Forward: I have a Black Galaxy Note 3 coming tomorrow, and I've been agonizing over which case to buy. I started out not too sure even which type I wanted. My purpose for sharing this is to help others perhaps narrow down where they want to go. I looked at a lot more than those listed here, but I checked out people's opinions on Amazon a threw out the not-so-good.
Slim Cases:
*My view on slim cases is they must look like a million or they have nothing to offer
spigen Neo Hybrid Champagne Gold $25.21
Plus:
- Beautiful looking
- Protects edges, back, and buttons, but not screen.
- Rubber is inside the ring, so the phone will not get scuffed
Minus:
- Has spigen logo instead of Note 3.
- Dies not protect screen
Caseology Leather Skin $8.50
Plus:
- Looks good
- Protects sides and back
- Adds very little to the size of the phone
Minus:
- Because it is so thin, it also adds very little drop protection
Medium Protection:
Seidio Active Dilex $34.91
Plus:
- Protects well
- Comes with holster
- Landscape kickstand
- Protects back and sides
- Easy on and off
*Better in every regard than the Surface
Minus:
- Doesn't protect screen
- No Portrait kickstand
- Difficult to get off to get at battery
Otterbox Commuter $28.98
Plus:
- Protects back, edges, but not screen
- 2-peice design, BUT soft rubber on the inside this time, with outer polycarbonate shell
- Comes with stick-on screen protector
- Can use a Seido holster http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...e-holster-otterbox-commuter-vzw-silicone.html if desired.
- Flaps to keep crap out of headphone jack and USB ports
- Less bulky than the Defender model
- Easy on and off
Minus:
- Not easy to get out of belt clip, which can be super annoying.
Heavy Protection:
Otterbox Defender $42.39
Plus:
- Protects back, edges, and screen.
- 2-peice design with INNER polycarbonate shell covered by an OUTER rubber shell.
- Comes with holster
- Flap to keep crap out of headphone jack and USB ports
- Very good protection
Minus:
- Adds a lot of bulk to the phone
- Rubber is a magnet for dirt
- Not easy to get out of belt clip, which can be super annoying.
- The hard plastic inside scuffs up the phone, even if it's metal like the iPhone.
Flip Cases
*My view on these is it better look good, protect the screen while closed, and not be too thick
Samsung S-View Flip Case for wireless battery charging $41.70. The one without wireless charging is cheaper
Plus:
- Beautiful looking
- Protects screen from keys in your pocket.
- Automatically wakes up phone with no lock screen when you open the cover.
- Can take a call and see who it is without opening cover
- Can get with wireless charging pad built in.
Minus:
- BLUETOOTH: You cannot initiate a call using the button on your BT headset or in-car BT while the cover is closed. This makes it illegal for CDL drivers and other situations in many states.
- S-Voice does not work with the cover closed.
- More difficult to take pictures with cover open
- Flap doesn't stay closed
- Have to hold open the flap while using the phone, and even bigger problem during navigation.
- Doesn't have much drop protection nor keep the dust and dirt out of your phone
*My take is it would be better to remove the chip from this case so you could use your Bluetoth and S-Voice. Then organize your home screen around the cutout-window. This one makes it on looks. The Bluetooth problem kills it.
*I found too many negatives on the other flips. You can get a cheaper one of these without the wireless battery charging.
Waterproof Cases
Seidio Obex $61.57
Plus:
- Protects phone very well. Like having a waterproof Otterbox
- Looks nice
- Only waterproof that supports the stylus
- Comes with holster
Minus:
- Hides phone elegance
- Not easy to get stylus out
- Sound volume, callers hear their voice echo unless you are on speaker phone, talk load so they can hear
- Screen protector scratches very easily
- Difficult to get phone in and out of case
- Doesn't hold up to the in and out of the pocket.
*The only waterproof case available for the Note 3 with stylus support
VWTECH Waterproof $21.99 + $2.99 shipping (Looks like the Redpepper to me, which is half the price)
sr=1-4&keywords=galaxy+note+3+redpepper+waterproof
Plus:
- Looks far better than the Obex
- Easy on and off
Minus:
- Cannot use stylus
- Not much fall protection
*Not a daily driver. Use only for time around the water.
Summary Advice:
Lifeproof and Otterbox don't make waterproof cases for the Note 3. Probably the best thing to do for being around water are the Dandy Case/Joto Case that are essentially string, waterproof bags. They would also be the only ones that would float. I don't see anything waterproof that is currently available that could be a daily driver.
Wireless Charging
Plus:
- Don't need to plug it in, which saves wear on USB port
Minus:
- Doesn't fit inside other cases unless they are designed for wireless charging.
Thoughts
- Flip cases are beautiful, but impractical. The Samsung S-View is a stunning conversation piece, but the worst of all in terms of usability without being able to initiate calls from Bluetooth. I fell in love with it and came within a whisker of ordering it, but decided to sleep on it. Good thing too.
- The Spigen Neo Hybrid Champagne Gold is the most elegant. It doesn't offer a lot of protection, but the phone looks like an iPhone with no case.
- The Otterbox Commuter looks good, like it has protection, but not like it's in a bomb shelter.
- The Otterbox Defender looks like a waterproof case, but it is not. This is what I might use if I worked in the building trades. You would want its belt clip for sure. What I don't like about it is that the hard plastic is on the inside, and the rubber on the outside, rather than the opposite like other cases, including the Otterbox Commuter. It protects the phone from major damage, but I also haven't seen a phone yet that lives in one of these that doesn't get marred up by the hard plastic case.
- I would want a waterproof case for my daily driver if I was going to have a case like the Otterbox Defender that has stylus access. The problem is it has sound quality issues and doesn't hold up as a daily driver. LifeProof and Otterbox don't make a waterproof case for the Note 3.
- I was rabid about going with wireless charging, but the case situation gets a lot more complicated. If the S-View cases made any sense, then the Samsung S-View has a model where it is built in. About the only situation left is a bare phone with the charging cover left off..
- The option I didn't talk about was no case and a belt clip. The problem is the only time it would be protected is in the belt clip. I see it falling out my shirt pocket, my sweatshirt belly pocket, jacket pocket, etc.
- These thoughts have funneled me down to the Spigen Neo Hybrid Champagne Gold for a looker, or the Seidio Active Dilex or Otterbox Commuter for all around usability and protection. Either will get a good tempered glass screen protector.
That's it.
Okay, I'm kind of experienced in the art of Note casing
Please check out this case I found, it truly is THE jackpot:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BLACK-HY...ll_Phone_PDA_Cases&hash=item3a8b249b02&_uhb=1
http://www.trait-tech.com/product/T...ng-galaxy-note-3-n9000-n9002-n9005-black.html
I've got a dozen cases, half of them thicker and half of them thinner than this.
I must say this protects the phone as much as the thickest one, but is much smaller in the hand and the pocket.
Its not too heavy, and the kickstand is quality made.
I am very criticizing when it comes to cases, and despite being the best case I've seen or owned... it too isn't "perfect" for my liking, here's why:
Features: (8/10)
+Kickstand
+Matte-Black, nice design
+Good texture to touch/grippy contours
+Easy to insert/remove
+Works with glass screen protectors (unlike some cases)
-Doesn't have S-View (I don't like it anyway, its a hindrance)
-Doesn't have Wallet Slots (I wouldn't want one anyway, separate wallet for me)
-Cell reception may have been hindered (doubt it)
Durability: (9/10)
+VERY durable
+Doesn't trap too much dust/lint
-Its not dustproof (I don't care)
-Its not waterproof (I don't care)
Portability: (7/10)
+Much Much thinner than FAT, GIANT "protection" cases
+Much thinner than Wallet cases
+As thin as S-View cases
-Slightly thicker than the TPU-Kickstand case
-Thicker than Aluminium bumpers
-Harder to use one-handed, but still possible (more risk of drops)
VERDICT:
8.5/10
Recommended for those that want a *Decent* Kickstand and Great protection, with some modest gains in size.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Oh and here are some honorable mentions:
1) This one is new to the market, I haven't tried it yet
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GNCMS...kaprice,199,;f0120831376addf08e820acfb16d7635
2) This is a hard to find one, rare, unique and very functional. I haven't tried this one yet
http://shop.mobilenations.com/seidio-ledger-view-extended-with-metal-kickstand/4A22A17430.htm
3) This one is common, but very expensive also p&h expensive for me.
The only thing better about it than the main one linked above is the metal kickstand, that's about it
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seidio-Surf...sbs_ce_30?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K6N2ES3WK94FD4SQT6A
4) This is a new one too, its not better per se, its just more colourful for those who like Neon Blue and Lime Green
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/19096646...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
...hit that Thanks button if I could be helpful in anyway, and have an awesomest day!
You are probably wrong about samsung flip case. I have the flip wallet one (because s-view window it's absolutely useless for me). I doubt they differ much.
- BLUETOOTH: You cannot initiate a call using the button on your BT headset or in-car BT while the cover is closed. This makes it illegal for CDL drivers and other situations in many states.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was so surprised by this statement I had to take out my old phone and check this. Who told you that? I can answer calls with a button on bluetooth handsfree when case is closed just fine.
- More difficult to take pictures with cover open
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty subjective but I had no problems with this. I can take pictures even using only one hand.
- Flap doesn't stay closed
- Have to hold open the flap while using the phone, and even bigger problem during navigation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not true. The bending place of the case is very flexible. Flap don't close by itself when I hold phone with one hand and stays fully closed when phone lying on a table. You can also bend it backwards when using phone with one hand.
But. I have a fake Chinese copy of s-view case and it is rigid and thus has this two problems. I guess this is where this myth came from.
- I was rabid about going with wireless charging, but the case situation gets a lot more complicated. If the S-View cases made any sense, then the Samsung S-View has a model where it is built in. About the only situation left is a bare phone with the charging cover left off..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy qi receiver separately and put it in almost any case.
And "wireless" charger is not really wireless. You can't take phone from charging coil without interrupting charging. And the charging coil is connected to outlet with (surprise!) wire. Besides, it is significantly slower.
polzavotel said:
You are probably wrong about samsung flip case..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say that with no experience, and not a shred of evidence. I go by the feedback of real users who actually have it. This was at first unbelievable to me as well.
polzavotel said:
I can answer calls with a button on bluetooth handsfree when case is closed just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who said anything about answering calls?
polzavotel said:
It's not true. The bending place of the case is very flexible. Flap don't close by itself when I hold phone with one hand and stays fully closed when phone lying on a table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have the Samsung S-View Flip Case to even make a statement like that. Go on Amazon and you will see it is the #1 complaint. It's such a great complaint that Spigen makes a very hot selling magnetic clip to backfit the Samsung case that everyone on the forums and Amazon advises getting if you get the Samsung S-View Flip case.
Kangal said:
Okay, I'm kind of experienced in the art of Note casing Please check out this case I found, it truly is THE jackpot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank your for valuable contribution!
PS: Kangal:
S-View has a lot of potential. For instance, often you phone is siting on the desk and you see a call come in. You could see who it is, and then use a voice command to say ignore or accept, but from what people say, S-Voice apparently doesn't work with it. It would be nice to do voice-to-text replies to text messages also. When on a wireless charger, the screen shows the date and time, etc. If it's in your pocket, and you take a call, you can pull it out of your pocket to see if you even want to take the call, and if it's someone you don't want to talk to at the moment, just put it back in your pocket. The smarts are in the phone, not the little chip on the back, so there is hope. It's the first iteration, and things go out the door, ready or not. The Samsung case is beautiful.
polzavotel:
The flip and wallet style cases from Samsung do look elegant. I actually entertained the idea of scraping the chip off the case so S-View would not be activated. You don't have S-View, but if you do have the Samsung Wallet Case, you also have the chip, which is what tells the phone to turn on when you open the cover. It would be interesting to know if you can initiate a call from a Bluetooth headset with the wallet case on.
Depending on where you live, I would see if you have any accessory stores close by so you can actually try a few on and get a good hand-feel before you buy. I live in dallas and we have tons of little phone shops here. I've found some amazing stylish cases of all styles, even some with Otterbox-level protection for $10-$15.
I tried the Spigen Hybrid, it was too slippery for my taste. It slips out of your hand far too easily, which is downright terrifying when boarding a train or crossing a mountain bridge.
And the plastic looked rather cheap, but that is my personal opinion.
Tried a few other tech21 and belkin ones that aren't worth looking into at all.
Eventually settled on the Otterbox Commuter.
No, it doesn't come with a screen protection, but it does handle a Tempered Glass screen peotector without issues; which is infinitely better than any build-in ones.
The cover flaps are a life saver; while the case not waterproof, it does protect it from light water contact such as light rain, sprays and random droplets. Mainly because it seals off the back cover, edges and big holes.
As for actual drop and shock proofing, it survived a drop from the 4th floor onto concrete without any damage to the phone. Not suited for people with seriously damaging occupations, and it doesn't stop bullets, but for 90% of the drops, it's good enough.
The Defender was too bulky for me as I keep it in the (extended) pockets of my skinny jeans.
Oh, and as a great anti-theft tip I discovered whilst desperate, if you tie a nylon rope into a loop, put one part between the case and the phone (it can usually come out at the headphone jack&usb port), and tie the other through your belt loop (stick through then pull through itself), pickpocketing your phone is damn near impossible!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2
IT_Architect said:
PS: Kangal:
S-View has a lot of potential. For instance, often you phone is siting on the desk and you see a call come in. You could see who it is, and then use a voice command to say ignore or accept, but from what people say, S-Voice apparently doesn't work with it. It would be nice to do voice-to-text replies to text messages also. When on a wireless charger, the screen shows the date and time, etc. If it's in your pocket, and you take a call, you can pull it out of your pocket to see if you even want to take the call, and if it's someone you don't want to talk to at the moment, just put it back in your pocket. The smarts are in the phone, not the little chip on the back, so there is hope. It's the first iteration, and things go out the door, ready or not. The Samsung case is beautiful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the S-View case. Its not for my liking.
Why?
Because it is a hindrance and doesn't bring anything quite useful to the table.
1) I hate the flap when taking photos or videos
2) I don't have a lockscreen (per se), I have the password which goes straight into the phone then all the shortcuts are there centre for me to access
3) Using the S-View is detractory from the experience, I hate the cheap feel of plastic overhanging some glass... its counter-progressive
4) I don't like how the S-View isn't password protected, and if you put one on, it just makes it even more hindrance to use at each Wake/Unlock
5) Most of the S-View tricks can actually be done on Android, straight from the lockscreen, ever since 4.3..... yet I don't like this experience, I rather use the actual app in the phone (unless its just for crude music controls which I do use)
6) So if it makes the experience a little worse, and doesn't add anything I couldn't do on Android... what's the point.
The Moto X can do voice controls. S Voice might be able to do it, but it needs to be manually activated... so that's beside the point. Google Voice/Now.... hmm not sure, I dont use that feature because its useless outside of USA.
So I do have an elegant solution:
Hit the Volume button! That mutes the call and makes it seem like you missed the call. Or Swipe on the Red to reject the call.
I mean on S View its smaller to see who's calling you, so you need to move in closer to see who is calling you, then make the decision to reject them. Now by the time you "speak" to reject the call, you're already in arms length.
W/o S View I can see who's calling from a further distance, and walking towards the phone for that longer distance I can make up my mind to reject them, and by the time I get there and swipe to reject it will be as quick as using the S View implementation OR quicker. And another advantage is that it will be silent, so you won't be disturbing others as bad. And since you manually rejected the call, you can then put it on vibrate like you should have in the first place.
Sometimes the simple solution is the better one!
(I'm not a fan of S View, LG's Circle, HTC's Dot case.... I prefer ease of use, simplicity, practicality, and speed over all else.....which is why I also hate the wallet cases)
ShadowLea said:
I tried the Spigen Hybrid, it was too slippery for my taste...Eventually settled on the Otterbox Commuter...The Defender was too bulky...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spigen Hybrid: I think that's what they should have made the phone look like without the case. It looks like I phone quality, except it isn't of course, it's plastic. The rubber under the frame gives it some protection. The ridge by the screen is quite short, and with a screen protector, the glass would be approximately parallel with the top of the ridge.
Otterbox Commuter: While not attractive, I like the protection offered by this case. The ridge around the glass sticks up much higher than on the Spigen Hybrid's. gives. Part of the ridge is over the glass meaning
Defender: I have a Defender that came with the phone. It looks like a phone display case. The case is just thick enough and the rubber just sticky enough, to make it not work out in shirt or pants pockets, even if it fits. I also don't like how the holster works.
I own an IT company so for me it is between the Hybrid, and Commuter. It's a choice between want and should.
Thanks!
PS:
Kangal said:
I tried the S-View case. Its not for my liking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is another thread that shows the problems with S-View. http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...rk-samsung-s-view-flip-case-cover-closed.html
and another http://forums.androidcentral.com/sa...-view-cover-using-my-lg-tone-pro-headset.html, etc.
According to these threads, it affects the wallet too, which may be why we haven't heard anything from the other guy.
IT_Architect said:
Otterbox Commuter: While not attractive, I like the protection offered by this case. The ridge around the glass sticks up much higher than on the Spigen Hybrid's. gives. Part of the ridge is over the glass meaning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've found an advantage to the high ridge: If you turn it over on its face at night, you won't be woken up by the screen turning on. (for example whilst charging it). It seals in the light perfectly. And if it falls flat on its face, the glass won't touch the ground. (Happened to me. Any lower ridge would've caused the gravel to connect to the screen.)
It does render one-handed mode entirely unusable though, as you can't make the swipe action to activate it.
Personally I've found it looks much better than I expected. The front is very standard (which is meh), but the back looks much more elegant than I expected it to.
If you own an IT company, you could always just order both...
ShadowLea said:
If you own an IT company, you could always just order both...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on this thread, you, my girl, think amazingly similar to the way I think. LOL!
I keep my phones for a long time because you can't make money fiddling with a phone. It needs to be set up for what I need once, then take backups after every change, and just use it. If anything goes wrong, I will reset it, and restore it. The information that changes is backed up to my Laptop anyway. If I cannot do these things, I have the wrong phone. I was attracted to the Note 3 because I'm used to having a stylus for precise picks and handwriting recognition, voice recognition, etc. However, if I cannot get what I need, I'll sell it and get something else.
Related
Part I
Hey guys, recently I was contacted by Seidio and given a chance to review their Convert combo for the EVO 3D. They sent out the case last week, and I received it on Monday, June 27th. I've been playing around with it, and here are my findings.
Packaging:
It came in a little box delivered by Fedex. There was the case/holster in its packaging, a little card advertising some of their products, with a 10% off code for your next purchase on the back.
The plastic container contains a plastic sleeve with one ultraclear screen protector, a Seidio Surface case for the EVO 3D, a rubber case to wrap outside of the Surface case, a plastic skeleton to go outside of the rubber case, and finally the plastic belt clip/holster.
You can see the pictures below:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Preliminary Feel:
Before putting any of the products on, the individual parts feel ok. I checked the packaging and each part to make sure there wasn’t anything looking out of the ordinary, to make sure I didn’t receive a defective unit and that nothing was damaged during shipping. So far so good!
You can see all the pieces of the case here.
The Phone:
First things first, here’s my brand new EVO 3D, without any case or screen protectors. You can see the size, the thickness compared to my USB and keycap, as well as what the screen looks like without any screen protector on. The USB is a Patriot XPorter, and the keycap is a standard key from my Deck Legend keyboard.
Note the 3vo does not lie perfectly flat by itself.
Screen Protector:
As stated previously, it’s the ultra-clear variant (don’t know if Seidio sells any other kind), and it covers the entire screen and the capacitive buttons. You can read the details in the picture below. The packet contained the screen protector, a microfiber cloth, and a little application card, which is just a small piece of cardboard with straight edges.
It took me about 5 minutes to apply the screen protector. I found it easiest to line up the upper edge with the top of the screen, and then slowly press down the screen protector by bending it. At somewhere past the midpoint of the screen, it’ll become hard to hold on to the screen protector without shifting it. At this point I simply let go and let it fall on the screen. If you’ve lined up the top right, it’ll fall on the screen perfectly, and there shouldn’t be any air bubbles. Then use the application card to scrape out any air bubbles if necessary.
The screen protector itself works very well. I cannot tell the difference between before and after putting it on with the screen on or off. This is indoors though, I haven’t gotten a chance to look at it outdoors and see if it does remove some of the glare. I took 3 pictures of the phone w/o the screen protector, and 3 pictures of the phone with it on and you can see them below. The screen protector also feels very good and slick. It doesn’t feel quite as good as the bare screen that’s clean, but definitely better than that bare screen that’s full of fingerprints. The screen protector is also much better at resisting smudges and fingerprints, so you don’t have to wipe it every 5 minutes.
No screen protector:
With screen protector:
Note: the phone was on max brightness for all of these pictures
Seido Surface Case:
The Surface case is made of plastic and comes in 2 pieces. The top and bottom pieces both slide on to the phone and connect by a little piece of latch on the bottom half of the case. The case feels sturdy, and the outside texture is that of smooth rubber but not slick like hard plastic. So it’s not too grippy, but not so slippery that it slides out of your hand. The inside of the case is lined with a felt like material, so it will not scratch the phone.
Before I put the case on the phone, I tried putting both pieces together by themselves and was surprised to find that the resulting case was very loose; It barely stayed together. But once I put the case on the phone, the result was very sturdy and both pieces stayed on tight. That’s just how it was designed, so don’t worry if you piece the case together w/o the phone and it feels like it’s going to fall apart
Once on the phone, the case is very form fitting, and does not add much bulk. The case raises the phone just enough on the front so that the screen is barely off the surface and just enough on the back so that the camera will not make contact with a level surface.
Seidio also left just enough space around the camera ring so that you could still see the red paint and that the speaker is not blocked. Very good attention to detail The case did not block any ports/buttons, and I still found all of the buttons easy to press. If I had to nitpick, it blocks part of the 2D/3D label on the phone, but you can still kinda read it. This would make a nice slim case to carry in the pocket. Although one concern I do have that I did not get to test is whether this makes the phone significantly hotter due to the felt like material on the inside of the case.
I don't know what this little hole is for, but Seidio has made a cutout on it on their case, so the attention to detail is awesome.
Part 2
Rubber case/Plastic exoskeleton:
Going on the outside of the Surface case is a rubber wrap-around case to protect the phone from scratches and absorb shock from falls. I didn’t test shock absorbency because I didn’t want to chuck my new phone at the wall , but the rubber feels thick and bouncy, and I feel the plastic skeleton gives a good amount of rigidity to the case. With the rubber case and plastic exoskeleton and the screen protector, the only parts of the phone exposed is the 2D/3D switch and the earpiece and front facing camera on top. Overall, I feel it protects the phone well and it feels solid in the hand, though it does add a good amount of bulk to the phone.
The rubber case covers every switch and port except for the 2D/3D toggle. There are bumps over the power, camera, and volume buttons so they are easy to find by feel. One of the common complaints for the EVO 3D is that the power button is too easy to press, and the volume buttons are too difficult to press. Surprisingly, the rubber case makes the power button harder to press than normal, and the volume rockers easier to depress. I think this is because the power button is located on the left top corner, near the column from the plastic exoskeleton, so that there’s extra stiffness at that part. The rubber over the volume rockers on the other hand, makes the volume buttons more protruded and easier to press. The camera button feels the same, and neither it nor the 2D/3D toggle jiggles anymore. And finally the camera cover pulls back and the little knob on it fits into hole on the back of the plastic exoskeleton, so it holds that piece in place when you're taking a picture.
Belt Clip/Holster:
The holster is kind of like the bottom half of the Surface case, but bigger and the back extends to the whole length of the phone. There is a spring tensioned clip at the top of the holster that holds the phone, which goes in the holster with the screen facing inside. The inside of the holster is again lined with a felt like material, so your screen won’t be damaged (it doesn’t touch the screen anyways). The clip on top has a recessed face so you don’t have to manually push it back with your finger when putting the phone into the holster. Just dock the bottom of the phone into the bottom of the holster, and push the top of the phone into the clip. The slanted shape of the clip and the slanted shape of the rubber case will allow the phone to simply clip into the holster. To take the phone out, you’ll need to push back the clip and pull the phone out from the top.
There’s another larger clip on the back of the holster to clip unto your belt. In the vertical position (parallel with the length of the case), there’s a bit of wiggle, but it goes away in the horizontal position (perpendicular to the length of the case). There’s also a little hook at the end of the belt clip, which prevents the holster from falling off if you’re running or jumping. It’s a nice detail to see, but it means you’ll probably have to use both hands to remove the holster. And another nitpick here, the sticker on the top clip was misaligned I know it means absolutely nothing about the case, but it drove me nuts and I promptly removed it haha.
I think the holster is meant to be put on w/ the belt clip in the vertical position, and then worn during the day w/ the phone turned in the horizontal position. That way the phone doesn’t brush against your body and it’s super easy to remove and put back into the holster. The only thing I would say is it’s easy to press the volume buttons and turn on the screen, but you would have to take the phone out of the holster to press the power button and turn the screen off again. Nothing hugely annoying, and it only happens if you’re playing with the phone while it’s in the holster.
^You have no idea how hard it was to take this picture haha
Conclusion:
Overall I would say the Seidio Convert combo is a great product, the included Surface case and screen protector makes for a great slim case to carry around in the pocket, and the outside rubber case and plastic exoskeleton combo provides good protection if you don’t mind the bulk. Finally the holster is easy to use and great for someone who wants to carry their phone on the belt clip instead of in their pocket. I hope this has been helpful, and please feel free to ask me questions about the case.
And yes, you can use the belt clip as a kickstand
Nice review man waiting on ballistic to pump a case out or the kraken 2 I am on using the otter defender . Liked the camera ports more on it. Good review tho man pics too.
I have the same case for my E4G. Writes great and never hear an issue. I eventually went with the Ballistic HC once it was released, love it. I compared this case and the Defender at Best Buy yesterday. Bought the Defender since it covers the cameras (I gotta have the extra protection for work). I know the Seidio has the flap that covers the cameras, but it is huge and would get annoying to me to have to fold it back to take a pic(got old with me Evo4G), and as big as the flap is I bet it will not stay on the case for a long time. Once Ballistic releases their HC case, I'm jumping in it! Today I bought a HTC black silicone case for the evenings and weekends, i liked it better than the Otterbox Impact. The Impact slid off the bottom of the phone way to easy....
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
Nice Review
I own an otterbox but I just got to say.. Thanks for a great review! Lots of awesome pics and info. I appreciate people who take the time to do this type of thing!!
great review----its nice to see such detailed images before spending money
Were you coached/compensated for this review or for your time? Just curious. Thorough review though!
sshark said:
Were you coached/compensated for this review or for your time? Just curious. Thorough review though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He stated in the first few sentences that Seidio gave him the case to review...
Nice review thanks
sshark said:
Were you coached/compensated for this review or for your time? Just curious. Thorough review though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got to keep the case they gave me, that's all. They requested that I give them a quick description of the item when I got it (to prevent dmg in shipping I suppose), and let them see the review before I posted it.
Overall I like the combo case. It works well as a belt clip holder, and the Active case feels like a tank. Flipping back the camera cover can get annoying sometimes, but I don't see it falling off anytime soon.
Otherwise I've just been using the Surface case and carrying it in my pocket. Though the included screen protector is nice, since I've already gotten bits and pieces of dirt on it here and there, and I definitely prefer to wiping it off of my screen protector than my screen.
ebolamonkey3 said:
I got to keep the case they gave me, that's all. They requested that I give them a quick description of the item when I got it (to prevent dmg in shipping I suppose), and let them see the review before I posted it.
Overall I like the combo case. It works well as a belt clip holder, and the Active case feels like a tank. Flipping back the camera cover can get annoying sometimes, but I don't see it falling off anytime soon.
Otherwise I've just been using the Surface case and carrying it in my pocket. Though the included screen protector is nice, since I've already gotten bits and pieces of dirt on it here and there, and I definitely prefer to wiping it off of my screen protector than my screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for being upfront ...I am sure with this thoroughness, you can make good living. :d
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Lucky you lol. Been dicking with the Otterbox waiting on ballistic
Have any of you ordered this for your note? They make this one and the one without the flip cover. As of now, I am using the official flip cover and it is already starting to fall apart. I really like the look of this. If no one has ordered this, has anyone else tried any of their other products? Just curious about quality.
http://www.amazon.com/elago-Handmad...VJBO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1331222074&sr=8-8
Also, I want to order this screen protector. There is a post here in the forums about it, but am also curious if the above case will fit with this .4mm thick tempered glass.
http://www.amazon.com/SPIGEN-SGP-Pr...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331226637&sr=1-1
If it doesn't fit, this might be a good option to go with the screen protector...
http://www.amazon.com/SPIGEN-GT-N70...YD3E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331221815&sr=8-3
Any comments would be welcome
Very nice case. Love the slim design. Will look into it.
Ended up ordering the case without the flip front and a Steinhill Ultra Crystal screen protector.
When it comes it, I will post some pictures on the consolidated white note thread.
Just ordered....
I just ordered the flip cover version - should be here by the end of the week. Will post review and pics when it arrives.
Please come back and give us some reviews of this case. I really like the look of it. However, I wonder why there's no cutouts for the power or volume buttons. I also wish they had done a little more to cover the corners.
Budge said:
Please come back and give us some reviews of this case. I really like the look of it. However, I wonder why there's no cutouts for the power or volume buttons. I also wish they had done a little more to cover the corners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the images are marketing mock-ups. See this description:
Product Features
Designed to fit your at&t, International Galaxy Note perfectly
Durable leather construction with secure closure
Custom cutouts for direct access to all device features
Made by handmade with genuine leather
ColSaulTigh said:
I think the images are marketing mock-ups. See this description:
Product Features
Designed to fit your at&t, International Galaxy Note perfectly
Durable leather construction with secure closure
Custom cutouts for direct access to all device features
Made by handmade with genuine leather
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I read that, too. I can see where the cutouts are for the camera, flash, usb, and mic. I just assumed that's what they were talking about. I guess it's possible that it's just a mockup, or you just have to push the buttons through the leather.
Does anyone know if this case is available in black?
Also, SPG makes a Stehen case similar to this one with full corner coverage.
i'm interested in this case too.
My case arrived!!!
So my case arrived today from Amazon, and I promised you all a review, so here goes:
1) Delivery & packaging
The case came via USPS - not UPS or FedEx. Ordered: Sunday, March 25th, 2012; delivered: Wednesday, March 28th, 2012. Came from San Diego, CA to Orlando, FL in 3 days. Not bad. The case was packed in a bubble-padded shipping envelope. A bit cheap considering I paid $4.99 in shipping & handling, but whatever.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Inside the bubble wrap was the case in it's manufacturer's packaging. Nice pack - obviously meant for hanging on a peg in a retail location. It's attractive and well-protected inside, and the package was not difficult at all to open. There is a fingernail tab in the top-right corner of the front face that lets you just lift off the front cover. No chance of scratching your case with scissors or a knife - a nice touch, I thought.
The reason I mentioned the nice packaging is that inside the outer packaging, the case is resting inside ANOTHER plastic tray (this one without a face), providing an extra layer of cushioning and protection from crushing. It's obvious that whoever thought up the packaging design took care to remember the leather case inside...
2) Aesthetics and General Fit/Finish
This is a NICE case! The edges have all been finished and are not ragged like some other cases I've seen. Everything is glued instead of stitched, so we'll see how well that holds up over the long-term, but so far, so good - nothing is loose or peeling. There is a small company logo on the front in the bottom-left corner and another one (with a tagline) on the back in the bottom-center. Both are small and non-obtrusive.
3) SPECIFIC Fit and Finish
My 1st surprise was to find out that the cover MAGNETICALLY sticks to the case to close - a pleasant surprise! The 2nd surprise was to find a wallet-like card pouch on the inside with 2 slots for credit cards. Um, this was NOT in the pictures on the website and MAY be a problem when I install my SPIGEN SGP GLAS t. Premium Tempered Glass Series Screen Protector which arrives tomorrow. I will report back on this when it's installed.
The 3rd surprise was that there were no cutouts on the sides for power and volume up/down. I think I actually like this, as the leather is marked with the button positions and is soft enough that you can get the buttons to do what you want without *mashing* the leather. The top is wide open so you can slip the phone in the case, and the bottom has cutouts for the S-Pen, Mic, and USB port.
Top opening:
Bottom:
Right Side (Power):
Left Side (Volume):
Inside Flap:
As you can see from the last picture, there's a full-size hole for the earpiece and front-facing camera. The rear of the case also has cut-outs for the camera/flash and speaker. both are proportional and not overly large.
4) Summary
So, do I think it was worth $50 (by the time shipping was involved)? Yes. I think this is very much so a world of 'you get what you pay for', and I think this case is a well crafted, quality leather product. I'd expect to pay this much or more for a leather wallet, so I have no qualms about the price of this cover. The only trepidation I have is the credit card holder inside the front flap. I will never put any cards in it, and I would prefer the case not to have it (as was depicted in the images on their website), but it's not a deal breaker. The leather itself is smooth (non-grain) and evenly dyed, with no visible imperfections (barbed wire scars, dimples, etc.). It is genuine leather, not faux leather or any other synthetic fabric. Overall it does add appx. half-again the thickness of the phone, but it's not unmanageable.
Overall rating: 8/10 - ********_ _ - 2 Stars off for the credit card thing inside the front flap and not being shipped in a cardboard box for a bit more protection.
ColSaulTigh
Thanks for the review. It's a really good one and very useful. My only concern is that the phone seems could slip out from the top easily. Am I right?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
i really like the look of this case and the design, but....where do you put cash????
aorifan said:
ColSaulTigh
Thanks for the review. It's a really good one and very useful. My only concern is that the phone seems could slip out from the top easily. Am I right?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't slip out the top, but when you plug the charger in from the bottom, it does 'push' out the top a bit. A quick push back into the case, and all is good.
mejori said:
i really like the look of this case and the design, but....where do you put cash????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This case isn't the wallet one. This is just a phone case. They make a wallet version. As I posted in my review, I was surprised it had the credit card slots, as the original pictures on the website didn't show this.
As a follow-up, here are a few quick observations:
1) With the cover open and flipped around the back, the speaker is VERY DIFFICULT to hear. I've missed calls because I didn't hear the ringer.
2) Same problem with it sitting flat on a surface (like a desktop). The leather is so smooth it effectively blocks sound from the speaker. I find myself leaning it up on a pen or something just so there's an air pocket underneath.
3) It slips very easily into my pocket. I thought this was going to be an issue, but it's very smooth and slides nicely into my front pocket.
That's it for now - will report back as more questions pop up and/or I have more observations to post.
how is the thickness with having credit cards? ..is it awkward when talking on the phone, do you leave the cover closed or flip it back? as far as speaker ..my phone is always on silent ..while at work ..i only ask because i ordered a cheap $10. wallet "leather case off ebay..i love the concept but damn its bulky!!! its only temporary until you finish your review of the elago
mejori said:
how is the thickness with having credit cards? ..is it awkward when talking on the phone, do you leave the cover closed or flip it back? as far as speaker ..my phone is always on silent ..while at work ..i only ask because i ordered a cheap $10. wallet "leather case off ebay..i love the concept but damn its bulky!!! its only temporary until you finish your review of the elago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I didn't see this post update - so here are the answers to your questions:
1) Thickness with credit cards - I don't know, as I don't put any in there. Like I said in my original post, this case wasn't suppose to have a CC pouch. The original pictures didn't show it, and I would have preferred it without the pouch. Based on thickness, I would say that the cards would press against the glass (especially if you are using the Glas+ protector like I am). I've always found that putting cards in a flat cover like this causes the flat cover to distort, so I'm guessing that that's what would happen here, especially if you then put the phone in a pocket.
2) Is it awkward talking on the phone.... - Yes and no. Holding the phone with the case open is a bit cumbersome as the 'hinge' adds width when the cover is open. I rarely hold the phone up to my head, I'm either using the speaker or a bluetooth headset. One note - the back cover, when open and flipped around, COVERS the speaker port, causing the speaker sound to become VERY muted. I usually either stick a finger in between, or if I'm setting the case down, leave the flap open and stick a pen or something under the phone (again, laying the case flat on the desk also causes the muted speaker effect).
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks!
Just got mine. So far it looks good.not bulky. I still need to get used to this to comment.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
3 Weeks Later....
So far, so good!
I get a lot of compliments on the case - it really does look very nice!
No issues regarding durability, wearability, etc. It's not getting dirty from handling, it's not scratched up (so far), and there are no places where the leather is separating, peeling, or otherwise failing.
Bottom line, I like it! Money well spent!
i will be ordering mine soon.. just want to make sure it has cc slots!!! thanks!!
ColSaulTigh said:
So far, so good!
I get a lot of compliments on the case - it really does look very nice!
No issues regarding durability, wearability, etc. It's not getting dirty from handling, it's not scratched up (so far), and there are no places where the leather is separating, peeling, or otherwise failing.
Bottom line, I like it! Money well spent!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mejori said:
i will be ordering mine soon.. just want to make sure it has cc slots!!! thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bear in mind:
1) It only has 2 CC slots, and...
2) It wasn't suppose to have any at all!
WHy would the corners be exposed? Makes no sense. Drop it and there goes the screen..
Which question for ppl who using the flip case... How do you feel when holding it?
I have a Samsung flip case and i hate it. Hard to hold unless take some extra steps to fold the front to the back. When the phone rings, take more time to "flip the cover"..... so inconvenienced.
With my TPU case i use the phone instantly whenever I need.
** I will post some pictures later today - I'm at work currently **
The Nillkin Fresh case came about 2-3 days ago and I was quite excited. But that was short lived. The case is a faux-leather flip cover case with a thin plastic shell on that clips to the phone. It looks decent enough, but I have some problems with mine (possibly QC problems):
The case though didn't completely fit!! Along the right side (near the SD/SIM) it is a bit warped - not bad or noticeable unless your looking right at it and for it.
The case is held closed by a magnet, but the magnet on the flip cover is quite small which then requires it to be precisely over the other pole or it does nothing. Not a big deal, but I wish this was thought out better.
Additionally, one of the main features of the case is (link below) how the case being used as a stand. The flip cover is a tri-fold design which should act as a stand but I haven't had much luck with it. The inside of the seemingly leather flip cover is a soft touch, almost suede, material that is quite slippery. This plus the fact that the case seems to be needing to be broken in makes for the "stand" feature unusable... it falls right over currently. (I have tried multiple configurations).
Over all, I bought the case on eBay for $9.99 with no shipping cost (ships from china - companies home country) and it took about 15 days to get here (in the US). Not bad, but I am already looking for a replacement that will make my device feel premium again rather then cheap.
Would I recommend this case? Yes, but only as a temporary case until more come out - like the official Sony cases or a case from Incipio (link below).
** Complete side note: I had a Nillkin case for my old Nexus 4 which only lasted a few short months because the leather started to peel away from the flip cover! I knew this would be a temporary case when I bought it, so keep that in mind!
http://www.nillkin.com/english/proshow.asp?mid=2&sid=0&tid=0&cid=1&scid=13&id=3526&page=1
http://www.incipio.com/cases/smartphone-cases/sony-smartphones/sony-xperia-z-ultra-cases.html
I was fortunate to get to try that case out and many others (being in hk and china) - and I posted about this case. It's unfortunate you didn't read my post and what case eventually went with in the big Z ultra case thread.
This case is definitely not recommended if you want one to work well with desk stand, and want to use the trifold ipad style cover as a stand.
The snap-in style plastic mounts doesn't make it easy to pop in and out of to use the desk stand, and the plastic mounts are shiny thus looks and feels cheap.
Finally, the cover doesn't even come close to the quality and feel of the ipad cover, even the vinyl kind. The material is stiff and plasticky and most importantly doesn't fold together to function as a working stand at all. It will unfold/collapse and fall over.
In addition, there's an issue with the the magnet. With the magnet closed, there is a gap between the last third of the tri-fold cover and the phone's screen. This gap exists because the case (mold or design) is not the right fit - the wider flap makes it essentially unable to align with the opposing magnet. If you try to push the flap down to get rid of the gap, you inadvertently push/slide the magnet off and the cover comes loose. In practice, the magnet will never be engaged because you'll always push the cover down somehow (pocket, bag, stacking something on top).
The only Nillkin I recommend is the http://www.nillkin.com/english/proshow.asp?mid=2&sid=0&tid=0&cid=1&scid=13&id=3516&page=1 shield case. I ended up buying the black one for scenarios where I don't want a flip cover. The fit is good, texture is good (good grippy backside), and it doesn't look too cheap (no shiny plastic). It's decent protection for rougher than usual situations. There are sections where there's a thin piece of plastic on the edge of the phone (like over the usb flap) where it feels weak, cheap and easily breakable. Besides that only issue, I like this case as a back-up.
For a flip cover case that works well with a desk stand, actually stands up, and feels decent quality - I recommend Kaso and Krussell. I went with Kaso as a cheaper alternative for now.
So I guess it's not just me... which is kind of a bummer, but I have already found a replacement. Now if only October 22 was here (my Birthday) I could get a new case!
Thanks for the replay, some good thoughts there!
toonhead85
Funny how the 2 Nillkin cases the OP talks about are the exact 2 I bought online.
I bought the white Fresh, and Yellow leather.
Anyway, after having used both, now I know that flip covers, despite the protection it gives, tend to get in the way of general use. Answering calls involve one extra hassle step.
Taking pictures, you have to roll the flip cover up into the triangle as if you are going to use it as a stand and hold it in your left hand, because simply flipping it and folding it over will obstruct the camera.
Nothing wrong with the build quality...I am sure it is better than most cheapos out there. All the useful ports are left uncovered (one of the reasons why I chose Nillkin...there is actual thought process that has gone into the design). If you want to use the magnetic charging port, not many other manufacturers apart from Nillkin make them uncovered.
The yellow I chose is less vibrant in colour (than what it seemed on screen), and does not go so well with the white ZU I have, so that got retired until the day I get SBH-52 and leave my phone in the bag.
For the Nillkin Fresh, I got in white, and am very happy with it, and currently in use.
It has a nice tight fit, seems to be made of good tough plastic, and the texture on the back helps with general grip.
I did make one modification to it, because even though the magnetic charging port is left open by design, it was impossible to get a good connection while the pone was still in the case. So I cut off the thin strip that runs along the screen side of the mag port. Filed it down with nail clipper file, and now it is perfect. It has not lost structural rigidity.
The number of times that i thought that I had closed the USB port properly, but was still slightly open (thus not making it fully waterproof) has prompted me to get the magnetic charging cable. I knew it was something I wanted while I was out choosing the case, so for those who are still looking for cases, I won't say go Nillkin, but make sure you go for one that has the magnetic charging port uncovered.
Whether you buy DK-30 is a different debate. Some like it, but some find it expensive for what it is. There are not many covers out there tat allow you to dock with it on.
But the USB magnetic charging cable is something I believe every ZU owner should have. For that reason get a cover with the port uncovered.
jewelkobayashi said:
I did make one modification to it, because even though the magnetic charging port is left open by design, it was impossible to get a good connection while the pone was still in the case. So I cut off the thin strip that runs along the screen side of the mag port. Filed it down with nail clipper file, and now it is perfect. It has not lost structural rigidity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we please get pictures of this modification? Keen to replicate. Otherwise attractive looking case, be a shame to waste.
liqn7 said:
Can we please get pictures of this modification? Keen to replicate. Otherwise attractive looking case, be a shame to waste.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here u go
jewelkobayashi said:
Nothing wrong with the build quality...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I came back to post a quick update about the case I got and this caught my eye... actually the build quality is the reason as well!!
The case is broken ><. On the top left hand side (near the charging port) the case has snapped. A piece is broken clean off and only after about 2 weeks. I know the case was $10, but I also had build quality issues with a Nexus 4 case, so I am going to say the quality is rather low.
With this new information, I am going to say stay away from this case. The long import time (from HK to US), and poor quality aren't worth it. Spend the few extra bucks and get a quality case you will have for more than a few weeks.
Just my 2 cents though...
toonhead85
Ahhhhh Relief. I FINALLY have a case for my note 3. I was dreading every day knowing I had no case yet for my baby not it has some armor and I feel much better.
Bonus? this armor is amazing. I have to say kudo's to UAG they keep improving the cases. they take the customer issues and feedback and they incorporate it into future designs.
lets have a look at this beauty before we continue.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
On my screen this is a very good representation of the actual color of the case. Some of my other pictures come out a little "more" orange (which I would have liked) but its still orange enough to keep me happy (I prefer Retina Burning colors
They selected a very good orange for this case. not too "outlandish" but still pleasingly bright and orange.
They have improved several key area's of the case. More ribbing inside to more firmly meld with the shape of the phone. The buttons tended to be a little mushy. We the customer learned if we "sliced" it a little along each button it freed them up nicely. they have fully incorporated this concept in the new case and the buttons are now like "butter"
I am not joking when I say the buttons feel "better" with the UAG case on than they do naked" its easier to find them and they for some strange reason seem to "press" better. its very strange. I have never had a case "improve" on the function of the phone this way before. My guess is samsung just make them too small and slipper and the case design of the UAG corrects this.
if button depression is a sticking point for you then you will NOT be displeased with the UAG.
I also love that they went back to the original design. I did NOT like the new design for the Note II case. it was ugly enough to me that I never even bought one for my Note II so very happy to see the return of this design.
Some more interior shots of the cut outs and buttons and patterning.
The UAG is a medium duty design case with some features that push it upwards to inbetween medium duty and heavy duty.
Some of these are the ridges on the backside which also act to protect the case itself from marring when you set it down.
its a two part "melded" construction. the black is TPU which is a "stiff" rubber like compound (thermo plastic) this provides your "shock" protection (dropping it) and then it has a Poly Carbonate component (the orange part) that gives you rigidity and IMPACT/Penetration protection. (something hitting the phone)
the phone has as much impact protection as a "heavy duty" case but not as much "shock" protection (rubber thickness) as a heavy duty case like for example a caseology hybrid rugged or a AMS Kraken from trident or a zero shock from zero lemon. its a trade off of amount of protection and how "LARGE" you want the phone to become.
a full on HD Ruggedized case will DOUBLE the size of your phone. minimum. when your out in the woods you might need that kind of protection. if your more careful around home you don't really need that kind of protection.
there are 2 methods of typical damage to a phone. something hits the screen directly or the corner is impacted.
this is where the UAG moves to inbetween medium duty and heavy duty.
the corners on the UAG case are not form fitting. they are "larger" than the stock corners to provide extra shock protection at this critical point of impact. I have no doubt you could drop this phone from 6ft onto a corner and not worry about any damage to the phone. (No I won't be testing that on my $550 phone
Last Interior shot
Another welcome improvement is more frontal encasement. its quite difficult to install and even more difficult to remove the phone from this case.
Mind you this is a good thing. the harder it is to install and remove is a very good indicator of how well designed the case is to retain the phone.
the front opening is smaller now. so the phone does not FIT through the front. you need to distort the case quite a bit to shoe horn the phone into it. VERY welcome upgrade! this case will NOT release this phone easily on its own.
the phone is also more recessed into the case! big big improvement. this is important for when you set the phone down on its face (to protect the face) if its too close to the surface you set it down onto things can scratch or impact the screen.
they have thickened this up so you now have a bit over 2mm of screen depression distance. In this picture you can see its thicker than a nickle which is 1.95mm
Of course same as before and one of the larger benefits of a case is it depresses the camera lens nicely. preventing it from touch anything when the phone is set down or put inside anything and also reducing the chances if you putting your finger on it when you grab/extract/slide the phone putting finger prints on it marring your videos.
this portion of the case is around 3mm thick and you end up with a bit over 2mm of depth protection (the camera lens led unit of the Note 3 protrudes out of the phone about 1 mm)
Lets do a walk around of the outside of the case.
At the bottom you have very nice clean cutouts for the Speaker and Microphone access holes. excellent precision cuts here.
The Stylus cut out is also precise and nicely spacious giving you easy unrestricted access to remove the stylus.
The USB jack cut out is also very nice and more spacious than before! this is fantastic so if you have a "larger" than typical plug you won't have a problem with the case cut out interfering with insertion of the plug.
My skinny mSD OTG adapter fits fine. I don't have my Meenova adapter handy I will update this review once I have it although I do not anticipate a fitment issue.
at the top we have headphone and microphone cut outs. the headphone jack looks to be large enough to encompass "big head" plugs without a problem and the other cut out is your IR Emitter.
On the sides we have the volume rocker
and opposite the power button
I like the new hex pattern sides. while I did not have a grip problem with the old design IT WAS a wee slippery feeling. Now it feels very nice. no slip concerns.
Close up of the back of the phone with design and UAG logo details
They even thought to increase the spacing for the proximity and light sensors to prevent interference and false readings
And how it fits in the hand (of note I have VERY large hands) I can completely cover the phone with my hand.
This case is more difficult to install and remove than the original. this is a good thing. more secure. its quite easy once you know how
Start by inserting one long side of the phone
than using your thumb push the bottom opposing corner of the phone into the case pulling the case down and pushing the phone "up" at the same time till it snaps into place
work UP the remaining side snapping it into place until its all in. You can do this one handed (see video below)
Removal is a little trickier. Push one corner off then work your way down to the other corner and pull the phone out. (again see video you can do this one handed)
Some video's of the case and a video of installation and removal of the case
Install and Remove the UAG Note III Case
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTOy1pGHiIs
Walk around of the case in 4k!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCRp0vN1w4
Nice review bro. I just ordered the Scout. Did the miss the hole on the bottom right of phone. Not sure if it's a mic or what but I do know they had a batch go out b4 they realized.
My Note3 is locked but my XDm45 is loaded.
---------- Post added at 08:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 PM ----------
Haha. Never mind you answered that in video.
My Note3 is locked but my XDm45 is loaded.
They have always had the slits under the power and volume keys. Or at least on the s3,s4. If they don't have it it's cuz they're fakes.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app
nope. no slits on the multiple S3 case I had. I added them myself with an exacto knife and I bought them direct from UAG not third party. Their was a whole thread here on XDA about it and that thread is where I got the idea from to use an xacto blade to slide the slit.
they offered to send a replacement immediately but I said no worries as it was a super easy fix. I did order early so maybe it was a bad batch or early batch or something.
I'm just until opposite of you. I really like their Note 2 case which gave you the ability to change the color combination. Since they did away with that design for their Note 3 case I haven't even given it a second look, until looking at your pics. I still don't like their Note 3 case. Also, it looks bulkier than their Note 2 case, is it? I just think the Note 3 looks too nice to bury in a case like this, my opinion of course. I never drop my phones anyway, so my clear Diztronic TPU covers my needs while still allowing my go see my phone. I'm also still shocked that UAG covered the temp sensor hole, and even called it a "mystery hole"!! Really UAG, a mystery hole?!?! Must suck not having access to the internet!! Lolol
SwiftKey'ed from my White Sprint Note 3 via XDA Premium
not me. hated the note II design also hated I could not get it in orange. only black and white my two most disliked phone colors. now if the OUTSIDE was orange (instead of the nearly invisible tiny insert) I might have gotten it even though I don't like the design.
man was I excited when I heard they were so rapidly coming out with a Note II case (I waited so long for the S3 case) that when it popped up my first instant reaction was ..... YUCK ..... but ahhh I guess I could deal with it in orange and then I found out NO ORANGE !! only white and black.. Double Yuck hehehe
the case is very slim. it adds very little bulk to the phone in either case.
I really love the industrial rugged military like design of the S3 and this Note 3 case. I guess I am just partial to that kind of styling.
I can see people liking the Note II case. a lot of people did like it! so your not alone!
meh. the temp/hygro hole was irrelevant. I actually wish I got one without the hole. it won't effect the readings from the sensor and is just one more hole for dirt to get into. I might even fill that hole in.
YO UAG !! how about some CLEAR loving for the Note 3
freaking teasing me with that clear case then only releasing it for the icrap !! no fair
clear would be pretty slick. using vinyl skins you could "change up" often with the same case!
I see the hole in the second last pic. Thanks!
Excellent write up! Thank you @nerys71 for the extra inspiration to get my own.
Sent from above.
no problem. I really love their cases.
Oh I so dream of a UAG case for the Zero Lemon battery
when you hold our device in landscape mode where is your home button? left or right side of the screen?
i got this case too and absolutely love it. however i did notice a small detail today that UAG probably didnt consider. Most users hold the device in landscape mode with the home button on the right side... in doing so the UAG logo on the rear is upside down. looks like the brand is GEN... It should have probably been designed so that its right side up when in landscape mode.
as I said most users hold it this way, some might use the home button on the left tho...
hmmm poll anyone? lol
I'd say you are on the wrong side of the phone if you are looking at the uag logo
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
nyjumpman said:
I'd say you are on the wrong side of the phone if you are looking at the uag logo
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ha, so that's why my touchscreen wasnt working correctly and looked a little orange....
it was just an observation
I really like orange and how this case looks. However I pretty much require a holster or something of the sort.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
should not be hard to find/mod/make a holster for it. IE maybe a slip grip?
Hi , There .
My name is Ben Hoffman , if you are familian with A C forum you will know i am the formed Admin and i was quite good at accessories.
I just joined this forum a couple days ago . So here we go , let us talk about cases
1 Famous UAG Case
This is my fifth Urban Armor Gear case, and they only keep getting better with each iteration. I first discovered them for my Galaxy S3, and was very impressed with the style, durability, and quality. Once I got my S7, I immediately blind purchased this case with confidence based on my previous experiences.
First of all, I really love how they have expanded the color selection. I usually have gotten the plain black versions, but this time I got the translucent red-black 'magma' case because it just looked so cool. And once I got it and saw it in person on my phone, I was not disappointed. I uploaded several photos of my case on and off my phone so you can judge for yourself, but I *really* love how this case looks and feels.
The case fits perfectly on my S7, and is precision cut to perfectly align with all necessary inputs and openings: audio jack, mic, speaker, camera, LED, volume & power buttons, and so on.
The main material on the back is glossy and slick, but the black parts around the edges, corners, and buttons, are a nice rubbery material that grips well and makes me much less worried about my phone slipping out of my hand since it is quite slippery case-less.
One area I'm always happy to see improvements with is the physical footprint of this case. My first one looked cool but did add significant bulk. This one has improved the design to stay very protective and stylish but without adding quite as much bulk as before. Any case worth buying will add some width to your phone, but this one strikes a good balance between size and protection.
The only thing I'm not looking forward to is seeing the case do its job and absorb scratches, spills, falls, and wear & tear because it just looks so nice out of the box. But better on a replaceable case than directly on your expensive phone.
I do miss when UAG used to include screen protectors with their cases. I hope they decide to reintroduce that again in the future given the relatively higher price. I was always very happy with the cut and quality of their included screen protectors, but sadly this one does not include one.
* Summary *
Pros:
[+] Very durable and protective, none of my UAG-protected phones have failed to survive scrapes, scuffs, and falls
[+] Precision cut to allow access to all ports, inputs, and buttons
[+] Fits phone like a glove, without adding a massive amount of bulk
[+] Great material and very happy with the grip of the rubbery corners, edges, and buttons
[+] Great brand with a history of quality and good customer support
[+] Opinion, but I seriously think these are the best-looking and stylish Galaxy cases currently on the market
Cons:
[-] UAG no longer includes screen protectors like they used to
[-] One of the pricier lines of cases on the market
Other:[*] I wish they had a couple more color options so I could get my wife more interested in this case - previous iterations offered a pink variety.
Link http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galax...ie=UTF8&qid=1462657422&sr=1-3&keywords=uag+s7
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
2nd Clear SLIM HEAVY DUTY SPECK CASE
My wife and I are split on this one. But I don't want to imply either one of us really likes the case; just that I dislike it much more than she does.
On the plus side, Speck makes nice products; I have had & continue to have them on my Mac laptops. So I'm not criticizing Speck quality. But quality doesn't necessarily translate into value or function....
At $27.99 (Amazon price at the time of this review) I don't see the value. I know Speck (on both the Amazon product page and in literature included with the Vine sample) goes to great lengths to tell the potential buyer/reviewer that there is more to this case than meets the eye. Maybe so, but (pardon the pun) I just don't see it. I'm certainly not going to drop my brand-new S7 to see if it really is "mil-grade," but if it is it certainly doesn't seem any more "mil grade" than other cases I have used (and were at cheaper price points). I wonder if "mil grade" is sort of an advertising "come-on" like "organic"; sounds great but could mean just about anything (not only do I know that from personal experience (30 years in the Army), but take a look at this comment from the Wikipedia article: "Because no commercial organization or agency certifies compliance, commercial vendors can create the test methods or approaches to fit their product"). I'm not accusing Speck of anything; only saying that "mil grade" sounds good, but might not mean anything.
As to function, both my wife and I found that it was much tougher to operate the side buttons (2 on left, 1 on right) than it was using two other cases we've bought and are playing around with. It's so tough as to be annoying. The included literature makes the point that the slim profile makes it easy to slide in and out of pockets. True, but we also found the acrylic pretty slippery too; which I guess on one hand is a good thing (helps getting phone in/out of pocket), but also a real danger (so slippery that we might find ourselves testing the case's impact resistance sooner and more frequently than we thought we would).
I also thought the case was a fingerprint magnet. We washed our hands prior to using the case and within minutes the case showed smudges, fingerprints, etc. True, we might be able to see the beauty of the phone through the case, but it really looks bad when there are so many smudges, etc.
Finally, an acquaintance had a version of this case (one generation back for an iPhone). Didn't like it as "it completely fell apart within a few months." So unless there have been significant improvements over their cases of less than a generation ago, I'm not sure that this case is something I can recommend.
I wanted to go 1-2 stars while my wife felt it was a 3-star case at best. So we essentially split the difference. In the end, I really don't feel like the case warrants the asking price, nor do I feel it performs better (or even as well) as some of the other cases we're using and/or looked at ( Slim Transparent Clear Case for S7 or Galaxy Note 5 Case, Verus [High Pro Shield][Crimson Red] - [Military Grade Protection][Slim Fit] For Samsung Note 5 (yes, I know it's for a Note 5, but I have it on my Note and am hoping it will also come available for the S7; I suggested it because Verus claims "mil grade" for this case) ($15.99), or the OtterBox COMMUTER SERIES Case for Samsung Galaxy S7 - Frustration-Free Packaging - BLACK ($31.99)).
I’m not going to use it (already off the phone and looking for a new home). So if I’m not going to use it I don’t feel comfortable recommending it to others. To each his/her own I guess, so I’m sure this case has its fans. I’m just not one of them. Sorry.
3rd Slim Clear Transparent Case for Samsung S7
This is my 23rd case so far for my S7 (I like to change it up!), and so far the most durable/protective and best fitting one I have tried yet.Also it can show off your S7 with Transparent Back
The phone fits into the case very tightly, almost to the point where you can start to feel like it's not going to fit, but then you get it fully snapped in. The back is crystal clear and smooth, and has a good thickness to it -- not cheap or flimsy. I feel like this offers excellent protection against back side drops. The camera is recessed decently as well, which should keep it protected.
The sides are a more rigid plastic material that sits on top of the clear TPU material. Double protection is always welcome. I'm not sure that the rigidity will hold up to multiple drops -- but I'd rather the case take a hit than my phone, so again I feel safe in this case with side drops. The buttons (volume up/down and power) have cutouts so the clear TPU material is seen and used to press in. They fit perfectly and are very responsive.
The front of the case gives you a clear TPU raised border around the screen, so if sitting flat on a table, the screen will be raised up a bit off the table. This would protect again some screen-down drops, as long as the surface is flat without other object sitting on it that could poke the screen. This is as protective as cases get -- you'd want to get a screen protector of some sort to really protect your screen.
Overall, I'm really happy with the look and feel of this case. It doesn't look cheap, and feels solid and sturdy in the hand. I'm definitely a fan.
I was given a discount on the purchase of this product, but my review is based on the regular price of the item. This is a solid case that shows off your phone through the clear back, but gives it some style with the colored edges and trim. The gold color is very light, almost a cross between silver and gold, and doesn't look cheap. This is a fantastic case for the price!
$15.98 at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Scr...6&sr=8-3&keywords=artech+21+clear+case+for+s7
Use Artech21 ,get 20% off
3rd Easy grip slim cover
Lets consider this review tentative based on the release of the device. Seeing as how the phone isn't released yet, I can't really speak for how perfectly it might fit, etc. So with that being said, let me review this case based solely on material and design.
Typically with sleek cases, the level of protection is often compromised. For example, Otterbox cases are probably one of the best in terms of protection, but they are extremely thick in size and does not necessarily scream "fashion" to anyone. This Artech 21 case is as beautiful in person as seen in the renders. The cut-outs are created with extreme precision, and the gunmetal has a slight bit of gloss to demonstrate its elegance.
Pro:
- I've used previous Artech 21 cases. You can expect the cases to feel strong and well built.
- Dual material design. A soft but sturdy TPU cushion, and hard plastic frame. The TPU will handle the impact well but the plastic frame helps the case feel solid and strong.
- Thick enough without adding too much bulk.
- PRICE. I've owned a lot cases, some bought from carrier stores, and many from Amazon. You wont find case quality like this at this price from most sellers. PERIOD.
Con
- The design isn't for me. While I'm sure the ridged design will add grip to the already slippery glass on the S7, I would have liked it to be a smooth finish on the back.
Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Sho...=1462658433&sr=8-25&keywords=slim+case+for+s7
15.99 dollars, artech21 can have your 20% off
4 Otterbox and Little Rock comparison
This case comes as a 2 piece clamshell, top part containing the built in screen protector and the bottom having a rigid back and flexible sides that secure it to the top piece. The top half is a secured in place screen protector made of a clear and rigid plastic sheet with a cutout for the action button. The phone is snapped into this portion first where it makes a snug and secure fitment. The bottom half is thicker and possesses the bulk of the padding, seen in the honeycomb ridges and thick sidewalls. This half receives the top where it snugs into the flexible sidewalls.
The power and headphone jacks are covered with flaps, speaker and the volume and power buttons are firm but still responsive. The sides of the case are beveled above and below and are textured with a crosshatch design which makes it easy to pick up from a flat surface and have a secure grip. The rear of the case is branded with the company logo and an industrial design. The area around the camera is not very beveled which provides poor access to the Heart Rate Monitor. In testing with 2 OEM and one branded wireless Qi charger pads, the phone charged fine and no undue heat was detected.
In comparing this product with a direct competitor and king of the hill, Otterbox Defender, a few differences stand out. While both items have similar port cover designs, the hinge side on the Otterbox is to the front of the case where the silicone has the greatest flexibility and the Little Rock case is hinged toward the rear of the case where the silicone has greater stability. In my opinion the silicone on the Artech case will not stretch out around the port covers as easily as the Otterbox could. The Otterbox has a more accessible design around the Heart Rate Monitor than the Artech case does. The shape and texture of the silicone on the Artech case makes it appear slimmer and feel more secure than the Defender.
The biggest negative to the Artech case in my opinion in comparison to the Otterbox case; is the lack of a holster. A device this size in a thick case isn’t as convenient in a pocket. This is a personal preference however, I know many people that do not use a holster. It would be nice if a holster for the Artech was available as an add-on item.
The greatest perk to the Artech case is it is 25% of the price of the Otterbox. A second or third one could be purchased as a backups and still come out under the cost of one Defender.
Link for Otterbox S7 defnder case :
http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-DEFE...eywords=otterbox+defender+case+for+samsung+s7 $42
Little Rock http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Mil...64&sr=8-3&keywords=rugged+case+for+samsung+s7 19.99 dollars
Spigen Neo Hybrid Case
Nice case, but too slippery for one-handed use
1) Sufficiently protect the phone from accidental drops.
2) Not be too slippery so that I can easily pick it up, hold it, and use it one-handed.
3) Have a headphone jack opening big enough for my Etymotic ER4P headphones.
4) Slim so that it's pocket-able and easy to hold.
5) No outlandish designs and colors.
This case meets requirements 1, 4, and 5 but unfortunately fell short for 2 and 3.
Here are my thoughts on how this case met or didn't meet my requirements:
1) While I didn't actually drop my phone to test this, the case seems well-made so that it would protect the phone in most situations. I worry about a face-down drop since I've cracked screens twice like that, but this is probably a concern with most cases anyway.
2) The Polycarbonate frame gives the case a nice look, but unfortunately it makes the case too slick for my preference. This, combined with the relatively slick TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) that surrounds the phone, makes me want to stop using this case. If I remove the polycarbonate frame, then I can grab the case much better on the sides and back, but then I lose the added protection that the TPU provides. I have been using the case without the frame lately because I just don't feel comfortable holding the phone with it on.
3) Because I listen to music so often on my phone, it's essential that I can use my good set of headphones with whatever case I have on my phone. Because the Etymotic ER4P headphones have a slightly bulkier rounded connector, I can't plug them into the phone while the polycarbonate frame is on the case. I can plug them in when only the TPU is around the phone, but the clearance around the frame just isn't enough to allow the connector to plug in. This case is probably designed for the standard, basic headphones that come with the phone, but it doesn't work for me.
4) I really like the slimness of this case because it hardly adds any bulk to the phone. Because the Galaxy S7's width is already the max for my own preference, a slim case that doesn't add much additional width is important to me.
5) When deciding on cases I typically look for basic, black or dark-colored designs that aren't too flashy. I am not a fan of the reflective/shiny lines that run horizontally across the top and bottom of the TPU, and I would have preferred a black frame, but overall the subdued style meets my needs.
Conclusion: The case’s slippery feel and inability to accommodate my headphones serve as deal-breakers for me. I can make this case work without the frame if necessary, but it's just not ideal for me. The search continues. If anyone has better recommendations on which cases meet my requirements, I'm all ears!
Otterbox Symmetery Case
I purchased the otterbox symmetry case in Eden teal. I wanted the floral pond design but it never seems to be in stock. The design on Eden teal is very cute. It reminds me somewhat of lilly Pulitzer or Vera Bradley designs. The case itself is fairly lightweight and a one piece construction. It Is hard plastic with a rubber lining and seal around the face.
The rubber lining around the face has a raised beveled edge. I'm not sure what the purpose of this is, but I do know it attracts dirt like crazy. Just a few moments in the pocket of my black pants and it picked up the color. It will probably continue to get dirty with use, but maybe regular wiping down with some alcohol or cleaner will help. It somewhat did today after I noticed the dye transfer. Also, the rubber seal has a little play.
The buttons are very firm but I hope they'll break in eventually. It's a little difficult to reach the mute switch, and I have very petite fingers. If you have large fingers, good luck!
I think it's pretty easy to get this case on and off. I didn't feel like I was gonna break my phone in two trying to get it off like my Speck Candyshell case.
I have a tempered glass screen protector on my phone and this case JUST BARELY clears it on the sides. It has plenty of room at the top and bottom.
I haven't dropped my phone yet to attest its protection. Then again, I really don't want to find out. Lol
I don't think this case was worth $40. Just seems a little steep for what it is. $25 is more reasonable. But hey, you pay for the name.
Overall, it's an okay case that hopefully provides more protection than you average run-of-the-mill snap on case.
Brief Review for Lazer S7 case
This is a great phone case for protection. It also look rugged which is a plus. There is a variety of colors so this case can suit anyone.The gunmetal/black looks great on the s7 , and this is the type of case you'd want to be sporting if you dropped your phone. The corners feel super rugged so it has nice corner protection. Heres a list of some pros and cons as to why you might or might not want the case.
PROS:
- super sturdy
- slim profile compared to other protection cases. (this is also a 2 part case)
- protects your camera from surface scratchs
- buttons are very tactile and responsive
- doesnt attract fingerprints
- corners seem super rugged
- the sides have dotted texture so you can get a better grip .
- on the back, the case itself has elevated lips so even your case wouldnt get that scratched up.
- no ridiculous labeling
CONS:
- this isnt much of a problem, but the volumes arent elevated. it might bother some people, so definitely keep this in mind.
Overall, I recommend this case to anyone who is looking for a sturdy case to provide your s7 with protection. Most cases that provide this much protection is super thick, but this case has a slim profile which is a huge benefactor. If you want a slim case to protect your phone look into getting this one!
Link at amazon http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Sho...&qid=1462658917&sr=8-26&keywords=slim+s7+case
15.98 dollars , use coupon artech21 get extra 20% off
Obliq Case
I still agree with the overall sentiment that the protection and size, the two most important characteristics of a phone case in my opinion, is a perfect balance. I would also retract that speaker distortion criticism, I think it may have been a placebo because I can't tell a difference between the two anymore.
However, I've found the lack of grip problematic; though it's less slippery than the phone itself, I think ridges on the side of any phone case is a necessity, or at least some sort of sticky texture; the case is much too smooth, and I feel like it's more prone to slip out of my hand than a case like the Speck CandyShell Grip (a fine case, but I prefer the aesthetics and strength of this case). Also, I found that the buttons are slightly harder to press than I originally thought, and the lack of tactile feedback (compared to the plain phone) is disappointing. For those two reasons, I've changed my review from 5 stars to 4 stars. All other previous pros and cons have remained the same.
Pros:
- I intentionally dropped my phone a few times (with the case on) from waist and torso height onto hardwood floor to stimulate an actual accidental drop. Phone was fine, case didn't receive any visible scratches.
- Because the phone fits well into the case and the lip covers the glass front, the touchscreen did not receive any scratches either. I also love the lip because when using the phone without the case, parts of my hand would get read by the touchscreen, so scrolling webpages with just one hand wouldn't be smooth; now, only my thumb will touch the screen.
- It's easy to put in and remove the phone from the case.
- The case only adds a few millimeters in thickness, so it's not too bulky in pockets. I think it's the right amount of thickness for comfort and protection.
- I like the sleek design of the case and its minimalism, but this is totally subjective. I also like the subtle logo instead of a big ugly logo. Absolutely no trouble with charging or headphone jack.
Cons:
- The buttons aren't too hard to press, but they don't give the same satisfying click that you get from the phone without a case.
- Though the case doesn't have any ridges or sticky/rubbery material, it eliminates some of the slipperiness of the phone, making it easier to hold and use with one hand compared to just the phone itself. However, you sacrifice some grip with the sleek design; I'd prefer ridges on the sides so it's even easier to hold with one hand.
- Speaker is ever so slightly muffled/distorted compared to no case (after a couple times comparing music with and without the case, I noticed a very tiny amount of distortion).
Normally I'd recommend being wary of some of the early reviews because some to many of the reviews were paid for, but I actually really like the product, and I wasn't compensated in any way. I will try to update this review after a week, after a few months, and at least a year following this first initial review to let you know how the case holds up over time.
Case Mate Glitter Case for my wife
I have a few complaints about this phone. I have the Samsung Galaxy S7 and yes, it's an amazing phone but has some quirks about the sensitivity of the edge. So if you are texting with your thumbs and your palm hits the edge you can easily erase words or hit the enter button...not a deal breaker, just something to be aware of.
Therefore, it is really important to get a case that has a bit of a edge that stands out from the phone so your palms aren't able to touch the screen when you type. I excitedly bought this case without realizing the quirk about the phone but after a few days of using it, the edges don't stand out enough from the phone so I have a lot of trouble texting when this phone case is on.
Secondly, the glue that keeps the jewels on is potent and will leave a smell on your hands. I thought it would mellow out but it has not and has remained just as strong smelling as the day I got it.
Thirdly, the phone case is weighty and there is no grip! So, it will slip and slide around in your hands and the extra weight is noticeable after texting or writing an email...my hands actually started to ache from holding this for too long due to the extra weight. It is also bulky so your nice thin, lightweight phone now turns thick and heavy and it is noticeable especially in a sweatshirt pocket, in your purse or in your pants pocket.
Lastly, an odd complaint is that it picks up every little hair and piece of lint...they will stick up off the back of the phone. So anytime you put in your pocket or in your sweatshirt pocket, it comes out with little hairs sticking up all over the back of it. Plus I have cats and even their hair gets stuck in it. I am constantly picking them off! Super annoying! The back isn't' a smooth texture at all...it's pretty rough and not that comfortable to hold in your hands and it catches on everything.
Overall, I am just not pleased. I looked at other reviews from other phone models that use the same case like the iphone 6 etc and there are many negative reviews stating that if you drop the phone, the case isn't sturdy and your phone will break. This is just not a chance I am willing to take on such an expensive phone. I am returning this after giving it a fair shot. I have found the Speck case to be wonderful and just what I need. Is it as glitzy? Not at all but it is lightweight, thin, good grips on the side so it won't fall out of my hand and a good edge that stands away from the phone edge so my palms don't touch the side of the phone when texting. I would highly recommend that case over this one. The design of this case is beautiful but it only goes skin deep...there are too many other flaws that outweigh how pretty it is. Be warned!
Spigen® [Tough Armor]
First of all, I am pretty excited to get my hands on this specific model of the Spigen line. I have used Spigen's Slim Armor case ever since the LG G2 from a few years ago. I simply love the protection I can get with no real added bulkiness, and the idea that you can change out the hard outer shell for a totally different color to suit your mood for whichever day of the week it is.
If you have seen my review of the Spigen Slim Armor series, then you already have a slight idea of the technology behind this 'air cushion' design. The corners are designed to have what appears to be air added in between the rubber, allowing for a softer impact if you ever drop the device. The case comes in a few different pieces. First of all, you have the outer shell, which is a hard plastic. You might think that the Slim Armor series is a hard plastic, but the Tough Armor series actually does not bend like the Slim Armor does. This part, unfortunately, does scratch in time. I went ahead and took the liberty to scratch it with my keys, because often times I may have a few coins and perhaps my keys in my pocket. I did purposely carve my keys into my case, which hopefully you will not do under normal circumstances. The second part is the rubber or TPU inside, which gives it a very soft feeling to not scratch the phone as it sits inside the case. This inner shell is the majority of where your hand actually touches. It surrounds much of the sides, top, and bottom. If you have ever used the old school HTC phones, this is the exact type of TPU that prevents finger prints and gives it a really firm grip when you are holding the phone. The S7 is a very slippery phone without a case, which I am sure you know if you are looking for a case! This removes any worries that I truly have. Another difference between this and the Slim Armor is that there is no kickstand. After trying the Slim Armor, I do like the kickstand feature. Unfortunately, the kickstand did not make it to the Tough Armor series.
Overall, this is still my favorite Spigen product. The only "down" side is that I love the back of the S7, and I feel like the clear cases that Spigen carries can show off the back so much more. This case does not interfere with charging. The cutout ports are also very nicely done. There is no cutout for the sim card tray, but hopefully you are not taking that in and out often. The buttons feel clicky and responsive.
Straight out of the box the case is very attractive in coffee brown. The S7 fits in the holder perfectly and seems to be very secure. The magnetic clasp works well. All the cutouts are very generous. The overall look and feel are very nice and I am satisfied with my purchase with the following caveats:
VRS Design Wallet Folio Case
http://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-Design..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=028JFGRBSB4K0J2J85Y9
My particular case does not work with my wireless charger. If that is an issue avoid this case. Others can chime in if it's just me.
This will not replace a wallet completely. When you load up the case with cards and cash it does not sit well on the phone when closed. The three cards that I am am using don't sit that well either, but I feel they will be fine once the case is broken in a little more. Once broken in the front cover will have a curve to it for sure.
If you are the type not to use any screen protection, the case can potentially scratch the glass. The front flap has some give, so it will slide back and forth a bit. Also the edges of the cards come in direct contact with the screen.
A few stitches are not that tight. They have the potential to come loose with wear.
The "leather" has a few fine marks after a few hours in pocket. They are minor and hard to notice with a casual inspection. I am uncertain whether or not they will buff themselves out with wear or get worse. I will post a long term review at some point.
The front cover will press the home button while in pocket. There is a setting on the s7 to prevent this.
I know this sounds like a negative review, but I definitely do like the case. My logic when buying this case was that I would use it as a low profile wallet/case for occasions such as a night out or whenever I might want to minimize the bulk of carrying two items. If my caveats don't bother you too much than this may be the case for you.
If you have more cases , you can also add them into this thread
a lots of people contacted me about reviewing the cases , just simple contact the manufactory tell them what you can do for them,And you will have your answer
hey , i am going to add more reviews as i was contacted by some cases company , please add your review or tell me what you want to know
Spigen Wallet CASE
I really like this case. It's sleek and looks nice.
Pros
1. Phone fits snugly
2. Raised lips at top and bottom for extra protection
3. Look good
4. Holds up to 3 cards and easy to open
5. Buttons line up perfectly.
6. Double lining case for extra protection
Cons
1. Screen protector doesn't stay on due to tight fittings. (Solution: file down edges with file or scissors)
2. Card slot is very tight
3. Compared to my Onway case, this feels cheaper and more malleable.
4. Card slot could be a tad bigger.
Overall, it's a very nice case and I highly recommend it especially for someone who doesn't like carrying their wallet.
i am going to review a leather case , just trying to add more accurate description , let me know which case you want to know
any case that doesnt cover the buttons on the sides ?
dallasmanic said:
Otterbox Symmetery Case
I purchased the otterbox symmetry case in Eden teal. I wanted the floral pond design but it never seems to be in stock. The design on Eden teal is very cute. It reminds me somewhat of lilly Pulitzer or Vera Bradley designs. The case itself is fairly lightweight and a one piece construction. It Is hard plastic with a rubber lining and seal around the face.
The rubber lining around the face has a raised beveled edge. I'm not sure what the purpose of this is, but I do know it attracts dirt like crazy. Just a few moments in the pocket of my black pants and it picked up the color. It will probably continue to get dirty with use, but maybe regular wiping down with some alcohol or cleaner will help. It somewhat did today after I noticed the dye transfer. Also, the rubber seal has a little play.
The buttons are very firm but I hope they'll break in eventually. It's a little difficult to reach the mute switch, and I have very petite fingers. If you have large fingers, good luck!
I think it's pretty easy to get this case on and off. I didn't feel like I was gonna break my phone in two trying to get it off like my Speck Candyshell case.
I have a tempered glass screen protector on my phone and this case JUST BARELY clears it on the sides. It has plenty of room at the top and bottom.
I haven't dropped my phone yet to attest its protection. Then again, I really don't want to find out. Lol
I don't think this case was worth $40. Just seems a little steep for what it is. $25 is more reasonable. But hey, you pay for the name.
Overall, it's an okay case that hopefully provides more protection than you average run-of-the-mill snap on case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was this review just copied and pasted from an iPhone case review? Or does the S7 have a mute switch that I'm not aware of?
Relayers said:
any case that doesnt cover the buttons on the sides ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have not found yet