I have a pink/grey commuter case from otterbox. I have loved otterbox since my first case years ago. I may be off here but it seems to me they're getting a little shotty quality wise. My rubber seems to turn brown and attract every piece of dirt within a mile of it and now, I have just found, the pink has bled into the white on my phone and stained it. Is this the phone or the case being substandard here? I do love otterbox but I'm thinking its time to move on. What case can I look to for the same protection and reliability? What's the best/worst phone case in your opinion?
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
I'm a big fan of the Spigen Slim Armor and Spigen Neo Hybrid cases for this phone. High quality, fits like a GLOVE, not bulky at all, look great, and don't have the big lips like the otterbox that make dragging down the notification panel a hassle. Check out their site but buy from amazon, I think you can get the slim armor on amazon for less than 15 bucks at the moment.
I use an otterbox commuter for my s4 and it doesnt interfere with notifications panel at all.(that happens in the s2 commuter case)
Dunno about other colors but my black is holding up pretty good to daily abuse.
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Using Spiegen Slim Armor and View.
He gives better design but I'm thinking the Otterbox have better protection if you drop it unfortunately.
Well it's dépend if you take care about your phone or not.
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Siwandroid said:
Using Spiegen Slim Armor and View.
He gives better design but I'm thinking the Otterbox have better protection if you drop it unfortunately.
Well it's dépend if you take care about your phone or not.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I baby my s4 but accidents can happen thats why I use my commuter for most of the time(daily use) and my blue spigen slim armor when I go to parties etc. Lol
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sohail99 said:
I baby my s4 but accidents can happen thats why I use my commuter for most of the time(daily use) and my blue spigen slim armor when I go to parties etc. Lol
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's not bad. It's a good idea though
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These cases are built for war to thick for me. I tried it for a week and ordered me a smaller case. These cases are perfect for people who drop there phone alot there well built but I rather have an extended battery and a case if I'm gonna make my phone this bulky.
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Otterbox makes my phone feel like a brick so I went with spigen neo hybrid. Complete coverage and a little lip.
Sent from my Beastly powered S4 using Tapatalk 4
Just got a gift from a friend, Otterbox Commuter for S4, everything looks fine but the cutout for charging below the case seems not so accurate.
After the disaster which is the S3 Otterbox Defender, I have refused to recommend any Otterbox product to anyone. (the silicon would just keep stretching out of shape)
My GF's S3 Commuter fared slightly better with none of the silicone issues but the plastic shell cracked the first time she dropped the phone...
Fast forward to today... we're both using S4s and couldn't be happier with our Ballistic SG Maxxes. Truly a marvelous case which takes impacts and drops like a champ! The design of the S4 version is a little skimpy up top though but so far so [email protected]
I work in construction so I have a Defender on my s4. Holding up great so far. Thinking about picking up another smaller case for weekends.
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Spigen Slim Armor
I have been using the Otterbox Commuter cases over the last year and have been really happy with them. However I recently got the Blue Spigen Slim Armor and it is really impressive how it fits, quality of construction, buttons are easy to push, fits perfect and looks are better than anything I have seen thus far. Plus it matches my Grabber Blue Mustang GT. hahaha Really impressed with it.:good: So far it is the best case I have had on any phone in the last 10 years.
I really like my green commuter. It fits well and looks pretty cool. The construction of the case seems very tight; on some past otterboxes, it's seemed a bit "stretchy" and not as formfitting right out of the box, but this one is very nicely done. My only gripe was the charger cutout was too small, but a kitchen knife and some diligence solved that problem rather quickly.
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I had a similar problem with the charging port on my marine/dark blue commuter case. I didn't want to carve up the case, so I just ground the plug down a little with my dremel tool. I figured if I screwed it up I could always get another OEM charger. So far it works fine. I ground down to metal, but a quick check with Galaxy Charging Current shows that my charge values are unaffected. Is this a common problem with the Otterbox Commuter?
My first thought was that I got a fake one, but the box had the hologram sticker on top, website on back, sku sticker on bottom. The silicone lining seems firm and tight with no sagging. Most of the fake vs real videos on youtube stressed the cheap and floppy silicone lining in the fake Otterboxes. Mine seems fairly stiff and fits well.
I was originally eyeing off the commuter cases but after reading the whole screen cracking thread, I went with the defender. This is possibly the best case I've ever had on a smartphone. The plastic inside shell is fairly sturdy which I love because I carry my phone in my pocket all the time and I was worried about having torsion dmg.
P.S: I'm also looking at getting the neon blue spigen slim armor but I'm still not convinced on the sturdiness yet. I so do not want to have to go through samsung warranty for anything. ~_~
Related
I wanted something cheap to hold me over until the more established case companies released something. I have the white s4, and like the white on white look so i started my search on Amazon.com because of the prime shipping and wanted something quick.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C6OG8RM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
the case arived the next day and to my suprise it fit like a glove, it had a nice "grippy" feel while in hand, but not in the pocket. It is a very slim case barely adds any bulk.
All in all for a cheap temporary $10 case, it actually suprised me and i love that its slim. But due to the lack of material because it is so minimalistic, i would still be scared if it dropped...But atleast it protects from scratches and raises the screen and camera off of surfaces.
Rating - 8/10
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Good to know. I'm gonna order it for tomorrow. Appreciate the heads up. I have the Supcase Slim Fit case coming today. I have the Spigen ultra slim fit case also, but it doesn't fit surprisingly. I don't think there is a difference in size compared to the UK S4,so maybe it was a factory error. But I've never tri the Cimo cases. Good stuff! Ty
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love my cimo S-line case, glad to hear their other products are equally as good. Thanks for the review.
Hi
I'm just looking for some advice.
I'm using a Spigen Slim Armour currently and whilst I love the case I find it's a little bit slippery and the lip on the front is a little too shallow for my liking.
I cant decide whether to get an Otterbox Commuter or Cygnett Workmate. I've never owned cases from either but Otterbox is a brand name I recognise.
I like the workmates protection --- the drop test is convincing but there are reports about the charging port being too small.
The otterbox looks like it might be a bit slippery and may not offer the same protection.
Any advice welcome!
Im using an Otterbox Commuter right now, it's not that slippery though but kinda bulky compared to Spigen..
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m.garz said:
Im using an Otterbox Commuter right now, it's not that slippery though but kinda bulky compared to Spigen..
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I happy with a bit of extra bulk for the extra protection. The spigen is very stylish but I'm not sure how well it will strand up to being dropped.. and it's pretty slippery!!
If I were you I'd go with the workmate. But I personally use the UAG navigator case.
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Go for Otterbox Defender (if you don't mind the size). :good:
I realised I wrote defender..I meant the commuter case. The defender is just too heavy duty for me.
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JayceOoi said:
Go for Otterbox Defender (if you don't mind the size). :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
otterbox defender; agreed.
Thanks..I've looked at the defender but it's just too bulky for my liking.
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I currently use an otterbox commuter. I think for the protection it offers it's not that bulky.
It still easily fits in the breast pocket of my military uniform without being all that noticeable.
Plus otterbox has awesome customer service and warranty. I've gotten several brand new cases from them over the years when port covers broke off or if I had other issues with the case.
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Just got the Cygnett Workmate Evolution today. It's a bit bulky but I dont mind because it's going to protect the phone. One thing that I just noticed and you also pointed it out was the phone charger wouldn't go in and it's true. I'm using the stock charger that came with my phone. I'm probably going to get a new charger or return the case.
I have the commuter and I love it.
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Figsalan101 said:
Just got the Cygnett Workmate Evolution today. It's a bit bulky but I dont mind because it's going to protect the phone. One thing that I just noticed and you also pointed it out was the phone charger wouldn't go in and it's true. I'm using the stock charger that came with my phone. I'm probably going to get a new charger or return the case.
Click to expand...
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Thanks.. I'm sorry it doesn't fit. I think I read on xda that they were changing the design.
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Bradden1 said:
Thanks.. I'm sorry it doesn't fit. I think I read on xda that they were changing the design.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to worry. Yes, the charging port is too small (narrow) for the stock S4 charger, but one sharp knife and five minutes later... problem solved.
I received my Workmate Evolution earlier this week, and got my S4 this morning. Sure enough, the charging port was too narrow. I took a sharp knife and raked it across the upper and lower surfaces of the case's port, holding the blade at a 90° angle to the surface. Thus, abrading it rather than cutting it. Took about five minutes.
In Cygnett's defense, the OEM charger plug is much bigger than any other micro USB cable plug I own.
Hours into owning the phone, I can say I'm happy with both it and the Cygnett case.
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+1 for otterbox.
I've been using it since iphone 4.
I recall dropping it from 6 feet on concrete.
The corner of hard shell broke but my iphone was flawless. They also sent me a replacement case and honoured on their lifetime warranty policy.
As for s4 commuter, I personally find it a 'little' slippery but not as much as a naked s4.
Bradden1 said:
Hi
I'm just looking for some advice.
I'm using a Spigen Slim Armour currently and whilst I love the case I find it's a little bit slippery and the lip on the front is a little too shallow for my liking.
I cant decide whether to get an Otterbox Commuter or Cygnett Workmate. I've never owned cases from either but Otterbox is a brand name I recognise.
I like the workmates protection --- the drop test is convincing but there are reports about the charging port being too small.
The otterbox looks like it might be a bit slippery and may not offer the same protection.
Any advice welcome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I absolutely love both Otterbox and Cygnett. In the past, I've had issues with Otterbox's silicone warping out of shape. The new one on my wife's HTC One (which is identical to the one I tested on my S4 earlier) is way better than the older versions. Went with Cygnett this time purely based on aesthetics as I think the Cygnett looks wayyyyyy better.
The main differences in protection are that the commuter cases have the hard polycarbonate closer to the edges, while cygnett offers a wider tpu layer. The lip above the screen on the workmate is slightly higher than that of the Commuter. Cygnett's TPU is harder though I can't offer an opinion on if its better or worse (though it means the fit on the Cygnett is slightly better, espcially around the sections where the hard bits clamp around the soft bits). I think the hard shell is thinner but the TPU thicker on the workmate
Usage wise, the Cygnett is slightly grippier than the otterbox. The button presses slightly less mushy. The edge of the lip on the front is sharper and you'll notice it though it's not uncomfortable. I like the fact that the ports are uncovered, but the reports are right. The hole for the USB port is too narrow. I can't fit the original cable in, however it's not a deal breaker for me as I have 3 other cables and chargers. Nothing a sharp hobby knife can't fix though.
To be honest, unless the sharper edge on the front lip or usb port hole size are deal breakers, I would recommend the Cygnett. That being said, both are pretty good cases, and you can't go wrong with either when it comes to protection.
Bradden1 said:
Thanks.. I'm sorry it doesn't fit. I think I read on xda that they were changing the design.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ended up grinding down the sides of my charger just a bit. My charger still looks new and you cant really tell that i modified it. I can charge my phone now
h3lluvaninjuhneer said:
Cygnett WorkMate Evolution in grey....
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Pics...
Bradden1 said:
Hi
I'm just looking for some advice.
I'm using a Spigen Slim Armour currently and whilst I love the case I find it's a little bit slippery and the lip on the front is a little too shallow for my liking.
I cant decide whether to get an Otterbox Commuter or Cygnett Workmate. I've never owned cases from either but Otterbox is a brand name I recognise.
I like the workmates protection --- the drop test is convincing but there are reports about the charging port being too small.
The otterbox looks like it might be a bit slippery and may not offer the same protection.
Any advice welcome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i bought the WorkMate over the weekend. love the case.
http://www.frys.com/product/7651437?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
super tough bounced across the floor a few times already and no scuffs or anything removes easy to change out the battery and/or SD card
Hey figsalan101,
Nick here form Cygnett, mate.
Sorry to hear about that the charger port isn't lining up correctly with the WorkMate Evolution, we have had a few reports of this happening.
The issue of the charging port has been fixed and all of the cases we are introducing into the market now are working correctly. You entitled to a refund or exchange at the point of purchase if you'd like to.
Regards,
Nick
I went for the black Cygnett Workmate Evolution in the end and love it - thanks for the advice.
The ports are all correct - I bought it directly from Cygnett's website and I guess they have fixed the issues with the earlier ones.
The buttons are still a little stiff even after a couple of weeks use.. but it's a small price to pay for the protection.
I have dropped it once already when getting out of my car. It bounced on my driveway a couple of time without any visible damage.
I still like my Spigen Neo Hybrid, Slim Armour and UAG Scout but none offer the protection I need at work... and excellent grip.
I am a casual user. I want a case that is well-built, will last long, gives adequate protection, yet does not add much bulk. Originally, I liked the Neo Hybrid, but after some more research, I read that it is not very well-built as the outer layer breaks at the USB cable port.
I don't usually drop my phone, but it happens. I'd like the case to be aesthetically pleasing too.
Thanks.
Also, what case colors would go well with a black S4?
I too was disappointed with the neo hybrid. The style is awesome but with it breaking at the thin spot above the USB port and the color flaking off is a big issue. Sad too that the customer service is one of the worst in the industry.
I have been looking for something like it but haven't made my mind up yet.
Sent from my SGS4. Go Blue!! Buck the Fuc keyes!!
grangth the
I'm using the samsung protective cover + now. I like the way it feels in the hand a lot more than the neo hybrid case
I have the spigen slim aromor and its awesome!! I just got a poetic atmosphere from Amazon and will be rocking that for a while!!
It was 9 bucks, super thin and has a nice lip for face down screen protection. Looks sick on my white s4!!
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I'm on the hunt as well. I might still get the NEO though. I've only seen a couple people complain about the brake point and you never know how hard people are on there phones.
The others I'm thinking about:
UAG - Might be too bulky and "industrial" looking though. Has reviews on xda.
supcase - I'm not sure if I like the style, but I don't think it will be very bulky. Has reviews on xda.
puregear dualtek - I think the fat corners might be too bulky on this one, but gets good-ish reviews on amazon
obliq xtreme pro - kinda like a mix of the spigen armor and the uag.... still might be too industrial for me though. Has reviews on xda.
acase Acase makes some decent stuff for the price... I've owned an acase before for a tablet. This kinda looks like an incipio clone.
cruzerlite - cheap and has good amazon reviews.... might have reviews on xda... I can't remember.
I'm very much leaning towards the NEO. I'll buy it w/ a credit card (credit cards add a year extension to your warranty, did you know that?) through amazon. If I have any issues w/ it and spigen doesn't respond, I'll go through those channels (which are pretty fast).
If there is a spigen father's day sale this weekend... I'll get the NEO... otherwise I may not.
Whats your thoughts?
Yea the neo hybrid is very nice I have it on my phone. I was gonna get an otterbox but it added way to much bulk.
Sent from my galaxy s4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I have a UAG and love it. Had one for my s3, iPhone 5, and now for my s4. Every one has been better than the one before.
Their customer service is awesome as well. I'll probably a customer for life. :thumbup:
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The DBA Cases Ultra is a good case and they sell for $25. Here is one of my favorite color combination but they have over 40 avaliable.
sent from my 32gb + 32gb S4
Well I have the neo hybrid and have no problems with it so far.
I just received my package of Neo Hybrid case and it is so awesome!
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VienCervantes said:
I just received my package of Neo Hybrid case and it is so awesome!
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 awesome case
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http://www.urbanarmorgear.com/collections/samsung-galaxy-s4/
mployen acarcely
If you want no bulk, you can go for PARFITI case.
Tunewear also gets some slim cases.
see what colors you want.
I am more into eye catching color. So I have ordered one from PARFITI. Awaiting to it
Go for a UAG case, they are awesome protection and don't add too much bulk. The Spigen cases look nice (slim armor and neo hybrid) but I don't think they offer much protection against drops. I have the Slim Armor and never used it as I feel I will crack my screen if I drop my phone screen first. Uag highly recommended by me
Sent from Flip's Galaxy S4
I think people are obsessed with protection.
I just received the Neo Hybrid and it seems to be a perfect armor. At least, for a daily protection. Actually, for me it's too thick: the bumper is like 3mm while in the front and back it's just 0,8mm, which is perfect because it makes the screen and the camera not to touch any surface.
http://www.otterbox.com/samsung-galaxy-s4-cases/samsung-galaxy-s4-cases,default,sc.html
try on of them in the list at the link.. Otter are very good case company their case comes
with 1 year warranty coverage too!
I love my otterbox commuter I have it in white with my white s4 best all around case.
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Are there keyboard flip cases out there?
just posted this in its own thread but you should check it out
I originally bought the Neo Hybrid myself, and I really liked the looks and size, but the one fault I couldn't look over was that it didn't fit my favorite gym headphones. I would've kept the case if it wasn't for that.
I went with the Slim Armor. It adds slightly more bulk thickness wise, but it's actually a little less wide. Not sure if it was because of the color combination of the Neo Hybrid (dante red), but the Slim Armor (metal slate) actually looks smaller.
I currently have an otterbox Commuter case and I think it's on the bulky side. Would getting something like the UAG case be better and offer the same protection from drops? I'd assume that the thicker the case is the more protected?
The UAG case -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CJY8ZSO/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_us?ie=UTF8
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after reading about fake UAG cases I'm reluctant to buy one from Amazon unless it is ship and sold by Amazon. last year I unknowingly bought a fake Speck Candyshell case for my wife's S3 that was only fulfilled by Amazon. Their current prices seem too good to be true for a case that was released 2 months ago.
HKSpeed said:
after reading about fake UAG cases I'm reluctant to buy one from Amazon unless it is ship and sold by Amazon. last year I unknowingly bought a fake Speck Candyshell case for my wife's S3 that was only fulfilled by Amazon. Their current prices seem too good to be true for a case that was released 2 months ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always buy directly from Amazon for this reason. It's worth the few extra dollars. What is your opinion on the cases I mentioned?
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I don't like the UAG, which I think is overrated. I had one on a previous phone and I didn't like it all. The plastic feels cheap. The top and bottom edges of the case are not hard plastic, only the sides are. Adds bulk.
I always like Speck Candyshells, which I had on previous devices. I immediately got a Candyshell for my S4.
Pros:
-hard plastic on all 4 edges
-slim
Cons:
-scratches show easily on dark color models
-slippery, but there's a grip model
Protection is good. I had it on my Galaxy Note 2 (which is 41% heavier than the S4) and dropped it a few times without any resulting damage.
The Otterbox is too bulky. I would only get that if I worked in construction or similar.
Read this thread. I have both but overall I feel the uag is the better case. I know rock the element eclipse case.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2334795
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For as boring as Otterbox cases are they are in my opinion still the most well built cases out there. I have a commuter case right now and one of the samsung cases as well, I havent seen another case that will protect as well as the commuter that is as well built. On a side note the commuter case with the Spigen Glas.t nano is amazing.
I had the commuter with my GS2 and I have the UAG case on my GS4, but I have seen the commuter for the GS4 in person.
From what I read, the biggest risk to the phone is the screen breaking, and apparently, the greatest chance of this happening is when the phone is dropped and it lands on a corner. The UAG case has extra protection on the corners more so than for the commuter.
Personally I like the UAG case because it is lighter and not as bulky and offers just as good if not better corner impact protection. The lip around the screen is not at high as the commuter, but it is enough that if you put the phone screen side down, it is elevated off a flat surface.
Otter box is bad lol. Ruins the phone. Worsens signal to. Took mine back and got the neo hybrid
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Thanks you guys. Very helpful. I ordered the UAG case.
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Rofl what, does not affect the signal at all. The commuter is rubber in the corners and hard plastic everywhere else. No different than the UAG. The UAG is one piece vs commuter two piece, so count that as a pro or con with your preference. I believe the screen is better protected on the front ie a larger lip on the front face. Just dont go saying silly things like it affects the signal.
I need a very slim case. One that doesn't add much bulk, I already have tempered glass installed on it. Not too worried about protection. Slimmer/thinner than the spigen, Diztronic. Thank you in advance..
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I just ordered a few cases so I will let you know when they come in. I am/was looking for the same.
JC
I ordered 2 of those 0.3mm Chineese cases at 1 dollar. If you do not want those look at Incipio/Spigen/Ringke Slim or Case Mate barely there
Bump
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Here is what I use. I don't think you can get any slimmer than this.
[]Rinkge Slim Case S5
I also got the Rinkge slim case linked above. So far, so good. It adds very little bulk. I almost bought the Diztronic slim TPU case similar to what I used for 2 years on my S3, but decided against it because of how it looked. The Diztronic protected my old phone from many a fall and withstood the wear and tear of daily use. Heck, I'm selling my S3 with the Diztronic as an added feature. Before making my final decision I was torn between the Rinkge and the Spigen Slim Utra Fit case. I never tested the Spigen, but a friend had the Rinkge case and I liked what I saw. Nothing to say about protection and durability yet as I only have the case for two weeks. Would like to hear from folks that bought the Spigen Slim Ultra Fit case to compare notes.
I just got in a slim armor and a neo hybrid.
Both are great cases, neither overly bulky.
I honestly prefer the slim armor. The neo is just a thin plastic frame, outside edge coverage only, around a thin tpu skin direct to the phone.
The slim armor is marginally more bulky, yet it seems much more durable and protective.
The bonus of both cases is they are a super perfect fit and EASY to get in and out of the pocket of even tightish jeans. The buttons and charging port are easy access (better on the slim armor) and the case wont try to come off when you take it out of your pocket.
These things are a laser tight fit. I was going to go trident for my case as I did with my epic 4g touch....... but I don't think I need to yet.
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I have the Ringke, it's ok but it has 0 sex appeal(our phone needs it, because ew). I can't deal with the Spigen, I can't believe they put 'Auto Focus' below the lense. It bothers me greatly. It's not a lauded feature so I don't need some cheese wording below my camera.
This case on Amazon has fair reviews, about to order it myself.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Case-GreatShield-Packaging/dp/B00KFQAZRW#customerReviews
Anybody have the ringke slim dot view case that can speak on if it retains the blue dye from Blue jeans? Thinking about getting the white one but worried about it turning another color.
If anyone has pics that would be great.
I bought the Spigen Ultra Fit Black and I using tempered glass the phone looks great. I am happy with it. See the photos :thumbup:
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