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I have the otterbox commuter but wanted a more protection without a big bulk. What do you guys think about the defender?
Send from my Perm-Temp Rooted HTC Evo 3D
It is much better than I expected. My only complaint is that the height of the sides next to the screen are so tall that it makes touching the edges of the screen difficult. Other than that, it seem well built and it seems to give good protection. It's no Ballistic HC or Trident Kraken though.
I loved it on my Evo 4g, and I just received one for my evo 3d today. I am loving it as well.
You can get them cheaper on amazon if you feel like saving about 20 bucks.
My phone was ran over by a full size 2500 dodge RAM and survived without a scratch on it .the case was pretty messed up though, but my phone survived so it did its job
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Love it
Sent from my 3rd Dimension of Evolution
its pretty huge....and it makes me kind of sad that such a good looking phone looks like that after you put the case on it, but if i have to choose between being protected from a 5 kiloton nuclear blast or having a cool looking phone ill choose the former
firemedic1343 said:
It is much better than I expected. My only complaint is that the height of the sides next to the screen are so tall that it makes touching the edges of the screen difficult. Other than that, it seem well built and it seems to give good protection. It's no Ballistic HC or Trident Kraken though.
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I totally agree, this is my only real complaint with it as well
I usually wear cargo shorts during the summer (not some hipster wearing skinny jeans) so I've never had an issue with the size and fitting it in a pocket. During the winter it's usually in my coat pocket so size is never an issue there either. I like the grippyness of the silicone on the outside, and I like how the camera and all the ports are covered and protected.
I love mine. Was going to also get the Ballistic HC when it came out but now I may just keep using the Defender
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I get mine tomorrow! We'll see how it goes. Im excited to see how well the clip works.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
I love mine, but like two others pointed out, it's very hard to hit the left/right edge of the screen for things like pulling down the menu in landscape or moving icons between homescreens.
Other issue is the top portion by the speaker is cut-out for the screen protector, letting dust/etc in under the screen protector and smudging the forward camera. wish there could of been another solution, but overall it's an awesome case
Great Case
Highly recommend it. It makes the phone big though, so not recommended if you like to keep it slim. My opinion is Protection > Size.
I agree, the steep edges on the sides make tapping the screen on the edges a pain (the 'q/1' and 'p/0' keys on the keyboard have to be touched with the narrow side of your fingertip, same with games that have small menu buttons on the edge, or if I have the screen in landscape mode, its nearly possible to pull down the task bar because you need a farther reach to the edge than your fingers will allow.
ALSO, surprisingly the built in screen protector doesn't do a very good job at keeping dust out, scratches, yes, dust, no. A drop of water even managed to squeeze past the speaker and the edge of the screen protector and work its way to the middle of my damn screen, leaving water spots and dust. Taking it apart constantly to clean both your phone and email the inside of your screen protector is a huge annoyance because it takes me at least 2-3 minutes of prying it open without feeling like I'm going to break the plastic or snap off a clip that secures the case together when closed. I find that it needs cleaning at least once a week, but its just one of the few cons you have to consider when you want the best protection. No kickstand, but the belt clip holster sort of makes for an extremely bulky substitute. All in all, it's like the hulk, built like a tank, ugly as hell, but it's nearly indestructible. I do wish I could see and feel my beautiful investment in all its slim, sleek and sexy glory again, even run my fingers along the glass, but my luck would be that it would slip out of my hands or pocket, hit the edge of the plastic, chip its way to the glass, crack the screen, scratch the rest, create earthquakes, bring about the apocalypse, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria, etc.
The Defender seems very well built, protecting my phone from any damage. It becomes a very bulky phone compared to no case at all. As has been mentioned, it's difficult to put the checkmarks on the left or right side, because of the bevel of the sides. I was afraid when I bought it that the cover for the screen would inhibit responsive touch, but it works as if it's not even covered. Very responsive. I'd highly recommend this case for those who are clutsy and drop their phone often.
aramova said:
I love mine, but like two others pointed out, it's very hard to hit the left/right edge of the screen for things like pulling down the menu in landscape or moving icons between homescreens.
Other issue is the top portion by the speaker is cut-out for the screen protector, letting dust/etc in under the screen protector and smudging the forward camera. wish there could of been another solution, but overall it's an awesome case
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Same here across the board... Love mine.
A little bit of a pain when I have to swap batteries but not too bad.
With Juice defender ultimate I easily get 10 hours of mixed use out of my cheap ebay batteries and 16 hours out of the original so I normally can get to a charger before needing to charge.
Love mine and think I will probably stay with this case for a while . The only issue I ran into with this case was some callers said I sounded muffled . Now if that has to do with the case or an issue with the phone design itself has yet to be determined . Me personally I took a small triangle shaped file and filed the microphone hole in the battery back to be as big as the actual microphone of the phone itself . Across the board I have heard nothing but "you sound very clear" "not muffled at all" Like I said I cant say it was the case or the phone but either way the issue is resolved
Sadly I have to dissent. The little mechanism which keeps the clip on the holster open (to act as a kickstand) broke on mine after 11 days, got a new one which broke after 10 days (same place). Wanted to like it but for that much money I shouldn't have to exchange a product 3 times a month.
I like mine a lot. The only problem I've had is the one others have mentioned; the sides of the case interfere with typing.
Now I just I need to decide if I'm keeping the Evo 3D.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App
Yeah I love mine also. I like to believe that this phone can take on anything now. For me its all about safety, but I agree with aramova's reply. I do sometimes have an issue with the thickness of the bezel. I haven't really had a problem with the dust though. But before you put it on make sure you know how to open it because I a problem with it the first couple of times.
Seems to work great and protects the phone well.
And for those of us who do not use the holster, it can easily be modified to use as a car dock. Since none of the car docks will work with the Defender.
If anyone is interested in how I modified mine, I can take some pics later.
I mounted the holster on to a standard universal suction mount windshield phone holder and used a dremel to put a hole in it so that the power cord can be mounted and plugged in to the phone.
I then use Car Home which stays one when plugged in and has worked very well.
I have it and love it.
Only complaint is that it is creaky and otterbox never posted my review on their website for some reason. Weird.
Ok, I finally got my Otterbox Defender today. First impression is that it isn't exactly the way I thought it would be. I am not sure exactly what I was expecting but I know it wasn't quite what I got.
Pro: plastic shell feels pretty solid around phone and I really like the way the solid clear protector covers the whole screen it makes me feel a lot less worried about messing up my phone. The silicon/rubber outer sleeve holds the two halves of the hard shell together and gives a good grip. There is no way for it to fall out of the holster.
Con: my biggest complaint would be the silicone/rubber outer sleeve feels a bit sloppy. I would have expected it to be tighter, more exactly form fitting. The outer sleeve also picks up every piece of lint that comes it's way and because it is a black case white pocket lint shows very well. It is very difficult/awkward to remove from the holster, that may get better over time as out gets worn in a bit.
Conclusion: pretty good case that should do it's job but over priced at this time, at $10 it would be a deal, at $15 it would still be a good value, at $20 it's something I would consider and at the $30 I paid after shipping and handling well I feel like I over paid but I don't feel like I was robbed. I will be keeping it.....for a while at least.
***EDIT***
Ok after playing with it, the fact that the soft outer case is not super tight is not as annoying as the lint sticking to the outside of it.
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
I have one and have to say the biggest issue is the bulk.
It pops into and out of the holster so simply it's disgusting....dunno why you had problems there ?
If you spend a few moments and make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that the soft rubber/silicone outer shell is on properly it is not loose in the slightest. It is in fact quite snug. It's a bit trying to get it on perfect, but it's time well spent..
My complaint about it is when you use the holster as a vertical stand and have the phone facing outwards with the charger cable plugged in...the little flap that covers the charge port is not quite in the correct spot (you'd have to try it and see it for yourself, very difficult to explain).
The holster snap/clasp thing is in the way of that formentioned flap.
Not a deal breaker....I will be keeping the otterpop.
editater>
BTW, it's a holster made to go on your belt or the waist of your trousers....why are you concerned with lint sticking to it when it should never see any lint if used in the fashion it's intended for ?
Well after a little time I figured out why it WAS loose and had went on WAY too easy.......you see I live in a desert.....and it's summer AND my case had gotten stuffed in my mail box for oh at least a few hours before I got home and went to put it on. Now after both it and I have cooled off and had a kick a$$ nap, it fits quite well. Since it's little baking in the desert episode it may never be as tight as it would have been but it is very snug over all and no longer has any gaps or bulges.
As for the holster.....maybe it is because I am left handed or maybe mine it's just extra tight in the holster, but it is a chore to get outso I put it in my pocket.I may try to work with the holster some but together with case and holster it's pretty dang big. I will use the holster on a limited basis more then likely.
***EDIT***
Since I don't really care for the holster I still feel I over paid, but since the soft cover fits better now I don't feel I over paid quite as much.
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
Personally speaking, I wouldn't use the Defender for day-to-day protection. There are many other options available which offer less bulk and less lint-grabbing.
The Defender is perfect for rough users such as construction workers, farmers, soldiers, truck drivers, etc. The Defender has protected my MoPho twice already while on duty. Both were scenarios where I feel a 'lesser' case may have allowed damage to the device.
$30 is nearly a third of the cost of replacement under insurance. It is a tad on the expensive side. However, I think this is the very best level of personal device protection short of encasing it in a brick of silicon gel.
Compared to the defender I had on my evo the photon defender is perfectly tight. I went straight to radio shack and bought the defender after I bought my photon at sprint 3 days ago and I've only taken it off once to install my new sd card yesterday. As far as it sitting in the holster just make sure you push the rubber in all around the mounting clips on the sides. If they stick up a little it won't secure correctly. I've used defender cases before so I knew what I was getting but I must say this one is very well built.
The only thing that I don't like about the defender cases is that the screen protector just seems to take away from the beauty of device screens. I had my evo in a defender case for a week. I took it out one day and once I saw the screen again I was floored to how much I was missing by having the defender plastic over it!
And boom goes the Shooter
I've had the defender for 3 weeks now and I love it but it isn't for everyone. If you want a somewhat rugged smartphone that can take a few drops there are plenty of cases for you to choose from. If you want a case that protect your phone from falling out of a speeding vehicle then you want the defender, I should know i accidentally left my phone on top of my vehicle when driving away one late night.
It is bulky but that is fine, I don't want a sleek phone that breaks. This thing is like a brick. If you are playing around with the software and usually bork your phone you may want an easier to remove case. I hate doing battery pulls because it takes too long to remove this case and you end up with too many parts in your hands. This case is my insurance policy. Its a great case for people who play hard with their phones. The commuter case is a great case too but you have to match the case to your lifestyle. For me, I wont buy a phone that doesn't have a defender case.
In my experience the phone does not move around inside this case. It stays locked tight in its plastic shell. The rubber can be stretched easily but it is form fitting to the plastic shell and has just enough play to make it comfortable to remove. You have to tuck the rubber in all around the phone, as well as on the sides and on the back near the kickstand. Failure to do so will cause it to shift around but if you properly put this case together it shouldn't move at all. If it does then you may want to call Otterbox.
Now the defender series comes with the adjustable holster. If you do not use a holster then you may want a commuter series case. This thing isn't too easy to get in and out of your pocket since the rubber does grip well to cotton pockets. I use the holster about half the time and keep this thing in my pocket the other half. I'm okay with this but if you wear really tight skinny jeans you'll probably hate this case. So if you don't use holsters or you wear skin tight pants then you should get something else.
The screen protector causes glare and degrades the visual quality of the screen. The camera lens also has a protector over it which I find does degrade the camera quality if it is not properly cleaned. I don't find this to be a deal breaker because I could easily remove that piece of protective plastic. If anything I wish it was removable and replaceable out of the box.
Its a great case that can take a ton of abuse and leave your phone looking brand new.
sub2k1 said:
This thing is a brick.
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I cringe at your use of this term!
Car Dock & case.
Is the Defender series compatible with the Car dock? If not how easy is it to remove.
I never tested it on the car dock but I can guarantee you it does not work with the HD Dock. While it is not too difficult, you don't want to disassemble this case on the regular. Reassembly is a *****.
droidevo1 said:
Is the Defender series compatible with the Car dock? If not how easy is it to remove.
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No, I can tell you it's not compatible....I have the Commuter and it doesn't even work in the Car Dock.
I was hoping that by taking off the outer rubber shell of the defender series, that maybe the hard cover would still fit in the car dock. I'll let you know in a few weeks when everything finally arrives in the mail.
Yeah, let us know.....I even bought a cheapo $5 case (the thin plastic ones) just to try it.....nope!! Wouldn't work.
Yeah this case is still a lint magnet even without putting in my pocket and now I have some dust between protective screen and the actual screen.....of course some compressed air took care of it but I had to open it for that. I also worry a bit about heat while tethering. Not that it gets anywhere near as hot as my htc hero did (could fry an egg on it) but if it got warm enough to feel trough hard case AND the soft rubber it must have been pretty warm inside (does it get hotter doing wifi tether as opposed to usb & which uses more battery).
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
Does anyone know what the difference is between the $50 Defender (Revision A) and the first revision that other sites (other than otterbox.com) sell? The difference in the model # is the letter A at the end.
Can someone post pictures of this case on their phone? I have always bought otterbox defenders but im debating if i should buy another after a bad experience with the one for the Evo 4g.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
I don't think a picture will do it any justice. It is one of those things you are really going to want to see and touch in person to decide if you like it or not. I like mine, lint magnet and all because it makes me feel my Photon its safe and for that I am willing to live with the trade off of some lint and a little extra bulk. Of course every time I take off the case to clean it I remember just how sexy a naked Photon is and I consider slapping on an invisashield screen protector and going naked.
Sent from my MB855 using XDA App
I just received my otter box defender in the mail today. I bought mine at amazon for $27 + $5 S&H. The case appears to be genuinely an otter box. The box it came in was damaged and opened, but the case itself is fine. My guess is that the amazon ones are cheaper because they are in damaged boxes.
As far as I'm concerned though I'll take the damaged packaging for the $20 savings.
Bought the Defender last month and was enamored by the fact that i can throw, kick, slam the phone anywhere and it wouldn't get damaged. The only problem was (and this was a big one) that the case is so f***ing huge for regular use! I got fed up of that and exchanged the case for the commuter. SOOO much better for everyday, common hazards.
IUH1991 said:
Bought the Defender last month and was enamored by the fact that i can throw, kick, slam the phone anywhere and it wouldn't get damaged. The only problem was (and this was a big one) that the case is so f***ing huge for regular use! I got fed up of that and exchanged the case for the commuter. SOOO much better for everyday, common hazards.
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Bugger, just ordered the Defender, does it really add so much bulk?
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Although not normally a fan of cases for phones, I've now dropped my Atrix a few times (due to the hopeless shiny back with a total lack of grip) so I've decided I need to get one! Luckily, the Atrix has only been dropped onto carpet so it remains undamaged.
I don't like the silicone cases and I'm not overly keen on the TPU ones either. The 'official' rubberised battery cases looked like the right sort of thing, but after checking the reviews, I'm not keen on the way the side bits on the front can come loose when coming in or out of the pocket.
As I'm looking for something slim/lightweight, I think this leaves me with either the Seidio Surface or the Incipio Feather.
My questions is this: Regardless of the amount these cases protect the phone in case of being dropped, are they actually likely to help me to avoid dropping them? Do these cases improve the 'grippability' of the Atrix?
Any helpful comments are appreciated!
I used the Incipio Feather for a few months. I really liked the "low-profile" but it was very fragile. I ended up cracking two of them just from taking them off to do battery pulls. As far as grip goes, it was generally nice to hold but doesn't offer that much more grip then the phone by itself. I've also used the Ballistic SG and while it was too bulky for me it had excellent grip. I was able to put it on my lap, back facing down, while driving and it never moved.
Currently I use the Speck Candyshell and it holds up pretty well. Grip can become an issue if your palms get sweaty as the exterior is all hard plastic.
Maringer said:
Although not normally a fan of cases for phones, I've now dropped my Atrix a few times (due to the hopeless shiny back with a total lack of grip) so I've decided I need to get one! Luckily, the Atrix has only been dropped onto carpet so it remains undamaged.
I don't like the silicone cases and I'm not overly keen on the TPU ones either. The 'official' rubberised battery cases looked like the right sort of thing, but after checking the reviews, I'm not keen on the way the side bits on the front can come loose when coming in or out of the pocket.
As I'm looking for something slim/lightweight, I think this leaves me with either the Seidio Surface or the Incipio Feather.
My questions is this: Regardless of the amount these cases protect the phone in case of being dropped, are they actually likely to help me to avoid dropping them? Do these cases improve the 'grippability' of the Atrix?
Any helpful comments are appreciated!
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I had the feather. After two drops on different corners, the case had cracks. I expected as much and the case did its job. I got the Incipio silicrylic case as a replacement, which has a silicon cover AND a hard cover. It's slightly bulkier than the feather, but it still looks good and is definitely more sturdy. Case is grippy but not overly grippy where you have a tough time putting the phone in your pocket. I can remove the case without fear of cracking it, unlike the feather.
I had one of the Incipio Feather's also. It lasted about 2 months before it completely fell apart. Is is a nice case and I really liked the feel and look of it and it will fit in the car dock with a little modification. But it is not rugged enough for me to recommend. I am using a TPC case now. Does the job. Easy to remove to put in my Car Dock, LapDock or Standard Dock. It feels much better than the Atrix does by itself. But it is kinda ugly. But I have dropped it a few times and it keeps my Atrix safe.
The Seidio Active was my choice and I like it a lot. Two pieces - rubber with hard shell skeleton protects it nicely.
I can remove it (to dock) in seconds and replace it quickly too. Got it at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WKIEF2/ref=oh_o03_s00_i01_details
That's the sapphire blue one, but they have other colors.
I'm using the otterbox commuter case. I got it off of Amazon.com for only 20 bucks on Saturday. So far it's been amazing
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
When talking about cases, would it be possible to mention (as some of the posts do) which docks these work with (I use all the docks...car, HD/standard docks, lapdock). Also a link to some site with the product or a good enough description that I can google it.
I hate to be a pain in asking for the extrra info, but I'm looking for a case now, too and don't want to have to remove it all the time (especially for the car dock).
Of all the experiences I have read about cases and their compatibility with docks, the only one that I have heard that works is the Incipio Feather (or somehting similar) when taking in the consideration of actually not removing the case.
troycarpenter said:
When talking about cases, would it be possible to mention (as some of the posts do) which docks these work with (I use all the docks...car, HD/standard docks, lapdock). Also a link to some site with the product or a good enough description that I can google it.
I hate to be a pain in asking for the extrra info, but I'm looking for a case now, too and don't want to have to remove it all the time (especially for the car dock).
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Is this the one:
http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-Motorola-Atrix-feather-Ultralight/dp/B004QJPWK4/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
Yes, I have read that people just simply remove the insert that is in the docks and it fits just fine. I have seen pics before too but can't remember where I saw them. Maybe I can try to find them.
troycarpenter said:
Is this the one:
http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-Motorola-Atrix-feather-Ultralight/dp/B004QJPWK4/ref=pd_cp_cps_1
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---------- Post added at 11:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 AM ----------
Here is a thread about a mesh cover (which is essentially the Feather but with a mesh look) and the second link is a post of someone in that thread showing the Atrix in the car dock with the case on.
Thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1194096
Post with pics:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16704009&postcount=27
Here is another thread discussing (and maybe confirming) the Feather working with docks:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=982574
The Incipio feather will fit in the car dock with the cardock insert removed, but the latch wont close. It has a ridge that comes over the face of the phone, but sits on top of the feather case. It will work if you make sure you have it inserted firmly all of the way in. I take corners pretty fast and had it fall out a couple of times. I modified mine to make the latch close pretty easily. Put it in the cardock and marked the outline with a X-acto knife. Used diagonal cutters to cut the 2 short vertical cuts. Scored the Horizontal mark with the X-acto knife and snapped the piece off with some lineman pliers. Now that these are $10 apiece I am tempted to get another one (or 2). Just was not worth the 25 bucks I paid 6 months ago.
Thanks for the various comments about cases.
I've looked at the various recommended cases and think I'll probably have to give the Incipio Feather a miss if it is as fragile as others have mentioned. I'm based in the UK so I'd have to order the case from the US (can't locate a UK seller) and this would cost me the equivalent of around US $ 45.00 which is a bit too much for something which won't last long!
Various other hard cases aren't available in the UK either (or not at decent prices) and, for me, the most important thing is to have a case lacking in bulk.
The Otterbox Commuter is the only one I get can get reasonably cheaply from within the UK (about US $ 20) but I'm not taken by the look of this.
Therefore, I think I've settled on the Seidio Surface which looks to have good reviews and will hopefully be the sort of slimline case I can deal with. I can obtain this via Amazon UK from a US seller for a mere US 36.00!
Incidentally, in the monster "Ruggedized battery cover" thread, there was mention that the Seidio Surface fits the lapdock and can be easily removed for the car dock:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16600986&postcount=379
I don't own either dock so this isn't really of relevance to me!
I started looking for a discrete case for the same reason (battery door is way too slippery.)
There were some Chinese-made rubberized battery door replacements that seemed popular a while back. Most of the mobile accessory sites that carried them sold out, though I found and ordered one on eBay. The seller seems to have more:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Back-Cover-...ltDomain_0&hash=item415bd6c69c#ht_2880wt_1085
I just got my yesterday. Fitment is surprisingly accurate, no misaligned cutouts or anything, and the added bulk is acceptable. Feels much better in hand now, too, when typing in landscape mode. It takes a deliberate effort to free the phone from the case, as it has a couple of tabs that clip into the retaining slots used by the factory battery door. Haven't noticed it snagging or coming loose as it goes in and out of my pocket either.
edit:
I just noticed the "dock fitment" discussion going on in this thread. I can't say anything about this case + docks since I don't own any docks.
I fashioned a case out of 3M carbon vinyl wrap. Keeps that Carbon Fibre effect on the back case whilst making it much more grippy (never dropped it since) and much more aesthetically pleasing as it gives off a 3D carbon fibre effect.
I can post pics if you like
Also worth mentioning you can pick this stuff up dead cheap off eBay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30x20cm-G...arParts_SM&hash=item4cf189dd66#ht_1792wt_1163
This sheet will give you a few attempts at it. It took me 2 to get mine the way I liked it
If you are just looking for grip without affecting aesthetics the Zagg Total protection is a great option. Clear is nearly impossible to tell it is on there. It is the same material and install as the screen protector. So no residue when removed. Make sure you read/watch the install tips from Zagg. I have been using it since April without a drop.
I have; however, decided to get a case and am trying the Seidio Active. The wife got the Incipio Silicrylic. both indeed fit in the HD/Standard Dock with the insert removed, I'm curious about whether there is enough support from the back of the dock though. As mentioned, I'm guessing the car dock will not close due to the extra couple millimeters, but will try it out and reply if it does indeed work.
Well, the Seidio Surface winged its way across the Atlantic reasonably quickly and I received it earlier this week.
It is very slightly bulkier than I expected but it is still very slimline so this isn't a problem as it still fits in my pocket easily. A little more difficult to take the phone out of my pocket than previously but again, not really a problem.
The surface of case itself isn't as 'grippy' as I expected, either, but it is a great improvement to the usual slick battery cover and I haven't juggled with it yet this week! I can now operate the phone using one hand if necessary without fear that I will lose my grip and drop it.
There are a few small imperfections on the back of the case - it would seem as though there were a few specks of dust or some other substance on the case before it was covered with the rubberised coating as a few tiny bumps can be felt. Not enough of a problem for me to bother returning it all the way to the US, however!
It is slightly tricky to take the Seidio Surface off the phone - it seems to come off easily sometimes but remain stubbornly in place at others. I think I'll need to practice taking it on and off the phone a bit more until I get the knack.
Overall, I'm reasonably impressed with the case and would give it an 8/10. It would have received a higher score had it not been so ridiculously expensive for me to buy here in the UK - Amazon.com are selling it at approximately half the price I paid!
I am going to get a s4 soon, and I am wondering if I will need to get a case. Currently on the charge, and when I bought it I got the thicker case vzw offered. Within two weeks it was off, and I have used the phone naked ever since. I have dropped it countless times onto tile and concrete, and the only damage is a few scratches on the back cover and dents in the part of the bezel that extends past the screen (raised edge).
I have read that the s4 is quite fragile. Based on the above, should I get a case? If so, can I get the smallest one available, or should I opt for something bigger?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
JihadSquad said:
I am going to get a s4 soon, and I am wondering if I will need to get a case. Currently on the charge, and when I bought it I got the thicker case vzw offered. Within two weeks it was off, and I have used the phone naked ever since. I have dropped it countless times onto tile and concrete, and the only damage is a few scratches on the back cover and dents in the part of the bezel that extends past the screen (raised edge).
I have read that the s4 is quite fragile. Based on the above, should I get a case? If so, can I get the smallest one available, or should I opt for something bigger?
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
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It's all going to be up to your personal preference. Based on what you said, I would highly recommend a case. The S4 is pretty damn fragile and it's just not worth the risk if you have a history of dropping your phone. As for the size of the case, that is going to be up to you. Obviously the smaller/minimal cases will offer less protection. I like as little bulk as possible so that's fine with me and I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid on my S4 right now. Also consider a screen protector (plastic, tempered glass, etc.). Costly purchases but worth the $250+ investment into your new phone imo. :good:
Dropped mine one time on flat tile from hip height and screen cracked and would not display an image.... Get a case.
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I use a speck Candyshell and it doesn't add much bulk or weight to the phone at all, thats my recommendation. The smaller and light silicone cases just don't offer the kind of protection a hard case does. The Candyshells are on the more expensive side, but you can get them on Amazon cheaper than you can on Speck's website
dust. said:
It's all going to be up to your personal preference. Based on what you said, I would highly recommend a case. The S4 is pretty damn fragile and it's just not worth the risk if you have a history of dropping your phone. As for the size of the case, that is going to be up to you. Obviously the smaller/minimal cases will offer less protection. I like as little bulk as possible so that's fine with me and I have the Spigen Neo Hybrid on my S4 right now. Also consider a screen protector (plastic, tempered glass, etc.). Costly purchases but worth the $250+ investment into your new phone imo. :good:
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How do you like that case? I have the white on order (as well as the glass screen protector) and was wondering if it looks as good as it does on Spigen's website.
If you're ever going to drop your phone than a case is a good idea.
If it doesn't offer protection to the four corners it's not worth it.
I saw a brand new GS4 dropped from waist height onto asphalt and it bent the metal rim around the screen and messed up the front facing camera.
The guy had a case on it, but it was a plastic sleeve with a stand that didn't cover the corners.
As far as screen protectors go I think they're a waste of money. The phone has gorilla glass. Unless you find yourself regularly working with materials that are actually hard enough to scratch the screen, it's just going to be another layer for glare and bubbling imperfections.
I had a Droid Charge for 2 years and only scratched it once, when I had some marble dust under my finger nail.
JIHAD MY BOI.
I currently have an Incipio DualPro Shine on my S4. Offers pretty decent protection without being stupid thick, like the otterbox.
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Yeah I don't have any scratch problems and don't care about cosmetic damage. The main thing I'm worried about is functionality breaking, like screen shatter or sensor damage.
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I found the phone without a case too slippery and knew it would be dropped. I got the urban armor gear case and love it. IMO it is the the best mix of protection, slimness, and cool factor
Sent from my Galaxy S4
probably a good idea
I have a screen protector and a casemate toughcase on mine. A week or so ago I dropped the phone onto concrete from thigh level. I was scared as all could be that it would be cracked cause it sound like it hit hard, and it hit bottom first. Nothing happened luckily. I was wondering about the protection quality of that case, so far so good. It's a two piece case, and can be had for around 20 something bucks on amazon. I recommend getting a case.
I use a combination of a screen protector with the Spigen Slim Armor series case. Phone fits in it like a glove and adds very little bulk. I've dropped it a few times and it's survived with no issues. The case is a double layered rubberized with a plastic cover for looks, and it looks very sleek. It's worth checking out for sure. They're also on sale on Amazon for $14.99 at the moment, add a screen protector (also on sale for 6.99 and comes with 2) and some other random item and you can get the free shipping on orders over $25. Leaving you a link for the case and protector.
NOTE: When I added the protector to my cart and went to check out I noticed it added a iPhone 5 protector even though I was on the GS4 page, I had to remove and add a few times before it correctly showed the GS4 protector. Just a FYI.
EDIT: Well I can't post links because I'm under 10 posts. Sorry, they're just a quick Google search away though!
Get a case. I love having my phone naked, especially with my S4 because of how slim and lightweight it is - but therein lies the problem. I use an Otterbox Commuter case at work. Previously - while the Otterbox cases are good quality - I have refused to use them due to the bulk they add. However the S4's Commuter Otterbox case is fairly slim for a rugged protection case, so I decided to give it a go. It's really not bulky. The Defender on the other hand it way too much bulk for my taste.
I work in a transportation hub - around extra hard concrete floors, moving belts and machinery, metal grating docks, etc. - basically a rough environment. The first day I got the phone I went without a case, but with how slim and lightweight it is all I kept thinking was "I'm gonna drop it, it's gonna break, I'm gonna drop it, it's gonna break". So after work, I went and grabbed the Otterbox from my local Verizon store. I use it at work, and when I get home to my nice, soft, carpeted environment - I immediately take the case off.
A little over 2 weeks after I got it, I woke up and rolled over to check the time on my phone. It slipped out of my hands, fell about a foot and a half, and as it fell it hit against the metal rail on my bed (the frame that your mattress sits on) and landed on my carpeted floor. Grabbed it thinking it would be perfectly fine - it was a very short fall, it landed on carpet, and just grazed the rail. Took a look at it and the frame around the front of the phone, the faux metal one, had a huge gouge in it. I was very disappointed by this, but figured it was a freak accident. About a week ago, I got the Samsung Wireless charging pad for my phone. Set it up next to my bed, and as I was testing it out, I lifted one end of the charging pad while the phone was still on it, creating a slope. The Samsung Wireless Charging Pad doesn't have much of a grip to it, so it slipped off and made that same 1 1/2 foot fall from my bed to my floor, again grazing the metal rail on the way down. Again, I have another gouge in it. While this is a metal rail, it does not have any "sharp" edges to it. The edge itself is rounded, so it's gentler on objects that it comes in contact with, and it is covered by a bedskirt, again, helping to soften the blow should anything hit it.
Having learning my lesson (kind of) with the same freak accident happening with my phone hitting my bed in just to right way during a foot and a half drop (I have never dropped any of my previous phones...from my bed), I am looking into lightweight Carbon Fiber Skins to hopefully add a small layer of protection and sadly, I am resorting to also wrapping the bed frame in foam because I am stubborn and still refuse to use a case when I am not at work.
The point of this long drawn out story is that in my experience - as beautiful as this phone is, and as much of a shame as it is - I highly recommend a case of some sort. Unless you want to be like me and start padding the environment around you. The phone does not seem to handle falls well, even over short distances.
---------- Post added at 03:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:20 AM ----------
As an additional note, you don't need to go all out with a massively bulky case. I recommend something with dual layers though, the internal rubberized layer that helps absorb the shock from a fall and the outer plastic shell that protects against the dents/damage/etc.. While I have the Otterbox, I plan on making the jump to the Spigen Slim Armor Case, it looks much more beautiful than my Otterbox and slimmer too. I currently use their Glas.tR Screen Protector, having found that the glass gives it the naked feel that I love while still provided amazing protection for the screen. Their products really are top notch, high quality, slim, and don't take away from the aesthetic of the phone.
I'm using a blue android clone army case from cruzerlite
sigmaxaa said:
How do you like that case? I have the white on order (as well as the glass screen protector) and was wondering if it looks as good as it does on Spigen's website.
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I really like the case so far. It adds a bit of bulk though on an already big phone so it can be a bit cumbersome at times to reach stuff on the screen with one hand (I have pretty small hands lol) but I think it looks great and I am very satisfied with my purchase.
I had mine naked for a week and was scared, it slid out of my pocket at the gym a couple times but onto a rubber floor, so no damage...got tired of being careful and threw on an otterbox commuter..loving it, feels more sturdy and i dont have to worry about it.
had a commuter on my s3 and that thing hit the pavement a good 3-5 times from about 5-6 feet up, no damage at all
Don't Hesitate
After about a week and a half of fretting about dropping it, scratching it, or otherwise, I was very relieved when I finally broke down and got a case. I'm using a semi-thick plastic/silicon case from CruzerLite.com. It's well worth it, looks cool (I actually get a lot of questions and compliments on it's design), and it's quite functional. It also doesn't add a lot of bulk! CruzerLite.com, check it out!
I have not used a case yet don't like the extra thickness. I've dropped it pretty good a few times but only dented the metal. Guess I been lucky
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Heart Foxx said:
After about a week and a half of fretting about dropping it, scratching it, or otherwise, I was very relieved when I finally broke down and got a case. I'm using a semi-thick plastic/silicon case from CruzerLite.com. It's well worth it, looks cool (I actually get a lot of questions and compliments on it's design), and it's quite functional. It also doesn't add a lot of bulk! CruzerLite.com, check it out!
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I got the bug droid exo from their website. There costumer is great
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You need one
I got the otter box for mine, love it!
JihadSquad said:
I am going to get a s4 soon, and I am wondering if I will need to get a case. Currently on the charge, and when I bought it I got the thicker case vzw offered. Within two weeks it was off, and I have used the phone naked ever since. I have dropped it countless times onto tile and concrete, and the only damage is a few scratches on the back cover and dents in the part of the bezel that extends past the screen (raised edge).
I have read that the s4 is quite fragile. Based on the above, should I get a case? If so, can I get the smallest one available, or should I opt for something bigger?
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I too had a Charge before my Galaxy 4. I had a silicon case and I still dropped it all the time. It once hit the pavement with such force that it opened and the battery fell out....it still worked. I cannot imagine this kind of resilience on the s4.
However, I found what I think is a great case - it is made by Speck - a very thin harder plastic with a rim to protect the screen AND some kind of rubber ribs all over the back and the sides so you have plenty of grip. I've not dropped the phone yet and I know this case is a good part of the reason. I have the crummy plastic screen cover from Verizon and will be putting a better one on in the next day or two. I got the Speck case at Best Buy but have also seen it at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Product...8-3&keywords=speck+case+for+samsung+galaxy+s4
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Products-CandyShell-Samsung-Galaxy/dp/B00C27R8MM/ref=sr_1_3?[/url]
ie=UTF8&qid=1373786228&sr=8-3&keywords=speck+case+for+samsung+galaxy+s4
Then I was still left without a clip for the occasional times when I don't have a purse or pockets. I found a Nitze black foldover case with a clip in the back. It is made with elastic in the middle so you can carry your phone and credit cards. I cut out the elastic and am now able to fit the S4 WITH the Speck case still on it. (Sorry but I can't find a link for that case now).
Hope this helps. As you can tell, I really love the Speck and it comes in several colors.
I did receive this case from Roocase in return for providing a review. That in mind, my initials thoughts were that although it was packaged nicely, in a static-free bag, it looked kind of cheap for the price range (the actual price on Amazon, not the price I paid)... I removed the case from the package and the journey to actually get the case apart and installed on my phone began. Like other reviewers, I had a heck of a time getting the case taken apart and then actually installed on the phone. It took a little bit to realize that you needed to install the front on the phone first, then snap the back into place. To be fair, with a little practice, the installation is not too difficult. A week in, it is still quite tough to remove the case.
I was using this case after using Spigen Slim Armor case. My big gripe with that case is that the buttons are almost impossible to differentiate without looking at them, and I find myself adjusting the volume when trying to wake the phone from sleep. This is definitely not a problem with the Roocase. The button covers are large and well textured. No problem there.
I also really liked that I could see the back of my phone through the polycarbonate back. Nice touch Roocase.
I have never been a big fan of built in screen protectors. I have already installed one on my phone, and while I haven't had the problem of my existing screen protector peeling off at the edges, I have noticed a decrease in the sensitivity of my screen, and I don't like the feel of the plastic screen protector built in to this case.
The port covers are a nice touch, but they are really difficult to get open. The USB cover also tends to cause some of my looser micro-USB cables to fall out while charging (like the one on my car charger), which is a pain. It also increases the security of the connection for some of my cables, so it's kind of a mixed bag there. After having them open for an extended period of time, the covers tend to stay open for a while, and I wouldn't be surprised if the problem only gets worse over time.
The case does seem to be built like a tank. I wouldn't be even remotely worried about dropping my phone with it in this case. I have used an Otterbox Defender on previous phones, and I would rank this one just as high on the protection level spectrum.
Overall I like the case. I like the flat back sometimes, but sometimes I do get a little annoyed by the above niggling issues and go back to my Spigen, or my CM Naked Tough case. If you need something that is built like a beast and like using the Otterbox Defender, then I would recommend the case. Otherwise, I would have a hard time recommending it at this price point ($19.98 plus free shipping).
I gave this 3 stars on Amazon.
Love the pictures.
Pictures? Huh?
Help to remove the roocase of Nexus 6 easily
"A week in, it is still quite tough to remove the case."
How to remove the case with ease? Please advise.