I bought one of these in white and it's a soft silicone rubber. The color is a somewhat transparent white, think of very watered down milk. I imagine it will be a bit of a pain going in-n-out of jeans pockets as it's soft and grippy and I imagine it will come off the phone rather easily during the process. I haven't tried it with jeans yet, but that's my impression. The case does come up and over the edge of the glass screen, so the screen is protected somewhat when the phone is placed face down on a flat surface. I don't think I'd recommend it, but it was less than $2.
P.S. Well it goes in-n-out of pockets ok, but the way the on/off and volume buttons are configured on this case, makes them far to easy to accidentally get pressed.
I also bought one of these in white, and it's a nice firm but flexible, TPU material. The color is a true white and fully opaque. It fits the phone nicely, and the holes all line up well. There may be a problem with the Headphone jack, as the hole is the same size as the hole in the phone and the plug may not fully seat, though the cheap headphones I have here at my office worked fine. Also it is somewhat evident where the mold comes together as there is a little bit of flash at the seam. The case does come up and over the edge of the glass screen, so the screen is protected somewhat when the phone is placed face down on a flat surface. All in all a pretty nice case for $4.
I also got a clear S-Line type TPU case from this guy for $1.99 delivered. Both form and function are just fine. It's a bit thicker than the other two, Has some grippy texture along the sides of the long edges. All in all another decent option.
Well I got 2 Mercury Jelly cases from this guy on ebay, not bad for $7.88 each delivered, but I did find them just a little cheaper the other day. The cases are nice, I got 1 white and 1 black. The white case is a bit of a warm white, not cool and bright. The black case is a deep dark black, and it shows finger prints very easily. All the openings line-up well and they seem just a bit over-sized, this will make plugging in the micro USB, and headphone plug simple and they're sure to get fully inserted without any interference from the case. There is a little flash from the molding process present, but nothing crazy. Nice cases, but I'm not sure they're worth nearly twice the price of the second case mentioned in my first post, which really is very similar to these.
Barry (NJ) said:
Well I got 2 Mercury Jelly cases from this guy on ebay, not bad for $7.88, but I did find them just a little cheaper the other day. The cases are nice, I got 1 white and 1 black. The white case is a bit of a warm white, not cool and bright. The black case is a deep dark black, and it shows finger prints very easily. All the openings line-up well and they seem just a bit over-sized, this will make plugging in the micro USB, and headphone plug simple and they're sure to get fully inserted without any interference from the case. There is a little flash from the molding process present, but nothing crazy. Nice cases, but I'm not sure they're worth nearly twice the price of the second case mentioned in my first post, which really is very similar to these.
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Thanks I ordered one black and white a couple of days ago. Thanks for the review.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr! ;-)
OK, new case arrived today. This Plastic Case/Holster/Kickstand, for under $9 delivered, is of decent quality with a nice satin texture and feel. The snap-on back cover is typical of the plastic snap-on hard covers, in that the top and bottom ends of the phone are not really covered. It goes on and off the phone securely but without any difficulty. The holster will accommodate the Note in a basic TPU case as well as the delivered hard case, and probably other hard snap-on backs as well. The phone can go into the holster either face-in for protection, or face-out so the holster can function as a stand for watching movies etc. Not sure I'd recommend the holster for someone who is very active though. When I hold it with the unclipped side down, and give it a good shake, the phone will begin to slide out of the holster, but for regular walking around I think you're plenty safe. Over all a nice buy for the $
Another new case arrived today. This time a basic S-Line style TPU case in white (a nice bright crisp white), $2.95 delivered. This one is different from the clear S-Line I purchased earlier, it's a bit thinner, and the mold seems a little sharper, more defined. Installation and removal is firm, but not difficult, and the overall fit is nice and snug. All the openings clear the ports, but some of them aren't centered well (camera lense, flash, S-Pen), and that lowers the sense of quality of the case. Over all a nice buy for $2.95
So I picked up 3 of the Cruzer Lite Androidified cases from Amazon. They are running a promotion so the 3 cases cost me $19.80 or $6.60 each I got white, yellow, and clear green. The clear green is probably the coolest looking, as Andi really pops nicely. The yellow is a bit drab, kind of NYC Taxi yellow, not as bright as I'd hoped, the white is also not a bright white but a bit warm in tone. These are probably the tightest fitting TPU cases I've gotten so far. I'm not worried about damaging anything taking them on or off, but they're very snug fitting. They come up and over the screen glass slightly so offer that protection. I also like the fact that there is an extra little bit of TPU over the one corner that many cases leave fully open for an antenna on some versions of the note, offering 4 corner drop protection. The only criticism I can offer is that in general, the openings don't line-up perfectly. Nothing is blocked, but the buttons/ports aren't centered in the openings. A small quibble, true, but for a case that lists for $19.99 I'd expect better.
Well, I've got an update on the Mercury case. The inevitable has happened, my Note slipped from my hand while I was getting into my car and it hit the pavement. Of course, the first part to touch the asphalt was the corner that is open for the antenna on the Euro Notes. The damage isn't bad, not even visible with the case on it, but there is a small scratch/ding in the plastic bezel that surrounds the screen and a small scratch on the chrome where it meets the bezel, so I may stop using the Mercury case. It's a shame, because the Mercury has, in my opinion, the highest quality look and feel of all the TPU cases I've tried.
Just ordered it tonight and will post pictures when I finally get it. That was my favorite case, with the standard battery, for my s4 when I had it. Slim, rubber inside, hard shell outside, rubber ribs for grip and anti slide on the back. It never interfered with a tempered glass screen protector, as long as you installed it perfectly centered in accordance with the edges of the frame, not the home button. It's on sale, this weekend, and I'm guessing until cyber Monday, for five dollars off and free shipping via USPS. http://www.speckproducts.com/smartphone-cases/samsung/candyshell-grip-for-samsung-galaxy-note-3.html
Nice find. I like Speck. They make quality stuff.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
Never used a speck case before I like the design ..how does it. Compare to a uag or otterbox commuter in terms of size/protection?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
It's similar to a UAG in terms of protection. One layer silicone inside lining, attached to the plastic exterior.
Different then a commuter with a wrap around silicone lining with a separate exterior hard lining
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
It's smaller than the commuter. When you install or remove it, the case is all one piece. The layers don't come off. Easy to put on or take off. Shouldn't need reaming mod for most headphones. Won't slide when placed on a surface back down. Good amount of lip protecting the screen and camera. The rubber layer is slightly harder density than rubber on otterbox.
Def glad to see it out for the Note3. I plan on ordering this when 12am hits for cyber monday from the Speck website. Just wish they had the white and black version like they usually do.
I had a Speck candyshell (non-grip) for the iPhone 5s and loved it. It was hot pink and white but it was only $5. Not digging the Spigen Neo Hybrid because its way to slippery for a phone this big. The issue I see here is that it's $40.
Edit: Speck has a holiday deal knocking the price down to $35.
Edit 2: The case is now $30 after 25% off.
I love my tech 21 for my note 3, but would be interested in the Speck. I like the candyshell over the Candyshell grip though
Looks like black is out of stock.
Sent from my vzw note 3
Glad I ordered mine before making this post. Hopefully I'll get it before Friday. I'll post pics when I get it. Lots of close ups so you all can see the details.
Previous reply was rejected. I'm not going to type out all that again. My pictures and a video turned out crappy and out of focus. Long story short. This case protects better than just tpu but less than otterbox defender. It's slender and fits snug. The same quality you can expect if you've ever owned a speck case before. Grip ribs help with sliding but won't make it an effort to get out of a pocket like a glossy tpu or silicone case. Quality of build and function I give it five out of five. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for. This case will definitely be my daily driver!
gcforreal said:
Never used a speck case before I like the design ..how does it. Compare to a uag or otterbox commuter in terms of size/protection?
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
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Tight fit!
They are better at excluding dust than any other case in my experience. If they used a plug to cover the USB/earphone jack openings they would be better than anything else out there for this kind of protection.
That's a good thing too as being harder to put on and take off means intrusive dust could potentially grind on the finish, etc.
Bad news for battery swappers though.
Protection is good, you can literally toss it at a brick wall repeatedly and not worry about damage or even the case coming off in between throws. The grip is also far better at not showing wear/scratches from sitting on tables, etc. like the normal version. The high gloss back of the normal version will reveal marring/scuffing of sitting on tables, countertops, etc. in relatively short order.
Bulk-wise they fall in between a minimalistic TPU (Diztronic, Bounce, Tudia, etc.) and UAG with protection on par with UAG.
Its asking price is fair for the quality received.
Just got mine today and fitment, quality, etc. is identical to past Speck products.
The buttons are covered, retain their clicky tactile feel and are no more difficult to depress than the naked phone! Fit is very snug, have not tried to take it off. It feels identical in hand to the candyshell grip that I use on my HTC one. It adds very little thickness, very similar to a TPU with far better drop protection. Even with a TPU I cringe if the phone slips, no worries here. Cutouts are well aligned and very tight. The S-pen cutout is quite tight requiring a fingernail to pull it out.
The camera is recessed sufficiently to prevent issues with setting down/dropping back first on a hard surface. The overall feel is it's well thought out and does not look thrown together like some other cases that were rushed to production. Worth the $$$ and I got another five bucks off ($30 total) by using a CNET coupon code. I always Google for codes when I see it on a website at checkout. Not sure if it's still valid and the black grip is OOS now...
Amazon doesn't even have this case (yet) and to get it for $10 off is a no-brainer!
Its a nice case i love the way the button, might have the best feedback but this case is worthless, within a few hours scratches will start to form and by the 2nd week you already want to replace because of the scratches. The darker the case the faster the scrtches will appear
I didn't notice scratches with my s4 and I had the case for months. Even so, it's better for the case to get scratches than the phone.
oscarthegrouch said:
I didn't notice scratches with my s4 and I had the case for months. Even so, it's better for the case to get scratches than the phone.
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then you must carry it in a cloth because everyone knows specks cases scratch within like 1 day like they've been in a warzone. they are great cases but they don't keep the look.
$40 for that? Ouch. Looks like it should be $19.99 to me.
Yeah I keep mine in my pocket with nothing else in that pocket.
I never liked the Speck Candyshells. They scratch up like it's no one's business. They do look real good when you take it out of the package though.
Best thing is that they will replace their cases without any questions asked
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
This is only my second time posting a review like this (first was last year for the Note 2), and would just like to take some time putting together a review that I hope will help some people make a decision if they are undecided between some of the available cases.
After scouring the internet back in December I narrowed my choices down to four potential cases. I wanted to give each a fair shake, so purchased all four and have been trying each one out since then - used each case for a full 7 to 10 days at a time over a 5+ week period.
Disclosure:
I will say that I am an individual who values a case that offers more than just minimal protection. Spending $800+ CDN for a phone each year, I want to maximize the likelihood that it will last without needing replacement - even though I am extremely careful.
With that said, I also really like portability and value the aesthetically pleasing appearance of a device with case.
My previous device from last year (Note 2) was fitted with an Otterbox Commuter first, but then I decided to opt for the OEM Samsung snap on case (lightweight, minimal protection) that sold for about $20 CDN.
Before I get into the cases, a bit about the screen protector...
I am a proponent of screen protectors (as long as it does not feel too tacky to the touch) and from day one settled on the Spigen GLAS.tR Slim Tempered Glass protector for the Note 3. Spent a good few hours comparing different options and after purchasing a handful of different protectors prior, was just not wowed by any of them so gave the GLAS.tR from Spigen a go, and wow was it amazing. It may be possible that other companies offer similar (if not identical) glass protectors, but I was happy with this one. It was $39.99 CDN, but I believe there are some of the more cost effective brands that have similar tempered glass protectors as well.
On to the cases...
1. Spigen Neo Hybrid -- $35 CDN
Black back and option of six different colours for the frame - gold, red, white, slate, yellow and silver. Images below show the silver frame.
The case itself comes as two pieces - a thin TPU layer that encases the sides and back of the phone, along with a plastic piece that snaps around the four sides to hold it firm against the phone. The assembly process is quite straightforward and simple to execute. The packaging instructs to slip the TPU around the phone first prior to snapping the plastic outer part, but I have found that you can just as easily leave the two pieces of the case assembled together and simply snap the phone in. Once in, the phone is fit quite snug.
The phone fit with this case is rather slim. It will fit in just about any pocket and slide in/out with ease due to the smooth plastic material.
Port cutouts are all fine. Pen is removed without any problems, and access to both charging and headphone ports may be reached without having to uncover.
Pressing the power and volume rocker buttons are done so on the plastic frame. No issues with how they felt.
In regards to handling, while it feels nice in the hand, it is rather slippery and does not offer any grip whatsoever.
In terms of protection, it does a really good job of encasing the device to ensure there are no exposed edges/surfaces and will protect it well from scratches and light bumps. As for any sort of impact, I would not put much trust in it. The plastic is very thin and the ring around the edges is just that - plastic. A drop from waist-height onto a hard surface would surely scuff up and leave noticeable marks/dents on that polycarbonate piece. If you are not worried about the potential of dropping your phone, this is a very sleek case that offers a visually appealing look. For those wanting a case they can be confident in getting them through normal everyday use and not worrying about at least minor falls, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
2. Urban Armor Gear (UAG) -- $35 CDN
Four colour options to choose from - Aero (blue), Navigator (white), Outland (orange) and Scout (black). Images show Navigator white.
This case is one-piece, although it is apparently designed as a 'fused hard outer with soft impact resistant core' design as per the UAG website product description. The inner layer is not really all that soft though. I would say it is more like a single-layer construction style case. Installation of the case is very simple. The phone snaps right in, and is very snug - even more so than the Spigen Neo Hybrid. So one should not ever worry about the phone inadvertently coming out of the case - I would go so far as to say even upon impact. Something I liked about the design of the back was that the grooves provide for some grip with holding with one hand. Without this, the plastic back would not offer much grip to hold on to.
In terms of size, the case does not add very much bulk to the phone. Yes, it is a bit larger in both width and height compared to the Neo Hybrid, but still not a bulky case whatsoever.
Access to all ports done so with ease. There was an issue with the initial batch of these cases being released without the temperature and humidity sensor hole cutout. UAG offered to replace these for customers who did not have it on theirs, and apparently is no longer a problem with the current cases sold. The pen is removed easily and the camera cutout is adequate.
The buttons press fine, however they do have a somewhat hard 'plastic' feel to them when depressed. It does not pose a problem when pressing, but just a minor comment about the overall feel that felt different from the smoothness of pressing on the two Otterbox cases.
As for protection, this case sure looks pretty rugged from the back. It covers the phone well to prevent scratches and scuffs. I would say that the phone would be fine if dropped from waist-height, but a 'hard' drop may still leave the phone susceptible to some direct impact since the case itself is rather rigid.
Compared to the Spigen Neo Hybrid, the UAG no doubt offers much more protection. This just comes at the cost of it being very slightly thicker, wider and higher in dimension.
3. Otterbox Commuter -- $45 CDN
Comes in Black, Glacier (grey inner rubber, white outer plastic), Surf (dark blue inner, light blue outer), Merlot (purple inner, white-ish outer), Lily (purple inner, teal outer) and Berry (purple inner, red-ish outer). Gracier is shown in images.
This is a two-piece case that has a rubber inner layer around the phone and encased by a hard plastic outer shell that holds the rubber firm. Assembly is simple - once rubber layer is wrapped around the phone, slide either top or bottom edge against the plastic and press the opposite edge down so snaps snug in place. Once done, you may also need to lift open and close the headphone and charging port covers to ensure they are seated properly within the plastic shell.
Compared to the Note 2 Otterbox Commuter this one has a nicer feel to it. The rubber is held together very snug against the phone by the outer plastic, so there is no feeling of flimsy rubber as was the case with previous models. Because the back is plastic, it will slide in/out of a pocket rather well. As a result, it is however somewhat slippery in hand - but nowhere near as slippery as the Neo Hybrid. The rubber inner layer is exposed on the two upper and two bottom outer edges. This helps in adding the grip of the phone. The front facing lip of the rubber layer comes up past the plastic edges and also offers additional grip - this is something that stood out compared to the Neo Hybrid and UAG that I have to say made a big difference.
As mentioned, the headphone and charging ports are covered by a flap from the rubber layer. These are opened/closed easily. Removal of the pen is similar in ease as the UAG - the Neo hybrid was the narrowest of the three in terms of width of opening.
The volume rocker and power button feel very smooth, compared to the harder plastic feel of the UAG.
In terms of protection, this would offer much more impact protection than the UAG, and even more over the Neo Hybrid. I would feel confident in dropping the phone 6-feet in height onto hard surface anticipating only minor scuff damage to the plastic case. The front edge rubber lip comes up much higher above the screen than either of the Neo Hybrid or UAG edges - extra 1.5 to 2mm from the screen vs. those two.
All around, this has the most protection and the 'best feel' of the three so far. Very solid feel in hand.
4. Otterbox Defender -- $60 CDN
Just like the Commuter, this comes in Black, Glacier, Surf, Merlot, Lily and Berry colour combinations, as well as Blaze (black inner with orange and realtree graphic on back). Images show Glacier.
This is also a two-piece case, but compared to the Commuter (rubber inner & plastic outer) the Defender has a hard plastic inner with soft rubber outer layer. Assembly of this one is straightforward, however disassembly may be a bit difficult as the plastic clasps must be pressed in (to the phone) to release them. It is a snug fit, so it can be tricky until you get the hang of it. In addition, it also comes with a plastic screen protector built in to the plastic case layer. Compared to the Commuter, the rubber at the bottom edge also comes up to cover/protect the home button. Also, this case comes with a hard plastic belt clip/holster. I would probably not use it everyday, but I can see it being useful for people who are in environments that may benefit from the extra protection. With the screen facing down in the holster, it really feels safe and secure.
This case is the biggest of the four, however it was surprisingly quite compact when I first saw it. They redesigned it compared to how it was for the Note 2. Yes, it is thicker than the Commuter still, but just a little bit. It is a bit wider than the Commuter - maybe 2mm or so. Despite it's thicker dimensions, it still fits fine in most pockets - even slim jeans. Because the outer layer is rubber, it will not slide in/out as well as the other three though. On the plus side, the outer rubber layer is probably one of the most outstanding features of all the cases that surprised me. The enhanced grip it offers is absolutely amazing.
The built in screen protector is something that I did not like though. It feels OK and does sit rather well on the device's screen, but it's still not the same as an actual screen protector applied onto the device itself. After using the Defender and built in screen protector with the GLAS.tR for 3 days, I opted to remove/pop it out. So now I just have the tempered glass screen protector which feels way smoother and less affected by smudges.
The headphone and charging ports are protected by thicker feeling tabs compared to the Commuter. The opening for the pen actually feels just a hair-bit tighter than that of the Commuter's. From the looks of it, I am thinking this is because of how thick the rubber is around that corner.
The volume rocker and power buttons depress smooth and fine - pretty much identical to that of the Commuter's.
I am sure it is no surprise to anyone that the Defender offers way more protection than any of the three other cases. Even if the tactile rubber grip somehow fails your grasps, the impact protection this offers is second to none. I would probably feel confident in this phone dropping from two levels up onto hard surface.
Using this case everyday may not be for everyone though. Yes, it can fit in the pockets of slim jeans, but it may not be the silhouette one may want in their outfit. Sure, you could use the belt holster, but again, not everyone may want that look either.
I was very surprised how comfortable I felt by the end of the week of using the Defender. On the first couple days, it seemed like I was making an extra effort to carry it around. After the week, I could see myself really getting used to it.
Comparison Images
For all those who want to see the cases next to each other for dimension comparison purposes here they are...
OVERALL OPINION
There really is no 'best case for everyone'. It comes down to what you want and individual lifestyles and preferences. With that said, you need to determine how much protection you would like from a case.
I will say that of the four cases, the Otterbox Commuter comes out as the winner for me. It offers the most protection hands down with minimal bulk (although the defender is a close second). The UAG is a nice looking case from the back, but aside from that and the grooves for grip on the plastic back, there is not much special about it. Take into account the extra grip you get from the Commuter, and even more from the Defender, and they trump the UAG in that regard easily. The Neo Hybrid was disappointing for me as it not only did not offer much protection, it was also difficult to handle with its smooth-texture surface.
I do not regret having bought all four cases though - it's the price I'd gladly pay to ensure I find one that meets my expectations. The Commuter is now my everyday case, with the Defender being the one I change to here and there just to have a different look when I want to change things up. Even with slim pockets, the Commuter is still my choice over the slightly slimmer Neo Hybrid and UAG cases.
***************
I want to thank everyone who has reviewed a case for the Note 3. It had likely played a part in my decision making and am appreciative of the effort and time put in.
cheers,
Matt
Great reviews and thank you for taking the time & money to do this. I agree with you completely on the spigen neo hybrid review, tho it does look nice it has no grip and is more of a "for looks" type of case. Im rockin the ZL otterbox defender-lookalike case and it does a good enough job for me. I especially like the case since it provides for future modifications like extra room for microsd 2 sd card integration so you have your long lasting battery life, great protection and goliath like storage expansion
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda premium
I think the neo would protect from a small drop from waist height or something like that. The case would definitely not survive fully intact though the phone may well do. Not game to try it.
The UAG does stand up to drops quite well. It saved my Note 2 a couple of times, not only saving the phone but also with minimal scuffing to the case itself.
Even though I'm happy with the UAG, I'm tempted to try a commuter on the basis of this review. A bit more grip and port covers is certainly a tempting proposition.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
I switch between UAG and Trident Cyclops. Both of them offer excellent protection ?
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 ?
Thanks for the excellent review! I currently have a black Otterbox commuter and find the case to be nearly perfect in every aspect. I recently ordered a Spigen neo Hybrid in dante red just to change things up a bit and for a sleeker look.
Great stuff here, thanks for the great review. I have the UAG and love it, but am looking for a protective case with a better feel. After reading this, I'm eyeballing the Commuter as well.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Def a great review. Been checking out the commuter and UAG cases and definitely leaning towards the commuter now.
Sent from the big ol' Note 3
Haha I wish a review like this was posted before I went out and bought these cases myself. I have the Neo-Hyrbid, two UAGs (one is a replacement for the missing hole) and a Defender, in the exact same colors as reviewed.
I have to say that this is an great review and all of mattt33's review points are spot on. Of the three that I have, the Defender is my favorite for its protection, excellent grip and long-term holding comfort because of the soft outer shell. Comfort is very important to me because I do a good amount of gaming and media watching on my device. My only gripe about the Defender really has to do with the color choice. Anything other than black is going to show dirtiness after a while.
The Commuter does look great though, but I think I would miss the grip and soft-yet-solid feel of the Defender. I'd give it a try, but I'd never hear the end of it from my wife if she stumbled upon yet another case in the mail.
Completely different cases to compare. I have the neo hybrid, and also the uag, and the slim armor. I'd have to say I Love all of them for different reasons. But I usually use the slim armor. It just feels nice looks nice.
Guess where I landed right after ordering a Dante Red Spigen Neo Hybrid. !
Lol., It was merely a decision based on the looks. Didn't drop my Phone since the first day. So hope it will work out for me as i don't have an option to cancel or change the order.
Thanks for the review mate!
Great review. I actually own all of the Neo Hybrid colors. I am usually good with not droppinhg my phones. I like the look of them and am not bothered by the grip.
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JazonX said:
Guess where I landed right after ordering a Dante Red Spigen Neo Hybrid. !
Lol., It was merely a decision based on the looks. Didn't drop my Phone since the first day. So hope it will work out for me as i don't have an option to cancel or change the order.
Thanks for the review mate!
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How has the case worked out for you?
I love Spigen Neo Hybrid but for me all cases in general makes the Note too big... Good review!
conamundas said:
Great review. I actually own all of the Neo Hybrid colors. I am usually good with not droppinhg my phones. I like the look of them and am not bothered by the grip.
---------- Post added at 12:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 AM ----------
How has the case worked out for you?
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Extremely Happy!
Only the original samsung Micro USB 2.0 Cable will fit when the case is on. Opening for the USB port on SPIGEN is small, so 3.0 cables will be unusable.
I love the look and feel of my Spigen Slim Armor case. It also protects fairly well from drops.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Details about Commuter
Wonderful review. After endless hours of research on cases, I thought I had narrowed my choices down to Trident AMS Kraken (since it had a kickstand as well) and the Ballistic Tough Jacket Maxx but this review completely changed my perspective. As such I am now highly considering the Otterbox Commuter. Although I prefer a kickstand, protection supersedes it. I just have a few questions for those who have used or have this case.
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
Sorry for the numerous questions but finding the right case is imperative as I'll have this for 2 years.
snapper11 said:
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
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I have the Otterbox Defender, rather than the Commuter, but I believe they're similar enough for my answers to be helpful....
1) No overall issues or concerns from me.
2) I've had cases for other phones where the rubber flaps covering the ports were more of a nuisance than anything, and I ended up cutting them off. On this case though, they really don't get in the way, and they do wonders for keeping dirt and debris out. The cover over the charging port closes nice and tight, but is opened easily enough with one finger and some slight pressure (or a fingernail. It also opens far enough that the rubber isn't putting unnecessary pressure on the USB cable or the port when plugged in. The cover on the headphone jack also closes up good and tight, but is slightly more difficult to open, at least for me. Normal 3.5mm plugs fit in just fine, and as with the charging port cover, the rubber doesn't put any unnecessary or damaging stress on cables, when plugged in. I've only had an issue with one 3.5mm to RCA cable, that had a slightly wider rubber base than most, which required taking off the entire case to plug in, but I think that's due to it just being an old, cheap cable.
3) No problems with the rubber, even when left in the car in 100 degree plus Southwestern heat. It fits as snugly as it did when I bought it.
4) I use an iLoome 9h tempered glass screen protector. I cut the plastic one that is built into the Defender out with a razor, and a little over 6 months later, it still looks immaculate. No bubbles, peeling, or sliding. You honestly can't even tell there's a screen protector there, it's that nice. The added depth of the glass protector makes it a little harder to snap the 2 plastic halves of the case together, and I have accidentally broken 2 of the plastic tabs, but it still closes just fine without those 2, and to be frank, they were only broken due to carelessness on my part.
5) Don't quote me, but I think the lip on the Defender is slightly deeper than on the Commuter, and it hasn't caused me any problems. In fact, it does wonders for protecting the screen when placed face down. If you regularly use the Touchwiz feature that lets you take a screenshot by sliding the side of your hand across the screen, it makes doing so a little difficult in portrait orientation, but that's really just nitpicking.
Hope you find some of this helpful!
:beer:
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lol.... Read threads for a few days... Ordered a Spigen NEO (on spiffy looks), but after reading more threads, Friday, I ordered another Commuter. Which I've had on all my phones (since like the Blackberry days), as well as some Defenders.. I just wanted to spice it up, and the Note 3 is so nice looking I was trying not to wrap it in Otterskin...
Eh well, I'll use the Spigen for dressing up, lol..
Thanks!
snapper11 said:
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the Black version of the Commuter.
1) None
2) The flaps can be bend back fully without much issue, and they're solid enough not to tear whilst doing so. The plastic around the cutouts is about 2mm thick.
The official USB3 charger plug fits into the slot easily. There's about 2mm free space on the sides of the USB slot before the case starts. With the charging plug inserted, there's about 0.8mm free space between the plastic of the plug, and the plastic of the case on the sides, and 1mm at the top and bottom of the plug.
The headphone jack has 2.5mm around it, more than enough space for even a thick plug.
3) I've not noticed any reaction to heat in terms of expansion or contraction of the rubber. It's not that kind of rubber.
The only place it's a bit loose (you can bend it away-loose) is the front side with the volume rocker. But that may be my own doing as I can't stop playing with it. (I'm a bit OCD).
4) Don't have a glass one, I'm using the one that came with it as I currently can't afford a glass one.
5) It does on occassion get in the way a bit whilst swiping, particularly on the sides. As an upside, putting it face-down on the table is perfectly safe even on a rough, natural table. And it seals in all the light (which is great if you keep it on your nightstand!)
All in all, I'm happy with it
Oh, and removing/attaching it is easy, you can leave the thing in one piece and just pop it off at the top corners, and click it back in when you're done.
The thing I don't like about the Commuter is that the back is very slippery and slides around easily when placed on it's back. I have a compartment under the radio in my car and cannot put the phone in there with the screen up. When I accelerate like I usually do the phone slides right out, I had to place a piece of rubber type material in there to keep it from coming out.
very nice i will buy one