Hello everyone,
I'm here again for a case review. This time, my curiosity got tickled by Carved and their Traveler line of phone cases.
As I wrote in my previous review (about the MOUS - Limitless 5.0), I've already got opportunity to experience their Live Edge line, which is more expensive and has some cons that I wanted to avoid with my new S23 Ultra.
What I like with Carved is that they pay attention to details, and it begins by the packaging, with their textured cardboard boxes magnet-closed. Looks great, feels great, and once you open it, you'll find your case in a little hand-made fabric bag. And like their One of 1 mantra, these bags are as unique as their cases (I didn't thought about taking pictures of that, but I'll add them later).
But back onto the main topic: the case!
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Can't say how much I'm delighted by the colours. Pictures aren't doing justice to it, and natural light is bringing the best out of the pigments used in their resin work.
The wood panel itself is pretty thin (under 3mm) but feels sturdy enough and you can choose the option to embed a MagSafe upgrade to it (additional cost of 6$ on your order).
The rubber case itself feels good, is pretty thin, but the textured sides provide some grip to it (more classic than MOUS' approach on the topic, but still effective).
The inside of the case is covered by a thin layer of felt to protect your phone's back panel from scratch. Unfortunately, the lips of the rubber shouldn't be preventing your phone to be heavily damaged if it falls flat, as they are having a low profile when you compare it to the competitors in the case market. On the other hand, Carved does warn about the point that their cases are more on the "work of art" side than the protective one. Soooo... If you're a little clumsy and are looking for something safer to use, maybe you should look for an other brand.
As you can see on the last picture, uploaded above this sentence, that Carved doesn't really went for the hollow design I like so much on the S-Pen hole, but it's not a mood-killer, just a little less comfortable to use (IMO).
With a little more than a month of use with this case, I can tell that is you're a careful person looking for some originality in term of design, Carved is providing what you're craving for. With a generous designs choices to pick from, regular new ones hitting their online shelves and the fact that every case sold is a unique piece (you will never end in the situation where your best friend is wearing the same outfit as you and have to battle to death to know who's the right to keep it for the day, but case-wise), the Elkhart shop provides solid options for your S23 Ultra.
I avoided the topic until the end, but let's look at it now: base price for this case type is 59$, the MagSafe upgrade is 5.99$, the shipping to Europe is 16.45$ (48.25$ if you take express worldwide shipping with UPS), and if you add to that the customs (only for standard shipping)... Well, you end up with a case flirting with the 90$ (Live Edge ones will end up around 200$, for information). If you're up to spend that money on a single case, or not, is definitely a big point to consider here.
On my side, I can tell that I'm happy with this case so far and would recommend it to anyone ticking the boxes mentioned above.
PROS
Unique
Great attention to details
Beautiful craftsmanship
Shipping is fast
CONS
Can become quite pricey (depending on your location)
Not as secure as most of the competitors on the case market
Unique also means that you might miss some designs for which you could have gotten a "love at first sight" situation
To check Carved's cases for Samsung S23 Ultra:
Traveler cases
Live Edge cases
How effective is the MagSafe ring in your case? I own one of their Traveler cases for an iPhone 14 Pro Max and the MagSafe is very effective. But I've heard mixed reports of MagSafe with the S-series Traveler cases.
skriefal said:
How effective is the MagSafe ring in your case? I own one of their Traveler cases for an iPhone 14 Pro Max and the MagSafe is very effective. But I've heard mixed reports of MagSafe with the S-series Traveler cases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing wrong on my side with it.
Related
With a plethora of cases available for the new AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note the decision on which case to buy can be a tough one. This review takes a look at Cimo Technologies' Matte Finish TPU Case.
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Packaging:
Cimo presents the case in a dazzle free fair. The case is delivered in a simple plastic wrapping with the all to familiar cardboard cutout of a Note sitting in it. I don't think extravagant packing is needed for a case, and in theory, the less they spend on the packaging, the less the consumer pays for the product.
Aesthetics and Construction:
The case is made up of two layers: a high gloss black 'upper' that surrounds the top portion of the case and circles the screen and a matte 'lower' that protects the lower half and back of the phone. The material feels durable and does provide some texture that the nude Note doesn't have. The case extends over the lip around the phone and extends a touch above the screen for protection. Installation is a breeze. The case fits well on the Note and has very little play- something hard cases often can't offer. The ports are accessible and the cutouts for the S-pen, speaker, camera, and flash are lined up well.
The one drawback is that like most other TPU cases there are 'tags' left on this case that are left from when the case was molded. These do protrude from the case more than what I would have liked, but can easily be removed with a blade.
Overall Function:
First and foremost a case is there to protect the phone, and with my experience so far I think this case will perform well. There looks to be a good balance between thickness and protection which is a plus since no one wants to add too much bulk to their phones. The raised edge allows those who don't have a screen protector to set the phone face down and have a little extra security that the screen will be unharmed.
Unfortunately, this case is still a little too thick on the bottom to allow successful function with the Samsung Desktop Dock. Although the phone will sit in the cradle, the USB plug cannot span the extra distance the case puts between it and the port.
Verdict:
I've used quite a bit of TPU cases on my devices in the past and generally the experience has been a mixed bag. Cimo's offering, on the other hand, seems like a well made worthy choice. It's minimal heft, good fit, solid protection, and fingerprint resistant matte finish makes a strong case to be your next purchase
Gallery:
I actually have been using a tpu case from them also, same look just glossy black. They are great fiting tpu cases. I have a friend buying one for his nexus now also. I would recommend them for sure.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Looks like the case covers half of the speaker on the back of the device judging by one of the pics you've posted here.
Pandemoniumone said:
Looks like the case covers half of the speaker on the back of the device judging by one of the pics you've posted here.
Click to expand...
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Yes, I noticed that pic looked funny. I was swapping a few cases at the time and must not have got the case on perfectly when that pic was shot. When installed right the speaker is not obscured (although the cut out is a touch oversized).
Thanks for pointing that out.
Before I begin - yes, I know I'm being ultra-picky. I'm still looking for the "perfect" case, or as close to it as I can get. I don't have a dock so I'm not distinguishing those which also cover that, and I'm not counting sleeves. Despite finding hundreds of cases on Amazon and eBay, it appears there are only a few different types - with slight variations.
Here's what I found, with my $.02 below...
Silicone
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Won't protect the screen
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Asus origami front cover
Horrible reviews, won't stay closed
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360-degree, velcro or snap mechanism
Bulky
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Another type of 360-degree case
Bulky
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Tab-style folding mechanism
Keeps slipping out of tab in nearly-flat mode
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Folio with kickstand
Bulky
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Three-position stand
Had one, returned it - the hard clip that holds the
cover to the device hits the screen before slipping over
the edge. It will likely scratch the screen eventually
or cause wear on that edge.
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Multi-angle stand
Stand not stable, don't like material covering the bezel
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Triangle-fold
don't like material covering the bezel
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Flap style, no stand
No stand
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Sikai leather/plastic
Not bad, plastic/leather combination is ugly
I know there is a member here working on a plastic back case that looks promising, but I don't think that will be available any time soon. Have I missed anything else?
Let me know!
swordsman74 said:
I know there is a member here working on a plastic back case that looks promising, but I don't think that will be available any time soon. Have I missed anything else?
Let me know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BobJ is coming out with a silicone case, that works great! (I have a prototype, and he's told me the changes he's implementing, some of which I had recommended)
He's very conscientious about making quality cases, as is obvious from his Amazon reviews on the BobJ Toshiba Thrive cases he sells.
No, it doesn't cover or protect the screen, but if you feel the gorilla glass is sufficient, or if you don't and get a screen protector, it should be an issue.
All ports and openings will be accessible, and it provides excellent protection to the device.
Should be available in one to two weeks, hopefully.
You can go to www.bobjgear.com to check out what they'll look like.
swordsman74 said:
I know there is a member here working on a plastic back case that looks promising, but I don't think that will be available any time soon. Have I missed anything else?
Let me know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are 2 that I know of:
Sikai also makes a Microfiber case that is available on ebay. its essentially a tri fold covering the bevel but made out of microfiber.
great reviews from people on this board, but to me the way the stitching sticks out on each side is a deal breaker. and there is no way it wont start to stretch out and eventually the prime will have room to wiggle inside.
the Noreve high end leather case.
http://www.noreve.com/langue/en/pro...ormer_Prime_TF201_Tradition_leather_case.html
its a three position case made of high end materials that seems to deserve its own category. only issue is the price, which matches the high end materials.
its a shame marware hasnt come out with their 3 position case for the Prime. great materials, the bottom corner clips are felt on the inside so tbey dont scratch the screen and its half the price of the Noreve (based on ipad prices).
BBKB1217 said:
there are 2 that I know of:
Sikai also makes a Microfiber case that is available on ebay. its essentially a tri fold covering the bevel but made out of microfiber.
great reviews from people on this board, but to me the way the stitching sticks out on each side is a deal breaker. and there is no way it wont start to stretch out and eventually the prime will have room to wiggle inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using the Sikai Microfiber style case for a few months now and it hasn't stretched out at all. The material the case is made from isn't stretchy, it is a firm synthetic material similar to the material used in Apple's iPad Smartcover.
The seams are heat sealed as well as stitched. The edges are slightly flexible and are very comfortable in your hand, much nicer than the Prime's somewhat sharp edges.
If you are looking for a thin and light case to protect your Prime, it is one of the best ones available right now.
I’ve grab ahold of these three Galaxy Note 3 cases from Poetic, all reasonably priced on Amazon, and I thought it’ll be a good opportunity to do a round-up of sorts. All these cases have different features and makes sense in different situations. Why did I get so many cases? I guess I’m a bit of a case junkie. Without further ado, let’s look at this line-up.
First, we have the Palette. This is the slimmest and most minimalistic case of the lot. This case simply covers the back and side of the Note 3, leaving the top and bottom exposed. You’re not going to get comprehensive protection against drops here. Instead, the Palette shields against buffs and scratches to the leather-like back of the Note 3, while adding a lay-on-table lip to the front screen. In addition, the case’s soft rubberized surface adds a degree of grip to your phone. Easy to snap on and take off.
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Next, we have a wallet-cover case in the SlimBook. I’m really liking the look of this leather-like case. Clean stitching and stiff leather gives this case a business-like quality. The cover closes with a snap via a magnetic clasp. On the inside of the cover, there are 3 card slots available, as well as a pocket for bills. Adding credit cards to the case does add a bit of thickness, so it’s up to you whether you want to use the case as an all-in-one holder of your essentials. Overall, a handsome case.
Lastly, there is the Strapback, a leather case which boasts a built-in stand. The grain leather cover feels satisfyingly plushy. It’s not the best quality leather,but there is a suppleness here that I enjoy. The cover snaps on tightly with a slightly hooked clasp. The back is slightly cutout so you can pulls the case forward to form a stand as seen in the pictures below. I found this stand configuration to be easier to use than normal kickstands.
Overall, I liked the Strapback the most from the three cases. The hard back along with thick leather material should do well in drop protection, and I like the added function of the stand over the SlimBook’s card and cash slots. But I will also use the Palette often as well because it’s so much slimmer and lighter than the other two.
You can find the rest on the photos I took of these cases in the following albums. Thank you for reading!
Palette for Samsung Note 3
http://imgur.com/a/jODdc#0
Slimbook for Samsung Note 3
http://imgur.com/a/IpBLq#0
Strapback for Samsung Galaxy Note 3
http://imgur.com/a/Dc4SX#0
Amazon links, each currently available for $0.01 plus shipping a piece:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EXA6WUA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ELUXBAQ
http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Strapb...r-Warranty/dp/B00E3FHYSO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_cps_2
$0.01/ea? Is this for real?
Well well well, hard to choose... the Palette looks way cool
SlimBook is quite efficient in both functionality and practical.
Protection-wise, looks like the Strapback do offer the best armor and feel for the Galaxy Note 3 all together. For this price I think I will get all three of them, plus my favorite Starbucks venti Mocha AND $.99 favorite songs from itune and still way below budget. THANK YOU for the review! This is indeed a great deal!:good:
Let me introduce to you my absolute favorite case, not just for the S8, but for many Smartphones that I have owned over the years. Long before I became a fan of these cases I was in love with the (UAG) Urban Armor Gear cases, that was until they didn't support a new smartphone that I had purchased. Like many of you I went out seeking a case that I liked, often buying a dozen cases or more since they were relatively cheap and easy to return thanks to Amazon, but once I found this gem I knew my search was over.
Supcase is now the first brand I go to for a case whenever I get a new smartphone and I was devastated when they didn't make one for my HTC 10 so I was forced to pay more for a similar product, Incipio's Octane case. The main reasons for me choosing this case over other similar cases are the look and feel, but the price is very nice as well. Compared to other similar cases I find the grip to be perfect and it doesn't grip to your pocket either. It seemingly adds no bulk (probably the thickness of a nickel on both sides and back) and it literally kept me from taking my S8 back and exchanging it for the S8+ due to it feeling too skinny in my hand. With this case on it has a very ergonomic feel and fits perfect!
The buttons are not any more or less responsive than a naked S8 and are easily found... and so is the horrible Bixby button unfortunately lol. This is a hybrid-type case with the edges around the case consisting of a very durable shock-absorbing TPU that is molded to a hard polycarbonate backing. Drop protection is excellent and exceeds military shock standards which comes at no surprise. It has raised edges to protect your screen when placed on a flat surface and the cutouts are sizeable enough to fit any plug you may have.
Overall it's a very good case.
http://a.co/5ldVaTJ (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHFP7P3)
EDIT: Just to clarify on the thickness because some people say it 'looks' bulky... It only adds roughly 2mm of thickness to the sides. Of course the corners are roughly 4mm, but that's where you want more protection anyway. This is FAR from a bulky case IMO. For those in the states, like myself, 2mm is almost halfway between 1/8th and 1/16 of an inch.
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Look bulky but i am sure it protects. How much u got it?
Tiongkia said:
Look bulky but i am sure it protects. How much u got it?
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It's not bulky at all. Don't knock it til you try it. As I said in my review it only adds about the thickness of a nickel to the sides. It's only $12.99 on Amazon.
EDIT: I just measured the thickness and it's halfway between 1/8th and 1/16th of an inch or approximately 2mm of thickness that is added to the sides.
This is always what I start with as my go to case also. It may not look the best but the in hand feel and grip is perfect. Wish they had a clear back version.
allklrnoflr said:
This is always what I start with as my go to case also. It may not look the best but the in hand feel and grip is perfect. Wish they had a clear back version.
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Click to collapse
They do, but the style is different I personally don't mind the frosted back and it's not a fingerprint magnet like the clear cases which would arguably look worse lol. It also does a great job covering up any scuffs and scratches that happen over time... something the clear ones simply can't do.
I have been a noreve customer for sereral years, having noreve cases for the e-reader Sony PRS-T1, Sony Xperia Pro, HTC One M8, and now the Nokia 7 plus (mine is a TA-1046).
https://www.noreve.com
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If you are looking for a light and thin case, go away, this is certainly not for you. This case is heavy and thick. Heavy as same weight as the phone. Thick as almost three times the thickness of the phone. If you are vegan, go away, this is leather. If you are still reading this, I can tell you it really protects the phone, allows you to "carelessly" put it in a bag, is very elegant, and will last longer than the device itself.
Before talking about price, let me explain my point of view on "expensive vs lot of money": let's say someone sells you a Ferrari, in perfect condition, $1000. This is cheap, but this is also a lot of money. Now, let's say someone sells you a used pen for $5. This is very expensive, but this is not that a lot of money.
That said, the case costs a lot of money, but IMHO, it is not that expensive. Price starts at about $50 ($49.04), then it depends on options and leather you chose, where it can almost rise up to 4 times that price. Which is (or "could be percieved as") ridiculous compared to the price of the phone.
I would not have taken anything than the standard black finish, which is very nice (remember I had other cases for other devices), if it had not been a gift. I have the "tentation tropézienne" "blu marino" model.
Packaging:
It comes in a pouch, and the pouch inside a rigid box. Useless, but very nice. It took three weeks after ordering to get it, but my previous purchases were fast. This is due to custom manufacturing. All non-standard leathers are not in stock and made on-demand. You are warned before ordering, with a pretty correct estimation of delivery date. In my case it was spot-on, but for someone I know, it was two weeks off (non-standard leather also).
Feel and fit:
Once iserted in the case, the phone fits tight and won't escape. You will have to remove the phone from the case if you need access to SD/SIM tray. I had to, and it is not that easy to remove the phone. Like with my previous devices, after a few times it becomes easier, but will not become loose.
Design:
Looks like an agenda or some kind of small notebook. Being a "wallet flap" as they call it, it opens like a book. For the Xperia Pro and the M8 I had the vertical flap, I wanted a change. What I can say is it seems more practical for taking pictures, at least for me. The flap has pockets that can hold small papers or credit cards.
As I told in previous section, SD/SIM tray can only be reached by removing the phone from the case. All other buttons and connectors are accessible.
Even if the phoneis almost completely covered, you can still see the copper finish.
Cuts for camera and flash are ok. For the fingerprint sensor, the case being very thick, you have to get used to it, especially, if like me, you had the phone for several weeks with the standard case. It remains completely functional and reachable without much effort.
Conclusion TL;DR:
It might not be a practical choice for everyone, being thick and relatively heavy. But if you like good-looking stuff, a bit "vintage", very protective cases, and if its price is not a no-go, this might be your choice as well. At least it is mine.