Ergonomics (in-hand feel) - Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 / S7 Plus Real Life Review

Please, no "that's what she said" jokes. Rate this thread to express how you think the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 / S7 Plus feels in-hand. A higher rating indicates that it's comfortable to hold for long periods of time, even in one hand. Resist the urge to say "TWSS" just now. Seriously.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

They put sharp edges on a 575 gram device, Tab S7+, which is already pretty thin, and that means the full weight is concentrated on a tiny surface area when holding this device. It is between uncomfortable and painful, just horrible ergonomics for the sake of appearance. The edges and the sides should have been more rounded for better pressure distribution..
I am so confused, this is my dream tablet on many aspects, and at the same time it is so uncomfortable to hold I'm thinking of returning it back. I did not expect this, I've owned a few tablets and never had a similar issue. Will I get used to it, or will I sent back?

I always put my tablet in some kind of aftermarket case that protects the sides and corners. Considering the cost of the devices, having a naked tablet around make nervous.

This $10 case from Amazon is thin, light and protrudes a little over the edges.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G8KJG1Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

An update. I did not see the replies until now but I had the same thoughts to buy a case to protect my fingers from the tablet and not the other way around but I have to agree with the comrade above that such a device deserves protection anyway. A case for a tenner from Amazon and the inconvenience of the sharp edges is gone. They only have a transparent one at the moment, looking to buy a black one in the future. The case fits like a glove and I'm quite happy with it.

I feel nothing sharp or even uncomfortable. It's a little heavier s7+ than my s6. Only thing that hurts is the price. Will probably return just do to it not being worth price as upgrade. Otherwise I think its a great tablet
Lucked out...
I returned the s7 plus. Was honest that it was due to price. Next day same tablet was on sale open box for 599. I buy lot of open box , never my own returns before.

Related

[Q] Case opinions

I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a case. I've narrowed it down to the roocase, acase, or possibly the bear motion...based on reviews here and other research. I was willing to give Fortte a chance (especially with the extra 30% off) but I contacted them 3 times to ask a question about 2 different cases and still no response. Also got some weirdness when trying to call them directly. Buyer use caution with Fortte, that sent up red flags for me. Anyway...now that some of you have owned them for a while, what are your impressions now? I'm not really interested in the gel cases. I want something I can prop up for long term viewing. TIA
I guess I can't help you if you have narrowed it down to those. I have to ZooGue case and absolutely love it. I liked it so much I bought one for my wife's iPad and she loves hers as well. Everyone I have shown it to has decided to buy one.
The downside is that it is one of the thicker cases but I will take the extra protection vs going for slim. It is completely adjustable for different viewing angles. My only issue is Moto's stupid decision to put the charging port on the bottom of the unit as this makes it pretty much impossible to keep plugged in and have it propped up at a good angle. Hopefully someone will come out with a right-angle adapter that is small enough not to put too much pressure on the charging port, but this is a Xoom design issue, not an issue with the case.
The WORST decision I made was buying the Motorola case when I bought the XOOM, it is a worthless pile of crap. At steep angles the XOOM slides out of the case, whoever approved that design should be fired.
I was considering the zoogue case. I'd prefer a thin form factor though. Only reason I was really considering the roocase is because it does come with a sleeve as well.
I originally wanted the Motorola case thining that surely they would have designed a perfect case for their own product...until I started reading the horrible reviews on every site I looked at.
I agree with the power cord issue. Kind of a pain to be charging it and use it at the same time. However...the one thing I really love about this thing is that it only takes about an hour to charge and the battery life is freakishly long. I got slammed a couple weeks ago at work and couldn't really find time to play with my new toy so it sat on my desk for a few days without turning it off. I thought for sure the battery was dead, but it wasn't. Lasted for about 5 days that way, even with the wireless turned on!
Acase is awesome. Still slides out when propped up. I put two egips in a good position though which made it stop sliding. Can't see them either. Great idea.
I've tried the Moto portfolio, Zoogue and Acase. Acase wins out. When you consider the price it makes it even more of a no brainer. Acase is form fitting, easy to use daily and looks good. Zoogue is great but ugly. Yes it is rock solid but it adds tremendous bulk, the velcro on the outside just detracts and the back of the case does not follow the Xoom's form.
Zoogue's pros may outweigh the cons for some people and thats fine. I'm just saying as an all around good case at a great price (I paid $22) you cant beat the Acase.
Thanks to everyone for their input. I went ahead and ordered an acase. I think for a slim profile that can be carried around all the time it was just the better choice for me. I'll definitely take the advice of putting something non-slip in the grooves. Thanks for the heads up on that JG!

Gumdrop Rugged Case

Has anyone used a ruggedized case? I bring my tablet EVERYWHERE and need something decent to protect it and was thinking about the Gumdrop cases. Any suggestions?
I use the Gform Extreme Sleeve 2 for extra protection. It says it fits the Ipad but I can confirm that it will fit the galaxy tab even with the stock book case on it. This is the best combination of protection and comfortable usability I have found.
It is kinda spendy but I bought both cases on ebay for less than retail and the samsung book case is definitely not necessary.
http://g-form.com/product/ipad-extreme-sleeve2/
If you don't think this case is beefy enough check out their torture test videos online.
http://g-form.com/technology/
Dose the gumdrop have a built in screen protector like the otterbox?
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
streetrider nick said:
I use the Gform Extreme Sleeve 2 for extra protection. It says it fits the Ipad but I can confirm that it will fit the galaxy tab even with the stock book case on it. This is the best combination of protection and comfortable usability I have found.
It is kinda spendy but I bought both cases on ebay for less than retail and the samsung book case is definitely not necessary.
http://g-form.com/product/ipad-extreme-sleeve2/
If you don't think this case is beefy enough check out their torture test videos online.
http://g-form.com/technology/
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Always been curious about these cases that look like tires. Is there any advantage to this over an equally-thick material without the pattern? It seems to me like the tread on this would actually make it more likely to be damaged, not less. There's thin points (for puncture or pressure), and its easier to bend. And though there's probably a small difference in weight (though minimal; the heavier outer coating is larger than if it was flat), I can't imagine the tread makes it more fun to put into or take out of a bag. I've never used one though so I'm curious if there's something I'm not considering.
slack04 said:
Always been curious about these cases that look like tires. Is there any advantage to this over an equally-thick material without the pattern? It seems to me like the tread on this would actually make it more likely to be damaged, not less. There's thin points (for puncture or pressure), and its easier to bend. And though there's probably a small difference in weight (though minimal; the heavier outer coating is larger than if it was flat), I can't imagine the tread makes it more fun to put into or take out of a bag. I've never used one though so I'm curious if there's something I'm not considering.
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There's something you've not considered. I think the design helps with the shock displacement. Maybe not, but it's what I figure.
Have you watched the videos? This is one a$$ saving case. LOL
If you're as tough on your tab as in the videos you crazy, but then again, stranger sh!t has happened on accident.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using one stinky finger.
I have one and love it. I got one for my daughter's kindle, too. It does have a built in screen protector but I didn't install it for my case (affects screen responsiveness and feels crappy). The screen is protected from being recessed behind protruding, reinforced edges, so if i drop it it won't break anyway. Also, the case prevents accidentally hitting the power button, which used to drive me crazy. I take my tab to work everyday...get lots of compliments on the case. The material and ridges let me sit it on my couch or lap and not slide out of position. They also feel nice in the hands. I have an otterbox defender case for my evo4g. That's a great case, but I recommend this grippier type of material instead for a tablet. My phone case lets me slide in and out of my pocket easily, but i want traction with my tablet case. I also tried one of those folding tablet cases, but they seem ridiculous to me.
I have the white gumdrop case for my tab 10.1. As far as protection it is great. The corners are reinforced and it has a built in screen protector. You will have no doubt that your tab is very well protected inside this case. It also offers a LOT more grip and security in your hands. The only downside it that is easily doubles the thickness and weight of your tab. With this case on you can easily drop, throw, bang etc.. without even a thought of damaging your tab.
I love my Gumdrop! I wrote an in-depth review if you want to check it out, with more pictures and details then you can shake a stick at, lol.
http://romrepo.info/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=664
I got a gumdrop case shortly after I got my tab 10.1, Love it. The silicon cover is very thick especially on the corners, the frame is solid and fits on the tab well, the cover and frame fit together very solid, and the screen protector is actually pretty good. It makes the whole setup look very clean, and my touchscreen is still very responsive with the gumdrop screen protector AND a static adhesive screen protector on.
tldr gumdrop A+
slack04 said:
Always been curious about these cases that look like tires. Is there any advantage to this over an equally-thick material without the pattern? It seems to me like the tread on this would actually make it more likely to be damaged, not less. There's thin points (for puncture or pressure), and its easier to bend. And though there's probably a small difference in weight (though minimal; the heavier outer coating is larger than if it was flat), I can't imagine the tread makes it more fun to put into or take out of a bag. I've never used one though so I'm curious if there's something I'm not considering.
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Click to collapse
Sorry for the delay, I am working on my capstone project for an EE degree and I have not been on the internets for fun since sunday.
I cannot say I would be able to point out any major advantages between the current design and one that is equally thick throughout, I would probably guess weight and cost. I believe the case is made of a fancy foam that stiffens on impact and does not seem like there is much of an outer coating over the foam but I have not yet cut into mine to find out.
The "tread" really has not caused me any problems getting this into or out of my backpack. The case is not frictiony like rubber but not so slippery that I am afraid to drop it when I carry it around either. I would say they found a happy medium between fly paper and a greased watermelon.
Overall I am very happy with this case and I recommend it to anyone who needs some heavy duty protection. I am even considering buying one for my laptop!
I got mine today left the screen protector off I have a zagg on mine super case I'm going to order one for the wifes Asus transformer
+1
I got my Tab last Fall and a Samsung Book Case shortly afterward. I had looked at the Gumdrop case and thought it'd be good to have, but didn't pull the trigger. That was a big mistake.
My son decided to grab the Tab from the kitchen counter & play games on it in the family room, but the dropped it on the tile floor before he got to the couch. I ended up with a $200 repair bill for a new screen. Needless to say, I had a Gumdrop waiting to be put on the tablet as soon as the repair was complete. This thing feels sturdy & strong. I just wish I had bought the case when I first saw it. I'd be $150 richer.
Got my gumdrop last week and really like it wasn't to sure bout the screen protector at first but its very responsive. Def worth the $.
Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk
I ordered one yesterday and then saw this thread. I checked this forum for case info before but didn't see the gumdrop case mentioned. I found it googling rubber corners galaxy tab 10.1.
Great to see positive reviews. Two concerns I have are:
- could the rubber case interfere with the wifi antenna?
- could the battery/electronics get too hot in it under normal conditions?
I notice that when you put your hand on the corner near the power button, the back and front get warm with no case. I imagine the glass acts as a heatsink. If you feel around the warm corner it doesn't spread to the rest of the glass. When I get the case I'll see if the warm area seems bigger.
In the manual it recs use in the temp range O-45c. I searched to see if 10.1's have overheating issues and I see anything to indicate that.
I've had the Gumdrop case on my Tab for about two months now & I've never had overheating issues.
Fat Tires said:
I've had the Gumdrop case on my Tab for about two months now & I've never had overheating issues.
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Cheers, good to hear.
I just read somewhere that someone said that a silicone cover on their phone caused wifi loss, but others tested theirs and didn't have any loss.
I haven't noticed a decrease in my wifi reception. It works the same at home, the office, & in public spots like the coffee shop.
I don't think you'll notice any negative issues with the case other than added bulk & weight. Those are a fair trade for the better protection you'll get from the case.
Great, I'll do a proper test when I get it. I should try it with my Samsung Book Cover case as well.
I figure the thickness and security of it might make it easier to hold for long periods despite the weight. I like the idea of being able to grip it by the raised edge while carrying it, and I think I'll now have the confidence to bring it places and let other ppl actually play with it!
It looks like it might even survive a fall down stairs which even iBallz wouldn't
Hey NexVision
Which Gumdrop case fits your P7500? They don't list it on the site and it would suck to get a case and the buttons don't line up. Everywhere I look there seems to be a hundred different model #s (for each carrier, 4G and wifi only etc) and nothing seems to list which models are similar.
I want to chime in here with nothing more than +1 to everything positive mentioned here and No, I haven't had any of the problems asked about in this thread either.

Nex Fishbone Case Thoughts/Pics

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

Ballistic Aspira Case: The slim, yet protective answer?

Stumbled upon this case and hadn't seen it mentioned in the forums here yet. I want something slim and pocketable, yet able to take a drop from waist height. This looks like the best thing I've found so far.
Due out mid-may according to the person I spoke with at the company. One thing she couldn't say for sure though was whether or not the power button was covered.
http://www.goballisticcase.com/products/htc-one-ballistic-aspira-series-case
The reason I asked her is if you look closely, you'll see a little bit of rubber sticking off the top... looks like a power button covering to me. What do you guys think? Anyone know more about this case, the company or seen a pre-production model? Maybe this is why it's been delayed* -- due to a mistake?
(See edited pics I attached below)
*Note: "Delayed" being my own personal interpretation as to why the case was not available at the launch of the new phone as most big case companies do nowadays.
The video at 0:29 shows the power button is covered. It could be that they will fix this like Poetic is.
On second look, I see that the video is a general one for their line and not for the One specifically.
Long813 said:
The video at 0:29 shows the power button is covered. It could be that they will fix this like Poetic is.
On second look, I see that the video is a general one for their line and not for the One specifically.
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Yeah... I still am thinking along the same lines as what you were suggesting.
These cases are available now. Called and had a rep go find out that even though the picture looks like it's covered, that the IR functionality is not impaired. I'll report back if I get one.
its like you are carrying a soap on this case
ad78 said:
its like you are carrying a soap on this case
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Find out in next week's exciting episode who I'll choose.... will it be, the slim yet protective answer... or the slimmest, most pocketable answer?
From the posts, comments and effort placed into details, information and thoughts people provide on these forums in general, we're all kinda part of a soap opera it seems. Makes sense, phones are a total love/hate relationship!
I can attest that Ballistic make some really good Cases. I had the Ballistic Smooth Case on my HTC One S and I loved it, it looked Stylish yet protective.
While the Ballistic Aspira looks good i still prefer the Smooth, too bad its not available for the HTC One.
That said, i would definitely give the Aspira a Try, the only thing that worries me is the hard plastic, looks scratchable...
Anyone tried this case out yet? I've got one on the way, looking for an ideal, attractive case with good protection all around (without being overkill and covering all the ports and adding unnecessary bulk). Not into the UAG case... hate the milspec/ruggedized styling.
I hope it looks like it does in the photo... has a very "Portal"-esque aesthetic to it
lol it does remind me of Portal as well.
But really, tbh... this looks far from slim and pocketable o_o
The UAG looks smaller than this.
Judging by reference dimensions and proportions, I figure the corners of the Aspira stick out a tiny bit more than otterbox Commuter, whereas the waists are a bit slimmer. UAG outside dimensions are about the same as Commuter, the real differences seem to be in how deep/thick the case is... UAG is the slimmest there, Commuter feels thick due to the rear and side profile, I expect the Aspira will feel better in that regard, even with the higher edges around the screen. Hopefully they don't get in the way of typing etc. I'd love to do a full side by side review with Commuter, Aspira, UAG with professional comparison and specific measurements, anyone got a UAG to send me?
ordered one, will report back in a few days...
jodeltje said:
ordered one, will report back in a few days...
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Awesome, look forward to it. Very interested in comments regarding the lip around the screen and overall pocket-ability. Cause you can tell it would take a drop it better than a thin TPU or Seidio Surface.
Also make sure you take a photo of a very dark environment to engage the flash and let us know about any wash-out (if present). The design looks like it accounted for it in two ways by keeping the opening far away from the flash & lens + blacking out the rings around them.
Lauski said:
Also make sure you take a photo of a very dark environment to engage the flash and let us know about any wash-out (if present). The design looks like it accounted for it in two ways by keeping the opening far away from the flash & lens + blacking out the rings around them.
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Will do
Ballistic Aspira = Great bloody case.
Wow, just arrived and got it on the phone, fantastic case! Quick first impressions review here, I'll make a real review thread soon as I can, this case deserves the attention.
-The case feels much, much slimmer than my otterbox Commuter, comparing the depth (thickness) and width of the cases the Aspira is a hair smaller in both dimensions, but it FEELS much smaller due to the superior ergonomic contours and curvyness. This is the exact criteria I was hoping for with this case, I'm a product design engineer myself and love good simple, ergonomics above all, favouring natural curves to fit the hand. Very impressed with the case in that regard, the glossy white back with grippy forward edges handles extremely well and much less likely to slip from my hand than my Commuter case.
-Built quality is fantastic, the plastics used are top quality with perfect finish, the overmolded one-piece design is right on the money, and the blends where the two materials meet are very precise and no hanging burrs, overlaps etc. Cutouts couldn't be better... they look fantastic and the size and placement is bang on. Nothing in the way of the power button IR blaster, no issue using 90 degree headphone connector, best looking camera cutout I've seen. To top that all off, the volume rockers function perfectly, a clear step up in function and feel from the Commuters which are too stiff, and there are no slots or cutouts around the rocker to let dirt in. Also, the Ballistic text logo molded into the one side looks really bloody clean... I dig it.
-Lip around the screen is about 3mm height, same as the Commuter. does not interfere with typing or swyping near the outside of the keyboard. the lip is raised the slightest bit in the four corners, adding some extra bounce protection there and does not get in the way, additionally it means when laying the phone face down, it's standing up the littlest bit on those corners, which I really like.
-Criticisms: don't have any yet... which is fantastic as I'm a severely picky perfectionist. initial impressions is top score in appearance, handling, and build quality... I don't think this case could be made any thinner without sacrificing protection, I feel it offers an excellent level of protection especially if combined with a glass screen protector.
Durability test will come throughout the week, I keep my phone in coveralls pocket all the time and work in a busy machine shop, my phone does get dropped from time to time and usually gets dirty with aluminum dust, coolant residue, etc from handling. the HTC One tends to pick up tiny steel filings around the speakers (magnets yo), the commuter was a PITA with this cause I had to take the case off the phone to clear them away... this case has just the right bit of flex around the speaker grills so it should allow me to wipe them away with the case on. Will report end of the week, and do a photo test with flash in the dark to check for reflection in the cutout.
Also I will get photos of it on the phone! it really looks fantastic :good::good:
Can anybody comment on how this case will fit into Slim (not skinny) jeans? Does the silicone part catch in pockets? Does it not wrap properly in some places? I had a ballistic for GS2 until I realized that thing was a tank and only needed a TPU case.
Also, the back is just polished polycarbonate as opposed to the Aspira's big bro, the GS, which has a TPU back that is virtually unscratchable. That's closer to what I had for the GS2. Can anybody tell us if the back is prone to scratches?
I'll give you detailed field report in a few days time, I keep my phone in jeans pocket usually and always taking it out to browse on transit, two hours a day, plus shop time. Should have an idea about scratch resistance and pocketability by Friday
Ps, did some low light flash photo tests, no signs of whiteout/reflective effects from camera/flash cutout.
ApoC_101 said:
Wow, just arrived and got it on the phone, fantastic case! Quick first impressions review here, I'll make a real review thread soon as I can, this case deserves the attention.
-The case feels much, much slimmer than my otterbox Commuter, comparing the depth (thickness) and width of the cases the Aspira is a hair smaller in both dimensions, but it FEELS much smaller due to the superior ergonomic contours and curvyness. This is the exact criteria I was hoping for with this case, I'm a product design engineer myself and love good simple, ergonomics above all, favouring natural curves to fit the hand. Very impressed with the case in that regard, the glossy white back with grippy forward edges handles extremely well and much less likely to slip from my hand than my Commuter case.
-Built quality is fantastic, the plastics used are top quality with perfect finish, the overmolded one-piece design is right on the money, and the blends where the two materials meet are very precise and no hanging burrs, overlaps etc. Cutouts couldn't be better... they look fantastic and the size and placement is bang on. Nothing in the way of the power button IR blaster, no issue using 90 degree headphone connector, best looking camera cutout I've seen. To top that all off, the volume rockers function perfectly, a clear step up in function and feel from the Commuters which are too stiff, and there are no slots or cutouts around the rocker to let dirt in. Also, the Ballistic text logo molded into the one side looks really bloody clean... I dig it.
-Lip around the screen is about 3mm height, same as the Commuter. does not interfere with typing or swyping near the outside of the keyboard. the lip is raised the slightest bit in the four corners, adding some extra bounce protection there and does not get in the way, additionally it means when laying the phone face down, it's standing up the littlest bit on those corners, which I really like.
-Criticisms: don't have any yet... which is fantastic as I'm a severely picky perfectionist. initial impressions is top score in appearance, handling, and build quality... I don't think this case could be made any thinner without sacrificing protection, I feel it offers an excellent level of protection especially if combined with a glass screen protector.
Durability test will come throughout the week, I keep my phone in coveralls pocket all the time and work in a busy machine shop, my phone does get dropped from time to time and usually gets dirty with aluminum dust, coolant residue, etc from handling. the HTC One tends to pick up tiny steel filings around the speakers (magnets yo), the commuter was a PITA with this cause I had to take the case off the phone to clear them away... this case has just the right bit of flex around the speaker grills so it should allow me to wipe them away with the case on. Will report end of the week, and do a photo test with flash in the dark to check for reflection in the cutout.
Also I will get photos of it on the phone! it really looks fantastic :good::good:
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Thanks for the first impressions!, I'm glad that mine is on the way! . Looking forward for the pics ! Cheers
Just a little mid week update: case has totally grown on me, it's been perfect for me so far. Been working on a batch of small aluminum parts at work with machining and polishing, made sure to handle the phone plenty with my dirty hands.. dirt will barely stick to the glossy back, and wipes off easily. It will stick to the silicone but it wipes off that too. So far it's great for dirty job! Someone asked about or mentioned case materials of other ballistic cases, I believe the base material of this case is PA or PV based, most likely acrylic based. It's a super fine gloss finish in a solid milk white colour, with just enough flexibility to get on the phone. Poly-Acrylic makes sense since it feels great but also keeps enough tack for good handling, and depending on the blend and curing it can have excellent scratch and abrasion resistance, which this case appears to have. It should also exhibit good UV and sunlight resistance, as not to embrittle and change colour over time, which TPU can do. The lining material of the case is a silicone type rubberized plastic, it has a good solid cure and shouldn't shred like the softer durometer grades like some otter cases tend to do.
Off topic but funny cause of the irony, those aluminum parts I'm working on are fiber optic parts for the bad guys (Samsung). I believe Intel uses them too. I actually have no idea what they are for.
I just got this case today (gift from my boss who got it from out Ballistic rep). Having had it on for a few hours, I can tell you that it feels good , even though it's a little slick, not too thick, not as thick as an Otterbox Commuter. The power button is open, all the openings are where they're supposed to be. Seems like a good case
I just got mine in today and I really like this case! I have a zillion different cases and this one seems to give me the best of everything I want. I was using Case-Mate tough case before which I really like too.
Sent from my HTC One with hi-fi stereo and the Now Network.

Accessories Caseborne Z Fold 4 Review Thread

I will kick off these reviews and first off mention that Caseborne has let some users try their cases free of charge in exchange for honest reviews. I was not pressured at all about providing positive feedback and in fact the owner seemed to really want to hear what elements could be improved upon.
That being said, here is my review of the Caseborne case for Z Fold 4
First off, this review is not going to be focused on the size of the case. It's massive. It was built for all encompassing protection with pretty much all built in functions that you can ask for. I really am not worried about dropping my phone in this case AT ALL. It is like insurance without paying insurance. So with that, let's get into the pros and the cons and decide it it's a buy.
Pro's
Hinge protection and S Pen Holder. This is seriously the most awesome hinge protection design I have seen. The hinge protector has two hinges itself that fold onto the back of the case. You can tell the designer really thought through the best way to do this. There are cutouts that the two hinges fold onto in the back of the case, all fitting together well like a puzzle. Honestly, it's brilliant. And incorporating the S Pen Holder into the hinge was a great move, and it works really well. It's not like some cases for the Folds that will mark up your S Pen with the tightness or are too loose. And the Pen is completely protected. It's great.
The kickstand. It's the perfect amount of tight, making it easy enough to flip out but not loose enough to rattle or come out on its own. It is something I commented about on one of Casebornes older models and they fixed it. So good on them for listening to feedback.
The cutouts. The cutouts are utter perfection, the manufacturer did a great job ensuring its all perfectly done. The fingerprint scanner cutout feels great and isn't blocked at all.
The little details. The raised nubs on the rear of the case that help the case sit flat when folded, the design elements that add to the look of the case but aren't overbearing. And thankfully it doesn't have any weird quips like "enjoy life" or say "camera" where the camera is.
The cons
The S Pen Holder housing is really tight. It's pretty difficult to get off and takes multiple tries sometimes. This may loosen up over time, but there is probably some improvement that can be done here, just like they did with their kickstand.
The volume buttons. I'm a little torn here because they function well but they feel sharp and protrude out of the side a little too much. Everything else feels so premium, I think these could have been a bit better. But again they function very well.
The case doesn't sit flat when unfolded. I mean we all knew this coming in, but using the kickstand is a necessity if are sitting at a table and want to use it unfolded. I don't know how you would solve this, I think it's either hinge protection or sit flat. But it's definitely the main thing that makes me debate whether to use a larger case like this vs a thinner case with no hinge protection.
All in all, this case is a masterclass in design. I've never seen a case so well thought out and executed. It's big. But it was meant to be and Caseborne has leaned into providing max protection. I can't wait to see where they go from here. I also would like to challenge them to expand their excellent design capabilities into a mid protection range where I feel a larger market might be available for them. Using this case, I am confident that they can come up with some sort of differentiator there as well.
Let me know if you if you have any questions, happy to answer them. I would say if you are looking for a max protection case, this is the one to get for the Z Fold 4.
Here is the link in case anyone is interested: https://a.co/d/dozUaBI

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