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Thought I would provide some short reviews on the cases and screen protectors I've purchased and tried to date.
Disclaimer: all items purchased with my own hard earned pounds! I'm not sponsored by any of the brands.
[Cases]
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Samsung Clear View
This was the first case I picked up for the S7E simply because it was the best of the bunch I had to choose from off the shelf.
The premise behind the case is a good one and having come from HTC ONE M8 and having used a Dot View case with that handset this seemed a good choice.
It's construction is good, but it's not excellent. I feel it could have covered more of the phones edges and I wouldn't be too surprised if the phone popped out on impact.
The flap irritates me. Unlike HTC's Dot View case the flap on the Clear View doesn't spring shut or magnetically lock in the closed position. It also doesn't mould around the open edge unlike the LED View Case which looks as if it does.
The Clear View feature works well and you can interact with some features of the phone such as answering calls without opening the case. This works well I've used it for several incoming calls now. However you don't simply see the AOD through the flap, it overwrites the AOD feature in favour of its own customisable semi always on display (it times out).
Considering the price, value for money doesn't really come in to it, however you expect to pay a premium for first party accessories.
Hopefully Samsung improve on the Clear View features. But it's hard to recommend this case for the feature alone. There are far better cases out there without the gimmick.
6/10
Ringke Air
Great case! Dirt cheap at £8 from Amazon. This is a no fuss clear soft TPU case. It fits well. It's very slim. It offers scratch protection and the dust cover flaps for the charge port and headphone socket are a welcome feature. However, drop protection is pretty minimal. It would survive some minor drops but I doubt there is enough there to prevent damage to the phone on significant impact. I've not had the case long enough to know if it will suffer from discolouration which effects a lot if not all clear TPU cases. I suspect it will discolour. Overall though, if you're just after something slim that stops your device getting scratched and let's your device looks display through, this is a good cheap option.
7/10
Spigen Slim Armor (white)
I've been using Spigen as my go to brand for as long as I've had smartphones. I am a fan, I will admit. However I wouldn't let that cloud my judgement, end of the day if something I spent money on is rubbish I'll be wanting my money back!
As is standard for Spigen, the case is well constructed. Has a softer black under layer with a harder plastic over layer. I had no issues with misalignment or loose fit which others have reported plagued some Spigen cases. In fact the opposite. Which caused me some problems with screen protector compatibility. Because it's a tight fit it started to push and lift my wet install TPU protector. Which irritated me enough I took the protector off and went for one that didn't go so close to edges.
This case also features a neat kick stand which unclips from the back. Useful for watching movies etc.
Case feels sturdy but comfortable in the hand. It feels as though it would take significant impact and leave the device in tact.
Only issue I find is because the covered over buttons are pretty flush, it's hard to distinguish and press the right part of the case. It's a slight annoyance.
Overall though, a pretty impressive case for the price. Spigen cases used to come at a premium price but these days they seem to have dropped their prices substantially which doesn't seem to have impacted on quality which is nice to see.
If you're after good looking, slim fitting drop protection, you could do worse.
9/10
Spigen Neo Hybrid Crystal (Gunmetal)
Few similarities between this and the one above really in terms of build and fit. It's well made and I found it super tight to install! As a result I could forsee this causing issues with screen protectors on the top and bottom edges as the one above did for me. As I had swapped my protector out by time I got this case I had no issues.
Again two parts to this case, a clear soft TPU under layer and a hard plastic bumper. Whilst I mention the tight fit, where the bumper portion is concerned it is tight top and bottom but does seem a touch loose on the edges when pressed in nearer the buttons.
It offers similar protection to the Slim Armor in my opinion. It would withstand significant impact and take the brunt of the damage.
The Neo Hybrid doesn't share the same problem as the Slim Armor where the buttons are concerned. They are easily identifiable.
I love the look and feel of this case. Adds grip while looking good. Transparency let's the device details come through.
Great case.
9/10
(RESERVED FOR SPIGEN THIN FIT)
[Screen Protectors]
Screen Knight (Wet Install)
Pros:
- clarity good
- application easy enough
- degree of self healing
- cheap
Cons:
- rubbery feel
- marked easily
- cut around home, speaker, camera leaving some screen exposed
- doesn't play nicely with some cases
5/10
Ultimate Shield UK (wet install)
Pros:
- excellent clarity
- smooth as glass feel
- self healing
- full edge to edge coverage
- cheap
Cons:
- can be tricky to install and align
- extremity adhesion was erratic
- doesn't play nicely with some cases
8/10
(ALL CASE IMAGES ABOVE SHOT WITH BODYGUARDZ PROTECTOR INSTALLED)
Bodyguardz Ultra Tough (wet or dry install)
Pros:
- can be wet or dry install
- smooth as glass feel
- doesn't go right to edges plays nicely with cases
- comes with special gel for wet install
Cons:
- price
- goes around the home button etc. Leaving screen parts exposed
- not easy to install
- isn't crystal clear, like a watery effect on close up (note: may be needs longer time to settle)
- not the product advertised on their website
6/10
Photos to follow for all products.
Photos for cases added.
Thank you very much for this. I very like how you state the pros and cons (rubbery feel etc). I hope you can do more of these!
I've taken off the BodyGuardz protector. The mottling was doing my head in. I've put a new Ultimate Shields one on again now. This time, it adhered better on the edges and I have been able to put the Spigen Neo Hybrid case on without it affecting the protector, so I'm now 100% satisfied with my 'setup' lol
It that the clear Ringke Air or the smoke color? The back looks smoky but sides clear
iwantanandroid said:
It that the clear Ringke Air or the smoke color? The back looks smoky but sides clear
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Clear. It's probably the colour of the phone distorting the look.
Chris_c81 said:
Clear. It's probably the colour of the phone distorting the look.
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Click to collapse
Thanks. How is the fit on the sides? Someone mentioned in another thread is really loose
iwantanandroid said:
Thanks. How is the fit on the sides? Someone mentioned in another thread is really loose
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't consider it as being "really" loose myself, but agreed it wasn't overly tight either. I'm not using it as my daily driver though to be honest. The Spigen Neo Hybrid Crystal Gunmetal is my daily case at moment.
Can anybody share what's the difference between the ringke air/fusion? debating which one to buy.
Hi , There .
My name is Ben Hoffman , if you are familian with A C forum you will know i am the formed Admin and i was quite good at accessories.
I just joined this forum a couple days ago . So here we go , let us talk about cases .
And the boss of this forum sent me an email , i am so flatted , he is such a nice guy .
Otterbox SYmmeter Case
This is a great case, I got my galaxy s7 edge alot earlier then I expected to, the phone was scheduled to be released on the 11th but I ended up getting it on the 1st of March!! Now to me this was good and bad, the good I HAVE A NEW PHONE YAY!!!, the bad? well...I have no case.... SO luckily AMAZON was there to rescue me from my issue, I purchased this otterbox case, because in the past I have used Otterbox and not only are the cases good, so is the customer service, great company. This case is very sturdy, and It feels light on the hands which I love, the only complaint I had was that since the case was on so tight, that my screen protector started to peel, other then that however it is a great case and I would highly recommend it
After a few days I purchased a Invisible sheild screen protector, and now the screen protector issue is solved invisible shields quality is amazing it covers the entire phone, I would not recommend buying a knock off screen protector only because it seems that they do not fit the edges on the screen properly. I hope this helps
Two Weeks Later
I have to say that I've tried out a few other cases such as caseology spigen ect but I end up coming back to this case because the buttons are easy to press, and it just feels sturdy in the hand. People are complaining that this case messes up their screen protector but the reality is that since the phone has edges it's going to be harder for adhesive to really stick on the surfaces of the screen. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND USING A WET NOT DRY screen protector as I do notice that the dry screen protectors seem to have the edges lift. I still love this case and I really do think it's the best out of the options out there at the moment. I would steer away from the bad reviews as again you pay for quality, you not only get a great case you get a company with an amazing lifetime warranty. It's a win win for you.
If you're familiar with the OtterBox Commuter series for other phones, this case will feel very familiar. It fits very snugly, which I feel gives it great protection. Some have complained that it fits too snug. I did not find this to be the case, but that may be because I put my phone in a case and leave it in. If you plan on constantly taking it out of a case and putting it back in, this case is most likely not for you. It is a dual layer case. The inner layer is a synthetic rubber like material that helps absorb shock, while the outer layer is a hard plastic.
Pros:
-Dual layer protection
-The case keeps the vitals recessed while still giving access to the edge functions and not obscuring the camera.
-Fits very snugly, keeping the phone from ever popping out of the case unintentionally.
-Not very bulky. This allows the phone to easily be put in a pocket and taken out without hanging up on clothing.
-The speaker is exposed, allowing sound quality to not be compromised.
-The covers for the sound jack and micro-USB port protect the ports very well, while still allowing access when needed.
-The buttons on the side have a very tactile responsive feel to them when encompassed properly by the case.
Cons:
-Unlike previous Commuter Series cases, it does not come with a screen protector.
-The sound jack and micro-USB port can be somewhat difficult to access with some cords due to the amount of padding on the case.
-Despite being a pro, the snug fit is also a con as it can cause screen protectors to start to peel up. You have to be very careful when putting the phone into the case when a screen protector is on to ensure it doesn't peel.
Overall, I think this case is great and gives more than adequate protection without adding much bulk to the phone. My biggest gripe is that lack of screen protector being included, as previous Commuter series cases did come with them in the packaging.
In order to get a good fit when putting the phone in this case, I recommend taking the two layers apart first. Insert the phone into the rubbery layer. Make sure that your phone is fully encompassed and not loose. Next, snap the phone with the rubbery layer into the hard case by angling it in from the bottom to the top.
Link http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-SYMM...376&sr=8-2&keywords=otterbox+s7+edge+symmetry
$39.98
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2 The DALLAS LAZER Slim case
The Artech21 Galaxy S7 Edge case fits my phone really well. The edges on the top and bottom are raised to protect the screen when the phone is lying facing down. The edges on the side are made in such a way that it protects the edges of the phone while also giving you easy access to the curved Edge of the S7 Edge phone.
The textured pattern at the back feels soft rubber/plastic and prevents the phone from slipping from your hands. It looks good and does not appear cheap like some other cases. The border is made of plastic and has a metallic look to it. It looks good, however, could be more heavier.
The volume and the lock button are covered by the case's buttons, which are again, pretty good. The buttons and the holes are all at proper places and do not interfere with the charging cable etc.
The camera cutouts are wide enough to avoid any flash related interference in the photos. The hearbeat monitor is also easily accessible from the camera cutout.
It just saved my phone.I slapped it on my Galaxy S7 Edge easily, put it in my pocket. I pulled it out with 2 fingers and mildly aggressively. It went flying from my hip off the stone patio table, off wooden banister, and finally took rest on the tiled front porch. Not 15 seconds in, I had the worst drop of my new phone. At this very moment, this case became locked on my phone. There was not a single scratch, scrape, dent or marks from the terrible fall. Superb protection.
Overall, its a decent case with a decent amount of protection for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and I would recommend it
Link http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Sho...sr=8-1&keywords=slim+case+for+samsung+s7+edge
$15.98 dollars
UAG ASH CASES
I smashed my Note 5, glove box incident, where my case couldn’t have helped me, so I ended up getting an S7 Edge recently. The first few days that I had the phone I was an absolute mess because I did not have a case for it. I ordered a case from UAG, as they are the cases that I have used in the past for almost everything that I have had. In going through the cases on the market, this is by far the best that I’ve come across, but, it still seems a little weaker than a few of the other UAG cases that I have had in the past.
After getting the phone I went to Best Buy to see what was on the market while I waited for the UAG case to come, nothing really stood out to me as being the perfect solution, as a lot of chases did not seem that durable. Also, my biggest pet peeve with most cases is that they give a bit in the heat, especially the Speck cases which are usually pushed by T-Mobile. UAG has consistently given me a case that doesn’t give when it is hot out, which this one is no exception, and even after leaving my phone in the car a bit, it still did not slip off or become super loose.
The case is durable, but in comparing it to past UAG cases, it is a bit more malleable than the others, which gives me a bit of pause. The back of the case is blue, but also transparent. I’m not sure if it is standard for all S7’s, but the guy at T-Mobile put my bar code information across the back; you can actually see it through the case on a few pictures. The transparency would be one reason why I am giving it four stars, but also the flexibility of the case is another. Granted, this makes it very easy to put the phone into the case.
The case also has ridges, which are good, in that it holds the phone in place, but, if you have a screen protector, one of the things that will happen is that it is very prone to pop it up. If you read a lot of reviews for screen protectors, this is an on-going issue with the S7, and not the UAG case, as almost all of the cases have this feature.
Overall, a touch phone to design for, but certainly the best one that I found for the S7 Edge. The stars are in ranking the UAG case against the other UAG cases I have had, especially for the original Note Edge (steeper edge and only one side), which seemed to be more durable and less transparent.
Also, sorry if my pictures are horrible, my camera (that’s not on my phone) is not the greatest.
Vivid Arkansas Case
The first thing I would like you to know about this case is the fact that the inner section is not removable. It is lightweight, durable and the overall craftsmanship is of great quality. The color is not too loud but is actually very unique and fashionable.
With the inner section being a little more flexible, it allows a more comfortable press to the volume and power button. It’s ergonomically designed structure fits comfortably in the palm of my hands without being uncomfortable or slippery. It contours to the shape of my phone without looking bulky.The case has a snug fit and also provides my phone with great protection.
Accessibility: It has an easy access to all my phone’s ports along with an easily accessible and wide enough cut of to accommodate my phone’s camera. I was able to use all ports and buttons effectively.
Charging capability: it does not affects my phone’s capability of charging successfully with my charging adapter. Another great thing is the fact that it also does not interfere with wireless charging.
Flexibility : Firm and dual layer casing with the inner portion being extremely flexible; however it is easy to install.
Protection: Provides maximum protection with its dual material, it is very strong and sturdy.
Type of case: Day to day, casual, fashionable
Finger print smudges: Not evident
Drop test: phone remained intact and protected
Note: I am as of yet to set up my phone or even insert a sim card or apply a screen protector(phone might appear messy), video is for demonstration purposes only. Duer to the fact that the inner section of the case is kinda hard be sure to put it on from the top down,i realize it applies less stress on the volume and power buttons.
I would recommend this case if you are looking for a convenient way to protect your phone while having a durable case that will go the distance with you. It also makes a great fashion piece while getting you complements. I hope this review was helpful and before I go I will mention that I have received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review and based on its performance and functionality it has earned its rating. I love it.
Please see the following breakdown for why this product deserves 5 stars:
Ergonomics:
The case is very comfortable to hold. It does not feel too slippery in your hand, while at the same time being easy to clean (it does not pick up too much dirt). On the front side of the phone, the edges are raised so that the phone can be placed face down. The raised edges are rounded so that they do not feel uncomfortable when the phone is in use (at your ear).
Appearance:
I really like the design of the case. The plastic border crosses by the camera offering a very nice contrast. This would be more apparent in different colors, but I really like the subtle appearance of the color I chose.
Functionality:
The volume and power button are aligned perfectly. The buttons are very receptive when pushed and the case in no way reduces their use. The cutouts at the bottom of the phone are large enough for many different types of cable.
Conclusion:
This case is a great option for anyone looking for a slim design that will still offer adequate protection for drops. Although the design is a personal choice, I really do like the appearance of this case on my S7 Edge Silver phone. I did receive this product for free in exchange for my honest unbiased review. I rely on other Amazon reviews on a daily basis, and always provide honest feedback (and I think the pictures speak for themselves).
Link http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Sho...sr=8-9&keywords=slim+case+for+samsung+s7+edge 15.98 dollars
No Hiding , Show Off your phone Clear Case
The first thing I love and appreciate about this case is the fact that it has a dual layer which provides flexibility and is completely removable. I find this to be of much convenience where I typically remove the outer section of the case first and apply the inner layer to the phone before adding the outer layer. This provides a much more smoother installation without having too much pressure being applied to the volume control and power button. By following the instructions in the user manual also works effectively.
As it pertains to fit and structure of this case it is very slim lightweight durable and the overall craftsmanship is of great quality. It has a snug fit and all the ports were easily accessible including my camera, microphone, charging port, volume control button, power button and heart rate monitor. What I love the most about this case other than its overall protection is the fact that it also supports wireless charging.
Features of this particular case include:
-Raised lips and corners that provide protection from surface shock and scratches
-Precise cutouts perfectly aligned with the buttons.
- Color is even throughout; however I will note that the rose gold color might appear pink to others however it is perfectly fine on my behalf.
- Transparent
- Fingerprint smudges are slightly evident, however it is very easy to clean and care for
In comparison to other jelly cases I found that this case in particular provides more protection than others that i' ve experience and is of a more hard jelly case.
NOTE: Enjoy 20% off with coupon code: ARTECH21
I would recommend this case if you're looking for an effective way to provide protection to your phone while having a fashionable well-designed case to go the distance with you. I hope this review was helpful and before I go I will mention that I have received this product in exchange for my honest and unbiased review and based on its performance and functionality it has earned its rating. I love it. Please feel free to comment any questions that you might have below, i will try to respond in a timely manner, thank you for reading my review and happy shopping!
Link http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Sho...r=8-1&keywords=clear+case+for+samsung+s7+edge
15.98 dollars @Amazon
ordered the Obliq Slim Meta (No, not "Metal", they're tying to be very "meta' about the whole thing) from Amazon. I messed up and ordered the gray titanium instead of the silver, then re-ordered the silver. So before I sent the gray one back, I thought I'd snap some pics to share, along with my thoughts.
Basically I'm really happy with the case. It offers decent protection but doesn't add too much bulk, the top and bottom of the case elevate the screen off of any flat surfaces, and the sides have enough width to them that it has solved the problem of accidental side taps.
The case is a two-piece deal with a hard metallic-looking plastic shell over a softer rubber cover. The rubber cover extends beyond the hard shell in certain places. The silver is a great match for my silver S7E, although the gray didn't look too bad either.
Grip is greatly improved with a little bit of texture on the back, and the case fits well. The buttons work great, I'm able to attach headphones and a USB cable though the cut-outs, and wireless charging works with a Nokia DT-900.
Overall it's well-,made case that looks and feels great and offers about as much protection as you can get short something really big like an Otterbox.
Speck Candygrip Case
Before ordering I thought it was quite a nice looking case but I was afraid the rubber ribbing on the case was a gimmick. It seems that the majority of products these days are full of gimmicks. Upon receiving the case I've been pleasantly surprised. It's really everything that I want from a case. I like it even more than my last case that was made by Tech21 Impactology.
The case has a hard plastic outer shell. Because it's a very glossy plastic material it is very prone to receiving scratches. My case already came pre-scratched at the very top and very bottom. I suspect this was from rubbing against the product packaging. I'm curious to see how long it will take until the case is scratched up enough to start bothering me. Time will tell. However the glossy black with the gray ribbing looks beautiful. It is truly a great looking case and would not look out of place anywhere. Inside the plastic there is an extremely thin coating of silicone on everything. This probably makes it grip your phone to prevent it from falling out. There are also silicone lips on the front top and bottom allowing you to place the phone face down without risking scratches to the screen.
I'm not going to drop test my own phone to find out. But I feel that this case give very acceptable durability to a phone that is naturally more prone to damage than others. The s7 edge screen is great looking but I believe the design also increases your chances for damage. This is a well designed case and it gives you complete coverage to all areas of the phone. The small lip on the top and bottom follow the curve of the screen allowing the case to provide protection to flat drops of the screen as well as drops to the edge of the screen. I am confident that this case provides as good or better protection as any other case that is the same style and thickness. I've seen poorly designed cases. They're all over. This is not one of them.
The case feels great in your hand. I really hate the feel of the s7 edge without a case. It's the most slippery phone I've ever felt and the narrow edge gives you less to hold on to. With this case I no longer feel like the phone is going to slip out of my hand at any minute. The soft silicone ribs on the edges grant a firm grip to the edges finally. Trying to hold on to the phone by the edges before the case made for nervous moments.
The fit of the case is perfect. You slip either top or bottom in first then push on the opposite end. It is very easy to both install and remove from your phone. I saw other reviews that stated it's difficult to install/remove. The only way I could see having difficulty is if you are trying to put it on side to side instead of top to bottom. Looking at the case it's kind of obvious that it will go on better by starting with either the top or bottom.
All the buttons and port cutouts are dead on. I love the giant opening for the USB and headphone jack. No more taking cases off for large plugs. Very good design here.
I can't say enough good things about this case. Great design leads to great execution. This case is a keeper. The only small complaint is about the packaging providing scuff scratches to the product before getting a chance to unbox it. They were minor but I feel that a new product should always look new. May need a change to the packaging setup.
Link http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Product...r=8-1&keywords=speck+case+for+samsung+s7+edge
$34.98 dollars
i will add more reveiw when i receive them
thx xda and the boss brandon
Something that would be really useful is if you could give us your impression of how slippery each case is. I don't want a slippery case no matter how thick and protective it is. Avoiding drops is better than protecting it after you've dropped it.
Thanks.
meyerweb said:
Something that would be really useful is if you could give us your impression of how slippery each case is. I don't want a slippery case no matter how thick and protective it is. Avoiding drops is better than protecting it after you've dropped it.
Thanks.
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The Speck Candyshell Grip will always have the best grip. I've tried well over 100 different cases between my past 3 phones and no case has better grip so far.
Pilz said:
The Speck Candyshell Grip will always have the best grip. I've tried well over 100 different cases between my past 3 phones and no case has better grip so far.
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yes , and the vivid artech 21 case has good grip too
dallasmanic said:
No Hiding , Show Off your phone Clear Case
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The back is soft TPU material right?
I have been using the POETIC Affinity Series. I got the clear one to really show off my gold phone. I seem to always buy their product no matter the phone. Its thin but gives minor drop protection. I would not go bouncing it off a roof. lol
The clear back is not a fingerprint magnet for those that seem to really worry about that.
stock photo:
Link: http://amzn.to/1T0zXSq
as the admin messaged me that i put affliation link into the review , i have to said it is not afflition link at all
please check it out what is afflition link before remove my link and change my review
joey3002 said:
I have been using the POETIC Affinity Series. I got the clear one to really show off my gold phone. I seem to always buy their product no matter the phone. Its thin but gives minor drop protection. I would not go bouncing it off a roof. lol
The clear back is not a fingerprint magnet for those that seem to really worry about that.
stock photo:
Link: http://amzn.to/1T0zXSq
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i have been contacted by poetic and i ordered the cases from them . But the photo sucks , right ? i wish they can realize that and produce a more attractive case
I really like this case. It's sleek and looks nice.
Pros
1. Phone fits snugly
2. Raised lips at top and bottom for extra protection
3. Look good
4. Holds up to 3 cards and easy to open
5. Buttons line up perfectly.
6. Double lining case for extra protection
Cons
1. Screen protector doesn't stay on due to tight fittings. (Solution: file down edges with file or scissors)
2. Card slot is very tight
3. Compared to my Onway case, this feels cheaper and more malleable.
4. Card slot could be a tad bigger.
Overall, it's a very nice case and I highly recommend it especially for someone who doesn't like carrying their wallet.
SGM Rugged Case Review
First the pros. There is nothing safer for your phone than this case. It isn't going anywhere. Even trying to open it back up after enclosing it is very difficult.One review said that the covers that cover your earphone port and charging port were unnecessary, I disagree, although they could be a nuisance, I didn't find them to be a problem, and they help keep out dirt and other debris. I also did not find the case to be "too much". It wasn't too bulky or goddy (which I hate). the S7 is bigger and heavier and I actually found peace of mind with it in this case because I am almost positive that when it drops, it's doomed.
But there are cons. The front screen protector sweats (yeah, I thought that weird also). Also it doesn't register your finger press all the time or very well. It would miss keys, press the wrong ones, or if there was a scratch on it lose that key all together. Sometimes the volume keys were harder to press. Earlier I said that the port covers didn't bother me and I understood why they were there, the volume and power keys, I don't. They are completely covered and difficult to press at times, and again you could think you locked your phone, but it didn't and welcome to butt dialing all over again. The most annoying part though was that you were not going to be pulling down the menu from the top ever! There are features on the S7 that make this less necessary, but you better never need to do it because I had to give up trying.
All in all, I might have given this a 4, if the screen was thinner and if I didn't have to have body builder hands to use it. It's a good a case, and some people might enjoy it. I know I felt my phone was safe, that's for sure. Some people are even willing to give some usage up for safety. I am not one of those people.
As someone that owns a ton of cases for all of my phones I disagree about the Otterbox Symmetry case. The buttons are nothing short of awful to press and require so much force the case physically moves inward with each press. It was bad enough that I retuned the case which is not somthing I do unless there's a serious flaw with the design. The same issue also persists in the Otterbox Strada case that I own which would be a great case I'd the buttons didn't require an unreasonable amount of force to push.
Pilz said:
As someone that owns a ton of cases for all of my phones I disagree about the Otterbox Symmetry case. The buttons are nothing short of awful to press and require so much force the case physically moves inward with each press. It was bad enough that I retuned the case which is not somthing I do unless there's a serious flaw with the design. The same issue also persists in the Otterbox Strada case that I own which would be a great case I'd the buttons didn't require an unreasonable amount of force to push.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then you can buy a speck case plus a tempered glass screen protector
Hi , There .
My name is Ben Hoffman , if you are familian with A C forum you will know i am the formed Admin and i was quite good at accessories.
I just joined this forum a couple days ago . So here we go , let us talk about cases .
And the boss of this forum sent me an email , i am so flatted , he is such a nice guy .
I am keep receive more cases from now , so i only add reviews that i already tested , and i will update them when i receive them
1 Comparison of 2 most Tough Case for Note 5 from Amazon -- Otterbox VS Little Rock
This case comes as a 2 piece clamshell, top part containing the built in screen protector and the bottom having a rigid back and flexible sides that secure it to the top piece. The top half is a secured in place screen protector made of a clear and rigid plastic sheet with a cutout for the action button. The phone is snapped into this portion first where it makes a snug and secure fitment. The bottom half is thicker and possesses the bulk of the padding, seen in the honeycomb ridges and thick sidewalls. This half receives the top where it snugs into the flexible sidewalls.
The power and headphone jacks are covered with flaps, speaker and S-Pen openings are unobstructed and the volume and power buttons are firm but still responsive. The sides of the case are beveled above and below and are textured with a crosshatch design which makes it easy to pick up from a flat surface and have a secure grip. The rear of the case is branded with the company logo and an industrial design. The area around the camera is not very beveled which provides poor access to the Heart Rate Monitor. In testing with 2 OEM and one branded wireless Qi charger pads, the phone charged fine and no undue heat was detected.
In comparing this product with a direct competitor and king of the hill, Otterbox Defender, a few differences stand out. While both items have similar port cover designs, the hinge side on the Otterbox is to the front of the case where the silicone has the greatest flexibility and the Artech case is hinged toward the rear of the case where the silicone has greater stability. In my opinion the silicone on the Artech case will not stretch out around the port covers as easily as the Otterbox could. The Otterbox has a more accessible design around the Heart Rate Monitor than the Artech case does. The shape and texture of the silicone on the Artech case makes it appear slimmer and feel more secure than the Defender.
The biggest negative to the Artech case in my opinion in comparison to the Otterbox case; is the lack of a holster. A device this size in a thick case isn’t as convenient in a pocket. This is a personal preference however, I know many people that do not use a holster. It would be nice if a holster for the Artech was available as an add-on item.
The greatest perk to the Artech case is it is 25% of the price of the Otterbox. A second or third one could be purchased as a backups and still come out under the cost of one Defender.
Link Otterbox Amazon.com: OtterBox DEFENDER Cell Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy Note5 -
http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-DEFE...sr=8-1&keywords=otterbox+defender+note+5+case
$59.98
Link Littlr ROck Amazon.com: Mod edit: Affiliate link removed.
$17.98 , (Get 20% OFF with Artech21) Link here ( it nos affliate link ) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...6-6278-49c1-b6df-7de0cb9b3a26&pf_rd_i=desktop
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Review i found online
Pro’s:
-Solid feel
-Design is functional/makes sense
-Slightly raised lips helps protect the face/edges
-Durable
-Holds up when in heat/hot cars (doesn’t change shape)
-Multiple colors (red is really vibrant)
Con’s:
-May make phone seem a bit bulkier
-Medium weight
-Some women may perceive as “masculine”
UAG cell phone cases really have been the gold standard that I compare all other cell phone cases against. I discovered UAG cases after I got a Note Edge 4 because UAG was the only company that was selling for that particular design. I just traded in my Note Edge and walked out with a Note 5. Once again, UAG has risen to the top in terms of the case that I love to use.
I wrote a review about the Note Edge Case and it got me on their sample list, so, I actually received this case free from UAG in exchange for a review. I mention this (well, to be honest), but also because I do A LOT of Amazon reviews. The #1 thing I’m asked to always review are cell phone cases. As soon as I get done looking and playing with those cases for a few hours or a few days, I always go back to the UAG case, I just feel safer using it because of how sturdy it is and I’ve seen it hold up already, like other times, I’ve dropped my phone and accidently boot kicked it into a wall; no problems, phone held up great, no scratches or anything.
The other thing that I love about this case is that it doesn’t change it shape in the heat. I’m in Texas, where it gets REALLY hot in my car. I’ve noticed that a lot of cell phone cases will slip their shape in the heat, but this one never does. It stays firmly on my cell and I don’t have to worry about it coming off. I’ve been using the UAG case since the Note 5 came out and even when left in my car, no problems.
The heat also leads to the other wonderful problem of me constantly sweating, so the grips on the case are a nice touch without me dropping the phone with my sweaty hands. It’s a small thing, but you don’t think about it until you’re messing around with other cell phone cases. All and all, a great product that I really recommend.
Oh, I don’t keep my phones in my pocket, I put them on my waist, using my shorts or pants to hold up my phone. I mention this because it’s one of the reasons why I drop kick my phones a fair bit. It’s not something to be proud of, but I’d been asked that once before…that’s why I come back to the UAG case because I feel a lot more secure knowing my case is going to help me out in this situation.
Link http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galax...462663230&sr=8-1&keywords=uag+case+for+note+5 29.98 dolars
Speck case
http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Product...2663303&sr=8-2&keywords=speck+case+for+note+5
This case is amazing!! You might be thinking that it looks like just a simple phone case, and maybe it is. However....have you seen the options for the Samsung Note 5? There aren't very many.
We had several trial and errors with finding cases for our new phones. We searched the depths of Best Buy with their over-indulgence in iPhone accessories. We looked at T-Mobile only to find melt your face hot pink or boring black.We scoured the internet and found cases that looked okay in the pictures but when we received them felt like they were designed by a handless blind man.
This case feels amazing. It is actually my third Speck case, but first Speck case for this phone. It feels really nice and I find comfort that if I suddenly lose motor ability and fling my phone the concrete that this case with take the fall for my phone.
The colors are perfect. True to the picture although the blue is a bit lighter than the picture - Just a tad. It's kind of a sea-foam blue-green. Nonetheless, it's beautiful and I love it. The colors look really nice on my white phone.
It has enough grip that you don't have to worry about it slipping out of your hands. The front bumper comes out just enough to protect the screen but doesn't add bulk to the phone.
The buttons and S Pen are easily accessible as well as the ports and holes.
The case helps with not accidentally touching the screen which is an added bonus.
BUY IT! You know you want to.
Vivid Slim Case
Case looks good. Not a big fan of gold, but it's not really that important to me. I get why others are saying that the plastic is kind of cheap looking and has a visible seam. But that's only when inspected really closely. From a normal, reasonable distance (like that of everyday use), it looks just fine. I even got a couple of compliments on the case today, and I wasn't even showing it to anyone, juat taking it out of or putting it back into my pocket. It has a very modern, almost high-tech look that is admittedly somewhat cheapened by the gold plastic, but that is quickly gotten over. The rubber back has a nice ridged texture, which feels pleasant and grippy in the hand.
It's kind of hard to talk about function or form independent from each other with this case. It seems like a lot of thought went into both aspects during design, as well as how they could compliment each other. For example, the case is slim and adds no appreciable bulk. It also has curved sides that hug the contours of the phone better than my Otterbox Commuter did. I like the Commuter a lot, but between the non-slippery ridged rubber back, the curved edges and the overall thinness of the Artech, it just feels better in the hand. Its more comfortable to hold and I feel like I have a better grip on it. The slim profile of the case makes it very comfortable in a pocket as well.
The phone pops into the case in a single piece. It went in easily, but there are instructions in case you need them. I was a little worried that it might pop out as easily as it popped in. But after slamming the phone hard against my palm several times, it didn't budge. Even when I cupped my palm in an effort to put more stress on the side of the case to purposely get it to pop out. It has a nice, snug fit. There is a nice raised lip around the screen, even with a tempered glass screen protector.
As another poster noted, there is a nice bezel next to the heart rate monitor on the back of the phone that makes it easy to reach. But overall, the camera hole is smaller than my other case. So I feel that the Artech offers better camera protection without interfering with function. This same type of design is noticeable below the home button, where the lip of the case flattens out for more comfortable access. It is obvious that some thought went into this design.
Despite the back being ridged rubber that hugs the palm, the fact that there are a couple of ever so slightly raised plastic parts on the back means that this effect is, regrettably not useful on a table or other flat surface. It feels a little like a missed opportunity, but not a deal breaker.
The buttons and all of the holes for the various ports line up perfectly. The battery and headphone jacks are exposed, which I don't necessarily like, but can live with. There is a rather large opening fir the s pen, but flat surfaces will touch both sides of the case without coming into contact with that part of the device. Further proof that there is a deliberate and thoughtful design here.
The rubber on the back and on the inside of the case seems kind of thin, but is a bit nore rigid than my other case. The power and volume buttons are responsive and soft. They are not very "clicky", of that kind of thing is important to you. It is not important to me, and I like the feel of these buttons.
A good 3/4 of the back is the aforementioned ridged rubber. I'm not sure how much protection it would really offer in the event of a decent drop. Again, I am conparing it to the Otterbox Commuter, which has a plastic over rubber back. One way to find out, which I don't plan on trying anytime soon. But it seems solid enough. There is some ridged pattern on the inside of the case, but I don't know if that is decorative or not. It's not symmetrical, so I think it probably is. In any event, the slightly raised plastic bits on the back look like they would prevent the back of the phone from actually coming into contact with the ground (covered in rubber or no) as the result of a flat drop. But that is just speculation on my part.
In conclusion, i would say that this is a very nice case, a few minor quibbles aside. It's got a nice blend of form and function not often seen in phone cases. It looks and feels good, and the functionality is excellent in my opinion.
For the asking price (I got it free, but you know what I mean), it is definitely nice. I only buy Otterboxes because I get them at a significant discount which puts them in the same price range as the Artech. So if I had to buy one or the other of these, it would be hard to choose (unless the Commuter was full price, in which case it would be Artech hands down because it is a good case and also I'm a tightwad). The Artech looks and especially feels way better, is easier to hold securely, and very comfortable. As far as protection, both seem comparable, but I would give a slight to moderate edge to the Otterbox commuter because of the covered ports and plastic over rubber back. But make no mistake: the Artech Slim Stylish case seems to offer good, solid phone protection. And I'm in no hurry to go back to my other case. I'm gonna go ahead and use this one for a while.
I would definitely recommend this case to anyone looking for a sleek, yet protective case that feels good to hold.
Link http://www.amazon.com/Artech-21-Ark...F8&qid=1463088151&sr=8-2&keywords=note+5+case (It is not affiliate link )
Link Mod edit: Affiliate link removed.
I bought an Otterbox Defender for my Note 5. At first I was massively impressed by the design compared to my old Supcase. It felt like much more effort and work went into all the details. It all just seemed of higher quality.
I've had it for a week. It's been in the same pocket my old case was in for 9 months (chest), facing the same way, engaged in the exact same activity, except that case doesn't have a scratch on it. The Otterbox screen protector curves away from the screen already, making feedback through the s-pen hugely different on every single part of the display. Dragging something is just not pleasant. It's also been scratched. I would call one scratch a coincidence, but there are two. One of them runs horizontal the center right, pulling the s-pen over it is like nails on a chalkboard.
I don't want to judge it too harshly, small sample size and all, but for the amount of effort I went through to get this case (Note 5 isn't sold in my country, so finding the case was a nightmare, and I paid out the ass) and the hoohaa around the Rolls Royce status Otterbox seems to have attained in the phone case industry, I honestly expected this to be less of a piece of ****. I mean it's become pretty much unusable, after a goddamn week.
So now I have to find a new screen protector that doesn't get in the way of the case, otherwise I might as well throw this thing out.
Doomerts said:
I bought an Otterbox Defender for my Note 5. At first I was massively impressed by the design compared to my old Supcase. It felt like much more effort and work went into all the details. It all just seemed of higher quality.
I've had it for a week. It's been in the same pocket my old case was in for 9 months (chest), facing the same way, engaged in the exact same activity, except that case doesn't have a scratch on it. The Otterbox screen protector curves away from the screen already, making feedback through the s-pen hugely different on every single part of the display. Dragging something is just not pleasant. It's also been scratched. I would call one scratch a coincidence, but there are two. One of them runs horizontal the center right, pulling the s-pen over it is like nails on a chalkboard.
I don't want to judge it too harshly, small sample size and all, but for the amount of effort I went through to get this case (Note 5 isn't sold in my country, so finding the case was a nightmare, and I paid out the ass) and the hoohaa around the Rolls Royce status Otterbox seems to have attained in the phone case industry, I honestly expected this to be less of a piece of ****. I mean it's become pretty much unusable, after a goddamn week.
So now I have to find a new screen protector that doesn't get in the way of the case, otherwise I might as well throw this thing out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting , i actually peel of the screen protector , and i used it with my tempered glass , then it is perfect .
Otterbox and this case are 2 diiferent cases , i have to say i love otterbox , but it is 60 dollars ,so
dallasmanic said:
i used it with my tempered glass
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I want to do this, was worried about the case not fitting afterwards though, it seemed pretty tight fitting.
Doomerts said:
Yeah I want to do this, was worried about the case not fitting afterwards though, it seemed pretty tight fitting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am glad you like otterbox
Doomerts said:
Yeah I want to do this, was worried about the case not fitting afterwards though, it seemed pretty tight fitting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you find it out yet ?
First, full disclosure: I don't really like cases. I've not used a case on any of my prior phones (except for a brief period on the Galaxy S3). But the S7 Edge is so slippery, and with all the glass so fragile, that not using a case seems foolish. So I'm looking for a relatively minimal case that makes the phone less slippery and still provides a reasonable degree of protection. I'm not going to use a brick of a case that turns my svelte, stylish Edge into one of these:
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My Edge is silver, and I love the way it looks, so for daily use I'd prefer a clear case that doesn't hide the beauty of the phone. So I've purchased (and in one case received free) multiple clear cases for this phone (Free isn't keeping me from criticism where it's due, however). I wish I could say one is head and shoulders above the rest, or even the clear (pun intended) favorite, but each has strengths and weaknesses. And comparing my experience to some of the other reviews on the web, I think there's more than a bit of a process / quality control problem with the manufacturers, showing up as significant sample to sample variation. Perhaps not surprising when you're talking about products that sell for $10 or less, and probably only cost a buck to make in some Chinese factory.
So let's think about what we should expect, functionally, out of a case. Style is in the eye of the beholder, but functionally I think most of us will agree with the following: offer a reasonable amount of protection in the event of a drop; provide better grip than the slippery-as-wet-ice(TM) S7 Edge; protect the screen if you set the phone face down; and not significantly compromise functionality. Sadly, none of these cases meet all of those goals. Some don't really meet any of them.
It's important to note that none of these cases are going to offer a whole lot of protection to the screen. Some more than others, perhaps, but in order to leave the edge screen functional, none of them completely cover the side of the phone above the level of the screen, like cases for the flat S7 do. If you drop the phone, and it lands on or near the edge of the screen, be prepared to file an insurance claim or cry, no matter what case you have it in.
I won't rank these, because which is best depends on your priorities. Want a minimalist case, and are willing to trade some protection for it? The Spigen Liquid Crystal is your case. Are you willing to accept some more bulk in exchange for a little more protection? Look at either the Ulack or the Artech. The Ulak is less slippery, but has lousy buttons. The Artech has better buttons, but is a little slippery. I can't recommend the Poetic at all, and if the generic case appeals to you, you know who you are.
YMMV, and if you love one I hate, or vice versa, that's your privilege. It's nice to have choices.
Anyway, my reaction after swapping back and forth between them. In no particular order in the following posts.
Spigen Liquid Crystal: The first case I bought. Ordered it even before I had my phone. Definitely high quality. Probably the most precisely aligned, shaped and molded openings for all the ports, mics and speaker. It's all soft TPU, both the back and the bumper, and the pebble finish inside the back means there's no rainbow effect. Best of all the buttons are perfect. They add no resistance over using the phone without a case, they provide a very tactile feel, and a positive click when activiated. The best button feel of any of the clear cases by far. This case adds minimal bulk to the phone. This (along with the Poetic and Vena ) is the thinnest of any of these cases. The TPU is also reasonably grippy, and doesn't readily slip out of my fingers.
On the downside, these very thin cases are probably the least protective in this group. Did I mention the TPU is thin? And while it has a lip at the top and bottom to protect the screen when you place it face down, the lips aren't very big, so it raises the phone off the surface less than most of the others. I dropped my Edge face down on a flat surface in this case, and the screen shattered. I'm not blaming the case, though. It impacted along the right side of the screen, so the same thing might have happened in any of these cases.
Spigen's perfect cutouts:
The screen is raised a little bit off a surface, but not by a much as some of the other cases:
Spigen's buttons. They don't look special, but they just WORK. Everyone else should copy these buttons.
Ulak Clear Slim: Except for one thing, this would be my favorite case of the bunch. It has an acrylic back combined with a TPU bumper. The TPU is noticably thicker than the Spigen's bumpers. There's an air bubble at each corner, which may (or may not?) help cushion any impacts there. The lip at the top and bottom is quite a bit taller than the Spigen's, and it has raised "feet" on the back to protect the acrylic screen from being scratched when you set it down. The acrylic back is very clear, and really shows off the back of the phone better than the phones with TPU backs.
The edges are a bit more slippery than the Spigen, though not terribly so, and the acrylic back is a fingerprint magnet. But those aren't what disappoint me the most, though. The biggest problem is the buttons. They require much more pressure to push than the Spigen, and there's no tactile feedback at all. Very disappointing. And there's really no excuse for selling a case wtih second-rate buttons. Just buy a few of your competitors cases that do buttons right (like the Spigen, above), and reverse engineer them. If Uak just fixed the buttons, this would be my number 1 choice without question. Someone else who posts her tested this case, though, and said the buttons on his were fine, so I'm sending this one back and will try another sample. Hopefully the buttons on that one will be better.
Update (5/19): Other than the buttons, I liked this case well enough to give it another try. I returned the first one, and ordered a second. This one has better buttons. Not the best, but better. The volume buttons are almost on par with the Spigen's, and certainly good enough that I'll have no problem using them. The power button is still not on par with what I expect. But since I normally turn the phone on with the home button, that's not a major issue for me. This is now my preferred clear case for the Edge.
Oh, one minor annoyance. The product is supposed to come with a cardboard template that you can use to cut out your own picture to insert in the back of the case. A nice touch to personalize your phone. Mine was missing the template, and Ulak's customer service was totally useless. They insisted it was Amazon's problem (as if Amazon manufactured and packed the case), and refused to do anything at all to remedy the missing feature. If the case didn't have such potential, the lousy customer service would make this a "no sale."
Update (5/19): As mentioned above, I bought a second copy of this case. The second one didn't come with the cardboard template either.
The "bubble" in the corners of the Ulak case. Does this really help with impact resistance? Your guess is as good as mine.
One of the "feet" on the back of the Ulack, which should help prevent scratches on the back.
The lips at the top and bottom keep the screen well off a surface if you put it face down. The might help, a little, if you drop it face down.
This final pic should give you an idea of just how clear the back of this case is. Very nice.
Artech 21 Hybrid Jelly: This is almost the reverse of the Ulack design. Instead of a hard back and soft sides, this is a soft TPU case with a hard frame around the edge. How does it fare in comparison? The thickness of the TPU bumper seems to be a little less than the Ulak, and it doesn't have the air bubbles in the corners, but the rigid frame around the edge may offer as much protection. (I'm not about to drop test my phone--if someone wants to send me theirs, I'll be happy to do some drop tests. ) The top and bottom lips are about the same height as the Ulak, which is good. I'm not sure how the TPU back compares to the Ulak's rigid back in terms of protection, but fingerprints aren't nearly as big a problem. Oh, there's no rainbow effect with this case, either.
On the other hand, while the buttons are better than the Ulak's, they're not as good as Spigen's. They are acceptable, but Artech knows how to make good buttons. Their Vivid Arkansas series case has the best button action I've found so far, but is not available in clear. Why they don't use the same design on all their cases is beyond my understanding.
My biggest issue is the smooth, hard plastic frame around the bumper. It's a bit slippery, and when the case is stretched around a phone you can feel a rather sharp edge where the TPU case joins the hard plastic. Not a deal breaker, but definitely uncomfortable when you're holding the phone. Well, maybe it is a deal breaker.
The back and sides of the Artech Jelly. I really like the looks of the black band, but it's pretty slippery.
With the phone inserted. Not quite as clear as the Ulak, but still shows off the phone nicely.
Like the Ulak, the Artech cases all get the screen well above the surface if you put it face down.
Vena Retain: Kind of a cross between the Spigen Liquid Crystal and the Ulak. It's a thin, minimalistic case like the Spigen, but with a hard acrylic back like the Ulak. The buttons aren't as good as Spigen's, offering no tactile feedback, but they require much less pressure than Ulak's. Other than that, very similar to the Spigen with a hard back. If you want a minimal case like this, I think the Spigen is probably a better choice, and the Ulak (and Artech) certainly offers better protection.
They don't show well here, but the top and bottom lips are closer in size to the Spigen than the Artech or Ulak.
Like the Ulak, the Vena has small "bubbles" at the corners. And like the Ulak, I have no idea if they make any real difference in impact resistance.
Poetic Affinity: It's OK, but it's lacking in too many areas to come out on top. This is another case with an Acrylic back and TPU sides, but it's not competitive with the Ualk in terms of protection. Poetic makes this in several versions, some with a colored plastic frame, and the one I bought, with a frosted edge. On the plus side, the edges of the case have a very pronounced texture that enhances the gripability of the phone. The clear acrylic back shows off the silver finish nicely. And there are raised, frosted ridges on the back that lift the clear acrylic off surfaces, preventing it from getting scratched when you set the phone down (but the frosted acrylic will get the scratches instead). The buttons work fine: almost on par with the Spigen's buttons, and the top and bottom lips are adequate, though not as high as the Artech and Ulack.
But. But, but, but. The TPU bumper is a very hard TPU, and much thinner than either the Ulack or Artech. In fact, it's so hard I'm not sure if it's actually TPU or something else. I don't think it's going to offer much impact protection at all. There is a little extra thickness at the corners, but it's the same hard material as the rest of the bumper. The product description says there are raised soft TPU ridges inside the case for extra cushioning, but mine has no internal ridges at all. As if all that isn't enough, the case is simply ugly. The frosted edges look really cheap, and the Poetic logo in the middle of the back looks like an accident happened, and the case got scraped or melted at that spot. Just terrible.
The frosted bottom of the Poetic case. Not for me, thanks.
The logo.
You can see the textured surface at the bottom of the edge, where it curves towards the bottom. This is the best feature of this case.
Nameless, generic Chinese colored TPU case: I drive an orange sports car, so I've been looking for an orange case. The first reasonable looking one I found was a generic case on ebay that is available in multiple colors.
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...ar=500727044393&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
It's a typical generic TPU case. It's about the same thickness as the Spigen Liquid Crystal. But the top and bottom lips are smaller, the button action not as good as the Spigen (but acceptable), and the cut outs not as precisely made or aligned. And the translucent orange color ends up looking a bit pink in indoor lighting. But, again, more than acceptable for a $3.00 (including shipping) case. It offers minimal protection, but lots of options for style. And it's definitely less slippery than the bare phone.
I haven't made up my mind. Less slippery is important, since none of these offer huge amounts of protection. It's better to not drop the phone than to hope it doesn't break when you do. I'd say the Ulak is the best compromise between protection, bulk, and grip, but the buttons annoy the Hell out of me. The Artech isn't perfect either. The sharp edge where the bumper meets the plastic surround is really annoying, and I'd seriously consider taking a little sandpaper to the hard plastic of it to see if I can improve the grip. You would think that case manufacturers would all understand that helping you not drop the phone should be a prime consideration, but most of them seem clueless about this. Almost all seem to emphasize style over substance. Just adding some texture to the edges, like Poetic has done, would cost nothing and greatly improve most of these cases. Truth be told, I still like the Spigen Liquid Crystal better than any of the others. If only it offered more protection.
Another member here said he had no problem with the buttons on the Ulak, so maybe I'll try a second sample. I'd like to say that somewhere, someone makes a clear case that meets this rather simple set of requirements: the protection, crystal clear back, and anti-scratch design of the Ulak, the button action of the Spigen, and the textured bumpers of the Poetic. But I've been all over the internet looking, and I really don't think anyone has gotten it completely right. I've found a couple of non-clear cases that come close. More about those in a later thread.)
One more thought about the buttons: Whatever case you're using, if the buttons don't seem to be working well, take the case off and reinstall it. Try installing it with a different side first. I found the button action could be improved, probably by changing the alignment between the case buttons and the phone buttons slightly. This didn't make the Ulak buttons acceptable to me, though.
Perfect! I don't think I'll ever use a non-clear case on my phone. Thanks for putting this together. I already have the Spigen one. Will try the Utak after your recommendation!
And I agree. The Spigen buttons are awesome! And Spigen has that corner air bubble thing too, similar to Utak.
Your first two Spigen images on this thread did not load btw.
thedisturbedone said:
Perfect! I don't think I'll ever use a non-clear case on my phone. Thanks for putting this together. I already have the Spigen one. Will try the Utak after your recommendation!
And I agree. The Spigen buttons are awesome! And Spigen has that corner air bubble thing too, similar to Utak.
Your first two Spigen images on this thread did not load btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. My Spigen doesn't seem to have any corner bubbles. You have the Liquid Crystal?
And the images are loading for me. Let me know if it's still a problem, and I can try deleting and re-adding them.
meyerweb said:
Hmm. My Spigen doesn't seem to have any corner bubbles. You have the Liquid Crystal?
And the images are loading for me. Let me know if it's still a problem, and I can try deleting and re-adding them.
Click to expand...
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My bad! So I have the Spigen Ultra Hybrid and the Liquid Crystal too. At the time I was looking at the Ultra Hybrid and comparing it!
Updated my review of the Ulak clear case in the original post, above.
As I wrote in another thread, I really prefer to use a clear case with this beautiful phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/accessories/translucent-case-review-t3380627
Unfortunately, none of the clear cases I've tried really meet all my requirements. So I'm looking at opaque cases, too. Truth be told, none of these meet my definition of perfect, either, but there are a couple of real nice cases in this group.
As I wrote before: I don't really like cases. I've not used a case on any of my prior phones (except for a brief period on the Galaxy S3). But the S7 Edge is so slippery, and with all the glass so fragile, that not using a case seems foolish. So I'm looking for a relatively minimal case that makes the phone less slippery and still provides a reasonable degree of protection. I'm not at all interested in a really bulky, heavy duty case, so if that's what you're looking for, look elsewhere.
Artech 21 Dallas Lazer Series: (C'mon guys, lets try to come up with some simpler names that are easier to say and remember.) Anyway, this case is exactly the same as the Artech 21 Clear Jelly except for two things: The TPU is black, instead of clear, and has a vertical pattern of very slight ridges on the back. It looks nice, but suffers the same issue as the Clear Jelly case, so I'll mostly repeat what I wrote about that case.
This is a soft TPU case with a hard frame around the edge. The thickness of the TPU bumper seems to be a little less than the some TPU only cases, but the rigid frame around the edge may offer as much protection. (I'm not about to drop test my phone--if someone wants to send me theirs, I'll be happy to do some drop tests. ) The top and bottom lips on the front are nice and tall, and offer good protection if you put the phone face down. Fingerprints simply aren't a problem with the textured back.
The buttons are better than some, but far from the best. They are acceptable, but a little stiff, and without much tactile feedback. Artech knows how to make good buttons, though. Their Vivid Arkansas series case has the best button action I've found so far (see review further down.) Why they don't use the same design on all their cases is beyond my understanding.
My biggest issue is the smooth, hard plastic frame around the bumper. It's a bit slippery, and when the case is stretched around a phone you can feel a rather sharp edge where the TPU case joins the hard plastic. It's uncomfortable, and pretty much a deal breaker for me.
The disappointing button, recessed inside the plastic frame.
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The textured back looks really nice. Too bad it doesn't help more with grip.
The lips on this case do a good job of protecting the screen when you put it face down.
Artech 21 Vivid Arkansas: (again with the names) This is a very nice case, with one exception that all the Arech cases have in common. Like the other Artech cases, it's a TPU case with a hard plastic rim around the outside. Unlike the other Artech cases, the buttons don't poke through holes in the hard plastic rim. Instead the plastic rim is cut out around the buttons. This makes all the difference in the world. The button action is as good as any case I've tested, including the Spigen. Well done, and Artech should copy this design to all it's other cases.
The case is well made, the ports all align properly, it fits snugly, and it should protect reasonably well. The lips at the top and bottom of the screen are tall enough to make a difference. Unlike the Dallas Lazer and Clear Jelly Artech cases, there is no sharp edge where the TPU meets the plastic rim. That's something else Artech should copy to its other cases.
The key differentiator here is style. Carrying the metallic (plastic) across the back is a nice touch, and I like the way it looks. You might not--to each his own. The back of the TPU is strongly ridged from side to side. You might think this would improve grip, but my hand doesn't really come into contact with that surface when I'm holding the phone normally. It's more style than anything, but it does look nice. I had hoped this would come in a vibrant red, but it's actually pretty dull and tending slightly towards pink. It's not terrible, but if I were going to order this case I'd get it in black, not red.
The only downside here is that, once again, the edges of the phone are too slippery. The metallic finish seems even worse than the black finish on the other Artech cases (but not nearly as bad as the Ulak Slim Hybrid (reviewed below). Why can't anyone (except Speck and Poetic) get this right? As I said about another case, I might try roughing up the edges with a little sandpaper.
All in all, it's a very nice case. If Artech can fix the slippery edges, this might be my favorite opaque case.
Speaking of names and Arkansas, Artech 21 makes a big deal of being "a family owned business "started at Arkansas" " [sic]. I'm not sure what "started at" means, but the materials packed with the case were clearly written by someone for whom English is a second language. I wouldn't choose this because you think it's made in America, because I'm sure it's as made-in-China as all the other cases.
Not only nice looking, but the way the hard shell leaves the button exposed greatly improves button action.
The lip does a good job of protecting the screen when you put the phone face down.
Speck Candyshell Grip: Impact protection is really hard to judge, and without doing a lot of testing I'm not sure what kind of case materials are best. The Ulack Clear case, with its thick, soft TPU bumper, corner "bubbles," large top and bottom lips and TPU feet on the back seems to me to be very protective. The Speck case doesn't have as thick a layer of TPU, but surrounds that with a hard, impact resistant shell. Is the hard shell better? I have no idea. On balance, my guess is that it's about as protective as the Ulak. One may do better in one type of impact, the other in a different impact. Who really knows? In any case, I think this Speck is about as protective as you'll find without a lot of bulk.
What sets this apart from most cases is that Speck has made an effort to address the slipperyness issue. The back and sides of the case have raised TPU ridges which do add quite a bit of grip to the case. Not as much as I had hoped, as the TPU itself is a little slippery, but this is the grippiest case I've tried. I'm not crazy about the look, and it's kind of bulky, so I'll probably reserve it for times I'm going to be outdoors, or in places where I think there's more risk of either dropping the phone, or of it landing on a hard surface. In less risky locations (at home, carpeted locations, etc.) I'll stick to a clear case.
The case is very well made of high quality materials. All the openings line up perfectly. The button action is quite good, though not as tactile as the Spigen Liquid Crystal or Artech Arkansas. The hard, glossy surface on the back is prone to scratching, but with the raised ridges hopefully it won't be too bad. The biggest drawback, for me, is the size. It's not a lot bigger than the other cases, but I have small hands and this feels just enough bigger that it's less comfortable for me to hold. The price is also an issue. When many good cases are available for around $10 or $15, I have to wonder if this one is worth $35. But if you want to avoid dropping your phone, this is the best of the bunch. It's one of my keepers for sure.
The hard shell with a TPU liner and TPU ridges should be pretty protective, and is the grippiest case I've used.
Here you can see how the ridges extend from the hard plastic surface.
Ulak "Rose Gold" Slim Case Hybrid Dual Layer Cover: OK, I take back what I said about Artech's names. This one is even worse. I've mostly avoided talking about style or color in these reviews. It's a personal choice, and to each his own. But seriously ULAK, "Rose Gold"? There's nothing gold about this case. It's pink, plain and simple. There's a bit of a metallic finish on the hard plastic part, but the TPU is simply pink, pink, pink. If you like pink, this might be your case, but don't buy it expecting it to be some shade of gold.
Anyway, this is a TPU case with a semi-hard plastic shell around the left and right sides and across the back. The plastic shell doesn't seem as rigid as on cases from Artech and Speck. That may be good for impact resistance, but it feels a little like it belongs on a child's toy. Not my favorite. The top and bottom are plain (pink) TPU, as is the area surrounding the camera, and a small slice at the bottom of the back. The TPU is a bit firmer than most, and thinner than the best of the cases I've tried. I suspect the softer, thicker cases will do a better job of absorbing impacts. The cutouts for the ports and mics are fine, and the button action pretty good. Not the best, but certainly acceptable. The lips at the top and bottom of the screen are not quite the highest, but they're tall enough to offer good protection when the phone is face down.
But the hard plastic is very, very slippery. The most slippery case I've tried. Not much better than the bare phone. But Ulak has done one nice thing in this regard. The right (volume) side of the case has 5 long cutouts in the hard plastic, and the TPU that shows through is highly textured. This actually goes a long way to improving the grip, but it needs to be on both edges, not just one. It's helpful when you're holding the phone up to your ear, but the opposite side is so slippery that picking the phone up from a surface, or taking it out of your pocket, is still a perilous activity. Close, but quite there.
Make both edges grippy, and offer more color options, and this would be a reasonable contender. Using a less slippery shell would make it even better.
(Photos coming soon.)
I have an Incipio Dualpro case on order. I'll update this thread when I have a chance to check it out.
(Reserved)