I am going to get a s4 soon, and I am wondering if I will need to get a case. Currently on the charge, and when I bought it I got the thicker case vzw offered. Within two weeks it was off, and I have used the phone naked ever since. I have dropped it countless times onto tile and concrete, and the only damage is a few scratches on the back cover and dents in the part of the bezel that extends past the screen (raised edge).
I have read that the s4 is quite fragile. Based on the above, should I get a case? If so, can I get the smallest one available, or should I opt for something bigger?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
JihadSquad said:
I am going to get a s4 soon, and I am wondering if I will need to get a case. Currently on the charge, and when I bought it I got the thicker case vzw offered. Within two weeks it was off, and I have used the phone naked ever since. I have dropped it countless times onto tile and concrete, and the only damage is a few scratches on the back cover and dents in the part of the bezel that extends past the screen (raised edge).
I have read that the s4 is quite fragile. Based on the above, should I get a case? If so, can I get the smallest one available, or should I opt for something bigger?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
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It's all going to be up to your personal preference. Based on what you said, I would highly recommend a case. The S4 is pretty damn fragile and it's just not worth the risk if you have a history of dropping your phone. As for the size of the case, that is going to be up to you. Obviously the smaller/minimal cases will offer less protection. I like as little bulk as possible so that's fine with me and I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid on my S4 right now. Also consider a screen protector (plastic, tempered glass, etc.). Costly purchases but worth the $250+ investment into your new phone imo. :good:
Dropped mine one time on flat tile from hip height and screen cracked and would not display an image.... Get a case.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I use a speck Candyshell and it doesn't add much bulk or weight to the phone at all, thats my recommendation. The smaller and light silicone cases just don't offer the kind of protection a hard case does. The Candyshells are on the more expensive side, but you can get them on Amazon cheaper than you can on Speck's website
dust. said:
It's all going to be up to your personal preference. Based on what you said, I would highly recommend a case. The S4 is pretty damn fragile and it's just not worth the risk if you have a history of dropping your phone. As for the size of the case, that is going to be up to you. Obviously the smaller/minimal cases will offer less protection. I like as little bulk as possible so that's fine with me and I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid on my S4 right now. Also consider a screen protector (plastic, tempered glass, etc.). Costly purchases but worth the $250+ investment into your new phone imo. :good:
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How do you like that case? I have the white on order (as well as the glass screen protector) and was wondering if it looks as good as it does on Spigen's website.
If you're ever going to drop your phone than a case is a good idea.
If it doesn't offer protection to the four corners it's not worth it.
I saw a brand new GS4 dropped from waist height onto asphalt and it bent the metal rim around the screen and messed up the front facing camera.
The guy had a case on it, but it was a plastic sleeve with a stand that didn't cover the corners.
As far as screen protectors go I think they're a waste of money. The phone has gorilla glass. Unless you find yourself regularly working with materials that are actually hard enough to scratch the screen, it's just going to be another layer for glare and bubbling imperfections.
I had a Droid Charge for 2 years and only scratched it once, when I had some marble dust under my finger nail.
JIHAD MY BOI.
I currently have an Incipio DualPro Shine on my S4. Offers pretty decent protection without being stupid thick, like the otterbox.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Yeah I don't have any scratch problems and don't care about cosmetic damage. The main thing I'm worried about is functionality breaking, like screen shatter or sensor damage.
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I found the phone without a case too slippery and knew it would be dropped. I got the urban armor gear case and love it. IMO it is the the best mix of protection, slimness, and cool factor
Sent from my Galaxy S4
probably a good idea
I have a screen protector and a casemate toughcase on mine. A week or so ago I dropped the phone onto concrete from thigh level. I was scared as all could be that it would be cracked cause it sound like it hit hard, and it hit bottom first. Nothing happened luckily. I was wondering about the protection quality of that case, so far so good. It's a two piece case, and can be had for around 20 something bucks on amazon. I recommend getting a case.
I use a combination of a screen protector with the Spigen Slim Armor series case. Phone fits in it like a glove and adds very little bulk. I've dropped it a few times and it's survived with no issues. The case is a double layered rubberized with a plastic cover for looks, and it looks very sleek. It's worth checking out for sure. They're also on sale on Amazon for $14.99 at the moment, add a screen protector (also on sale for 6.99 and comes with 2) and some other random item and you can get the free shipping on orders over $25. Leaving you a link for the case and protector.
NOTE: When I added the protector to my cart and went to check out I noticed it added a iPhone 5 protector even though I was on the GS4 page, I had to remove and add a few times before it correctly showed the GS4 protector. Just a FYI.
EDIT: Well I can't post links because I'm under 10 posts. Sorry, they're just a quick Google search away though!
Get a case. I love having my phone naked, especially with my S4 because of how slim and lightweight it is - but therein lies the problem. I use an Otterbox Commuter case at work. Previously - while the Otterbox cases are good quality - I have refused to use them due to the bulk they add. However the S4's Commuter Otterbox case is fairly slim for a rugged protection case, so I decided to give it a go. It's really not bulky. The Defender on the other hand it way too much bulk for my taste.
I work in a transportation hub - around extra hard concrete floors, moving belts and machinery, metal grating docks, etc. - basically a rough environment. The first day I got the phone I went without a case, but with how slim and lightweight it is all I kept thinking was "I'm gonna drop it, it's gonna break, I'm gonna drop it, it's gonna break". So after work, I went and grabbed the Otterbox from my local Verizon store. I use it at work, and when I get home to my nice, soft, carpeted environment - I immediately take the case off.
A little over 2 weeks after I got it, I woke up and rolled over to check the time on my phone. It slipped out of my hands, fell about a foot and a half, and as it fell it hit against the metal rail on my bed (the frame that your mattress sits on) and landed on my carpeted floor. Grabbed it thinking it would be perfectly fine - it was a very short fall, it landed on carpet, and just grazed the rail. Took a look at it and the frame around the front of the phone, the faux metal one, had a huge gouge in it. I was very disappointed by this, but figured it was a freak accident. About a week ago, I got the Samsung Wireless charging pad for my phone. Set it up next to my bed, and as I was testing it out, I lifted one end of the charging pad while the phone was still on it, creating a slope. The Samsung Wireless Charging Pad doesn't have much of a grip to it, so it slipped off and made that same 1 1/2 foot fall from my bed to my floor, again grazing the metal rail on the way down. Again, I have another gouge in it. While this is a metal rail, it does not have any "sharp" edges to it. The edge itself is rounded, so it's gentler on objects that it comes in contact with, and it is covered by a bedskirt, again, helping to soften the blow should anything hit it.
Having learning my lesson (kind of) with the same freak accident happening with my phone hitting my bed in just to right way during a foot and a half drop (I have never dropped any of my previous phones...from my bed), I am looking into lightweight Carbon Fiber Skins to hopefully add a small layer of protection and sadly, I am resorting to also wrapping the bed frame in foam because I am stubborn and still refuse to use a case when I am not at work.
The point of this long drawn out story is that in my experience - as beautiful as this phone is, and as much of a shame as it is - I highly recommend a case of some sort. Unless you want to be like me and start padding the environment around you. The phone does not seem to handle falls well, even over short distances.
---------- Post added at 03:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:20 AM ----------
As an additional note, you don't need to go all out with a massively bulky case. I recommend something with dual layers though, the internal rubberized layer that helps absorb the shock from a fall and the outer plastic shell that protects against the dents/damage/etc.. While I have the Otterbox, I plan on making the jump to the Spigen Slim Armor Case, it looks much more beautiful than my Otterbox and slimmer too. I currently use their Glas.tR Screen Protector, having found that the glass gives it the naked feel that I love while still provided amazing protection for the screen. Their products really are top notch, high quality, slim, and don't take away from the aesthetic of the phone.
I'm using a blue android clone army case from cruzerlite
sigmaxaa said:
How do you like that case? I have the white on order (as well as the glass screen protector) and was wondering if it looks as good as it does on Spigen's website.
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I really like the case so far. It adds a bit of bulk though on an already big phone so it can be a bit cumbersome at times to reach stuff on the screen with one hand (I have pretty small hands lol) but I think it looks great and I am very satisfied with my purchase.
I had mine naked for a week and was scared, it slid out of my pocket at the gym a couple times but onto a rubber floor, so no damage...got tired of being careful and threw on an otterbox commuter..loving it, feels more sturdy and i dont have to worry about it.
had a commuter on my s3 and that thing hit the pavement a good 3-5 times from about 5-6 feet up, no damage at all
Don't Hesitate
After about a week and a half of fretting about dropping it, scratching it, or otherwise, I was very relieved when I finally broke down and got a case. I'm using a semi-thick plastic/silicon case from CruzerLite.com. It's well worth it, looks cool (I actually get a lot of questions and compliments on it's design), and it's quite functional. It also doesn't add a lot of bulk! CruzerLite.com, check it out!
I have not used a case yet don't like the extra thickness. I've dropped it pretty good a few times but only dented the metal. Guess I been lucky
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Heart Foxx said:
After about a week and a half of fretting about dropping it, scratching it, or otherwise, I was very relieved when I finally broke down and got a case. I'm using a semi-thick plastic/silicon case from CruzerLite.com. It's well worth it, looks cool (I actually get a lot of questions and compliments on it's design), and it's quite functional. It also doesn't add a lot of bulk! CruzerLite.com, check it out!
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I got the bug droid exo from their website. There costumer is great
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
You need one
I got the otter box for mine, love it!
JihadSquad said:
I am going to get a s4 soon, and I am wondering if I will need to get a case. Currently on the charge, and when I bought it I got the thicker case vzw offered. Within two weeks it was off, and I have used the phone naked ever since. I have dropped it countless times onto tile and concrete, and the only damage is a few scratches on the back cover and dents in the part of the bezel that extends past the screen (raised edge).
I have read that the s4 is quite fragile. Based on the above, should I get a case? If so, can I get the smallest one available, or should I opt for something bigger?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too had a Charge before my Galaxy 4. I had a silicon case and I still dropped it all the time. It once hit the pavement with such force that it opened and the battery fell out....it still worked. I cannot imagine this kind of resilience on the s4.
However, I found what I think is a great case - it is made by Speck - a very thin harder plastic with a rim to protect the screen AND some kind of rubber ribs all over the back and the sides so you have plenty of grip. I've not dropped the phone yet and I know this case is a good part of the reason. I have the crummy plastic screen cover from Verizon and will be putting a better one on in the next day or two. I got the Speck case at Best Buy but have also seen it at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Product...8-3&keywords=speck+case+for+samsung+galaxy+s4
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Products-CandyShell-Samsung-Galaxy/dp/B00C27R8MM/ref=sr_1_3?[/url]
ie=UTF8&qid=1373786228&sr=8-3&keywords=speck+case+for+samsung+galaxy+s4
Then I was still left without a clip for the occasional times when I don't have a purse or pockets. I found a Nitze black foldover case with a clip in the back. It is made with elastic in the middle so you can carry your phone and credit cards. I cut out the elastic and am now able to fit the S4 WITH the Speck case still on it. (Sorry but I can't find a link for that case now).
Hope this helps. As you can tell, I really love the Speck and it comes in several colors.
Related
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...
Just ordered it tonight and will post pictures when I finally get it. That was my favorite case, with the standard battery, for my s4 when I had it. Slim, rubber inside, hard shell outside, rubber ribs for grip and anti slide on the back. It never interfered with a tempered glass screen protector, as long as you installed it perfectly centered in accordance with the edges of the frame, not the home button. It's on sale, this weekend, and I'm guessing until cyber Monday, for five dollars off and free shipping via USPS. http://www.speckproducts.com/smartphone-cases/samsung/candyshell-grip-for-samsung-galaxy-note-3.html
Nice find. I like Speck. They make quality stuff.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Never used a speck case before I like the design ..how does it. Compare to a uag or otterbox commuter in terms of size/protection?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
It's similar to a UAG in terms of protection. One layer silicone inside lining, attached to the plastic exterior.
Different then a commuter with a wrap around silicone lining with a separate exterior hard lining
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
It's smaller than the commuter. When you install or remove it, the case is all one piece. The layers don't come off. Easy to put on or take off. Shouldn't need reaming mod for most headphones. Won't slide when placed on a surface back down. Good amount of lip protecting the screen and camera. The rubber layer is slightly harder density than rubber on otterbox.
Def glad to see it out for the Note3. I plan on ordering this when 12am hits for cyber monday from the Speck website. Just wish they had the white and black version like they usually do.
I had a Speck candyshell (non-grip) for the iPhone 5s and loved it. It was hot pink and white but it was only $5. Not digging the Spigen Neo Hybrid because its way to slippery for a phone this big. The issue I see here is that it's $40.
Edit: Speck has a holiday deal knocking the price down to $35.
Edit 2: The case is now $30 after 25% off.
I love my tech 21 for my note 3, but would be interested in the Speck. I like the candyshell over the Candyshell grip though
Looks like black is out of stock.
Sent from my vzw note 3
Glad I ordered mine before making this post. Hopefully I'll get it before Friday. I'll post pics when I get it. Lots of close ups so you all can see the details.
Previous reply was rejected. I'm not going to type out all that again. My pictures and a video turned out crappy and out of focus. Long story short. This case protects better than just tpu but less than otterbox defender. It's slender and fits snug. The same quality you can expect if you've ever owned a speck case before. Grip ribs help with sliding but won't make it an effort to get out of a pocket like a glossy tpu or silicone case. Quality of build and function I give it five out of five. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for. This case will definitely be my daily driver!
gcforreal said:
Never used a speck case before I like the design ..how does it. Compare to a uag or otterbox commuter in terms of size/protection?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
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Tight fit!
They are better at excluding dust than any other case in my experience. If they used a plug to cover the USB/earphone jack openings they would be better than anything else out there for this kind of protection.
That's a good thing too as being harder to put on and take off means intrusive dust could potentially grind on the finish, etc.
Bad news for battery swappers though.
Protection is good, you can literally toss it at a brick wall repeatedly and not worry about damage or even the case coming off in between throws. The grip is also far better at not showing wear/scratches from sitting on tables, etc. like the normal version. The high gloss back of the normal version will reveal marring/scuffing of sitting on tables, countertops, etc. in relatively short order.
Bulk-wise they fall in between a minimalistic TPU (Diztronic, Bounce, Tudia, etc.) and UAG with protection on par with UAG.
Its asking price is fair for the quality received.
Just got mine today and fitment, quality, etc. is identical to past Speck products.
The buttons are covered, retain their clicky tactile feel and are no more difficult to depress than the naked phone! Fit is very snug, have not tried to take it off. It feels identical in hand to the candyshell grip that I use on my HTC one. It adds very little thickness, very similar to a TPU with far better drop protection. Even with a TPU I cringe if the phone slips, no worries here. Cutouts are well aligned and very tight. The S-pen cutout is quite tight requiring a fingernail to pull it out.
The camera is recessed sufficiently to prevent issues with setting down/dropping back first on a hard surface. The overall feel is it's well thought out and does not look thrown together like some other cases that were rushed to production. Worth the $$$ and I got another five bucks off ($30 total) by using a CNET coupon code. I always Google for codes when I see it on a website at checkout. Not sure if it's still valid and the black grip is OOS now...
Amazon doesn't even have this case (yet) and to get it for $10 off is a no-brainer!
Its a nice case i love the way the button, might have the best feedback but this case is worthless, within a few hours scratches will start to form and by the 2nd week you already want to replace because of the scratches. The darker the case the faster the scrtches will appear
I didn't notice scratches with my s4 and I had the case for months. Even so, it's better for the case to get scratches than the phone.
oscarthegrouch said:
I didn't notice scratches with my s4 and I had the case for months. Even so, it's better for the case to get scratches than the phone.
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then you must carry it in a cloth because everyone knows specks cases scratch within like 1 day like they've been in a warzone. they are great cases but they don't keep the look.
$40 for that? Ouch. Looks like it should be $19.99 to me.
Yeah I keep mine in my pocket with nothing else in that pocket.
I never liked the Speck Candyshells. They scratch up like it's no one's business. They do look real good when you take it out of the package though.
Best thing is that they will replace their cases without any questions asked
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
I used my Motorola RAZR M with only a ZAGG screen protector, and never got more than some dings around the corners. Same went for my Droid Incredible. But both of those were much smaller than the S4. I have a case on the S4 right now, but I am wondering if its necessary. Even in my pockets , it is getting bumped around against furniture at work (I do maintenance, lots of furniture and appliance moving). But this never phased my old phones. Does this phone break easily? What kind of protection is considered necessary? I planned to get a vinyl skin to cover the back, and another Zagg protector for the front. I am interested in something just to protect the corners, but looking on Amazon did not turn up anything that looked decent.
chipseq said:
I used my Motorola RAZR M with only a ZAGG screen protector, and never got more than some dings around the corners. Same went for my Droid Incredible. But both of those were much smaller than the S4. I have a case on the S4 right now, but I am wondering if its necessary. Even in my pockets , it is getting bumped around against furniture at work (I do maintenance, lots of furniture and appliance moving). But this never phased my old phones. Does this phone break easily? What kind of protection is considered necessary? I planned to get a vinyl skin to cover the back, and another Zagg protector for the front. I am interested in something just to protect the corners, but looking on Amazon did not turn up anything that looked decent.
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I'd say definitely get something. I've had them all... Otter Boxes to TPU Cases. For me a screen protector and the TPU Case that came with my extended battery has been great and I work construction/trucking and my phone flies around quite often.
A lot boils down to luck too.. My friend had his screen break while in an Otter Box.... Mine has dropped from 5 feet up in a tractor trailer while getting out and nothing happened at all..... Better be safe than sorry though.. I get all mind off Amazon
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Mistertac said:
I'd say definitely get something. I've had them all... Otter Boxes to TPU Cases. For me a screen protector and the TPU Case that came with my extended battery has been great and I work construction/trucking and my phone flies around quite often.
A lot boils down to luck too.. My friend had his screen break while in an Otter Box.... Mine has dropped from 5 feet up in a tractor trailer while getting out and nothing happened at all..... Better be safe than sorry though.. I get all mind off Amazon
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
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I have a screen protector and a flip cover case, been working out well as its not too cumbersome. All goes back to the level of risk a S4 owner wishes to have.
chipseq said:
I used my Motorola RAZR M with only a ZAGG screen protector, and never got more than some dings around the corners. Same went for my Droid Incredible. But both of those were much smaller than the S4. I have a case on the S4 right now, but I am wondering if its necessary. Even in my pockets , it is getting bumped around against furniture at work (I do maintenance, lots of furniture and appliance moving). But this never phased my old phones. Does this phone break easily? What kind of protection is considered necessary? I planned to get a vinyl skin to cover the back, and another Zagg protector for the front. I am interested in something just to protect the corners, but looking on Amazon did not turn up anything that looked decent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a naked S4 - I carry it in a NiteIze belt holster with a flap cover. I've been carrying my phone for a year now like this with no problems. I have dropped the phone once or twice with no damage. YMMV
Here's what I am using: http://www.niteize.com/product/Clip-Case-Cargo-Wide.asp
I cannot use a cover or OtterBox or skin when using this holster and it is my preferred method to carry. Not in my pockets, pants or shirt. Very accessible.
So I got this for the LG G3 when I picked up the phone at the new Sprint store in my area. I have only had the phone a few hours, but here are some first impressions:
My last Otterbox was for the Palm Pre, and it was flimsy and I had to trade it in three times because the plastic clips kept breaking! Because of this, I was sort of turned off by the Otterbox brand, and I hadn't bought one since the Palm Pre days.
I decided to taker a chance any ways because I wanted rubberized corners on the case, and it is pretty good so far! It feels extremely sturdy and has a multi-part system to the case, which seems a LOT better than the protection Otterbox offered on the Palm Pre version (Palm Pre Tandem Case).
I am not a huge fan of the front plastic sheet on the case, however, as it can sort of distort the screen with a "rainbow effect" - which I assume is from the oil on my fingers. When the screen is at 60% or greater brightness, it is barely noticeable, though.
It is a chunky son-of-a-gun, however! It makes the phone feel even heavier and even more gigantic, which is really saying something for a behemoth like the G3. With the case, the phone easily feels two to four times heavier than my EVO 4G LTE with its off-brand rubberized case (I haven't actually weighed it, but the difference while holding each one is staggering!). If you are wanting to actually SEE the back/body of the phone, this isn't the case for you! I drop my phone a lot because I am a klutz, and this case makes me feel at ease with my butterfingers, so if you are overprotective of your phone, you might take a look at this.
It has little rubber flaps that go over each of the ports, which I guess makes it sort of water-resistant. There is still places for liquid and stuff to get in, so don't go dunking it in a glass of water or something stupid.
The rubberized feel to the case is good, and it isn't sliding all over the place.
Overall, it's great if you don't care about keeping the LG G3's aesthetics and are more concerned with preserving the screen and phone body, you might check it out. Be aware of the added bulk it adds to the phone!
It's not for everyone, but for what its designed for, I think it's a pretty good case. It comes with a belt holster as well, but I don't use it.
Just thought I would share this :highfive:
Thanks for the review. I picked up the case when I bought the phone. I find that I don't drop my phones often but when I do I tend to go for broke with damage. I've used Otterbox for a while. . I can confirm that this thing is a monster with the case on, which in its own way is reassuring, but not for everyone.
I can also confirm the rainbow effect you mentioned. It's generally not terribly noticeable.
The one issue I have with the screen protector on this case, and frankly some people will find it a deal-breaker is the fact that in at least one app touch sensitivity is off pretty badly. I first noticed it in Candy Crush when I would have to change phone orientation in order to swap candy pieces in game play. The phone wasn't recognizing my touch through the screen protector. Works great with the case off though. Ruins the game.
So far that's the only app I've noticed the issue with with this case. Let's hope it stays that way.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
touchprofan said:
Thanks for the review. I picked up the case when I bought the phone. I find that I don't drop my phones often but when I do I tend to go for broke with damage. I've used Otterbox for a while. . I can confirm that this thing is a monster with the case on, which in its own way is reassuring, but not for everyone.
I can also confirm the rainbow effect you mentioned. It's generally not terribly noticeable.
The one issue I have with the screen protector on this case, and frankly some people will find it a deal-breaker is the fact that in at least one app touch sensitivity is off pretty badly. I first noticed it in Candy Crush when I would have to change phone orientation in order to swap candy pieces in game play. The phone wasn't recognizing my touch through the screen protector. Works great with the case off though. Ruins the game.
So far that's the only app I've noticed the issue with with this case. Let's hope it stays that way.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good news, everyone!
It turns out you can remove the built-in screen protector from the case!
Take the case off, then you can push the screen protector out from the front. There's only a minor amount of glue holding the plastic screen cover in the case.
Once you pull it out, you can use the regular glass screen, or put a different screen protector on of your choice.
I am just using the case without the front panel now, and it works great! :good:
I had considered that but I've held off for now. I'm thinking about getting one of the glass screen protectors still haven't decided.
Sent from my LGLS990 using XDA Free mobile app
There are some iCarez tempered glass screen protectors on Amazon for like $8 that get really good reviews. I bought one but haven't received it yet.
I bought the defender with the phone. Don't mind the bulk had the same case on my s5 I need it for work, once I'm able to go back after breaking tibia and fibula and fracturing my ankle. However I did notice some screen touch issues with the case that I don't have now that I got my spigen slim armor. Once my tempered glass gets in I'll peel out the crappy plastic One and see how that works.
Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 02:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:22 PM ----------
I ordered the .2mm iCarez for $18 off eBay it should be in next week.
Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Just noticed this thread.
Recently picked up:
OtterBox Defender Series Case
iCarez Tempered Glass .3mm
Total cost about 55$
Gotta say, this case is pretty good, Touch capabilities even with the thick glass have not diminished. The case, as with all otterbox I have owned, is well built and easily withstands drops. I did as the poster above suggested and tore out the crap plastic and put the glass in place. It actually seals up perfect in the box. Overall I give this combo 9 / 10. Only because the case is obviously bulky making the already phablet like G3 even more bulky.
I have been a fan of otterbox cases for a long time, and used them exclusively until this case. The construction is generally what you would expect from Otterbox, but there are two issues with the case:
1) The case itself is very recessed from the edge of the phone. The phone itself sticks up above the case by a couple of millimeters, and the fit is not very snug/secure. This also means that the edges of the phone are very exposed, and I could see a side drop off of a desk or table as potentially disastrous.
2) This is my biggest complaint and a clear lack of QA. The cutout for the S-Pen covers the pen itself. Because of this, it is a chore to remove the pen from the case. The edges of the cutout are very high and not tapered at all, which means you can't just idly reach for the pen and let the case guide you in. This coupled with the fact that the case covers the port on the pen means that you have to put in some effort to even get the pen out of the case. To be clear, the pen will still come out, but you have to pull it past/around the soft rubber of the case. I confirmed this was a design issue by testing 3 other symmetry cases, all of which had the same flaw.
At least the case works with wireless chargers and Samsung pay, so that is a bonus. Will I use Otterbox products in the future? potentially, but not this one.
[URLhttp://www.otterbox.com/en-us/galaxy-note8/symmetry-series-case/sam28-galaxy-note8.htmlURL]
Sent from my SM-N950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Just got one from Wal-Mart and order 2 other cases on eBay. The otter box feels cheap
Yeah I finally got rid of mine I found it quite disappointing
Sent from my SM-N950U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
I'd be pissed about a $50 case that seems to work as well as my $4 case (discounted from $15)
how responsive are the buttons? I had this case for my s7 edge and they required some force to get feedback. they weren't tactile at all
mrcartagena2000 said:
I have been a fan of otterbox cases for a long time, and used them exclusively until this case. The construction is generally what you would expect from Otterbox, but there are two issues with the case:
1) The case itself is very recessed from the edge of the phone. The phone itself sticks up above the case by a couple of millimeters, and the fit is not very snug/secure. This also means that the edges of the phone are very exposed, and I could see a side drop off of a desk or table as potentially disastrous.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm 100% that this is an issue, 3 days after I got my Note 8, which due to tmo sending early, was 5 days before official launch, My note 8 suffered catastrophic damage WITH this case on.
I put the case on it at the store, before it even left the table.
I have not needed a screen protector or ever needed to utilize my handset insurance as long as I've owned cell phones(nearly 15 years).
Moved into a new place with stone counters just a week before.... fumble phone, instead of letting it fall to the ground and hit the area rug, which would probably have done no damage at all. I tried to catch the phone and instead bopped it, it rolled over face down and slide across the edge of the stone counter across the exposed portion of the screen...
It took me a week and a half of fighting with insurance company to cover it because as far as they were concerned i was lying about the phone i owned because it hadn't been officially launched yet.......
I have this case as well... it's causing my screen protector to lift up, so far on #3. It's protected my phone several times from falls although. The buttons seem to stick on occasion as well. Also, the rubber after pulling it on & off several times is becoming loose. Overall ****ty case
I have used Otterbox cases for years. Until meow, my only beef is the built-in screen protectors. It appears that the newer models have omitted, because of their lack of effort/curved screens.
The OB Defender looks decent, but lacks screen protector and still has a holster, which I need/want.
However this is the first time in years that I have gone with something different.
I am using the Supcase Unicorn Beetle case. IMO< just as good, if not better. The stock screen protector fits nice and seems to be made of decent material. Does not have the annoying gap/super plastic feel like the OB has.
It also costs half as much.