Review of Tudia's Clear TPU Case: The Problem with Transparency - ONE Accessories

This review only applies to the clear version of the Tudia case. The design and aesthetic issues might not be as problematic with the black, purple and teal versions. I wrote this review specifically for people who might want to show off the back cover of their OnePlus One -- especially the sandstone cover and the upcoming bamboo accessory cover.
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Forget the fact that clear cases often turn yellow over time. Even if you don't mind that phenomenon, here's what's wrong with the clear version of Tudia's "Ultra Slim LITE TPU Bumper":
1. The transparent part of the case is exactly where you don't want it: at the top, bottom and corners. This highlights the silver band of the OnePlus One -- the part of the phone that many of us would prefer to conceal.
2. The frosted part of the case is exactly where you don't need it: on the middle, largest and widest area, which obscures the sandstone and custom back covers you might have have wanted to show off. The only reason I wanted a transparent case was to feature the back cover. This case doesn't do that.
If you look at the pictures of the clear case on the Amazon product page, you'll see it's obvious that Tudia never double-checked their design of the prototype with a physically real OnePlus One. None of the details and color of the back of the OPO appear in their graphics of the apparently minimalist design, nor do the stripes of color variation when the cover's used for the black OPO (which is the only version that OnePlus is shipping currently).
3. It makes a 2014 device look like a 1999 Powermac G4. Remember the days when every computer and accessory was ambered in see-through plastic? The transparent plastic at the corners and edges of the case create that same effect.
4. The details of the design conflict with those of the half-exposed OPO, both highlighting and obscuring logos and lines of text. Additionally, the Tudia logo runs sideways vertically beside the horizontal Cyanogen text and logo, which makes the back of your new minimalist phone look like a complicated double exposure.
5. The division between the clear and frosted portions of the case are accentuated by a line of thinner transparent plastic, which segments the OPO into three sections that make it look even more '90s-clunky.
The transparent Tudia case definitely adds more protection than the official hard-shell I bought from OnePlus (since it shipped with my phone). The cutouts all align and the buttons are decent but not great.
However, the official case looks far, far better. In users' pictures, the Diztronic looks better as well. (After I receive my Diztronic, I'll let you know what I think.)
So to sum:
Even if you like transparent cases and don't mind their yellowing over time, avoid the Tudia case. It has other problems and is far less attractive than the Diztronic.
This would have been the better choice for the OnePlus One design-wise: Frosted plastic for the corners and edges, and transparent plastic for the back. But here's why that might not work: The transparent color seems only to be available in a smoother and harder plastic. To make that kind of plastic work for the back of the OnePlus One, it would have to have a molded texture that was grippy enough to hold onto but clear enough to show the back cover of the OPO. The deciding factor would be the difficulty of developing a texture with traction with a plastic that is transparent -- especially on a budget.
(I'll try to add pictures to this review over the weekend, when I'll have access to a camera that isn't part of the OPO in the case I need to photograph.)

Reset time...be nice or get out....
oh, and thread cleaned

Related

Flexi/Candy/TPU skin impressions

I just received this skin for my Evo:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400129173520
1. Way thinner than the HTC silicon rubber case
2. Somewhere between hard plastic and soft silicone. Think vinyl but stiffer.
3. Definitely not as shock absorbent
4. The skin extends up past the face of the phone about 1.5mm, so if you set the phone face down it won't touch the surface
5. It does not wrap around the face of the phone at all, which I like -- it gives you touch access to the entire touch screen surface, as opposed to the HTC silicone rubber skin. It's much easier to reach the edges of the touch screen, like using the phone naked
6. The top of the camera lens protrudes slightly from the back of the case. However, due to the curvature of the phone, when resting back-down on a table, the lens doesn't actually contact the surface by a small gap, .5mm at best
7. The argyle pattern on the back is very subtle
8. All the cutouts line up properly. The cutouts are rather large however; for example, the diameter of the cutout for the speaker hole is probably 5mm which is a bit excessive.
9. The skin is not tacky at all, it slips in and out of the pocket with ease and doesn't attract lint. However it's more slick and less grippy, so it won't stay put on your dashboard for example.
10. It's snug but not super snug, like it's not skintight.
11. For some reason there is a cutout for the backplate nail groove
is there a non-argyle version?
Looks like a white-label Amzer case:
http://www.amzer.com/Amzer-Luxe-Argyle-Skin-Case-Smoke-Grey-P88260.htm
How does the product you have compare to the looks of that one?? Pretty much the same? I have been debating over one of these cases for a while now. Tried a lot of them out so far and havent found "the one"
i just dont want something that adds too much bulk! lol if i wasnt affraid of destroying the phone i would just let it go naked, but thats just too risky.
frettfreak said:
How does the product you have compare to the looks of that one?? Pretty much the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it doesn't say amzer anywhere on it or the packaging, and the amzer picture is a little different. There is one big cutout for the flash leds, camera, and speaker on the back. However the amzer picture might just be a photoshop mockup, and perhaps they are in fact the same.
If you want some protection without bulk and inconvenience, I recommend this case. It isn't quite as protective as the thicker silicon cases in terms of shock absorption, but it will protect against scratches and abrasions without sticking to your pocket or attracting lint.
I wasn't able to find one without the argyle print, but like I said, it's pretty subtle. If you wait, you can get one of the case-mate ones which I'm sure are higher quality.
just noticed the epik cases are out on ebay, only like 3.49 with free shipping! looks like it has individual cutouts for the led flash, camera, and speakerphone. i had to get one at that price, smoky black no pattern:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=300440215923
Just received my Epik case --
Now I have 3 different cases:
1. Sprint retail OEM silicone skin
2. Smoke argyle pattern TPU skin
3. (new) Black Epik TPU skin
Here are my impressions of the Epik TPU:
* The skin is thicker, softer, and tackier than the argyle skin, but less thick, soft and tacky than the silicone skin. I'd say it's right in the middle on all 3 accounts.
* The thickness fully recesses the camera lens
* Easy to get in/out of the pocket, doesn't attract dust/lint
* The color is not really black but more of a dark smoke color
* There are 3 individual cutouts for the components on the back
* There is no silly cutout for the battery cover nail groove
* The skin extends in over the bezel further than the argyle TPU, covering the screen seams
* The mic cutout is smaller than the argyle's
* The power and volume buttons stand out further than the argyle's, making them easier to find by touch
I definitely prefer this skin to the others. IMO, it provides the best tradeoff in terms of protection, looks and bulk.
catpunt said:
Just received my Epik case --
Now I have 3 different cases:
1. Sprint retail OEM silicone skin
2. Smoke argyle pattern TPU skin
3. (new) Black Epik TPU skin
Here are my impressions of the Epik TPU:
* The skin is thicker, softer, and tackier than the argyle skin, but less thick, soft and tacky than the silicone skin. I'd say it's right in the middle on all 3 accounts.
* The thickness fully recesses the camera lens
* Easy to get in/out of the pocket, doesn't attract dust/lint
* The color is not really black but more of a dark smoke color
* There are 3 individual cutouts for the components on the back
* There is no silly cutout for the battery cover nail groove
* The skin extends in over the bezel further than the argyle TPU, covering the screen seams
* The mic cutout is smaller than the argyle's
* The power and volume buttons stand out further than the argyle's, making them easier to find by touch
I definitely prefer this skin to the others. IMO, it provides the best tradeoff in terms of protection, looks and bulk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bought the argyle verison skin on ebay...then the non patterned ones. Been an epik case lover for ages...Well I tell you the ebay non patterned skins and the epik cases come in the same packaging. Note the original epik cases didnt come in retail packaging. When I emailed the seller he confirmed that they could sold by other ebay sellers too....hmmmm
frettfreak said:
Looks like a white-label Amzer case:
http://www.amzer.com/Amzer-Luxe-Argyle-Skin-Case-Smoke-Grey-P88260.htm
How does the product you have compare to the looks of that one?? Pretty much the same? I have been debating over one of these cases for a while now. Tried a lot of them out so far and havent found "the one"
i just dont want something that adds too much bulk! lol if i wasnt affraid of destroying the phone i would just let it go naked, but thats just too risky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same about the bulk. I like what people have been doing for the iPhone and skinning it which leaves it thin and adds a small layer of protection to it. I think the EVO could benefit from the same. (just my personal thoughts on the matter).
catpunt said:
Just received my Epik case --
Now I have 3 different cases:
1. Sprint retail OEM silicone skin
2. Smoke argyle pattern TPU skin
3. (new) Black Epik TPU skin
Here are my impressions of the Epik TPU:
* The skin is thicker, softer, and tackier than the argyle skin, but less thick, soft and tacky than the silicone skin. I'd say it's right in the middle on all 3 accounts.
* The thickness fully recesses the camera lens
* Easy to get in/out of the pocket, doesn't attract dust/lint
* The color is not really black but more of a dark smoke color
* There are 3 individual cutouts for the components on the back
* There is no silly cutout for the battery cover nail groove
* The skin extends in over the bezel further than the argyle TPU, covering the screen seams
* The mic cutout is smaller than the argyle's
* The power and volume buttons stand out further than the argyle's, making them easier to find by touch
I definitely prefer this skin to the others. IMO, it provides the best tradeoff in terms of protection, looks and bulk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got that same Argyle case in the mail today and have the Epik one on order as well. The Argyle looks pretty nice, but the lip that extends past the screen is bugging me some. I guess I will get use to it. Does the Epik have the same lip or is it more flattened out?
catpunt said:
Just received my Epik case --
Now I have 3 different cases:
1. Sprint retail OEM silicone skin
2. Smoke argyle pattern TPU skin
3. (new) Black Epik TPU skin
Here are my impressions of the Epik TPU:
* The skin is thicker, softer, and tackier than the argyle skin, but less thick, soft and tacky than the silicone skin. I'd say it's right in the middle on all 3 accounts.
* The thickness fully recesses the camera lens
* Easy to get in/out of the pocket, doesn't attract dust/lint
* The color is not really black but more of a dark smoke color
* There are 3 individual cutouts for the components on the back
* There is no silly cutout for the battery cover nail groove
* The skin extends in over the bezel further than the argyle TPU, covering the screen seams
* The mic cutout is smaller than the argyle's
* The power and volume buttons stand out further than the argyle's, making them easier to find by touch
I definitely prefer this skin to the others. IMO, it provides the best tradeoff in terms of protection, looks and bulk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pretty interested in this case, any chance you could post any pics of it since they dont have any in the ebay listing?
catpunt said:
Well it doesn't say amzer anywhere on it or the packaging, and the amzer picture is a little different. There is one big cutout for the flash leds, camera, and speaker on the back. However the amzer picture might just be a photoshop mockup, and perhaps they are in fact the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for the record, it does seem like a photosphop mockup (coloring wise) but the shape of the cutouts on the Amzer page is accurate. I got the Amzer Argyle skin off Amazon, took FOREVER to ship and then like 2-3 weeks to get here once it shipped but I'm pretty pleased with it. I'm pretty darn sure that the Amzer Argyle skins and the Epik TPU cases (along w/a couple other plain TPU cases on Ebay) share the same mold, based on the comparison/description that catpunt posted above.
My Amzer skin also recesses the lens (just enough to protect it) and also extends just past the screen seams. Anyway, I'll be able to confirm just how close the two skins are (Amzer/Epik) in a few days, I ordered a couple of Epik ones as well from DCMugen on Ebay. $7.50 for a red and a black + a screen protector and a cleaning wipe, why the heck not?
I ordered the Epik one even tho I already have the Amzer one for two reasons... Number one, I want to see how they look w/a clear battery door, showing off the phone's red internals thru the case. I can do that w/Amzer's but it might look too busy, even tho I actually don't mind the Argyle pattern. It's VERY subdued and nowhere near as prominent as it is on Amzer's site. I'll post some comparison pics once I've got all three cases in my hands.
The other reason I ordered the Epik one in red and black is the coloring or tint on the Amzer one... On the back it seems pretty black/grey, as you'd expect, but around the side edges it's a bit off... Has a bit of a brown tint to it, maybe a mix of amber and black. It doesn't look bad, just a tiny bit off. The Epik case looks to be a truer shade of smoke black all around (and the red looks pretty close to the EVO's red details). I think Amzer's oddity might be a function of the Argyle pattern, it's sort of etched on the inside. It might affect the coloring somehow.
In the end, these are all probably coming from the same source, except for the Argyle batches on Ebay w/those odd cutouts, the large single cutout for LED/camera/speaker and that weird one for the fingernail hole on the battery lid. Like I said, I'll post pics when I get my Amzer ones. I'm surprised that there's like no pics whatsoever out there of how the red one looks ON the phone.
In summary, Amzer Argyle != Ebay Argyle, Amzer's skin seems to be higher quality, definitely sourced from a different place. Amzer's colors are way off on their pics tho, the colors are closer to what the other Argyle skins look like, tho there seems to be some variation on the black/smoked one.
Overall I'm loving these TPU skin/cases tho... They blow the silicon ones out of the water. My silicon case didn't catch the inside of my pockets that much, but enough to be a bother, these slip out super easy but they've still got very good grip on your hand (perhaps better than silicon even). They also don't attract dust/lint AT ALL, my silicon case would develop this crusty line of crap along the screen edges within just a day of cleaning it, was pretty irritating.
Finally, as others have said, they feel way more svelte on your hand than the HTC/OEM silicon case... I don't know if it's the way the corners are rounded off or what, but it's a big difference in feel (altho probably not a huge difference in reality, they're thinner but not THAT much thinner). Oh and they're much more rigid/tight around the phone, the edges around the screen don't flop out, AT ALL... On silicon cases after a few weeks (or even when they're brand new) you can stretch 'em pretty easily by just flicking at it or if your thumb slips off screen... Not so with these.
TPU >>>>>>>>>>> silicon
You guys are aware that there is a person on this board selling TPU cases right?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=719527
And they are nice, got 4 of them for 19 dollars, shipping included.
Quick bit of take to make the button mashing easier and they are perfect.
catpunt said:
just noticed the epik cases are out on ebay, only like 3.49 with free shipping! looks like it has individual cutouts for the led flash, camera, and speakerphone. i had to get one at that price, smoky black no pattern:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=300440215923
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought an Epik. Hate it. So far the best TPU case I've found is the one in the "Evo TPU Cases available" thread. It's clear, and the back is a matte finish. The Epik is super thick and bows out on the sides.

Harder silicone case

I'm curious if there is a stiffer/stronger silicone case out there. I had a hard silicone case for my ipod touch and miss it. The htc silicone case is just to flimsy and I'm not wanting a hard case never had any luck with them
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk
What you want is a TPU case. It's a different material than silicon, somewhat stiffer and tighter fitting (maybe a bit less shock absorbent?), but pretty much superior in every respect imo... It's still a soft case tho, you still stretch it around the EVO to fit it in and whatnot, and you could bend it if you wanted (only difference is it snaps back to it's original shape much quicker than silicon).
It seems to have more grip on your hand but it slides out of your pocket a lot easier, a LOT easier, and unlike silicon cases it attracts almost no dust and lint whatsoever! My HTC/OEM silicon case (bought at the Sprint store) attracted so much lint and crap in my pocket that within a day of cleaning it all up I'd have this crusty line of crap all around the edges, it was pretty irritating. None of that w/my TPU case, at all!
The TPU cases also feel a lot slimmer on your hand even tho they're not that much thinner than the silicon one, they're still thick enough so that the camera is recessed below it and fully protected (most of them are anyway, there's some thinner ones)... I guess part of the reason they feel more svelte is that the edges are more rounded off and not as squre-ish as the HTC silicon one.
Button press feel is also much better w/these, probably because of the tighter fit, they actually improve the handling of the power button if you ask me. The side edges of these cases don't move at all unless you pull on it tightly, totally different feel compared to the silicon ones which loosen up and from just swiping your finger across the screen you can end up stretching the edge out.
In short, they're just superior in every way, just get one and you'll thank me later. All you have to do is choose one of the different ones out there based on aesthetics...
Amzer sells one w/an Argyle pattern on the back, that's what I've got right now, it's available on Amazon and off Amzer's site for around the same price ($9-10), it's semi-translucent and the pattern is actually a lot more subdued and doesn't stand out nearly as much as you'd think from looking at the online pics. I actually like the pattern, if anything I'd say the shade of the skin isn't quite smoked/black, it has a slight hint of amber/brown...
That's the only thing that bothers me about it. I'm gonna be ordering a plain black one along w/a red one from DCMugen on Ebay, he's selling some made by Epik that look to be the exact same thing w/o the Argyle pattern, and they're cheaper to boot ($3.50, or $6.50 for two). I can get you a link if you can't find 'em... I think they have 'em in blue and clear and a few other colors too.
Just don't fall for the cheap off-brand Argyle ones on Ebay, you can tell them apart easily because unlike the two I've mentioned those have one large cutout for the camera/LED/speaker, whereas these other ones have individual cutouts and from what I've read they're a bit thicker. Those other Ebay ones also have a large silly cutout for the fingernail hole on the battery lid that you use to pry it off, seems like a goof on the mold/design.
If you don't care for the Argyle pattern on the Amzer one I'd get the Epik ones from DCMugen, I think the colors/tint on those are closer to the photos. Here's a link to the red one, you can click on the seller for the other colors and the package pricing for two or whatever.
If you're not into the translucent look of either of those TPU cases you can always grab the matte black one at www.evocases.net There's a thread for those right here at XDA where misticjeff has even thrown in a $1 code discount for XDA members. The sides/front are still glossy (perhaps a bit glossier than the translucent ones, judging by the photos), back's matte. The frost one is no longer available.
On the thread about those some people were complaining about the feel of the power button, seems it's not as great as the Amzer/Epik ones, some people resorted to sticking a lil' bit of tape in between to make it easier to press... One thing the evocases.net does have going for it is the slightly raised ring around the camera, which I guess might protect it more in the long run... Even tho they're all thick enough that the lens is recessed (as well as the screen obviously).
My 2 cents, hope it helps... I'm loving the feel of these TPU cases tho, I'll probably never get a silicon case for a phone again.
Whew, that second post got pretty long... A picture or two would've made it easier to explain I guess. Lemme know if you're interested in the Argyle one and I can grab my camera and post some pics of how it really looks, there doesn't seem to be many pictures out there of the actual case ON the phone (for either of them really).
I was gonna wait 'till I had the Epik ones so I could photograph them all side by side but I can take pics of the Amzer Argyle one in advance and post 'em up. Like I said, I actually dig the Argyle pattern because it's pretty subdued, it's more of an etch or a shade (it actually feels like an etch on the inside of the case), rather than a print. The only thing that bothers me about it is the overall shade/tint.
I probably wouldn't even be ordering the Epik one if I wasn't also ordering some of those clear battery doors that are about to go on sale... I think those plain Epik cases w/the clear battery door will look very slick.
Best buy might have what you are looking for. My only gripe is the buttons feel hard to push. But give it a shot (most BB will let you try on the case) it might be what you are looking for.
Seidio Innocase Active Cased - Limited Edition
After looking around the net for some time I bought the Seido Innocase Active Limited Edition.
Can't post a link but search Amazon for the title in my thread.
It's a semi-hard silicon cover with a siliconized hard plastic that exo-skeleton. Perfect combo in my opinion. My one complaint is that the edges on the hard plastic piece have the siliconized coating peeling off a little but I think I may have gotten a defective unit as I haven't seen anyone else complaining about it yet.
Also got the ClearTouch screen cover anti-glare version. I've had this cover on a few phones and it's also the best for reducing glare and fingerprints while maintaining clarity. Kinda hard to install without getting dust underneath but once you get it on right it looks and feels great. ClearTouch is sold by boxwave and is on Amazon.
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover
Has anyone tried the Hybrid Flexi Skin cover from Daydeal.com? I'm also looking for a tighter case than my OEM silicone skin I got from Sprint. I just don't like the way the sides become flimsy and flaps off the phone when I swipe my screen. I'm looking at this case:
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G, Honeycomb (Smoke & Clear)
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G is a combination back cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) edge with a smooth hard back.
* Protects the side edges and back of your EVO 4G
* Hybrid cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft TPU edge and a smooth hard back
* Stylish glossy TPU edge provides shock-absorbing protection
* Lightweight TPU is resistant to taring, stretching and deforming
* Compatible with HTC EVO 4G
Sorry, I'm a newbie and can't post links, yet. I don't know if the TPU edges would solve the flapping problem, since it's supposed to be firmer & tighter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hiway said:
Has anyone tried the Hybrid Flexi Skin cover from Daydeal.com? I'm also looking for a tighter case than my OEM silicone skin I got from Sprint. I just don't like the way the sides become flimsy and flaps off the phone when I swipe my screen. I'm looking at this case:
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G, Honeycomb (Smoke & Clear)
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G is a combination back cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) edge with a smooth hard back.
...
Sorry, I'm a newbie and can't post links, yet. I don't know if the TPU edges would solve the flapping problem, since it's supposed to be firmer & tighter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said in my previous post, TPU rocks as a material for cases/skins... I don't blame ya for skipping right over it tho.
TPU >>>>>> silicon
TPU doesn't attract dust at all, it's much tighter/rigid so the side edges don't flop out at all, but it's still got plenty of give (so it'll absorb a fall/bump), you could bend 'em in half if you wanted... Only difference is it'll snap back into form in a second unlike silicon which will probably just bounce around in an arc.
TPU also seems just as grippy on your hand, if not more so, but it slides in and out of pockets way way easier, and most of the TPU cases I've seen feel way more svelte in the hand than the OEM/HTC silicon scene... Probably in part because they're a tad thinner, probably also because the edges are more rounded off and not as blocky. Physically I'm sure it isn't a huge difference, but it sure feels like it.
This thread has some further discussion on TPU cases, it's really hard to judge them based on pictures alone, I was very pleasantly surprised with mine.
So I tried googling the title you posted and came up with this, only place I could find it at. Looks pretty interesting, seems the back is hard plastic and the edges are TPU. If you dig that honeycomb pattern I'd say go for it...
Altho if it's actual plastic it might get scratched up over time Looks like it's also clear/translucent, clear plastic usually shows every single flaw... A plain TPU case wouldn't have that issue. I'm just not seeing the advantage over 100% TPU, which are also like $3.50 vs $14 (look for DCMugen's Epik/TPU cases on Ebay).
OTOH that red back + black edges on the video in the link I pasted before looks pretty sweet... The rest look kinda gaudy imo ('cept for the all black) but red/black looks really different, I like it.
P.S. This is the Honeycomb (Smoke & Red) combination I was alluding to... There's also Honeycomb (Smoke & Smoke) and plain Black & Smoke (no honeycomb pattern, solid black sides). The red is the most distinct imo, those are all probably better in the long run than the clear back (less forgiving).
Jayr00 said:
Kinda hard to install without getting dust underneath but once you get it on right it looks and feels great. ClearTouch is sold by boxwave and is on Amazon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tip for the next time you gotta install a screen protector and its the hard type: get some scotch tape, put it on the non adhesive side of the screen protector so you can peel it back without touching anything, and then grab another piece of tape and start taping the dust out of the screen or adhesive side of the protector and you'll be dust free in no time. Friends came over cuz they all needed new protectors and i did 4 phones in 20 minutes.
Hybrid Flexi Case
I got my new case today....went with the Smoke & Smoke combo. This case is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it. the sides don't flap and it has a really tight fit and seems really durable. Got it off of EBay for about $8.50 ($4.50 for case + $4.00 shipping/handling) from Daydeal as opposed to going to their site and paying $13.99.
Impulses said:
P.S. This is the Honeycomb (Smoke & Red) combination I was alluding to... There's also Honeycomb (Smoke & Smoke) and plain Black & Smoke (no honeycomb pattern, solid black sides). The red is the most distinct imo, those are all probably better in the long run than the clear back (less forgiving).
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Click to collapse
I went with the smoke on smoke honeycomb case and got it today. It's darker so I think it'll hide any scratching that my occur on the backing. I agree with you on the clear backs when I first saw them, but the back seems scratch resistant (only time will tell)
Hiway said:
I got my new case today....went with the Smoke & Smoke combo. This case is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it. the sides don't flap and it has a really tight fit and seems really durable. Got it off of EBay for about $8.50 ($4.50 for case + $4.00 shipping/handling) from Daydeal as opposed to going to their site and paying $13.99.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If possible can you please post pics? Im interested in this case but have only seen Daydeal's review on it.

[REVIEW][GS2 T989] Diztronic Matte Back Black *Rev 2* TPU Case

Diztronic Samsung Galaxy S2 T989 Matte Back Black *Rev 2* TPU Case Review
I have had this case for about a month now and I am writing this review as there doesn't appear to be any particular review of the case for our phone. *to view a larger image just click on the thumbnail*
Delivery/Packaging |9/10| & Pricing |8/10| :
I ordered the case from the Diztronic website so it was delivered from their main facilities. I live outside of the US so I had to choose the "USPS First Class Mail" method which was $2.50 CDN. The package arrived in my mail box close to 2 weeks, which was a longer wait than I hoped for but it was noted that international shipping would take 7-30 days. The package itself came in a grey plastic envelope with the shipping information labelled on it. Inside the package was the case wrapped in a clear plastic with the logo label and a cut piece of cardboard that was placed to help retain the shape of the envelope. When taking the case out of the plastic, there is an image of the phone printed on a piece of cardboard within the case to show what the case will look like on the phone. The packaging the case came in was more than secure enough to provide protection when being shipped (there were no tears or faults in the packaging at all).
The pricing and availability of the case will vary at the time you read this. Although, the cost for the case itself was a decent $10 for what you get, by far not the most affordable however. I used the discount code "XDA" to get an extra $0.99 off the order which was convenient. It would have been nice if they included a screen protector like they do with some of the other phone cases they offer.
Installation & Fit |10/10| :
Putting the T989 in to the case is extremely easy since it's a one piece, TPU style case, so there are no tools or attachments needed. My approach in putting on the case was by starting off with placing the top of the phone (where the headphone jack is) in the case since the top of the case has 'lip' that goes slightly over the top bezel compared to the bottom. Then I just pushed in the rest of the phone in the case making sure the sides of the case did not catch the buttons, which was not a problem at all, right until the bottom of the phone was securely in place.
The case itself is extremely slim and the fit is almost close to perfect, every side of the case is snug to the phone, however, note that I am using the case on top of the body skin I reviewed here. So for anyone who was wondering, yes, this case will work with a body skin applied on the phone. The case is so firm in fact that even the left and right sides of the case do not move as easily when sliding your fingers towards them moving outwards , however, this may change in time... I just haven't experienced it as of yet.
Build Quality |10/10| :
This particular case has a very premium feel, there is a certain weight added to the phone with the case on. It also may have to due with the matte back option I chose for the case. The feel of the matte texture finish is almost identical to the feel of the Razer gaming mouse I have (if you have used a Razer mouse, you would understand what I mean). It has a very paper-like characteristic yet is soft to touch. The matte finish is carried from the outside of the phone to the inside as well which adds to the overall quality of the case (it is also provides a softer surface for the phone compared to the raw plastic). The benefits of having the matte finish is that it is less prone to fingerprints, the downside is that if the matte part gets scratched it will be very noticeable. The matte finish is smooth making it easy to take the phone out of the pocket.
I'd like to mention however, the matte finish is not applied to the outer border/rim of the case as that part is left glossy. It appears as if the case was made with two pieces which may be the instance since the separation between the glossy/matte finish is symmetrical around the circumference of the case. I believe this was done because it is the area that would get worn out the quickest and it probably was easier to manufacture that way. In my opinion, I think the glossy rim for the case was a great idea, it definitely looks aesthetically better for the whole front of the phone. Also, the glossy finish offers a better grip to the case, since the matte finish may be too smooth to grip at times.
Now, when it comes to the cut-outs of the case, they are placed accordingly for every necessary part of the phone. The cutouts for the power button/volume-rocker is perfectly placed and provides a substantial amount of room which provide easy access for any finger size. The cutouts for the headphone jack and micro-USB port are evenly spaced out which leaves enough room for anything that you would like to connect. The headphone jack of my Shure earbuds which is somewhat wide, fit without a problem, at the same time the stock USB cable that came with the phone fits just as expected with the case on (I have provided pictures above with the cables attached below) . Regarding the USB cut-out it was noted that in revision 2 of the case they have enlarged the cutout to leave room for the bottom microphone (I have not experienced any call echo with the case on, even on the stock T989 ROM). The cutout for the top microphone is also precisely placed, there are no issues.
The back cutouts for the case are just as accurate as the cutouts on the side of the case. The camera cut-out does not obstruct the lens of the camera or the LED flash at all. I particularly like how close the cut-out for the rear speaker is, it's nicely placed at the same time it does not reduce the volume produced from the speaker. I'd also like to mention that the case somewhat lifts up the rear of the phone around the speaker area which lets some sound still leak out when the back of the phone is faced down. Lastly, for anyone who is wondering about the reception quality when using this case, I have found no issues during use which is expected since TPU isn't a material that interferes with radio signals.
Protection Quality |8/10| :
The most important part of any case is the protection it offers and this case in my opinion provides more than satisfactory protection for day to day use. Due to its slimness it may not have the drop protection that cases like the Otterbox offer, yet, the TPU material used is particularly good at protecting the phone from average height drops such as from a computer table to stomach height. The case is thick enough to protect the camera area as it lifts the glass part off the surface, this also applies to the front glass of the phone as the rim of the case provides about 1 mm of clearance when setting the phone down on it's front. The rim of the case is formed perfectly over the edge of the front right before the glass, so if you have a screen protector it will not lifted/bubble up.As for scratch protection goes, the case definitely prevents scratches to the back housing of the phone. The disadvantage with this case is that since there are cut-outs for the buttons, dust/sand particles can enter sides of the case which can cause scratches to the bezel of the phone (which is the major reason I bought a body skin to be used right underneath the case). If you are worried about scratches on the phone, the combination of the body skin with this case offers amazing scratch protection if you are willing to spend the money for it.
Overall |9/10| :
If you are looking for a sleek looking slim case to protect your T989, the Diztronic TPU case is definitely a great option! The build quality of this case is notably impressive and there's no questioning to why this case is somewhat pricey compared to the TPU alternatives on Ebay. You definitely get a premium case, particularly with its Matte back finish. As for protection goes, the case offers the best balance between protection and keeping the slim profile of the T989, the TPU qualities with this case is more than enough in protecting your phone from everyday drops. Overall, the Diztronic Matte Back Black *Rev 2* TPU case is definitely a product I recommend for any GS2 T989 user, there are enough noteworthy features that this case offers for you to get one if looking for a case.
I know the review is long, please read what's written under "Overall" if you do not want to read everything or just don't read it at all, lol. Hope this review will be of some use to people. Cheers!
I can agree with everything said here about this case. It's really nice and extremely comfortable! It's the first case I got a while back and it's the last one I'll need.
Great, authentic review
I also have this case and I agree with everything said here. It is a really good case.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
I bought about three cases before this'd one and love it!! Great review and well said I love mine
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Thanks for this. Diztronic has my heart when it comes to protecting my phone.
Didn't know how it would look on a black S2 though until now. So thank you again.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
would you guys prefer the d30 case or this one?
mycars12 said:
would you guys prefer the d30 case or this one?
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I've been running d30 for about a year and 1 month and the case isn't dirty or yellow (it's white) and it still stands today with the many falls
Sent from my 4.2.1 xLoud Paranoid Grouper with Motley Kernel
I have the same case and its the best case I have ever owned. I drop my phone quite a bit and phone/case still look perfect. Fits great on device, and has a nice non slippery feel that does not attract dust. My wife has the pink version and its the same quality but a little slicker, she really likes it too.
diztronic
I have the matte black diz rev 2. I bought my t989 at tmobile store and wanted titanium but was told they aren't made anymore. Now this was from corp office. So I got white. The diz covers it nice black with a little white showing fitting for ICS . I really don't care if it scratches it. I May buy New housing anyway!

[User Review] Rearth Ringke Slim for Moto G (White)

Case name/model: Rearth Ringke Slim for Moto G (in white)
Case type: Slim, hard plastic 1 piece snap on
Needs/Niche for case: I wanted a temporary non-bulky case for my new Moto G before I decide between the official moto g bumper shell covers (out ~mid jan?) or a more robust solution like Otterbox.
Cost: G~$10 with free shipping + a decent (dry apply) screen protector included (1 count) from Amazon.
Pros:
- Case fits the Moto G like a second skin, very lightweight you barely notice it there.
- Well-made, I noticed some molding seams on the outside (faint) but none on the inside of the case - all smooth.
- All the ports (see photos below) and buttons are exposed clearly and I was able to charge and use headphones without any obstruction.
- There's 1-2? mm of clearance off the surface because of the lip of the case, so your screen isn't touching whatever surface you've put your phone face-down on.
Cons:
- While the case is easy to slide on, it was very difficult for me to take it off when I was a) worried about scratching the phone while doing it and b) worried about snapping some of the plastic off. There's no instructions included as to the proper way to slide it off, there's a video for the same model showing how to take it off from Rearth (must be a common issue) but it's for a different phone with different cutouts in the case.
- 50% of the corners are exposed (probably to allow you to uncase the phone more easily). This is the biggest con for me because in phone drops it's usually corner drops that cause screen shatter.
- It's entirely made out of hard plastic, no softer material or rubberization coating on the inside. However the case is a very snug fit so I doubt the phone would get scratched up from any sliding within the case.
Conclusion: For $10 it's a very well-made, high quality case. It feels durable (plastic doesn't feel like it's going to snap when I'm trying to pry it off) and it looks great. If all you want is scratch protection for the sides and back this will do the job and feel like next to nothing and look beautiful. If you're like me and drop your phone on occasion, you'll probably want to invest in a case that covers the corners more completely.
angomy said:
Case name/model:
Conclusion: For $10 it's a very well-made, high quality case. It feels durable (plastic doesn't feel like it's going to snap when I'm trying to pry it off) and it looks great. If all you want is scratch protection for the sides and back this will do the job and feel like next to nothing and look beautiful. If you're like me and drop your phone on occasion, you'll probably want to invest in a case that covers the corners more completely.
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Thanks for your review, I should hopefully be getting mine soon from the US (dispatched on boxing day to the UK). Its a black one so ill add some pics and a lil review too.
Thanks for the post, i have one being shipped to me too (also in UK)
I went for black, but the white does look cool :good:
After having used it for a few days, I have to say that I really like it, and if I wasn't so accident-prone it would probably be the case I would be using on a daily basis. As it is, it's the case I'll be using until the Moto G official bumper shells come out.
I think you'll be pleased with it, it really is a very nice premium-feeling case.
I got the black version and its basically the same material as the back of the new nexus 5. Its a soft touch plastic that has a real premium feel. Its obviously a premium price at 9.99£ but well worth it IMO. I'll report back with durability testa
Sent from my XT1032 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Thanks for the review! I have the black one also, but I just ordered a white one because of its colour. After using it, does any colours rub on to the white? i.e does it get dirty quicky?
I agree with the cons of your review. I also have a Rearth Ringke Slim for my Moto G, except mines is black. Although, I find it hard to remove the case and it feels like I have to break the case and/or the back cover to get it off. I find the back cover's lip actually seems to be the reason why it is so hard to remove the case.
n3ik said:
Thanks for the review! I have the black one also, but I just ordered a white one because of its colour. After using it, does any colours rub on to the white? i.e does it get dirty quicky?
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I usually carry it in a bag or in my inside coat pocket (the wallet? pocket inside the actual front of a coat), so I haven't seen if anything like denim would transfer. From regular use though it's still pristine, I haven't wiped it down because I don't see fingerprints on it or any visible dirt.
Thanks for your review. I ordered black one today.
Ordered the white version today, will post a review when it comes in.

DBrand skins review (hyperblack titanium and matte black w/ true color yellow)

Most people on here are probably very familiar with DBrand by now. I think their quality speaks for themselves at this point. i've started using their skin since my galaxy s7, then lg g5, lg g6 and now pixel 2 xl. When you purchase a back skin for the pixel 2 XL , it comes with both the precision fit and standard fit. The logo comes with 9 pieces so if you mess up during the application or if they come off down the road, there are backups. I tried both the precision fit and the standard fit in 2 different color combinations and I will go through each.
Precision fit for the back in hyperblack titanium (metal series) with copper (metal series) logo
Installation:
Pain in the butt, time consuming. My first time using this and it was annoying to apply. You start from the bottom by lining up the usb port. The cut outs are, as the name states, precise. However, the skin was a little short up top so I had to stretch it quite a bit to make it fit better. The precision fit wraps the entire back, including the sides and the corners. Again, I had to stretch the tabs that goes around the corners a little bit to make the fit better and it was concerning because I was afraid I would rip off the corner tabs as I was stretching them. However, as you can see it was OK. I used a hairdryer in the end to heat up the sides and corners to smooth them out. The installation of the logo was easy, i used a pair of tweezers to apply it and the fit was perfect. The whole process took around 25 minutes for me.
Quality:
This texture, as the name states, is metal. you can feel the lines that make the metal texture/pattern as you run your fingers across it. It definitely provides a bit more grip to the back of the phone. The skin will protect the phone from scratches, but because it has some thickness to it as well, I think it will protect the phone from potential minor dents.
Case friendly? No. I tried it with Zeking Ultra Slim TPU case, the Crave SLIM Guard Protection Series Case, the Rhinoshield Crashguard and the Rhionshield SolidSuit. They all took the corner tabs along with it as I removed the case. This makes me wonder how long will those corners actually last as you take it in and out of pockets. And because i have a drone and to put it in the phone holder of the remote would require the case to be removed, I had to move on to the standard fit skin.
Price: $10.95 USD for the back skin (includes precision fit and standard fit) and the logo
Standard fit for the back in matte black (matte series) with yellow (true color series) logo and glass skin
Installation:
A breeze. Lined it up from the top where the camera and flash modules are and go from there. I had to stretch it a little bit near the bottom but it was easy. Again, used a hairdryer in the end to heat up the sides and corners to smooth them out. The installation of the logo was easy, I used a pair of tweezers to apply it and the fit was perfect. And the skin for the glass portion (where the camera and flash modules are) simply goes on top of the back skin. The whole process took less than 10 minutes for me.
Quality:
The matte skin feels smoother than the true color and metal series. Feels almost the same as the back of the phone without the skin. Unlike the true color or metal series, I don't think the matte will provide more grip. The skin will protect the phone from scratches but because it has some thickness to it as well, I think it will protect the phone from potential minor dents.
Case friendly? Yes. Tried it with the 4 cases mentioned above, and all were fine.
Price: $14.85 USD for the back skin (includes precision fit and standard fit), logo and glass skin.
Overall:
Good quality, not so easy to install for the precision fit, but a breeze for the standard fit. However, it is pricey. Comes out to around $33 CAD after conversion (free shipping if you buy over $20 USD) about $16 CAD a set. For clumsy people like myself and with my luck, I will likely drop the phone at some point when it just so happens to be out of the case therefore it's worth it for another layer of protection.

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