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Seidio Active X Case Black Review UPDATED - 50+ pics

Will be doing a thorough review on the Seidio Active X Case, including some tests for durability. Pictures will be included.
Providing the Basics today along with a few photos, will run the case through a series of test for durability and use this weekend. More pictures to come!
My apologies if a couple pics don't look so great Camera was giving me issues.
Intro:
Well Just received the Seidio Active X case today and I have to say I was surprised. You are provided with three pieces. Outer Screen protector, a rubber back skin, and then a Plastic Skeleton to go over the rubber back piece. Installation was breeze and this case is easier to remove due to the design of the Plastic Skeleton. Outer Screen protector is pretty simple to remove but having finger nails will benefit greatly! Another thing to note: Since the Skeleton is a separate piece, changing colors will be simple ( if you wanted to could even paint it! ). Sliding Mechanism was not affected at all.
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Design:
Outer Screen protector
Outer Screen Protection Piece does have a taller lip and it is a little thicker but feels strong. With the taller lip I didn't find any affect or issues with comfort on the use of the screen or buttons. The finish is smooth with a rubbery feel, and yes you may find that one or two little bumps within the finish - (If you really want to remove the bumps in the finish then use 1500 or 2000 wet sand paper and very Lightly go over the bumps. Make sure to wet the paper - this will allow you to keep the finish). The tabs are located on both the top and bottom of the piece and sectioned in the middle ( view pictures above ). -- This is nice since the most common issue with cases is scratching or restriction due to the tabs being placed on each side.
Rubber Skin:
IMO - I love this! Provides protection for the phone without the possibility of the case scratching the phone itself. Both the Power and Volume buttons are covered but fit the form of the phone and require the same amount of pressure to be pushed. As for the cut outs - Match perfect- Mic, USB, Headphone, Camera, and LED, and if by chance yours does not you can also trim whatever excess you need to since its rubber.
Back Skeleton:
The back Skeleton has a very smooth finish with no bump in sight. The skeleton itself is very sturdy along with the clips located on each corner. Now the design was to set for most common point of Impact. On any phone there are 6 points - Top Left and Right Corner - Bottom Left and Right Corner - Left Side - Right Side. The Skeleton was designed around these 6 points of impact along with using the rubber skin interior as a shock absorber. The skeleton Case Wraps around on each point which in truth allows for a sturdier construction due to each point of impact being supported both by form and curvature.
I will provide pics of the phone within the case once the Camera is charged.
Updated

If you can assure me that this product 1. Does not look as rough around the edges as in the pictures on the website 2. Allows me full functionality of the keyboard (slides open *duh*, doesn't hinder ability to use top row number buttons) 3. Is durable and well made enough to justify spending $29.95 on a case, then I will glady purchase it. Question: Is there any way you could get pictures different angles of the case for example the top and bottom with keyboard open/closed, I am seriously interested as long as I can have some good information to go off of.

thomasskull666 said:
If you can assure me that this product 1. Does not look as rough around the edges as in the pictures on the website 2. Allows me full functionality of the keyboard (slides open *duh*, doesn't hinder ability to use top row number buttons) 3. Is durable and well made enough to justify spending $29.95 on a case, then I will glady purchase it. Question: Is there any way you could get pictures different angles of the case for example the top and bottom with keyboard open/closed, I am seriously interested as long as I can have some good information to go off of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought i was he only one that notced it was looking a little rough on the website.. i hope a company like seido wouldn't release a product looking like that..
Tapatalkin' it from my Epic 4G

Any information any user provided I sent off to seidio for development of the active x case that way they can attempt a perfect case. I'm not sure but I think the color plate is switchable which would be a nice option.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

jok3sta said:
I thought i was he only one that notced it was looking a little rough on the website.. i hope a company like seido wouldn't release a product looking like that..
Tapatalkin' it from my Epic 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly ALL of the Active cases are like that.
On the Nexus and Evo active cases, the rubber has lots of extra bits, and the ports aren't perfectly cut.
On the Evo, the plastic shell doesn't fit perfectly around the rubber skin, and has a bit of a gap.
You can take a exacto blade and remove the uneven edges if you want.
posted from a EPIC4G.

NeonMonster said:
Sadly ALL of the Active cases are like that.
On the Nexus and Evo active cases, the rubber has lots of extra bits, and the ports aren't perfectly cut.
On the Evo, the plastic shell doesn't fit perfectly around the rubber skin, and has a bit of a gap.
You can take a exacto blade and remove the uneven edges if you want.
posted from a EPIC4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's disappointing to hear, how could they expect me to pay that amount for such bad quality? When we get some detailed pictures I will have a better idea of the quality, but until then all indicators point to a poor quality product.

thomasskull666 said:
That's disappointing to hear, how could they expect me to pay that amount for such bad quality? When we get some detailed pictures I will have a better idea of the quality, but until then all indicators point to a poor quality product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seidio is currently the best quality case out there for the epic but it ISN'T any OtterBox or even CaseMate.
The plastic exoshell on my friends Evo has been shedding since she purchased it. Little bits of plastic come off the shell just from having it in her pocket.
Seidio is not worth the price of the product, quality wise. But when there is literally nothing else on the market, what else can ya do?
posted from a EPIC4G.

NeonMonster said:
Seidio is currently the best quality case out there for the epic but it ISN'T any OtterBox or even CaseMate.
The plastic exoshell on my friends Evo has been shedding since she purchased it. Little bits of plastic come off the shell just from having it in her pocket.
Seidio is not worth the price of the product, quality wise. But when there is literally nothing else on the market, what else can ya do?
posted from a EPIC4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem, is that there are no other options besides the Seidio case. Still waiting on those pictures though...
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Mine has been ship out to me already just waiting on it to arrive.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Ordered one this afternoon. Hopefully, they'll show mercy and have it in the hands of USPS by tomorrow so I can have it to use on Saturday night
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Thread Updated

Looks pretty good so far, I'm going to test my luck and buy one tomorrow, hopefully it turns out good!
Sent from my 1.3gHz Samsung Epic 4G with XDA App

how easy is the back part to remove?

churro7 said:
how easy is the back part to remove?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not hard at all, just grab a corner and pull away slightly and should come right off.

Still not sure I can justify paying $30 for a case vs. $2 I paid for my ebay one. I'm sure quality is very different, but I feel like the level of protection I get from my ebay one (which I guess we are referring to as the "bar" kind from that other review) is adequate enough. It feels good in the hands too. I'll wait to see pics of this when you have everything fully assembled. I'm wondering how thick it gets with 3 pieces.

Updated More pics

How much more thickness does it add. Is it still pocketable? obviously it'll be thicker but pictures and actual hands on is always a differant story. Thanks!

I want to know does it fits in the media dock?

hugo87 said:
How much more thickness does it add. Is it still pocketable? obviously it'll be thicker but pictures and actual hands on is always a differant story. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a tad thicker really, add maybe 1mm if that IMO. Fits in the pocket no issue at all, and the case finger groves are perfect, ambidextrous. Also the lip around the Face Protection of the case has more depth.

SladeNoctis said:
I want to know does it fits in the media dock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, sadly it does not, but then again no case does that I have heard of.

Seidio Innocase Review (BLACK)

I have just received my Seidio Innocase (Black) after having a very hard time deciding on buying it or the Active-X case. I will be stealing betatechs format for review, and add additional observations of my own. His review of the Green Innocase can be found here.
Seidio Innocase Epic 4g (BLACK) Review
First Impressions:
The case feels very smooth in your hand, and does add a fair amount of grip. I personally liked the feel of the stock battery cover myself, but this is a pleasant case to hold. As betatech pointed out on the green case review, all buttons and ports are completely accessible.
Installation and Removal:
I had no problem popping this bad boy onto the phone. Both the front and back went on without any effort. Removing the bottom half of the case is very easy, and the main reason for that is that the bottom portion of the case has “play” or space for it to move around a bit. The top bezel on the other hand, you have to be very delicate, as the tabs on it are not as thick, and appear like they are easier to break. For example: My girlfriend has a palm pre Innocase and she has had to have it replaced twice due to tab failure. The tabs on the epic case are thicker, but could use a locking mechanism.
Apperance:
Below are some pictures, side by side, of the phone and the case, you can see that it adds minimal bulk to the phone. I was quite impressed. The black complements the phone perfectly, looks very pleasant, and not out of place.
Sliding Mechanism:
Before applying the case I did have some “screen wobble” and after apply the case there is less screen wobble, but it is not completely gone. As betatech points out, the tabs are mounted in the corners, so they do not touch the keyboard. I actually had a scratch on one of my keys from the stock sliding mechanism making the screen slightly touch the keyboard and with the case one I feel it slightly increases the gab to stop that. The snappiness of the sliding mechanism is still there, although it takes a smidge more effort than before to open the phone, in my opinion a good thing.
Notable Problems/Testing Observations:
As I hinted above, The back portion or battery portion of the case is very loose. I can jiggle the phone in my hand and hear it click as it hits the top and bottom of the case. This could be just a problem with the case I have received, but I have seen other people mention similar looseness with the back of the case. Seidio also did not place a felt liner on the back portion of this case, as they do with other cases ie: nexus one, nor did they include a felt liner insert ie: palm pre. I believe a felt liner would improve the case looseness problem, and find myself upset that they did not do so. My best guess is because they could have felt that the stock battery cover is scratch resistant itself so perhaps it was not needed. I would beg to differ.
Due to the rubber texture that is sprayed onto the case, I do find it more difficult to pull out of my pocket. It seems to get stuck on the inner lining. This is not a problem, just an observation. I enjoyed the ease of pulling out the stock phone from my pocket, but feel much better knowing there is a case protecting it and completely willing to give that up.
I have a Realook screen protector on my epic, and the front bezel of the case, hides the small outer line of the screen protector perfectly, it is impossible to tell there is one even applied until you look around the speaker, where you see the line there.
As of durability I would suggest reading betatechs section on that. I have had the black innocase on a nexus one, and after a few months or so the rubber started to peel in one spot, which grew larger. I can only assume that the same is quite possible for this case.
Concluding Remarks:
So far I do like the case a lot and feel much better knowing there is something to protect it. I am worried about the life of the rubber material that is sprayed on the case. The back cover jiggle also concerns me, but can be remedied by placing a piece of folded paper in the rear of the case, or eyeglass cleaner cloth.
Pictures are posted below, and if there are any questions feel free to ask. I am hopeing on reviewing the Active-X blue case next, or the otterbox case, whichever one comes first.
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Looks almost identical to the Sprint case that I have, except the back of the one from Sprint is checkered.

Ill go by the sprint store and compare thickness, texture, and clip positions when I get a chance this week. I think its thiner though from the last time I looked at that case.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I have been using this case for 2 weeks now, and I have zero complaints! I bought a screen protector with Seido as well, and both products are great! Well worth the money. Before that I had purchased a ZAGG InvisibleShield until I found that Seido had released their case. The ZAGG shield is thick/bulky, and not very easy to install. I highly recommend this Seido case.

What made you decide on this over the Active-X? I'm debating that choice myself but haven't really found a good way to make a comparison.

how easy is it to remove?

JettMartinez said:
What made you decide on this over the Active-X? I'm debating that choice myself but haven't really found a good way to make a comparison.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it was a hard choice, but after seing some pics of the active x, I noticed it looked twice the thickness of this case. So I went with the thiner option. Plus its 21 bucks on amazon
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

churro7 said:
how easy is it to remove?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I put a section on that above... anyways. Back is easy to remove, front bezel not as easy.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

can ya describe in detail how it is though?

churro7 said:
can ya describe in detail how it is though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the tabs for the top portion of the case are much thinner, meaning you have to be more careful not to just pry, or they could break off more eaisly than the bottom half of the case. There is also very little play or gap on the top half or bezel of case compared to the battery half of case, so it is harder to get a fingernail under the clips. The third reason, one clip, on each side of the top bezel is easy to get to while the other, on each side, clip is underneith the keyboard section, so its hard to unclip it without prying, which might break it. If you don't have fingernails and are not very gentel, I think it would be super easy to break.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

How bout for the bottom? Whats the fastest way to remove it safely? I ask cuz i have exra bateries i will use when im away for a long period
sent from my epic 4g with no 4g

churro7 said:
How bout for the bottom? Whats the fastest way to remove it safely? I ask cuz i have exra bateries i will use when im away for a long period
sent from my epic 4g with no 4g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the bottom left tab first then the bottom right. Super fast and easy provided you have a thumb fingernail.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

thank you this will help

Removing the case is easy! Its best to take the back cover off by pulling it off from the top of the phone, then pull off the original back cover.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Excellent post. and an excellent product, but i'm not a fan of cases. if anyone is interested in a maroon seidio case for the epic. please pm me. i've also posted in the marketplace.

I think the case will scratch the phone after time being that there is no felt lining inside of the case. I just took epic out of its case and noticed some light rubbing marks after about 3 weeks. I feel a lot more confident with the active x case I have now

I love seidio cases. However, after using the Innocases made for slider phones (like this one for the Epic, or the similar one for the Pre), i noticed that the parts without felt would scuff the phone after awhile, and eventually the tabs do break off. That said, Seidio has always been good about replacing every case of mine for free where tabs have broken off, no questions asked.

Don't like it..it fits too lose and creeks and left a few scratches on the top portion of the phone
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I have the black case too for my epic. It feels pretty good in the hand, but I have to add another nods to this:
The back part of the case definitely doesn't fit very tight for me. It is loose enough to slide a little, and on a phone which already likes to wobble a bit it feels odd now and then.
Also yes - you can press a finger lightly in the middle of it near the flash, and it makes a creaking sound as it flexes.. very annoying.
I tried folding a small piece of paper to put inside too, and even a very thing pieces seemed to make the case not fit correctly at the clips so I don't think it is correctable.
Overall it isn't that big a deal - apart from that minor annoyance the case looks and feels good to me. It does make the phone a lint magnet though, I am always blowing aroudn the front lip to get dust off after it rides around in a pocket for awhile. Any case does that tho, especially textured ones..

Placing paper behind it worked for me, I had to play around with the thickness of the folded paer to get it right. And yea it sure does attract lint, I find it attracting the lint to my screen way more than if the phone did not have the case on it. So I'm having to cleen the screen way more often.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Aftermarket Replacement Battery Covers (Blk Carbon Fiber Reviewed: 5/16/2013)

For those of you that dislike the stock battery covers for you S IV, I found some nice looking replacements on amazon while browsing for accessories:
Blk Leather[Review Added 5/11/2013]
http://www.amazon.com/Leather-Plastic-Material-Replacement-Battery/dp/B00CILRQO2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1367431609&sr=8-5&keywords=leather+replacement+cover+s4
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<<Click for new comparison images
Wht Leather [Review Added 5/11/2013]
http://www.amazon.com/Aftermarket-Product-Leather-Battery-Protective/dp/B00CIJ7A4K/ref=sr_1_11?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1367431661&sr=1-11&keywords=leather+replacement+cover+white+s4
<<Click for new comparison images
***Review: Well I finally got the leather replacement covers in...The black version has an black leather-like material on the back. White version is slightly off white leather-like material. Cut outs and fittings are great. Camera and flash cutouts are more flush with the backing than stock so it seems like better protection from scratching when left on a table. Speaker cutout no longer has the slight bump that you feel on stock. I love the roman numeral "IV" opposed to the "4" that comes stock. Quality feels awesome and I can't leave finger prints on the back of my device now. Also my device isn't twinkling like a twilight vampire on the back (for me that's a plus). S-Beam and NFC still work with the aftermarket as well. Only gripe is that protective plastic cases no longer 100% fit now as the aftermarket battery cover is slightly thicker than stock.
Blk Carbon Fiber
pics on attachment
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Material-Replacement-Battery-Samsung/dp/B00CILXESE/ref=sr_1_1?m=A11TB872LL3R2P&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1367431801&sr=1-1&keywords=black+carbon+fiber+s4
Wht Carbon Fiber
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Material-Replacement-Battery-Samsung/dp/B00CIM700G/ref=sr_1_3?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1367431702&sr=1-3&keywords=carbon+fiber+replacement+cover+white+s4
***Review Added 5/16/2013*** Ok...so the carbon fiber variant finally came in. Shipping took a long time (from China) This black version of the carbon fiber replacement battery cover feels similar to the leather variants. I do believe the material is the same if not similar. It does feel nice in my hands and adds a little bit of bulk just as the leather ones did. The camera lens is protected with this cover as it was with the leather one and the speaker cutout is the same. I will use the black carbon fiber more than the leather (i'm a sucker for carbon fiber). I would recommend this over one of the carbon fiber skins as this will not semi peel off and annoy the s*** out of my hand. Installation was as easy as the leather variants and the battery door matches perfectly with my device. I am not worried about cleaning the black version as I don't feel like it can pick up dirt/grime very easily. Signal does not suffer from having the back cover on, NFC and S-Beam work fine as well.

Oh wow !!
did you end up ordering something?

main_shoby said:
Oh wow !!
did you end up ordering something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought all 4 as my girlfriend got the white s4 and I got black mist. I personally wanted the phones to have a better feel to them and I see most reviews of the s4 people are whining about it as well. As soon as I get them in I will post a review of the fit and quality as the pics from amazon are not that detailed. The leather ones just kills it for me btw can't wait for that one.

I just ordered the black carbon fiber one, can't wait!
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app

I had the white carbon one for my SIII, and let me tell you, that thing attracts dirt like nothing else.... went through two of them in the 10 months I had the device and there's a reason why the letters don't have the silver "metal" emblems embedded in these battery doors anymore - they fall off!
Just a word of warning - I really liked the looks of these for the SIII and I wouldn't waste my money on one this go 'round.....

KryptosXLayer2 said:
I had the white carbon one for my SIII, and let me tell you, that thing attracts dirt like nothing else.... went through two of them in the 10 months I had the device and there's a reason why the letters don't have the silver "metal" emblems embedded in these battery doors anymore - they fall off!
Just a word of warning - I really liked the looks of these for the SIII and I wouldn't waste my money on one this go 'round.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn well I guess ill find out when they come in if these newer versions work out

CHUUZE said:
Damn well I guess ill find out when they come in if these newer versions work out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry! To show how crappy they are, the manufacturer sent me the 2nd one for free after I took a pic of how one of the letters fell off - I threw out that one before listing my SIII on eBay because no one would have wanted it, as bad as it looked!

KryptosXLayer2 said:
Sorry! To show how crappy they are, the manufacturer sent me the 2nd one for free after I took a pic of how one of the letters fell off - I threw out that one before listing my SIII on eBay because no one would have wanted it, as bad as it looked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fingers crossed that they improved the s4 version

I had one of these for my S3. It was great because it added a bit of friction plus was just thick enough to protect the camera lens. Just ordered this one.

Is an alumium cover a no go because of reception or can it also be used?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

GeorgeP said:
I had one of these for my S3. It was great because it added a bit of friction plus was just thick enough to protect the camera lens. Just ordered this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with the point about friction, but damnit that thing got dirty! Did you have yours for long?
Now I kind of like the smooth surface again only for the fact that I can use the PuGoo I have placed around my house - on the bathroom mirror, on a cupboard door in the kitchen, etc.... Love that stuff and was kind of disappointed the carbon was too coarse for the it to securely attach to the PuGoo, safely, it would stay for a few seconds and then give out because it couldn't grip it well enough, unlike how your hands could grip the back case nicely when out and about, and I would use the PuGoo about 1% of the time compared to how often I had the phone in my hands, hah

Pinocheckio said:
Is an alumium cover a no go because of reception or can it also be used?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have heard aluminum covers nerf reception. The ones I linked are plastic.

CHUUZE said:
From what I have heard aluminum covers nerf reception. The ones I linked are plastic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought. Thx, I'll check out the plastic ones.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

Review added
UPDATED!
Review for the Leather version is up on OP.

CHUUZE said:
UPDATED!
Review for the Leather version is up on OP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely gonna have to resize those images! WOOOOOOOW, haha :good:
The review shouldn't be posted when you get them, but rather when the white ones turn grey!

Lol wow I didn't notice that til just now, re-sized with reasonable sized pics and so the page loads lol
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

Awesome, thanks for the pictures. Just picked up a black leather :good:

KryptosXLayer2 said:
Definitely gonna have to resize those images! WOOOOOOOW, haha :good:
The review shouldn't be posted when you get them, but rather when the white ones turn grey!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
honestly I don't mind the worn leather look that the white version may/may not get, besides I have a plethora of leather cleaners for sneakers in my closet i'm sure one of them can clean it if it gets dirty.

CHUUZE said:
For those of you that dislike the stock battery covers for you S IV, I found some nice looking replacements on amazon while browsing for accessories:
***Blk Leather*** [Review Added 5/11/2013]
http://www.amazon.com/Leather-Plastic-Material-Replacement-Battery/dp/B00CILRQO2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1367431609&sr=8-5&keywords=leather+replacement+cover+s4
<<Click for new comparison images
***Wht Leather*** [Review Added 5/11/2013]
http://www.amazon.com/Aftermarket-Product-Leather-Battery-Protective/dp/B00CIJ7A4K/ref=sr_1_11?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1367431661&sr=1-11&keywords=leather+replacement+cover+white+s4
<<Click for new comparison images
***Review: Well I finally got the leather replacement covers in...The black version has an black leather-like material on the back. White version is slightly off white leather-like material. Cut outs and fittings are great. Camera and flash cutouts are more flush with the backing than stock so it seems like better protection from scratching when left on a table. Speaker cutout no longer has the slight bump that you feel on stock. I love the roman numeral "IV" opposed to the "4" that comes stock. Quality feels awesome and I can't leave finger prints on the back of my device now. Also my device isn't twinkling like a twilight vampire on the back (for me that's a plus). S-Beam and NFC still work with the aftermarket as well. Only gripe is that protective plastic cases no longer 100% fit now as the aftermarket battery cover is slightly thicker than stock.
Blk Carbon Fiber
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Material-Replacement-Battery-Samsung/dp/B00CILXESE/ref=sr_1_1?m=A11TB872LL3R2P&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1367431801&sr=1-1&keywords=black+carbon+fiber+s4
Wht Carbon Fiber
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Material-Replacement-Battery-Samsung/dp/B00CIM700G/ref=sr_1_3?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1367431702&sr=1-3&keywords=carbon+fiber+replacement+cover+white+s4
Once I get them in I will definately post a review on how they fit and the quality of the material.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which seller did u buy it from? see 2 selling it

Avente Tech i think
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

Skinomi Full Body Carbon Fiber Skin for Galaxy S IV + HD Pics

Skinomi Full Body Carbon Fiber Skin for Galaxy S IV + HD Pics​
So, like many, i personally dislike the Galaxy S IV plastic back which catches smudges and fingerprints so easily and thus i went ahead and purchased the Skinomi Full body Carbon Fiber Skin for it. There were a couple of alternatives like Bodyguardz and Zagg, etc. But they were all more expensive options for almost same thing you were getting with this. This cost me $16 from Skinomi's Official Amazon store including shipping. The only other alternative at the price was Armorsuit so i picked Skinomi just by chance. So here is what i liked and disliked about this product:
Pros/Advantages:
- Lowest Priced Solutions on the market.
- Full Body Protection (Back + Front + Sides + Home Button)
- Nice Packaging ( I Know this dosent matter but, it definitely comes well presented and i think the attention to detail compared to other brands is good.)
- Good amount of Solution Included
- Good Documentation on Installation Procedure + Online help included too.
- Easy To Apply (Seriously, I went ahead and installed it without too much trouble. Had to spend some time aligning it but otherwise it was a good experience.)
- Stay on and dont come off once properly applied (The Screen protector takes about a day to fully set but the skin should be good in around 2 hours after applied. Applying heat using hair drier helps speed it up).
- Very Precisely Cut (Seriously)
- Very Fast Shipping (Next Business Day Shipped and received after 2 working days)
- Good Customer Support. Very good and quick in replying to emails and questions.
Cons/Disadvantages:
- The texture of the skin could be a bit better.
- The screen protector is slightly rubbery like any wet install screen protector.
- They should use a wet install method for the skin to make alignment easy.
(Other than that i dont really think there is much to complain about. For the price of $16, you get its worth.)
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Link To Product (Amazon):*
http://www.amazon.com/Skinomi-TechS...58696&sr=8-1&keywords=skinomi+carbon+fiber+s4
Skinomi Official Website Link:*
http://www.skinomi.com/sk12646-samsung-galaxy-s4-carbon-fiber-skin-protector.html
My Youtube Review:
Pictures:
Skin on Phone:
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Skin on Side View:
Skin With Packaging:
Skin when seen through transparent FOSMON Case:

Thanks for the review. Does the skin raise high enough to protect the camera lens though? Also, why do you still put a case over it? Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of having a nice skin? I assume the skin would Peel off after a few times of removing the tpu case?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

Any pics of the front?
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

MMakoto said:
Thanks for the review. Does the skin raise high enough to protect the camera lens though? Also, why do you still put a case over it? Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of having a nice skin? I assume the skin would Peel off after a few times of removing the tpu case?
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The skin causes the camera to sit very flush. As such it offers no protection, at least in my opinion. I go with the case because I generally am always switching between accessories, sometimes I like going with a case sometimes not but 1 thing that bothers me is the amount of dinner prints
and smudges the plastic gets so that's why the skin. Personally I would recommend going with a good car rather than a skin because of the added protection.
About your second question on peeling, it hasn't peeled at all. I too thought that I would start to peel soon but I made sure I used the hairdryer to get the skin on properly and its been on for good since then.
Nasty_z said:
Any pics of the front?
I am currently not using the front screen protector as I have a spigen ultra crystal installed but I can upload some pics of the screen protector and share my thoughts on how it feels.
You can subscribe to my YouTube channel where I will do an Indepth review about this and many other s4 accessories.
http://youtube.com/endingcolt
Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium

endingcolt007 said:
Pros/Advantages:
- Easy To Apply (Seriously, I went ahead and installed it without too much trouble. Had to spend some time aligning it but otherwise it was a good experience.)
- Stay on and dont come off once properly applied (The Screen protector takes about a day to fully set but the skin should be good in around 2 hours after applied. Applying heat using hair drier helps speed it up).
- Very Precisely Cut (Seriously)
Cons/Disadvantages:
- The texture of the skin could be a bit better.
- They should use a wet install method for the skin to make alignment easy.
(Other than that i dont really think there is much to complain about. For the price of $16, you get its worth.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Addressing the aforementioned points only, you're not going to be able to apply this material wet, it is most likely the 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fiber from the pics, and the adhesive will not bond if water / soap & water is brought into the mix, this is a dry installation only. I work with this stuff all the time, so I have some insight into it. I'm sure it's precision cut, but that's not very hard to do considering.... I would much rather start with a larger piece and cut it to fit, as I've done in the past:
Captivate in black and white carbon
Atrix 4G in black carbon
The skin does't need any time to cure, really, the adhesive is incredibly strong bonding, and note that I'm not talking about go and beat up on it or throw it around in a purse or something, but apply it and forget about it. Heating with a hair dryer or heat gun will help with the installation if you really need it (I wouldn't use it because it makes the adhesive more tacky, instantly), but it's good to use for the corners once the majority of the backing is fully applied. The best advise I can give for doing it this way is to line up the holes in the skin around the camera and start smoothing it out VERY gently until you're sure it's in the right place. If you mess up, try to lift it up quickly and get it it off the surface in one motion without stretching the material. This stuff is SO cheap though, I'm sure they have some kind of warranty on it if you screw up and they'll be nice enough to send you a replacement for free....

KryptosXLayer2 said:
Addressing the aforementioned points only, you're not going to be able to apply this material wet, it is most likely the 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fiber from the pics, and the adhesive will not bond if water / soap & water is brought into the mix, this is a dry installation only. I work with this stuff all the time, so I have some insight into it. I'm sure it's precision cut, but that's not very hard to do considering.... I would much rather start with a larger piece and cut it to fit, as I've done in the past:
Captivate in black and white carbon
Atrix 4G in black carbon
The skin does't need any time to cure, really, the adhesive is incredibly strong bonding, and note that I'm not talking about go and beat up on it or throw it around in a purse or something, but apply it and forget about it. Heating with a hair dryer or heat gun will help with the installation if you really need it (I wouldn't use it because it makes the adhesive more tacky, instantly), but it's good to use for the corners once the majority of the backing is fully applied. The best advise I can give for doing it this way is to line up the holes in the skin around the camera and start smoothing it out VERY gently until you're sure it's in the right place. If you mess up, try to lift it up quickly and get it it off the surface in one motion without stretching the material. This stuff is SO cheap though, I'm sure they have some kind of warranty on it if you screw up and they'll be nice enough to send you a replacement for free....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the insight into how they work, but about not having a wet install skin for the back im not too sure that there arent any because i have seen a few videos of people applying their skins using the regular solution provided. Im not sure which brand it was, i will share if i find the video. And yes, they do offer full lifetime warranty! sorry i forgot to mention that! Hey BTW which skin/brand did u use on your Captivate? Looks pretty neat! Cheers

endingcolt007 said:
Thanks for the insight into how they work, but about not having a wet install skin for the back im not too sure that there arent any because i have seen a few videos of people applying their skins using the regular solution provided. Im not sure which brand it was, i will share if i find the video. And yes, they do offer full lifetime warranty! sorry i forgot to mention that! Hey BTW which skin/brand did u use on your Captivate? Looks pretty neat! Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, guess I wasn't clear enough - I used the 3M Di-Noc vinyl that I was talking about and hand cut it myself. This vinyl cannot be applied wet, so if you have seen a video of someone applying carbon fiber vinyl on a device, it was NOT texturized as the two layers (the texture part and the adhesive part) simply cannot be exposed to moisture prior to installation

KryptosXLayer2 said:
Sorry, guess I wasn't clear enough - I used the 3M Di-Noc vinyl that I was talking about and hand cut it myself. This vinyl cannot be applied wet, so if you have seen a video of someone applying carbon fiber vinyl on a device, it was NOT texturized as the two layers (the texture part and the adhesive part) simply cannot be exposed to moisture prior to installation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess then what i saw must have been a different sort of skin! thanks for the info! Cheers
Here are some more updated pics for the same. (Also i have updated the thread with my video review if you want to watch on youtube). Here are the additional pics:
======================================================
======================================================

Love it
I love the texture of the carbon back and side pieces.
Even without a wet install, you can peel back and reapply the carbon fiber pieces multiple times without adverse effect (at least if you do it relatively quickly—I say from experience).
Generally, this is a sweet way to protect your phone without adding weight and bulk. I used ArmourSuit's back/front/side protector on my S2 which I had for about two months. When I peeled it off for sale, it looked as good as new. I fully expect this to be similarly effective, and this has the added bonus of extra grip vis-a-vis the all-clear types.

cool carbon texture

will this interfere with NFC? Or NFC works?

jax5ter said:
will this interfere with NFC? Or NFC works?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some facts.....
This is vinyl, vinyl doesn't affect any type of radio frequency or transmissions unless it contains metal like certain metallic vinyls I've used can
If it were real carbon fiber, it wouldn't affect anything either, as carbon isn't conductive or a barrier like metals and alloys can
:good:

KryptosXLayer2 said:
Some facts.....
This is vinyl, vinyl doesn't affect any type of radio frequency or transmissions unless it contains metal like certain metallic vinyls I've used can
If it were real carbon fiber, it wouldn't affect anything either, as carbon isn't conductive or a barrier like metals and alloys can
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Ordering one since I really don't like putting on a case on such a slim phone
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

Kickstand Case Suggestions for Galaxy S5

Anyone have any suggestions for a good kickstand case, I would like something that stands both vertical and horizontal view. I do not care about branding, ebay brandless is OK by me (and cheaper). Preferably hybrid.
I am liking this one so far, but I can't find a US vendor for the color I like (lime).
http://www.grashine.com/en/product1.asp?idd=76&ids=4&SortID=74&id=74&idid=24&ord=100#
What kickstand cases do you like/have?
QUESTION REVISED 4/29/14:
What is the best kickstand case under 10 bucks that I can cannibalize to remove the kickstand (to then epoxy it to my favorite S5 non-kick case)?

I used to try to find and use kickstand cases , but 2 yrs ago I cam across the flygrip which was perfect for me as I got tired of searching all the time for a case , now I an purchas any case I find and attach the flygrip directly to it , have a holder on my device to I never drop it and also a kickstand in both directions.

I haven't seen a decent case with a durable kickstand that is stable in both horizontal and vertical positions since the S3 was released (Qmadix case).
So, for my S4 I just found the coolest case and then cut a hole on the back and DIY'd my favorite kickstand (Qmadix) into it.
Unfortunately, that company no longer makes the kickstand case for any phones.
But a nice alternative is to get a stick-on kickstand.
http://www.mouseglider.com/pro1445718.html
Put it on any case.

ex-28 said:
I used to try to find and use kickstand cases , but 2 yrs ago I cam across the flygrip which was perfect for me as I got tired of searching all the time for a case , now I an purchas any case I find and attach the flygrip directly to it , have a holder on my device to I never drop it and also a kickstand in both directions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had never seen those before. Thanks! Definitely an option.
I am a bit wary of the girth of the item and how it might dig into my leg, or my jeans while the phone is in pocket.

Maybe choose a wallet style case that let's you use the lid as a stand?

Airax said:
Maybe choose a wallet style case that let's you use the lid as a stand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.otterbox.com/Defender-Series-for-Samsung-GALAXY-S5/sam2-galaxy-s5-set,default,pd.html
The proven option and my personal *go to* case for all phones.

Airax said:
Maybe choose a wallet style case that let's you use the lid as a stand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not durable enough for me, not any that I have seen at least.

I've been using this one for all my GS phones. Very sturdy and not overly bulky plastic that looks much nicer in person. I need only the kickstand feature (the bottom part), can't say anything about the holster.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO8NI0Y/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&smid=AY3SA6XQV4F15

ecksor said:
I've been using this one for all my GS phones. Very sturdy and not overly bulky plastic that looks much nicer in person. I need only the kickstand feature (the bottom part), can't say anything about the holster.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO8NI0Y/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&smid=AY3SA6XQV4F15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for finding this. imho - its the best case you can get. i have been using them on all of my phones. i am just hesitating so much considering the phone is already so big :-/

km8j said:
thank you for finding this. imho - its the best case you can get. i have been using them on all of my phones. i am just hesitating so much considering the phone is already so big :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks interesting

Cimo Galaxy S5 Case on Amazon
ecksor said:
I've been using this one for all my GS phones. Very sturdy and not overly bulky plastic that looks much nicer in person. I need only the kickstand feature (the bottom part), can't say anything about the holster.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO8NI0Y/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&smid=AY3SA6XQV4F15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Galaxy S5 came in yesterday (AT&T). I'm thinking OtterBox but until those are ready I've ordered this beaut:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK075DW/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

maddix said:
My Galaxy S5 came in yesterday (AT&T). I'm thinking OtterBox but until those are ready I've ordered this beaut:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IK075DW/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this for the S3, the hinge got brittle and cracked. Just FYI.

ecksor said:
I've been using this one for all my GS phones. Very sturdy and not overly bulky plastic that looks much nicer in person. I need only the kickstand feature (the bottom part), can't say anything about the holster.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IO8NI0Y/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&smid=AY3SA6XQV4F15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was a contender, but I am gun shy on hard cases. I go to the beach frequently, and sometime end up with a little sand in my pockets. A hard case will rub sand into your phone. If even the tiniest amount gets under, your phone will have massive surface damage. Also, not the greatest corner protection for drops.
I REALLY like the kickstand.

Otterbox knock-off under $20 from eBay (iskyphone)
adrockr said:
I had this for the S3, the hinge got brittle and cracked. Just FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads-up. In fact I never opened that case and it has gone back.
For ~$18 including shipping I was able to order an Otterbox knock off from iskyphone on eBay (since removed but they claim it will be re-listed). Camo/orange, case is identical in the way it all goes together, and the belt clip doubles as the kickstand. It's not waterproof but the phone is so that's a wash imho. The case includes a built-in screen protector which I'm not a fan of. It's not the cleanest/clearest plastic but with the brightness of the phone you can't tell any difference (again, imho). Pressing around the edges can be tricky (aka pressing the 'a' key for example), but I suppose the screen needs protecting also.
All in all I'm happy with it and also not having spent an additional $42. Perhaps the official OB is better, but probably not two thirds better.
---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:04 PM ----------
adrockr said:
I had this for the S3, the hinge got brittle and cracked. Just FYI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maddix said:
Thanks for the heads-up. In fact I never opened that case and it has gone back.
For ~$18 including shipping I was able to order an Otterbox knock off from iskyphone on eBay (since removed but they claim it will be re-listed). Camo/orange, case is identical in the way it all goes together, and the belt clip doubles as the kickstand. It's not waterproof but the phone is so that's a wash imho. The case includes a built-in screen protector which I'm not a fan of. It's not the cleanest/clearest plastic but with the brightness of the phone you can't tell any difference (again, imho). Pressing around the edges can be tricky (aka pressing the 'a' key for example), but I suppose the screen needs protecting also.
All in all I'm happy with it and also not having spent an additional $42. Perhaps the official OB is better, but probably not two thirds better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Tree-Orange" --> http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Samsung...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item3f349d1d05 :good:

adrockr said:
I had never seen those before. Thanks! Definitely an option.
I am a bit wary of the girth of the item and how it might dig into my leg, or my jeans while the phone is in pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have a peek at the youtube videos on the flygrip , there very slim and sturdy i just got my flygrip gravity new style then the original , and just love it , i keep my phone in my jean pockets a lot to , but not skintight geans , just normal , and can never feel it. if you give it a try i almost cirtian you will never go back.
also can be removed with no damage to back of phone or case as it uses 3m adhesive double sided tape to attach .

While its still listed as "under development," I've had their cases on my TB, S3, Note II and as soon as their completed my S5.
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http://www.seidioonline.com/samsung-galaxy-s5-convert-case-holster-black-p/bd4-hkr4ssgs5.htm
Kinda $$, but IMO, well worth it.

ex-28 said:
have a peek at the youtube videos on the flygrip , there very slim and sturdy i just got my flygrip gravity new style then the original , and just love it , i keep my phone in my jean pockets a lot to , but not skintight geans , just normal , and can never feel it. if you give it a try i almost cirtian you will never go back.
also can be removed with no damage to back of phone or case as it uses 3m adhesive double sided tape to attach .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like an awesome product, but I have never even spent that much on a case, let alone a kickstand. $30 is pretty steep. I wonder if they ever go on sale.

adrockr said:
It looks like an awesome product, but I have never even spent that much on a case, let alone a kickstand. $30 is pretty steep. I wonder if they ever go on sale.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you on that oen , it costs me 30 buck for it and 13 to ship it to Canada , I think free or discount shipping code in the us is bbking77 might give a slight or free discount on shipping.

CZ Eddie said:
I haven't seen a decent case with a durable kickstand that is stable in both horizontal and vertical positions since the S3 was released (Qmadix case).
So, for my S4 I just found the coolest case and then cut a hole on the back and DIY'd my favorite kickstand (Qmadix) into it.
Unfortunately, that company no longer makes the kickstand case for any phones.
But a nice alternative is to get a stick-on kickstand.
http://www.mouseglider.com/pro1445718.html
Put it on any case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been thinking about this, and until a less sucky kickstand case becomes available, I have decided to revise the question:
What is the best kickstand case under 10 bucks that I can cannibalize to remove the kickstand (to then epoxy it to my favorite S5 non-kick case)?
Provisions:
1. All I need is the kickstand, it can be for any phone on the market. 10 year old phones even.
2. Must be able to stand vertical, and horizonal.
3. Cheap.
4. Preferably black.
Another way to phrase it might be...What is the best vertical kickstand case you have ever owned?
One vote from CZ Eddie on the q-madix case.
Anyone else?

adrockr said:
One vote from CZ Eddie on the q-madix case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ended up going with a Note 3. And I'm going to do the same DIY mod again because it worked so well last time. But this time, I'm going to take my time and make it have a NICER looking cutout. But here's my DIY thread if you want to check out how I did it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2488355
This time, I'm going to cut out the hole smaller than it needs to be. And then use a file to gently file the hole out to the correct dimensions. This should make it look more "stock" 'ish.
I recommend the Galaxy S3 Qmadix Metallix kickstand case for sourcing the kickstand part from. You can find it for $10 shipped if you look around.
---------- Post added at 12:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------
Btw, in the meantime I did use the stick-on kickstand. It works GREAT, even on my Note 3.
The only problem is it creates a bulge on the back of the case that makes it so the phone doesn't sit flat in my car and home docks. And when opened, the hole under the kickstand is just a bit too small for my normal sized fingers to go through, unlike the Qmadix kickstand which my fingers fit inside the loop great.