With a plethora of cases available for the new AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note the decision on which case to buy can be a tough one. This review takes a look at Cimo Technologies' Matte Finish TPU Case.
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Packaging:
Cimo presents the case in a dazzle free fair. The case is delivered in a simple plastic wrapping with the all to familiar cardboard cutout of a Note sitting in it. I don't think extravagant packing is needed for a case, and in theory, the less they spend on the packaging, the less the consumer pays for the product.
Aesthetics and Construction:
The case is made up of two layers: a high gloss black 'upper' that surrounds the top portion of the case and circles the screen and a matte 'lower' that protects the lower half and back of the phone. The material feels durable and does provide some texture that the nude Note doesn't have. The case extends over the lip around the phone and extends a touch above the screen for protection. Installation is a breeze. The case fits well on the Note and has very little play- something hard cases often can't offer. The ports are accessible and the cutouts for the S-pen, speaker, camera, and flash are lined up well.
The one drawback is that like most other TPU cases there are 'tags' left on this case that are left from when the case was molded. These do protrude from the case more than what I would have liked, but can easily be removed with a blade.
Overall Function:
First and foremost a case is there to protect the phone, and with my experience so far I think this case will perform well. There looks to be a good balance between thickness and protection which is a plus since no one wants to add too much bulk to their phones. The raised edge allows those who don't have a screen protector to set the phone face down and have a little extra security that the screen will be unharmed.
Unfortunately, this case is still a little too thick on the bottom to allow successful function with the Samsung Desktop Dock. Although the phone will sit in the cradle, the USB plug cannot span the extra distance the case puts between it and the port.
Verdict:
I've used quite a bit of TPU cases on my devices in the past and generally the experience has been a mixed bag. Cimo's offering, on the other hand, seems like a well made worthy choice. It's minimal heft, good fit, solid protection, and fingerprint resistant matte finish makes a strong case to be your next purchase
Gallery:
I actually have been using a tpu case from them also, same look just glossy black. They are great fiting tpu cases. I have a friend buying one for his nexus now also. I would recommend them for sure.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Looks like the case covers half of the speaker on the back of the device judging by one of the pics you've posted here.
Pandemoniumone said:
Looks like the case covers half of the speaker on the back of the device judging by one of the pics you've posted here.
Click to expand...
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Yes, I noticed that pic looked funny. I was swapping a few cases at the time and must not have got the case on perfectly when that pic was shot. When installed right the speaker is not obscured (although the cut out is a touch oversized).
Thanks for pointing that out.
Related
***If anyone has a hard time viewing the pics please let me know. I have them hosted on another forum.***
Cimo Technologies S-Line Soft Shell Clear TPU Case Review
I've owned a TON of cellphones over the years. Oddly enough, they've all been hard cases and this is the first TPU case I've ever owned. TPU, for those like me who had never owned one, is essentially a pliable plastic that is sturdy but not firm. It's almost a perfect mix between silicone (arguably too soft) and a hard plastic.
Packaging:
Having never owned a TPU case before I was worried when the package arrived and it was in a brown envelope with bubble wrap. I quickly found that the packaging really wouldn't have mattered due to the nature of the TPU case material.
The Case:
As mentioned above, this case is unlike any other case I've ever owned before and to be completely honest, I kind of like it!
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The case I got was clear so that I could continue to see the beautiful lines, colors and design of the Droid Razr. As can be seen in the picture above, nearly the entirety of this case is clear and part of the back is a translucent.
Initially I HATED the the S-Line design but quickly grew to appreciate and ultimately LOVE the S-Line design because the different "colors" also had different textures. The textures were a great bonus as the texture I want for holding the phone is different than the texture I wanted for pulling the phone out of my pocket.
Speaking of texture, both sides of the case have a molded grip. This was a fantastic addition to the case and made holding case much convenient and pleasurable!!!
The case covers the power button and volume keys but allows full access to them. The volume keys are much easier to find and use than they were on a naked phone.
Installation and Fit:
Installation was a breeze. Really not much to say.
Fit is perfect! All cutouts are well done and do not interfere with operation of the phone, charger, headphones, etc. There is also a cutout for the SD Card and Sim Card slot.
Unfortunately, there was not a hole for the second microphone on the back of the phone. According to those I made test phone calls with (car, work, home), this was not an issue. Those who purchase this case may want to poke a hole through the case to allow the second noise-cancelling microphone to be beneficial.
I also noticed that the power button is easier to find but that it can be a little more difficult to press and can cause the case to bow a little at the front near the screen.
Overall:
This is a FANTASTIC case! Due to the nature of the material, it is sure to show wear and tear after time, especially with a clear case like the one that I'm reviewing.
Amazon currently has these cases on sale for $5.95 (which is a STEAL in my opinion) and are available in a variety of colors and styles (S-Line and plain).
Go get yours here!
Just ordered a soft black case. Nice review!
Great case but does not fit in any of the raze docks
Sent from my XT910 using XDA App
Just got mine in the mail today. It's on the phone right now. The side grips on this thing are great. This feature should be on every TPU case out there.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
got one myself, but the only flaw I see is the lack of cut-out for the noise cancellation mic on the back. apart from that, very sturdy case and great value.
Got mine yesterday.
Not a fan. The top by the Motorola logo bows out. Plus I don't like the SIM cut out. Doesn't flow.
Back to the Verizon black gel one. Best I've used so far.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
I’ve grab ahold of these three Galaxy Note 3 cases from Poetic, all reasonably priced on Amazon, and I thought it’ll be a good opportunity to do a round-up of sorts. All these cases have different features and makes sense in different situations. Why did I get so many cases? I guess I’m a bit of a case junkie. Without further ado, let’s look at this line-up.
First, we have the Palette. This is the slimmest and most minimalistic case of the lot. This case simply covers the back and side of the Note 3, leaving the top and bottom exposed. You’re not going to get comprehensive protection against drops here. Instead, the Palette shields against buffs and scratches to the leather-like back of the Note 3, while adding a lay-on-table lip to the front screen. In addition, the case’s soft rubberized surface adds a degree of grip to your phone. Easy to snap on and take off.
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Next, we have a wallet-cover case in the SlimBook. I’m really liking the look of this leather-like case. Clean stitching and stiff leather gives this case a business-like quality. The cover closes with a snap via a magnetic clasp. On the inside of the cover, there are 3 card slots available, as well as a pocket for bills. Adding credit cards to the case does add a bit of thickness, so it’s up to you whether you want to use the case as an all-in-one holder of your essentials. Overall, a handsome case.
Lastly, there is the Strapback, a leather case which boasts a built-in stand. The grain leather cover feels satisfyingly plushy. It’s not the best quality leather,but there is a suppleness here that I enjoy. The cover snaps on tightly with a slightly hooked clasp. The back is slightly cutout so you can pulls the case forward to form a stand as seen in the pictures below. I found this stand configuration to be easier to use than normal kickstands.
Overall, I liked the Strapback the most from the three cases. The hard back along with thick leather material should do well in drop protection, and I like the added function of the stand over the SlimBook’s card and cash slots. But I will also use the Palette often as well because it’s so much slimmer and lighter than the other two.
You can find the rest on the photos I took of these cases in the following albums. Thank you for reading!
Palette for Samsung Note 3
http://imgur.com/a/jODdc#0
Slimbook for Samsung Note 3
http://imgur.com/a/IpBLq#0
Strapback for Samsung Galaxy Note 3
http://imgur.com/a/Dc4SX#0
Amazon links, each currently available for $0.01 plus shipping a piece:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EXA6WUA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ELUXBAQ
http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Strapb...r-Warranty/dp/B00E3FHYSO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_cps_2
$0.01/ea? Is this for real?
Well well well, hard to choose... the Palette looks way cool
SlimBook is quite efficient in both functionality and practical.
Protection-wise, looks like the Strapback do offer the best armor and feel for the Galaxy Note 3 all together. For this price I think I will get all three of them, plus my favorite Starbucks venti Mocha AND $.99 favorite songs from itune and still way below budget. THANK YOU for the review! This is indeed a great deal!:good:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190925052983?var=490194438302
Has anyone tried this for the Note 3? I bought something very similar in gray translucent color for my Note 2 which fit the job perfectly since I keep my phone in my front right pocket so don't need anything bulky and the design/color turned out nice. Just hoping the charger port is big enough for use with Smart Dock which was a little snug with the Note 2 one. $3.99 with shipping included from Asia.
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old thread, but I came across it and figured i'd respond.
I had something just like this for my HTC One.
it was great in how thin it was. Obviously not much for drop protection, but it provided better grip and scratch protection without adding weight/size.
Only issue was that the fit was very tight, and the material is not elastic. As a result, i ended up stretching one of the cutouts slightly, and it never quite sat perfectly. I liked it anyway, and would try one again if i still had the phone. I might try one of these for my GN3.
These cases are superb. I bought several of these just in case I want to swap them out. So far though, I have only swapped it out once because of light scratches from a year of use on my S3. These cases are definitely not for drop protection. Strictly for scratch protection. They are the thinnest available. They are also not grippy. I like it because I personally hate the dust collecting silicone cases. At first I bought the black version for my black note 3, but then i bought the white/clear version of the case and I like the clear case more. The black case hides the silver accent edge of the note 3 while the white one allows that detailing to show. It also doesn't hurt that they're dirt cheap.
I bought one of these and they are super thin. I love that it barely adds bulk. But as windowmaker said, there's no grip what so ever. At least before you had some grip from the battery cover. I decided to trim out the back of mine so I have some grip at the back since the battery cover is now exposed. But still no side grip. Maybe put clear skinomi skin on the sides for better grip. But if you want thin, this is one of the thinnest out there.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
I've got one. Not bad but not perfect.The fit wasn't good enough, it always looked like it was coming off on one side. Cutouts very good. Does not protect the screen or the camera in any way. I switched to Ringke Slim since and I think it's better and not much bulkier. But for the money - great buy. And the Note still looks like the Note. And the owner still looks like homo sapiens not some anal-retentive douche who spends a fortune on a lovely and stylish phone just to turn it into some Ninja-Turtle global destruction device
Does anyone have a picture of the note 3 with this case on?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
GHOSTIVVI said:
Does anyone have a picture of the note 3 with this case on?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
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I used to use these style of cases because I wanted absolute minimal size added to the phone while providing basic scratch protection.
Recently I moved to "skins"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeStBNHqCZA
That's a skinomi wood one, and I much prefer it to those cheap 2mm cases. Not does it keep the phone slim, it provides the same type of protection. The cheap ebay cases werent going to provide any type of drop protection anyways.
So time for a review of the Speck StyleFolio case.
Before I start though, this is replacing my Samsung Book case. So what's wrong with the book case? Well, the following:
No cover retention means it slips around and can open at any time
Limited viewing angles and poor stability in landscape standing up
No cut out for the camera on the front so you have to hold the cover up to take a phone, which is ridiculously awkward.
Limited protection on the sides
So, I hunted amazon for ages looking for a replacement. I knew what I wanted and there are a few cases in the same style as the Speck. I have previously had a Speck with my iPad Mini (now sold, cause it was rubbish ). I was impressed with the case then so when I stumbled upon their Note 12.2 version I jumped in and ordered one from Amazon. Link below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speck-Style...TF8&qid=1423682176&sr=8-1&keywords=Speck+12.2
Now lets face it, this isn't a cheap case. It's £36 in the UK, bit of a rip off considering it's only $35 through Amazon.com LOL. Still there we go, welcome to rip off Britain.
First impressions, this is a SOLID folio case. The cover and back are thicker than the book cover and also the plastic insert where you clip the tablet in, extends around the WHOLE tablet (apart from cutouts for speakers, pen etc.. And this thing is a tight fit, the tablet really clicks into it and the plastic is nice and thick. The only cut out missing which is a little disappointing is the SD card slot. But I guess how many times do you swap cards?
Lets talk about viewing angles. This case is rock solid both standing up in landscape and laid down at an angle. THe groves on the inside of the cover stop the tablet slipping and they do a decent job with 4 positions available. Laying down the tablet has to be turned upside down but once in position, it will NOT move. The book cover was only held by a magnet and could easily slip.
Because the cover opens from the bottom, if you want to take a picture, the cover hangs down allowing both hands on the tablet, excellent! .
Finally the clip. There is a plastic clip for the cover which is very solid and locks closed very well. The elastic allows a little movement over the cover and clip.
This case in my opinion is THE best folio case available for the Note 12.2. Because it locks shut, there are no magnets to cause problems, or metal to fall off (as happens to some other cases). The complete all round side protection is perfect and the material/thickness just right.
One last thing. I was torn between a case and a keyboard case. Problem is, I won't use the keyboard that much so having it attached all the time seemed silly. The book cover however wasn't good enough standing up with a BT keyboard, so this case with a external BT keyboard will be perfect I think.
And finally some photos
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Yup I love mine as well, replaced a Belkin book cover case with it recently and will never pick up a "smart" cover/folio again. I just had too much issues with pen sensitivity with my prior case.
Thanks for the review!
For reference here's another one that was posted a while back:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2743380
Great review of a great case. I've had the Speck case for 6 months, and it continues to provide solid and secure overall protection. I've been very pleased with the quality materials and design which have held up very well. The Speck case is well worth the price to protect this high-end tablet.
=GO=
Let me introduce to you my absolute favorite case, not just for the S8, but for many Smartphones that I have owned over the years. Long before I became a fan of these cases I was in love with the (UAG) Urban Armor Gear cases, that was until they didn't support a new smartphone that I had purchased. Like many of you I went out seeking a case that I liked, often buying a dozen cases or more since they were relatively cheap and easy to return thanks to Amazon, but once I found this gem I knew my search was over.
Supcase is now the first brand I go to for a case whenever I get a new smartphone and I was devastated when they didn't make one for my HTC 10 so I was forced to pay more for a similar product, Incipio's Octane case. The main reasons for me choosing this case over other similar cases are the look and feel, but the price is very nice as well. Compared to other similar cases I find the grip to be perfect and it doesn't grip to your pocket either. It seemingly adds no bulk (probably the thickness of a nickel on both sides and back) and it literally kept me from taking my S8 back and exchanging it for the S8+ due to it feeling too skinny in my hand. With this case on it has a very ergonomic feel and fits perfect!
The buttons are not any more or less responsive than a naked S8 and are easily found... and so is the horrible Bixby button unfortunately lol. This is a hybrid-type case with the edges around the case consisting of a very durable shock-absorbing TPU that is molded to a hard polycarbonate backing. Drop protection is excellent and exceeds military shock standards which comes at no surprise. It has raised edges to protect your screen when placed on a flat surface and the cutouts are sizeable enough to fit any plug you may have.
Overall it's a very good case.
http://a.co/5ldVaTJ (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHFP7P3)
EDIT: Just to clarify on the thickness because some people say it 'looks' bulky... It only adds roughly 2mm of thickness to the sides. Of course the corners are roughly 4mm, but that's where you want more protection anyway. This is FAR from a bulky case IMO. For those in the states, like myself, 2mm is almost halfway between 1/8th and 1/16 of an inch.
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Look bulky but i am sure it protects. How much u got it?
Tiongkia said:
Look bulky but i am sure it protects. How much u got it?
Click to expand...
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It's not bulky at all. Don't knock it til you try it. As I said in my review it only adds about the thickness of a nickel to the sides. It's only $12.99 on Amazon.
EDIT: I just measured the thickness and it's halfway between 1/8th and 1/16th of an inch or approximately 2mm of thickness that is added to the sides.
This is always what I start with as my go to case also. It may not look the best but the in hand feel and grip is perfect. Wish they had a clear back version.
allklrnoflr said:
This is always what I start with as my go to case also. It may not look the best but the in hand feel and grip is perfect. Wish they had a clear back version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do, but the style is different I personally don't mind the frosted back and it's not a fingerprint magnet like the clear cases which would arguably look worse lol. It also does a great job covering up any scuffs and scratches that happen over time... something the clear ones simply can't do.