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They have these on Amazon for $10 less than the Seidio site. The case and clip combo, edited cause I didn't know if people may have thought it was just the case. Just ordered the black one. I was going to wait for the cheaper platinum branded one from Best Buy but it still shows backordered on their site. I had the same case for my Captivate and Inspire and really liked it. If you need a belt clip this is a great option.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006671MRG/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
My seidio active just came in from amazon, love it, although I had to pay the full 30.
pics/review/thoughts of your active and surface cases?
I'm looking for something with at least decent drop protection. Looks like Otterbox commuter fits the bill but I thought the active looked a little snazzier.
Here's the best photos I could manage with my old LG Optimus Get ready for the long blocks of text.
Lots of pros: Case fits perfectly along with exoskeleton, no need to worry about it being loose. Makes the phone a lot easier to grip. I no longer have problems gripping the phone, in whatever position I may be standing/lying. Case made of top notch material. Exoskeleton is made to absorb shock when the phone is dropped on its corners and it seems like it does just that.
Camera is not impacted by the case at all, or at least to the point where I cant tell. Everything is cut perfectly, both on the inner shell and outer shell. Doesn't add a lot of bulk to the phone itself.
Have a problem with accidently pushing the volume buttons? Not anymore. The soft inner case is solid enough so that the volume buttons/power button (which are covered) only get pressed when you want to.
Loved the kickstand the first time I tried it. I believe it was made to lock in one position. At first, I thought it was dumb that they made the kickstand open so that the charger port was pointed down towards the table but you can just flip the phone 180 degrees and use the kickstand that way too! Should be all the viewing angles you need.
Cons: The hard exterior exoskeleton does not cover the top and bottom of the soft case. I did not get the holster with it so I do not know how the holster will affect the softer plastic but it seems extremely durable. Not sure how long the kickstand will last but seems well built so hopefully the entire lifespan of my phone. Another con is that the kickstand juts out of the case a millimeter or two so that when you have the phone flat on a table, it doesnt sit flat on its back.
Does attract a bit of lint but hardly noticeable unless under bright lights, which is how I took the pictures
Overall, very nice and durable case. Wish it was a bit cheaper than 30 dollars so if you can snag a sale, good for you! Highly recommended it. I didnt even know seidio existed before reading through these forums and looking at the opinions others gave them and I am glad I went with it! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I just got my surface case in today and it is exactly what I expected. I've had the same case on my Captivate and Inspire. There are other cases I like better but the clip is a necessity for me. Fits like a glove and doesn't add much bulk at all.
It adds a decent amount of protection but don't expect Otterbox Defender kind of protection. Though I have dropped my Captivate and Inspire numerous times with this case on and never had any damage.
Pics later when I get a chance.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA App
FYI I've had Seido Surface cases cause micro scratches on the plastic of phones before. Little pieces of dust/debris get stuck inside and the hard plastic of the phone causes it to scratch the plastic of the phone.
You can have this issue with any type of hard plastic case. I've seen it happen personally on the cheap generic Ebay cases and expensive Surface cases.
I've seen the build up but not scratches in the 3 that I have owned. But I'm also not looking for it either as I don't care if the plastic gets scratched up. I just need something with a belt clip that doesn't add much bulk and gives some protection in case of a drop.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA App
Hello everyone,
Ive been looking through this accessory thread ever since I owned my note 2 trying desperately to get rid of the crappy Body Glove case I was "borrowing" from Tmobile. Well, my three other cases came today, and after testing them all, I will tell you what I settled with.
First things first:
The Body Glove: I don't have any pictures of this crappy case, but you don't need any. Apparently I found out today after returning my version of the BG that they have OTHER styles which are far superior then the one that I had. But probably still pretty bad. This is the beginners case that you settle on if you have no idea how to surf the WWW. Obviously if you are reading this, you would never settle for this case, especially at the outrageous $30+ price tag.
Now for the 3 puppies that arrived today. I purchased these all on amazon.com.
The Seidio Active Case:
My initial thoughts are that this would be the case I would be settling with, especially after the youtube reviews... But after putting it on, and upon comparison, I realized that this case offers minimal protection as far as a drop would be concerned. It feels extremely cheap with the white plastic, and I had no idea that this is what I was purchasing. Not only that, but it has the same issue as the body glove - Slippery bastard. Sure the sides are rubber, but its an extremely soft smooth rubber that doesnt "Stick" if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, this is a pretty nice looking case, and I like the kickstand...but it's not for me. They also have other very vivid colors. As far as price goes, this case is a rip off at $30.35. Almost as bad as the body glove, but slightly cheaper and prettier.
The Ballistics Case:
This is the case that I read reviews about and heard is supposed to offer some of the best protection outside of Otterbox Defender case. Not to mention it looks good. Well, I opened this bad boy up, and noticed a few things right away. The rubber shell is not snug at all. When you snap on the plastic, it gets a little more snug, but I guarantee this case will fall apart everytime you drop your phone. This already had me worried. Another issue is the damn sides of the case. ITS CHEAP 100% SLIP-GUARANTEE Plastic! Damnit. I had really high hopes for this case.
If this doesn't already kill all your hopes and dreams, it makes your phone much more gargantuan. However, I digress, when it comes to drop protection, even though you'll be picking up the two pieces of your case + your phone, I would feel confident that the majority of impact from the initial drop would be absorbed into this case, before it falls apart. Price to protection value is decent at $23 dollars. Note that this case is cheaper now at $19 which increases the appeal of this case if you have a decent grip of your phone at all times.
The final case is the Boxwave OA3 Resolute:
So check this out, I only found this case on accident thanks to Slickdeals.net. I read reviews about boxwave's case for other phones such as the SIII, and I was prepared to be disappointed with this case. But alas, none of those previous problems exist and ironically, I am keeping this case even though its MUCH cheaper than all the other cases I've tried. This case almost looks identical in design to the Ballistics, which is what I think the company was going for. However, it is only one piece of hardened rubber. It fits very snug, and feels great in the hand. It doesn't make the phone as huge as the ballistics case, and I still feel confident that this case will offer a decent amount of drop protection. Another bonus is that it has a kickstand... but don't count on it for very long, because its the cheapest feeling kickstand you'll probably ever see in your life. I can almost bet money that it'll break with regular usage. So enjoy it while it lasts. You definitely cannot beat this case for the price as it was only $10.00 total. Not to mention its all black, no cheap looking white plastic.
I have attached all the photos I took. Sorry I don't have photos of the case on the phone, as I had taken the pictures with the note 2
Hope you found this post helpful.
Here are the links to all the cases, except for the Body Glove!
Ballistics: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAA8U0W/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Seidio: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A45SGFW/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Boxwave: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H163JE/ref=ox_ya_os_product <--Unfortunately Sold out until Feb 28th Courtesy of SD.net
Thanks!
Thanks for for the pictures. I personally am still waiting on the seidio convert case for the extended battery, I enjoyed the one I had on my thunderbolt. The case I have on my note 2 is the $12 (now $8.95) rugged case from ebay. The case uses the same style of synthetic rubber that the seido case uses and prevents me from dropping the phone. What are you going to do with those left over cases?
Good review, and I do agree with you on every point. While waiting for my UAG case, I'm using right now $7 ebay case (first one in my review link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36730711&highlight=rugged+dual+layer#post36730711) - which is a copy of Seidio Active and also similar to Otterbox Commuter. Commuter has a higher quality inner rubber lining, without a doubt. But Active is exactly the same stuff, or I should say that ebay cheap knockoff is exactly the same design and quality as Active
Btw, the Boxwave one you can get from ebay shipped for about $7. Its not their original design, just a generic ebay case they purchase in bulk from China and sell conveniently for local us shippment.
Thanks for the compliments. I am returning the other cases to amazon for free since I said that they are faulty, lol.
Useful review but I disagree on the ballistics case after going through other reviews and more than enough websites I found the ballistics case was the indeed the case which had the protection. The box said 8-9ft drop so I tested it with a leap faith and the case phone stayed together with no damage and didn't come apart. Also you say slippery wrong again I can apply minimum pressure using my little finger and thumb dry and wet with no slippage. The case is made from decent materials not the stuff you would get from a 5 dollar case which I have been through several. The case offers better screen protection from laying flat on a surface screen down than any case with the added corner protection. The back is non slip also and makes good resting on a slanted surface say a car roof, bonnet or dash board. And with a year warrantee you can't get far wrong. In general its makes the whole overall grip better and nice to the touch. Feels very manly to and with a simplistic look. With the plastic support the case holds firmly all round the note. Down side only two colours black and white, little flimsy top and bottom of screen. Price is fair for the case was 22.99 off eBay stores, cheaper if you get a deal on it.
Amazon gives a 4.5/5 overall for 33 reviews that's pretty good like.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
So I've ordered and received the following 2 cases for my M8 so far:
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective
Aduro Shell Holster Combo Case
I'm not completely happy/unhappy with either one, so I've gone ahead and ordered the following cases:
Minisuit Clipster Kickstand Case - This one looks identical to the Arduro case but is $3 cheaper. If I decide to keep it, even after I ship back it will be the cheaper option.
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
Seidio Surface Case with Metal Kickstand and Holster Combo
Otterbox Defender Series
Spigen Capsule Clear
i-Blason Prime Series Dual Layer Holster Cover with Kickstand and Locking Belt Swivel Clip
SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
I'm not planning on writing complete reviews because it would be too time consuming, but I would be happy to answer any questions that anyone has.
I have preferred SEIDIO cases in the past with the holster combo. I had those on my HTC Tilt and my first Droid 2 - which was lost at an airport when I think a piece of luggage pulled the whole thing from my belt when I lifted it. Apart from that experience (which I blame myself for as much as anything), I'd been happy with SEIDIO...the Tilt survived a motorcycle accident that totaled my bike, but the phone was fine. SEIDIO was pretty expensive though, so I went through 2 or 3 much cheaper rip-offs (sans holster) over the last couple yeats of my phone.
I think the traditional SEIDIO rubberized cases provided a good balance of protection without being too incredibly bulky.
I'm caught at an impasse now with the M8 because it is such a nice looking phone I'd like to show it off with more of a light and clear case. OTOH, I have a 2 year old that I'd like to protect it from. Also, the M8 is much bigger than the phones I've had in the past (height and width wise, thickness is actually thinner) - so I'm not sure how a thick case will influence my carrying it around.
I think the best solution for me may be a case that provides protection somewhere in-between a TPU and a Otterbox (i.e. middle ground) and ideally be able to fit into some holster. I feel that the holster is necessary due to the size of the phone in a jeans front pocket - especially if a case is grippy and hard to get out.
Anyway, the above thoughts are how *I* will be judging the cases and some of them may change my mind entirely (e.g. The Otterbox, which I really don't think I want, but thought I would give it a shot).
I'll ship all the ones I don't want back to Amazon. I figure $10 return shipping is a good investment to find the right case for 2 years of my life.
Let me know if you have any questions about the cases and I will try to answer them!
TraderJack said:
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. I think the one from Verizon is identical to the Minisuit/Arduro ones I mention above. None of them look that slick...with the black cross-hatching. About they only thing they have going for them is a good holster setup...but that's why I'm hoping the Puregear has something else going for it rather than a slightly different design.
The cases will be here on Wednesday and I hope to try them all out then.
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
As long as we're talking about cases, you should try looking at the Dualtek case for the M8. It's a little bulky but definitely protecting the phone and looks stylish. Feels great, too.
I've been using Otterbox cases for every phone since I switched to Android years ago but I agree that the Defender and Commuter cases make this phone too bulky. Luckily they have the Symmetry Series which is slimmer (one piece, plastic shell with rubber liner built in) but still provides great protection. Color schemes are limited, I went with black, but they have around 5 choices if you like brighter colors.
Cons are that the case is a little slippery for my tastes and it adds bulk to an already big phone but I drop my phone every day so it's a trade-off.
http://www.otterbox.com/Symmetry-Series-for-HTC-One-(M8)/htc28-one-m8,default,pd.html
I just got the cases this evening. I'll respond directly to the questions asked, and then I'll give my overview on the others:
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one [HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo]. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Puregear is almost identical to the Arduro and Minisuit cases as I assumed it would be. It has a slightly different cutout for the camera (which I like less), and a different surface texture from the cross-hatching type on the other two. You can clearly see the surface texture differences in the Amazon pics. While I like the design texture on the Puregear slightly better, it is really so equivalent in every other way that it isn't worth the $4-5 premium you would pay over the Minisuit. These are low bulk cases..good holster. These cases would do virtually nothing in a drop except maybe allow a bounce before the phone snapped out of it. That being said my similar case for the Droid took a few drops and the phone was no worse for wear.
cue_32 said:
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is maybe one of my favorite from the bunch. It is way easier to take on and off then the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective case I also purchased. Unlike the Beetle, the back is totally clear instead of frosted - so it shows off the phone. The sides however are not rigid like the Beetle, which is why it can be removed from the phone easier. The back is more rounded like the phone, whereas the Beetle is more squared. It has a slightly tacky feel...maybe not as much as the Spigen below, but it is grippy. I would say it is kind of your standard TPU type case, but of the utmost quality for these type. Since you can find TPU cases for $3-4, I think the $10 for this is not totally out of line. I'm really unsure that either of the SUPCASEs would offer any real protection from a drop. I will almost definitely be keeping one of these cases for now.
One other benefit of this case is that it fits into the Minisuit/Arduro holster really well.
richteralan said:
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Despite the term "soft" being in the description in Amazon...I thought this was going to be a hard case - so I was a bit surprised.
It is actually not slippery at all, quite the contrary. I also don't think it is that bad of a finger print magnet. It is in some ways similar to the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case I mention above, except that it is clear all around instead of having a black bumper. However (and I think I read this elsewhere in the reviews) the clear color of the case has a yellow tinge to it that is really disappointing since the main feature of this case is to showcase the phone. This case may have just a *bit* more cushion than the SUPCASE - but in all honesty I still don't think any of these are offering great drop protection. I think I prefer the SUPCASE (either one) to this one - it just doesn't have the same "sparkle" that you get from the pics.
Going onto the other cases.
The Otterbox and the SEIDIO - the two most expensive ones. And, probably because of that, the two biggest disappointments:
The Ottterbox was just ugly out of the box. I've never had one before because I always thought they were bulky and ugly - but I wanted to give it a chance. Even though the Otterbox probably would protect better than most of these, I still don't think it would be foolproof. I also really dislike the screen covering piece which is non-optional. For the cost, I just wouldn't consider something like this over the i-Blason (see below).
The SEIDIO had the same nice finish I was used to on their matte cases. I wasn't a huge fan of the two piece snap together design. I also got one with a slight manufacturing defect and the pieces didn't line up perfectly. Because of the two piece design, it was able to stay as a slim case but protect all around the edges. However I'm sure the case would snap open if the phone fell onto a hard surface. Additionally, as much as I enjoy the quick release holster of the SEIDIOs, they are not without their problems and can easily get caught on things and drop your phone (happened to me not infrequently with my other cases). The kickstand on this phone was also not that attractive being a bit flimsy and off to the side. Like the others, I also really don't know how much protection from a drop this would give you - probably somewhere just north of the SUPCASE/Spigen. Like the Otterbox, just not worth the money on this phone.
Finally the i-Blason... I think it is one of the better in terms of protection - being a 2-piece shell case. South of the Otterbox maybe, but better than the rest. Not a bad looking case, though not beautiful. I almost wish they had a model without the kickstand and big fat grooves on the back. I don't know if those grooves serve a real functional purpose, but if you removed those pieces you would have a much cleaner looking case with probably the same level of protection.
Looks wise - I think overall the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid is my favorite... I'm just not sure it is going to give me the protection I want from my toddler. I'm considering keeping that and the Minisuit (mostly for the compatible holster). Or, perhaps I will keep the i-Blason for most of the time around the house, but also the SUPCASE for a svelter pocket profile and when I want to show off the phone.
I'm going to keep looking I think for something else like the iBlason. I might give up on the holster idea altogether as I realize it isn't the 90s anymore. I need to see how well this phone does in my pocket over the next week or two to decide if it's a priority.
If you all have more questions on these, I'll do my best to answer.
I just purchased the Case Mate Naked Tough Case from Amazon. So far so good. It has some shock protection and still shows the good looks of the phone. I'm using it in conjunction with a Zagg glass shield. I would post a link, but I suppose I need to post a few more times before I can.
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
FearlessAZ said:
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely. Honestly I played with the otterbox for all of 30 seconds. First off, I just thought it was ugly...
Put it on and it seemed pretty bulky, although I was going to give it a chance since I knew that with that bulk came good protection.
The minute I touched the screen though I observed exactly what you are stating, the screen protector is not flush and that gave it an overall cheap feel.
So here is my update as I am leaving town for a couple of weeks and am choosing a case to come with me for the first real road test:
Based on my observations above, and the info from this thread, I think I'm going to stick with the Supcase Beetle.
While I like the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case as well, I feel that it just doesn't offer great protection. Also, I find the volume buttons a little loose, as if they move too much off contact with the phone when you press on them.
The Beetle may only be a ~6-7 in the protection department, but the only ones that beat it are the Otterbox and probably the i-Blason. I just can't do the otterbox, and the i-Blason is a tad bulky and doesn't showcase the phone at all. I wish they removed the back nubbins and kickstand from the i-Blason. I haven't found a really nice and lean 2 piece case (internal silicon, hard outer shell). The Spigen 2-piece (not reviewed here) is a good contender for that role but it blocks the IR port, which is a non-starter (even though I will rarely use that feature, on principal I don't want a case that removes features from my phone).
So, for now I'm opting more for an "8 looks and 6/7 protection." The UAG looked like a good alternative that might have been 8 on both fronts, but from my thread linked above someone who has owned both feels that the Beetle is close on par with the UAG from protection standpoint. Price wise, the Beetle wins hands down.
I am still left though in a situation where I don't have a holster. I don't know yet how big of a problem that will be. I need to see how the Beetle does in my pants pocket over the next week. If it doesn't work out, and I can't find a compatible holster for the Beetle, I may have to abandon it all-together because it is just too hard to take it out of the Beetle on a regular basis to put into a holster-compatible case...I don't want to have to do that even weekly.
Dang. That is kind of a let down. I don't mind bulkyness at all but if that screen protector isn't tight, it's just pointless for me. I work construction and need something that won't allow the dirt to get between the screen and protector. I'll look into a few that you suggested. Thanks!
Hi every one, this is my first review on xda so if i missed anything or you guys have any other questions id be happy to answer. I received this case for review about 2 weeks ago, it came in a neat box with a magnetic flip so you can see the full case in the package. Every benefit of the case is explained on the box. My first impression when I took it out was that you notice quality right away, yes cases nowadays are made of cheap materials and whatnot but the time and thought spent on designing these and making them better for the average user I bet is substantial. I like how it is somewhat of a hybrid case because the back is hard plastic and the sides are softer but still sturdy tpu. The corners were blown out just enough for drop protection, not too small not too big. I love how the volume and power button are also protected, and the case has its own built in buttons to replace it instead and those will take the damage over time. The buttons feel good, and they have the click when you press which is also nice. Taking a look when the phone is flat, the case protects the camera on the back by having little curved stands on the corners of the case. And it also protects the screen face by overlapping the softer tpu on the bottom and top of the case around the phone. All the cut outs are precision cut, so connecting your usb nicely keeps it tugged in. I bought a cheap single coil wireless charger and it does the job with this case on with no problem. I work as a forklift operator, moving big granite slabs, with having a nice camera on the s6 I am constantly getting off to take pictures of slabs, its also somewhat of a dusty environment at times. The case compliments my work by not being in the way and adding extra grip while holding the phone to take pictures or just using the phone. Its definitely not dust proof but it holds up nicely, I would clean it about once a week to take the phone out and clean the dust back there. Ive only had two other cases for this phone which was a cheap tpu case which was junk and a body glove case which was minimalistic protection compared to this case, it didn't have protection for the volume and power buttons, way more dust would go in, the camera wasn't as protected and neither were the corners of the phone. Another plus with the Roocase is the clear back, you can see how nice our phones back glass still is. All in all, great bang for your buck in my opinion, i rather go for the smaller less protected cases that keep our phones sleek and nice looking than the full fledged otterbox defenders or commuters that give loads of protection but crappy usability and look to the phone, too much protection makes the phone look like a samsung s3 in my opinion and way too bulky to use with one hand. So there it is, my first review, i am very happy with this case and would recommend it to anyone looking for a minimal but still protective and very nice looking case.
link on amazon to get this case :http://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-S6-Edg...id=1436696362&sr=1-1&keywords=roocase+s6+edge
Hi srkoza,
Thanks for your first review and it definitely was a good one! I'm personally an S6 Edge user and I feel the same way about my Plexis, though I do a constant switch between this and the Exec Tough, just for the fun factor.
On another note, we're happy you are enjoying the case and hope it provides all the functionality you need!
J.Armstrong
Having used the case only for 1 day, this is a well made, protective case. Not too thick, but adds a great layer of protection.
I have a white Galaxy Note 5, and the Mint color case looks excellent with it.
The raised bumper on the front keeps it from causing damage when laying face down.
The ridged design on the back is great for gripping without slipping.
The cut outs for S-Pen, charging and earphone are perfect and the button covers work quite easily.
I am extremely satisfied with this case and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good case at a definitely reasonable price.
In the past I owned another case that was similar in design, but the outer layer cracked soon after. I don't see that happening with this case.
The link to the case on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0130A2VCG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
There are other colors available.
I'll add my review here as well, I agree with all that catman51 had to say about the case. It's a lightweight case that should be good for average protection. It's not heavyweight protection but adequate for light use.
I have no issues using wireless charging with this case as I have with some other ones. I do not like the volume buttons, I would prefer having a space between them but that's personal preference.
A concern of mine is the back, it's not full dual layer. Where the black is, that's the only layer, and in order to keep the case light that rubber material is very thin. I fear with a decent drop the back of the phone might crack. I could be wrong but you know the thought process when you look at something and question it? That's how the back is.
Outside of that, the case is nice, lightweight and looks decent. It does not interfere with my tempered glass screen protector and doesn't really add any bulk to the phone.
My review...
DISCLAIMER: I received the case as a promotion in exchange for an unbiased review.
The case is solid and is a good value, but personally it's not for me. I'm not a big fan of the gold accents. Not to mention, it looks a bit duller in real life than in the seller's pictures.
The case is very slim and doesn't add too much size to the Note 5. With the phone already being large, it's nice to have a case that's not too bulky. The case also adds some nice grip to the phone--the texture on the back is a nice touch as well. Overall, the Artech 21 feels good in your hands.
The hole cut outs were accurate and it was easy to remove and insert my S-Pen. Just note that some chargers are larger than others and you might have an issue plugging yours in. It works perfectly fine with the OEM Samsung Charger, but at the office I have a long LG charging cable at my desk (see picture) and it didn't fit well.
The buttons were a bit on the mushy side--especially the volume keys. I prefer mine with a bit more feel--I like the click feeling that stock and some other cases have. Personal preference.
Anyway, if you are looking for a slim case and you like gold, this is the case for you...