Hey there I figured this might be of some use to anybody wanting the ultimate "ruggedized" protection for their Note 3.
It is well-known that the added thickness of some tempered glass screen protectors will prevent some of the most rugged cases from being used (as is the case with Otterboxes apparently). So, should you be stuck with a cheap TPU case while having the best protection for your screen??! No!
The usual rule of thumb dictates that any case with hard plastic parts that snap together (front and back) will not work, alas if it covers too much of the phone's face. It cannot flex so it cannot clip closed. Futhermore, if it DOES close, it might put a lot of pressure on the phone or protector, as well as potentially make your protector lift. We don't want that.
There are, however, 2 rugged cases that you can use with glass protectors. I did the tests with a MIME USA Ghost glass (0.32mm thickness) so any protector of equal or inferior thickness will work.
1: Ballistic SG MAXX
2: Trident Case Kraken AMS
With Ballistic's case I'm pretty sure one would be able to fit one of the thicker protectors such as the regular Spigen (0.4mm), as you only have rubber corners going over the screen.
Hope this can help.
Sent from my SM900W8 Note 3 using xda-devs app. And my fingers.
Does a ruggedized case really give you that much extra protection or is it placebo effect? I've dropped my phone a bunch of times onto either my tile floor or garage asphalt/sidewalk and never had problems with screen or body damage- all without a "ballistic" type of case. In fact all I do is put a tempered glass protector on it and a bumper around the edges- because when you drop your device, it's usually those areas that are the vulnerable points.
Other than protecting the edges and front glass, why make a device thicker than it needs to be with a $50 case if the back cover itself is $5-$10 to replace?
I got this case yesterday and after two days am happy with it so far. It is a clear hard plastic case with TPU material on the front lip, corners, around all opening, and parts of the back. This is different than anything I have tried before, but it is a very nice case. Top quality manufactured and nice looking. It is stiff, but very easy to put the phone in. It takes a small amount of force to remove it, so the phone will not pop out easily if dropped. I'm using a Spigen Curved Crystal HD screen protector on the phone, there is no issues with this case and the protector. There is a bit of texture on the sides so it makes the case easy to hold onto without fear of it slipping out of your hands. This case is a great size, not a think and bulky one.
The only small thing I can say may be a negative is the clear hard plastic does show a few oily finger smudges, but wipes off very easily.
I highly recommend this case.
Just received this case in the mail today and had to get some pics of it right away. This is a very well made case. It is a TPU case with a hard plastic cover attached to the back of it. It has a nicely textured design on the back. The sides have a bit of a recess to make it easy to grip and good protection at the corners. All cutouts on top, bottom, and for camera are perfect. The hard plastic back has a slightly raised X shape for better strength. The case works great with the film screen protector that I am using. This case has a pretty square shape on the back sides, it doesn't show the tapered side edges of the phone do to how it's made. The inside is fitted to the edges though. When the phone is resting on the back you can make it wobble, this is do to the raised Poetic "P" emblem that is raised. My Samsung wireless fast charger works well with this case too.The Poetic brand of cases seem to be very well made, with what appears to be great protection in thinner designs, while being stylish and a decent price. This is my second Poetic case as I have their Affinity also.
The trouble is that while the bottom and sides provides a nice grip, the top glass bevel edge protrudes over the side edge of the Spigen case.
Thus, unlike some other cases of my other phones, placing the phone face down (or even a mild drop from 1 inch height) causes the glass to touch hard surface.
Apart from full Otterbox, is there a rubber or silicone skin that would also provide a small lip OVER the glass face, not a complete 2nd screen protector or skin completely over the front glass ?
I have the Spigen Rugged Armor case. On the top and bottom of the phone, there is a lip so that if you lay the phone face down, it's being supported by those two lips. This is much like any case you'd find on a Galaxy S7 Edge.
I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid and the Liquid Crystal and both have a lip at the top and bottom that keeps the screen off the surface when you lay it screen down.
I have a Spigen Hybrid. Sides of the case allow me to use the phone's edges, but it has a lip at the top and bottom, that even with a glass protector on gives me enough clearance to place the phone on the table face down. And I do this all the time, as when you place the phone face down on a surface, the proximity sensor shuts down the screen until you lift the phone back up again.
I've always loved Spigen cases. But all of their V30 cases have reduced profiles on the front sides, I'm assuming due to the curved glass. Since the V30 doesn't have active edges (like the S8), I fail to see the benefit other than aesthetic. And of course there is less edge to help protect the screen in a fall. A lot of the V30 cases are designed this way, but not all of them. I'm using the Tech21 Evo Check, which has a raised lip all around the screen.
Spigen Rugged Armor case has lips to prevent screen from touching surfaces when placed face down. It is a really good case. Only drawback for me, which might be for cases in general for the V30, is the fact that any dust from your pocket will sit inside the lip at the bottom of the case.
This might just be mine but I've also found that there is a tiny slit at the bottom of the phone where dust and dirt can get into, its visible as well, makes the phone luck yucky at the bottom.
I'm at work now but will try and post a picture of what I mean later on.
I cant find a good case for ROG 3 on flipkart of Amazon. Which case are you guys using? where did you buy it from??
I am using Lighting Armor case as I need to use the air trigger. If you do not care for the function of air triggers (dual & slide), can get IMAK case from aliexpress.
I'm also using the lighting armour , I like it ok it drains power but I still like it
I am using the average tpu case that is available for rog 3, i had to make cut out for the side mounted type c ports though
I'm using this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001345047036.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.5d6e4c4d4DwYCq
It's not perfect, but provides enough all around protection, the cutouts are in place.
The included tempered glass screen protector is of good quality, but the black border covers a few pixels on the sides.
It's pretty cheap, I can recommend buying it to protect your ROG Phone 3 - as I said, it's not perfect, but good enough.
Using this one with a tempered glass in the front and a silicon film in the back
I have ordered this IMAK transparent black TPU case with extra corner shock-proofing along with these IMAK clear soft hydrogel films for front & back protection.
Hopefully shipment arriving to me by early next month.
Used to use the lighting armor case until the slippery uncovered aluminium side caused me to drop the phone yesterday, now the phone has a dent on the top right corner of the frame. Lighting armor has the best look of all the cases out there. Now using Zshow case which should prevent it from hitting the screen flat down if I ever drop it again. I'm lucky the phone didn't fall face down with the lighting armor case which would have guaranteed a cracked screen.
I have the imak tpu case too but it cause the tempered glass to lift.
Besides the tempered glass being lifted issue, what's your experience/ feedback regarding your IMAK TPU case (is it with extra corner protection)?
Imak case is quite loose around the air triggers, power button, volume button and side port. Top 4 corner airbags are the problems as they can be depressed quite easily and this cause the screen protector to lift up. You will know when you hold the phone on your right hand with your palm resting with the bottom right corner for support, and this can cause the screen protector to lift.
I'm getting the hydrogel film screen protectors - Hoping that screen lift is not an issue.....
What's your experience or opinion regarding the general damage/ drop protection with this case?
Quality, overall fitting & feel?
It will protect if dropping on the corners as well as face down. However dropping on the back might be a problem because the camera lens are protuting out (although the case cover the camera lens). Placing the phone on the table will also result in wobbly phone when using.
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Quality, would say it is better than those generic cheap tpu case (which has worse fit than imak), feel wise, it is slippery on the back.
I just received this: Foluu ROG Phone 3 Case through Amazon. £6.71. To hold it without the phone it doesn't feel great and whilst over the standard case it comes with its bulkier I feel so much safer knowing my camera wont get scratched when I put the phone down. It also raises of the front screen by a minuet amount so there is a bump as you move your finger about. I'd rather that than a nasty scratch though so happy with it.
Air trigger holes and extra power connector cut out too as well as on the back a nice design
punchuk said:
I just received this: Foluu ROG Phone 3 Case through Amazon. £6.71. To hold it without the phone it doesn't feel great and whilst over the standard case it comes with its bulkier I feel so much safer knowing my camera wont get scratched when I put the phone down. It also raises of the front screen by a minuet amount so there is a bump as you move your finger about. I'd rather that than a nasty scratch though so happy with it.
Air trigger holes and extra power connector cut out too as well as on the back a nice design
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It covers the side? The picture on amazon looks like it is an open side design. I don't see slapping that case will provide a good grip.
lornranger said:
Imak case is quite loose around the air triggers, power button, volume button and side port. Top 4 corner airbags are the problems as they can be depressed quite easily and this cause the screen protector to lift up. You will know when you hold the phone on your right hand with your palm resting with the bottom right corner for support, and this can cause the screen protector to lift.
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Hi mate i suggest to use Asus Antibatteric screen protector It has and awesome response and great oleophobic protection.
Davisk8 said:
Hi mate i suggest to use Asus Antibatteric screen protector It has and awesome response and great oleophobic protection.
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I am using Asus Original Screen Protector without antibacterial coating. The antibacterial protector is not available in my country. Great protector, no blocking of edge unlike the cheap china protector which has thick black borders and block the edges of the display.
punchuk said:
I just received this: Foluu ROG Phone 3 Case through Amazon. £6.71. To hold it without the phone it doesn't feel great and whilst over the standard case it comes with its bulkier I feel so much safer knowing my camera wont get scratched when I put the phone down. It also raises of the front screen by a minuet amount so there is a bump as you move your finger about. I'd rather that than a nasty scratch though so happy with it.
Air trigger holes and extra power connector cut out too as well as on the back a nice design
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Click to collapse
Thanks for this, I did think about getting this over.
I'm using the magnetic flip case which is great, but no front lip so don't drop the thing like I did, broke my display as the screen protector didn't quite cover all of it and a tiny stone hit the outer edge.
Not the end though as I've bought another, and will get it repaired under insurance consider it a lesson learned.
￡2.32 23%OFF | Safety protective Glass for Asus Rog Phone 3 ZS661KS Oleophobic Screen Protector For ROG Phone 3 Strix Tempered Glass Film
https://a.aliexpress.com/_B0aeTT
This was with the rog case which in all honesty shouldn't come with it.
This is the protector, don't bother with it, I've another coming that has smooth edges, looks decent so will see.
Turns out the one I've ordered might be the same Asus sells.
￡1.59 | For Asus ROG Phone 3 Phone3 ZS661KS / Strix 6.59" 21D 9D Full Glue Cover Toughened Tempered Glass Film Screen Protector Guard
https://a.aliexpress.com/_B0iH9b
the lighting case but I installed a diy wireless charger because I have so many already laying around
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elmor0 said:
I have ordered this IMAK transparent black TPU case with extra corner shock-proofing along with these IMAK clear soft hydrogel films for front & back protection.
Hopefully shipment arriving to me by early next month.
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FEEDBACK
Took about 5 weeks to arrive (from China).
This IMAK case is good build quality and fit over all, could have been a bit more snug - the extra corner padding does not make it look slick, and I am not sure if it is worth it on balance.
There is a 2 mm lip all around the front panel to help with screen protection.
Cut-outs are spot on - including for air-triggers/ 3 mics/ heat vent/ side USB ports. No cut-out for SIM-tray though but it's better this way.
Camera module is fairly well protected.
No issues with air-trigger related squeeze gestures.
The Hydrogel clear gel screen protector had a ?extra notch cut-out just left of the front camera (?? why) but otherwise the rest of the dimensions were spot on. It came as a set of x2 in one pack, which was a nice surprise. Included a helpful set of instructions/ link to video.
I preferred it to be short by about 1 mm all around the edges to minimise the risk of "lift" when the case is compressed in pockets/ when using the squeeze gestures etc.
The touch feel is smooth and has a good response. Visibility through this screen film is fine; no glare issues. I prefer these type of gel screen protectors to glass.
Has anyone come across a case that doesn't need to be removed when connecting to the accessories (eg Twinview, Mobile Desktop Dock)?