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Currently, I have a Body Glove on my Inc, and I'm really looking to find a more slim fit case. Mainly I need something that will protect the camera, but keep the slimness of the phone there.
I was thinking of the Incipio Feather, or the Case Mate Barely There...but I can't find any reviews on them.
Thanks guys
I have the Incipio Feather and let me tell you it is definitely the slimmest I've ever seen. It gives VERY little protection except for maybe preventing the back and two sides from scratches. You absolutely cannot lay the phone face down since it doesn't extend up past the glass. I actually bought one just to make a car mount with it. I glued a Garmin windshield mount onto to back of it and it works really really well for this, since the phone can be inserted / removed from the Feather quite easily, yet it is secure. When I get into the car I just snap it in and go!
If it's minimal you want go for the Feather. I currently use the Seidio Innocase II Surface when I'm outside the car, and the quality / protection is great while still being not bulky. I've tried about 5 or 6 and settled on the Innocase.
Cheers
+1 for the Seidio Innocase II. I've had mine for about a week now and I really like it. It's only 1.1 mm thick. Might be just what you're looking for.
Hmm, I had Seidio for my Storm, but that was a few years ago. The case ended up breaking on me. It was the Innocase 360. How is the build quality of the Innocase 2?
I have the Innocase II and it scratched up the border of my phone. Pretty dumb case, if you ask me.
Seidio HTC Droid Incredible ADR6300 Innocase II Surface...has been an awesome case for me as well...good luck
I'm using the Innocase II also. It's been a great case so far. Not perfect, but it's slim and seems to protect my phone pretty well. I'd love an Otterbox that was this thin somehow.
my speck case from verizon came in, slim and protects the camera, and is raised about .1 mm so you can lay the screen down..no bulk.
http://www.amazon.com/Protector-Protects-Scratches-Incredible-Installation/dp/B004GZSXQI/
Wow...I never knew those existed!
I have the Case-Mate "Barely There" case and I love it. I spent like 2 months being indecisive because I wanted something that wouldn't make my phone bulky while still providing protection without shattering like some thin cases (I've dropped it 2 or three times now and its protected my phone every time). I also wanted a decent amount of grip on the case but not to the point where it grabs the inside of my pocket like some gel cases. It also sits almost perfectly flush with the camera lens in the back, providing some protection from the glass being the first thing to hit a surface every time you put the phone down.
The Incipio Feather case looks almost identical to the barely there case but people seem less confident in it's ability to actually protect the phone if it is dropped..
I've also heard a lot of people complain about the Innocase's scratching their phone, which seems counter productive...
Just my two cents considering you seem to want the same features I wanted in a case.
I use the Innocase, and I dropped my phone on the street, and it landed on the very corner of the phone. Figured it was a goner but it actually did a great job. Love the thin case.
Wow! Case-Mate looks amazing!! I might buy it
I've got the Seidio Active and i love it. Dropped the phone tons and not a scratch. Protects the camera lens well too.
http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CSR6HDDN-BK
Big +1 for the Innocase Surface. Very solid, great soft touch exterior and nice padding inside. Not the absolute thinnest but adds very little bulk and has a very low profile bezel around the screen, unlike some cases which make it hard to hit buttons near the edge of the screen.
I previously had the Rocketfish case that Best Buy pushes on everyone. Got it thrown in for free with the phone after bullying the rep into throwing in some freebies. Glad I didn't pay for it! The soft touch coating started to peel off after about ten days, one edge kept coming open and when I did drop the phone just once, the case completely popped off. Complete $hit if you ask me.
boomboxgneration said:
The Incipio Feather case looks almost identical to the barely there case but people seem less confident in it's ability to actually protect the phone if it is dropped..
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Been in the feather about a month now. Several drops, although nothing too extreme, and so far so good. Love the barely there feel!
I was lucky enough to get a seidio case for 10 bucks and out of 5 cases its the best one yet
Innocase is def awesome. I love it.
r3dlined said:
http://www.amazon.com/Protector-Protects-Scratches-Incredible-Installation/dp/B004GZSXQI/
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Just got mine in the mail. I will upload pics as soon as I get my new battery door in the mail (tomorrow?)
Innocase surface here too....I agree it is the best combination of low profile/good protection I have seen. It doesn't interfere with wiping near the screen edge at all, but keeps the screen from touching a surface if u lay it down face down. Kinda feels like the actual incredible to the touch as well. I did a ton of research and am very happy. Thanks to everyone in this forum - ur input was super helpful in researching a case.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I've been searching all around for a decent case for my new phone. I want something that will give it minor drop protection, isn't bulky and doesn't look ugly. Locally I don't have much of a selection but the two I've been looking at are the adreama case and the incipio feather case. Does anyone have any suggestions or have tried either of those cases?
I have the incipio feather. I bought it only so I could lay my phone down without fear of scratching my camera or backplate. It offers little to no drop protection. But can barely tell its there if you like a minimalist approach.
I have a rocketfish case I got at best buy. I was looking for exactly the same thing you are. It's a rubbery case but the outside is hard coated, as are the edges so it doesn't stretch or stick. It's all black and molds to the phone. I really love mine.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketf...lack/2494399.p?id=1218330754572&skuId=2494399
Any cheap TPU case will do. Can't see myself plopping over 10$ for a case, and definitely don't like the so said protection of "hard" cases they sell just about everywhere. Next thing you know the case blows into 1 billion tiny pieces or just breaks away from your phone at the most minor drop.
This from SGP is very nice, and comes with a first rate screen protector.
http://www.sgpstore.com/sgp-google-nexus-s-case-ultra-silke-series.html.
I just bought this one:
http://goo.gl/fktZi
Very happy with it. Makes the phone feel very solid. It does add some bulkiness, but it's worth it because the case feels great to hold.
This is the one I use, I have had it on it since day one. Reminds me of an otterbox, but half the price and not nearly as bulky.
Bump for Incipio, have one in blue, one in teal and its subdued. Does offer protection, least bulk I could find and love it.
Thanks for everyones responses, I think I'm going to settle on the Feather case. One more question, is it necessary to have a screen protector? I'm generally pretty safe with screens, I managed to have all of my iPod screens live without a scratch so far but I'm not sure how much this screen will be able to manage.
I have the Incipio thin feather case. Its as low as $16.95 on Ebay and is super thin, sexy, and sleek. Just be prepared to beat women off of you. They come runnin'. lol
Google Nexus S Pop! Cases
This case is a great addition to my Sprint Nexus - S. It was very easy to put the phone in the case basically just running one's thumbnail around the edge will make sure the phone is in tight and well sealed.
The case 'elevates' the phone's glass off of a surface when placing the phone face down. Plus, the rubber edge makes a nice satisfying and 'rubbery' thunk, and you know it just won't slide around!
*edit - No URL allowed:
Google Nexus S Pop! Cases
case-mate.com/Google-Nexus-S-Cases/Case-Mate-Google-Nexus-S-Pop-Cases.asp
I had a TPU case and then got the Rearth Ringke case, and the Ringke case is much better. Retains thinness of the phone, looks sleek and feels great in the hands. Worth looking into.
Incipio Feather is awesome. I'm less worried about protection and more worried about how slippery this phone is. The case gives it grip and looks alright too.
i have this one on for the past 8 months.. its a beautiful case that hardly adds any bulk to the phone... and its 4 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-GOOGLE-NEXUS-CURVE-CASE/dp/B004IYVEBI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322137939&sr=8-2
moinsheriff said:
i have this one on for the past 8 months.. its a beautiful case that hardly adds any bulk to the phone... and its 4 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-GOOGL...VEBI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322137939&sr=8-2
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Just wonder if you have to use a stylus now...
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
+1 for incipio feather. Just picked myself up one.. won't offer much drop protection but it's a sleek slim case.
I have never been one for cases, but I purchased the Incipio Feather and I haven't had the need to take it off. Love the damn thing.
Hope that helps.
another +1 for incipio feather. just got mine yesterday, great case. and i think it would actually offer some drop protection, at least if it landed on a corner or back.
if you need to access the back of the phone frequently though, to change battery or sim, forget this case. it fits really really well, and would be a pain to take off all the time imho.
a12m4nd0 said:
I had a TPU case and then got the Rearth Ringke case, and the Ringke case is much better. Retains thinness of the phone, looks sleek and feels great in the hands. Worth looking into.
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Ringke is great until the soft touch rubs off and it starts sticking in your pocket and collecting lint.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
epm011 said:
One more question, is it necessary to have a screen protector? I'm generally pretty safe with screens, I managed to have all of my iPod screens live without a scratch so far but I'm not sure how much this screen will be able to manage.
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A screen protector is a must have, there are no arguments against it.
You can get already 3 protectors in high quality for 1.77$!
And im not a fan of any case, smartphones are thick enough and you take it off after a while anyways.
I came from a moto Droid X and X2 these phones were very well protected in the trident kraken and electra cases i owned over the life of those 2 phones. Everything ive seen for this beauty has been "ultra slim" or something similar offering almost no real protection. The knockoff griffin survivor seems to be the only semi rugged case ive been able to dig up, am i really the only one that wants more protection than just a backplate? I don't have small hands or wear skinny jeans, and honestly I would prefer it to add some weight and size.
The only upcoming thing that gives me hope is the possibility of the rugged zerolemon case next month. Had anyone found something out there that i missed? I need topend protection for my $700 phone and i cant find it
gNOTE2 rolling in the north
there are otterbox cases, uag cases and many more. there is a whole thread on cases. ebay is literally infested with cases for this phone.
Otterbox defender is about as rugged , heavy and bulky as it gets. I own one myself but cant stand how much more bulkier the phone is, I much prefer just the extra weight of the zerolemon battery and its stock tpu case. Hoping the rugged version ZL case doesnt add too much bulk and has a nice kickstand.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
d12unk13astard said:
Otterbox defender is about as rugged , heavy and bulky as it gets. I own one myself but cant stand how much more bulkier the phone is, I much prefer just the extra weight of the zerolemon battery and its stock tpu case. Hoping the rugged version ZL case doesnt add too much bulk and has a nice kickstand.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
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If they put a kickstand on it, I will not only throw up but I'll throw up and curse YOU at the same time sir!
:laugh:
Otterbox uag dba casemate all make non rugged crap that lays in a pile on my desk. You cant call it protection if all you have on the front is a 1/10 inch or less raised around the edges... This is not protection and yes ebay is infested with 3 dollar cases that are flimsy and protect almost nothing.
I am asking about actual rugged cases like the knockoff griffen survivor or some "military" rugged style.
gNOTE2 rolling in the north
LordRalh3 said:
Otterbox uag dba casemate all make non rugged crap that lays in a pile on my desk. You cant call it protection if all you have on the front is a 1/10 inch or less raised around the edges... This is not protection and yes ebay is infested with 3 dollar cases that are flimsy and protect almost nothing.
I am asking about actual rugged cases like the knockoff griffen survivor or some "military" rugged style.
gNOTE2 rolling in the north
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Since you mentioned the Survivor knock off, the Otterbox defender offers essentially the same level of protection. Your best bet at this stage is probably the heaviest Sedio case along with a tempered glass screen protector. Not optimal, but that's about as rugged as it gets.
I enjoyed my ballistics case before my ZL came in. Protected my phone from many countertop falls. I hoping the new ZL cases will be better than the ones that came with the battery.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
apallohadas said:
if they put a kickstand on it, i will not only throw up but i'll throw up and curse you at the same time sir!
:laugh:
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if you like it put a ring on it
apallohadas said:
If they put a kickstand on it, I will not only throw up but I'll throw up and curse YOU at the same time sir!
:laugh:
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I'll bet you will throw up, curse, and piss your pants if they built additional battery into a kickstand Maybe I should email them with an idea lol!!!
Dammit, they still didn't reply back to me about rugged case preliminary pictures
---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------
drnihili said:
Since you mentioned the Survivor knock off, the Otterbox defender offers essentially the same level of protection. Your best bet at this stage is probably the heaviest Sedio case along with a tempered glass screen protector. Not optimal, but that's about as rugged as it gets.
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I second that! Seidio CONVERT with VITREO tempered glass - a very rugged solution!!! I personally find UAG with VITREO optimal for me whenever I carry a stock battery; and with addition of CONVERT holster with stick-on card/money holder which fit UAG like a glove - that my ultimate solution for the summer (especially with mesh shorts).
But I'm looking forward to ZL rugged case, and really hope it's not going to be like that honecomb tpu junk you find for extended batteries. Keeping my hopes high ZL guys will come up with something cool!
Thanks for the Sedio tip, they only had the active and surface when I was looking the last few times, that with a glass screen protector (and maybe another normal one on top of that) and i should be good to go.
.. If the ZL rugged isnt what it should be this will most likely be what I get next
gNOTE2 rolling in the north
LordRalh3 said:
Thanks for the Sedio tip, they only had the active and surface when I was looking the last few times, that with a glass screen protector (and maybe another normal one on top of that) and i should be good to go.
.. If the ZL rugged isnt what it should be this will most likely be what I get next
gNOTE2 rolling in the north
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You REALLY don't need another screen protector on top of the tempered glass.
LordRalh3 said:
Otterbox uag dba casemate all make non rugged crap that lays in a pile on my desk. You cant call it protection if all you have on the front is a 1/10 inch or less raised around the edges... This is not protection and yes ebay is infested with 3 dollar cases that are flimsy and protect almost nothing.
I am asking about actual rugged cases like the knockoff griffen survivor or some "military" rugged style.
gNOTE2 rolling in the north
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Just broke the clip on my Second otterbox belt holster .. same failure as the first . AT&T did warranty the first , we will see if they will the second next time i am upstate . Also its a constant battle taking the case apart to clean the fine dust that filters under the screen protector .
I dont see how your belt clip broke. I had a ***** of a time trying to remove it on purpose.
apallohadas said:
You REALLY don't need another screen protector on top of the tempered glass.
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If you really need a rugged case you do. I broke my first note from a 12 foot drop in a otter box defender because I didn't have a screen protector on at the time.
TheBDub said:
If you really need a rugged case you do. I broke my first note from a 12 foot drop in a otter box defender because I didn't have a screen protector on at the time.
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At 12 feet, you may want to consider bubble-wrapping that baby!
TheBDub said:
If you really need a rugged case you do. I broke my first note from a 12 foot drop in a otter box defender because I didn't have a screen protector on at the time.
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Anything over about 6 feet is really a matter of luck. I dropped my Fascinate more than 20 feet down a granite face followed by 6 feet of free fall an landing on a granite boulder. It was in a decent case (Seido Active) but there was a whole lot of luck involved in its survival too. Not a scratch on it. It sounds like you weren't as lucky. But it's very unlikely that a screen protector would have made a difference. Film screen protectors won't protect against breakage, just scratches. For falls, the tempered glass will give more protection. It would be nice to have a fully ruggedized military grade case for the Note2, but they just don't exist.
If drops are your main concern, I would carry the phone in the Hsini pouch with either the Survivor or the Seidio Convert as a case. Then add a tempered screen protector. After that, it's a matter of luck. If you drop your phone from three feet and it lands screen first on the sharp point of a piece of hard ceramic, it just doesn't matter what kind of case it has.
Yeah, I learned not to have my phone out while putting up Christmas lights...
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
UAG is serving me well i have dropped mine many times from bout 4 ft and had no problems and its not very bulky
Honestly the defender is junk. It has really ruined my bezel with scratch marks all over it. Had to pop out the included screen protector because it didn't even come close to laying flat on the screen and caused dust to find it's way under the screen resulting in a sand paper effect happening under the protector. Sold mine on craigslist.
I work in construction and really need the ports covered so that limits most every other case. I agree, really isn't much on the market that offers protection I honestly think I could have faith in. Will go look at the few mentioned here and hope something better comes along.
GriffIn Fakes
I got the griffin fake because I wanted something really heavy duty, I like the look and they were really cheap.
I would recommend it to anyone. I did have a few issues:
1. The screen protector is crap, but you can remove it and find a nicer one of leave it off.
2. The hole around the sensor was too small so when you took the phone away from your face during a call it would not wake up, used a pocket knife and spun in in the hole a few times and it works great now.
3. The flap that covers the camera does stay put so you have to hold it while taking a pic or remove it (I removed it)
for all the issues I asked for a credit and my final price was 6 bucks
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
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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.
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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!
So I ordered one of those knox armor cases for $14 off Amazon. They're similar looking to the Otterbox and offer similar protection. Only thing is they don't have a built in protector but that's not a big deal because I have tempered glass on mine.
Only think I really don't like is just like the Otterbox Defender, the rubber near the home key tends to work a little loose after riding around in my pocket.
The rubber around it seems a bit more dense so hopefully it last longer than the Defenders. After just a couple months my Defenders always become looser due to the rubber wearing.
It's not the best case but for $14 bucks I'll take it over a Defender though. It provides more protection than the Supcase too. Only other durable case I can think of that is more durable than this is my Poetic Revolution which I love but it's huge and doesn't work with wireless charging like this one does
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011TFKCBQ/?tag=uc037e-20
Blues fan said:
So I ordered one of those knox armor cases for $14 off Amazon. They're similar looking to the Otterbox and offer similar protection. Only thing is they don't have a built in protector but that's not a big deal because I have tempered glass on mine.
Only think I really don't like is just like the Otterbox Defender, the rubber near the home key tends to work a little loose after riding around in my pocket.
The rubber around it seems a bit more dense so hopefully it last longer than the Defenders. After just a couple months my Defenders always become looser due to the rubber wearing.
It's not the best case but for $14 bucks I'll take it over a Defender though. It provides more protection than the Supcase too. Only other durable case I can think of that is more durable than this is my Poetic Revolution which I love but it's huge and doesn't work with wireless charging like this one does
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011TFKCBQ/?tag=uc037e-20
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This is probably the best case in amazon I've had it since I've had my phone along with the built in screen protector I use tempered glass. I do construction and I wear my 800$ phone on my tool belt with confidence. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013D...+belt+clip&dpPl=1&dpID=51PBx5XllCL&ref=plSrch
dutchmaster18 said:
This is probably the best case in amazon I've had it since I've had my phone along with the built in screen protector I use tempered glass. I do construction and I wear my 800$ phone on my tool belt with confidence. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013D...+belt+clip&dpPl=1&dpID=51PBx5XllCL&ref=plSrch
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I got a Supcase. I like the built in screen protector on it but it is a it thin for my liking. I think the best case for being really rugged is the Poetic Revolution but it is kind of over kill but a great case. Again for max protection Supcase is like commuter case to me. The Ulak case is thick and feels more like a Defender. If Ulak case wears like the Otterbox I'll probably rip the temperd glass off and go back to Supcase or the P
Blues fan said:
I got a Supcase. I like the built in screen protector on it but it is a it thin for my liking. I think the best case for being really rugged is the Poetic Revolution but it is kind of over kill but a great case. Again for max protection Supcase is like commuter case to me. The Ulak case is thick and feels more like a Defender. If Ulak case wears like the Otterbox I'll probably rip the temperd glass off and go back to Supcase or the P
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To each his own but I'll go to bat for the unicorn beetle. I v dropped it plenty of times and not even the tempered glass has broken yet..... knock on wood. The buttons work great and it has a belt clip. Can't beat that in my book
I've got the ulak, and I really like it. I was going to get the supcase, but I REALLY don't like built in screen protectors.
Ryano89 said:
I've got the ulak, and I really like it. I was going to get the supcase, but I REALLY don't like built in screen protectors.
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I like the built in one on the supcase. It isn't like Otterbox. It fits flush so dirt doesn't get under it. However the Supcase is stiff and too thin for my liking for drop protection. The Ulak seems good. Even if it only last 6 months it was only 14 bucks. My otterBox after 3 months was wearing a lot so I bought other cases. Waste of 50 bucks. My next Note phone I'll order some Amazon cases a few days before I buy the phone so I'm not suckered into buying otterboxes.
I have and use the supcase daily. I love the fit and finish you can definitely tell it's a well made piece. I did also grab one of the Knox armor cases too for around 3 dollars with a coupon code from amazon. Side by side it's easy to tell the supcase built much better. As far as drop protection goes between the two I have no idea, but I have dropped my note a couple times so far. I have yet to actually put the ulak case on, never found a reason to take the supcase off
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The Supcase the phone feels kind of thin to grip. Maybe it's because I'm so used to using Otterbox Defender and Poetic Revolution cases. I always thought the Note 5 was a bit thin to grip.
Another good case to check out is the Artech 21. I like the Supcase but it just seems a bit too thin especially with all the glass on this phone. That is why I went with the Ulak. So far after a week it's still holding up well compared to the Defender I have.