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Which one to choose? which one to get? which one is better? Well i get messages all day everyday in regards of this. So I said..ima make a comparison video
Here u ll see the things I like from each case and the fitment as well
enjoy
http://youtu.be/EFGpC0KBjN4
I ordered myself the matte black tpu from Diztronic.
kch ugh
Nice quick review!
I gave both of these cases a fair go. Both of them I ran with for a week. I've decided to stick with my Diztronic TPU. Honestly. both cases are great.
Both cases are easy the slip in and out of pocket. Although slightly thicker, the Cruzerlite is still very slim. Does feel like it would offer a bit more protection in a fall. Since I have never dropped a phone my deciding factor, which might seem stupid to some people, is that the clear Cruzerlite case would get dust buildup from pocket lint and you'd visually be able to see it at the edges of the case. That can easily be fixed by purchasing a non-transparent Cruzerlite case.
The Diztronic case, my only problem with is most of the case fairly slick. What gives me a good grip on the phone is the rim of the case where you put the phone through. It's a different plastic finish from the rest of the case which is much easier to grip with your fingers. I kind of prefer it that way.
Just my opinion on these two.
DarkManX4lf said:
I ordered myself the matte black tpu from Diztronic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats my favorite diztronic color
SmokeRob said:
Nice quick review!
I gave both of these cases a fair go. Both of them I ran with for a week. I've decided to stick with my Diztronic TPU. Honestly. both cases are great.
Both cases are easy the slip in and out of pocket. Although slightly thicker, the Cruzerlite is still very slim. Does feel like it would offer a bit more protection in a fall. Since I have never dropped a phone my deciding factor, which might seem stupid to some people, is that the clear Cruzerlite case would get dust buildup from pocket lint and you'd visually be able to see it at the edges of the case. That can easily be fixed by purchasing a non-transparent Cruzerlite case.
The Diztronic case, my only problem with is most of the case fairly slick. What gives me a good grip on the phone is the rim of the case where you put the phone through. It's a different plastic finish from the rest of the case which is much easier to grip with your fingers. I kind of prefer it that way.
Just my opinion on these two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. I think this cases are so similar but so different at the same time. Best part is that buying one of each won't hurt your pocket at all
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
I'll add my 2 cents even though I can't do an apples to apples comparison. I was never a fan of protective cases, I never used them with my Samsung Fascinate in the 2 years that it was my primary device. That was until the screen broke on my 3 month old SGS3.
While Samsung was repairing my phone, I did some research and decided on a Diztronic matte dark blue case. It's a great quality product. The TPU material is thin but pretty stiff and the fit on the phone is tight, removing the case causes the battery cover to get unsnapped 90% of the time. The cutouts are perfectly positioned (although I would actually prefer covered lock/power and volume buttons, read on). The matte finish actually makes the cover a little more slippery both in hand and when sitting on other surfaces, but I perfer the way the case looks. Also the case has a solid company behind it, when my case arrived, I noticed it the color was actually back and not dark blue. I emailed customer service at Diztronic and they let me know that their latest batch of dark blue covers were in fact darker than earlier batches. They sent me one from an earlier batch at no cost.
In the meantime, I acquired a CruzerLite gloss black case for my Fascinate. The TPU material is a little bit thicker and more flexible than the Diztronic. The case also fit looser than the Diztronic although there is no risk that the cover will fall off when being removed from a pocket like silicon cases. The lock/power and volume buttons are covered (raised and appears to be the same thickness as the rest of the case), but I had no issue using them. The cutouts are in the right places, but there is an extra cutout on the case on the side that does seem to have any reason for being there (maybe another phone shaped like the Fascinate has a use for it). The gloss finish is pretty sticky, especially when the phone is sitting on something smooth. I had no concerns leaving the phone sitting on the leather passenger seat in my car when driving. I would rate this case one step below Diztronic in terms of overall quailty, but will keep on using it as my Fascinate is now being used as a game system for my kids.
I also wound up buying a no-name TPU case (from Amazon) for a Pantech Burst I recently bought (from eBay). While the overall quality of the case leaves something to be desired compared to either the Diztronic or CruzerLite, it does have one feature I wish both the Diztronic and CruzerLite cases had. The lock/power and volume button on the case is covered, but the material in those locations is both raised and significantly thinner than the rest of the cover. IMHO this is the way to go for these buttons.
Hope this helps folks figure out which case to get.
I just got the Diztronic yesterday and I am quite pleased. Nice fit, nice feel, nice look. I even used the screen protector that came with it and it's not half bad.
Just dropping my 2 cents. The diztronic for the matte/clear model.. it gets rather dirty easily so if you happen to get your hands dirty regularly and need to use the phone. Just know the clear will start to change color.
arctic84 said:
Just dropping my 2 cents. The diztronic for the matte/clear model.. it gets rather dirty easily so if you happen to get your hands dirty regularly and need to use the phone. Just know the clear will start to change color.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with this 100%. I used the case for 3 months then threw it away cause it got so dirty and ugly.
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Just received my Otterbox Commuter all-black case for my HTC One Stealth Black. I bought it from eBay. I read in another thread about the country of assembly being important for the quality of the case. Although the location of the seller is in the USA, the retail packing of the case says "Assembled in China". However, i haven't found a single flaw with the case itself. It fits my HTC One perfectly. There are no anomalies with the case. I think the Q.C. on the China-assembled units have improved. Anyway, i'm very satisfied with the case itself.
Link to the official product page: http://www.otterbox.com/HTC-One-Com..._htc4-one_color=20&start=1&cgid=htc-one-cases
Here's olis4's youtube video review of the Otterbox Commuter all-black case: http://youtu.be/GpNBThwyubM
On the manufacturer's site, the Commuter case is currently priced at $34.95 but you'll get it cheaper on Amazon or eBay.
My all-black case packaging bears the same SKU: 77-26379 as shown on the official site - you should probably verify if the official SKU matches exactly with what's on the retail packaging, if you happen to have any issues (maybe you didn't get an original case).
Installation of the Otterbox Commuter case:
1. The case itself comes in 2 parts; the soft TPU-like interior half of the case and the outer hard-shell plastic case. You need to install them separately.
2. You need to put the soft case on your phone first. Make sure that the lip of the soft case is positioned evenly all around the screen of your phone - this is important as it will ensure a perfect fit when you put on the hard-shell case.
3. Now, you can put on the hard-shell case, starting from the bottom of the phone, where micro-USB flap is located. I found it easier to start from there and then press the hard case onto the phone as i worked my way up to the top of the phone. You will likely have a little trouble to get a perfect fit right away. The trick is to push the hard case near the top and bottom of the phone, and try to open the flaps so that the hard case can fit otherwise the closed flaps will get in the way. You can just use your nail to pry open each flap, as you continue to push the hard case on. Once you have the flaps open, you can then squeeze the case all around the phone to make sure that hard case fits perfectly, before you finally close the flaps. You should now have your Otterbox Commuter case installed correctly.
Note: I have a screen protector on my phone and it never interfered with the installation of the case. The inner soft case lip wrapped around the edges of the screen nicely and didn't peel off or affect the screen protector in any way.
What make this case special?
1. The case gives a solid and comfortable feel. I am much less worried with this case on my phone, knowing that the fragile aluminium device is protected from any accidental drops and dust. The case is light-weight considering all the protection it offers and it doesn't add too much bulk to the phone. The HTC One's back is naturally curved and the Commuter case retains that aspect of the phone - some cases make the back completely flat.
2. The cut-outs are perfect. Protection has been considered for every part of the phone. Only the power button is left uncovered so as to allow the IR blaster to function normally. The microphone at the bottom, the noise cancelling mic on the back and especially the beautiful case design around the camera and flash give the case a stunning look.
3. The volume buttons are completely protected by the inner soft case and they have to be one of the best i've ever tested on the HTC One. They protrude slightly from the right-side of the case for easy access as you can just feel them without having to look at the phone to find the volume buttons. The soft buttons feel just right - you won't accidentally press them while holding the phone or while it's in your pocket and they are not hard to press either. They have this nice clicky feel to them and are responsive.
4. The lip on the front of the case has a nice sharp angular design. It grips the sides of the phone firmly and doesn't come off easily - not unless you remove the hardshell case first. When placing the phone face-down on any flat surface, your screen should be fine. The front lip forms part of the soft TPU-like inner case, and it prevents your phone from sliding if you were to put it face-down on an inclined (even if it's polished) surface. I tried it and the phone won't budge easily.
5. The earphone's jack port and micro-USB port are protected against any dust and are easily accessible. Opening and closing these flaps is easy. Just use your finger or a little nail-prodding to open the TPU flaps quickly (there is a tiny gap right under the flaps that enable you to wedge your nail into it) and then push the flaps back into place when you no longer need access to those ports. The soft TPU material that make up the flaps are held securely in place as they are squeezed in between the hardshell case cut-outs, so the flaps won't open even if you shake your phone or if it drops.
6. There is a groove where the power button of the One is situated - this allows very easy and intuitive access to the power button and doesn't block its IR transmission. Normally, without a case on, it can be a little difficult to find the power button without looking at the phone.
7. The hard-shell case is actually of a light grainy texture, which makes it even more scratch-resistant. I tried to scratch it with keys and coins but no change, although it will surely scratch if you use something sharp like a knife - but then, i don't see why you would put an open knife in your pocket with your phone. You'll likely get yourself stabbed in the leg before it affects your phone. :laugh:
I've added some pictures below. I think that real pictures of the case give way more accurate descriptions of the actual case than what you see on the official site (usually these are graphic renders and the color reproduction isn't always accurate). By the way, as i mentioned above, i've got a screen protector on, so in the pictures, the phone screen might appear a little bit glossy from the slanted viewing angles. It's not the screen protector that came with the Otterbox. I had that screen protector installed at the shop when i bought the phone. It's just a generic screen protector but it looks fine to me, so i haven't removed it.
I did some research on which color to get before placing my order for the Otterbox Commuter. Initially, i wanted to get the Glacier color, with its inner black and outer greyish hard-shell case. However, from pictures shared by those who bought the Glacier case, the hardshell is actually white. The other color options for the Commuter case are also actually a bit washed out or pale when compared to the pictures on the official site, so the colored cases are not as striking (in my opinion). I eventually decided to go with the all-black case to be sure that i'd get the same color as i would expect.
Verdict: Overall, i'm very pleased with the all-black case. If i had to do any nitpicking on the Otterbox Commuter case (other than the inaccurate representation of the colored cases on the official Otterbox site, which in reality are much lighter in color), it's the power button which could have also been protected whilst enabling the IR blaster to function, using the ingenious design on the UAG case for the HTC One.
UPDATE: Otterbox Commuter v/s UAG
I recently bought the UAG (Aero) case for my HTC One, in order to have a better hands-on comparison with the Otterbox Commuter case.
I have used the UAG case on my HTC One for a week to test it thoroughly and here's my honest review:
The UAG case is probably the best alternative to the Otterbox Commuter case. Both cases offer great protection, have good ergonomics and nice design. However, there are some distinct differences between these two popular HTC One cases:
Positive features of the Otterbox Commuter case v/s the UAG case:
- The headphone jack port and microUSB port are completely protected against dust with the rubber flaps, which open and close easily. In the UAG case, these ports are open. This is the most important difference between these two top cases for the HTC One. If you want maximum protection and you have to choose between those two cases, go for the Otterbox Commuter as it will keep your One's ports clean from dust and other small solids/debris and prevent clogging these ports in the long run (the rubber flaps are a tight fit, so they might even be able to guard against an occasional water splash although i wouldn't recommend testing that deliberately, as the case has no official certification for water resistance).
- less rugged appearance, if you want a case which offers great protection but is more discreet and elegant at the office, with a more subtle appearance. The design around the camera and flash are a nice additional touch relative to the UAG case, where the camera and flash cut-outs are simple.
- retains the original curved back shape of the HTC One while the UAG makes the back of the One completely flat (this is subject to your own liking as some people might prefer the more comfortable curved back of their HTC One when holding it and others might prefer their HTC One to rest flat on a surface without rocking from side to side when using it).
Negative features of the Otterbox Commuter case v/s the UAG case:
- the power button is unprotected. This is probably the biggest gripe compared to the UAG case, which uses a nice design to cover the power button with a cut-out on top, to allow the IR blaster built into the power button, to function normally.
- the design of the UAG case is more distinctive, especially on the back. You can identify it easily (unless you're using a dual color Commuter case, which also gives a unique look). For most people, their first impression when looking at the back of the UAG case, would usually be "built to resist tough conditions", like at a construction site, etc.
- makes the back of the phone completely flat. This might be desirable to some people.
- If you are someone who cares about how quickly you can remove your case, then the UAG can save you a few seconds, as the Otterbox Commuter comes in two parts, so you have to remove the hard case first before removing the inner soft TPU case. The UAG comes in a single piece and you can just pop it out if you like to change cases on the fly while you're out and about. But this is probably a very minor (if worthy at all) argument in UAG's favor.
- the actual colour combination cases don't match what you see on the official site in the graphic renders - the real colours tend to be pale or washed out, except for the all-black Commuter case which looks identical. The colours of the UAG cases, on the other hand, match perfectly. I got the Aero color, which is a dark blue and i was pleasantly surprised as it's a unique colour among all my other cases.
If you like this review, just hit the "THANKS" button! :highfive:
I just received mine today! i ordered the steel blue, which actually is like a cyan.
i really like the case, as unfortionatlly the USB port always gets dirty its very good for this purpose, and it's very light weight too!
i had the original HTC flip case, and SPECK with kick stand, they are larger, less protection and worse grip.
Highly Receommended.
I had the white one for a day. The black one definitely looks nicer. However, I took it back because I have been caseless so long that this added so much bulk (compared to what I am used to.) I dropped my phone 2 days after taking it back, bad luck I guess. Overall, the case doesn't add very much bulk, I just couldn't stand any at all after using it naked for so long.
I've had a Commuter on my One since about 3 days after getting it, and I love it. Definitely not too bulky, and the grip is excellent. The One is like a wet bar of soap with no case. I've dropped it twice, and both times picked it up, dusted it off, and went right back to regular use.
I have had the commuter for 3 months.
I Have dropped my ONE often and thankfully with the commuter case on. The case is not bulky yet does its job for sure. The rubber on the case takes all the impact. I like the extra rubber on the corners as well,, seems to be the place where my phone hits most often when dropped.
Majority of drops are from the couch or bed onto hardwood floors. I have had a good amount of drops in the outdoors at work while standing up as well and onto concrete and blacktop. So far so good!! The Commuter handles my line of work (construction) very well. I added the Mime Ghost screen protector a few days ago and it makes the combo even more AWESOME :good:
Thanks for the review, I've been considering the commuter case, as well as the black/gray/black OEM case here, but I can't seem to find that color to purchase.
I like the case also. The belt clip sucks. Can some one recomend a belt pouch.
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
peteschlabar said:
Thanks for the review, I've been considering the commuter case, as well as the black/gray/black OEM case here, but I can't seem to find that color to purchase.
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Click to collapse
That red-grey-black case is not OEM - it is actually the official hardshell case for the HTC One called the Double Dip. It's available on Amazon or eBay. It's only available in those three-color combination. If you see any similar case design in any other colors, you're not getting an original HTC One case. I wouldn't advise you to get that case though, as it has been widely reported that it will scratch the sides of your phone as you slide it into the main wrap-around case (the scratches caused by the very-tight case is especially visible if you have a non-silver colored HTC One). Also, the Double Dip case doesn't offer the same high level of protection as the Commuter case, which consists of a hardshell wrapped around a layer of soft TPU-like impact-resistant material. The only advantage of the Double Dip, in my opinion, is the added protection of the speaker grills, which can be prone to scratches, since the grills are also made of aluminium and coated with the same paint as the rest of the phone (unless you get the silver version where scratches aren't that visible).
coldsteal said:
I like the case also. The belt clip sucks. Can some one recomend a belt pouch.
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Click to collapse
I think this might be exactly what you're looking for, as it fits the Commuter and Defender cases for the HTC One: http://www.amazon.com/LEATHER-POUCH...1379675221&sr=8-5&keywords=htc+one+belt+pouch
Thanks, just ordered it.
Thanks !! Just placed the order.
electronical said:
That red-grey-black case is not OEM - it is actually the official hardshell case for the HTC One called the Double Dip. It's available on Amazon or eBay. It's only available in those three-color combination. If you see any similar case design in any other colors, you're not getting an original HTC One case. I wouldn't advise you to get that case though, as it has been widely reported that it will scratch the sides of your phone as you slide it into the main wrap-around case (the scratches caused by the very-tight case is especially visible if you have a non-silver colored HTC One). Also, the Double Dip case doesn't offer the same high level of protection as the Commuter case, which consists of a hardshell wrapped around a layer of soft TPU-like impact-resistant material. The only advantage of the Double Dip, in my opinion, is the added protection of the speaker grills, which can be prone to scratches, since the grills are also made of aluminium and coated with the same paint as the rest of the phone (unless you get the silver version where scratches aren't that visible).
I think this might be exactly what you're looking for, as it fits the Commuter and Defender cases for the HTC One: http://www.amazon.com/LEATHER-POUCH...1379675221&sr=8-5&keywords=htc+one+belt+pouch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
electronical said:
That red-grey-black case is not OEM - it is actually the official hardshell case for the HTC One called the Double Dip. It's available on Amazon or eBay. It's only available in those three-color combination. If you see any similar case design in any other colors, you're not getting an original HTC One case. I wouldn't advise you to get that case though, as it has been widely reported that it will scratch the sides of your phone as you slide it into the main wrap-around case (the scratches caused by the very-tight case is especially visible if you have a non-silver colored HTC One). Also, the Double Dip case doesn't offer the same high level of protection as the Commuter case, which consists of a hardshell wrapped around a layer of soft TPU-like impact-resistant material. The only advantage of the Double Dip, in my opinion, is the added protection of the speaker grills, which can be prone to scratches, since the grills are also made of aluminium and coated with the same paint as the rest of the phone (unless you get the silver version where scratches aren't that visible).
I think this might be exactly what you're looking for, as it fits the Commuter and Defender cases for the HTC One: http://www.amazon.com/LEATHER-POUCH...1379675221&sr=8-5&keywords=htc+one+belt+pouch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, I had read about the scratches. I don't understand about the color choices though. It clearly shows on HTC's website that there are two color options, but the only one available for purchase (that isn't a knock off) is the red and gray.
peteschlabar said:
I don't understand about the color choices though. It clearly shows on HTC's website that there are two color options, but the only one available for purchase (that isn't a knock off) is the red and gray.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC only ever made two official cases for the HTC One:
1. http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip/
2. http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip-flip/
Are you referring to the second Double Dip Flip case? There are no other official alternatives (not even in color) that exist.
I personally don't trust non-branded cases, as they tend not to fit properly and sometimes even worse - they can scratch your phone due to poor fitting and/or poorly built with low quality materials (the aluminium unibody of the HTC One is especially vulnerable).
electronical said:
HTC only ever made two official cases for the HTC One:
1. http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip/
2. http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip-flip/
Are you referring to the second Double Dip Flip case? There are no other official alternatives (not even in color) that exist.
I personally don't trust non-branded cases, as they tend not to fit properly and sometimes even worse - they can scratch your phone due to poor fitting and/or poorly built with low quality materials (the aluminium unibody of the HTC One is especially vulnerable).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm talking about the regular Double Dip case, not the flip. If you look through the photos, there is a pic of the black/gray/black color, and if you click on the Specs tab, look in the color section; it is listed there as an option.
http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip/#specs
Edit: I apologize the the OP, this is getting off topic for this thread.
peteschlabar said:
No, I'm talking about the regular Double Dip case, not the flip. If you look through the photos, there is a pic of the black/gray/black color, and if you click on the Specs tab, look in the color section; it is listed there as an option.
http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip/#specs
Edit: I apologize the the OP, this is getting off topic for this thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't noticed that HTC put up a second color-combination Double Dip case as available on its website - that's probably because it was never released (from what i found).
Here's a thread about that elusive black/gray/black version: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2255928
If you go through the replies in that thread, you'll find someone got that color-combination on eBay and even provided a link. But i seriously doubt that it's official HTC One gear (too many color variations available from the drop-down list).
Also, on the official site, have a look at the reviews (they do mention that the black/gray/black color is unavailable): http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip/#ratings
electronical said:
I hadn't noticed that HTC put up a second color-combination Double Dip case as available on its website - that's probably because it was never released (from what i found).
Here's a thread about that elusive black/gray/black version: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2255928
If you go through the replies in that thread, you'll find someone got that color-combination on eBay and even provided a link. But i seriously doubt that it's official HTC One gear (too many color variations available from the drop-down list).
Also, on the official site, check the reviews section and have a look at the top comment: http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-double-dip/#ratings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link, I think I'm just going to end up with the Commuter
Loving this case so far. It looks amazing on the red HTC One.
alxrock said:
Loving this case so far. It looks amazing on the red HTC One.
View attachment 2275181
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Click to collapse
The combo does look GOOD!!
I've used this case for about a month. The rubber side wall next to the USB port is now stretched out and a little loose. I contacted otter box, sent pictures and now have a replacement on the way. Hopefully the new rubber piece holds up better this time around near the USB port.
I have the Cimo Grip case, the Black TPU Verizon Gel Case, and the Radioshack hard clear plastic snap case. The otter box commuter case is my favorite of them all
BygSii said:
I've used this case for about a month. The rubber side wall next to the USB port is now stretched out and a little loose. I contacted otter box, sent pictures and now have a replacement on the way. Hopefully the new rubber piece holds up better this time around near the USB port.
I have the Cimo Grip case, the Black TPU Verizon Gel Case, and the Radioshack hard clear plastic snap case. The otter box commuter case is my favorite of them all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had mine for 3-4 months now and no stretchy. I have a ruff line of work and hard on my stuff too.
Only problem with mine is it tends to attract lint/ dirt on the inside of the case however it is very easy to clean
Great review! I have the white and grey otterbox that I've only used a few times to work out. I had the uag on my previous phone and I liked the protection and the fact that it was easy to put on and take off. Would anyone want to trade for a case? Preferably the uag
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
Hey XDA,
I recently ordered this case to replace my Ringke Fusion (which I both like and hate) and hopefully I will like it enough to keep it as my long term case. I haven't noticed much as far as reviews for this particular case so I was thinking of doing one for it. I have a new qi charger coming with it so I should be able to test that and see if it adversely affects the glass screen protector I have on right now. If anyone out there is interested in pictures of the case on the phone or anything like that, let me know and I'll do my best to include them when I review it on Thursday, I'm a little bit of a case junkie and typically try out several for my phones during their life time, but this is the first higher end case I'll have for the N5 and I'm really excited to see how it turns out.
Seidio Product Page
moonDOOM
Probably no real reviews of this case because they're already well-known. Others have already posted, and I'll back it up, Qi wireless charging works perfectly with it. Simply the best cases you can buy. Also, the holsters are pretty fantastic.
I got the case in today and as apparently everyone knows already, this case is quality made. I previously had a Ringke fusion case on my N5 and liked being able to see the nexus logo, but hated the tpu layer and how the back collected dust every time it was put into a pocket. I decided to go with a more traditional 2 layer case and I thought that the Seidio Dilex looked the best out of the ones currently available.
Pros:
- After seeing the product in person, I'm immediately sold on this design. The case is much darker black than it appears on the website (bright lighting in their product photos) and the rubberized coating on the PC layer is the classic silky smooth texture that Seidio is known for and has used for years. On a side note, the other colors are actually really nice looking too if you prefer something other than black and it looks like they have the same texture coating. The case feels really good in hand because of the soft texture and the silicone actually feels really similar.
- The kickstand also adds just a little weight to the bottom of the phone and makes it somewhat easier to balance, hold and manipulate with one hand. Speaking of the kickstand, it's actually aluminum instead of plastic which is a nice touch. The best part is that the kickstand is spring loaded (slightly) to the outward position but also contains a magnet to hold it securely in place when not in use. It appears to be pretty well attached to the case so hopefully it will hold up over time.
- The ports are all pretty well lined up with the cutouts and they seem big enough to accommodate most cables.
- Qi charging works just fine, at least on the cheap chinese one I also got in today. NFC doesn't appear to be affected either, although I only tried once.
- I'm currently using a Nillkin glass screen protector and it appears that the silicone is soft enough not to interfere with the edges of the screen protector. May not be the same with other brands.
Cons:
- The only thing I can think of is that because the outer layer only presses the edges in the middle and corners, the silicone seems to be a little loose or saggy inbetween the "arms" of the outer shell. I'm hoping that settles into place over time but if it catches on my pockets too much, it might actually get worse.
- The sticky texture is great for grip, but also picks up a lot of dust, but that's not news to anyone who has used a silicone case before.
In conclusion, I'd probably give this case 4.7 out of 5 stars. I like just about everything about it but I wish the silicone they used was just a little less pliable.
Pictures of the Case
Sorry, I know the pictures are garbage (I had to take them with my old phone so the N5 could be in the case) but I'd be happy to answer any questions y'all might have.
moonDOOM
Looks real nice little too thick for my taste though.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
This looks almost exactly like the generic thick kickstand cases that are being sold under various brands at various prices.
Dilex Case and Qi
Good morning. I wanted to follow up on your case experience with Qi charging I put this case on a Samsung Galaxy S5 and used a powerbot circular charging pad. I found that to get the charger aligned, I needed to prop the device up on the kickstand so it was a little firther from the pad, and I could not get a charging lock.
I'm trying to figure out if that is a function of the powerbot's charging signal or the anatomy of my Qi pad. Does your phone sit square on the charging pad? or is it propped up on the kickstand?
Thanks,
Marcva
Just wanted to share my impressions of several cases I just tried for my V20.
I'm sure there are still new owners like myself coming on board as well as others who want a new case.
Some of the older reviews on the web mentioned some cases that didn't appear to be manufactured anymore but all these are still readily available as of May 2018.
I'm not going to post pics or videos as there is plenty of that out there, I'm just going to focus on some observations I had that might help someone decide. Let me start by saying I am coming from an HTC M8, and my preferred case for that was a SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle as shown here. I liked this case for a couple reasons:
It was clear an showed the beautiful finish of the M8. The V20 is similar in it has a great metal look and it is a shame to hide it.
Lightweight. While there is always a trade-off between weight and protection I am generally careful with my phone. I would say I've had the following types of drops:
From my lap in the car to the pavement when I stood up not remembering it was in my lap
From my hand to carpeted floor at home
From a foot or two above a desk onto the desk
Cover didn't block the IR port...which many M8 cases did. Luckily most, if not all of the V20 cases I have seen have cutouts for the IR port so that's a non-issue.
Even with a slim-line case like the Beetle I have never had any real damage to my phone. I did have my camera focus go bad on my M8 but I don't believe it was associated with any particular drop and the M8 was known to have that issue on some devices. Point being if you are relatively careful with your devices and like slim-line cases you will probably be more in line with my preferences....I'm definitely not an Otterbox type of guy.
Also, I haven't used clip holsters since Windows Mobile Phones were in fashion, so don't look here for advice on that .
Anyway, onto the reviewed cases...
I tried out the following cases for my wife and I:
ZIZO ION
UAG Plasma (Ash)
Spigen Rugged Armor
Ringke Onyx
Caseology Parallax Series (Coral)
Ringke Fusion (Clear/Smoke Black)
Overall I was impressed in one way or another with all the cases. I think if a particular style of case is what you are looking for then each one seems pretty solid in their category. Of course each has pros and cons, but I could easily see how someone could decide on any of them.
All the cases, with the exception of the ZIZO were very easy to put on and take off. This isn't a primary concern, but I do like the idea that I can get to the battery and microSD card without feeling like I'm going to break the case or the phone.
I'll start comments on each one in the same order:
I ordered the ZIZO as well as the UAG because I wanted to try something "tough" that was maybe MIL Spec rated but not quite as bulky as an Otterbox. The ZIZO case is actually 3 parts and comes with a separate tempered glass screen protector of your standard variety. It is an interesting case and I think out of all of them it felt it might offer the best protection. Of course it is probably the bulkiest of the bunch. Hardest to put on and take off for sure. The volume buttons also gave a lot of resistance.
The UAG is just to cool looking not to consider, despite the UAG branding splayed across the back. In all honesty it was hard for me to say no to this case because I felt it would offer good protection along with the wow factor. It also isn't exceptionally heavy although it is pretty large almost doubling the thickness of the phone. Despite that it still feels good in your hand. It is a tad slippery, but I think it has to do with the added weight pulling it down more than the material. If you don't mind a little extra bulk and like the way the UAG looks you will not be disappointed when you get it in your hands.
Spigen Rugged Armor (see Ringke Onyx below)
Ringke Onyx. I'm gong to talk about the Rugged Armor and Onyx together because the two cases are so similar to each other. Despite the fact that they hide the beautiful metal phone and only come in black they are both sharp cases. The Onyx is a bit more rigid on the back, while still having some bend. This harder plastic allows them to have that "brushed metal" look which is honestly cooler than the more rubberized look of the Spigen. However, apart from the Onyx having a cooler look, the Spigen I think has all the advantages. Likely because it is slightly less rigid, the Spigen feels a bit better in your hand. The edges aren't quite as sharp as the Onyx. The volume buttons on the Spigen also have less resistance. The Onyx buttons definitely aren't hard to use, but not as effortless as the Spigen. Apart from this the cases are so close you probably can't tell from 2 feet away (apart from the shinier plastic on the Onyx).
All this being said I couldn't in good conscience accept either of these cases because they are both so damn slippery. The Spigen here is not quite as bad as the Onyx, but they are both pretty loose in the hand. The way I test this (unscientifically) is I simply hold the phone loosely in my hand and jiggle it. I also lay it down on my open palm and slowly move my hand to a vertical position and see how vertical I can get my hand before the phone just slides out. Using these informal tests, as well as just "gut feeling" these two cases are definitely the most slippery of the lot.
The Parallax was purchased for my wife. Though it's cool geometric back pattern made me think I might want one too if I like hers. Surprisingly the pattern on the back doesn't help the grip on the phone, this phone was almost as slippery as the Ringke/Spigen discussed above. It is a two piece case, softer TPU inside with a poly-carbonate rim shell. Despite this you don't need to disconnect the pieces to either put the phone in or remove it. I like the idea of this case and apart from the slipperiness it feels good in the hand. While a different design and not tested to any MIL spec, I think this would probably offer close to the same protection as the Ringke/Spigen combo. If this case was a bit more grippy I might have considered it for my main choice (although the same could be said about the Ringlke/Spigen combo).
The Fusion is another Ringke case and it isn't just another color from the Onyx reviewed above. It is more rigid than the Onyx with a poly-carbonate backing and TPU bumpers that run the edges of the phone. Before I ordered this case I thought it might be my favorite solely because it is the closest I found to the SUPCASE I have on my M8. It doesn't quite have the same style as the SUPCASE (beveled edges, rounded back, cool camera cutouts), it is actually pretty plain/boring apart from it's clear back. The back allows the V20 to show in all its glory and if you have a titanium model like me the smoke edges are very similar to the phone. Quite simply with this case on it is also like there is no case on. This is true not just in looks but also in size - this is probably about the slimmest you can get. While it has enough extra case to raise the screen on the front and the camera on the back high enough so its not scratching on a table surface, I'm not sure how well this case would do in an extreme drop. I suspect it will perform on par with how my SUPCASE protected my M8 which was always good enough for me. Even though this case's protection is on the low side of the bunch, it has one more thing going for it: grip. Even though this case is smooth without any ridges or grabby parts it actually felt the most secure in my hand. This is probably a combination of both it being small, but also the materials it is made with. It has a slightly tacky feel despite not being sticky at all. I will say that one negative to the case is because it is clear (and maybe because of it's tacky feel) it will attract fingerprints. I've been told that these clear cases yellow over time, though reports say that this Ringke may not be too affected by that. My SUPCASE was a bit frosted and it held up fine in that regard.
In the end, with a phone as big as the V20, I felt that I had to go with a slim line case for my comfort level. I think it was really down to this and the (vastly different/larger) UAG for me out of the bunch and I opted to go with a slimmer profile over the protection of a bulky case (again compared to this one the UAG was almost twice as thick).
Well - there you have it. My opinionated and wholly unscientific review. Hope it helps someone make up their mind if they are considering for or against one of these. I'll likely have all the cases for a week or so and am happy to answer any specifics. After that I'm still happy to answer based on memory!
Wanted to add one (negative) update to the Parallax case we just noticed.
While trying to take a screen shot (hold power + volume down) it wasn't always working and instead was just turning the volume down.
When we took the phone out of the case it was easy to perform the operation.
I have a feeling that when pressing on the volume down it might also somehow be depressing the volume up slightly? And this unexpected touch in the combo isn't triggering the screen shot. I'm not exactly sure except that my wife failed to do it 4 times and I succeed 2 out of 4 until we took the case off and did it 3 times in a row (each) no issues.
Nice review, thanks for sharing. Couldn't agree more with your review on Spigen Rugged Armor and Ringke Onyx (I own both of them). Yes they are both slippery and the Ringke is bulkier than the Spigen. That's why I'm thinking about buying Ringke Fusion (in smoke black color) because it's slim and non-slippery.
Just want to share about level of protection of my Spigen Rugged Armor. Last month my phone (while protected by that case) was accidentally thrown hard to the hard floor. Turned out, my LCD and wide-angle camera didn't survive the accident (despite having the Spigen case + tempered glass on). But for regular drops, I think both Spigen and Ringke are OK (at least, I didn't see any scratch on my V20's edges).
komedol said:
Nice review, thanks for sharing. Couldn't agree more with your review on Spigen Rugged Armor and Ringke Onyx (I own both of them). Yes they are both slippery and the Ringke is bulkier than the Spigen. That's why I'm thinking about buying Ringke Fusion (in smoke black color) because it's slim and non-slippery.
Just want to share about level of protection of my Spigen Rugged Armor. Last month my phone (while protected by that case) was accidentally thrown hard to the hard floor. Turned out, my LCD and wide-angle camera didn't survive the accident (despite having the Spigen case + tempered glass on). But for regular drops, I think both Spigen and Ringke are OK (at least, I didn't see any scratch on my V20's edges).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Accidentally thrown hard to the floor."
Must have been an interesting scenario
Yeah I doubt that most cases will definitively protect anything that is thrown. The amount of force added even from a light throw is significantly higher than just a drop, even from a foot or two. I don't think much but an otterbox type case would survive that type of impact. I've never used full protection cases. I've used slim cases for the past few years and before that I used harder shell outer cases like the SEIDO (with holsters) or some cheap equivalent of those.
I have *never* in over 10 years (first smartphone was HTC TyTN II ... not counting Blackberrys) damaged a phone by dropping it (or any other means). I'm not talking a little scuff on the body if, as often happens the case itself splits in two. But I have never broken a screen, camera, etc.
Now I've broken a few cases (especially the cheap hard 2 pieces that click on) and one time my holster phone actually got pushed out of the clip while lifting luggage out of a trunk at an airport (never saw that phone again)...but never damaged a phone.
I know some people are more accident prone and honestly those people should have warranties on their phones
I'm getting a few more cases today for my wife because she doesn't like the Parallax. I'll throw up another review (and link here) once we've tested them.
TraderJack said:
Just wanted to share my impressions of several cases I just tried for my V20.
I'm sure there are still new owners like myself coming on board as well as others who want a new case.
Some of the older reviews on the web mentioned some cases that didn't appear to be manufactured anymore but all these are still readily available as of May 2018.
I'm not going to post pics or videos as there is plenty of that out there, I'm just going to focus on some observations I had that might help someone decide. Let me start by saying I am coming from an HTC M8, and my preferred case for that was a SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle as shown here. I liked this case for a couple reasons:
It was clear an showed the beautiful finish of the M8. The V20 is similar in it has a great metal look and it is a shame to hide it.
Lightweight. While there is always a trade-off between weight and protection I am generally careful with my phone. I would say I've had the following types of drops:
From my lap in the car to the pavement when I stood up not remembering it was in my lap
From my hand to carpeted floor at home
From a foot or two above a desk onto the desk
Cover didn't block the IR port...which many M8 cases did. Luckily most, if not all of the V20 cases I have seen have cutouts for the IR port so that's a non-issue.
Even with a slim-line case like the Beetle I have never had any real damage to my phone. I did have my camera focus go bad on my M8 but I don't believe it was associated with any particular drop and the M8 was known to have that issue on some devices. Point being if you are relatively careful with your devices and like slim-line cases you will probably be more in line with my preferences....I'm definitely not an Otterbox type of guy.
Also, I haven't used clip holsters since Windows Mobile Phones were in fashion, so don't look here for advice on that .
Anyway, onto the reviewed cases...
I tried out the following cases for my wife and I:
ZIZO ION
UAG Plasma (Ash)
Spigen Rugged Armor
Ringke Onyx
Caseology Parallax Series (Coral)
Ringke Fusion (Clear/Smoke Black)
Overall I was impressed in one way or another with all the cases. I think if a particular style of case is what you are looking for then each one seems pretty solid in their category. Of course each has pros and cons, but I could easily see how someone could decide on any of them.
All the cases, with the exception of the ZIZO were very easy to put on and take off. This isn't a primary concern, but I do like the idea that I can get to the battery and microSD card without feeling like I'm going to break the case or the phone.
I'll start comments on each one in the same order:
I ordered the ZIZO as well as the UAG because I wanted to try something "tough" that was maybe MIL Spec rated but not quite as bulky as an Otterbox. The ZIZO case is actually 3 parts and comes with a separate tempered glass screen protector of your standard variety. It is an interesting case and I think out of all of them it felt it might offer the best protection. Of course it is probably the bulkiest of the bunch. Hardest to put on and take off for sure. The volume buttons also gave a lot of resistance.
The UAG is just to cool looking not to consider, despite the UAG branding splayed across the back. In all honesty it was hard for me to say no to this case because I felt it would offer good protection along with the wow factor. It also isn't exceptionally heavy although it is pretty large almost doubling the thickness of the phone. Despite that it still feels good in your hand. It is a tad slippery, but I think it has to do with the added weight pulling it down more than the material. If you don't mind a little extra bulk and like the way the UAG looks you will not be disappointed when you get it in your hands.
Spigen Rugged Armor (see Ringke Onyx below)
Ringke Onyx. I'm gong to talk about the Rugged Armor and Onyx together because the two cases are so similar to each other. Despite the fact that they hide the beautiful metal phone and only come in black they are both sharp cases. The Onyx is a bit more rigid on the back, while still having some bend. This harder plastic allows them to have that "brushed metal" look which is honestly cooler than the more rubberized look of the Spigen. However, apart from the Onyx having a cooler look, the Spigen I think has all the advantages. Likely because it is slightly less rigid, the Spigen feels a bit better in your hand. The edges aren't quite as sharp as the Onyx. The volume buttons on the Spigen also have less resistance. The Onyx buttons definitely aren't hard to use, but not as effortless as the Spigen. Apart from this the cases are so close you probably can't tell from 2 feet away (apart from the shinier plastic on the Onyx).
All this being said I couldn't in good conscience accept either of these cases because they are both so damn slippery. The Spigen here is not quite as bad as the Onyx, but they are both pretty loose in the hand. The way I test this (unscientifically) is I simply hold the phone loosely in my hand and jiggle it. I also lay it down on my open palm and slowly move my hand to a vertical position and see how vertical I can get my hand before the phone just slides out. Using these informal tests, as well as just "gut feeling" these two cases are definitely the most slippery of the lot.
The Parallax was purchased for my wife. Though it's cool geometric back pattern made me think I might want one too if I like hers. Surprisingly the pattern on the back doesn't help the grip on the phone, this phone was almost as slippery as the Ringke/Spigen discussed above. It is a two piece case, softer TPU inside with a poly-carbonate rim shell. Despite this you don't need to disconnect the pieces to either put the phone in or remove it. I like the idea of this case and apart from the slipperiness it feels good in the hand. While a different design and not tested to any MIL spec, I think this would probably offer close to the same protection as the Ringke/Spigen combo. If this case was a bit more grippy I might have considered it for my main choice (although the same could be said about the Ringlke/Spigen combo).
The Fusion is another Ringke case and it isn't just another color from the Onyx reviewed above. It is more rigid than the Onyx with a poly-carbonate backing and TPU bumpers that run the edges of the phone. Before I ordered this case I thought it might be my favorite solely because it is the closest I found to the SUPCASE I have on my M8. It doesn't quite have the same style as the SUPCASE (beveled edges, rounded back, cool camera cutouts), it is actually pretty plain/boring apart from it's clear back. The back allows the V20 to show in all its glory and if you have a titanium model like me the smoke edges are very similar to the phone. Quite simply with this case on it is also like there is no case on. This is true not just in looks but also in size - this is probably about the slimmest you can get. While it has enough extra case to raise the screen on the front and the camera on the back high enough so its not scratching on a table surface, I'm not sure how well this case would do in an extreme drop. I suspect it will perform on par with how my SUPCASE protected my M8 which was always good enough for me. Even though this case's protection is on the low side of the bunch, it has one more thing going for it: grip. Even though this case is smooth without any ridges or grabby parts it actually felt the most secure in my hand. This is probably a combination of both it being small, but also the materials it is made with. It has a slightly tacky feel despite not being sticky at all. I will say that one negative to the case is because it is clear (and maybe because of it's tacky feel) it will attract fingerprints. I've been told that these clear cases yellow over time, though reports say that this Ringke may not be too affected by that. My SUPCASE was a bit frosted and it held up fine in that regard.
In the end, with a phone as big as the V20, I felt that I had to go with a slim line case for my comfort level. I think it was really down to this and the (vastly different/larger) UAG for me out of the bunch and I opted to go with a slimmer profile over the protection of a bulky case (again compared to this one the UAG was almost twice as thick).
Well - there you have it. My opinionated and wholly unscientific review. Hope it helps someone make up their mind if they are considering for or against one of these. I'll likely have all the cases for a week or so and am happy to answer any specifics. After that I'm still happy to answer based on memory!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny i've often thought the V20 reminded of the HTC ones. I have a silver one instead of the all too common titan Because i wanted to show it off. Turns out its so slippery that i would have to get a case.
Quicker & easier to get was the spigen rugged armor. This offers adequate protection from regular drops but its slippery and i didn't like it. The ringke onyx was on order and would take a few weeks to arrive. So i lived with the Spigen until then
The ringke though slippery on the back has ridges on the side which help with grip. So you could say its an improvement of sorts. I've knocked the phone off a table numerous times onto a hard tile floor and the onyx protected well.
But i've got these black cases that hide everything. So much for showing anything off.
After six months i got the RIngke fusion. For the first time i got to appreciate the design of the phone. The Fusion is drop safe up to 4 ft also. This is my favourite case. The grip as you mentioned is better than the previous two. To the point where i never get the feeling i'm going to drop the phone this to me is a minimum test a case must pass. I find interesting your idea of slowly raising your hand towards the vertical to test grip-ability
Next to arrive is an incipio NSG, again all black but hopefully better feel than the other two black cases. never tried an incipio before.
I can't tell whether the fusion will yellow at all, how well has yours held up ? i have the clear case, not sure if you got clear or smoked. The latter won't yellow. As for clear half the reviews on amazon said they had a problem and the remainder said otherwise.
There is a case by Speck called Presidio that is clear, well it isn't as clear as the Fusion, but slightly frosted and looks like its a hard case unlike the fusion.
So, as I have done with my last few phones I have obtained many of the most well-reviewed cases (and some not so) to see what I like best. I thought I would share my thoughts so that others might get some better insight into what's out there. I realize that cases are very subjective based on your specific goals for a case and your general tastes. With that in mind I’m just going to start by mentioning a bit about my own habits/likes so you can get an idea of what might influence me.
Like many (I think) I like to have a case that is as minimal as possible which still offering a level of protection against drops and bumps. I am definitely not an “otter-box” type guy who likes huge rugged cases with built-in screen protectors. Especially as phones are getting larger and larger I can barely fit them in my pocket even with minimal cases. To that same point, I tend to like very “sticky”/"grippy" or tactile cases as these large phones are also hard enough to hold as-is. I suppose if you have really large hands this might not be as much of an issue, but for me it tends to rule out a lot of cases that look great but feel “slippery.”
I tend to do a "stick test" where I lay the phone in the case flat on the palm of my open hand and then slowly rotate the phone to a vertical position The longer it takes for the phone to not slide off my hand, the better. Some cases will allow me to stand the phone basically straight up gripping my hand without me using fingers at all. Results are not totally scientific as the temperature/sweat on my hands can influence the outcome to some degree but overall I get a better than/worse than result.
As a real-life example of what I prefer, refer to my last 2 phone case choices:
HTC M8 - SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid. I loved everything about this case for the M8. It looked awesome, had just the right amount of protection while still being a slim case. The material isn’t the stickiest but based on the curve of the M8’s back, which this case follows, it creates a great curve in your hand for a fantastic fit/group.
LG V20 - Ringke Fusion Smoke/Clear Case - Unfortunately they didn’t make the same SUPCASE for my V20, so I went with this one. It also is a hard polycarbonate back (but not too hard/thick) with a more flexible TPU bumper. It has a great amount of tactile stickiness and the phone never slips from my hand.
As evident, I’ve tended to gravitate towards relatively clear cases on my last phones because the phones themselves have been great looking phones (brushed metal all around, etc). I purchased the Pixel 3 XL black, which while a nice looking phone really isn’t anything spectacular and I think the right case may even improve the looks (something I didn’t think was true on my above 2 phones).
Taking the above into account, below are my reviews/thoughts on the cases I’ve tried for the 3 XL. I’ve divided them into several categories for easier comparison which you will find below:
Full TPU Cases
I don’t normally like full TPU cases because they don’t offer much protection and tend to feel “squishy” due to being made totally of flexible material. Still, they are light-weight and the clear ones offer a good view of the phone, so I decided to try a few out.
Cimo Slim Grip ($8) - Like all the clear TPU cases I reviewed, they still have a yellowish tinge right out of the box. It’s hard to know if the cases will yellow more over time, but you can definitely see the yellow in the thicker parts (and around the cut-outs). Once the phone is in the case it is harder to see this, and since all the clear TPU cases suffer from it I supposed I can’t dock too many points.
As a TPU case it is super flexible and super tactile/grippy. Unfortunately the inside of the case is as well which makes getting it into the case evenly is difficult. There is barely any lip to the front of the case, so not much distance between the screen and a flat surface. Additionally the lip seems uneven, and not sure if this is manufacturing or simply because it is difficult to line the phone up perfectly because of the grip of the TPU. Buttons (volume/power) have good feedback, overall what I would expect for an $8 TPU case that offers mostly scratch protection.
Totallee transparent case ($28) - Almost identical to the Cimo in all regards that a clear TPU case can have. It does perhaps a slightly better fit and quality (though still yellow tinge). It is incredibly flexible, more-so than the other TPU cases. The largest downside (for my needs) is it has virtually no lip. If you place the phone face down on a flat surface I’m sure that the screen will make contact in many situations. Overall is is a nice “barely there” case that doesn’t add bulk or size, but for $29 it is really hard to recommend over the Cimo.
Spigen Liquid Crystal ($11) - A combination of the Cimo and Totallee cases. It has a better lip than the Cimo and a better fit and overall quality. If you want a low-profile clear TPU case I think this is the one to beat.
Dretal Carbon Fiber Shock Resistant Brushed Texture Soft TPU ($8) - Unlike the other pure TPU cases this one is a brushed metal/carbon fiber black instead of clear. The case design is nice, but doesn’t seem the best quality, with minor imperfections in the melding of the parts. Also the carbon fiber pads on mine looked scratched/hazy out of the box on parts of them, something I’m sure will happen over time making this case not look as sharp. Apart from look, unremarkable in any other way (good or bad). While this is a very flexible TPU case (making the phone super easy to put in/get out), it isn’t a very grippy case and I found it slipping out of my hands more than the others. This would appear to be a “knock-off” of the Spigen Rugged Armor - a case not available when I was ordering my lot. For the small difference in price if you can get your hands on one I’m not sure why you wouldn’t opt for the Spigen.
Polycarbonate (PC) - TPU Hybrid Cases - Light-weight
These are the types cases I usually prefer (along with the mid-weight ones below). Their harder back brings some rigidity and strength to the case and the rubberized bumpers provide some additional protection. Overall I find these superior to pure TPU cases while in some cases adding very little additional bulk.
MoKo ($7) - This is like the PC/TPU version of the Cimo from above. Decently grippy, though not as much as some of the other cases in this category. It is stiffer with the PC back and the rubberized edges are also pretty hard. The buttons are responsive but like a lot of cases in this and the TPU category they volume button is not split (up/down). This can make it difficult to tell which direction volume you are pressing. Lip is pretty good - possibly the highest in this category. There are little nubbins on the back corners that raise the case slightly from the ground. While these might help protect the camera by raising it a bit more, I wonder if they act as a buttress to strengthen the corners, they seem largely unnecessary though a few models incorporate similar designs.
VRS Crystal Chrome ($12) - While more expensive I found this to be mostly the same as the MoKo, but lesser quality. The lip is also the lowest out of the cases in this category, though to be fair the case may be the thinnest (though not by much). Nothing really here that can make me recommend it over the MoKo, especially at this price.
Ringke Fusion ($9) - Very similar to the MoKo in all respects. Might be a little better quality, but I could just be influenced by the brand. Volume control is also one button, but buttons seem a bit friendlier to use. Like the MoKo it has little nubbins on the bottom corners (more stylized). Also has a place for a lanyard (if that interests you). I think this would be my pick in this category if only for the reason that you can get it in a “smoke” color. Even with a black phone I feel the smoke adds a bit of “texture” to the look and prevents yellowing better. I don’t think the Pixel is pretty enough that it needs a completely transparent case anyway.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid S ($14) - Basically identical to the Spigen Liquid Crystal but with a stiff PC backing. It has slightly larger buttons and a kickstand. Personally, I don’t like the way the kickstand offset feels in my hand and I don’t think I’d get much use out of it. I don’t have much experience with the kickstands and they seem a bit flimsy to me. I’d be worried about it breaking off and then just having a busted case. Volume button is also two-parts, which makes feeling for them a bit easier. Once or twice I felt this case was a bit “squishier” in my hands, but the phone might not have been seated well. If you want a clear case with a kickstand, this is probably a good bet.
Polycarbonate (PC) - TPU Hybrid Cases - Mid-weight
Along with the light-weights, I prefer these cases. It is often a fine distinction, but I tend to feel these cases have a bit more “padding” offering some more protection with a very minimal change in footprint. But, this designation is a bit subjective so you could group these with the lightweight above - the main difference being these aren’t all transparent all around.
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle ($13) - I really wanted to love this case as it is what I had on my HTC M8. Unfortunately, while the back is highly tactile, the rubberized side bumpers are pretty slippery. The bumpers give a good lip, but they also extend around the back of the case a bit, creating what amounts to a small rear lip. This causes the back not to rest as snug in your hand causing the whole case less grippy. Additionally the power and volume buttons are basically flush with the case making it a bit difficult to find them easily (and also promoting a smoother/more slippery surface on the sides!). The buttons are responsive though and the case is really easy to swap on/off. It has a nice clean look and I think would offer a good amount of protection, but I don't think it is the winner for me this time around.
Ringke Fusion-X ($13) - Built like the Fusion but with some more meat on the edges, an overall stiffer case. A tad bigger all around than the Unicorn, and seemingly certified Mil grade tested. The design is more stylized - a “rugged” looking case while not being overly bulky. The texture of the design gives it some grip, which is good because otherwise it wouldn’t be very tactile. More defined volume buttons. Might be a competitor to Unicorn, except the sides are pretty slippery. It also has a lanyard hole.
This is probably a good choice for a more rugged look coupled with slightly more protection (at the expense of some added bulk). For me though the slipperiness of the case offsets the additional protection it might offer. I’d rather not drop it in the first place then have it be more protected when I do! But as a secondary “rugged” case for someone that doesn’t like overly bulky cases it might be a good fit.
UAG Plyo ($40) - A really interesting case. At first I thought it was the biggest in this category but it actually seems to be the same size as the Fusion-X (perhaps a hair smaller!). It is virtually the same size as the Unicorn Beetle and even the lightweight Ringke Fusion. Unlike these phones however it has straight, not beveled edges so it initially gives the appearance of it being longer, but it really isn’t (it might be a hair thicker, but when put side by side it is virtually unnoticeable). Seriously, I almost dismissed this case out of hand as being too large, but when I compare it again to other cases I was highly considering I see that it is similar in size.
It is Mil-spec tested and unlike the Fusion-X it is very grippy. Perhaps not as grippy as the Fusion, but a close second. As you also might expect with a thicker case the buttons and side “squeeze”seem a bit harder to press, but not unworkable (and Active Edge sensitivity can be adjusted). It has a smoky tinge to the color and a honeycomb pattern at the bumpers give it a cool look. The sides and back have a slight inward curve which is visually different and I think actually helps with the grip. While I haven’t tested any of these cases with wireless charging, UAG states that this is compatible - which would have been one of my only concerns for a "rugged" case. At $40 the price is relatively very high and this may be the only reason can’t recommend the case, or at the very least choose it for myself.
Polycarbonate (PC) - TPU Dual Layer Cases
I don’t prefer these types of cases, I find them to usually be bulkier and not usually provide more protection above the mid-weight single layer cases. They are almost never clear/clear-ish cases either though their dual layers can offer some interesting visual designs. My wife happens to be a fan of these, which is why I ordered a couple to check out.
Spigen Tough Armor ($17) - Honestly, I didn’t even realize this was a dual-layer case until I was reading some more about it for writing this review. I had it placed with the mid-weight cases above. Functionally I find it very similar to the Unicorn Beetle, despite it’s dual layers. It is basically the same size although with beveled instead of rounded edges. It was easy to put on/take off with both layers attached (part of the reason I didn’t realize it was dual layer).
The outer layer wraps around the middle and sides, but does not offer more protection around the corners. As the name implies, this is supposed to be “tough” and has some level of Mil-grade testing. I’m not sure I feel it would withstand that much more punishment than others in the mid-weight category though. It has the same flat buttons that the Unicorn does but the materials are not as grippy and can at times be quite slippery. Aesthetically, a very nice looking case but the all plastic kickstand mechanism seems flimsy. The kickstand does removes easily and they probably should have provided at least 2 spares with the case (which would have cost them pennies to do).
Spigen Neo Hybrid ($14) - Overall a really nice looking case - almost identical in size to the Tough Armor (perhaps a hair smaller all around). The outer layer wraps around the edges/corners of the phone than the middle like the Tough Armor. Unlike the Tough Armor, the edges are rounded as opposed to beveled. Volume/power buttons are easy to feel with good tactile feedback. I don’t think the thin outer shell is offering much more protection than the rubberized bumpers on the mid-weights above. It is however more grippy than the Tough Armor and also apparently has a Mil-spec rating. Unfortunately after several tries I still couldn’t get the outer shell to sit flush with the camera outline (it was raised around the camera's lower edge). Apart from that last issue, if you like dual layer cases and like the look of this one, I can recommend it.
Tudia Merge ($9.5) - Like the Spigen Tough Armor, the outer shell wraps around the middle and sides. It seems mostly aesthetic, but the metal look is very appealing and surprisingly not as slippery as the plastic on the Tough Armor. Buttons are a little stiff but overall feel good and the lip is sufficient. You can get it on and off easy without removing the back. This ended up being my wife’s pick.
BentoBen Slim Glitter Bling ($10) - This is mostly a “glamour case”, albeit a decently put together one. Quality is good although the paint on the edges will wear over time. On average the same length and width as many of the lightweight/midweight cases but a little thicker. Unfortunately this thickness doesn’t give it a superior lip (though it is sufficient). The buttons are a bit too recessed for my liking, but not stiff. The outer shell is actually pretty grippy due to the texture. We ordered this one only because my wife had the same one for her V20 and still she is opting for the Tudai this time around.
Miscellaneous Cases
Only one case doesn’t fit into the above categories. I ordered only to complete all the Spigen cases available for my phone to try it out.
Spigen Thin Fit ($10) - Basically a “non-case.” A small black clip-on that seems designed simply so you can use a magnetic holder without having to attach the magnet sticker to your phone directly. It adds virtually no bulk, but is slippery and would offer very little protection except from back scratches. Unremarkable for what it is and if you want something to prevent your keys from scratching the back of the phone it will work and probably slide in and out of your pocket easier than a TPU case. As for me, I’ll pass.
Well, that's all the ones I've tried out. Other well reviewed cases that I couldn't find on Amazon which I wanted to try:
Caseology Legion Series
Spigen Rugged Armor
Incipio DualPro Pixel 3 XL
Tech21 Pure Clear
Speck Presidio Stay Clear
For now, I think my choice is the Ringke Fusion, just like I had on my V20. Perhaps if the UAG drops in price I will move over to it.
If I check out any more or have any updated thoughts I'll update the thread.
I'll probably be hanging onto these cases for about a week before return, so please feel free to ask any specifics and I will try to get an answer.
So you buy these, review them, then return them?
airmaxx23 said:
So you buy these, review them, then return them?
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Yes.
Most of these aren't available anywhere except online so there is no way to find if you will like a case without actually trying it.
The $10 I will pay to ship them all back to Amazon is worth it to find a case I like.
Don't forget Spigen Slim Armor and Google fabric cases
airmaxx23 said:
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he's not, otherwise there wouldn't be a return policy. or, they would be sold in b&m stores where they could be tried on first, which would likely Jack up then price 2-3x. these cases cost pennies to make, maybe the best ones break into the very low dollars. returns are the cost of doing business.
Thread cleaned. Please keep comments on-topic. Disrespectful opinions about how the OP goes about acquiring the cases for reviews aren't needed.
Had @kellybrf not commented, I would have said the same. He's not taking advantage of any system. Amazon's return policy is interesting in how it's handled. If he's paying a return price, that means he's selecting the option that doesn't include the words "defective" or "not as ordered", etc. He's being honest with them about why he's returning them, otherwise he wouldn't be paying for return shipping.
The rugged armor is on amazon, did you not see it? would be curious how it compares as i use on all my phones
Thank you for the well-written review. It is very appreciated. My Pixel 3 XL is due to arrive on Monday the 17th. So I am in search of the required accessories. I require excellent protection as I drop things quite often ?
I have the Incipio DualPro. Love this case. Fits perfect, and has a perfect rubbery/grippy feel.
https://incipio.com/cases/more-devices/google-smartphone-cases/dualpro-google-pixel-3-xl-case.html
I've tried a few cases and, not speaking about phone protection, but I have found that none of the ones I've tried (all three were Spigen) are compatible with the Pixel Stand. The cases make the phone too thick to remain vertical on the stand.
I bought a otter box defender case the same time I got my class....I dropped the phone twice since and I have zero damage. Worth the money....not that bulky...
Uag plyo It is a very nice case with great protection. Wireless charging works perfectly. great case.
oneandroidnut said:
The rugged armor is on amazon, did you not see it? would be curious how it compares as i use on all my phones
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Long time replying, just wanted to state that the case was not available on Amazon when I was ordering cases. It may very well have gotten back into stock afterwards.
I am still using my Ringke Fusion case and I don't have any major complaints. The tactile/sticky nature of the case has been in line with my previous cases which I purchased for similar reasons.
I would still like to get the UAG Pylo, but not until I can find it for ~$15 (which may never happen). As I have never dropped the phone so far, I'm not sure the slightly extra protection of the UAG would even be necessary, but it is a distinctive looking case.