Arrrrgh! I'm wondering if anyone has found a (leather) flip case for the AT&T Tilt 2 they are happy with?
My phone is a little over a month old, and I'm getting desperate. I've been temporarily using a clear thing (case mate) AT&T sold me with the phone (it was all they had that would fit) until I found something that would work for me. I've been reading here, and finally took the plunge to get the Designio case discussed here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=584093
Unfortunately, either I got a bad case or I'm being too picky or whatever, but I'm not pleased.
My criticisms are:
The PTT button completely covered by the leather support piece (not sure that's what to call it, but there's a leather piece that runs along the left edge, or bottom with the keyboard open). The PTT button is still functional as long as I press the leather piece just right.
The plastic over the keyboard does not fit snuggly -- it bulges up about an eighth of an inch along the bottom of the keyboard (the left side of the phone), which is annoying enough when using the keyboard, but that bulge also keeps that edge of the phone from closing flat when then keyboard isn't out. I carry my phone in a dedicated pocket in my purse, and I'm constantly finding dust & such that gets under the loose plastic keyboard protector at the bottom of the keyboard (left side of the phone when the keyboard is closed) since there's a gap along that edge from the loose plastic. That's highly annoying for me.
#2 might not be much of a problem if the magnetic closure was snug, but it's not -- IMO, it's off by a little over a quarter of an inch. This allows the top cover to slide around enough that the screen isn't protected when the case is closed (particularly the bottom of both sides up about 2.5" and up to 1/2" in from the bottom corners). If the magnetic catch was appropriately placed, it could also eliminate the gap on the left side of the phone when the keyboard is closed.
Clearly, this isn't the perfect case for me. I thought perhaps I was being too picky, but the Krusell case for my old 8525 doesn't suffer from these problems.
So, if anyone has found a flip case (preferably leather, but that's not a deal breaker) for the AT&T Tilt 2 that doesn't suffer from these problems, please share
TIA,
Saundra
i'm not entirely happy with mine, but mine seems not to have the problems that you are finding wiht yours.
i use the Capdase case, http://www.capdase.com/en/product4.php?cid=1&bid=5&mid=48, and it's a soft leather case that comes in two styles, either a "book"/side flip, or the top flip which i got.
main pro is that it uses small tabs on all 4 corners to clip on to the lower/keyboard half of the phone, allowing you full access to all buttons, the usb port, and the keyboard, without any plastic in the way. the tabs also seem to be more robust and likely to last longer than the seidio innocase tabs which i used on my kaiser. those tend to wear down and break off after about 2 years of use.
on the cons, i dislike the flap, which only has room to store 2 microsd cards and 1 extra sim card. i've already lost 1 sd card, though i am not 100% certain if it was my fault or the case (i was showing the phone to some friends the night i lost it). it also does not have any storage space for a credit card or similar, even though it would've been minimal cost to add one.
if only i could have the flap from your case, and the base of mine. then it'd be perfect.
Thanks for the input! It does sound as though we could have the perfect case with your base & my flap.
I'm in the US, and I couldn't find any retailers for that particular Capdase -- lots for iPhones. Of course.
It looks like I could maybe get it through eBay, which is good to know in case I just can't get the Designo to work for me.
Thanks again!
sslund said:
Arrrrgh! I'm wondering if anyone has found a (leather) flip case for the AT&T Tilt 2 they are happy with?
http://www.noreve.com/brand/HTC/product/Housse_cuir_HTC_Touch_Pro2_Verizon_-_Sprint_Tradition.html -This works well for me, but there are no pouches for SD cards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noreve
I am using the Noreve case available at www.noreveusa.com I like it a lot. It too covers the push to talk button, but since I'm using a custom ROM it has no functionality anyway. The Piel Frama case I had for my Original Touch Pro, there was that darn plastic sheet covering the keyboard and frankly I think that sucks. Granted the noreve case is squirrely when the keyboard is open, but unless you are able to drive and text or ride a bike and text or a motorcycle and text, well you'd do better to spend your money on a funeral plan than a case. My only complaint about the Noreve case is the belt clip sucks. I am using an old Piel Frama belt clip since it fits my belt better. I also personally LIKE the looks of the larger Piel Frama TP2 case, but most have commented on how ugly it looks.
If you're crafty...
As we've come to realize, ATT has delivered the Tilt 2 in a state that requires serious hacks to make the simplest changes. In keeping with that line of thought, I've modified a clear plastic case and added a leather flap with a pocket for credit cards and memory stix. And - Unlike some commercial flaps, when this flap is closed, nothing can slide out of the pocket. Here's how you can too...
Note to Boy Scouts: I've included more detail below than many of you here may need. After buying the case, reviewing the pix and the dimensions, you may be able to fore-go most of the tedious instructions below.
PIX
I've posted a series of pix on photobucket (sadly, I'm too new and untrustworthy to provide direct links to them here). To review the photos:
1. Go to the PhotoBucket website.
2. Click the Drop-down arrow on the right side of the "Search" box and select "People" for the search type.
3. Search for my id, "fractalcracker". Zoom in to view the 5 photos in the default album.
Plastic Case
Two-Piece (front and back) Plastic Case from the ATT store: $29.99 (ridiculous, yes I know...). Find it online at the ATTWireless website by searching "Accessories" for part number "75525". The Back piece clips on to back of phone and allows you to access all buttons and slide open the keyboard. After adding this leather flap, you won't need the front piece of the case.
Leather Pocket Flap
The leather flap is similar to a wallet pocket. In fact you might be able to cut a wallet apart to make the flap. I'll give you directions to make this one by hand from a small piece of leather. If you don't have scrap leather, cut up your wife's (or your own) purse. Good luck with that one...
Leather Measurements:
You'll need a thin, pliable piece of leather 4 inches high by 5-1/2 inches wide. We'll cut 2 pieces as follows...
Outside flap piece:
3-1/4 inches wide from left to right.
4 inches high from top to bottom.
Pocket piece:
2-1/4 inches wide from left to right.
4 inches high from top to bottom.
Assembly
1. Cut leather pieces.
2. Lay the smaller (pocket piece) on the table so that what will be the 'hidden side' (inside of the pocket) is facing up. Align it so the narrow edge is closest to you.
3. Apply a thin bead of super-glue to the top, left and bottom edges of the pocket piece. The 4th, unglued side will be the opening of the pocket.
4. Lay the flap piece down on the table so the inside of the flap is facing up. Align it so the wide edge is closest to you.
5. Pick up the pocket piece and flip it over from left to right so the glue side is down. Align it above the right side of the flap piece and glue the 2 pieces together so the top, bottom and right edges are aligned.
6. To form the hinge, apply a thin bead of super-glue to the flap piece, running from top to bottom along its left edge (opposite the pocket).
For below - remember, we're only referencing the back side of the plastic case - not the front.
7. Lay the plastic case on the table, 'opening-side' up. Rotate it so the camera hole in the back cover is furthest from you. Slide the plastic case over so the right edge of the plastic case is aligned next to the left edge of the leather flap (pocket side up with pocket on the right side of the flap).
When we glue the flap to the case, we want the super-glued hinge joint to be about 1/16th inch below the face of the plastic case. That way, the leather flap will bend back enough to allow the phone screen to slide over it whyen you slide open the keyboard.
8. Stand the plastic case up by raising the left side and tilting it to stand on its right side. Align the right side of the case above the glue line on the left edge of the leather flap.
9. Press the right side of the plastic case down in place on the flap piece so the glue line on the leather flap is about 1/16th inch below the top face of the plastic case.
When it dries, press the phone into the plastic case and get on with your life!
May the force be with you...
Mark
Just received the $33 FUSE case [http://electroniccrap.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_9&products_id=37] from electronicCrap. It is quite a nice case. I really like the finish on both the outer and inner.
The inside is a stiffer type of velvet or something. Not exactly rough, but not as smooth as microfiber for example.
The exterior is very sharp, and business meeting ready. It is a soft suede-like material and is a nice shade of gray. One big advantage of this material is a slightly higher friction grip on surfaces than leather or faux-leather. If I try to slide the tablet in the case on a smooth surface, it is quite hard. I imagine you could set the case on a dashboard and it would rarely slide.
The tablet is VERY secure in the case, and can be made even more secure with a bit of velcro or some other material to fully secure the closing flap. However, with only friction holding the flap, the tablet won't fall out even if I hold the whole thing by the folding cover and shake it.
The case functions well as a stand, sitting comfortably at all three angles on my lap bot sitting and lying in bed. The cutouts for ports are all perfectly sized. The dock port is accessible for something like the HDMI cable. I don't have a dock, so I am not sure if that would fit. The fabric over the microsd and usb slot is put together a little funny. The bottom edge (somewhat visible in this picture from electronicCrap: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10015338/Cases/hy3.JPG, it is the edge below the microSD cover) sort of tucks in where it should not, and the part that tucks isn't really necessary. This is a really minor thing that doesn't affect the function, just the form a bit. Seems like instead of an oval cut-out of one large connection between front and back panel it should be just two narrow strips.
The comment Steve makes about the magnets on his site is very true. They are a little on the weak side to close the case, but it doesn't bother me at all.
I ordered my Fuse case from electroniccrap.com last Friday and received it three days later. After three months of using my GTab "naked", I have to say it is a much more pleasant experience using it in the Fuse folio case. As ramerco mentions, the case feels well made. My only complaint is that there is no cutout for the charge status LED on the front of the GTab near the charging port. Otherwise, I would not hesitate to recommend this case.
It's a good case for Gtablet.
I have the P3, and I love it as well. Is the only difference a matter of the P3 blocking the left speaker and the flap on top?
If yes, the P3 is a few bucks cheaper and I highly recommend that too.
i think the p3 cutout for the mini usb cover is not lined up properly. i don't know though, i only have the fuse...
imdaman99 said:
I have the P3, and I love it as well. Is the only difference a matter of the P3 blocking the left speaker and the flap on top?
If yes, the P3 is a few bucks cheaper and I highly recommend that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The P3 is a synthetic leather PU style case that has a "slicker" feel to it.
The Fuse is almost like a suede feel. They are both great cases. I flip back and forth between both of them to fit my mood
And yes, there is a little bit of an overlap of one of the speakers, but it doesn't affect the functionality that much. It still pumps out descent sound!
I ordered the FUSE case as well and it's great. It's a great bargain. I highly recommend it.
Sent from my TnT-Enhanced using XDA Premium App
FUSE - great case for those without a dock.
I read through a dozen or more threads here looking for info on all of the cases that were compatible with the G tablet. The only noteworthy negative aspect of the FUSE case that I could gleen from the experiences of others was the fact that it did not allow the tablet to dock while inside the case - for that you'd need the CLIP I believe. I didn't see any reason to bother with a dock, so I went with the FUSE (from electroniccrap).
Six months later, I'm still happy with my purchase. The material has held up exceptionally well (my 2-year-old got a hold of the case once and didn't manage to leave any visible blemishes or marks, despite his persistence) and I still like the feel of it. The faux-sued or whatever it is offers just the right amount of texture/friction to hold the tablet 1-handed without fear of it slipping out of my grip.
So, I suppose I should say thank you to all of the posters here who shared their experiences with the various cases - much obliged, everyone.
First Impressions:
The case comes in two parts. There's the jacket part that has a front flap with a leather texture, and the hard plastic part that can detach from the jacket. The front flap does not have a magnet, it simply just folds over the front of the phone, so there's no problem with interference.
The detachable plastic case feels like any regular plastic case. There's a small lip on the front so if you place your phone face down on a flat surface your screen won't scratch. The back of the case provides little camera protection as it sits flush with the lens.
However, once you put the jacket part on, it adds a little bit of thickness allowing the lens to sit in a small pocket.
The jacket part of the case has a thinner plastic base that bends slightly, but does not feel overly flimsy. The flap is attached by a stitching on the back of the case and seems to be well constructed. Along with the flap, the inside of the plastic case is covered by a suede type of felt which protects the two plastic cases from rubbing against each other. The flap has three card slots built into it. However, if you have cards in all three slots, I found that it added significant overall thickness when the case is closed.
The cutouts on the case are perfect! I didn't have any trouble accessing any of the buttons or pulling out the S-Pen.
My main problem with this case is the price. It cost my fiancee about $43 with tax from the AT&T store. Coming from a $10 Spigen Bounce case, it's quite a price difference.
Overall, I give this case an 8.5/10.
The price of this case is a bit hard to swallow, but otherwise, it's a great case so far.
I'll update this review once i've had more time to use it. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the review. That looks like just the type of case I'm looking for. Does it remove from the "jacket" pretty easily? I imagine there needs to be a balance between not being cumbersome to remove, but sturdy enough to stay put. I have been concerned about getting a wallet type case since I dock my phone when I drive. This looks like just the solution. Would like to see if I can save a few bucks, though. That is more than I have spent on my last 10 cases combined (I'm cheap).
The removal of the case from the jacket requires a little effort, but it's not terribly hard to take apart. It's got a good balance to it, it's not just going to come apart while in your pocket or while you're using it.
is there any auto wake/sleep lock function with the case?
No there's not, the jacket detaches easily but the hard plastic does not
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I had this case for a smaller phone and could never get it to stand up like a kickstand like you have in one of your pictures. How sturdy is everything when you have it propped up like that?
I got one also and im digging it so far especially the taking it apart and still having a case on it. Playing Real Racing with the flap attached is just a pain sometimes. Although I used my company discount thru VZW and got mine for 25 and some change. I get a 35% discount on accessories from VZW.
Also how flush is the camera without the outer shell? Does it touch the table when it is only in the plastic shell?
webdave said:
Also how flush is the camera without the outer shell? Does it touch the table when it is only in the plastic shell?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it touches the table when its out of the outer shell
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?
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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?
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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