the case today. It sucks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Nex Fishbone Case Thoughts/Pics

Just thought I'd share some thoughts and pictures of a new case I got (I am a bit of a case junkie... usually end up with 10-15 cases per phone). Typically I either wouldn't be the first to post about a case (so I don't bother) or I don't feel strongly enough to share. I didn't see anything about this case, though... so here goes.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073YAAVK/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
Various colors are available.
Notes: My device is the Verizon/LTE variant. This is a 2 piece case (black silicone base and red fishbone part).
Looks: I really think the case looks great, the pictures below won't do the colors justice but the black is a very nice matte black and the red is a very cool shade. The design is appealing, of course, or I wouldn't have purchased it... heh.
Fit: The fit is nearly perfect (might actually be perfect, this is the first time I'm ordering this style of case). One of the... ribs has a teeny tiny slight gap between it and the black base. It is not highly noticeable and I couldn't capture it well in a picture... but it's there.
I don't know if this is related to my phone being the VZW version.​I don't know if this gap will go away as the case "settles in" since it is pressed down easily and doesn't feel too tight.​I don't know if the case will fit with the extended battery, but since I have the extended battery at home I will test it out and report back.​
Feel: I really like the feel of the red part on my hand when I'm holding it. It's not any extra grip or anything, but it is comfortable. The side grippyness is sufficient to not be slipping out of your hand, but it's not as grippy as many other cases that have a more textured design.
Function: The lip is sufficient to protect the screen when face down. The only thing I don't really like about the case is that the button parts aren't super noticeable by touch. Don't get me wrong, they work perfectly and you can feel them just fine when you are trying to, but when I am not paying attention I find myself not being certain where they are for a moment or two. I will probably get used to this, though.
Hope that gives everyone the info they're interested in... if you have questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks for the write up and pics. That case looks awesome. Curious if it would fit with the extended battery. Hope to hear back from you about it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I tried it with the extended battery...
The silicone part fits perfectly, the fishbone part is a little close but does fit too.
The... spinal parts at the top on the back are slightly raised. Just a bit, only an issue if you are pretty nit picky... But it definitely fits and the clips/ribs and top/bottom fit perfectly.
Happy to confirm that the slight gap on one of the ribs has gone away over night. The case fits perfectly now (regular battery). Still fits good, but not great with the extended battery (might improve if left alone over time).
Thanks again. I might check into getting one of these on payday. The price isn't too bad even if I end up not liking it.
Zomb!e said:
Thanks again. I might check into getting one of these on payday. The price isn't too bad even if I end up not liking it.
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No problem... good luck if you decide to buy it, hope you enjoy it. I myself am a case junkie. I've only had the Galaxy Nexus for 2 weeks and have 6 cases and I still have 20 or so for my last phone (Epic 4G Touch).
How is the silicone? Is it a dust/lint magnet and is it a chore to get out of medium to snug fitted pants?
redrapt0r said:
How is the silicone? Is it a dust/lint magnet and is it a chore to get out of medium to snug fitted pants?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No issues getting it in and it of pockets (even the tighter "cell phone pockets" a couple of my pants have).
It does acquire a bit of dust like you'd expect, but FAR less than most silicone cases I've had (guessing because a lot of it is covered/broken up by the fishbone part).
I tend to be pretty nit picky and with this case I do not feel the constant urge to clean it.
How "protective" would you say it is?
Just ordered a nexus and am looking at cases my primary concern is protection, although I want a cool look too.
How do you think this would compare to come of the other cases in terms of protecting against drops? I figure a self-described "case junkie" might be the person to ask this sort of comparative question to
Ok, so this is all just my opinion... I'm not dropping my phone on the ground to support this, lol.
Both pieces (the silicone case and the red fishbone that locks it into place and secures it) are pretty secure and well made. The lip around the face is a good size (not so tiny that it is insignificant and not so big to cause usage issues).
I won't sit here and pretend I have a rating system for this stuff, but I have some cases that feel like they won't protect anything beyond it sliding around the desk or a gentle fall onto some clouds/carpeting and some cases that feel like they will do their drop and protect it from a moderate drop and fall. This case falls into the latter/better group.
I like the appearance, but not so much that I'd use it if it was a piece of crap. Thankfully, it seems well made to me.
Woah
what struck me on first glance is the design!
Its quite eye catching
I'm just not sure if it is durable...
This look good. I bought one
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Spigen Neo Hybrid Review

The Spigen Neo Hybrid for the Nexus 5 is a solid case. I've received it from Amazon yesterday for a mere $20 and this case has been performing really well so far. All the ports are nicely cut and positioned. One drawback I've noticed is that the power and volume rocker buttons do have space to wiggle around a bit. You can slightly hear them rattling if you shake your phone but they aren't too big of a problem.The USB cutout is large and wide, making it possible to use almost any charging cable. The same applies to the headphone jack. The back of the case tends to show a few fingerprints but they can be wiped off easily. The case does provide a lip, so it is possible to lay the phone on the screen without worrying too much about getting it scratched (though it is not a big enough lip to be protective during falls on rough surfaces). I've attached a good amount of pictures since I am able to post them yet. Overall, I would recommend this case to someone because it's sleek and sturdy despite a few small drawbacks.
Nice
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I've got the same case. Looks good. I'm still waiting for my phone though.
I've had my Neo Hybrid (silver edging) taunting me while sitting on the nightstand since Saturday. Cannot wait for my phone to arrive tomorrow.
Nice review. I've just ordered the Spigen ultra hybrid (with clear back) from Amazon. I'll post some pics and findings as soon as I have it.
is the case itself heavy?
thegtfusion said:
is the case itself heavy?
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Not really. The case doesn't add much bulk to the phone itself other than changing the size of the phone a tad bit.
Sharvil06 said:
Not really. The case doesn't add much bulk to the phone itself other than changing the size of the phone a tad bit.
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I did find that it added a lot in dimension in height and width, but not thickness. Makes the phone feel slightly larger than a G2 even.
ethantarheels123 said:
I did find that it added a lot in dimension in height and width, but not thickness. Makes the phone feel slightly larger than a G2 even.
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The only phone I have to compare it with is the Samsung S3 and the case does make the Nexus 5 larger than the S3 (You can pretty much fit the S3 on the Nexus and there will still be a small amount of room on the sides).
Sharvil06 said:
The Spigen Neo Hybrid for the Nexus 5 is a solid case. I've received it from Amazon yesterday for a mere $20 and this case has been performing really well so far. All the ports are nicely cut and positioned. One drawback I've noticed is that the power and volume rocker buttons do have space to wiggle around a bit. You can slightly hear them rattling if you shake your phone but they aren't too big of a problem.The USB cutout is large and wide, making it possible to use almost any charging cable. The same applies to the headphone jack. The back of the case tends to show a few fingerprints but they can be wiped off easily. The case does provide a lip, so it is possible to lay the phone on the screen without worrying too much about getting it scratched (though it is not a big enough lip to be protective during falls on rough surfaces). I've attached a good amount of pictures since I am able to post them yet. Overall, I would recommend this case to someone because it's sleek and sturdy despite a few small drawbacks.
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Have you tried it the phone and the case on a wireless Qi charger yet? If so, did it work?
beckmaneric said:
Have you tried it the phone and the case on a wireless Qi charger yet? If so, did it work?
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Click to collapse
Yes it works.
Also have this case, although not as impressed with it.
The biggest complaint is the buttons. The buttons don't have a great feel to them. They wiggle (as mentioned by OP) all the time, the phone is actually annoyingly loud to move around (it's not loud, but it's certainly noticeable).
Other complaint is the USB port. While the OP thinks it's big enough, I can't fit in my Monster MicroUSB cable (I know all the hate about Monster, but the cable is 3" and was under $1 at Frys at one point). Wouldn't typically be a problem, but I use this cable a lot.
The headphone jack does allow my headphones to fit, but it's very close. Not sure if other headphones will have issues, but I'd be slightly worried about it.
Besides those complaints, it's a solid case. It looks great, appears that it'd protect the phone well. All in all, I am not planning on replacing it any time soon... unless my "ideal" case happens to come out... We shall see! The Qi charger still works through the case, along with NFC tags that I've tried thus far.
Petrovski80 said:
Nice review. I've just ordered the Spigen ultra hybrid (with clear back) from Amazon. I'll post some pics and findings as soon as I have it.
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I ordered one of these which came today. Not real happy with it, as the "clear" back really ISN'T "clear", kinda milkyish and that's after scrubbing at it with a microfiber cleaning cloth for many minutes. The slim armor is easily better, even if it lacks a transparent back.
cutterjohn said:
I ordered one of these which came today. Not real happy with it, as the "clear" back really ISN'T "clear", kinda milkyish and that's after scrubbing at it with a microfiber cleaning cloth for many minutes. The slim armor is easily better, even if it lacks a transparent back.
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Did you remove the protective films off both sides of the clear plastic parts? Majority of the people who bought this didn't realize there's something protecting the plastic...
cutterjohn said:
I ordered one of these which came today. Not real happy with it, as the "clear" back really ISN'T "clear", kinda milkyish and that's after scrubbing at it with a microfiber cleaning cloth for many minutes. The slim armor is easily better, even if it lacks a transparent back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you checked out the supcase? I just ordered one. It has black borders and frosted clear back, which should help hide scratches and dust.
Have this case and pretty happy with it as well. I just wish the power button was flush with the case. Don't know if anyone else has this problem, but I accidentally hit power all the damn time...
I just received my neo hybrid case... I am not a big fan at all. It makes the phone super bulky. I think this case is awesome for those wanting protection with style but I think I'm going to risk it and go with a skin or just naked.
bleuiko said:
I just received my neo hybrid case... I am not a big fan at all. It makes the phone super bulky. I think this case is awesome for those wanting protection with style but I think I'm going to risk it and go with a skin or just naked.
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Click to collapse
yea I feel the same way. Am waiting on my diztronic, as well as the supcase unicorn beetle. The thing with the neo hybrid is that it made it boxy as well as wider and taller, which made it very hard to hold and feel bulky. Not to mention taking it off was a chore.
I just got this case today and it is nice. But honestly the phone has a nice rubberized back and sides where I don't feel a case is always necessary. The case adds major width. But it is high quality.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
bleuiko said:
I just received my neo hybrid case... I am not a big fan at all. It makes the phone super bulky. I think this case is awesome for those wanting protection with style but I think I'm going to risk it and go with a skin or just naked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I felt the same way, this phone is just so damn sexy naked. (Did I just type that...) Anyway, I want my phone to remain that way so I left it on, and it's definitely grown on me. I'm happy with it enough that I'm just going to leave it on.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Aluminum Bumper Mini-Review

Got my silver aluminum bumper from AliExpress today and it looks great for the price. When I came back from lunch with my boss, this thing was waiting for me in my mail box. It was extremely well packaged from China and you can tell the package was beat up in it's week's journey. Shipping to me in TX from China only took a week and that is extremely fast for me. I was expecting a two week delivery time.
To the case: To quell any questions on call quality; I have placed one call with the bumper on since I installed it. And it works. No noticeable drops that I can initially tell. I'll update if anything changes.
My bumper came with a generic N5 screen protector, which I will not use, because I already have a spigen one installed. I proceeded in taking the included bag which had a philips type of screw driver and upon further inspection, the bag also have a few spare screws, which is always welcomed IMO.
I removed my tpu bumper and slapped this one on immediately. I first came across the bumper looking like it may not fit due to my dbrand cf skin. Being a bit thick, I was a bit worried. But with a little more wrapping the case closer to the outer bezel, the screw openings aligned up better than before. The reason is because of the little foam pads on the interior. Once you work it down a bit, you should be able to screw in the teeeny tiny screws with the included screwdriver.
Will it work on my orb charger? Yes! It holds up as I thought it would.
Does the little screw tab that reminds me of Florida really bad looking? No, when looking at the phone at its entirety, I honestly can say, I like it.
Does it protect the back camera? Uhhhh that's a no. There are ridges on the bottom of the micro USB port and where the headphone port is, but it is not enough to keep the camera lens to sit on the table. This will detract quite a few people. But keep in mind, this is a MINIMALIST case, not a Seidio or Otterbox or whatever bomb proof case that's out there now lol. All the openings are nice and big, except for the headphone port. If you have anything like a Shure E215 plug, you will need to use an adapter to extend the port or use another headset/headphone all together. Another issue, I kinda dislike is the opening for the power button. You have to really search for the button because of it being a cut out compared to buttons on top. I just got to get used to that feeling.
However saying that, I am 100% comfortable placing my phone flat down because I have a dbrand carbon fiber skin on my Nexus 5 backside.
Another bonus is that this aluminum bumper fits in my Seidio Dilex Holster for the Nexus 5 without any issue. The little tab on the bottom plays nice and I am one happy camper. :highfive:
Do I recommend this? For now I say yes aesthetic wise. Everything seems to work thus far so I really don't have anything too bad to say about it.
Pros:
It's thin
Aluminum color is sleek and sexy with my cf white dbrands skin
Ok with wireless charging orb (will test out Tylt Vu later on as well as the Nexus Wireless charger in my truck)
Cons:
It's thin
This bumper will not protect the camera lens when laying it on it's backside.
The lil "Florida" tab where the screws are. Even though not a dealbreaker for me, it's still a slight 'con' in my book.
Pics below. Please let me know if you have any questions. I'll field them if I am not working
Thanks for the review, I will probably buy one. Does it seem like the metal would be able to scratch the screen where or makes contact?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Does it actually feel like metal?
I feel like getting silver or blue.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the thorough review and photos! I am thinking about getting this as well.
Have you used it on the Nexus Wireless Charger yet? I currently have a TPU case but just bought the new charger but noticed the case was too thick for the magnets so I'm looking at getting a bumper like this.
wow that looks awesome
Could you take a photo of the hole for the headphone jack when the case is on the Nexus 5 or measure the diameter of the hole?
GavinMazey said:
Thanks for the review, I will probably buy one. Does it seem like the metal would be able to scratch the screen where or makes contact?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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No it doesn't seem to scratch or do anything to the screen. I have a Spigen protector on it and the bumper did not peel it up. I was more worried about the dbrand backing.
honeybunchie said:
Does it actually feel like metal?
I feel like getting silver or blue.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
It feels like...aluminum. It does not feel like plastic to me anyways.
youngjediboy said:
Thanks for the thorough review and photos! I am thinking about getting this as well.
Have you used it on the Nexus Wireless Charger yet? I currently have a TPU case but just bought the new charger but noticed the case was too thick for the magnets so I'm looking at getting a bumper like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have used the Nexus wireless charger. I have it installed in my truck in conjunction of a Kenu Airframe that mounts to the vents. It clears Kenu Airframe so that the magnets can catch without much issue. And bumpy Texas roads and highways are no match thus far. But don't go off roading lol.
kaboose786 said:
wow that looks awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
[Headcrash] said:
Could you take a photo of the hole for the headphone jack when the case is on the Nexus 5 or measure the diameter of the hole?
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Click to collapse
Not too good with measurements with that size, I'll try lol. To me and my ruler, it looks like 6mm? I'll attach a pic.
Reporting on a half day of full use of the Aluminum bumper. I really do like the look of it and fits in my Seidio Dilex holster securely. However, I have to report in that if one has a dbrands back like me, I have a white carbon fiber back, it may bubble up a bit depending on how you put on your back and if you used a blow dryer on the edges like dbrand suggested. I did do that, but I did find a slight bubble/rise on the corner where the screws go in. Also, you can see that the bumper does not fully wrap around like a tpu would because, this is really not that flexible. I'll post some pics and hopefully you can see what my OCD eyes can see. As for the lil bubble, I'll need to do a follow up blow dryer event when I go home for lunch and see if that makes it go away or not. Not really all concerned with the bubble, I can hardly see it and I can learn to live with it if it doesn't go away lol.
looks great!! but in the back is a bit to thin imho
ava1191 said:
looks great!! but in the back is a bit to thin imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, but I am ok with it. I mean if it was naked it would have the same issue. However the dbrand back is protecting it from scratches so I am ok with that.Drop protection, I don't know, even though the box does mention drop protection on corners lol.
Can you comment on your cellular connection with it on.
Have you done any speed tests with and without it.
I mentioned in another thread that I had one on an iPhone and it did not do well, but the iPhone antenna is around the device, different than the Nex 5.
OnYourKnees said:
Can you comment on your cellular connection with it on.
Have you done any speed tests with and without it.
I mentioned in another thread that I had one on an iPhone and it did not do well, but the iPhone antenna is around the device, different than the Nex 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't done speedtests on it. But I am getting full bars LTE right outside my office, which is pretty much on par with what I normally get. I have to admit, I do think it affects the antenna slightly, but not to the point of dropped calls. However, I do not have anything to back up this theory.
I'll report back later on to see if my wife said she called me and I didn't answer or what have you.
can you do a signal test w/o case and w/ case?
(Settings, About Phone, Status, Signal strength)
Thanks!!
khanh1289 said:
can you do a signal test w/o case and w/ case?
(Settings, About Phone, Status, Signal strength)
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because you asked and I don't feel like working on my next project right now lol...
Without the bumper on, the phone went to lowest LTE at -112dBm
With bumper on, the phone went to H and jumps here and there, but didn't stick and settled on 3g (or UMTS) at -101dBm.
So my initial feelings are correct that it does hinder reception but I am still connected. Well in the office anyway. But I used my phone at lunch with co workers without issue. I was getting emails and notifications while I was out.
unfortunately, I barely get signal in my office so I can't really get this :/ I wish there was a good looking bumper that has same look/feel as this one but made of a different material that would not jeopardize the signal quality.
khanh1289 said:
unfortunately, I barely get signal in my office so I can't really get this :/ I wish there was a good looking bumper that has same look/feel as this one but made of a different material that would not jeopardize the signal quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry man. I wish I had better news. But I will continue to use the bumper for myself until something happens or if I get fed up with it for whatever reason.
Ohhh looks good!! Link please!!
Sent from my Franco'd Nexus 5
That looks extremely sexy. Also looks like it wouldnt offer to much protection.
Sent from my Nexus 5
hello
thank for your time .who do this case.or do you have the link to the case?
reeco said:
Ohhh looks good!! Link please!!
Sent from my Franco'd Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...-protective-sleeve-for-Google/1566805230.html
ibramadhan said:
That looks extremely sexy. Also looks like it wouldnt offer to much protection.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No not so much, but after my first Seidio Holster broke, I have been running it naked and got used to its slim design. This was minimal bulk that still showed off the back dbrand skin goodness and also helps with any corner bumps. Which I have to say it did do its job the other day when I knocked it off my charger in my truck.
josedecuba said:
thank for your time .who do this case.or do you have the link to the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...-protective-sleeve-for-Google/1566805230.html
I have to add, which I didn't in the OP, is that I did add a bit more for a tracking number. I think the extra shipping cost less than 3 bucks.

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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