Database Develop

Review: Blue hard plastic case and screen protector (eBay) - £2.69 delivered

IMPORTANT: See 'red' update at bottom of post
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
Here is a small review of a case and screen protector I bought from eBay for my HD2.
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Why did I buy this?
I wanted a cheap case that would add a layer of protection to my device. I also happen to drive a cobalt blue colour car with plenty of matching blueness inside it, this one looked like it'd fit in!
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
Pros:
- Looks great
- Low profile - doesn't add any bulk to the device
- Perfect tight fit, the phone certainly and case certainly aren't going to separate
- Decent quality material - hard plastic, not the 'floppy' silicone style of cheap iPod cases
- Nothing important is covered - speaker, side buttons, camera lens and flash are all visible and accessible.
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
Cons:
- Screen protector fitted the screen 'too' perfectly - the blue case clips around the front side of the phone which caused the protector to come up and bubble on one side. I tried everything to try and fix this, but ended up cutting the protector down the side slightly making it look much less appealing but fit. Unfortunately this messing around caused much dust to connect under the protector making it look much less appealing and bubbly. Since yesterday I've taken the protector off, binned it and am using the phone fine without it. In fact, since removing the protector I'd say I get a slightly better response from my phone when typing.
- Shipped (obviously) from Hong Hong, took about 14 days to arrive. This goes without saying though!
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
Conclusion: A very appealing and cost effective plastic case for your HD2. I feel like I can 'use' the phone now, without worrying about scratching the back on the phone placing it on hard surfaces, etc. It looks fantastic and fits the phone's form factor perfectly. The screen protector is a novelty, perhaps you'll have more luck with it than I did, but I'd not recommend factoring it into the price. Overall, a good purchase that I plan keeping connected to my phone for a long time.
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
Link to product page: Purchase
UPDATE: As I've only just got my HD2 I've been removing the back a fair bit, swapping sims, general messing about, etc. After I'd settled down I left the case on for a few days without removing. Today I've removed it to find 1. Chips to the paintwork at the top right of the phone and 2. The blue dye from the case leaked onto the back of the phone (around the speaker/lense/flash), to the back bottom and around the sides. My XDA-friends - F*CK this case. I'll try and provide pics if I find my digicam. BUY SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T CLING TO THE PHONE - I'm going to look for a nice flip or wallet style case. AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!

Update: It would seem that the seller I got the above case from is now stocking other blue cases, but they appear to vary from the one I reviewed. Note that the review is for the case pictured at the top of the post, not the 'silicone 2 part' case found here.
Chances are the case reviewed is being stocked everywhere and you're likely so stumble across it. Hope the post helps someone out!

nice review it looks like good stuff for your money! too bad i allready ordered a capdase aluminium case

bad quality
I bought the same case (in black color) from an ebay seller called "sodapowder".
Shipment out of Honk Kong took 5 days to Japan.
Mine came without screen protector, but reading the above, I have not missed much
Unfortunately the case is of poor quality.
The first one I received had very sharp edges at the bottom side of the phone, close to the headphone socket.
In fact I slightly cut my finger on it.
After complain to the seller he immediately sent a replacement.
The replacement was manually reworked to remove the sharp edges (which from my point of view come from the molding process).
The new case however is loosing it's "rubber" coating after only 4 days of normal use.
I am going for a refund and will find my self an different case.
Very unfortunate though, as I liked the thin profice perfect fit.

aro said:
I bought the same case (in black color) from an ebay seller called "sodapower".
Shipment out of Honk Kong took 5 days to Japan.
Mine came without screen protector, but reading the above, I have not missed much
Unfortunately the case is of poor quality.
The first one I received had very sharp edges at the bottom side of the phone, close to the headphone socket.
In fact I slightly cut my finger on it.
After complain to the seller he immediately sent a replacement.
The replacement was manually reworked to remove the sharp edges (which from my point of view come from the molding process).
The new case however is loosing it's "rubber" coating after only 4 days of normal use.
I am going for a refund and will find my self an different case.
Very unfortunate though, as I liked the thin profice perfect fit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear you got a lousy case, though I'm not entirely sure we got something from the same factory (or at least same batch). The edges of my case are relatively smooth, definitely not sharp. I've been using mine since the 18th and so far no signs of wear or discolour, though I'll be keeping an eye on it.
The edges on mine don't appear to be manually rounded or smoothed so I'd think this was done in the molding process in my batch.

jamieeeee said:
nice review it looks like good stuff for your money! too bad i allready ordered a capdase aluminium case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, yeah for under £3 delivered I think it's a very good buy! Chances are I'll be looking towards a leather 'flip' or wallet-style case too as out in the rain last night I figured I could do with something to protect my poor HD2. Then again, I shouldn't even be trying to use it in the rain - but who could resist being outside and STILL looking at their weather screen 'just to be sure'?

Post updated - avoid this god damned case! Advise everyone against purchasing it!
Don't try and protect your expensive gadget in this sort of tat. I will melt this tripe on behalf of everyone who respects their phones on XDA.
If a mod sees this, could you put [AVOID] in the subject line of this thread?

Sad
Personally, if it helps, after two weeks of use, I'm in LOVE with this wallet! £3.49
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-BLACK-LEATHER-WALLET-CASE-POUCH-FOR-HTC-HD-2-HD2-II_W0QQitemZ200435711374QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneBatteries?hash=item2eaae63d8e

I have the same case, albeit in red, and I can confirm that the die does stain the HD2 and removing and replacing the case has damaged the finish on the top two corners of my phone. And quite frankly, I serious doubt it would provide any real protection.
That said, I like the look and feel of the case and continue to use it. I find the rear of the HD2 bland and boring...

I Totally agree. AVOID these hard plastic cases.
When i 1st bought it, i bought a pack of 3 different colors.
When i 1st tried i was really happy with the looks specially with the blue one.
Next day i was wearing brown, so i thought why not put on the red one.
When i removed the blue one, Damn there were blue paint smudges around the corner of my phone. Crap, they are stuck there, no matter what i tried they ain't
coming off.

Yep, it's been a few days now since removing the blue case and the leaked substance from it is still very much attached to my phone (most noticeably on the back)
I can only imagine the amount of Leo's this tripe is going to cosmetically ruin, thanks a lot, China!
On a plus note the cosmetic damage has caused me to not worry so much about getting the odd scratch on it from now on, so I'm using it as I should (still obviously not trying to drop it if I can help it!)
Hopefully this thread will stop a few people from wasting their money on these things, in which case I'll just be glad I could sacrifice some of my HD2's looks for the greater good!

do you think if you took some sand paper to it it would be a nicer fit or is it unsalvageable?

Another AVOID advice
And once again - BEWARE of snap-on hard cases! I mean you have to be very careful and do not go for the cheapest ones. Personally me - I would stay clear of any hard case/housing that touches the phone, as - yes - the painting of case is rather weak and comes off easily from daily usage. My sad experience with one of them, very similar to this one brought me to this rather obvious conclusion. What happened is that in 3 weeks gray paint/covering of my HD2 was damaged wherever it touched the sturdily snapping hard case - on the corners battery cover (where the gray plastic body of HD2 slightly is raised comparing to lower battery cover) - I will post photos of it.
Then I ordered a leather pull-case, and i am happy with it. Here is my positive review for it

Rearth Ringke Case Review

I found out that Rearth made a case for the Nexus S and did some research by reading and watching reviews of the Evo and iPhone 4 versions. Mostly everyone gave it a thumbs up, so I gambled and bought one.
http://rearthusa.com/products-page/google1/nexus-s
The case costs $16.99. I bought the special deal pack which costs $20.99 and includes a screen protector and headphone jack plugs that they call Ringz.
First of all, the headphone plugs work fine. They do the job perfectly. Also, the screen protector is dry application, but doesn't cover the whole screen. It's similar to Martin Field's screen protector. It works fine though. I posted a picture of the top part with the case.
Now to the case. I only have 2 other cases to compare with which are the Amazer silicone case and "S" shaped TPU case (which I will refer to as S case). I'm just going to post my opinions of the pros and cons of this case. Remember, I've only had it for one day so far. Oh, the color I got is called kiwi.
Pros
The case is slim. Doesn't even feel bulky at all. The Amzer and S case adds a little bit of bulkiness that you can notice, while I barely noticed any on this case.
Easy to put on.
The USB slot, headphone jack, volume rockers, power button, camera lens, and speaker positions all fit perfectly.
Yes, the volume and power buttons are easy to press unlike the S case.
The case doesn't interfere with camera lens and flash when taking pictures unlike the Amzer case.
Not sticky. Slides in and out of my pocket fine unlike Amzer case.
Doesn't feel anything like the Amzer or S case. Has it's own type of texture and feels smooth (this one is purely my opinion).
A bunch of colors. I guess this is a pro.
Detailed. This case is detailed. They even have the little slot where you take off the battery cover at the top (I posted a picture).
Cons
Not like an Otterbox case. Of course.
May ruin the "sexiness" of the phone if you like it naked. They do have a black version though.
Price. This is objective to the user, but most of you might find that $17 for a silicone type of case is not worth it. I thought this too until I got it and played with it. I don't regret it.
I say silicone type of case because the Ringke performs in a similar way, but the material doesn't feel like silicone or TPU at all.
There are more pros then cons because I'm basically comparing it to the other 2 cases that I have. If I experience anything that I consider a con, I will add it here.
Neutral
Since I haven't used this case long enough, I'm not too sure if it's a dust magnet. The reviews I've read and watched said it barely attracted any dust at all. So far though from my one day of use, it barely attracted dust. I usually get dust around the screen with the other two cases, while I didn't with this one. I will have to get back to you on this one.
Other
As said before, it doesn't feel like silicone or TPU. It kind of has a small matte feel to it. Can't really describe it well. The closest thing it feels like is the matte part of the S case. Also softer than the S case. Haven't seen any other scratches than I had before so far.
Final Verdict?
For me, this will be my main case for now. It feels like it's part of the phone and with it on, it feels like a hard case. Maybe it's just me, but that's how it feels when I hold it in my hands.
You can Youtube ringke cases to get more opinions on it.
Here are the links to the pictures. I had more than what's allowed by xda so I posted it elsewhere. Three mirrors.
http://www.mediafire.com/?879q9aoiw7w97
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/yangster258/Rearth Ringke Case/
http://img43.imageshack.us/g/19647696.jpg/
I believe Ploone (Pop case & Feather videos) is going to make a video of this case also since he told me he had one coming his way when I told him about this case. This is just an assumption. Also, kertesd said he will order one in his topic so he'll probably post his impressions on it also if he bought it.
Reviews from others
peeturr
Ploone (Video Review)
Warning!
Doesn't fit the i9023 version well. Pictures by noobhero.

Fun read, really liked the way you laid stuff out. You weren't assuming, I am getting the case in soon and will have a video for everyone else

Thanks for the review! Can't wait for my Rearth cases to arrive!

I tried looking through the screen protector thread but I can't find your picture with the case and SP. Is there some other SP thread that you posted in?

Vulpix said:
I tried looking through the screen protector thread but I can't find your picture with the case and SP. Is there some other SP thread that you posted in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's here:
http://img847.imageshack.us/i/93825237.jpg/

About to pull the trigger on this.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Interesting! Also the screen protector looks better than Clarivue's -- at least it has custom holes for speaker and camera.

Ploone said:
Fun read, really liked the way you laid stuff out. You weren't assuming, I am getting the case in soon and will have a video for everyone else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I rather read reviews in outline style than paragraphs which is why I did it this way. Looking forward to your video too. I'll post a link whenever you have it up on the first post.
Vulpix said:
I tried looking through the screen protector thread but I can't find your picture with the case and SP. Is there some other SP thread that you posted in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad. The one picture I have doesn't show it too well, but it's similar to the Martin Fields one (not Clarivue, my bad).
Here's the link: http://hemorrdroids.net/martin-fields-nexus-s-screen-protector/
Very similar. Basically, the protector doesn't touch the edge of all four sides of the screen. The top and bottom sides are more noticeable than the left and right sides. Remember, the screen protector was probably made this way because of the contour display of the phone. My cheap ones were not sticking on the top or bottom parts of the screen.
suksit said:
Interesting! Also the screen protector looks better than Clarivue's -- at least it has custom holes for speaker and camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it look like that on the picture? *Looks back* I guess it sort of does, probably because of the flash from the camera, but the screen protector from Rearth doesn't have any holes except for the head/ear speaker piece thing (forgot what it's called). FFC still looks fine though through the camera app.

Just received my case, and wanted to post some feedback. I had ordered the special deal (audio plugs, screen protector) in black color, which looks amazing on the Nexus S. Most of my feedback really just reaffirms the OP's review.
[Pros]
- amazing detail (The outer carvings as well as trim for the buttons are meticulously crafted. It really differentiates the case from all other options. )
- perfect fit
- little to no bulk (adds the right amount of weight, and thickness to make the phone much more enjoyable to hold and less likely to slip)
- very nice button feedback
- audio plugs add a nice color touch to the phone
[Cons]
- no cons regarding the case
- screen protector included in the package falls short on the top and bottom edges *most likely due to the contour design
Overall, best case I've seen which doesn't hinder the phone's aesthetics or risk scratching the phone (ex. hard cases). A few things I would like to see is possibly more designs with different textures on the backing. The plain matte texture is nice, but I feel that it may easily show signs of wear and tear, through scratches and scuffs, although the functionality isn't compromised. Adding slight texture may also add value to the appearance of the case. Well everyone, that's it. I could add pictures if someone requests. I went with the panda scheme, black case with white audio caps.

Do you know if they ship outside of the USA? I'm very tempted to get it...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

gondsman said:
Do you know if they ship outside of the USA? I'm very tempted to get it...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno. Just send them a email and ask.

gondsman said:
Do you know if they ship outside of the USA? I'm very tempted to get it...
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, and the shipping rates are very reasonable ($3.99 for First-Class Mail international shipping)

Thank you OP; great review. Now I want one. All that is stopping me is trying to pick which color.....once I get it, though, I will probably post a video review.

Yes they do
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

please be aware that the fitting on I9023 nexus s is not perfect.

Damn..just ordered mine..could you please tell a little more about the fit?maybe a picture? Thanks

At a glance, it seems to fit alright.
But upon close inspection, u'll find that there are linings on the inside of the cases that
Do not sit well into the grooves on the edge of the phone.
All the cut outs works fine, just the wrapping ain't perfect.
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theres a video here showing it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1014789

thanks for the quick reply! i think i should live with this..otherwise not much options for other cases..at least the phone gets less slippery!

lifesaver said:
thanks for the quick reply! i think i should live with this..otherwise not much options for other cases..at least the phone gets less slippery!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually on the contrary, I feel the phone is much more slippery to hold with the case on. It's due to the material I guess.

Poetic Slimbook Review

I recently purchased a Poetic Slimbook case for my Nexus 7. I got it for $7 from Amazon. It's up to $10 now.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008IEGSGU/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
I don't have my camera so I can't take pictures, but the pictures on Amazon do an excellent job of showing it off. The construction seems quite good. There's no cuts or anything in the leather and the stitching is neat. As you can imagine, it adds a bit of weight and some girth to the tablet. I consider that a good thing, because my Nexus 7 seems very well protected. It seems like it could survive a big fall, but I don't intend to test it.
The device goes in easily. You wouldn't think that a leather flap could keep it in, but it's not going anyplace. Nevertheless, it is easy to remove the device from the case if you want to. The lid is held shut by magnets on the top and bottom right. The "smart" cover also turns the device on and off as expected.
I think there's going to be a break-in period before I feel comfortable using it as a stand in the nearly upright position. It's pretty stiff and quite wobbly. It seems to work fine in the lower position (see the Amazon pictures for details/explanation). Since I didn't really intend to use it as a stand much, it's not a big deal for me.
All of the ports and buttons are easily accessible, although it is now a smidge more difficult to press the buttons. The speaker in the back is completely exposed. It does cover the bezel, but the good news is that the cover does not come right up to the edge of the screen itself. There is a little bit of bezel visible. That means that typing, etc., is not impeded in anyway. I like the bezel being covered because I know that there's no way my Nexus 7 would slip out.
On the inside of the cover there are little pockets to put things like business cards, tickets to sporting events, etc. There's a larger pocket behind those where you could put a check, cash, or something like that. There's also an elastic band that you can use to hold it without fear of dropping it. It works well enough, but the case itself isn't slippery, so I'm not sure how much I'd use it. It's nice to have in case I need it.
Overall I'm very pleased with the purchase. I was expecting much less for $7 with free shipping. I thought this might be a stop-gap case until something nicer comes out. As it is, I don't think I'll be in the market for anything else. Now I can stop being paranoid about my kids dropping something on the screen.

Hopefully you don't mind if I also post a review in your thread...
OK, I had originally thought I could go without a cover on the Nexus 7, until I found the Poetic Slimbook cover on Amazon for under $7 shipped. The case has not disappointed at all, but how can you for disappoint for $6.95? The smart cover capabilities work great and are a nice feature (see attached video for a short demonstration). The cover is held in place with magnets that fit firmly, but not too firm, you can hear the magnets snap in the video too. As revmra mentioned, the case adds some weight and girth to the tablet, but compared to previous tablet cases, one being an otterbox, it is really minimally invasive. The leather and stitching seem high quality, as well as the hand strap. All ports, buttons, speaker and camera are open and accessible. The volume rocker and power button are a little tougher to access since the side of the nexus has a curve to it, but with smart cover tech, I can't see myself using them that terrible much. The hand strap works well and the "kickstand" abilities of this case work better than my other leather case that I had for the Kindle Fire. I will echo the sentiment that the case appears to be able to withstand a fall and give protection to the N7. The edges have leather protruding outward, which should cushion the fall if it lands on a side or corner, and the case has a little padding if it falls flat on the front or back.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008IEGSGU/ref=ox_ya_os_product
All in all, it is a great value for $6.95 and probably still worth it for $12.95 which it has shot up to now. It will be good for me until something cool comes out, like a case with a backup battery, microSD slot and USB port or something like that...
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Back
Bottom
Power and volume
Microphone
Flat
Open
Hand strap
In hand with handstrap
Kickstand
Standing up
Video of smart cover capabilities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htR7vEz-cJQ

Are any of you finding the case to be a bit "stiff" when it's brand new?
I just got my case today, and I am finding 2 issues:
(1) the front cover does not sit flat when closed. Specifically, where there is a fold in the leather, it pops out ever so slightly.
(2) the stand function seems a bit flimsy to me. When I put it in on its stand (where the tab is at its most vertical position), I find that the tab isn't holding the flap very well, such that the tablet has a tendency to fall down on the screen.

Does it put tablet to sleep when the cover folded back?

JOLiu said:
Are any of you finding the case to be a bit "stiff" when it's brand new?
I just got my case today, and I am finding 2 issues:
(1) the front cover does not sit flat when closed. Specifically, where there is a fold in the leather, it pops out ever so slightly.
(2) the stand function seems a bit flimsy to me. When I put it in on its stand (where the tab is at its most vertical position), I find that the tab isn't holding the flap very well, such that the tablet has a tendency to fall down on the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My cover sits flat, but the stand only seems to work in the nearly upright position, the back slips out in the lower position.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

No magnet right?

pyroscott said:
Hopefully you don't mind if I also post a review in your thread...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all! Thanks for adding the pictures!
JOLiu said:
Are any of you finding the case to be a bit "stiff" when it's brand new?
I just got my case today, and I am finding 2 issues:
(1) the front cover does not sit flat when closed. Specifically, where there is a fold in the leather, it pops out ever so slightly.
(2) the stand function seems a bit flimsy to me. When I put it in on its stand (where the tab is at its most vertical position), I find that the tab isn't holding the flap very well, such that the tablet has a tendency to fall down on the screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a little stiff, yes. The "fold" in the cover is so you can use it as a stand, so it won't lie completely flat. Not a huge deal and probably will get better with use. The tab on the back is VERY stiff on mine (which is probably good), but I think it will work better as a stand over time as well.
joedoe said:
Does it put tablet to sleep when the cover folded back?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume you mean when the cover is behind the device when you are holding it? No, it does not. The cover only puts it to sleep when you close it.
hullbay said:
No magnet right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read my review? There are magnets that hold the cover closed and a magnet to active the sleep/wake feature, all of which work very nicely.

thanks for the review but i cannot understand how anyone can use a case that covers up the bezel.
not only does it look ugly (IMO), it hinders functionality. it makes it so much more difficult to swipe in from the side.

blahblahyoutoo said:
thanks for the review but i cannot understand how anyone can use a case that covers up the bezel.
not only does it look ugly (IMO), it hinders functionality. it makes it so much more difficult to swipe in from the side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or beer-holder, as the case may be). That's why I made the specific point about the fact that the bezel is not 100% covered. Every part of the screen is available, plus a small amount of space on the side. I have not found functionality to be limited in any way, even though I was kind of expecting it. With the bezel mostly covered you know the device is not going anywhere.
I do know what you mean, though. I've got a case for my HTC Desire where the bezel is covered. I often found myself taking it out to use it because the case interfered. Having said that, that case saved my bacon more than once when I dropped my phone. Of course, the Nexus has a far more substantial bezel. While I heard some people complaining about that, here is one situation where it is a definite benefit.
I looked at some of the cases that just hold on at the corners. I think I'd be too paranoid to have one like that. To each, their own.

revmra said:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or beer-holder, as the case may be). That's why I made the specific point about the fact that the bezel is not 100% covered. Every part of the screen is available, plus a small amount of space on the side. I have not found functionality to be limited in any way, even though I was kind of expecting it. With the bezel mostly covered you know the device is not going anywhere.
I do know what you mean, though. I've got a case for my HTC Desire where the bezel is covered. I often found myself taking it out to use it because the case interfered. Having said that, that case saved my bacon more than once when I dropped my phone. Of course, the Nexus has a far more substantial bezel. While I heard some people complaining about that, here is one situation where it is a definite benefit.
I looked at some of the cases that just hold on at the corners. I think I'd be too paranoid to have one like that. To each, their own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I had an HTC Flyer w/ the Bluerex case. My brother also purchased this Nexus 7 and got the Poetic case that sort of reminds me of the Bluerex, where the tab is held by 6 tabs, but leaves the bezel completely accessible. I'd agree that the case my brother got is a bit more attractive, but I felt like the Slimbook offered a tad bit more protection since it covers the bezel. The design of the slimbook is adequate, in my eyes, plus at $7, I'm not complaining.
It's all a matter of opinion.

I got one similar to this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008IEGS9W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 sorta looks the same. Everything the first two poster said is true. My n7 fits perfectly , the fit feel and overall structure of the case is by far more then what I expected for the price. Giving that it also has puts the n7 to sleep when close is just lovely. I have yet to test it out in stand-up mode seems a bit trouble some to do. Bit if that works well it will be great for gaming since it only stands up in landscape mode. Other then that for the price its a great case.. also fast shipping I ordered it this pass sunday and got it yesterday or today (did t check the mail) its winner in my books.
Also it was $9.95 at the time of purchase

I just got a Poetic Slimbook from Amazon. I paid a bit more than some of you guys, but it works a treat. No issues whatsoever with the magnet. It locks the screen when closing the front cover, and it's not so strong that it causes the Nexus 7 to lock when it's folded back.
I'm already making use of the stylus loop. The only thing I think could be better is the angle when it's set up as a stand. It's too high, Otherwise, I couldn't really ask for a better case. The holes are in the right places, it's got card pockets, and it has a stylus loop.
It would be nice if the card pockets featured an integrated bag of holding, but I suppose it's a bit much to ask for magic at that price.

I have it, and I'm really pleased.
Does anybody know how the auto screen lock actually works? It really intrigues me!
Enviat des del meu Nexus 7 usant Tapatalk 2

YooMee Black Amazon Kindle Fire Case and amFilm screen protector review [updated]

I'm going down the shore (to the beach, for those not in the New Jersey USA tri-state area) this weekend and am definitely taking my Nexus 7 with me. I wanted to get a case and screen protector to protect against sand from the beach.
I wanted a folio-type case and I don't like the kind that cover the bezel, so choices are a little limited on such short notice. Most of the cases specific to the Nexus 7 are shipping starting a bit too late for my trip. I decided to go with the YooMee Kindle Fire folio case. One of the reviews mentioned that the Nexus 7 fit in the case and for $7.99 shipped two day (thanks Amazon Prime), I decided it was worth the risk.
I also wanted screen protection. I don't like wet installs, so I picked up the amFilm Clear and amFilm Matte screen protectors. Each are two packs. The Clear version is $5.99 with Prime and the Matte version is $4.99 with Prime. I've only received the Clear version so far. The Matte version is out for delivery as I type this.
First the case:
YooMee Black Amazon Kindle Fire 7 Inch Android Tablet Leather Case Cover Folio with Multi-Angle Stand and Hand Strap (Black)
I am generally pleased with this case in the 15 minutes I've had it on the Nexus 7. It does not quite fit, the Nexus is just a tad big. You can see air between the corner of the case and the tablet. But it isn't loose and there doesn't seem to be any risk of it falling out.
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Another small thing I don't like is the way the multi-angle stand works. It actually took me a couple minutes to figure out how it worked. You actually take the left half of the part of the case the tablet is attached to off of the tablet and use that to create the angle. It works fine, I just don't particularly like the way it works. That's really just my opinion. The headphone, charge port, power button, and volume buttons are all exposed and easily accessible. There is no blockage. The clasp works well.
EDIT: I realized after I wrote this that the speaker is blocked, but the sound is still strong and plenty loud, at least for my purposes at the moment.
This does not have the sleep/wake magnet. I didn't really care about it for this case.
Initial feelings:
I bought this case because it was cheap, in stock, available for Prime shipping, and I was in a time crunch. I originally did not expect to use this case for more than the short term until specific cases came out, but I think I'll be using this for a while. I'm generally surprised with it. We'll see if that holds up during my vacation.
More pictures:
The other part of my protection plan was a screen protector:
amFilm (TM) Premium Screen Protector Film Clear (Invisible) for Google Nexus 7 Tablet (2-Pack) [in AM Retail Packing]
amFilm (TM) Premium Screen Protector Film Matte Clear (Anti-Glare) for Google Nexus 7 Tablet (2-Pack) [in AM Retail Packing]
I don't want sand to get in the folio cover and then scratch the screen when I close it, so a screen protector is a must. I bought both the clear and matte versions of the amFilm screen protectors. (I haven't yet received the matte version, but I'll update this when I do.)
The screen protector is a dry install, so no soapy hands, no waiting for the screen to dry. Most importantly, no rainbow effect and the screen protector is generally pretty smooth. I say "pretty smooth" because there is a slight amount of drag, but nothing like compared to a wet install screen protector.
The screen protector says it is a "perfect fit" and it's pretty close. Close enough that if you're off by a little bit, even a millimeter, the screen protector won't sit right because it'll be over the lip of the silver frame. It took me a couple tries to get it just right. I got a small piece of dust at the very top right of the top bezel, which I'm not worried about since I'll be taking this off to try out the matte version anyway. Even so, a little scotch tape should fix that right up. Also, each pack comes with 2 protectors, so if you royally mess one up, you've got the back up right there. The card they give you to smooth out bubbles is a dinky little 1x1.5 inch piece of cardboard. You'll be better off using a credit card or another squeegee type smoother-outer. I used a small rubber squeegee I had laying around.
The clear version of the amFilm is just that...clear. It does not degrade the screen quality at all, so far as I can tell. In fact, if anything, the "Clear" version of the screen protector actually seems to make the surface more reflective. There is also no degradation of the touch sensitivity. I have not used it extensively yet, but I don't see any problems at all.
UPDATE: I finally had some time to install the matte screen protector and I've updated the comparison photo below. You can clearly see the difference in reflections.
(Ignore the bubbles in the bottom right and right side middle, they're my fault from the installation. When you're installing the screen protector, just make sure you don't crease it if you're peeling it back to get rid of dust! Haha...luckily it's a two pack
Here's a comparison with the screen on, clear vs matte finishes.
And then this comparison is with both screen protectors on the screen at the same time. Accounting for the distortion from the camera (slight crosshatching in all three parts of the screen), you can clearly see how the matte finish diffuses the reflection, also causing the screen image to be diffused. I don't think it's that drastic and I believe the trade off would be worth it in the bright sun. Also important, you can clearly see how little the clear screen protector distorts the screen. It's pretty impressive actually.
Click "show content" to show the picture. It's a big photo.
The "show content" button isn't working for me, so here's a link to the comparison photo:
http://db.tt/b1zvhbdZ
Overall, I'm very happy with both the case and the screen protector. For the price and the timing, I think these will work very well.
I hope this helps others trying to make a decision about cases and screen protectors.
For the purposes of my trip down the shore, I'll be using the matte screen protector, for sure. I'll see if I switch to the clear when I get home, but I don't think you'd be disappointed with either screen protector, depending on your usage, and considering the trade offs.
As always, your mileage may vary.

Thanks for the review! Case looks nice, as does the screen protector...my only gripe with the case is that it's a tad thicker than some the other cases I've seen such as the Moko. But as you say, great for the price and the speed you received it.

I probably would have preferred the Moko, but it wasn't available when I needed it. In the end, I may still go to that one. The updated version with the sleep/wake function (even though I don't need it right now) and the speaker cutouts is pretty nice. It also appears to fit the Nexus 7 much better (as it should since it's for it) and seems thinner.

The last tablet cover I got was also from amFilm, and it was one of the best I've used. My matte/clear versions should actually be arriving today to protect my sweet, sweet nexus.

So how did you like the matte sp? Any screen distortion? How much did it affect the screen brightness?
Something about my fingers (too oily? Yeah I know weird...) makes it too hard to use crystal or no screen protector. I reckon the matte provides less resistance.
Thanks for the review!

ArcherMP said:
So how did you like the matte sp? Any screen distortion? How much did it affect the screen brightness?
Something about my fingers (too oily? Yeah I know weird...) makes it too hard to use crystal or no screen protector. I reckon the matte provides less resistance.
Thanks for the review!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I got the matte protector late on Wednesday and then was busy all day Thursday. I finally got it installed for the comparison this morning. I really like the matte protector. It does a great job of cutting back on glare.
I've updated the OP with additional photos and comparisons.

I ordered the nexus 7 yoomee case that can wake and sleep the device. I did because of the reviews yoomee got for their other cases.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008L0U8F8/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
It shipped on the first. It was only 7.99 when i pre-ordered it (now it's 9.99). If you end up liking the kindle fire version the specific nexus 7 case might be up your alley.

This looks like the same case but made for the Nexus 7.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008D2POAS/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

Excellent, thanks for the update. I agree with you, I will definitely put on the matte screen protector I purchased thanks to your recommendation.

DarkKnight62 said:
I ordered the nexus 7 yoomee case that can wake and sleep the device. I did because of the reviews yoomee got for their other cases.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008L0U8F8/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
It shipped on the first. It was only 7.99 when i pre-ordered it (now it's 9.99). If you end up liking the kindle fire version the specific nexus 7 case might be up your alley.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just received mine today. Sleep/awake function works perfectly. A well made case and definitely better than the oem case.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

where would you put the magnet on this case? it's a decent case but there seem to be alot of these clone case s around...
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk 2

Probably under the hand strap near the spine. It'd have to be rather flat.

[Review] Ringke FUSION Case

Introduction
I know the search for cases for this phone has been a little annoying and, in some cases, (hah!) underwhelming. I decided to pull the trigger on a case from a brand I've never bought before. I wanted a low profile case that provided, at least, decent protection. After some research, I purchased the Ringke FUSION Case over at Amazon for $12.99. My goal here is to provide people with some quick and concise information so they can make an informed decision when looking to buy a case for the Nexus 5X. So lets jump right in and see how this baby holds up to my expectations.
Disclaimer: I bought this case with my own money. I haven't been paid to endorse this product in any way. I'm also not a professional photographer, so the pictures I took with the M9's underwhelming camera is about the best my trembling, hungover hands could manage.
Details
It comes in two colors, "Smoke" (Grey) and "Crystal View" (Clear) -- Both are priced at $12.99
The case is made of Silicone TPU and the Plastic (maybe polycarbonate?).
No matter which color you choose, both come with an "HD" screen protector.
Initial Impressions
The case comes packaged quite nicely, sealed in a bubble-wrap insulated envelope. Upon opening the package we're greeted with Ringke's "ECO Package" which is supposedly saving the polar bears or something. It touts that they have sold over 10 million products, use non-toxic materials, and also instructs me to "feel good adout myself".
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It's also a little funny because within this ECO package is another plastic Ziploc bag that houses the actual case.
Within this resealable bag you'll find the actual case. It has a protective film plastered on both sides of the clear plastic that shows off the rear of your beautiful new phone. This must be removed before installation. (Forgive me, I did not take pictures of this). The screen protector is also placed perfectly inside the case. My immediate impressions were that this case felt pretty decent for the price. It's light, the TPU sides felt grippy and the plastic (after having removed the protective films) felt a bit grippy and not brittle at all. This bolstered my initial confidence in the case that if I were to drop the phone accidentally on a hard surface that it'd shrug it off without a problem.
Installation and Fitting
The Screen Protector that comes with this case is a thin flexible film. It's plastic, not tempered glass and isn't the same material you'd experience with, say, a Skinomi TechSkin screen protector either. The screen protector comes with films attached to both sides. Both films are labeled with a description as well as a number to let you know which one you're suppose to remove first.
After washing my hands, I removed the adhesive film and carefully placed it on my phone. I placed the screen protector on the bottom and slowly applied it from the bottom up, using a credit card to smoothly apply the protector to mitigate any air bubbles. Application was pretty easy and just took about 3 seconds of patience. The protector fits almost perfectly. I applied it about a millimeter or two off center to the left, so there's a bit of a gap between the protector and the case now but it's hardly noticeable. As you can see from the picture above, the protective film that gets removed from the protector is colored blue, which I promptly removed, crumpled up and threw in the garbage before taking a picture. Because I'm an idiot.
The screen protector DOES have a cut out for the proximity sensor (are you listening Spigen?).
The case itself is a pretty easy installation. I slid the top portion of the phone in first, so that the buttons wouldn't get pressed during installation. With a satisfying hugging/click sound I then pressed the bottom end of the phone into the case. The case fits snuggly and does not allow the phone to move around at all. That being said, removal of the case is quite easy and can be done in seconds. This, however, I can't see happening by accident in your pocket or any other situation. This is exactly how I like my phone cases. Easy to install and remove without it just falling off from tumbling around in my shorts or something.
How the case fits the phone is a huge plus in my book. There is a TPU lip that goes around the entire face of the phone that provides some extra scratch protection if I were to place the phone face down.
On the back you can see the clear plastic allows the nice Nexus logo to shine through. There's a proper cutout of the Fingerprint sensor, Camera, Laser Auto-focus and Flash LED.
The plastic lays flush with the camera lense / glass, providing decent protection from a fall if the phone were to land on it's back. This case basically lets the phone lay flat on a desk or anything else due to little bumps at all four corners of the case. This is nice so that the phone no longer rests right on it's fragile camera when placed face up on a flat surface.
Features & Other thoughts
This case seems to be as well thought out as it is constructed. There is a properly sized cutout for the USB-C port as well as the headphone jack. The headphone jack, however, has a TPU flap covering it to prevent dust from getting in. This is a bit annoying sometimes to remove, but I like that they included it for the reason of cleanliness. There's also a cutout for the bottom microphone.
Moving to the right side of the case, we can see that there are TPU buttons covering the Volume Rocker and Power button. Normally I hate these things because they're hard to find and usually dull the tactile feedback from the buttons. But the way these are implemented are probably the nicest I've ever felt. They're raised from the side of the case, so they're easy to find and feel quite nice when pressed giving a satisfying click sound that you'd get from the naked phone itself. Well done, Ringke!
There's also a cutout at the top for the top microphone as well.
The case feels nice to hold and doesn't add much bulk at all. The TPU sides are decently grippy but the gloss finish on them makes it slippery at times. My only complaint with the case is that the clear backing is a fingerprint magnet. If you have greasy hands the back will look smudgy and at times can be quite slippery. Not a big deal but if it catches the light a certain way it looks pretty bad.
As for the screen protector, I'm not exactly thrilled with it. I actually ordered a different screen protector before I bought this case, but it hasn't shipped yet so I just threw this one on for now. I'm fairly sure the screen protector isn't oleophobic, so finger prints and smudging happens pretty often. Which is a shame because it feels pretty nice to interact with.
Overall
Overall, I really like this case. It offers adequate protection from minor falls and scratches for the price without adding nearly any bulk. It also allows the phone to lay flat on flat surfaces without resting on the camera, which is a major plus. The case is easy to install and remove and fits nicely. It's a well-thought-out case with no glaring oversights or problems. The screen protector, however, is a bit lackluster. But hey, it was a free and it's a stand in for my Tempered Glass one arriving in the mail next week. Those looking for a low-profile, comfortable and protective case for there brand new N5X, look no further.

I second this. Using it right now
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Thanks for the review. Sounds like just what I want, ordered one from Amazon.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I myself have never used a case before but will try for my 5X, you saved me quite a bit of research. Thanks a lot mate!

I had this case for the note 4 and it had very rough edges, this case does not! Very nice case for the price. Nice review too.

I bought this in clear. It's nice, but I just can't stand the feel of a case on this phone (not to be confused with saying I don't like the feel of the case, because the case feels great). I might go caseless for the first time in years.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

dpwhitty11 said:
I bought this in clear. It's nice, but I just can't stand the feel of a case on this phone (not to be confused with saying I don't like the feel of the case, because the case feels great). I might go caseless for the first time in years.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran my old N5 naked for a long time while in school and while it was nice it was ultimately a bad call because the wear definitely accumulated over time.

Got this case based on your review and I'm really happy with it. It's a very simple case that appears to be well-made and doesn't add a lot of bulk. The buttons have a great feel and for about $10 you can't go wrong.

Very nice review.

I used the ringke fusion case for my n4 and loved it. Ordered it for my n5x and was a little disappointed that it's an all tpu case. I've personally never cared for tpu cases. The case is too smooth for my taste and I think makes it harder to hold on too.
The n4 version was nicer because the outside wasn't a smooth tpu and a solid and more case like plastic while retaining the clear back. It also has small edges where the plastic parts met on the back which help when gripping and holding the phone.
The n5 is almost smooth all around. Gonna give it another week or so but will probably be looking for something else or going with now case.
It's still a decent case, but just wanted to make sure people realize the fusion line cases has changed from the older phones.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

It's definitely not an all TPU case. The back is a hard plastic and the sides are a softer TPU material.
I like the case for everyday use, but am still looking for something with a little more protection for work.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Free mobile app

Ringke Fusions are my favorite cases on the market right now. I've had 7 of them for various devices. All fit perfectly and no discoloration or scuffs. Great cases

Received this one yesterday in smoke color. First time using a case since my OG droid incredible. I didn't want to use a case but after my nexus 5 experience (RIP N5 screen x2) it was the smart play. Exactly what I was looking for, snug fit with some rubbery protection for the edges and not too much added bulk. I approve of this case.

I saw a review on Amazon (and a comment following it) saying that this case scratch the part where the camera is:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RR9AFEF94JZWZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B014RS5BHW
Can you, or anyone who has that case, confirm this?

TheeWolf said:
I saw a review on Amazon (and a comment following it) saying that this case scratch the part where the camera is:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RR9AFEF94JZWZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B014RS5BHW
Can you, or anyone who has that case, confirm this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not, the case has little feet on the corners that keep the camera from touching the table.

Here is a close up confirming the camera doesn't touch.

Also here is a couple real quick backings I made out of the included template.

oldpreowner said:
It does not, the case has little feet on the corners that keep the camera from touching the table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oldpreowner said:
Here is a close up confirming the camera doesn't touch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what they mean is the clear plastic on the back, the slot that has been cut out for the camera and flash has rough edges rubbing against the phone, which apparently damages the paint? I haven't had this issue.
oldpreowner said:
Also here is a couple real quick backings I made out of the included template.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That actually looks awesome. Do you have the link for the template?

@Alcolawl the template came with the case.

oldpreowner said:
@Alcolawl the template came with the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
God damit I threw it out. wtf am I doing with my life?
EDIT: It was actually sitting at the top of my waste paper basket. Crisis averted.