Related
A skin case is a good description for this. I had this arrive today that I ordered after the Seidio case. This was a cheapie at < $4.01 free shipping (Amazon Prime)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005TQRLQG
Difference much less bulk to it... lighter, good grip feeling (not as slippery as the Seidio), rubbery but not loose fitting or easy to slip off like others.
This case protects the outside of the phone from scratches etc, has a smaller lip above the glass making it easier to swipe like I used to. However, it has a lot less cushion than the Seidio... so it most likely doesn't protect as well against drops like the Seidio Active.
Most likely a good case if you are concerned about dings etc... and want some protection, but not worried about large drops.
this case sucks, makes the power really hard to press. so it cut the area of the case where the power button is.
I own this case and I love it I think it makes my phone easier to hold and adds a lil style in the process
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk
It definitely makes holding the phone easier. Don't agree on the Vol buttons though.. Thought it made using them easier than without the case. Not nearly as easy as with the Seidio case though.
I have the clear one. I like it because you can still see the beats logo. I like the textured grips on the side aswell. Good case.
I have the clear blue one and a white one. I like the cases, but yea the buttons are hard to push...
got mine today and this is the best case I've tried so far for this phone. 4.75/5 stars...the power button is hard to press, but other than that this thing is perfect
i have this same case and love it now... in the beginning it was just cool but after getting used to it it seems that the buttons are getting easier to push and its also easier to hold
Volume buttons are harder to push than the Seidio Active case, but easier to locate and press than the phone without the case.
Works better in the EZO dock as well.
Via Rezound using XDA Premium
Brain fart
On topic I have the black and the white version. White gets a little dirty, black is perfect
Got it for 2 days, the fitment is great, and the grip is also great.
The power is a little hard to press but no big deal, and the volume keys are fine.
Overall a great case for a great price!
im a fan of the original rocketfish tpu case for the evo, although i had to cut out for the button holes, etc.. it still served me well cheaply.
the ones for the lte look equally impressive, this time the button holes look cut out.
and come in pink/transparent smoke
anyone bought and got pics and fitting, remarks?
thanks
Case fits well and all holes are cut perfectly. Camera button works well. Power button not quite as good.
renegadetx said:
Case fits well and all holes are cut perfectly. Camera button works well. Power button not quite as good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Case does fit well, but I would say the opposite about the buttons (which are all covered, btw), I find the power button to be perfect, but half pressing the camera is near impossible. I can't feel where that half step is, you know? And I find myself searching for the volume rocker a lot. Having said that, this thing is a joy to hold. I originally picked mine up at bb intending to return it when my Diztronic ones came in, but it really won me over. The cutouts are perfect, it's snug in all the right places, and it feels great in the hand. The Diztronic ones are pretty awesome also, but I didn't like how the cutouts felt. I decided to keep the rocketfish one on my evo and use the other ones as backups. + 1, would buy again.
interesting. i can see in the pic that the power button looks to be halfway covered.
wth?
Actually the power button is completely covered. The cut out part is the headphone jack and second mic.
I - love - this - case. I have never had any of my phones protected with any case protectors because they all sucked donkey balls. I usually just used skin protectors, because cases add bulk to an already bulky or sleek phone. The EVO LTE is a sleek slim phone that can easily slip in and out of pockets fast. The TPU case that Sprint sent everyone was slim and provided protection, but it was NOT easy to get into and out of pockets.
So, stumbled into Best Buy to get a Zagg HD screen protector and asked where the EVO LTE accessories were at. I see this and tried it on for size and was really pleased. I don't regret the decision and have actually saved my ass when the phone was dropped the same day. I love it because of 3 important factors:
1) Does not add any noticeable girth. It doesn't add any huge lip to the front, just enough to keep the screen off the surface when the screen is placed downward. The back adds no thickness because it is flushed to camera lens "bump".
2) Slick case makes it easy to get it into my pocket, and very easy to get it out fast. It doesn't have that "sticky" feeling. It might be a bad or good thing. If I have it in my hands, I want it sticky. Otherwise, I think it was a good trade-off.
3) Buttons are covered. I know some people don't like the buttons covered, but when I usually drop my phones, the buttons are the ones to get scuffed first. I wanted my phone protected from those scuff marks and any accidental water that might get near it. I like it protected as much as possible. The buttons are still easy to press, but I kinda get confused where to press, unless I feel for the grooves really well or look at where I'm pressing. I think RocketFish could improve here. They need to make the covered buttons provide more tactile feedback or maybe an option to have the buttons color coded, or even add some stickers in the package so we the user could add different colored stickers if we wanted them. In fact, I'm patenting the idea of including different color stickers (of varying sizes for different buttons or locations) to phone protectors so people can decide IF, WHERE, and what COLORS they want on their protector. Heck, maybe even some logo stickers if you want.
That's my 2 cent review.
I bought the case as well. Adds no bulk and protects it well. Highly recommend
Sent from my EVO using XDA
Bought this case and it fits perfectly. Like others have said it adds little to no bulk to the device. The buttons are covered but I have not problem pressing them. I highly recommend this case for those who don't like those bulky cases such as the otterbox.
Wow so that's what a $25 TPU case looks like.
shook187 said:
Wow so that's what a $25 TPU case looks like.
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It's a $25 Soft Gel case that you can get today at your local Best Buy without having to wait. You get what you paid for. Yeah, I would have preferred it cheaper, but I got instant gratification.
Good investment for this case. I dropped it on the pavement getting out of my car on 6/9, made very little noise when hitting the ground. I picked it up and after close inspection I found only a very small nick on the case in the corner. Much better than scratching the aluminum.
Very happy with it, but like stated earlier, I would like to feel the half press of the shutter a little more.
JDPito
HTC EVO 4G LTE
There seems to be some confusion between the terms "TPU case" and "soft gel case". A gel case is squishy and sticky in your pocket, and will pull your pocket inside out when you try to get it. A TPU case is harder, stiff but flexible plastic that is more neutral feeling in terms of grip. They're not interchangeable terms. Diztronics makes an excellent TPU case for under $10.
SilverZero said:
There seems to be some confusion between the terms "TPU case" and "soft gel case". A gel case is squishy and sticky in your pocket, and will pull your pocket inside out when you try to get it. A TPU case is harder, stiff but flexible plastic that is more neutral feeling in terms of grip. They're not interchangeable terms. Diztronics makes an excellent TPU case for under $10.
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+1
TPU is definitely not gel.. If you're happy with a 25$ tpu because you didn't wanna wait 3ish days, thats great! I personally feel you get better quality, design and prices when you order it.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Antebios said:
It's a $25 Soft Gel case that you can get today at your local Best Buy without having to wait. You get what you paid for. Yeah, I would have preferred it cheaper, but I got instant gratification.
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Next time you should just buy four of these for the same price, which look to be the exact same case: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GLASSY-BLACK-TPU-SOFT-COVER-CASE-HTC-EVO-LTE-ONE-SPRINT-/221044232781?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item337743524d#ht_3047wt_1165
I may even pick one up soon.
I found this review of the Nilkin case for the Xperia P helpful, and wanted to give back by posting a review of my own. Had been pretty keen on the Nilkin case myself, but after reading the reports of the corners cracking, I went looking for another quality option and ended up with a Rock Quicksand. This is a "dark grey" model I bought from Casesss.com.
Note the white specks that appear on the case are bits of dust/fluff that aren't part of the case surface - sorry for overlooking these but they didn't look that visible while taking the pics, and it'd be too much of a pain setting up my tripod and lighting again to redo them nicely with my crappy camera. Also note the pics convey a sort of "white speckliness" overall which is not how it looks in person - IMO, the case looks better than it appears in the pics.
First, the positives:
- The material is really nice. It looks and feels classier than silicone or textured plastic.
- With moist/sweaty hands, the case provides more grip than the smooth metal surfaces of the phone.
- It allows the phone to sit more securely on your lap or a nearby surface (e.g. train/bus seat) with less fear of it sliding off and onto the floor.
- The cutouts are accurate, and there's plenty of clearance left around the headphone jack.
And the cons/caveats:
- With dry fingers, the material is actually less grippy than the phone's smooth metal surfaces.
- Some reviews of Rock Quicksand cases for other phones suggested the material doesn't grip pocket liners - I disagree. It's not a problem with big/loose pockets on cotton pants, but in more constricted front jeans pockets, it will tend to pull out the pocket liner when removing the phone. Still, it's not as bad as silicone in this respect, and doesn't retain nearly as much fluff/dust as silicone.
- The cutout for the transparent bar is much smaller than one on the Nilkin case. This probably increases the case's strength but doesn't look as cool.
- The buttons are a bit harder to press than without the case, but this seems unavoidable - the cutouts appear as non-intrusive as is possible for this style of case.
Overall, I'm very happy with the case for the purpose of providing extra grip in the situations I most need it and providing some protection, without making the phone look ugly. Would be happy to answer any questions in case I missed anything.
I am also using this product. Very good case.
Sent from my LT22i
can one get it online?
The thin band over the camera volume keys power sim speaker.. tend to brake soon... that's the only thing i don't like... and its very often due to the case's rigid body..
Else i highly recommend it... I am currently using an Soft Silicon-Jelly Case.. for an local manufacture..
Adityagrao said:
The thin band over the camera volume keys power sim speaker.. tend to brake soon... that's the only thing i don't like... and its very often due to the case's rigid body..
Else i highly recommend it... I am currently using an Soft Silicon-Jelly Case.. for an local manufacture..
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Screenies please?
Following up with something I just observed today: at the bottom right corner, the "sand" material has rubbed off, leaving a shiny surface. I've been using the case for about a month and I'm not sure when this occurred. That corner isn't exposed to repeated friction against anything, so it seems as though a one-off contact with something probably caused it.
rogue operator said:
Following up with something I just observed today: at the bottom right corner, the "sand" material has rubbed off, leaving a shiny surface. I've been using the case for about a month and I'm not sure when this occurred. That corner isn't exposed to repeated friction against anything, so it seems as though a one-off contact with something probably caused it.
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I use this case and this appears to be a problem that arises over time. I keep my phone in my pocket and over two months the edges have lost a lot of sand coating. It doesn't affect the usability of the case but can look pretty ugly. I can't take a photo now but will post one soon.
Another notable thing about this case is that if you have a creaky bottom cap from removing the cap too much, this case will hold the cap securely in place and stop the creaking.
EDIT: Here are some photos of the quicksand peeling. The lighting isn't great but you can see it clearly enough.
http://i.imgur.com/816DFkO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1OEzJkd.jpg
peeled too much... which casing can on get or leather pouch?
Zap_12100 said:
I use this case and this appears to be a problem that arises over time. I keep my phone in my pocket and over two months the edges have lost a lot of sand coating. It doesn't affect the usability of the case but can look pretty ugly. I can't take a photo now but will post one soon.
Another notable thing about this case is that if you have a creaky bottom cap from removing the cap too much, this case will hold the cap securely in place and stop the creaking.
EDIT: Here are some photos of the quicksand peeling. The lighting isn't great but you can see it clearly enough.
http://i.imgur.com/816DFkO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1OEzJkd.jpg
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Click to collapse
uhm very bad....did you go tu the beach or something???
I used to use this case and yes, it's beautiful at first but after a long time of using, it become ugly and i must change another one =.=
i wish i can find one of those in Egypt ,
I also got one of this case but mine is purple and the rubber of some place on the casing have lost but between it's a nice case I'm happy with it.
After just over three months use, I can report the "sand" has now rubbed off the rear corner adjacent to the one I pictured on the previous page (that one hasn't gotten any worse since the picture was taken). The three other front corners also show the same sort of wear, but smaller. The edges and larger surfaces show no signs of wear.
In my case, it seems most likely the wear is being caused simply by the phone rubbing against the pocket liner when in my jeans/jacket pocket, so it's not a very durable surface. With just the corners worn, mine still looks classier overall than other cases and I'd just as soon choose it again over the alternatives, but I can't recommend it to those whose phones are treated less softly than mine, as it may end up looking like crap in a short period.
Very usefull case it is..:good: protects the device very well....
I have a quicksand case for my Xperia Sola. I just got it a few months back and so far I'm quite happy with it. The overall build quality seems to be very robust. However on two corners the rubber starts to come off, but that doesn't really bother me as long my phone is save
i haven't use case for a yeah and now my XP look like old phone :cyclops:
is the available for xperia go?
GGG
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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:
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07NQDGF3H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Super slim, very nice matte texture, makes it less slippery, feels super nice in hand, and the matte effect works really nice with the colour of the phone's back. I had a thicker, clear TPU case before, and this one is SO much nicer.
Do you use gesture navigation with it? How is it working for you when using the Back gesture from the dge?
I got the following one:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07P7N8444/
What annoys me a bit is for the Back gesture I have to apply sufficient pressure to ensure it correctly register as coming from the edge. Not major, but a bit annoying - I get a few of failed detections now and then.
This is the first time I ever felt the need to buy a case/bumper. And it's not even to protect it, but because without one, that 100% glass phone is WAY too slippery for me to feel safe holding it in one hand. My old Nexus 4 was also made of glass, but the sides didn't feel that slippery.
I am using this case and its so good . It doesn't really bothers me when using gestures ! It doesn't make the edges of the screen like using a bumper . And it's cheap !
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cojRujj6
RMerlin said:
Do you use gesture navigation with it? How is it working for you when using the Back gesture from the dge?
I got the following one:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07P7N8444/
What annoys me a bit is for the Back gesture I have to apply sufficient pressure to ensure it correctly register as coming from the edge. Not major, but a bit annoying - I get a few of failed detections now and then.
This is the first time I ever felt the need to buy a case/bumper. And it's not even to protect it, but because without one, that 100% glass phone is WAY too slippery for me to feel safe holding it in one hand. My old Nexus 4 was also made of glass, but the sides didn't feel that slippery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using gestures currently but I doubt the memumi case would interfere. It's considerably slimmer than those TPU cases (I had the same ESR case before, coincidentally) and only touches the edges of the screen ever so slightly. What's more, it doesn't actually stick out above the screen at all. I am also using a glass screen protector, though, so that gives my screen a little extra height as well.
Revengebg said:
I am using this case and its so good . It doesn't really bothers me when using gestures ! It doesn't make the edges of the screen like using a bumper . And it's cheap !
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cojRujj6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks interesting! Definitely seems like a viable alternative.
I ordered the Aliexpress case since it was really cheap (and I had an extra rebate as a first-time Aliexpress customer).
Will know in 4-5 weeks if it works better than the ESR for gesture handling...
Revengebg said:
I am using this case and its so good . It doesn't really bothers me when using gestures ! It doesn't make the edges of the screen like using a bumper . And it's cheap !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, very nice case
One question, the edges are soft silicone? The typical thick silicone? I really like that kind of silicone because I think it's what best protects
Greetings and thanks
quisquilla said:
Hello, very nice case
One question, the edges are soft silicone? The typical thick silicone? I really like that kind of silicone because I think it's what best protects
Greetings and thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes , it's hard silicone but it's a mix of plastic and silicone . It's nice to the touch .
I received the bumper from Ali. While it's slightly more slippery than my previous silicon bumper (but still nowhere as bad as the bare glass case of the phone itself), it's definitely less problematic with side gestures than my original bumper, and it also looks more discrete. Overall a very good purchase, especially at that price.
Are there any ACTUAL bumper only cases? Meaning that it only goes around the edges only and leaves the front/back open? I'm not worried about dropping the phone, I just don't want it to be so slippery. So I want something I can stick on the edge to give me some friction so I can hold it without sliding out of my hand. (With my usual grip, the phone keeps sliding out of my hand.
The bumper should be wide enough so that I can sit it down either way on a table without the camera bump or front screen touching the table.
I'm using the Spigen ultra clear bumper case.
Good fit, looks like good protection, although I havent dropped it yet. There is a lip around the front screen for protection, not too pronounced so just perfect.
Fit and cutout looks spot on.
eng3 said:
Are there any ACTUAL bumper only cases? Meaning that it only goes around the edges only and leaves the front/back open? I'm not worried about dropping the phone, I just don't want it to be so slippery. So I want something I can stick on the edge to give me some friction so I can hold it without sliding out of my hand. (With my usual grip, the phone keeps sliding out of my hand.
The bumper should be wide enough so that I can sit it down either way on a table without the camera bump or front screen touching the table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There probably is. But let's be honest: The Huawei P30 sucks without a proper case. Way to slippery, uneven and really fragile. I couldn't use it without a case, they really ****ed up the design to some extent..
Yes it is very slippery, but that's what the bumper is for, to make it less slippery.
I ended up finding a decent one. The RhinoShield CrashGuard
Whats the best black case for the P30, where the back is completely flush so it sits good and flat on a table?
Thin cover (I wanted this) with rubber inside for thickness. does not dance on the table. I can't attach photos
Roxx Case
Best case I found so far.
https://roxx-case.de/products/roxx-...as-original-nur-besser?variant=27904305594391