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I personally love the feel of my vibrant without the silicon casing on but unfortunately, I have to go with it whenever I leave the house to protect it from knicks and knacks (plus I always seem to drop my phone...)
I have a screen protector (REALOOK) and a TPU case. I too like the way the phone feels and looks without a case but yea, it needs to be protected. My old G1 got bang up pretty bad by not using protection... LOL...
I've had my vibrant in a case since day one but still have scratches all over the body. I think the shiny plastic material is just scratch prone. If I had to do over I would have tried some of the clear body armor type product. Definitely love the bare feel, may just go without a case and hope replacement parts become available.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I have the stealthguards screen protector and battery cover protector. Both are mainly on there just for weight and grip and the front is also on to make my vibrant have a flush front.
Silicone = ****
polyurethane Is The Way To Go, Alot More Protective And A Better Fit For Your Phone
I rock mine naked. I had a hard clear case for my G1, but it really didn't do a whole lot of good and my screen didn't get scratched at all. The Vibrant has gorilla glass and you get a 2nd back cover out of the box so I decided to go without.
I've got a realook screen protector and the tmobile gel case.
My battery cover AND the faux metal bezel are pretty scratched up. Been in the case since day one, so I suspect the gel case scratches it. Go figure.
I honestly didn't like the bare feel. Too slippery and small, so now I have a rubber case in it. Fits like a glove and grips better while still sliding out of the pocket without sticking. And of course a screen protector. I kept one on my g1 since day one. Its beaten to hell, the lip part is cracked and the sdcard unmounts if you apply pressure but the screen is flawless lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I use a Casemate Tough Case and have been using this style of case on all my phones for years. Usually Otterbox, but they took too long this time around so I gave the Casemate a try. I never drop my phone, but I have two kids under 5, so the cases are definitely tested from time to time. There are no better cases if you want real protection, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I've got the hard Body Glove case with the black rubberized back. I haven't tried any other cases because I really like this one. The phone just felt too fragile to me without a case, this gives it a little bulk and makes it feel a little more substantial.
No screen protector. I haven't seen the need for one. I'm not super careful with it either and will carry it in a pocket with keys and loose change pretty often. Been doing this for 2 months and no scratches on my screen. The screen is definitely pretty tough.
this is a $500 phone, and it's slippery. I drop **** all the time so i got the silicon case. it looks lumpy, but it's worth it.
mmas0n said:
I use a Casemate Tough Case and have been using this style of case on all my phones for years. Usually Otterbox, but they took too long this time around so I gave the Casemate a try. I never drop my phone, but I have two kids under 5, so the cases are definitely tested from time to time. There are no better cases if you want real protection, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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I have the same case and 3 kids under 5. Its the best option for me and feels really solid while holding.
I have hybrid TPU case, and so do allot of others here
...id vote but not listed in poll...hint hint
smutek said:
I've got the hard Body Glove case with the black rubberized back. I haven't tried any other cases because I really like this one. The phone just felt too fragile to me without a case, this gives it a little bulk and makes it feel a little more substantial.
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Couldn't have said it better. I use the BG case, and love it -- the look, the kickstand, the added bulk. (The "naked" (ugh) phone is too thin to hold comfortably on a call; and others have said, it's slippery as hell.
I utilized the stealthguard front and back. So its practically naked.. but not naked
me like sexi like bikini oki
hottie girls
I'm amazed by the durability of the screen. I don't make it a habit of putting it in my pocket with anything inside, but when I have and cringed as I pulled it out expecting scratches, to my surprise no scratches.
As a rule, the harder the cover material, the more the shock will be transferred directly to the phone. The same for the sticker types which are more for protection against scratches.
I ended up buying a cover from tmo because the phone felt a little slippery by itself. Its made of silicone and think enough to absord some of the impact if it is dropped and us les likely to slip out of your hand.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I bought the tmo black silicone case. I really like it because it adds grip and gives the phone a more solid, quality feel. One thing I've noticed is if you take the back cover plate off too much...it gets loose and creaky. They really should have gone with the slide lock type.
Sent from: my Vibrant juiced with Eugene's 2.2 Froyo JPM
Case-Mate Tough Case.. no screen protector here
I use a RealLook screen protector and one of these clear, hard cases:
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=217139826
Super inexpensive (bought 2, 1 extra to have on-hand)! Been using clear hard cases like these since my MyTouch3G and I've dropped it (the MT3G) several times onto concrete without a single scratch or damage to the phone. The case took the brunt of the impact. Put a very small crack in it, but nothing else. Ended up replacing it anyway, but that was enough to make me buy them for the Vibrant now. I just don't get that sense of protection from a semi-thin silicone sleeve. Sort of like gluing a bunch of balloons to the exterior of your car and thinking it's going to protect you in a head-on collision. Just not buying it...
Although not normally a fan of cases for phones, I've now dropped my Atrix a few times (due to the hopeless shiny back with a total lack of grip) so I've decided I need to get one! Luckily, the Atrix has only been dropped onto carpet so it remains undamaged.
I don't like the silicone cases and I'm not overly keen on the TPU ones either. The 'official' rubberised battery cases looked like the right sort of thing, but after checking the reviews, I'm not keen on the way the side bits on the front can come loose when coming in or out of the pocket.
As I'm looking for something slim/lightweight, I think this leaves me with either the Seidio Surface or the Incipio Feather.
My questions is this: Regardless of the amount these cases protect the phone in case of being dropped, are they actually likely to help me to avoid dropping them? Do these cases improve the 'grippability' of the Atrix?
Any helpful comments are appreciated!
I used the Incipio Feather for a few months. I really liked the "low-profile" but it was very fragile. I ended up cracking two of them just from taking them off to do battery pulls. As far as grip goes, it was generally nice to hold but doesn't offer that much more grip then the phone by itself. I've also used the Ballistic SG and while it was too bulky for me it had excellent grip. I was able to put it on my lap, back facing down, while driving and it never moved.
Currently I use the Speck Candyshell and it holds up pretty well. Grip can become an issue if your palms get sweaty as the exterior is all hard plastic.
Maringer said:
Although not normally a fan of cases for phones, I've now dropped my Atrix a few times (due to the hopeless shiny back with a total lack of grip) so I've decided I need to get one! Luckily, the Atrix has only been dropped onto carpet so it remains undamaged.
I don't like the silicone cases and I'm not overly keen on the TPU ones either. The 'official' rubberised battery cases looked like the right sort of thing, but after checking the reviews, I'm not keen on the way the side bits on the front can come loose when coming in or out of the pocket.
As I'm looking for something slim/lightweight, I think this leaves me with either the Seidio Surface or the Incipio Feather.
My questions is this: Regardless of the amount these cases protect the phone in case of being dropped, are they actually likely to help me to avoid dropping them? Do these cases improve the 'grippability' of the Atrix?
Any helpful comments are appreciated!
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I had the feather. After two drops on different corners, the case had cracks. I expected as much and the case did its job. I got the Incipio silicrylic case as a replacement, which has a silicon cover AND a hard cover. It's slightly bulkier than the feather, but it still looks good and is definitely more sturdy. Case is grippy but not overly grippy where you have a tough time putting the phone in your pocket. I can remove the case without fear of cracking it, unlike the feather.
I had one of the Incipio Feather's also. It lasted about 2 months before it completely fell apart. Is is a nice case and I really liked the feel and look of it and it will fit in the car dock with a little modification. But it is not rugged enough for me to recommend. I am using a TPC case now. Does the job. Easy to remove to put in my Car Dock, LapDock or Standard Dock. It feels much better than the Atrix does by itself. But it is kinda ugly. But I have dropped it a few times and it keeps my Atrix safe.
The Seidio Active was my choice and I like it a lot. Two pieces - rubber with hard shell skeleton protects it nicely.
I can remove it (to dock) in seconds and replace it quickly too. Got it at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WKIEF2/ref=oh_o03_s00_i01_details
That's the sapphire blue one, but they have other colors.
I'm using the otterbox commuter case. I got it off of Amazon.com for only 20 bucks on Saturday. So far it's been amazing
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
When talking about cases, would it be possible to mention (as some of the posts do) which docks these work with (I use all the docks...car, HD/standard docks, lapdock). Also a link to some site with the product or a good enough description that I can google it.
I hate to be a pain in asking for the extrra info, but I'm looking for a case now, too and don't want to have to remove it all the time (especially for the car dock).
Of all the experiences I have read about cases and their compatibility with docks, the only one that I have heard that works is the Incipio Feather (or somehting similar) when taking in the consideration of actually not removing the case.
troycarpenter said:
When talking about cases, would it be possible to mention (as some of the posts do) which docks these work with (I use all the docks...car, HD/standard docks, lapdock). Also a link to some site with the product or a good enough description that I can google it.
I hate to be a pain in asking for the extrra info, but I'm looking for a case now, too and don't want to have to remove it all the time (especially for the car dock).
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Is this the one:
http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-Motorola-Atrix-feather-Ultralight/dp/B004QJPWK4/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
Yes, I have read that people just simply remove the insert that is in the docks and it fits just fine. I have seen pics before too but can't remember where I saw them. Maybe I can try to find them.
troycarpenter said:
Is this the one:
http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-Motorola-Atrix-feather-Ultralight/dp/B004QJPWK4/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
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---------- Post added at 11:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 AM ----------
Here is a thread about a mesh cover (which is essentially the Feather but with a mesh look) and the second link is a post of someone in that thread showing the Atrix in the car dock with the case on.
Thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1194096
Post with pics:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16704009&postcount=27
Here is another thread discussing (and maybe confirming) the Feather working with docks:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=982574
The Incipio feather will fit in the car dock with the cardock insert removed, but the latch wont close. It has a ridge that comes over the face of the phone, but sits on top of the feather case. It will work if you make sure you have it inserted firmly all of the way in. I take corners pretty fast and had it fall out a couple of times. I modified mine to make the latch close pretty easily. Put it in the cardock and marked the outline with a X-acto knife. Used diagonal cutters to cut the 2 short vertical cuts. Scored the Horizontal mark with the X-acto knife and snapped the piece off with some lineman pliers. Now that these are $10 apiece I am tempted to get another one (or 2). Just was not worth the 25 bucks I paid 6 months ago.
Thanks for the various comments about cases.
I've looked at the various recommended cases and think I'll probably have to give the Incipio Feather a miss if it is as fragile as others have mentioned. I'm based in the UK so I'd have to order the case from the US (can't locate a UK seller) and this would cost me the equivalent of around US $ 45.00 which is a bit too much for something which won't last long!
Various other hard cases aren't available in the UK either (or not at decent prices) and, for me, the most important thing is to have a case lacking in bulk.
The Otterbox Commuter is the only one I get can get reasonably cheaply from within the UK (about US $ 20) but I'm not taken by the look of this.
Therefore, I think I've settled on the Seidio Surface which looks to have good reviews and will hopefully be the sort of slimline case I can deal with. I can obtain this via Amazon UK from a US seller for a mere US 36.00!
Incidentally, in the monster "Ruggedized battery cover" thread, there was mention that the Seidio Surface fits the lapdock and can be easily removed for the car dock:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16600986&postcount=379
I don't own either dock so this isn't really of relevance to me!
I started looking for a discrete case for the same reason (battery door is way too slippery.)
There were some Chinese-made rubberized battery door replacements that seemed popular a while back. Most of the mobile accessory sites that carried them sold out, though I found and ordered one on eBay. The seller seems to have more:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Back-Cover-...ltDomain_0&hash=item415bd6c69c#ht_2880wt_1085
I just got my yesterday. Fitment is surprisingly accurate, no misaligned cutouts or anything, and the added bulk is acceptable. Feels much better in hand now, too, when typing in landscape mode. It takes a deliberate effort to free the phone from the case, as it has a couple of tabs that clip into the retaining slots used by the factory battery door. Haven't noticed it snagging or coming loose as it goes in and out of my pocket either.
edit:
I just noticed the "dock fitment" discussion going on in this thread. I can't say anything about this case + docks since I don't own any docks.
I fashioned a case out of 3M carbon vinyl wrap. Keeps that Carbon Fibre effect on the back case whilst making it much more grippy (never dropped it since) and much more aesthetically pleasing as it gives off a 3D carbon fibre effect.
I can post pics if you like
Also worth mentioning you can pick this stuff up dead cheap off eBay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30x20cm-G...arParts_SM&hash=item4cf189dd66#ht_1792wt_1163
This sheet will give you a few attempts at it. It took me 2 to get mine the way I liked it
If you are just looking for grip without affecting aesthetics the Zagg Total protection is a great option. Clear is nearly impossible to tell it is on there. It is the same material and install as the screen protector. So no residue when removed. Make sure you read/watch the install tips from Zagg. I have been using it since April without a drop.
I have; however, decided to get a case and am trying the Seidio Active. The wife got the Incipio Silicrylic. both indeed fit in the HD/Standard Dock with the insert removed, I'm curious about whether there is enough support from the back of the dock though. As mentioned, I'm guessing the car dock will not close due to the extra couple millimeters, but will try it out and reply if it does indeed work.
Well, the Seidio Surface winged its way across the Atlantic reasonably quickly and I received it earlier this week.
It is very slightly bulkier than I expected but it is still very slimline so this isn't a problem as it still fits in my pocket easily. A little more difficult to take the phone out of my pocket than previously but again, not really a problem.
The surface of case itself isn't as 'grippy' as I expected, either, but it is a great improvement to the usual slick battery cover and I haven't juggled with it yet this week! I can now operate the phone using one hand if necessary without fear that I will lose my grip and drop it.
There are a few small imperfections on the back of the case - it would seem as though there were a few specks of dust or some other substance on the case before it was covered with the rubberised coating as a few tiny bumps can be felt. Not enough of a problem for me to bother returning it all the way to the US, however!
It is slightly tricky to take the Seidio Surface off the phone - it seems to come off easily sometimes but remain stubbornly in place at others. I think I'll need to practice taking it on and off the phone a bit more until I get the knack.
Overall, I'm reasonably impressed with the case and would give it an 8/10. It would have received a higher score had it not been so ridiculously expensive for me to buy here in the UK - Amazon.com are selling it at approximately half the price I paid!
This is only my second time posting a review like this (first was last year for the Note 2), and would just like to take some time putting together a review that I hope will help some people make a decision if they are undecided between some of the available cases.
After scouring the internet back in December I narrowed my choices down to four potential cases. I wanted to give each a fair shake, so purchased all four and have been trying each one out since then - used each case for a full 7 to 10 days at a time over a 5+ week period.
Disclosure:
I will say that I am an individual who values a case that offers more than just minimal protection. Spending $800+ CDN for a phone each year, I want to maximize the likelihood that it will last without needing replacement - even though I am extremely careful.
With that said, I also really like portability and value the aesthetically pleasing appearance of a device with case.
My previous device from last year (Note 2) was fitted with an Otterbox Commuter first, but then I decided to opt for the OEM Samsung snap on case (lightweight, minimal protection) that sold for about $20 CDN.
Before I get into the cases, a bit about the screen protector...
I am a proponent of screen protectors (as long as it does not feel too tacky to the touch) and from day one settled on the Spigen GLAS.tR Slim Tempered Glass protector for the Note 3. Spent a good few hours comparing different options and after purchasing a handful of different protectors prior, was just not wowed by any of them so gave the GLAS.tR from Spigen a go, and wow was it amazing. It may be possible that other companies offer similar (if not identical) glass protectors, but I was happy with this one. It was $39.99 CDN, but I believe there are some of the more cost effective brands that have similar tempered glass protectors as well.
On to the cases...
1. Spigen Neo Hybrid -- $35 CDN
Black back and option of six different colours for the frame - gold, red, white, slate, yellow and silver. Images below show the silver frame.
The case itself comes as two pieces - a thin TPU layer that encases the sides and back of the phone, along with a plastic piece that snaps around the four sides to hold it firm against the phone. The assembly process is quite straightforward and simple to execute. The packaging instructs to slip the TPU around the phone first prior to snapping the plastic outer part, but I have found that you can just as easily leave the two pieces of the case assembled together and simply snap the phone in. Once in, the phone is fit quite snug.
The phone fit with this case is rather slim. It will fit in just about any pocket and slide in/out with ease due to the smooth plastic material.
Port cutouts are all fine. Pen is removed without any problems, and access to both charging and headphone ports may be reached without having to uncover.
Pressing the power and volume rocker buttons are done so on the plastic frame. No issues with how they felt.
In regards to handling, while it feels nice in the hand, it is rather slippery and does not offer any grip whatsoever.
In terms of protection, it does a really good job of encasing the device to ensure there are no exposed edges/surfaces and will protect it well from scratches and light bumps. As for any sort of impact, I would not put much trust in it. The plastic is very thin and the ring around the edges is just that - plastic. A drop from waist-height onto a hard surface would surely scuff up and leave noticeable marks/dents on that polycarbonate piece. If you are not worried about the potential of dropping your phone, this is a very sleek case that offers a visually appealing look. For those wanting a case they can be confident in getting them through normal everyday use and not worrying about at least minor falls, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
2. Urban Armor Gear (UAG) -- $35 CDN
Four colour options to choose from - Aero (blue), Navigator (white), Outland (orange) and Scout (black). Images show Navigator white.
This case is one-piece, although it is apparently designed as a 'fused hard outer with soft impact resistant core' design as per the UAG website product description. The inner layer is not really all that soft though. I would say it is more like a single-layer construction style case. Installation of the case is very simple. The phone snaps right in, and is very snug - even more so than the Spigen Neo Hybrid. So one should not ever worry about the phone inadvertently coming out of the case - I would go so far as to say even upon impact. Something I liked about the design of the back was that the grooves provide for some grip with holding with one hand. Without this, the plastic back would not offer much grip to hold on to.
In terms of size, the case does not add very much bulk to the phone. Yes, it is a bit larger in both width and height compared to the Neo Hybrid, but still not a bulky case whatsoever.
Access to all ports done so with ease. There was an issue with the initial batch of these cases being released without the temperature and humidity sensor hole cutout. UAG offered to replace these for customers who did not have it on theirs, and apparently is no longer a problem with the current cases sold. The pen is removed easily and the camera cutout is adequate.
The buttons press fine, however they do have a somewhat hard 'plastic' feel to them when depressed. It does not pose a problem when pressing, but just a minor comment about the overall feel that felt different from the smoothness of pressing on the two Otterbox cases.
As for protection, this case sure looks pretty rugged from the back. It covers the phone well to prevent scratches and scuffs. I would say that the phone would be fine if dropped from waist-height, but a 'hard' drop may still leave the phone susceptible to some direct impact since the case itself is rather rigid.
Compared to the Spigen Neo Hybrid, the UAG no doubt offers much more protection. This just comes at the cost of it being very slightly thicker, wider and higher in dimension.
3. Otterbox Commuter -- $45 CDN
Comes in Black, Glacier (grey inner rubber, white outer plastic), Surf (dark blue inner, light blue outer), Merlot (purple inner, white-ish outer), Lily (purple inner, teal outer) and Berry (purple inner, red-ish outer). Gracier is shown in images.
This is a two-piece case that has a rubber inner layer around the phone and encased by a hard plastic outer shell that holds the rubber firm. Assembly is simple - once rubber layer is wrapped around the phone, slide either top or bottom edge against the plastic and press the opposite edge down so snaps snug in place. Once done, you may also need to lift open and close the headphone and charging port covers to ensure they are seated properly within the plastic shell.
Compared to the Note 2 Otterbox Commuter this one has a nicer feel to it. The rubber is held together very snug against the phone by the outer plastic, so there is no feeling of flimsy rubber as was the case with previous models. Because the back is plastic, it will slide in/out of a pocket rather well. As a result, it is however somewhat slippery in hand - but nowhere near as slippery as the Neo Hybrid. The rubber inner layer is exposed on the two upper and two bottom outer edges. This helps in adding the grip of the phone. The front facing lip of the rubber layer comes up past the plastic edges and also offers additional grip - this is something that stood out compared to the Neo Hybrid and UAG that I have to say made a big difference.
As mentioned, the headphone and charging ports are covered by a flap from the rubber layer. These are opened/closed easily. Removal of the pen is similar in ease as the UAG - the Neo hybrid was the narrowest of the three in terms of width of opening.
The volume rocker and power button feel very smooth, compared to the harder plastic feel of the UAG.
In terms of protection, this would offer much more impact protection than the UAG, and even more over the Neo Hybrid. I would feel confident in dropping the phone 6-feet in height onto hard surface anticipating only minor scuff damage to the plastic case. The front edge rubber lip comes up much higher above the screen than either of the Neo Hybrid or UAG edges - extra 1.5 to 2mm from the screen vs. those two.
All around, this has the most protection and the 'best feel' of the three so far. Very solid feel in hand.
4. Otterbox Defender -- $60 CDN
Just like the Commuter, this comes in Black, Glacier, Surf, Merlot, Lily and Berry colour combinations, as well as Blaze (black inner with orange and realtree graphic on back). Images show Glacier.
This is also a two-piece case, but compared to the Commuter (rubber inner & plastic outer) the Defender has a hard plastic inner with soft rubber outer layer. Assembly of this one is straightforward, however disassembly may be a bit difficult as the plastic clasps must be pressed in (to the phone) to release them. It is a snug fit, so it can be tricky until you get the hang of it. In addition, it also comes with a plastic screen protector built in to the plastic case layer. Compared to the Commuter, the rubber at the bottom edge also comes up to cover/protect the home button. Also, this case comes with a hard plastic belt clip/holster. I would probably not use it everyday, but I can see it being useful for people who are in environments that may benefit from the extra protection. With the screen facing down in the holster, it really feels safe and secure.
This case is the biggest of the four, however it was surprisingly quite compact when I first saw it. They redesigned it compared to how it was for the Note 2. Yes, it is thicker than the Commuter still, but just a little bit. It is a bit wider than the Commuter - maybe 2mm or so. Despite it's thicker dimensions, it still fits fine in most pockets - even slim jeans. Because the outer layer is rubber, it will not slide in/out as well as the other three though. On the plus side, the outer rubber layer is probably one of the most outstanding features of all the cases that surprised me. The enhanced grip it offers is absolutely amazing.
The built in screen protector is something that I did not like though. It feels OK and does sit rather well on the device's screen, but it's still not the same as an actual screen protector applied onto the device itself. After using the Defender and built in screen protector with the GLAS.tR for 3 days, I opted to remove/pop it out. So now I just have the tempered glass screen protector which feels way smoother and less affected by smudges.
The headphone and charging ports are protected by thicker feeling tabs compared to the Commuter. The opening for the pen actually feels just a hair-bit tighter than that of the Commuter's. From the looks of it, I am thinking this is because of how thick the rubber is around that corner.
The volume rocker and power buttons depress smooth and fine - pretty much identical to that of the Commuter's.
I am sure it is no surprise to anyone that the Defender offers way more protection than any of the three other cases. Even if the tactile rubber grip somehow fails your grasps, the impact protection this offers is second to none. I would probably feel confident in this phone dropping from two levels up onto hard surface.
Using this case everyday may not be for everyone though. Yes, it can fit in the pockets of slim jeans, but it may not be the silhouette one may want in their outfit. Sure, you could use the belt holster, but again, not everyone may want that look either.
I was very surprised how comfortable I felt by the end of the week of using the Defender. On the first couple days, it seemed like I was making an extra effort to carry it around. After the week, I could see myself really getting used to it.
Comparison Images
For all those who want to see the cases next to each other for dimension comparison purposes here they are...
OVERALL OPINION
There really is no 'best case for everyone'. It comes down to what you want and individual lifestyles and preferences. With that said, you need to determine how much protection you would like from a case.
I will say that of the four cases, the Otterbox Commuter comes out as the winner for me. It offers the most protection hands down with minimal bulk (although the defender is a close second). The UAG is a nice looking case from the back, but aside from that and the grooves for grip on the plastic back, there is not much special about it. Take into account the extra grip you get from the Commuter, and even more from the Defender, and they trump the UAG in that regard easily. The Neo Hybrid was disappointing for me as it not only did not offer much protection, it was also difficult to handle with its smooth-texture surface.
I do not regret having bought all four cases though - it's the price I'd gladly pay to ensure I find one that meets my expectations. The Commuter is now my everyday case, with the Defender being the one I change to here and there just to have a different look when I want to change things up. Even with slim pockets, the Commuter is still my choice over the slightly slimmer Neo Hybrid and UAG cases.
***************
I want to thank everyone who has reviewed a case for the Note 3. It had likely played a part in my decision making and am appreciative of the effort and time put in.
cheers,
Matt
Great reviews and thank you for taking the time & money to do this. I agree with you completely on the spigen neo hybrid review, tho it does look nice it has no grip and is more of a "for looks" type of case. Im rockin the ZL otterbox defender-lookalike case and it does a good enough job for me. I especially like the case since it provides for future modifications like extra room for microsd 2 sd card integration so you have your long lasting battery life, great protection and goliath like storage expansion
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda premium
I think the neo would protect from a small drop from waist height or something like that. The case would definitely not survive fully intact though the phone may well do. Not game to try it.
The UAG does stand up to drops quite well. It saved my Note 2 a couple of times, not only saving the phone but also with minimal scuffing to the case itself.
Even though I'm happy with the UAG, I'm tempted to try a commuter on the basis of this review. A bit more grip and port covers is certainly a tempting proposition.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
I switch between UAG and Trident Cyclops. Both of them offer excellent protection ?
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 ?
Thanks for the excellent review! I currently have a black Otterbox commuter and find the case to be nearly perfect in every aspect. I recently ordered a Spigen neo Hybrid in dante red just to change things up a bit and for a sleeker look.
Great stuff here, thanks for the great review. I have the UAG and love it, but am looking for a protective case with a better feel. After reading this, I'm eyeballing the Commuter as well.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Def a great review. Been checking out the commuter and UAG cases and definitely leaning towards the commuter now.
Sent from the big ol' Note 3
Haha I wish a review like this was posted before I went out and bought these cases myself. I have the Neo-Hyrbid, two UAGs (one is a replacement for the missing hole) and a Defender, in the exact same colors as reviewed.
I have to say that this is an great review and all of mattt33's review points are spot on. Of the three that I have, the Defender is my favorite for its protection, excellent grip and long-term holding comfort because of the soft outer shell. Comfort is very important to me because I do a good amount of gaming and media watching on my device. My only gripe about the Defender really has to do with the color choice. Anything other than black is going to show dirtiness after a while.
The Commuter does look great though, but I think I would miss the grip and soft-yet-solid feel of the Defender. I'd give it a try, but I'd never hear the end of it from my wife if she stumbled upon yet another case in the mail.
Completely different cases to compare. I have the neo hybrid, and also the uag, and the slim armor. I'd have to say I Love all of them for different reasons. But I usually use the slim armor. It just feels nice looks nice.
Guess where I landed right after ordering a Dante Red Spigen Neo Hybrid. !
Lol., It was merely a decision based on the looks. Didn't drop my Phone since the first day. So hope it will work out for me as i don't have an option to cancel or change the order.
Thanks for the review mate!
Great review. I actually own all of the Neo Hybrid colors. I am usually good with not droppinhg my phones. I like the look of them and am not bothered by the grip.
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JazonX said:
Guess where I landed right after ordering a Dante Red Spigen Neo Hybrid. !
Lol., It was merely a decision based on the looks. Didn't drop my Phone since the first day. So hope it will work out for me as i don't have an option to cancel or change the order.
Thanks for the review mate!
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How has the case worked out for you?
I love Spigen Neo Hybrid but for me all cases in general makes the Note too big... Good review!
conamundas said:
Great review. I actually own all of the Neo Hybrid colors. I am usually good with not droppinhg my phones. I like the look of them and am not bothered by the grip.
---------- Post added at 12:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 AM ----------
How has the case worked out for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Extremely Happy!
Only the original samsung Micro USB 2.0 Cable will fit when the case is on. Opening for the USB port on SPIGEN is small, so 3.0 cables will be unusable.
I love the look and feel of my Spigen Slim Armor case. It also protects fairly well from drops.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Details about Commuter
Wonderful review. After endless hours of research on cases, I thought I had narrowed my choices down to Trident AMS Kraken (since it had a kickstand as well) and the Ballistic Tough Jacket Maxx but this review completely changed my perspective. As such I am now highly considering the Otterbox Commuter. Although I prefer a kickstand, protection supersedes it. I just have a few questions for those who have used or have this case.
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
Sorry for the numerous questions but finding the right case is imperative as I'll have this for 2 years.
snapper11 said:
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Otterbox Defender, rather than the Commuter, but I believe they're similar enough for my answers to be helpful....
1) No overall issues or concerns from me.
2) I've had cases for other phones where the rubber flaps covering the ports were more of a nuisance than anything, and I ended up cutting them off. On this case though, they really don't get in the way, and they do wonders for keeping dirt and debris out. The cover over the charging port closes nice and tight, but is opened easily enough with one finger and some slight pressure (or a fingernail. It also opens far enough that the rubber isn't putting unnecessary pressure on the USB cable or the port when plugged in. The cover on the headphone jack also closes up good and tight, but is slightly more difficult to open, at least for me. Normal 3.5mm plugs fit in just fine, and as with the charging port cover, the rubber doesn't put any unnecessary or damaging stress on cables, when plugged in. I've only had an issue with one 3.5mm to RCA cable, that had a slightly wider rubber base than most, which required taking off the entire case to plug in, but I think that's due to it just being an old, cheap cable.
3) No problems with the rubber, even when left in the car in 100 degree plus Southwestern heat. It fits as snugly as it did when I bought it.
4) I use an iLoome 9h tempered glass screen protector. I cut the plastic one that is built into the Defender out with a razor, and a little over 6 months later, it still looks immaculate. No bubbles, peeling, or sliding. You honestly can't even tell there's a screen protector there, it's that nice. The added depth of the glass protector makes it a little harder to snap the 2 plastic halves of the case together, and I have accidentally broken 2 of the plastic tabs, but it still closes just fine without those 2, and to be frank, they were only broken due to carelessness on my part.
5) Don't quote me, but I think the lip on the Defender is slightly deeper than on the Commuter, and it hasn't caused me any problems. In fact, it does wonders for protecting the screen when placed face down. If you regularly use the Touchwiz feature that lets you take a screenshot by sliding the side of your hand across the screen, it makes doing so a little difficult in portrait orientation, but that's really just nitpicking.
Hope you find some of this helpful!
:beer:
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
lol.... Read threads for a few days... Ordered a Spigen NEO (on spiffy looks), but after reading more threads, Friday, I ordered another Commuter. Which I've had on all my phones (since like the Blackberry days), as well as some Defenders.. I just wanted to spice it up, and the Note 3 is so nice looking I was trying not to wrap it in Otterskin...
Eh well, I'll use the Spigen for dressing up, lol..
Thanks!
snapper11 said:
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the Black version of the Commuter.
1) None
2) The flaps can be bend back fully without much issue, and they're solid enough not to tear whilst doing so. The plastic around the cutouts is about 2mm thick.
The official USB3 charger plug fits into the slot easily. There's about 2mm free space on the sides of the USB slot before the case starts. With the charging plug inserted, there's about 0.8mm free space between the plastic of the plug, and the plastic of the case on the sides, and 1mm at the top and bottom of the plug.
The headphone jack has 2.5mm around it, more than enough space for even a thick plug.
3) I've not noticed any reaction to heat in terms of expansion or contraction of the rubber. It's not that kind of rubber.
The only place it's a bit loose (you can bend it away-loose) is the front side with the volume rocker. But that may be my own doing as I can't stop playing with it. (I'm a bit OCD).
4) Don't have a glass one, I'm using the one that came with it as I currently can't afford a glass one.
5) It does on occassion get in the way a bit whilst swiping, particularly on the sides. As an upside, putting it face-down on the table is perfectly safe even on a rough, natural table. And it seals in all the light (which is great if you keep it on your nightstand!)
All in all, I'm happy with it
Oh, and removing/attaching it is easy, you can leave the thing in one piece and just pop it off at the top corners, and click it back in when you're done.
The thing I don't like about the Commuter is that the back is very slippery and slides around easily when placed on it's back. I have a compartment under the radio in my car and cannot put the phone in there with the screen up. When I accelerate like I usually do the phone slides right out, I had to place a piece of rubber type material in there to keep it from coming out.
very nice i will buy one
Anyone find any good tpu cases?
I found a couple on Amazon but most with bad reviews. Most complaints were that the cases do not fit.
I found this one.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I86GGII/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_22zhtb0CC8DKH
It has no reviews yet and I bought it ...I don't have it yet... But let's hope it's good.
I have this one. It fits. It's snug, but it fits. The buttons are pretty hard to press though. It will do until some other options come out I guess!
If I could have any case for this device, I would want a Gumdrop Bounce Skin.
My wife has one for her Ipad air with a glass screen protector and there is nothing like it. Survives drops and a 5 year old, feels great to touch, sticks to your hand so you can use if one handed without a strap, sticks enough to a table or whatever so you can just lean it up against anything (wall, pillow, monitor, shelf, pencil holder, ...) and it stays at the same angle you set it down at, easy.
I just love this thing. If gumdrop doesn't make it, I'm going to have to bribe a silicone guy and get him to copy one for me. I think I could almost duplicate it with RTV silicone rubber if I bought two of them cut them up to fit and then did a two part mold, but it would take a bit of thinking and I don't know how well RTV silicone would last (but it would have the right shore A hardness to feel great and "stick" in all the right ways).
The best thing about the case is that while it grabs lint and stuff like most silicone cases, it does not feel bad and does not inhibit its stickiness. This might not make sense to you if you aren't acutely aware of everything you touch and how it feels (and I wish I didn't), but if you are sensitive to it, this is amazing. Now I haven't covered it in baby powder or anything, but it is amazing not having to worry about tossing it on a pile of laundry or the bed or the carpet and it not getting so covered in tiny dust that you feel like you have to wask it off. Even my otterbox for my GS4 makes me feel like that sometimes, but not my wife's gumdrop bounce, man I'm envious of that skin.
If you want here is the link to it on amz. for the ipad. they even have it in like 7 colors, I just wish they made it for the Note pro.., maybe they will.
http://www.amazon.com/Gumdrop-Cases-Bounce-Skin-BOUNCE-IPAD5-LTBLU-V3/
I got my Poetic Graph Grip yesterday. I'm pretty torn about it. The fit is great, it is much better protection than the Fosmon case linked above that I have, it is comfortable to hold BUT... it is heavy!! It adds a significant amount of weight to an already large tablet. And it also seems to be a bit of a dog fur/dust magnet. Which is a problem in a house with three dogs! So I'm not sure whether I will continue to use it or not.
OK I got the tpu case.... And it's pretty good. The buttons are a little hard to press especially the power button.... Other than that it's not bad.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Hey fellas!
I am looking for a premium looking case for my nexus 6.
My phone is white if it matters.
I did like a lot the Nilkin slim border, but its out of stock everywhere.
Also i have found this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Luxury-Sli...hash=item41939eb983:m:m2afeTHn0qE_nI9hygZ9iVg
Black aluminum borders.
Besides that, im looking for something that will give me a nice grip yet still make the phone look elegant and aesthetic.
Thanks!
I have that. It looks okay, but the quality is crap. I got rid of it right away.
My favorite Nexus 6 case is this one:
Ringke FUSION [Dust Cap/Drop Protection][CLEAR] Shock Absorption Bumper. (Available on Amazon)
It adds minimal bulk and fits like a glove.
I bought this case about 6mo ago, and have been very happy with it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/152687543728 (Not affiliated with the seller, just a happy customer)
Back is a clear, hard plastic (poly-carbonate?) and the "lip" is a firm TPU-type material. I've dropped it dozens of times with zero problems.
I've used the "S-shape" type cases for other phones in the past. A simpler, less "high-end" look, but they have tiny little "nubs" at the edges that give excellent grip. (Zoom in on pics to see):
https://www.ebay.com/sch/Cases-Cove..._from=R40&_nkw=nexus+6+s+tpu+case+-"nexus+6p"
Guyinlaca said:
My favorite Nexus 6 case is this one:
Ringke FUSION [Dust Cap/Drop Protection][CLEAR] Shock Absorption Bumper. (Available on Amazon)
It adds minimal bulk and fits like a glove.
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Click to collapse
I have this Ringke also and it is a good case, but I wouldn't consider it premium. It does provide adequate protection for minor bumps and falls. It has a large enough lip that my tempered glass screen protector doesn't scratch if I place the phone face-down on a table. The clear TPU yellows over time so it looks dingy though. Depending on how frequently you charge or use a headset, the dust caps can be annoying (of course they are easy to snip off the case if you like.)
Overall it is a very good case and the one I use most of the time, but particularly because of the yellowing of the clear plastic, I can't consider it a premium case.
I use a Spigen slim armor. Very nice looking and protects well. I had together it directly from Spigen though. I tried ordering one from a discounter and they send me a fake. It literally didn't even look like the real thing and lacked the kick stand and didn't even fit properly. They just printed Spigen on some random vaguly similar case and tried to pass it off.
Have had a number of cases over the years and I'm none rival the quality, feel, build, and just plain sexiness of the Seidio Dilex Pro. I'm the best kickstand case as the kickstand itself is metal as well as magnetic, it's also very sturdy. I went thru 2 Spigen Slim Armor kickstand cases after the plastic kickstands broke off then I discovered this beauty lol. Also rocking a Dbrand skin and no problems with the fit. Also the feel of the outside lip is great, more than enough to sit it face down, but formed and angled perfectly as to not in any way hinder using the screen. Seidio is also a big name company so the price is higher @ $29.99, over your run of the mill ebay cases, but as the famous saying goes, you get what you pay for lol.
https://www.amazon.com/Seidio-DILEX-Metal-Kickstand-Motorola/dp/B00S6TA3RW
Also might add that the way the metal kickstand is attached the area is flat which means sitting it on a table it will stay put instead of rocking back and forth lol. The butter shell of the 2 pieces is also covered (or made?) out of something that is pretty grippy, no slick plastic or rubbery TPU to deal with, using it for over a year in construction sites, factories, and other outdoor/dirty jobs it doesn't hold dirt or sweaty skin oils compared to others I've used, I wash mine bout once a month in hot water with dish soap and no warping, deforming, or most of all, fading, still black as the day I got it. And one last awesome thing that's soo small to be easily looked over but makes a huge difference when case makers don't do it is the side buttons, each one is individual, precision molded, and have a very satisfying feel when depressing them. It may be a tad bigger compared to bumpers or extremely thin shell cases which are barely a step up over a full Dbrand or (can't remember the other skin company) skin lol, I found myself loving the size, it's not full on OtterBox, but it still is thin enough to let me use it one handed which is whenever I'm doing anything but typing lol.
::Edit:: Oh yea, it comes in Black, Blue, Red, and White. Seidio also makes a Surface case with the metal kickstand as well and I'm sure it's just as high quality of a product I have not tried it myself and cannot attest to it's build, here is an Amazon listing tho if you would like to see it, it is one that includes a belt holster tho there are listings without the holster for cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/Seidio-SURFACE-Kickstand-Holster-Motorola/dp/B00S6T9YTK