>> REVIEW << Galaxy Note 3 S-VIEW case - Authentic VS Fake - Lots of Pics! - Galaxy Note 3 Accessories

>> REVIEW << Galaxy Note 3 S-VIEW case - Authentic VS Fake - Lots of Pics!
Fedex just dropped off my new note 3 s-view case today, and I have to say that this is one serious high quality case.
As I have been riding temporarily on the cheap flip cases from China, I have a few days of comparison under my belt.....
and for clarity sake.....there is NO comparison.
Quick Observations:
1. This case has REAL nylon stitching. This was completely unexpected as everyone said it was molded. Well, not on the flip cover. I hobby with leather craft and know real stitching when I see it - Bravo Samsung !
2. The case is heavy ! Compared to the OEM plastic back, this case is a porker.
3. The bonded vinyl is textured but NOT to look like leather. I hear the black case has a leather texture. This does not.
4. The cheap case has a soft felt lining on the inner surface (real lint collectors), the OEM case is slick vinyl.
5. The view port on the cheap case comes pre-scratched to save you the trouble. Its CHEAP and looks it. The OEM looks like some bonded or coated plastic and it definitely feels sturdier.
6. The view port on the cheap case DOES NOT transfer any touch commands. So its only a pretty window at best.
7. The cheap case has no control element, so opening and closing the case does not trigger any s-view options.
8. The cheap case clearly has no NFC antenna. Ironically, neither does the OEM back. The OEM flip does !
9. The OEM flip case is stiff. Out of the box, the cover wants to flip closed. I am sure that will change over time.
10. Last but not least, the OEM flip case extends beyond the plastic shinny edges (really samsung ??) of the phone for added protection, vs the cheap case's flush-to-the-edge design.
OVERALL - This case is well worth the $60 they charge. I do suspect it may suffer from some edge de-lamination over time as its clear that the vinyl cover is bonded. Given where the stitching is, I can see some potential for peeling around the edges. That aside - this case is a total win for the note line and Samsung R&D hit their marks on this one. I do expect to get a black version at some point as I used a black cheap case for a few days, and the the color combo looked great (like a classic tux!).
Enjoy the pics!
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I may look to delaminate and make a leather version some day !
What a godsend this option is. I was so sick of fumbling with my Gnote 2 flip case when trying to take a pic. This is brilliant and much easier to handle.

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I like the look of this case and would happily buy one but I can't help but think it's going to be a giant pain in the ass to use the phone with it on. Does the flap get in the way of holding the phone when you're using it?

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Alex---1 said:
I like the look of this case and would happily buy one but I can't help but think it's going to be a giant pain in the ass to use the phone with it on. Does the flap get in the way of holding the phone when you're using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im also interested in knowing this before I buy it
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app

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how well does the s-cover fold backwards?

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Does it stay shut like fully down
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

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Also if you find one in stock at a local T-Mobile check in with Foursquare and get a 30% off coupon. Picked mine up for $45 out the door.

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D1G1T4L said:
Also if you find one in stock at a local T-Mobile check in with Foursquare and get a 30% off coupon. Picked mine up for $45 out the door.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using a real s-view case since last week and it's amazing. I wasn't happy with the price but I got it for $35 bucks with my discount. The case is stiff and wants to stay open or closed but is slowly breaking in.

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Alex---1 said:
I like the look of this case and would happily buy one but I can't help but think it's going to be a giant pain in the ass to use the phone with it on. Does the flap get in the way of holding the phone when you're using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
craigels said:
Im also interested in knowing this before I buy it
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hairdewx said:
how well does the s-cover fold backwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
craigels said:
Does it stay shut like fully down
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2438273

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The case is stiff, no doubt, but I do expect it to lose up similar to my experience with the note 2. This case has more substance to it so it will probably take longer. Concerning the pita factor, if u buy it from Verizon and dont like it, I believe u can return it in 14 days. I don't find the case to be an issue as I talk on the phone with the cover in the closed position. This works out better as I don't have to deal with greasy ear prints. Also, when open, I slip my pinky and ring fingers on each side of the case which makes 1 handed typing easier as you have a good grip point. I also forgot to add earlier, the case does not interfere with the back camera!
A few hours in and I am loving the sview screens - just the right amount of data and jumps right yo the alerting app when you open the cover after a text or call comes in.

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It doesn't have nfc built into it. Those pins are for the s view to work. Nfc is built into the battery.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

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great review/pics... ordered one, 25%off using business account... not bad

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I think my OCD won't let me use my Note with this case, just imagining it flapping around annoys me.

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Thanks for this.
I have been checking with some of the other makers of S-View cases and got this response.
"sorry, this product do not have s-view function, and sleep/weak up model,
at moment,ONLY official case has this funcion as there is a chip in the back of case,
nobody can copy that in a few month. whatever you see in the market or ebay, all of them do not have s-view function exclude OFFICIAL Samsung CASE"
So I guess it will only be the Samsung cases that work for now.
Might be another reason Spigen are holding back.

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Alex---1 said:
I like the look of this case and would happily buy one but I can't help but think it's going to be a giant pain in the ass to use the phone with it on. Does the flap get in the way of holding the phone when you're using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It bothers me a little bit. It starts to feel pretty "sharp" after long use. Plus It doesn't like to stay closed unless you put it face down--albeit I've only had the case about 3 days. I'm giving it a break for right now, because it's not very useful for me right now. I use my spigen most of the time now.

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does S-View adversely affect Battery Life?

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hairdewx said:
how well does the s-cover fold backwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what im interested4 to know also
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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jhobert said:
This is what im interested4 to know also
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not meant to do that. Overtime it'll stretch and not close anymore. Which is why I returned mine. POS
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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Girn said:
Nope, not meant to do that. Overtime it'll stretch and not close anymore. Which is why I returned mine. POS
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, good thing u told me nefore I go out and buy one.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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seems like I will go without a casing for quite awhile...

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I got the case few days ago. I got nothing good to say about it.
1. Case really is "sharp" (Thankfully not so sharp that it could cut your fingers off - but close)
2. If I'm right there is magnet in the flip (left - down corner) It's just for phone to know if flip is closed or open.. But, why it could'nt be at right side of flip --> It would be abel to hold flip closed, now it flaps freely
3. Why case have to come over phone lines everywhere, why case can't be like S3 and S4 (Nohing else changes but the flip) Note 3 comes bigger and harder to handle + when flip is turned to back of the phone, it's very hard to take s-pen out.
4. Why there can't be hole for indicator led that is top of phone next to speaker, When you attach the flip cover, you can't see that blinking LED telling you that you have missed call, or any other notifications (messages, phone is fully charged, etc..)
5. S-Hole (lol, or should it be called s-view window or something). Anyway, I think it is too a total fail from Samsung (Mean the software side of it) So to list what I think is bad in it: Weather, needs that one widget enabled to work + if GPS is off it don't update weather (if GPS is all time on, that eats you battery, you cant manually set place for weather). Alarm, why window can't show when you have next alarm? How about using camera through S-Hole - What a joke, no matter what settings you have in your camera - pictures will always be squares (3096 x 3096)
That makes the camera option totally useless for me.
PS, Im not 100% sure of everything I told there, but that is how I think. And forgive me my english, I know it's not smooth and fully right writed, but I think you'll get the point