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TPU/Epik/Crystal Gel Case

I'm sure some of you are aware of these cases available for other phones (I had these for my Blackberrys and loved them!). Well, I see that they're starting to pop up on eBay! I wasn't sure if these would be made for a slider phone (especially our Z-hinge) but I guess they figured it out.
I already ordered a clear one from someone in California. It was only around $6. There are less expensive ones, but they are all shipped from China and can take a LONG time. I'll be sure to post some pics and impressions when it comes in.
Another bonus is that they usually come with a pretty good screen protector.
Here's a link to an eBay search:
G2 Crystal Gel, Epik, TPU Case

Troggie81 said:
I'm sure some of you are aware of these cases available for other phones (I had these for my Blackberrys and loved them!). Well, I see that they're starting to pop up on eBay! I wasn't sure if these would be made for a slider phone (especially our Z-hinge) but I guess they figured it out.
I already ordered a clear one from someone in California. It was only around $6. There are less expensive ones, but they are all shipped from China and can take a LONG time. I'll be sure to post some pics and impressions when it comes in.
Another bonus is that they usually come with a pretty good screen protector.
Here's a link to an eBay search:
G2 Crystal Gel, Epik, TPU Case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an Epik case for my MyTouch 3G and I loved it. Would've loved it a lot more if the clear case didn't become yellow after a while :/ give us a review of the clear case after you get it.

The clear one I had for my BB Bold started to yellow/brown a little too. I probably should have ordered a smoke colored one, but I just hate to cover the G2 design. Maybe the formula has changed since then and it won't yellow. If not, it's not like they're that expensive, so I'll just get a smoke.

Here it is!
I received my TPU case today and I can honestly say that this is my favorite case so far. The entire inside edge of the case has a slight edge that keeps it on the phone. This means that the phone is always open just a bit, but also that the 2 halves are flush all the way around except for the middle top and bottom.
With the keyboard out, the two halves of the phone actually rest on the case instead of the little rubber pads built in. It's actually quite nice since it's the same on the front and back, and it's a long stable surface. Feels like there's less wiggle both open and closed.
The volume, camera, and power buttons are covered, but the case is raised in those areas so you can still feel where they are. The volume and camera buttons are still easy to press, but the power button takes a lot of force to push. This is probably due to the stiffness of the case and small size of the button. I might try gluing a tiny plastic shim on the inside of the case there to make it easier to press. In the mean time, I just added a shortcut to lock it on my home screen.
I don't like the shape of the cutout for the touch screen. I would prefer the top of the opening to not cover around the speaker, even though there are cutouts for that and the light/proximity sensors. I'd also like the bottom of the screen cutout to follow the curvature of the screen instead of being so squared off.
I wasn't so sure about the argyle pattern on the back, but I kinda like it now. It's rather subtle at certain angles. The clear looks good except for a couple spots on the front where it looks a little dull or matte from the inside. I may end up ordering a smoke colored one later on if this one starts to discolor (like paste cases of this material have before).
Overall, I highly recommend these cases!
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Very nice pictures, are the cutouts on the case in the best position? This was also a small problem I had on my MT3G case at the camera where it was offset a bit.

The cutouts are perfect as far as I can tell. Front and back speakers, light/proximity sensors, camera/flash are all exact. The headphone and usb cutouts are a bit larger to accommodate accessories. Also, the mic cutout comes around to the front a little, I'm guessing to lessen interference.
Volume, camera, and power are raised on the outside and hollowed out a little on the inside. The power button's hollow is just a little too deep, recquiring more pressure to push the button.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

I had this case in blue and hated it. The power button needs an extreme amount of pressure to work. You almost need two hands just to turn the device off and on. I'm sending mine back for a refund.

I have this case in smoke on my desire z right now and I am a bit torn between it and my previous clear plastic case.
Coverage is great (much better than the amazon plastic cases) and the cutouts fit perfectly. The tpu material feels good. The problems are:
- It is thicker than the cheap plastic cases. This is not a major issue, but I wish it was thinner.
- It intrudes into the keyboard area and makes the top row harder to access. This also prevents the kb from opening all the way, so the advantage of the z hinge in making the kb more flush with the screen is lost. This is my major gripe.
- Like others stated, the hardware buttons are hard to press through the case.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

OMV said:
I have this case in smoke on my desire z right now and I am a bit torn between it and my previous clear plastic case.
Coverage is great (much better than the amazon plastic cases) and the cutouts fit perfectly. The tpu material feels good. The problems are:
- It is thicker than the cheap plastic cases. This is not a major issue, but I wish it was thinner.
- It intrudes into the keyboard area and makes the top row harder to access. This also prevents the kb from opening all the way, so the advantage of the z hinge in making the kb more flush with the screen is lost. This is my major gripe.
- Like others stated, the hardware buttons are hard to press through the case.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a little thicker than the other clear plastic cases, but I think it feels so much better without all of the gaps and edges. So for me it's worth it.
I don't think the intrusion is that bad, just something to get used to. I thought that the z-hinge was supposed to just keep the phone thinner overall, not just for when the keyboard is out.
The only button I had a hard time pressing was the power button. The camera one is easy, volume is a little more difficult but prevents accidental presses (which I like). The power button was definitely a problem though. I "fixed" it by cutting a slit along the top and bottom of the raised button. That made it easier to press. Then, I cut 2 small strips from an unused matte screen protector and used them as a shim by sticking them to the under-side of the button on the case.
Those extra steps might not be worth it for some people, but I'm okay with it for a $6 case. I also did the spring hinge fix from another thread, so I kinda like messing with stuff anyway.

REVIEW: BodyGuardz "Full body" Skin

So I decided to purchase a full-body skin for my G2 after deciding I disliked all of the cases I'd tried for it. Didn't even fancy the Otterbox. I was going to get the StealthGuard one considering its price (or lack thereof), but apparently they're no longer available... so I went hunting on Amazon.
I'm not anal about the aesthetics of my phone, I'm more concerned about its proper function, so between this skin and the sleeve I put my phone in when it's in my pocket (the old G1 case, it fits the G2 perfectly if any of you guys have your old G1 accessories lying around anywhere), I don't think anything physically will be breaking on the phone anytime soon.
The selling point for me was that it came with 2 full skins. Knowing me, I was going to screw up at least one piece (and that I did!), so I didn't want to deal with contacting BodyGuardz and having them ship me replacement.
Here's what you get.
-2 "full-body" (quotes because it isn't really full-body - I will explain)
-little microfiber cloth
-good sized bottle of application solution.
-squeegee, which was basically a credit-card-thickness rectangular piece of plastic. I didn't even use it because I have something better (the hard rubber squeegee ZAGG gives you - much better)
Instructions are slim, you basically have to just know what to do.. not like it's very complicated, though. The provided diagram proved useful in a couple of instances. I was liberal with the application solution and worked from front to back. All of the pieces are relatively accurate to the phone's shape, and the only two corners that are fully exposed are the bottom left and right corners (if you are holding the phone portrait-style, screen facing you).
I also just gave up on the top-front portion that is applied just above the speaker grill. It is too small to be able to bend and stick (at least for me it was). I'm sure if you had a way of clamping it in place until the adhesive set, it would be fine, but I was too impatient.
The back was annoying because there are only two pieces: the battery cover piece, and then another single piece for the entire rest of the back (everything surrounding the battery cover). It was extremely difficult to get this lined up properly as one giant piece. I almost gave up and cut it into separate pieces, but I got it close enough and decided it was fine as-is. If I ever have to re-apply one of these, I will definitely cut it into separate pieces. I would recommend if you buy this skin, you do the same. Save yourself the frustration.
All in all, I'm happy with it. It does what I need it to do and I don't have to deal with additional bulk, which always gets on my nerves when you are using a case. Been two days since I installed it and bubbles are starting to go away and it's becoming more "natural" looking.
Pros:
-2 for 1, if you screw up, you dont have to wait for a replacement
-material gives you some added grip when you're holding the phone
-pieces fit well, despite the fact that it's not a 100% full cover it feels capable of protecting your phone from bumps and bruises with the exception of the two corners mentioned
-retains the sweet G2 stock look
-no bulk! doesn't affect z hinge function.
Cons:
-install of surrounding back piece and front top pieces are pull-your-hair-out frustrating.
-material is VERY prone to collecting smudges and fingerprints, especially if you have perpetual clammyhands like me.
-"glossy" look may be a turn-off for some people
-despite claims, it's not full-body protection
-~$30 shipped... but since it's 2 for 1, it's not that bad a deal if you ask me.
All in all, I give this product the thumbs up. I've tried numerous cases and finally decided this was a better route, and I feel like I made the right choice. The combination of this skin and my G1 sleeve makes for adequate protection with very little added bulk, just what I needed!
Pics of installed skin on post 3

Waiting for the pics. I might pick one up
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

pics below. disregard any bubbles, they're still disappearing as time passes.. I imagine in a day or two it will be pretty clean looking:
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pmcqueen said:
-squeegee, which was basically a credit-card-thickness rectangular piece of plastic. I didn't even use it because I have something better (the hard rubber squeegee ZAGG gives you - much better)
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Good thing you didn't use the included "squeegee". I have the Bodyguardz dry type screen protector (screen only, not full protection). I applied it per the instructions using the included squeegee, and got 2 long scratches on the protector. Pretty sure the squeegee had some sharp protrusions on it that caused the scratches. They aren't too bad, and I can live with them. But next time I will use something else, or cover the squeegee with the microfiber cloth as i press the screen protector on (which I have read another user on these forums recommend).
Aside from that, I am overall satisfied with the Bodyguardz screen protector. The surface felt a bit tacky or sticky when sliding my fingers over it. But that seems to have mostly gone away after a couple weeks. As the OP mentioned, they are a bit prone to showing fingerprints, but not as bad a cheaper screen protectors. It adheres well with no air bubbles after careful application.
Good review, BTW. Thanks for taking the time to write it and post the pics.

Spigen Ultra Fit vs Parfiti Air Shield - Text Review

I came up with the idea to review the two cases I recently ordered online, as they both looked like good options among the lighter slim cases. Not a lot of bulk at expense of less protection: that was the premise I had.With that in mind, I went through a couple of alternatives (didn't research much, though), with the two following alternatives emerging victorious: Parfiti's Air Shield for Galaxy S4 & Spigen Ultra Fit for Galaxy S4.
I know it isn't a fair fight, as I should have compared the Air Shield vs the Spigen Ultra Slim Transparency case, but I figure the Ultra Fit matte black cover is just the same in measures and thickness as the transparency case.
Parfiti - Air Shield
http://www.parfiti.com/air-shield-for-galaxy-s4
Pros:
- Ultra slim
- Transparent
- Virtually no bulk added
- Perfect fit for S4
- Minimally invasive branding
Cons:
- Cutouts for volume rocker and power button a bit small
- Transparent finish prone to visible scratching
- Not very sturdy build
- Little to none protection against drops
- Standard grip
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Notice the logo in the lower right area of the bessel
Original packaging included a screen wipe and a screen protector
Let me develop about this a little furtherly. The case main pros are the ultra slim design, which fits the S4 perfectly. This means the case adds virtually no bulk. I can tell you there are times when I actually forgot I had the case on, specially due to the transparent finish. You can actually make it seem like there is no case on the phone... at all. The finish is a transparent glossy plastic with perfect transparency. There is no invasive branding apart from a small logo on the right side, corresponding to the faux-metal bessel of the device, which reads PARFITI in a slim streamlined font: pretty sleek.
As for the cons, I might start saying that the cutouts for the hardware buttons are a bit on the small side of the scale. Don't get me wrong, there is no hassle over pushing the buttons or using them. Not at all. I would have wished, though, that the cutouts were a bit larger, as I tend to press the buttons by sliding my finger from the top of the bessel and down. For those who oppose to transparent finish, it is prone to visible scratching. Though it has been more resilient than I would have expected, small marking have started to show after a few days of moderately careful use. I can only imagine it will show some more visible scratches as time goes by. Due to the fact that it is indeed ultra slim, it does not feel very sturdy when taking it off the phone, getting me to think sometimes that it is about to break. Again, it seems more resilient than what I though -specially for such a thin, thin piece of plastic- but minor (less than a milimeter) cracks have started to show on the corners of the case. These are minimal, almost invisible cracks that seem like a normal reaction from plastic under such stress and not likely to keep increasing or to break. Again, due to the fact that it is ultra slim and the plastic is rather thin, there is little the case can do against a 'decent' drop on solid ground. It is likely to crack -at best- at the first hard drop, giving you a one time only chance to drop it before it becomes unusable.
Conclusion: A very low profile case. Almost unpercievable unless enough effort is put into it. The ultra slim frame is virtually bulk free and allows one to show the true beauty of the phone (patterns, bessel, frame) and the slim measures of the S4. Not a lot of protection against drops, though, but the slim frame makes it totally worth it. You'll eventually forget you are indeed wearing a case on the phone.
Spigen - Ultra Fit for S4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPIGEN-SGP-...d=100033&prg=1011&rk=1&rkt=3&sd=181120209101&
Pros:
- Very slim
- Matte black finish
- Perfect fit for the S4
- Sturdy build
- Moderate-to-low drop protection
- Cutouts for buttons very open
- Texture adds some better grip
Cons:
- Non-transparent finish hides the device
- Non-transparent finish protection from sunlight may allow decolor the bessel on the exposed areas
- Adds noticeable bulk
- Somewhat invasive branding
- Straight bessel edges provide a weird grip experience
- Noticeable fingerprint build up
_____
WYSIWYG
Just because this case has some more pros doesn't make it the ultimate slim case for the S4. It is a good case that seems to provide more resistance to heavier drops, specially when compared to the PARFITI case. I firmly think it might resist quite a few drop without any noticeable injury. This might be due to a thicker plastic used in the case, which also adds to the sturdier build feel in the case. I've put it on and off many times and it never felt like it was going to break. I would not dare to do that in my PARFITI case, as I think it would break within the first 20 tries. As a downside of this, you definitely notice it's there, and the case keeps reminding you of it everytime you hold it.
However it is a perfect fit for the S4, with perfectly open cutouts for buttons, a more open top bessel area, as well as the bottom area; feels a lot freer on the top and bottom. The matte black finish adds to the elegance of the device, although it conceals the true natural beauty of it, it does give it a fresh face that keeps you thinking you've got a new phone. Luckily, the matte comes with a soft-touch finish on the case, which somewhat improves the already flimsy grip of the S4 (I feel the S4 prone to slipping away from my hand) and makes it a lot firmier to hold. Again, with respect to the grip experience, I will add that the bessel part of the case has a squared -not rounded, like the natural S4 frame- finish, which makes it kind of weird to hold, killing the good ergonomics of the device. Truth is I never got used to it, although I don't consider it a deal breaker. Again, for the matte finish, the amount of fingerprints that get on it is pretty high. Within the first few hours, some fingerprints started to build up on the back panel of the case. Though they can be cleaned, of course, it is indeed a downside in this respect. Another downside is the presence of branding and carvings on the back of the case. There is a pretty noticeable spigen logo on the lower right of the back side of the case, and a "13 mega" carving right under the camera area. For those that like that finishing touch, it might be a pro, for me it isn't. The case seems to be pretty resistant to scratches, though I can imagine that as soon as you get a big one, you'll pretty much stare at it everytime you raise the phone.
Conclusion: A very sturdy slim case, with a decent protection to moderate drops and scratches. The only downsides to this are the extra bulk (not much) it adds to the devices, and the weird grip experience due to the squared bessel edges. The grip does indeed feel much better as for the slip-or-not part of it, due to the soft-touch and matte black finish. This gives an interesting look to the device, making it feel like a different phone everytime, though it does this at the expense of some more bulk. Don't think you'll get past the case eventually: you'll always notice it.
----
To sum it up, both cases are pretty good alternatives. I myself can't make up my mind about which to use for a prolonged time and end up switching them every now and then. I should have compared the transparent versions of each brand, but this is all I've got.
Hope this is useful for you guys.

roocase - Origami 3D Review

roocase Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 Case - Origami 3D Review​
The Origami 3D Case in Granite Black / Cool Gray
* Designed specifically for Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (Not Compatible with Tab Pro 8.4)
* Origami cover folds into landscape, portrait and a typing display
* Smooth polyurethane cover with soft non-scrach interior
* Matte rubberize polycarbonate 3D shell. 4 corner tablet protection.
* Magnetic front cover
First Impressions & Packaging
The case was packaged nicely with a retail package that indicated it contained a quality product inside. It is obvious from the packaging alone that roocase takes pride in its products. I'm not a packaging expert, nor a advertising expert so I will not give this a star rating. However, I was VERY pleased with how it looked before opening the package. Sometimes, most times I feel compelled to throw away product packaging, but this is not one of those times. I'm keeping the packaging as long as I keep the case. Besides, I found a use for it, as it is storing my Samsung Simple case now, LOL.
Second Impressions & Case Design
(4.5 out of 5)
Holding the case for the first time was a WOW moment for me. It is clearly the nicest case I have ever owned for a tablet. I love the design and the flexible top cover which slightly over hangs the edges when closed. The cover can be put into so many different positions that I actually lost track, lol and not only that it has a stand mode that is just absolutely perfect for fetal position bed reading (which I do a LOT in the middle of the night), without needing something propping it up. Sadly, the Samsung Slim case could NOT do this at all and I found that to be the #1 reason to not use the Samsung case. I couldnt imagine a better design than origami case and trust me I spent nearly two months trying to mentally improve upon it. I give the design a 4.5 out of 5 stars mainly because I know they will find a way to make it even better, but how I do not know.
Usage
(4 out of 5)
I've been using this case for nearly 2 Months now and it has not disappointed. Folding and grasping the top cover in a handle like motion is just perfect while walking around with it (pic below), its like having a built-in easy to grip rubber handle, because well that is what it is. The usage and safe handling like this is near perfect for me. 4 out of 5 stars because I actually like having a cover strap to put my hand inside which is what my Nexus 7 case does. But I think a cover strap would be unwelcome by most users seeking a thin case.
Durability
(5 out of 5)
I really do not believe in giving a product a perfect score because with time EVERYTHING can be improved upon, which would suggest your perfect score was really not perfect after all. However, I have dropped my tablet once already onto a hard wooden floor by accident and was fully expecting a destroyed screen. And when I opened the top cover to see no damage what so ever I was surprised as it hit the floor pretty hard. So as for solidness I think this case is excellent and will give it a 5 out of 5 just because it survived a very hard fall from about 4 feet or more. However being as thin as it is I would NOT try dropping it intentionally. I probably just got lucky, YAY!
Fit
(4 out of 5)
The Tablet fits into the case near perfectly, however on the bottom right corner I find the tablet popping out of the case easily, almost too easy. If I try to remove the tablet from the case from any other corner I find it very tight and the case does not want to let go, however If I try to first pop it out from the bottom right it just comes out with NO effort, almost too easily in fact. Not sure if this is by design or a slight fit flaw but it seems like the bottom right corner just does not have the "snap" feel to it like the other corners do. Also, one note to mention, you must remove the case if you need to change out microSD cards. Overall I give the fit a 4 out of 5 stars.
Finish
(4 out of 5)
The finish of this case could not be any better as I just love the feel to my hands (and to the eyes when cleaned), although I do find the back cover capturing every finger print like a law enforcement finger print scanner machine, haha. I have had to wash this case under warm water once already just because it felt like it was sapping oils out of my hands, lol. Also the inside of the top cover, which is a light grey colored rubber material on mine, likes to darken from holding it which is surprising because I am a hand washing addict, maybe to the point of being a germaphobe. Yes I wash my hands probably 15-20 times a day but that hasn't stopped the cover from getting darkened quite a bit in the fold areas where skin contacts it the most. Either this is dirt (I doubt it though) or a better explanation would be hand oils that is trapped inside the rubber material because washing it did not restore the darkened areas to light grey. Also, one little note I almost forgot to mention, because the top inside cover is a rubber material with a honey comb texture, this texture leaves a slightly annoying design on the screen which has me wanting to wipe the screen down far too often, after every openeing in fact. Maybe the top inside cover would be better if it was made from a microfiber material? Over all I give this case a 4 out of 5 for its beautiful finish when cleaned.
My thoughts after 2 Months of use
Well I must say that I think the ONLY thing that can be improved would be weight, and maybe material used for the inside of cover. For a Slim case I think it weighs a tad bit much. However for everyday use around the house or the office this is THE case to get. I love the black and grey color combination and the texture of this case is fantastic, however I'm not much of a fan of the honey comb marks it puts on the screen, but this can be ignored. Over all it is well worth the asking price and built like a tank without the weight of a tank. If only they made it almost exactly like this but with microfiber material for the inside of the top cover, that would have been my preference, not to mention dropping about 100 grams of weight off of it at least.
Overall I give this case a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, as its just really that good!
Images below provided by roocase. Last one taken by me showing how I like to hold it, with its built-in handle. This is where the rubber material really comes in handy as its VERY solid and feels like its impossible to drop in this manner.
Available at Amazon
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Ringke [Fusion] Crystal Clear PC Back TPU Bumper Case for the HTC One A9

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Hey A9'ers, this is something to check out if you are looking for a nice clear case to show off your A9. This is a review for the FUSION-CRYSTAL VIEW option that's available for $9.99 on Amazon. I have been using it for 2 weeks now. I wanted a clear and minimal case to show off my Deep Garnet A9. I was skeptical about it being made of TPU since I didn't want that tacky/soft/cheap feeling on some TPU cases, and this product did not disappoint.
COMPONENTS:
+1 case
+1 plastic screen protector with instruction manual
+1 DIY template
DESIGN:
The FUSION-CRYSTAL VIEW is very transparent (no frosting) and does a good job in minimizing any sort of obstruction to view through the case.
It fits like a glove; there is nothing loose nor any gaps. Snapping the phone into the case was easy and did not distort the case/phone in any way as I take it in and out of the case (I first slide the top half of the phone into the top corners and then gently push the bottom half of the phone into the case). There's an outer and inner protective film on the case that needs to be removed before using the case, which I respect Ringke for doing to ensure the case doesn't get marked during the delivery process. But be warned that after the protective films are removed, the back panel of the case attracts dust like a magnet and you will need an airduster spray to minimize it before putting the phone into the case.
A small bit of weight is added with the case on but not terribly so. It is minimal enough to slide it in and out of my slim fitting jeans (i don't wear skinny jeans) with ease.
The volume and power buttons are covered (which I prefer) and it was easy to click them. The buttons feel tactile too, which means there is that nice "click-y" sound. One edge of the buttons do feel a bit sharper than the other edges, but that's a minor complaint.
Despite what the description says on Amazon's and Ringke's official website, only the audio jack has a dust cap and there is NO dust cap on the charging port, which I prefer.
The cutouts for the speaker, mic, charging port, and camera lens are very precise and nothing to complain about. My audio plug can easily insert into the audio jack with no problems. There is a bit of a lip around the cutout of the camera lens so that it doesn't touch the surface.
There is a bezel but it's very minimal (about 1 mm) so some may want to consider putting on a screen protector. I don't intentionally slide my screen on any surface, so I have decided to forgo the use of a screen protector as I don't like the look of my screen when there is any type of screen protectors on it and I trust the Gorilla glass, but that's my vain opinion.
On the back of the case, there is a bit of a raised lip near each corner that's also about 1 mm. I suspect this is meant to minimize scratches on the back.
The case provides a better grip on the slippery A9 and gives me more confidence in taking it out of my pocket/purse. It helps to round out feel of the phone's edge which I thought was a bit too sharp in the hand.
There's a strap holder on the lower left side to hold charms and whatnot.
The appearance of fingerprints and dust is very noticeable on the case, but is easy to wipe away.
DURABILITY:
I have not encountered any uh-oh moments yet with this case on. On first impression, it appears it can protect the corners and edges well, but there won't be any protection if the phone was to fall screen side down first due to the case's tiny bezel.
-to be continued later-
OVERALL:
I am quite satisfied with the design/aesthetics of the clear case so far. Its strengths include: high transparency to show off the A9, minimal bulk, perfect fit, easy to take the phone in and out of case, better grip, precise cutouts, and tactile buttons. Its weaknesses include: too little bezel protection on the screen and the easy appearance of dust. More remarks on the durability and protection will come later when I have an uh-oh moment.
Let me know if you want to see more pics :victory:
Edit: Here's the video review to go with it.