I've had this case for about a week:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFVF3M/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
I'd post photos, but the pictures at Amazon pretty much show you everything that there is to see about the case. Now here's my take on it.
First of all, it's not a thin case. Not even close. When it's closed, it's just under an inch thick. Which is fine for me because that's not what I was after. The Nexus 7 slides into a full leather inner case. The back of that case is covered with Velcro "loops", the soft part of the Velcro. That attaches to a large strip of "hook" Velcro that is sewn into a book-style outer case. As you can see from the Amazon pictures, depending upon the orientation of the inner case, you can place the tablet at one of three angles for viewing.
When I first used the case, the hinge on the left side was stiff - really, really stiff. In fact, sometimes it would pop open and turn the Nexus 7 on. But after a week of use, the hinge has softened, just as I'd hoped, and the cover stays closed, held that way by two magnets. The magnets also turn the tablet on and off. Folded all the way back, the magnets don't affect the tablet at all, probably because of all those layers of leather and cloth sandwiched between the magnets and the tablet.
The quality of materials seems to be good. There weren't any loose stitches. I ordered the black case with a tan interior. Every surface is a two-layer, sewn together construction of an outer leather material against an inner, soft cloth, with the outer cover having some sort of board, like the covers of a book, for extra stiffness (as does the back of the inner cover). The white stitching is a more apparent in real life than in the pictures, which some my find a bit jarring. As far as styling goes, well, it's pretty conservative. It hasn't turned any heads near me, so if that's your thing, you might want to look elsewhere (or perhaps consider one in an exciting color other than black or white).
The three long slots that serve as stops to prop the tablet up also work quite nicely to give your fingers a little grip if you're holding the tablet like a book.
I primarily use my tablet for two things: listening to music at work and reading books at home, so this cover works very nicely for those situations. At work, the Nexus 7 sits, propped at an angle, on my desk and at home, I flip the cover all the way open and it gives me a good grip for reading. Obviously, though, the one thing that it does is obscure the sleek lines of the tablet, so if that's something that you want to show off, this isn't the cover for you. Also, it strikes me that it's not exactly a champ at heat dissipation, but that has not been a problem for me yet.
The price has gone up since I ordered mine, but now it's covered by Amazon Prime, so that may be a break for some of you. I'm quite pleased with it.
By the way, I installed the Nova Launcher, which supports home screen landscape mode. It goes well with this sort of case. OK, here's a picture.
Thanks for the review. I decided to hold off for a little after the n7 was released to see what kind of cases would come out. Thanks to your review and a lot of looking around on Amazon this is the case I'm going to go with.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
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well, went out on a limb & got the metal case off EBAY $28 to the door, in under a week from hong kong to arizona.
plus - fits real good, light, sturdy
plus - keyboard folds back flat against back if you're not using it
minus - keyboard will need double sided tape or something to hold it in - its a press fit into a neoprene cutout, works fine 1st time you close/opent the case.. 2nd time the keyboard will be held to the unit by its magnets.
minus - no 'real' latch, relys on the keyboard magnets
minus - hinges are plastic, and when closed, the 'top' keyboard side has some slop, can move a little side to side.
I guess I'll have to wait for a nice thin leather case, with a real latch. (I dont like the thick clips on the stock one)
I was curious about this case, as I'm looking for something I could use to mount my Advantage on my motorcycle. What I would basically do is take the front or flip portion of the case off, and connect a RAM mount to the back of it.
So my main question is - if I did take off the flip portion of the case, would it still support the Advantage in a sturdy fashion? Thanks for any info!
support
yeah, the main portion you actualy have to force into position, it slides from the hinge side in, there's 2 small indentations (near the speakers) that it slides under.
when you slide it in/out it rubs a bit on the volume slider, presses the wireless button down etc, not sure i'd want to be doing it alot.
azcaddman said:
well, went out on a limb & got the metal case off EBAY $28 to the door, in under a week from hong kong to arizona.
plus - fits real good, light, sturdy
plus - keyboard folds back flat against back if you're not using it
minus - keyboard will need double sided tape or something to hold it in - its a press fit into a neoprene cutout, works fine 1st time you close/opent the case.. 2nd time the keyboard will be held to the unit by its magnets.
minus - no 'real' latch, relys on the keyboard magnets
minus - hinges are plastic
BIG MINUS - for me ... internal gps in leather case - locks 9 satelites in my house, 3-4 at 2/3 strenght, rest at 1/3-1/2, but when in metal case ... locks 4 satellites, all at 1/3-1/2 strengh .. so it significantly interferes with gps reception .. not sure about phone as I dont use it for that (yet).
I guess I'll have to wait for a nice thin leather case, with a real latch. (I dont like the thick clips on the stock one)
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Could you post some pics of the case with your device in it? Im looking for a case to just carry around my Ameo in without the keyboard, think this may be going over the top but may well be just what i need.
Thanks
Photos are at my photo page at 1600x1200 res, a bit big for here.
it can be slow at times, so be patient
and no, i didn't dust it off first
after giving it another try, the gps seems to be getting a good signal in the case.
Thanks for the pics, looks alot better than i thought. Im looking more for a hard case or skin for the screen part only, im not to fussed with carrying the keyboard around as this ads to the bulk of the device, and when carrying in the pocket, my trousers are already around my ankles as it is!
This case does look really good tho, and does provide some protection for the unit which is another concern of mine.
Mmm, got me thinking now!
was debating on getting the metal case or the black book-type...both of which can be found in ebay. i opted for the metal case since it covers the entire unit...the book-type still leaves some areas exposed. covering the entire unitis quite handy especially as i chuck it in the diaper bag in the weekends =)
the metal case does not cover it 100%, the end where the hinges are, is uncovered (except for the plastic hinges) including the 2 corners
also, the case covers the reset 'button' on the back
photo HERE
yeah the case doesn't cover the unit 100% but it's more than enough for me. mine arrived yesterday...got it from hong kong as well...looks good and i'm quite satisfied with it. the only gripe i have is that the reset button is partially covered =) but other than that i'm quite pleased with it. thinking of getting the black metal case as well just for the sake of diversity =)
cheers
One could consider drilling a hole if the reset access is needed???
This is a review for the CaseLogic ETC-107 7" Inch Tablet Case for the Nexus 7.
I was looking for a case to take with me overseas to a combat zone, so I had some requirements for a case to hold my Nexus 7:
Durability (able to withstand being thrown around and having heavy baggage piled on it, between a Pelican Case and Otterbox)
Screen coverage (Closes over screen, no need for screen protector, screen not vulnerable to hard things)
Price
Availability (Leaving very short term, no time for shipping)
I drove to WalMart and played with a few of their different case options, putting my tablet inside and testing how solid and safe they felt, and walked out with the CL ETC-107 for $18.99 (it is referenced on the CaseLogic website as being on sale for $24.99).
The case is made of 2 main components; an outer EVA (read: hard plastic with a cloth-y feel) shell with zipper and an inner flap with a velcro tab that holds the tablet. The case is quite sturdy and doesn't have a lot of give when pushed on, making for a solid casing that resists when something impacts it but seems to be able to take a fall pretty well. The edges of the casing are also solid EVA with zippers outside of them, not attached to the edges themselves (see pictures for a better idea of what I'm saying) so when the case is zipped up, the case provides shell protection from all angles. The case is just slightly wider and taller than the Nexus 7 and about 1" thick. Unfortunately, this case only comes in black, which is a pain if you're trying to mark this case with permanent marker.
The inside contains a flap for holding the tablet, with one end sewn into the outer case and a velcro tab on the other, more on the tab in a minute. The flap uses 4 elastic bands on the corners to secure the tablet. The bands come around the corners of the tablet (only over the bezel portion, though) to secure it in place, and while the bands feel taut, they are don't seem overly stretched. On this flap the tablet sits high enough to be able to access the microUSB port and both buttons, though the band near the buttons may make some users uncomfortable. As seen in a photo below, the band goes right by where the buttons are. In the picture the band is slightly more taught due to the pose for the picture, but, from my experience, the band does not interfere with access to the buttons and doesn't seem to be at the right angle to press the buttons. The Nexus 7 fits perfectly into this case, stays in place on the flap, and seems very secure inside.
Now onto the odd velcro tab. The velcro tab enables a feature that is not very prevalent (yet) with these kinds of cases, the ability to convert the case into a stand, albeit rather oddly. The entire inside of the case can attach to the velcro, so by removing the tab, folding over the lid and placing the tab on the outer edge of the inner lid, the cases becomes a stand that looks much like a clam showing off a tablet. Button access isn't as easy in this mode and the viewing angles are limited (which the CaseLogic website markets as "privacy") but it is an interesting feature I've used, and I can say it's functional.
In summary, here is my rating for the case followed by final thoughts:
Ratings (1-5, 5 being best):
Durability 4/5 (Seems like it can take being handled roughly and dropped while keeping the tablet secure)
Screen coverage 4/5 (Screen is completely closed in when zipped up, though I can foresee scratching problems if sand gets inside the case)
Price 5/5 (Good quality for a very reasonable price, especially for a brick-and-mortar store)
Availability 5/5 (Found in a WalMart in a small Georgia town, have to imagine this case is not too hard to find nationwide)
This case feels like a decent low-price compromise between an Otterbox where the tablet is always available and the Pelican case where the tablet might as well be in a vault of safety. While I can live with the stand function, many users will probably find it lacking due to the clam like look and limited viewing angles. I would recommend this tablet to Nexus 7 users who need a cheap case till something better comes out and are worried about breaking their tablet without one or to users who don't mind the size of the case who want some durable protection not offered by the OEM case.
Thank you for reading, please leave any comments and questions, as this is my first review I would like some feedback.
(Be advised, I wrote some personal info on the inside of the case, that's why you see symbols in the pictures)
EDIT: After using the device for a few weeks now, I can say that if you have the case in an upside down stand mode (great for watching something with the tablet on your stomach laying down) with the button side down, sometimes the volume buttons will get depressed. Still haven't had the power button depress.
Great review, but I do not see the pics
Here's one I found online
kpjimmy said:
Great review, but I do not see the pics
Here's one I found online
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pics added, thanks for the heads up
NP, you must have your last name and your 4digits of a number as good ol boot camp has instilled in us?
kpjimmy said:
NP, you must have your last name and your 4digits of a number as good ol boot camp has instilled in us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's affirmative, haha
Those side strings look a bit flimsy? Like over time they'd become less elastic? Do you get that feel or no
Good complete review.
Via my HTC Rezound
krelvinaz said:
Good complete review.
Via my HTC Rezound
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks...might drive to Wallmart today and try it out
The strings feel and look solid. After a year or two of pulling the tablet out and putting it back in I can see it wearing out, but its going to take time for them to wear out.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Hello! This is a quick review highlighting these two products. Of all of the cases I've tried (believe me, I have about 7 or 8 at home...) these two reign king. I'm unsure of which one I'll ultimately go with, but I do have some opinions about each that I'd like to highlight. For what it's worth, you can't go wrong with either case - but they do have slightly different features which may or may not sway you in those corresponding directions.
This entire post isn't really a defined "this is my Speck FitFolio case review" and then following "this is my eBay case review," but instead it's kind of a mish/mash of the two products all at once. I'll compare them, highlight differences/similarities between the two, etc.
To start, here is the direct link of the one I purchased from pandamimi2011 on eBay. I went with this user because it ships out of California so I knew I wouldn't have to wait two months for it to come from China, plus his/her feedback looked solid. I paid for the middle tier of shipping and it came on Wednesday when I ordered it on Sunday. I'm in Pennsylvania (on the other side of the country), and we just had hurricane Sandy rip us a new one. To say I'm satisfied at the shipping speed is an understatement.
The feel of this case is pretty nice. It has tiny grooves over it, so it almost seems like a very faint "metal file" feeling of some sort. It's got a slight rubbery texture, which when coupled with the grooves feels a bit more grippy than the Speck case, which is something I like. It does however present it with a slight -1 in the pocketability department. The Speck can be slid into my back pocket of my dress pants somewhat easily. The thickness of the Speck vs the width of my pocket makes pocketability decently possible, however if the thickness of the N7/Speck were any thicker, it'd be a different story. With the eBay case, I can make it happen, but I have to wrestle with it for a few extra seconds first. Not a big deal, but it's enough of a deterrent that when I'm walking up and down the hall at work, for short walking bursts from one tech issue to the next I may just hold it.
When both cases are opened and folded back the magnet does not interfere. Each one wakes up/sleeps the device easily and predictably. I will say this, though... when I was trying different variations of the eBay case to ensure the magnets worked properly, I noticed something. It appears as if the wake up/sleep magnet on the Nexus 7 is located on the left side - not on the right. I say this because due to the eBay's case design, it has a "tri fold" thing going on with the front flap that covers the screen. If I fold it so only the left side is flat on the screen, yet the middle and right is up in the air away from the tablet, it indeed sleeps/wakes up the N7. Whenever I saw other video reviews, people would point to the right side to indicate it had a smart feature. Either way, doesn't matter, but just an observation worth pointing out.
The back shell (the skeleton) cradling the Nexus 7 in both scenarios is solid. With each case, the N7 pops in easily and securely. With the Speck case I found it's easier to "eject" the N7 when starting from the left side, where there are some spaces in the mold. It's much more difficult to start on the right side where it's full length. See picture to see what I mean. Meanwhile with the eBay case, both the left and right side spans the entire length. Because of this, it makes the "eject from left side" idea (which works great on the Speck) fail with this case. Instead, it's easiest to eject the N7 around the charging port cutout at the bottom. See picture.
Another difference between the two worth noting is the latching mechanism. The Speck case has a clip, and a very well designed clip. The clip itself is attached to some sort of heavy elastic, which has a very slight amount of "give" when securing the flap. It's very solid and gives me 100% confidence that if I drop my case, it will not open unless, somehow, it's an epic fall that manages to break the clip itself. The eBay case however latches based on magnets. There's a magnet strip in the flap that folds behind the tablet when closed. It's not a strong magnet, however because it's an entire magnet strip, it holds on decently. I held my tablet with both hands and shook it until the flap opened up. You sure have to give it a good solid swift movement in order to have enough momentum for the flap to fly open. If my tablet were to take a tumble down a flight of stairs, the Speck case would almost definitely have the +1 because I believe the magnet would give way and open up. For just general protection, excluding extreme falls etc, the magnetic flap provides adequate security. This didn't really sway my opinion in either scenario, since I was just happy to have a case like this where there is a magnetic flap to keep it closed... whereas some cases like this don't have this magnetic flap whatsoever.
Speaking of the latching mechanism, one concern I have about the Speck case is while it latches securely, I do wonder how it'll hold up in the long haul. I use my Nexus 7 for a lot at work as I work in IT. I'm frequently opening, closing, opening, closing, over and over and over possibly hundreds of times a day. In the 10 days I've had the Speck case, I've noticed that the latch has become much easier to clip and unclip. Some may attribute this to being broken in, but considering it's hard plastic vs hard plastic, some degree of wear may be a side effect. So while the Speck latch holds closed more securely, the eBay case would almost definitely have more longevity. I also like with the eBay case that I can kind of throw the front flap shut in my hand, and thanks to the momentum, the magnetic flap flips around the back of the case and stays put thanks to the magnets grabbing it, which is kind of nice because it doesn't require a physical need to latch the clip. This may be splitting some rather extreme hairs, but I wanted to document exactly what my thoughts were on all accounts, as major or minor that they might be.
The other difference I want to notate is the button cutouts. The Speck has volume up/down in one cutout, a separation, and then the power button cutout. This is nice because when I'm feeling for the buttons it's more obvious that I'm hitting volume up instead of power, which often happens. The eBay case has one open cutout for all three buttons. However, while all three buttons are lumped together, the actual thickness of the plastic mold is indeed thinner, making the feeling of the buttons easier to detect even though there's not a separation. It's one of those half empty/half full things that likely doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but there's pros and cons to notate on both sides.
The stand up positions with both cases are decent. The Speck offers a little more versatility for some of my uses, as I'm often laying down in bed on the N7. Due to the wider platform the case gives when it's propped up in horizontal mode, it's a bit easier to prop it on my stomach/chest without issue. This probably goes without saying since most people would detect this immediately when they see a picture, but with the eBay case, due to its tri-fold design, it makes the "propped up on stomach/chest when laying down position" near impossible. It does however provide a decent range of prop positions when on a table/desk of some sort, much like the Speck. Certainly not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning.
Overall, you won't lose no matter which case you get. Both of these cases are easily contenders for the #1 spot of all of the cases I've used. The number 1 thing I love about both cases is the plastic mold they fit into. There's nothing covering the bezel anywhere and there's none of this 6 prong thing going on around the edges like the BluRex Ultra Slim case among other various cases. (not to say it's a bad design, but I personally prefer the mold design). I do believe I'll be sticking with the eBay case for a while, as I find the magnetic flap to be a little more well suited for my uses. I also think the eBay case has a slightly better price-vs-product ratio, as even with mid-tier shipping I paid 18 or 19 bucks for it, while the Speck ran me 30 bucks. Considering both of these cases are directly on par with one another, it stands to reason that the eBay case in this scenario could easily be the winner for being the "better bang for the buck." Either way, both cases are very worth their money and both are highly recommended.
Great in depth review! Need a pic gallery comparing findings would be nice. Not saying to post every single pic, but maybe host it somewhere where you already uploaded them?
Nevertheless, the review is well done! :good:
kpjimmy said:
Great in depth review! Need a pic gallery comparing findings would be nice. Not saying to post every single pic, but maybe host it somewhere where you already uploaded them?
Nevertheless, the review is well done! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my intention when I wrote the review a few days ago. The above info I had written up before and just saved in an office doc, so to post I just pasted over. I'll be able to add pictures later this evening.
Which one is thinner?
Ehh we may have a show stopper finding here. I was using my tablet earlier with the eBay case and when folded back it shut off at one point. I spent what felt like five full minutes trying to replicate it but couldn't. Later on when I got home I was able to... it's only at a very exact point that it happens, but once I got the hang of it I could replicate it a bit easier... I just find it crazy that for hours after unboxing it I wasn't able to notice it. The eBay case indeed has a design flaw in that regard. I'm going to email the seller and see what he has to say about it.
Something else worth noting is when the Speck case is folded back you can clip it in place which is a nice touch. Without clipping it when folded back cases like this tend to have a sloppy feeling when holding it with one hand. That being said, I'd say the Speck takes the cake here.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
JaSauders said:
Ehh we may have a show stopper finding here. I was using my tablet earlier with the eBay case and when folded back it shut off at one point. I spent what felt like five full minutes trying to replicate it but couldn't. Later on when I got home I was able to... it's only at a very exact point that it happens, but once I got the hang of it I could replicate it a bit easier... I just find it crazy that for hours after unboxing it I wasn't able to notice it. The eBay case indeed has a design flaw in that regard. I'm going to email the seller and see what he has to say about it.
Something else worth noting is when the Speck case is folded back you can clip it in place which is a nice touch. Without clipping it when folded back cases like this tend to have a sloppy feeling when holding it with one hand. That being said, I'd say the Speck takes the cake here.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any word from the seller?
I prefer the Blurex/Moko style than your ebay case. It is classy and suitable for business style. ebay case looks cheap with the plastic cover, and it may hurt the Nexus 7's plastic sides.
I recently picked up the Moko 360 Degree Rotating case for my Nook HD. It is a nice leather like case that covers the Nook HD well. The only spots that are really exposed are the top and bottom of the device. This does provide nice access to those areas though.
On the outside of the front cover is a small attached holder for a stylus along with the name of the company. There is an elastic band that holds the front cover shut when not using the device. On the back is the swivel which allows for the front cover travel a full 360 degrees. There is also 2 small speaker cut outs in the plastic body. One of these is covered up by the back part of the case when the cover is closed. When the case is opened it exposes the speaker hole allowing for sound to travel freely. The Nook is held in a plastic body that clips over the sides. The two sides have openings that expose the power button and the volume rocker. The back of the plastic body is wrapped in the same leather like material as the rest of the case.
Upon opening the front cover your Nook HD will turn on as the case has a magnet in it that controls power on and power off. This is a nice feature that will also move you past the lock screen when opening the case. If your lock screen is set to a pin number it will not move past this but it will power on. The front flap becomes a bit of a hindrance if you open it in portrait mode. This is due to the design as the back of the front cover is the area that creates the stand. You can push it all the way back to help get it out of the way though.
With the Nook HD setup as the case is designed it will be in landscape mode to use the stand. There are three spots to put the bottom of the device in which allow it to sit at three different angles. If you want to change to portrait mode you just rotate the Nook HD. This is very nice when you want to use the device for reading instead of watching a movie. The problem with this is that the bottom of the device does not sit in the divots as well as it does in landscape mode. So if you are using the Nook in your lap the Nook will suddenly slip and fall backward. Which makes reading a bit harder.
The over all design of the case is very nice. The material feels great in the hand and does help prevent slipping. It also seems to be very well constructed. There were no areas that looked like they would com apart. The stitching is nice looking and tight. The velvet like material is very soft and seems like it will protect the screen of the Nook very well.
My complaints about this case are the overall size that is added to the device. This is just the nature of this type of case since it needs the rotating hinge to enable the 360 rotation. I also don't really like the added piece on the front cover that holds a stylus. It looks kind of bad and seems like it was a last minute addition instead of looking for a better place for it. As mentioned earlier the divots need some work to help hold the Nook better in portrait mode.
Over all I would give this case a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAVEUCS/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Current price is $9.99 as of 3-2-2013.
I have been searching for a protective case for the note 5 and having tried a few I can say that the Poetic revolution is the best one I have tried so far.
It's not ungodly heavy like some of the other ones, it does add some heft but more in line with what I would expect.
It offers full body pritection, including a plastic screen protector. I have a love hate relation with them honestly, they ultimately end up scratched up and I remove them in time. I put the phone in the case with my tempered glass protector still in place so that is probably the reason but this one I have yet to decide if I like it, it's crystal clear but slightly impedes touch sensitivity and does not sit flush against the glass, requiring you to tap just a bit harder. That's actually a plus tho because on some other cases, the screen protector sits right on the glass and you end up with watermarking. Like I said tho, I kept my glass one on so that's my own doing. The cut outs for the home button, speaker and camera are dead on.
The corners are squared off which should distribute the force of an impact over a larger area, hoping to protect better. The sides are pliable while the back is hard.
I like the volume buttons, having 2 buttons instead of like a slider deal allows easy adjusting with no guessing. The ports are all covered with flaps, it looks to be a tight fit for larger headphones although the stock ones fit fine. The s-pen, I don't know...I am 6'4 and have larger hands but I can not access it. It sits too deep, a key or something you could pop it out I am sure, depending how often you use it, it might be an issue. I think if you need a protective case that's a minor annoyance, just worth noting.
The kickstand works well, mainly in landscape. It's easy to pop out and close, doesn't rattle and stays put rather well.
The only real downside to this case is wireless charging does not work for me. I have a Spigen 3 coil charger and placing the phone on it I get nada. Most likely due to the metal kickstand I would guess.
Depending what's important to you in a case will ultimately determine if this one's for you. I work in construction and welding, I need reliable protection and will use this case when working. Weekends, etc I'll put on a less protective case. Personally, glad to have this one as an option and if you are looking for a good quality, protective case, keep this on your short list.
More pictures
Couple more
My review of the Poetic Revolution case
Disclaimer: I got this case free in exchange for this review. I have previously recieved and reviewed Poetic's Affinity case, a slim case which I like so much it has become my daily driver. How will I like a big case such as this one after using the featherweight, unobtrusive Affinity? Well, let's see....
The case arrived quickly. It was plainly packed in what appeared to be a non-retail plastic envelope. I don't know if the retail package ships with instructions, but mine didn't.
The case looks very sharp. It is big and blocky, with a somewhat military look. It consists of two pieces. There is a black plastic front, which features a built-in clear plastic screen protector with cut outs for the front camera, speaker and home button.. And then there is the back piece. Like the other Poetic case I have reviewed, this one is a seamless combination of hard plastic and rigid rubber. The plastic parts are black, and the rubber is a military drab greenish brown that suits the look of the case. The plastic and rubber meet in a combination of ridges and bumpers that are aesthetically sound. An aluminum kickstand sits squarely in the back. The top right corner of the case has a squared off rubber "loop" which is maybe for hanging the phone on something? I can kind of see the appeal of such a feature, but it adds bulk to an already big case without feeling substantial enough that you want your device hanging from it. There are also some "screws" and "rivets" which seem to be purely cosmetic and just molded into the plastic. Inside the back there is some kimd of texture that looks like it is designed to distribute force and further protect the device in case of a drop or other impact.
The ports line up perfectly. There are covers for the charging port, headphone jack, and even the S-pen. I like the complete protection (and this is the best S-Pen protection I've seen), but I will say that the S-Pen port is kind of hard to squeeze your finger into.
The front part of the case is supposed to snap on. Normally, I do not care for cases that are rigid inside, as I feel they jack up the phone's finish. While this may have been true of Samsung's previous chromed plastic bodies, I have no such concern about the aluminum edges of the Note 5.
Like the poster above, I tried to leave my glass screen protector on when first installing this case. It is obviously not designed for this. No fault of the manufacturer. My results were the same: a bowed out, unresponsive, mushy feeling screen cover. In addition, the convex fit made an easy access point around the camera, speaker and home button for dust and lint, which soon began to accumulate. So, I took off my glass. After doing this, the front of the case snapped on snugly with a satisfying "click". The screen protector, which is visibly thicker than that of the Otterbox Defender, sat flush and tight on the surface of my phone. Two days after taking off the glass(which I left on for two days), I see nothing accumulating under the screen at all. I am seeing some very fine scratches, but nothing visible.during normal use. And, for the record, I only clean my phone's screen/screen protector with lens cleaning wipes. Never dry. And my phone is usually in my pocket when not in use. I work indoors in clean dry conditions.
The front of the case goes on easily (once you remove your glass lol). The back, like most rubber over plastic cases, stretches slightly over the back and hugs a lip on the front of the case. It fits snugly and well, ....except for one part. The lower left. Not a huge deal, but it just doesn't seem to sit flush like the rest of the case, no matter what I do. There is a pic of this corner attatched. But, aside from that small quibble (well, small to me, YMMV), the fit is good and solid. Even the part that isn't 100% flush doesn't feel loose or mushy.
The case is bulky, no doubt. Either you like the way that feels in the hand or you don't. The back of the case is hard plastic with some rubber ridges. The sides are rubber with a barely visible micro texturing that seems to add a nice grip. The phone is not slippery in the hand. Nor is it slippery on a table, whether laid on its front or back. Though big, the phone feels good in the hand, not slippery or slimy. If you use your phone in landscape mode a lot, you need to be mindful of the "loop" on the top left corner. It may get in your way, prompting you to flip your device over to play your game or watch your video.
The lip around the screen has a nice angle to it, so you don't feel like you have to worry about hitting the screen anywhere. It doesn't interfere with the function at all. Can't really say the same for the port around the camera. It's deep and plenty protective, but it doesn't have any kind of bezel or anything like I've seen on some Note 5 cases. This can make it feel like you're "digging" for the heart rate monitor, which is kind of a pain.
The buttons are perfectly covered. But they do feel a little spongy. In addition, the sides of the case are angled inward, kind of under the top, almost like a saucer, get me? This angle has the effect of making the button pushes feel slightly awkward.
The hole around the speaker is deep (the rubber here is very thick) and more tube like than funnel shaped. This has the effect of changing the sound from the bottom speaker somewhat. Making it kind of "canned" sounding.
The kickstand is good and solid. It sets the phone at a good angle for viewing/gaming in landscape mode (but again, you have to be mindful of where the loop is). It works in portrait mode as well, but I dont know if it is intended to be used that way
The case is kind of a bear to take on and off. I put my phone into an armband when I run, so I take mine out of the case a lot. I found a workaround (jamming the thing case and all into my old Note 3 armband lol).
Lastly, as the previous reviewer noted, wireless charging does not work with this case. I must say, as common as wireless charging is becoming, this seems like a grave oversight.
At the end of the day, the phone offers good, solid protection, looking very good while doing it. But it does seem to sacrifice form in favor of function. For those who require, or just like, like solid protection, don't mind bulk, and don't need the case to slip on and off like butter, this may be the case for you. It certainly is substantial and protective. But it isn't terribly user friendly in some respects, maybe even less so than other cases of its type. In any event, even though I generally prefer a slimmer case, I am.in no hurry to switchn and will probably continue to use this one until the next time I absolutely have to charge wirelessly or wear skinny jeans. I don't see it as a daily driver for me. Partially because I just prefer smaller cases (which is no reflection on the product or manufacturer)n and partly because this case does seem to have a few drawbacks. I can definitely see myself using this for occasions when I am traveling or feel the need for extra protection. Ultimately, I have mixed feelings about the case. It has its strengths and weaknesses.
Pros: solid, offers complete coverage and protection, dual-layer (plastic/rubber), thick, and snug screen protector, covered ports, kickstand, nice grip, good looking, great value for the price (around $20)
Cons: S-Pen difficult to reach, difficult heart rate monitor access, bulky, loop adds bulk and reduces ease of use, buttons mushy and slightly awkward, no wireless charging, case affects speaker sound
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