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OMG this thing is huge. Probably the worst purchase of my life. it makes my pockets and bulge and looks like i have a freaking tank inside. I'm sorry, but going from an iphone defender to this is like going from a phone to a ****ing TV. Who in their right mind would use something so hideous and large. I'm sorry for ranting but this item sucks.
Lol
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
ROFL!! hahahaha
Yeah i have the commuter case from Otterbox and its also fairly large .
On the plus side every time someone sees my phone like at a checkout counter or where ever all i hear is "OMG that is one huge phone" so i guess if your looking for a conversation piece then buy an Otterbox case and your all set .
I love the protection it offers even if it starts approaching the size of a 7 inch tablet with the case on ..
I had the commutter and then got the defender so that I could have a belt clip. It is huge. I hate how it makes it 3 times thicker than the actual phone.
I'm thinking of switching back to the commuter or getting some other case/folio or something.
I think the phone itself is amazingly thin considering what it is and does.
I am glad to read about someone who has had both because i was also tempted to upgrade/downgrade to the defender after seeing my brothers Defender case for the Samsung Captivate..
Now that i know it makes it ridiculously huge i wont even bother.
I wanted a belt clip for the phone because i am always just carrying my phone in my hand since i hate things in my pockets .
quazimojo said:
Yeah i have the commuter case from Otterbox and its also fairly large .
On the plus side every time someone sees my phone like at a checkout counter or where ever all i hear is "OMG that is one huge phone" so i guess if your looking for a conversation piece then buy an Otterbox case and your all set .
I love the protection it offers even if it starts approaching the size of a 7 inch tablet with the case on ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I thought the Commuter added the right amount of thickness to the Streak. It feels more like a phone to me now than a tablet. The Defender, at 70% of the weight of the Streak itself, was way too much.
I don't use a belt clip, but simply slip the phone into my front pocket and go.
angelis said:
I had the commutter and then got the defender so that I could have a belt clip. It is huge. I hate how it makes it 3 times thicker than the actual phone.
I'm thinking of switching back to the commuter or getting some other case/folio or something.
I think the phone itself is amazingly thin considering what it is and does.
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Click to collapse
exactly, if we could have protection without adding bulk or size on this phone it would be perfect. alas we have to settle for **** like otterbox that takes away the beauty of the phone. people already say hoe big the phone is without the case. I almost feel shameful for putting such an atrocity on this phone.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
what about the impact? does it make the Streak look bulky to the degree some of you guys are mentioning as well?
The Commuter and Impact add 1.9 and 2.1 ounces of weight to the phone. Having an Otterbox adds a little bit to the thickness of the phone but you can very easily slip a phone with a Commuter or Impact case into your pocket.
The best of the three Otterbox cases is the Commuter. Less heavy than the Impact and easier to slip into a pocket than the Defender, it also suffers less from the "silicon dust magnet" problem that affects all silicon rubber cases by having the polycarbonate back panel and sides.
I bought one generic from eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300500734438&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT and it's much thinner than my Otterbox Impact case
I also bought tpu case from ebay. I have 2 different outterbox cases and I like how tpu case is cheap and slim. Hoever, I find it very hard to press the power button. I ave to press it 4-5 times in order to turn the screen on with tpu case.
Can anyone give me some feedback on this if they are using it?
http://tiny.cc/qtc7j
I am thinking about purchasing it. yes I know its cheap but I dont want to buy 4th case and wait a month to get it only to be disappointed.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/protec...-back-case-for-dell-streak-mini-5-black-80791
I have one of the cheaper otterbox cases, maybe the impact? Got it for 7 bux shipped. It's just silicon and a screen plastic. It does make the phone thicker and weighty, but it has protected the thing from multiple bumps and scratches I would have had otherwise.
That, and the silicon gives me piece of mind it's in my pocket and didn't slip out since it sticks to cotton almost.
i love otterbox products, have owned several, and was mightily impressed with the quality of the defender on my gtab 7
so i opted initially for the impact for my streak 5, i was pretty disapointed actually, although the silicone is of very high quality and nice thickness, the two side parts that run down the length of the phone, is far too flexible and virtually flaps about, it needs to be far more rigid somehow
so with that, i purchased the commuter, and boy is this thing quality, a bit lighter to the feel than the impact, using lighter/thinner silicon for first layer
but when you snap the plastic shell over the silicone, its transformed into a solid, rigid, very smart looking shell. highly impressed with the commuter, easy to slip into and out of pockets
the commuter is probably the best case for the streak that exists.
it has restored my faith in otterbox, but they have fallen short with the impact on those side 'struts' imho, looks sloppy
After trying all three Otterbox cases and a TPU case I settled on the Commuter as the best. All of the Otterbox cases work very well with the buttons on the Streak. The Defender was too bulky and the Impact collected too much lint and did not fit as snugly as the TPU or Commuter.
My case rankings:
1) Otterbox Commuter
2) TPU case
3) Otterbox Defender
4) Otterbox Impact
If you watch eBay you can find a Commuter at a decent price - I got mine for about $15.
Overview/Review of the Otterbox cases for the Streak.
Comparison of the Otterbox Impact and a generic TPU case
+1 for the Commuter
sent from XDA Premium app on Streakdroid 1.9.1.4
marvin02 said:
If you watch eBay you can find a Commuter at a decent price - I got mine for about $15.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup - I got my commuter case for about 20 bucks - I'm not very fond of the screen protector that comes with the commuter, but you can change that up pretty easy. I like the hard outside shell on the commuter, it makes it feel strong, and slides into your pocket pretty easy, turn the phone screen down and set it on a table or wherever, and now the rubber holds it in place.. very nice design, works well, keeps it safe.
Cheers!
I bought the commuter for myself and then I bought the Defender for my son's Streak. I switched them around to see if I liked the defender better, but it is so damn HUGE...
I believe that it will do what it says... a cheap case may only provide cheap protection. (Buyer beware)
The belt clip portion of the defender doesn't fill me with awe... it feels cheap and while secure enough while on your belt, it is VERY bulky and just for that reason it may cause more issues than it saves.
I think I'm going to revert back to the Commuter for my phone and the Defender for my son... at least the belt clip provides some screen protection...
I have the defender case for mine and you're right...it's huge. The holster doesn't feel very secure for me so I took a heat gun and heated up the tabs and bent them in just a little. Way better now. I have had to do this with every otterbox defender case I've ever purchased, which is one for the Dell Streak and 3 for iPhones for the rest of the family. I wish they would make the holster a tighter fit. On the other hand, their customer service is out of this world. I have ripped the rubber portion on an iphone and broken two holsters (one iphone, one dell streak) and each time, they have sent me replacement pieces no questions asked and no charge.
I agree with strick242, otterbox customer service is best of the best. I had them replace torn rubber on iphone defender and then follow up to make sure I was satisfied.
The commuter is the otterbox i settled on. it doesn't add too much size and offers good protection. I don't like the rubber tab over the charge/sync port though.
I want a case for my Incredible, that doesn't make it feel so bulky. Something light and thin yet offering decent protection.
What's the best option here? Seidio Surface? Griffin Reveal?
ZealotOnAStick said:
I want a case for my Incredible, that doesn't make it feel so bulky. Something light and thin yet offering decent protection.
What's the best option here? Seidio Surface? Griffin Reveal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a 'speck' case recently from Verizon's site for $5. Its been in a few threads on this site. Very protective and doesn't feel bulky. Those seido ones look way too big, and they're expensive.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I just purchased a Seidio Innocase from amazon and it looks great and is not bulky. I carry it around in a hip case which my old otterbox didnt fit in.
Just got the Seidio Active case, but may not be what you're looking for.
I don't think it's bulky just because I already think our phone is too slim and too difficult to hold comfortably; it adds 2.2mm to depth of phone.
This may be what you're looking for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4hK8IdPmU4&feature=player_embedded
i ordered the seidio rugged combo, comes with innocase and belt clip, i like it better than the otterbox defender, less bulk, solid and secure feel, and if you dont want the added bulk, you can just remove the "rugged" case and use the provided innocase..expensive but great buy, 2 cases in 1...
I have the Otterbox Commuter Case and it's perfect for me. The Defender series is like a tank comparatively.
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I have the Seidio Surface case and I don't even notice a difference thickness wise. Seidio advertized it only adds 2mm to the phone's thickness.
Chernyi said:
I have the Seidio Surface case and I don't even notice a difference thickness wise. Seidio advertized it only adds 2mm to the phone's thickness.
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Seidio is awesome. I have the ACTIVE Blue.
I got it off of amazon a bit cheaper than the Seidio site, but totally worth it!
POQbum said:
Just got the Seidio Active case, but may not be what you're looking for.
I don't think it's bulky just because I already think our phone is too slim and too difficult to hold comfortably; it adds 2.2mm to depth of phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda like trying to handle that bar of soap that's been used down to about a quarter of an inch thick... Personally I liked the Body Glove case. My only gripe about it was the lip around the face of the phone was too big. It made using the full qwerty impossible and down actions on the track pad difficult. Good luck finding one though. The stores that have them keep them right next to the chicken teeth.
I too have the Seidio Surface case. It's great. Very slim, yet it offers protection to the camera lens.
I just got the seidio active case and i like it also its not bulky to me and it fits the phone really good.
I use the Incipio Feather case. It sounds like exactly what you're looking for. Decent protection and so slim you almost don't even know its there.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
hey do you all use a screen protector with your phones? I dont like screen protectors, but went with the barely there case and got scratches because it went face down once.
Gorilla* said:
hey do you all use a screen protector with your phones? I dont like screen protectors, but went with the barely there case and got scratches because it went face down once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
used to use one but not anymore. My screen shattered with one on and I never got a scratch before (6 months of having it and dropping it, sliding it face down).
Replaced the screen for $30 and now I don't use one because it's a hassle that I don't need.
It's useful for a lot of people though.
High Gloss Silicone
The Verizon High Gloss Silicone case is inexpensive, protects well, and add just enough thickness to protect the camera lense. My phone bounces when dropped onto concrete, but still slides easily in and out of my pocket.
(Search Youtube for "HTC Incredible High Gloss Silicone Case")
jimlange said:
The Verizon High Gloss Silicone case is inexpensive, protects well, and add just enough thickness to protect the camera lense. My phone bounces when dropped onto concrete, but still slides easily in and out of my pocket.
(Search Youtube for "HTC Incredible High Gloss Silicone Case")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1.
Had shipped from Verizon for less than $10. It's what you are looking for. This is the case I have now after the speck case. Very light weight. Speck was nice, just turns from red to salmon after a while.
http://www.androidcentral.com/look-verizons-silcone-case-accessory-htc-droid-incredible
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I use the otterbox commuter. It adds some much needed depth to my phone, as I love the dInc, but its too thin for me to hold comfortably. The added depth also has the pleasant side effect of protecting the camera lens. Its over a year old and there's not a scratch on the camera lens; only scratches on it are 2 corners nicked from a drop (cleaning the phone without the case on it) and some minor pocket rash on the screen.
My speck case makes my phone indestructible
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
eckwheet said:
+ 1.
Had shipped from Verizon for less than $10. It's what you are looking for. This is the case I have now after the speck case. Very light weight. Speck was nice, just turns from red to salmon after a while.
http://www.androidcentral.com/look-verizons-silcone-case-accessory-htc-droid-incredible
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. -- I've had this case since I've had my phone (brought case for $20 at that time) and I love this case. Doesn't at any weight or bulk to the phone. Phone is easy to take out of phone, does not get stuck like the other 'rubber' cases. Protects the phone very well, ports and buttons are accessible. Case is very easy to put on the phone and remove as well. I love it!
They have these on Amazon for $10 less than the Seidio site. The case and clip combo, edited cause I didn't know if people may have thought it was just the case. Just ordered the black one. I was going to wait for the cheaper platinum branded one from Best Buy but it still shows backordered on their site. I had the same case for my Captivate and Inspire and really liked it. If you need a belt clip this is a great option.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006671MRG/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
My seidio active just came in from amazon, love it, although I had to pay the full 30.
pics/review/thoughts of your active and surface cases?
I'm looking for something with at least decent drop protection. Looks like Otterbox commuter fits the bill but I thought the active looked a little snazzier.
Here's the best photos I could manage with my old LG Optimus Get ready for the long blocks of text.
Lots of pros: Case fits perfectly along with exoskeleton, no need to worry about it being loose. Makes the phone a lot easier to grip. I no longer have problems gripping the phone, in whatever position I may be standing/lying. Case made of top notch material. Exoskeleton is made to absorb shock when the phone is dropped on its corners and it seems like it does just that.
Camera is not impacted by the case at all, or at least to the point where I cant tell. Everything is cut perfectly, both on the inner shell and outer shell. Doesn't add a lot of bulk to the phone itself.
Have a problem with accidently pushing the volume buttons? Not anymore. The soft inner case is solid enough so that the volume buttons/power button (which are covered) only get pressed when you want to.
Loved the kickstand the first time I tried it. I believe it was made to lock in one position. At first, I thought it was dumb that they made the kickstand open so that the charger port was pointed down towards the table but you can just flip the phone 180 degrees and use the kickstand that way too! Should be all the viewing angles you need.
Cons: The hard exterior exoskeleton does not cover the top and bottom of the soft case. I did not get the holster with it so I do not know how the holster will affect the softer plastic but it seems extremely durable. Not sure how long the kickstand will last but seems well built so hopefully the entire lifespan of my phone. Another con is that the kickstand juts out of the case a millimeter or two so that when you have the phone flat on a table, it doesnt sit flat on its back.
Does attract a bit of lint but hardly noticeable unless under bright lights, which is how I took the pictures
Overall, very nice and durable case. Wish it was a bit cheaper than 30 dollars so if you can snag a sale, good for you! Highly recommended it. I didnt even know seidio existed before reading through these forums and looking at the opinions others gave them and I am glad I went with it! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I just got my surface case in today and it is exactly what I expected. I've had the same case on my Captivate and Inspire. There are other cases I like better but the clip is a necessity for me. Fits like a glove and doesn't add much bulk at all.
It adds a decent amount of protection but don't expect Otterbox Defender kind of protection. Though I have dropped my Captivate and Inspire numerous times with this case on and never had any damage.
Pics later when I get a chance.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA App
FYI I've had Seido Surface cases cause micro scratches on the plastic of phones before. Little pieces of dust/debris get stuck inside and the hard plastic of the phone causes it to scratch the plastic of the phone.
You can have this issue with any type of hard plastic case. I've seen it happen personally on the cheap generic Ebay cases and expensive Surface cases.
I've seen the build up but not scratches in the 3 that I have owned. But I'm also not looking for it either as I don't care if the plastic gets scratched up. I just need something with a belt clip that doesn't add much bulk and gives some protection in case of a drop.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA App
Really torn right now between purchasing the Commuter case from Otterbox or picking up one of the UAG cases for my note 2. I see that the Otterbox offers a two layer case vs the UAG single layer. Also the Commuter has covers for the ports and the UAG does not. Also for those that do own either or both, which do you orefer and why?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
2 layers or a single molded layer - both offer very similar level of protection. I played with Commuter, but pass on it. Using UAG now. Too many advantages over Commuter. The back is less slippery, and has standoff "feet" to create friction with a surface; Commuter is easier to accidentally push/slide off the table with slippery surface (like grass top or granite). Also feels less slippery in my hand (UAG that is). One piece is a lot easier to take off if you need to change battery or remove card. Design of volume/power buttons is better and more responsive, like an external hardware buttons. It's lighter. Better design, looks a lot cooler and has customizable vent inserts. Don't care much about port plugs since I use my phone as GPS on a charger in a car and having micro-usb port cover is PITA. I feel Commuter inner rubber shell will get loose with time, already noticed pull around volume buttons where the rubber part was looser.
Honestly i was pulling towards the uag but i couldnt risk an wait for it to show up so just said buck it an got a commuter.. So far ive been realy happy with it. Size is good gives me a better grasp. A tad slippery but i got used to it now an got my way of holding it. Lip size around the edges is nice too realy would help incase phone fell screen down. Also comes with its own screen protector wich i botched the install since i suck at putting those on. An the biggest of all my conserns was the push buttons. On most of my cases on my old gs2 they were hard to push an this case there just rite.. not to soft nor to hard at all realy just perfect pressure to press. Better then my exs gs3 commuter wich is hard as shat to press the volume or power. I wouldnt put up with it if it was like that on mine.
I give it a 9/10. An only for the color choices aint the best style combinations that they coulda use but oh well not a deal breaker
sent from my Cricket Note 2
Loved my s3 commuter but the note 2 version is now in the trash. That thing was a terrible fit and gradually got worse. Had a replacement that was the exact same. UAG looks like the clear winner right now. I will buy once the crazy pricing goes down.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I had been eye-balling the UAG case, but the uncovered ports were what swayed me to the Commuter. All the **** that collects in the usb port when left uncovered has always made me paranoid. Needless to say I always look for cases that cover the ports.
I was previously using the Defender. That case has great protection and all, but the crap that builds up underneath the screen protector was what made me start looking else where. Seriously, $60 (after tax) for a case that's "dust proof'" that I have to clean inside of twice a week? Plus, the volume and power buttons were as hard as a girls nipples outside in the middle of winter with no shirt on to press down. It made me feel like I was constantly trying to use my manliness to squash the phone and case to pieces with my bare hands with each use.
I'm on day two with the Commuter and have noticed a little bit of slipperiness on the back depending what surface I put it on. But, who cares. You can place the phone face down so the rubber comes in contact with the surface so it doesn't slide. Or, even better, you don't put your phone on a surface that has such a steep grade that it slides right off. The ports are covered (as mentioned) and the buttons have a nice firm yet responsive feel to them.
All the edges seem to line up nicely for what feels to be a nice snug fit. We'll see when I get my glass from Mime if everything fits together nicely.
I really wanted to like to like the UAG. The overall design of the case is pretty cool. The corners with edges will pay dividends when bumped against something. However, the more I thought about it, the big advertisement of a logo all big in brushed aluminum was a little much. Mix that with the uncovered ports and it was enough to sway me to the Commuter.
This is turning into a rant, so good luck in your choice.:silly:
I have to go with the commuter here. Some of the previous reviews have pointed out that the back is slippery. While I would agree, I also think that is not too slippery, and it is much easier to put in and take out of pockets than the UAG. Also, the biggest thing that I disliked about the UAG besides the lack of port covers, was that it just felt awkward in my hand. The commuter is much nicer to hold IMO. Also my UAG case was less than snug, it just felt like the phone wasn't secure. Also, the Commuter I think offers superior protection. Just check out this video. The Commuter, for all realistic purposes, does protects the phone just as much as the defender (which I also have). I think the commuter is the clear winner here.
Also, for what it's worth, Otterbox is the best mobile accessory company out there. Their customer service is quick & friendly. I have contacted them through both phone and email, and I have never received any service less than stellar, unlike my experience with UAG. I preordered my UAG case and was shocked at how little contact UAG had with me, as a preorder customer, especially considering how long the case was delayed.
My commuter also bent my charging port with its stiff port cover. Had to cut it off after my phone was replaced and then the left side of the phone began popping out. The Otter box hit the trash immediately.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I loved my commuter when I first got it but now I hate it. The silicone is made out of cheap material, two weeks old and it's already tearing. The back is very slippery. I sometimes have trouble fitting my usb plug into the slot because the silicone gets in the way. Haven't had the usb bend yet as some have reported. The headphone jack on the commuter is not big enough for some of the plugs I use. I order the UAG case and it will be in tomorrow. I had the UAG on my S3 and I know what a terrific case it is. When my UAG comes in I'm throwing the commuter away.
I have had a commuter, a few other cases, and the UAG.
The Uag was my clear favorite. It is slim enough, but offer comparable protection to the commuter. The commuter was just too heavy and thick. The Uag is slimmer, and noticeably lighter.
I'd recommend Uag over the computer with out pause... Build, looks, and overall quality. But that is simply my opinion and nothing more.
I had seidio active... The magnet kickstand messed up the stylus.
I had a incipio dual pro shine. Great case that added protection, but not as much as the two you listed above. It so scratched so easy and looked like horrible in a week.
The Uag is my final case I believe. If your not sold on either, look into the trident aegis. I oersonslly don't like the way it looks, not even a little bit. But it is getting g great reviews by people here and the people who own it seem to prefer it. Maybe it looks better in person.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
jbreeze228 said:
The silicone is made out of cheap material, two weeks old and it's already tearing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call or email Otterbox. This should not be the "case".
Haha. See what I did there?
AlphaNoble said:
Call or email Otterbox. This should not be the "case".
Haha. See what I did there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao. Nicely done sir.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Anyone know if UAG Allows wireless charging or does it affect it?
So I settled on the commuter case and have got to say I am pretty happy with it. Doesn't make the phone all that much bigger and having the port covers is a plus. Although we will see I'm pretty sure I will end up getting the UAG case as well so I can try them both out.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Literally just got my UAG case in and it was effing awesome! It's so easy to hold and grip versus the commuter I was scared would fall out of my hands because it was so slippery. The buttons are a lot easier to push. Love how you can change the vent colors but rockin the orange for now. The only area the Otterbox wins in is the size of the spen cut out. Other than that there is no comparison between these two. Don't see myself using any other case. Great job UAG.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
chodie said:
I had been eye-balling the UAG case, but the uncovered ports were what swayed me to the Commuter. All the **** that collects in the usb port when left uncovered has always made me paranoid. Needless to say I always look for cases that cover the ports.
I was previously using the Defender. That case has great protection and all, but the crap that builds up underneath the screen protector was what made me start looking else where. Seriously, $60 (after tax) for a case that's "dust proof'" that I have to clean inside of twice a week? Plus, the volume and power buttons were as hard as a girls nipples outside in the middle of winter with no shirt on to press down. It made me feel like I was constantly trying to use my manliness to squash the phone and case to pieces with my bare hands with each use.
I'm on day two with the Commuter and have noticed a little bit of slipperiness on the back depending what surface I put it on. But, who cares. You can place the phone face down so the rubber comes in contact with the surface so it doesn't slide. Or, even better, you don't put your phone on a surface that has such a steep grade that it slides right off. The ports are covered (as mentioned) and the buttons have a nice firm yet responsive feel to them.
All the edges seem to line up nicely for what feels to be a nice snug fit. We'll see when I get my glass from Mime if everything fits together nicely.
I really wanted to like to like the UAG. The overall design of the case is pretty cool. The corners with edges will pay dividends when bumped against something. However, the more I thought about it, the big advertisement of a logo all big in brushed aluminum was a little much. Mix that with the uncovered ports and it was enough to sway me to the Commuter.
This is turning into a rant, so good luck in your choice.:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let us know how it goes with the MIME glass screen protector.
I have both cases and must say UAG wins. Top it off with mime, excellent product with outstanding support
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium
P
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
UAG is very light and is easy to put on or take off. It has military standard drop. Heat vents keep your phone cool. Easy to hold. Looks good if you like the rugged look. Last a long time. I have a uag case from 4 years ago that still looks great today.
Sawdust in your port
Covered ports may seem unnecessary, but when I was working at radioshack, an old man came in and said his phone wasn't charging right. I assumed it was the cord (because that is the case 9 times out of 10), but the cable was perfectly fine. I then checked the USB port, and it looked like someone shoved white playdough in the port and shoved it down. As I pick it out, I discover it was sawdust that was left in there and shoved down over time. The phone worked fine after that.
So I've ordered and received the following 2 cases for my M8 so far:
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective
Aduro Shell Holster Combo Case
I'm not completely happy/unhappy with either one, so I've gone ahead and ordered the following cases:
Minisuit Clipster Kickstand Case - This one looks identical to the Arduro case but is $3 cheaper. If I decide to keep it, even after I ship back it will be the cheaper option.
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
Seidio Surface Case with Metal Kickstand and Holster Combo
Otterbox Defender Series
Spigen Capsule Clear
i-Blason Prime Series Dual Layer Holster Cover with Kickstand and Locking Belt Swivel Clip
SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
I'm not planning on writing complete reviews because it would be too time consuming, but I would be happy to answer any questions that anyone has.
I have preferred SEIDIO cases in the past with the holster combo. I had those on my HTC Tilt and my first Droid 2 - which was lost at an airport when I think a piece of luggage pulled the whole thing from my belt when I lifted it. Apart from that experience (which I blame myself for as much as anything), I'd been happy with SEIDIO...the Tilt survived a motorcycle accident that totaled my bike, but the phone was fine. SEIDIO was pretty expensive though, so I went through 2 or 3 much cheaper rip-offs (sans holster) over the last couple yeats of my phone.
I think the traditional SEIDIO rubberized cases provided a good balance of protection without being too incredibly bulky.
I'm caught at an impasse now with the M8 because it is such a nice looking phone I'd like to show it off with more of a light and clear case. OTOH, I have a 2 year old that I'd like to protect it from. Also, the M8 is much bigger than the phones I've had in the past (height and width wise, thickness is actually thinner) - so I'm not sure how a thick case will influence my carrying it around.
I think the best solution for me may be a case that provides protection somewhere in-between a TPU and a Otterbox (i.e. middle ground) and ideally be able to fit into some holster. I feel that the holster is necessary due to the size of the phone in a jeans front pocket - especially if a case is grippy and hard to get out.
Anyway, the above thoughts are how *I* will be judging the cases and some of them may change my mind entirely (e.g. The Otterbox, which I really don't think I want, but thought I would give it a shot).
I'll ship all the ones I don't want back to Amazon. I figure $10 return shipping is a good investment to find the right case for 2 years of my life.
Let me know if you have any questions about the cases and I will try to answer them!
TraderJack said:
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
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I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
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Sure. I think the one from Verizon is identical to the Minisuit/Arduro ones I mention above. None of them look that slick...with the black cross-hatching. About they only thing they have going for them is a good holster setup...but that's why I'm hoping the Puregear has something else going for it rather than a slightly different design.
The cases will be here on Wednesday and I hope to try them all out then.
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
As long as we're talking about cases, you should try looking at the Dualtek case for the M8. It's a little bulky but definitely protecting the phone and looks stylish. Feels great, too.
I've been using Otterbox cases for every phone since I switched to Android years ago but I agree that the Defender and Commuter cases make this phone too bulky. Luckily they have the Symmetry Series which is slimmer (one piece, plastic shell with rubber liner built in) but still provides great protection. Color schemes are limited, I went with black, but they have around 5 choices if you like brighter colors.
Cons are that the case is a little slippery for my tastes and it adds bulk to an already big phone but I drop my phone every day so it's a trade-off.
http://www.otterbox.com/Symmetry-Series-for-HTC-One-(M8)/htc28-one-m8,default,pd.html
I just got the cases this evening. I'll respond directly to the questions asked, and then I'll give my overview on the others:
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one [HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo]. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
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The Puregear is almost identical to the Arduro and Minisuit cases as I assumed it would be. It has a slightly different cutout for the camera (which I like less), and a different surface texture from the cross-hatching type on the other two. You can clearly see the surface texture differences in the Amazon pics. While I like the design texture on the Puregear slightly better, it is really so equivalent in every other way that it isn't worth the $4-5 premium you would pay over the Minisuit. These are low bulk cases..good holster. These cases would do virtually nothing in a drop except maybe allow a bounce before the phone snapped out of it. That being said my similar case for the Droid took a few drops and the phone was no worse for wear.
cue_32 said:
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
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This one is maybe one of my favorite from the bunch. It is way easier to take on and off then the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective case I also purchased. Unlike the Beetle, the back is totally clear instead of frosted - so it shows off the phone. The sides however are not rigid like the Beetle, which is why it can be removed from the phone easier. The back is more rounded like the phone, whereas the Beetle is more squared. It has a slightly tacky feel...maybe not as much as the Spigen below, but it is grippy. I would say it is kind of your standard TPU type case, but of the utmost quality for these type. Since you can find TPU cases for $3-4, I think the $10 for this is not totally out of line. I'm really unsure that either of the SUPCASEs would offer any real protection from a drop. I will almost definitely be keeping one of these cases for now.
One other benefit of this case is that it fits into the Minisuit/Arduro holster really well.
richteralan said:
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
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Despite the term "soft" being in the description in Amazon...I thought this was going to be a hard case - so I was a bit surprised.
It is actually not slippery at all, quite the contrary. I also don't think it is that bad of a finger print magnet. It is in some ways similar to the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case I mention above, except that it is clear all around instead of having a black bumper. However (and I think I read this elsewhere in the reviews) the clear color of the case has a yellow tinge to it that is really disappointing since the main feature of this case is to showcase the phone. This case may have just a *bit* more cushion than the SUPCASE - but in all honesty I still don't think any of these are offering great drop protection. I think I prefer the SUPCASE (either one) to this one - it just doesn't have the same "sparkle" that you get from the pics.
Going onto the other cases.
The Otterbox and the SEIDIO - the two most expensive ones. And, probably because of that, the two biggest disappointments:
The Ottterbox was just ugly out of the box. I've never had one before because I always thought they were bulky and ugly - but I wanted to give it a chance. Even though the Otterbox probably would protect better than most of these, I still don't think it would be foolproof. I also really dislike the screen covering piece which is non-optional. For the cost, I just wouldn't consider something like this over the i-Blason (see below).
The SEIDIO had the same nice finish I was used to on their matte cases. I wasn't a huge fan of the two piece snap together design. I also got one with a slight manufacturing defect and the pieces didn't line up perfectly. Because of the two piece design, it was able to stay as a slim case but protect all around the edges. However I'm sure the case would snap open if the phone fell onto a hard surface. Additionally, as much as I enjoy the quick release holster of the SEIDIOs, they are not without their problems and can easily get caught on things and drop your phone (happened to me not infrequently with my other cases). The kickstand on this phone was also not that attractive being a bit flimsy and off to the side. Like the others, I also really don't know how much protection from a drop this would give you - probably somewhere just north of the SUPCASE/Spigen. Like the Otterbox, just not worth the money on this phone.
Finally the i-Blason... I think it is one of the better in terms of protection - being a 2-piece shell case. South of the Otterbox maybe, but better than the rest. Not a bad looking case, though not beautiful. I almost wish they had a model without the kickstand and big fat grooves on the back. I don't know if those grooves serve a real functional purpose, but if you removed those pieces you would have a much cleaner looking case with probably the same level of protection.
Looks wise - I think overall the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid is my favorite... I'm just not sure it is going to give me the protection I want from my toddler. I'm considering keeping that and the Minisuit (mostly for the compatible holster). Or, perhaps I will keep the i-Blason for most of the time around the house, but also the SUPCASE for a svelter pocket profile and when I want to show off the phone.
I'm going to keep looking I think for something else like the iBlason. I might give up on the holster idea altogether as I realize it isn't the 90s anymore. I need to see how well this phone does in my pocket over the next week or two to decide if it's a priority.
If you all have more questions on these, I'll do my best to answer.
I just purchased the Case Mate Naked Tough Case from Amazon. So far so good. It has some shock protection and still shows the good looks of the phone. I'm using it in conjunction with a Zagg glass shield. I would post a link, but I suppose I need to post a few more times before I can.
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
FearlessAZ said:
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
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Definitely. Honestly I played with the otterbox for all of 30 seconds. First off, I just thought it was ugly...
Put it on and it seemed pretty bulky, although I was going to give it a chance since I knew that with that bulk came good protection.
The minute I touched the screen though I observed exactly what you are stating, the screen protector is not flush and that gave it an overall cheap feel.
So here is my update as I am leaving town for a couple of weeks and am choosing a case to come with me for the first real road test:
Based on my observations above, and the info from this thread, I think I'm going to stick with the Supcase Beetle.
While I like the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case as well, I feel that it just doesn't offer great protection. Also, I find the volume buttons a little loose, as if they move too much off contact with the phone when you press on them.
The Beetle may only be a ~6-7 in the protection department, but the only ones that beat it are the Otterbox and probably the i-Blason. I just can't do the otterbox, and the i-Blason is a tad bulky and doesn't showcase the phone at all. I wish they removed the back nubbins and kickstand from the i-Blason. I haven't found a really nice and lean 2 piece case (internal silicon, hard outer shell). The Spigen 2-piece (not reviewed here) is a good contender for that role but it blocks the IR port, which is a non-starter (even though I will rarely use that feature, on principal I don't want a case that removes features from my phone).
So, for now I'm opting more for an "8 looks and 6/7 protection." The UAG looked like a good alternative that might have been 8 on both fronts, but from my thread linked above someone who has owned both feels that the Beetle is close on par with the UAG from protection standpoint. Price wise, the Beetle wins hands down.
I am still left though in a situation where I don't have a holster. I don't know yet how big of a problem that will be. I need to see how the Beetle does in my pants pocket over the next week. If it doesn't work out, and I can't find a compatible holster for the Beetle, I may have to abandon it all-together because it is just too hard to take it out of the Beetle on a regular basis to put into a holster-compatible case...I don't want to have to do that even weekly.
Dang. That is kind of a let down. I don't mind bulkyness at all but if that screen protector isn't tight, it's just pointless for me. I work construction and need something that won't allow the dirt to get between the screen and protector. I'll look into a few that you suggested. Thanks!