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I personally love the feel of my vibrant without the silicon casing on but unfortunately, I have to go with it whenever I leave the house to protect it from knicks and knacks (plus I always seem to drop my phone...)
I have a screen protector (REALOOK) and a TPU case. I too like the way the phone feels and looks without a case but yea, it needs to be protected. My old G1 got bang up pretty bad by not using protection... LOL...
I've had my vibrant in a case since day one but still have scratches all over the body. I think the shiny plastic material is just scratch prone. If I had to do over I would have tried some of the clear body armor type product. Definitely love the bare feel, may just go without a case and hope replacement parts become available.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I have the stealthguards screen protector and battery cover protector. Both are mainly on there just for weight and grip and the front is also on to make my vibrant have a flush front.
Silicone = ****
polyurethane Is The Way To Go, Alot More Protective And A Better Fit For Your Phone
I rock mine naked. I had a hard clear case for my G1, but it really didn't do a whole lot of good and my screen didn't get scratched at all. The Vibrant has gorilla glass and you get a 2nd back cover out of the box so I decided to go without.
I've got a realook screen protector and the tmobile gel case.
My battery cover AND the faux metal bezel are pretty scratched up. Been in the case since day one, so I suspect the gel case scratches it. Go figure.
I honestly didn't like the bare feel. Too slippery and small, so now I have a rubber case in it. Fits like a glove and grips better while still sliding out of the pocket without sticking. And of course a screen protector. I kept one on my g1 since day one. Its beaten to hell, the lip part is cracked and the sdcard unmounts if you apply pressure but the screen is flawless lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I use a Casemate Tough Case and have been using this style of case on all my phones for years. Usually Otterbox, but they took too long this time around so I gave the Casemate a try. I never drop my phone, but I have two kids under 5, so the cases are definitely tested from time to time. There are no better cases if you want real protection, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I've got the hard Body Glove case with the black rubberized back. I haven't tried any other cases because I really like this one. The phone just felt too fragile to me without a case, this gives it a little bulk and makes it feel a little more substantial.
No screen protector. I haven't seen the need for one. I'm not super careful with it either and will carry it in a pocket with keys and loose change pretty often. Been doing this for 2 months and no scratches on my screen. The screen is definitely pretty tough.
this is a $500 phone, and it's slippery. I drop **** all the time so i got the silicon case. it looks lumpy, but it's worth it.
mmas0n said:
I use a Casemate Tough Case and have been using this style of case on all my phones for years. Usually Otterbox, but they took too long this time around so I gave the Casemate a try. I never drop my phone, but I have two kids under 5, so the cases are definitely tested from time to time. There are no better cases if you want real protection, IMO.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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I have the same case and 3 kids under 5. Its the best option for me and feels really solid while holding.
I have hybrid TPU case, and so do allot of others here
...id vote but not listed in poll...hint hint
smutek said:
I've got the hard Body Glove case with the black rubberized back. I haven't tried any other cases because I really like this one. The phone just felt too fragile to me without a case, this gives it a little bulk and makes it feel a little more substantial.
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Click to collapse
Couldn't have said it better. I use the BG case, and love it -- the look, the kickstand, the added bulk. (The "naked" (ugh) phone is too thin to hold comfortably on a call; and others have said, it's slippery as hell.
I utilized the stealthguard front and back. So its practically naked.. but not naked
me like sexi like bikini oki
hottie girls
I'm amazed by the durability of the screen. I don't make it a habit of putting it in my pocket with anything inside, but when I have and cringed as I pulled it out expecting scratches, to my surprise no scratches.
As a rule, the harder the cover material, the more the shock will be transferred directly to the phone. The same for the sticker types which are more for protection against scratches.
I ended up buying a cover from tmo because the phone felt a little slippery by itself. Its made of silicone and think enough to absord some of the impact if it is dropped and us les likely to slip out of your hand.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
I bought the tmo black silicone case. I really like it because it adds grip and gives the phone a more solid, quality feel. One thing I've noticed is if you take the back cover plate off too much...it gets loose and creaky. They really should have gone with the slide lock type.
Sent from: my Vibrant juiced with Eugene's 2.2 Froyo JPM
Case-Mate Tough Case.. no screen protector here
I use a RealLook screen protector and one of these clear, hard cases:
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=217139826
Super inexpensive (bought 2, 1 extra to have on-hand)! Been using clear hard cases like these since my MyTouch3G and I've dropped it (the MT3G) several times onto concrete without a single scratch or damage to the phone. The case took the brunt of the impact. Put a very small crack in it, but nothing else. Ended up replacing it anyway, but that was enough to make me buy them for the Vibrant now. I just don't get that sense of protection from a semi-thin silicone sleeve. Sort of like gluing a bunch of balloons to the exterior of your car and thinking it's going to protect you in a head-on collision. Just not buying it...
So we all like our protective cases... and I agree I think for the average person some type of tpu case or any case that provides some drop security is good. Your basically just looking to save the body of the phone... which i would think could be achieved pretty easily without getting the bigger bulky cases.. like UAG.. Otterbox etc.. if your working 20 feet up i'd say go for it.. otherwise.. why? wouldn't say a slim armor.. or just a slimmer designed case that has a better fit in your pocket do the deed just as well from a normal head to ground drop? I wouldn't think a slimmer case could achieve this easily (I'm not saying i'm right)...
Now for the part we all love.. the screen... so many people get cases.... practically everyone.. but most people tend to not guard the screen the way we should.. I personally believe this is where the money should be spent.. getting a good iloome glass protector or another alternative that will seriously protect the screen from a head drop to concrete etc... at least up your chances substantially from the screen being destroyed....
That is my amateur stance.... now this is why i start the thread.. because the UAG looks nice and very protective... but it adds (excessive?) bulk? couldn't a slim armor or another choice (place good slim protective case here please lol) and as far as my eye can see you can get the iloome flex for a great price.. which i think is a must.. not necessarily the brand but the protector.... so maybe someone can throw something in on a case to save from drops that is quality but slim... and hopefully this thread reminds someone to get a screen protector..... I'm just wondering if these cases are a bit of overkill considering the amount of bulk... and rather if a smaller footprint could basically acheive the same protection from. your normal 7 foot and down worst case scenario... thoughts? advice?
On my razrHD I used an Otterbox defender. So i've been looking around for something similar. But as the N3 already is a huge device to fit in your pocket, i wanted something more slim. The spigen neo wasn't available so I settled for the spigen bounce. I also added a screen protector film. Actually, if your phone drops, I doubt that any screen protector will help much. For me, the screen protector is more for little scratches you get when putting the device into your pocket, bag, or whatever else.
From my expirience, I really loved the silicone of my Otterbox. I could almost put my hand more than 45degrees without the phone slipping from my flat hand. I don't dare doing this with the spigen bounces TPU. Compared to the Otterbox, it's almost slippery.
But the Otterbox made the phone also even heavier than it was already. So i have plenty of reasons not to get a tough case. Instead I ordered a bamboo aluminum bumper. I love the looks,, I think it wont't add much weight and bulk and the back of the phone offers more grip than the spigens TPU and it's also replaceable which wasn't the case on my razr HD. Actually, the only one time I dropped my razr HD was when I was at home and had taken it out of its case to admire the slimness of the phone. Bummer. And I immediately had a scratch on one corner of the kevlar back.
So to sum it up, I plan on using a bumper because the sides of the phone cannot be replaced but the back of the N3 can. The screen won't make a difference with or without protector in my opinion, so I think it's more of a preference thing. I like the thought that I can just peel off the layer of plastic in case of minor scratches. The only last concern I have with my bumper is, that the "housing" of the camera seems to be aluminum which could get scratched because the phone will rest on the housings edge when laid down. The lens won't be affected because it will be angled to any flat surface, and I don't plan on laying my new toy on rough concrete or similar.
Wow. What a long post. But from reading the OP-post, I think it's all about sharing ones thoughts and experience so others can build on it. I hope you didn't mind reading all this.
Thanks but I think your getting screen protectors mixed up from the plastic junk ones two the glass ones that can save a screen... check out YouTube tests on tech 21 or iloome
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
loopers said:
Thanks but I think your getting screen protectors mixed up from the plastic junk ones two the glass ones that can save a screen... check out YouTube tests on tech 21 or iloome
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
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Possibly true, but there'll always be that one little sharp edge the screen drops on so that it gets shattered. And with a screen this big, the likelyhood it's falling "butterside down" is pretty high. Anyway, I'm ok with my screenprotector like it is and I try to be careful not to drop my phone
The most drops I heard of so far was with people who used pouches. The pouch protects as long as the phone is in, but it usually drops down when exerted from the pouch. So I think it may be the same with any other case. Like it was with my razr HD. i never dropped it while it was in the Otterbox. Just the only one time I wanted to use it without my Otterbox.
I quite honestly don't ever see any hard materials landing on my screen, but I do like glass protectors due to the smooth texture and scratch resistance.
I currently use a slim armor and I wouldn't trust it as much as I would if I had an UAG on it even though the slim armor isn't actually that slim...
Kawaisa said:
I quite honestly don't ever see any hard materials landing on my screen, but I do like glass protectors due to the smooth texture and scratch resistance.
I currently use a slim armor and I wouldn't trust it as much as I would if I had an UAG on it even though the slim armor isn't actually that slim...
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Thanks. Probably go with the uag sadly.. it seems the best all around case though sadly has designer flaws
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
loopers said:
Thanks. Probably go with the uag sadly.. it seems the best all around case though sadly has designer flaws
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
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From all my research it seems the best protection for the Note 3 is:
MIME Feather Glass protector
+
Polycarbonate Bumper.
What...Why?!?!
Well, first of all the Note 3 has a more sensitive active digitizer and I think the capacitive sensor's been bumped up a notch.
What that means is you can use screen protectors made of glass to give the screen the extra protection it needs.
These are usually VERY protective, and if given the right conditions should last the length of the phone's lifetime (usually 2 years).
The MIME Feather is the THINNEST glass protector available, sitting at 0.15mm its not that much thicker than plastic screen protectors.
Being the thinnest it should be the weakest of the glass protectors, but like I said since glass protectors are REALLY protective it will be more than enough.
And another point to make, this uses the best materials and machining available. Its just a step up, technologically wise, than the cheap 3mm ones.
So it can actually take a beating as much as those cheap 3.3mm glass protectors (which also tank hits, and brush off scratches as nothing).
For $32... its an expensive investment, but being a one off, its probably worth it.
Bumpers.
Is it weird that the Antenna-gate scandal left us with something genius?
Having a bumper which is scratch resistant, shock proof, temperature proof, and just hands down awesome is just... awesome.
I personally don't like bumpers because I feel like they don't protect the phone's front and back-- the truth is they do.
Having a bumper which sits mostly flush on the sides ...BUT protrudes out from the front and rear angles of the phone is magic.
It means dropping the phone will ALWAYS land on the bumper, and shock absorbed, dint free, scratch prevented.
And bumping your phone will ALMOST always ding the bumper.
What this means is a good, high quality bumper can put less "FAT" on your device and still provide the same protection.
I'm all for efficiency.
And why polycarbonate/VaporMG and not Aluminium or Metal?
It doesn't matter what type of metal you have, surrounding the perimeter of the device creates some sort of "force field" a phenomenon known as Faraday Cage.
An expensive metal bumper made by a reputable company will drop ~1 bar of signal, I'm not sure if NFC and Bluetooth are affected. On top of this, not all metals are the same.
Some are poor shock conductors, and won't really protect your phone.
While TPU can get the job done, its not 100% environment/weather proof. Something like a high quality Polycarbonate (think Nikkon DSLR camera housing) will last longer than your device's lifetime, feel great/grippy, and be as protective. Leather isn't a good choice here simply because its not very sturdy (when its just a thin bumper) and won't be able to absorb as much force as these plastics and amorphous metals. Wood seems like a good candidate... good luck in finding the right tree and the right lumberjack!
In conclusion, a very thin glass protector, and a sturdy plastic bumper.
Together they'll absorb almost all the bumps, nicks, and scratches your phone will experience in its lifetime of normal use.
To get better protection, you can always dial up to a 3mm glass protector and a full-case made of TPU/Glass-Metal/Leather, but I honestly don't think it adds as much protection as it adds bulk !
To get maximum protection for those of you who work in construction on skyscrapers... get a really expensive and thick plastic case. Probably one that has a front cover too. Something not far from Otterbox/Griffin/CaseMate/Lifeproof/Seidio/etc cases. Some of these should survive a car driving over it. Meanwhile lads, enjoy wearing a purse to carry your new blunt-force weapon.
Thank you for reading, and be careful out there : l
Kawaisa said:
I quite honestly don't ever see any hard materials landing on my screen, but I do like glass protectors due to the smooth texture and scratch resistance.
I currently use a slim armor and I wouldn't trust it as much as I would if I had an UAG on it even though the slim armor isn't actually that slim...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, maybe my wording was a little off, which is why I used the "butterside down" example. I meant that if your phone drops and it drops with the screen side down, there'll always be a sharp edge close by or a stone on the ground that just sits there and waits for a phone screen to fall onto it
I also never had any sharp objects falling on my screen so far :silly:
Sorry if I expressed myself incorrectly.
Kangal said:
From all my research it seems the best protection for the Note 3 is:
MIME Feather Glass protector
+
Polycarbonate Bumper.
What...Why?!?!
Well, first of all the Note 3 has a more sensitive active digitizer and I think the capacitive sensor's been bumped up a notch.
What that means is you can use screen protectors made of glass to give the screen the extra protection it needs.
These are usually VERY protective, and if given the right conditions should last the length of the phone's lifetime (usually 2 years).
The MIME Feather is the THINNEST glass protector available, sitting at 0.15mm its not that much thicker than plastic screen protectors.
Being the thinnest it should be the weakest of the glass protectors, but like I said since glass protectors are REALLY protective it will be more than enough.
And another point to make, this uses the best materials and machining available. Its just a step up, technologically wise, than the cheap 3mm ones.
So it can actually take a beating as much as those cheap 3.3mm glass protectors (which also tank hits, and brush off scratches as nothing).
For $32... its an expensive investment, but being a one off, its probably worth it.
Bumpers.
Is it weird that the Antenna-gate scandal left us with something genius?
Having a bumper which is scratch resistant, shock proof, temperature proof, and just hands down awesome is just... awesome.
I personally don't like bumpers because I feel like they don't protect the phone's front and back-- the truth is they do.
Having a bumper which sits mostly flush on the sides ...BUT protrudes out from the front and rear angles of the phone is magic.
It means dropping the phone will ALWAYS land on the bumper, and shock absorbed, dint free, scratch prevented.
And bumping your phone will ALMOST always ding the bumper.
What this means is a good, high quality bumper can put less "FAT" on your device and still provide the same protection.
I'm all for efficiency.
And why polycarbonate/VaporMG and not Aluminium or Metal?
It doesn't matter what type of metal you have, surrounding the perimeter of the device creates some sort of "force field" a phenomenon known as Faraday Cage.
An expensive metal bumper made by a reputable company will drop ~1 bar of signal, I'm not sure if NFC and Bluetooth are affected. On top of this, not all metals are the same.
Some are poor shock conductors, and won't really protect your phone.
While TPU can get the job done, its not 100% environment/weather proof. Something like a high quality Polycarbonate (think Nikkon DSLR camera housing) will last longer than your device's lifetime, feel great/grippy, and be as protective. Leather isn't a good choice here simply because its not very sturdy (when its just a thin bumper) and won't be able to absorb as much force as these plastics and amorphous metals. Wood seems like a good candidate... good luck in finding the right tree and the right lumberjack!
In conclusion, a very thin glass protector, and a sturdy plastic bumper.
Together they'll absorb almost all the bumps, nicks, and scratches your phone will experience in its lifetime of normal use.
To get better protection, you can always dial up to a 3mm glass protector and a full-case made of TPU/Glass-Metal/Leather, but I honestly don't think it adds as much protection as it adds bulk !
To get maximum protection for those of you who work in construction on skyscrapers... get a really expensive and thick plastic case. Probably one that has a front cover too. Something not far from Otterbox/Griffin/CaseMate/Lifeproof/Seidio/etc cases. Some of these should survive a car driving over it. Meanwhile lads, enjoy wearing a purse to carry your new blunt-force weapon.
Thank you for reading, and be careful out there : l[/QUOTE
This was what i was going for.. thank you for the information.. what bumper do you use if u don't mind me asking?
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loopers said:
This was what i was going for.. thank you for the information.. what bumper do you use if u don't mind me asking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now I've got this combo:
3mm Explosion Proof Glass
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181250089468?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
+
Black Matte Slim Bumper
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141097547867?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Next combo:
MIME Feather Glass
http://mimeusa.com/product/galaxy-note-3-feather-glass-tempered-glass-screen-protector/
+
Clear TPU Kickstand Case
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281194981583?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
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.
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I want to thank everyone who has reviewed a case for the Note 3. It had likely played a part in my decision making and am appreciative of the effort and time put in.
cheers,
Matt
Great reviews and thank you for taking the time & money to do this. I agree with you completely on the spigen neo hybrid review, tho it does look nice it has no grip and is more of a "for looks" type of case. Im rockin the ZL otterbox defender-lookalike case and it does a good enough job for me. I especially like the case since it provides for future modifications like extra room for microsd 2 sd card integration so you have your long lasting battery life, great protection and goliath like storage expansion
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda premium
I think the neo would protect from a small drop from waist height or something like that. The case would definitely not survive fully intact though the phone may well do. Not game to try it.
The UAG does stand up to drops quite well. It saved my Note 2 a couple of times, not only saving the phone but also with minimal scuffing to the case itself.
Even though I'm happy with the UAG, I'm tempted to try a commuter on the basis of this review. A bit more grip and port covers is certainly a tempting proposition.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
I switch between UAG and Trident Cyclops. Both of them offer excellent protection ?
Sent from my Galaxy Note 3 ?
Thanks for the excellent review! I currently have a black Otterbox commuter and find the case to be nearly perfect in every aspect. I recently ordered a Spigen neo Hybrid in dante red just to change things up a bit and for a sleeker look.
Great stuff here, thanks for the great review. I have the UAG and love it, but am looking for a protective case with a better feel. After reading this, I'm eyeballing the Commuter as well.
Sent from my SM-N900V using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Def a great review. Been checking out the commuter and UAG cases and definitely leaning towards the commuter now.
Sent from the big ol' Note 3
Haha I wish a review like this was posted before I went out and bought these cases myself. I have the Neo-Hyrbid, two UAGs (one is a replacement for the missing hole) and a Defender, in the exact same colors as reviewed.
I have to say that this is an great review and all of mattt33's review points are spot on. Of the three that I have, the Defender is my favorite for its protection, excellent grip and long-term holding comfort because of the soft outer shell. Comfort is very important to me because I do a good amount of gaming and media watching on my device. My only gripe about the Defender really has to do with the color choice. Anything other than black is going to show dirtiness after a while.
The Commuter does look great though, but I think I would miss the grip and soft-yet-solid feel of the Defender. I'd give it a try, but I'd never hear the end of it from my wife if she stumbled upon yet another case in the mail.
Completely different cases to compare. I have the neo hybrid, and also the uag, and the slim armor. I'd have to say I Love all of them for different reasons. But I usually use the slim armor. It just feels nice looks nice.
Guess where I landed right after ordering a Dante Red Spigen Neo Hybrid. !
Lol., It was merely a decision based on the looks. Didn't drop my Phone since the first day. So hope it will work out for me as i don't have an option to cancel or change the order.
Thanks for the review mate!
Great review. I actually own all of the Neo Hybrid colors. I am usually good with not droppinhg my phones. I like the look of them and am not bothered by the grip.
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JazonX said:
Guess where I landed right after ordering a Dante Red Spigen Neo Hybrid. !
Lol., It was merely a decision based on the looks. Didn't drop my Phone since the first day. So hope it will work out for me as i don't have an option to cancel or change the order.
Thanks for the review mate!
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How has the case worked out for you?
I love Spigen Neo Hybrid but for me all cases in general makes the Note too big... Good review!
conamundas said:
Great review. I actually own all of the Neo Hybrid colors. I am usually good with not droppinhg my phones. I like the look of them and am not bothered by the grip.
---------- Post added at 12:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 AM ----------
How has the case worked out for you?
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Extremely Happy!
Only the original samsung Micro USB 2.0 Cable will fit when the case is on. Opening for the USB port on SPIGEN is small, so 3.0 cables will be unusable.
I love the look and feel of my Spigen Slim Armor case. It also protects fairly well from drops.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Details about Commuter
Wonderful review. After endless hours of research on cases, I thought I had narrowed my choices down to Trident AMS Kraken (since it had a kickstand as well) and the Ballistic Tough Jacket Maxx but this review completely changed my perspective. As such I am now highly considering the Otterbox Commuter. Although I prefer a kickstand, protection supersedes it. I just have a few questions for those who have used or have this case.
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
Sorry for the numerous questions but finding the right case is imperative as I'll have this for 2 years.
snapper11 said:
1) Are there any overall issues or concerns any of you that have or had the case?
2) Ease of access to the ports (i.e. being able to charge the phone?; being able to plug the 3.5mm earphone jacks in?)
3) Any concerns as far as rubber expanding (when phone heats up), not sitting tightly in place?
4) Any issues in conjunction with the use of a glass screen protector? I know the OP has one but the review was only for a week after, I'm concerned about longterm effect such as if its too tight bubbles may start to form.
5) The lip on the front side is much higher than the other cases. Does that affect the usability of the phone or cause any other problems?
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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?
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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
I ordered the Ringke Slim case and Supcase black/clear case to do some comparisons. They were both pretty cheap.
Foxgguy2001 already did a pretty comprehensive review of the Supcase (and posted a Photoshop template for the back, very handy!) so I won't do an entirely new review. However, just wanted to add that the cutouts for the headphones and USB are generously proportioned. This is great - my TPU cover for my Samsung S3 was good, but the headphone socket was a bit snug and my Sennheiser jack only just held itself in (and frequently popped out if I moved around... No such problems with either LG case.)
The Ringke Slim case is 100% 'hard' plastic material. In truth it has a little give to it, you can bend it in your hands with moderate force which is good as it probably won't immediately shatter if dropped from waist height. It has diagonal cutaway grooves at each corner, making each side independent of the others, and a little flexible - allowing you to pop the phone in without much hassle.
In this regard it's therefore got a bit less holding tension than the Supcase -- certainly enough to keep it on, and there is a retaining lip to stop the phone simply falling out, but I'm not sure whether the phone would stay in if dropped from an excessive height or at a weird angle (but then you have bigger problems if you're dropping your phone from more than 3 feet / 1 metre!) The back of the Supcase to me looks very slightly like the cousin of a Griffin Survivor iPhone case... No arguments though, it's all well designed and has some thought put into it.
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The Ringke case came with a free "HD Crystal" screen protector (just the protector, no wipe or cloth or squeejee, but we all have loads of those -- and a few drops of soapy water is all you need to apply). Came with very comprehensive instructions and tips for a successful application, good customer support info too.
Unlike some more expensive film screen protectors, its cutouts for the front camera and sensors are well done with some nice indentations and precision angles -- for the total price, it's a really nice touch from Ringke to include a screen protector. My Spigen (which I managed to get loads of fluff underneath, d'oh!) probably won't last forever...
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For both cases, all cutouts are precise and smooth-edged. The Ringke case has nice tapered edges around the camera cutout and I estimate (purely visually) it's about 4 mm thick.
I took some test photos with flash using both cases which came out great, no haloing or flash refraction through the edge of the case. The Ringke has two small cutouts in the bottom-right corner to attach a charm (if you're a twelve year old girl) or lanyard.
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Ultimately, the Ringke case is such good value that even when the back scratches (which I'm sure it would given every day abuse) it's no real trial to buy a second one. Or buy multiple colours and swap between them!
I've gone with the slightly sturdier Supcase for the time being because its grip on the phone feels superior, and the slightly hard, rubbery texturised 'rim' gives me a bit more purchase (good, because I'm quite violent with my phone and also have very dry hands). The all-round lip which retains the phone on the Supcase is better than the easy-to-snap-in-but-slightly-looser Ringke. However, if your phone usually lives in a bag and just sits on an office desk, certainly give the Ringke Slim a try - you can see the whole phone through the transparent one (and it really does look quite pretty), it's quite discreet and still has decent grip factor considering it's just plastic.
They're only £6 each, why not buy both!
Hi, do you have any pictures of your G3 in your clear Ringke slim case?
My job entails me crawling around under houses in the dirt, so I'm looking for a case that will help protect the N6 from dirt and cover the screen so it hopefully doesn't get cracked. Does the Unicorn Beetle Pro sound like the case for me?
Yeah, the built-in protector will help a bit when it comes to dirt getting to the phone, and the shell protection is good for being single-layer. Plus, it has built-in covers for the ports.
I did find that dirt can still get in in the seam between its built-in cover and the shell frame, but it didn't reach the phone easily due to the inner glue line.
I'd offer my barely used Beetle Pro case, but I removed the built-in protector when deciding to use a different screen cover - then, I went with dual-layer cases for even more shock safety.
- wader
I purchased the Beetle Pro along with a intelliARMOR PRO edge to edge glass screen protector. Is the Beetle Pro the only case with a holster or something that actually covers the screen? Used to like the OtterBox, but they don't hold up well and don't think they ever made a N6 case.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OGYP52Y/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1#
I work in maintenance and am always dirty, greasy, crawling around and under equiptment. I use my phone a lot for manuals, pics, emails and such. I had the above case for about a week. I scratched the screen protector pretty quickly and noticed grit getting under the case pretty easy. I know it's not the greatest build quality, but quickly decided that 2 piece cases blow. I've bought a used tablet that had an otter box case and the back of the tablet has scratches all other the back from being on it.
Anyway I've learned that in my line of work, that a simple jelly type case and no screen protector seem to do best. The case is good for the occasional drop and no grit to get trapped between the screen and protector. I'm just very aware to keep it in my front pocket and nothing else goes in that pocket. I do remove the case occasionally to clean the phone and case if any grit gets build up, but it is usually little too none. If i do get grit in my pockect from dirt, welding, dust, etc. I just clean out my pocket best i can and the phone goes back in. No issues or scratches so far after a couple of months.
Not sure about tempered screen protectors, but IMHO anything that I can't remove easily to clean under is just asking for trouble with scratches. My two cents anyway.
Mike