***If anyone has a hard time viewing the pics please let me know. I have them hosted on another forum.***
Cimo Technologies S-Line Soft Shell Clear TPU Case Review
I've owned a TON of cellphones over the years. Oddly enough, they've all been hard cases and this is the first TPU case I've ever owned. TPU, for those like me who had never owned one, is essentially a pliable plastic that is sturdy but not firm. It's almost a perfect mix between silicone (arguably too soft) and a hard plastic.
Packaging:
Having never owned a TPU case before I was worried when the package arrived and it was in a brown envelope with bubble wrap. I quickly found that the packaging really wouldn't have mattered due to the nature of the TPU case material.
The Case:
As mentioned above, this case is unlike any other case I've ever owned before and to be completely honest, I kind of like it!
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The case I got was clear so that I could continue to see the beautiful lines, colors and design of the Droid Razr. As can be seen in the picture above, nearly the entirety of this case is clear and part of the back is a translucent.
Initially I HATED the the S-Line design but quickly grew to appreciate and ultimately LOVE the S-Line design because the different "colors" also had different textures. The textures were a great bonus as the texture I want for holding the phone is different than the texture I wanted for pulling the phone out of my pocket.
Speaking of texture, both sides of the case have a molded grip. This was a fantastic addition to the case and made holding case much convenient and pleasurable!!!
The case covers the power button and volume keys but allows full access to them. The volume keys are much easier to find and use than they were on a naked phone.
Installation and Fit:
Installation was a breeze. Really not much to say.
Fit is perfect! All cutouts are well done and do not interfere with operation of the phone, charger, headphones, etc. There is also a cutout for the SD Card and Sim Card slot.
Unfortunately, there was not a hole for the second microphone on the back of the phone. According to those I made test phone calls with (car, work, home), this was not an issue. Those who purchase this case may want to poke a hole through the case to allow the second noise-cancelling microphone to be beneficial.
I also noticed that the power button is easier to find but that it can be a little more difficult to press and can cause the case to bow a little at the front near the screen.
Overall:
This is a FANTASTIC case! Due to the nature of the material, it is sure to show wear and tear after time, especially with a clear case like the one that I'm reviewing.
Amazon currently has these cases on sale for $5.95 (which is a STEAL in my opinion) and are available in a variety of colors and styles (S-Line and plain).
Go get yours here!
Just ordered a soft black case. Nice review!
Great case but does not fit in any of the raze docks
Sent from my XT910 using XDA App
Just got mine in the mail today. It's on the phone right now. The side grips on this thing are great. This feature should be on every TPU case out there.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
got one myself, but the only flaw I see is the lack of cut-out for the noise cancellation mic on the back. apart from that, very sturdy case and great value.
Got mine yesterday.
Not a fan. The top by the Motorola logo bows out. Plus I don't like the SIM cut out. Doesn't flow.
Back to the Verizon black gel one. Best I've used so far.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda premium
Related
purchased from amazon.com for $32.48 USD including shipping and handling.
i personally love the case. its not as bulky as everyone says it is. the GS2 is a lil too slim in my opinion and this case makes it a suitable size for me. fitment is almost perfect...i say almost because it seems like the hole for the speakers are slightly misaligned(shown in the picture below). the camera, 3.5mm jack and the micro usb holes are a perfect fit. the volume and power buttons are easy to press while in the casing. the black shiny plastic is very durable, but does show smudges if you have greasy or oily hands. the cool grey rubber provides grip and is placed perfectly along the sides and frontal rim of the casing. here are some pics:
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I saw this in the AT&T store and tried it out with my phone, very nice case made 110% to fit the GSII but it ends up being VERY thick pretty and about 1.5x the thickness of the phone itself thus eliminating the thinness of this phone. If you don't mind the thickness or really need the protection then it's a great case for you.
had exact same case for my Thrill. I loved it, but like what aquarianperry mentioned above, it does make feel a little bulky. kick stand was pretty useful when it was needed
Yeah don't like the added thickness. I really hope they come out with the body glove case like the one for the cappy, one of the best cases -)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
eep2378 said:
Yeah don't like the added thickness. I really hope they come out with the body glove case like the one for the cappy, one of the best cases -)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree! I had the BodyGlove case for my Captivate and I loved it. Sleek and smooth yet durable.
using it now- makes the phone thick but it is durable and sturdy
kickstand will come in handy when i want to eat and watch tv shows at lunch
I find the kickstand to be really useful when I'm laying down with the phone on my chest.
I ordered that same case in white from Amazon on Sunday!.. I had that same case on my LG thrill and I absolutely loved the kick stand..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Does this come with a holster, or has someone found a compatible one i.e. Platinum ?
an INFUSION of REALITY
I've got this (they totally saw me coming - got the Moshi iVisor screen protector as well) and in spite of the extra bulk, I love it. I had the Body Glove on the Cappy and wouldn't mind one similar for the GS2, but the kickstand on this totally rocks! AND I'm a klutz, so a little extra protection certainly isn't bad in my case (heheh, no pun intended).
I have a white one n it's great...
review and pics now included in original post
Doesn't it block the top mic? The mic on top is behind the headphone port almost on the edge.
I've already dropped my GS2 5-7 times pretty hard, phone is perfect and case takes a good beating. Makes the phone thick, but I don't care. Wish this thing was easier to take out of a jean pocket, but those rubber sides grip like crazy. Other than that, love the stand, feels like I'm going to break the stand but I love it. Had my GS2 for a few days before I went to get a case for it, almost dropped it once, then got smart.
This one blocks the secondary mic as well.
no no no no no
Got mine from an AT&T COR Store... It has a big cutout for the headphones and mic unlike that black one posted by OP
I love this case btw! I didn't think I'd like it at first because I thought the POP case for the Infuse and Thrill were way too bulky.
I find this to be slightly bigger than "perfect size" which is fine with me. It doesn't add that much weight either.
The kickstand also works great in the car when I use the phone for GPS Navigation LOL
I was asking because I have the white version too and the cutouts are different than the black one from the OP. Mines exactly like the post above me.
I got a black one from Amazon last week (CM014637).
Looks the same as the OP however all the cut-outs are different. There's nothing over the volume and the top and bottom aren't blocking the mics. (Just like the white version above).
why is there a hole above the volume rocker in the OP's case? what purpose could that serve?
i have the exact same case... but my holes/cutouts are very different.
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...
Click to collapse
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.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190925052983?var=490194438302
Has anyone tried this for the Note 3? I bought something very similar in gray translucent color for my Note 2 which fit the job perfectly since I keep my phone in my front right pocket so don't need anything bulky and the design/color turned out nice. Just hoping the charger port is big enough for use with Smart Dock which was a little snug with the Note 2 one. $3.99 with shipping included from Asia.
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old thread, but I came across it and figured i'd respond.
I had something just like this for my HTC One.
it was great in how thin it was. Obviously not much for drop protection, but it provided better grip and scratch protection without adding weight/size.
Only issue was that the fit was very tight, and the material is not elastic. As a result, i ended up stretching one of the cutouts slightly, and it never quite sat perfectly. I liked it anyway, and would try one again if i still had the phone. I might try one of these for my GN3.
These cases are superb. I bought several of these just in case I want to swap them out. So far though, I have only swapped it out once because of light scratches from a year of use on my S3. These cases are definitely not for drop protection. Strictly for scratch protection. They are the thinnest available. They are also not grippy. I like it because I personally hate the dust collecting silicone cases. At first I bought the black version for my black note 3, but then i bought the white/clear version of the case and I like the clear case more. The black case hides the silver accent edge of the note 3 while the white one allows that detailing to show. It also doesn't hurt that they're dirt cheap.
I bought one of these and they are super thin. I love that it barely adds bulk. But as windowmaker said, there's no grip what so ever. At least before you had some grip from the battery cover. I decided to trim out the back of mine so I have some grip at the back since the battery cover is now exposed. But still no side grip. Maybe put clear skinomi skin on the sides for better grip. But if you want thin, this is one of the thinnest out there.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
I've got one. Not bad but not perfect.The fit wasn't good enough, it always looked like it was coming off on one side. Cutouts very good. Does not protect the screen or the camera in any way. I switched to Ringke Slim since and I think it's better and not much bulkier. But for the money - great buy. And the Note still looks like the Note. And the owner still looks like homo sapiens not some anal-retentive douche who spends a fortune on a lovely and stylish phone just to turn it into some Ninja-Turtle global destruction device
Does anyone have a picture of the note 3 with this case on?
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GHOSTIVVI said:
Does anyone have a picture of the note 3 with this case on?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I used to use these style of cases because I wanted absolute minimal size added to the phone while providing basic scratch protection.
Recently I moved to "skins"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeStBNHqCZA
That's a skinomi wood one, and I much prefer it to those cheap 2mm cases. Not does it keep the phone slim, it provides the same type of protection. The cheap ebay cases werent going to provide any type of drop protection anyways.
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.
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Got this case a few days ago. Design is beautiful. If you have a skin, the clear back shows it off nicely. Back plastic is really hard. Feels like glass almost. You can tell it's a high quality case. It does not feel cheap and my phone feels protected. Great front bezel/lip rise. Power and volume buttons are clicky which is always nice. Ultimately it feels great in the hand.
A few things to think about though.
Since the back is clear hard plastic that means it is a finger print/dust magnet. I constantly have to wipe it down. Also I placed it in my pocket for 10 minutes and I guess moisture caused a pretty big rainbow spot on the back.
The sides are smooth so it doesn't have the best grip. It can slide out of your hands if you aren't careful.
Although the buttons are clicky one thing that isn't too great is that they are flush to the case and the groove indicators are not that deep so more times than I'd like, I see myself lowering the volume when I wanted to increase the volume.
Lastly it adds bulk, but not on the level of a rugged style case. I also have a Spigen Liquid Air case that is just a tpu and this Supcase is noticeably bulkier and heavier.
But ultimately it is a case I would recommend. Dropped my phone on tile floor and of course the phone was fine but the case didn't have a scratch on it.
I've ordered a few cases, including the official OnePlus bumper case, and the SupCase is the one I like best. It's been on my phone basically since I got it. As you you mentioned the only real downside I've found is the volume buttons, it's hard to tell which one you are pushing at times. Other than that, a great case, at a great price.
Got this case as soon as I got the phone. It's gorgeous, it's protective, even saved it for me nasty spell. But I would safe because of the buttons being flush it's hard to find them really easily. Other than that it really has been an awesome case, thanks to everyone for recommending this case.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
I agree with this review, good points and bad. Great case overall.
Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
i recently bought this case too
- i like that the flush side buttons don't get caught up when taking it out of my pocket
- and yes kinda hard to identify the vol up and down buttons sometimes - maybe a raised ridge in the middle of the buttons would have helped to tell them apart
- the sides have a slight rubbery feeling - not very grippy but still acceptable - it might appear slippery if your hands are very dry
- moving from the original tpu case that it came with - the extra bulk is noticeable but does not hinder usage unless you have small hands - it is a tad bit harder to reach the top parts of the screen
- i still have the protective film at the back of the casing on - LOL - so i can't tell how smudgy it is going to get
now my question is - what tgsp are you guys using ? i am still on the original film protector that came with it and want to change to tgsp but not sure which one will fit nicely with this case.
jananan said:
Now my question is - what tgsp are you guys using ? i am still on the original film protector that came with it and want to change to tgsp but not sure which one will fit nicely with this case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any should fit fine. I'm using the official OnePlus 3D one on mine. I just put a SuperShieldz 3D one on my friends 6T with the case a couple weeks ago. She hasn't had issues either.
I tried this one on op6 and couldn't live with the buttons.
Office karbon is my favorite so far. Got a decent open box deal on eBay for my op6t 18$ free ship. Item was new.