I went a little case crazy the last couple of weeks. I have had the Seidio Dual Pro since I purchased the phone in June, but have been looking for something more substantial. I tried the Otterbox Defender and returned it a day later. The lint and hair that gathers under the plastic screen was driving me nuts. If it was not for that and the creaking of the case when held firmly, I would have kept it and my search would have been over.
The Incipio Dual Pro is still my favorite as far as comfort. It is a simple dual layer case with a very thin silicon inner layer and a nice grippy outer shell. It slips in and out of pockets easily, but provides the least amount of protection. The lip is very shallow and provides just enough clearance you will not scratch the screen face down.
The Trident Aegis is in between the Incipio and Seidio regarding protection. It also follows the traditional setup of a silicon inner layer and hard outer case. It is noticeable thicker than the Incipio. The protective silicon layer is nearly twice as thick and the corners are heavily reinforced. The lip is also a bit deeper. I liked this case, but wanted something that felt more substantial; similar to an Otterbox, but without the screen.
So today my Seidio Convert arrived, and it is perfect for my needs. First off, it comes with two cases and a holster (the holster only works with the heavy case, but you can order a thin holster separately). The first case is the Seidio Surface. It is a snug fitting plastic case that is lined with a felt type of material. This case snaps together from the top and bottom and feels very secure. The grip is excellent. I work in many different conditions and grip is very important to me. I have dropped several phones over the years when my hands get sweaty. I have no worries with this one. I feel the protection is close to that of the Incipio Dual Pro.
When you need that extra level of protection you convert the Surface Case by adding a very heavy thick rubber silicon layer over the top of the Surface Case. Then clip on the plastic outer backing that holds everything together. The three layers combine to offer a level of protection that exceeds the Otterbox Defender, in my opinion. The lip is very deep. There is no way anything can hit the screen if you drop it on a floor or sidewalk. The holster is very high quality. They redesigned it a couple of years ago and have added a lock to ensure it stays in the holster. The only thing I would change is the pin they use on the clip. I would have preferred a metal pin over the plastic one. The icing on the cake for me is the built in kick stand. I video chat with my kids every day when they get home from school and the stand works perfectly for that. The stand is built into the surface case so you can use it both ways. The other unique feature I have not seen before is the cover for the camera. A rubber flap protects the lens and then folds back and clips into the case when you want to use the camera.
The larger heavier cases take a little getting used to, but the transition was no more difficult than when we all moved from small screen phones to the Galaxy S4, and the added protection for me is worth it. I hope this mini review is helpful for someone. I will try to add pictures this weekend if I get a chance.
Related
I ordered one of these off of Amazon Friday when I got my Nexus
goo.gl/qpBr
I ordered through DayDeals. I received the two halves that snap together, but no belt clip
I want to note that the sides not shown in the picture are white, and it makes viewing the sides inconsistent and kinda ugly. It fits like a very tight glove except for the top left corner. It doesn't snap down all the way.
The case is very light, and in my opinion flimsy. I don't care too much about protecting it from light scratches, as I've ordered a full-body skin from Zagg to do that. I want to protect it from accidental drops, and I don't think this case can do that for me.
It flexes easily and unnecessarily.
I do like it shape, if it were to snap down completely. It leaves the entire screen open for my fingers to fing, and all controls are easily accessible, no ports or holes are covered up.
I also noticed that having a case prevents my hand from touching the screen and screwing up the points at which the screen recognizes input.
However this is overshadowed by the fact that the case provides less friction or grip than the phone without the case. I found the phone would slip slowly out of my palms while trying to type in horizontal mode.
Pros:
Nicely shaped
Doesn't cover holes or controls
Very light and unobtrusive
Improves accuracy with touch screen
Cons:
Did not include belt clip
Flimsy
Slippery
Does not fully fit over the phone
Unlikely to protect the phone in case of accidental drops
Overall I would give this product 3 points on a scale of 10. For less than $10 I didn't really expect much. I'd much prefer a Body Glove hard shell case similar to the one I had with my MT3G.
I got the same case and have the exact same issues. Already ordered a TPU case to replace it.
I have the same case as well, and would have to say that I agree with all your points... one thing (maybe the only thing) I like about the case is that it didn't add a whole lot of bulk, and still fits in my Case Logic holster which already had a snug fit for the phone.
I got two of these off ebay and both fit the phone perfectly. I know what you're talking about with regards to fit though. I ran into the same problem with similar cases for the G1 several times.
Case-Mate Naked Tough Case for Note 4
I started with Tough line for Galaxy S2: a dual layer case from high quality polycarbonate slid cover and a full cover internal TPU lining. It was a really tough case resisting to any impact and still alive, 4 years later. You could be safe with the device dropping from anywhere. Then, 2 years later, the Tough case for Galaxy S4. The back polycarbonate cover got a bit lighter with much less ma terial at the phone edges, bottom corners and around the hardware buttons. It still provided a good protection, despite being more vulnerable at the edges only protected by the TPU lining.
Now, 2 years later, I got the Naked Tough case for Note 4. It is a real deception. Bye bye the dual layer protection. The back cover is cheap plastic instead of the polycarbonate. The internal TPU cover is replaced by a semi-hard plastic lining around the phone edges. There is no significant shock absorption that can be provided by such a hard plastic material. The back cover is a completely flat surface that provides no grip. The edges protecting the screen are that semi-hard plastic, also with a completely flat and slippery surface. Either holding the phone in hands or taking it from a table, you must be careful to avoid it slipping from your hands. Finally, the back camera is not protected and gets in contact with the surface where you put the phone. Expect no protection to the camera lens in case of a fall on the back side.
I looked at the 50 bucks CARBON ALLOY CASE model: seems the dual layer protection is also absent and there is no mention of a TPU internal lining. It is probably the same semi-hard useless plastic.
On their web site, they also censored my review to their product!
Negative:
- expensive for a plastic case
- no soft TPU material to provide shock absorption
- flat and slippery surface providing no secure grip for the phone
- back cover is a cheap plastic material
- back camera lens is not protected and gets in contact with the surfaces where you put the phone
Positive:
- the buttons and connectors are perfectly aligned with the case openings
Recommendation:
I don't recommand case-mate line any more, seeing the way they are going...
The samsung geniune case has none of these flows
This case is unusual because of the way it features dual protection. Most cases with soft silicone or TPU have a separate case that then snaps into the hard case. Sometimes (like the Otterbox Defender), the soft case is outside the hard case. The Speck has a soft case inside a hard case, but they are a single piece. I expected it to be hard to get the M9 into the case, but in fact it was easy. Removal is a bit more difficult, because rigid back makes it a bit hard to bend - but you won't want to remove it!
The case fits like a glove - probably better than just about any other case I've seen. The hard shell combined with the soft rubber provides great drop protection, and the rubber wraps around the screen to protect it when face down. There is a cutout for the IR sensor on top and the power / earplug jack on the bottom, plus a place for the microphone and camera in back. The volume and power keys are integrated into the case with rubber extensions. Everything works great.
The case holds very well with a single hand because of the rubber grips on the back, and it looks simply outstanding - I have the gunmetal gray M9, but because the design covers the entire phone, it will look the same with the dual tone color model.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UV3V34I
I was thinking about getting the candyshell as well but I was torn between the UAG case and the Candyshell. They both work the same way but I went with UAG instead because I was scared the rubber grips at the back would pick up lint in my pockets. Does it pick up lint in your pocket as well?
Androidian10 said:
I was thinking about getting the candyshell as well but I was torn between the UAG case and the Candyshell. They both work the same way but I went with UAG instead because I was scared the rubber grips at the back would pick up lint in my pockets. Does it pick up lint in your pocket as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I just saw your post. I never carry mine in the pocket, but the rubber is not the same as the "lint magnets" I have used in the past. I think it will be OK.
For one thing, the rubber is in small strips - less area to pick up lint, but when combined it is great for gripping.
Hello! Poetic kindly provided me with both their Affinity and Revolution cases for review. As there are a bunch of similar threads here on XDA, I'll try to keep this post brief but informative.
General
One overarching statement I can make about these cases is that they have very distinctive designs, and probably won't appeal to those who appreciate a more minimalist aesthetic (e.g. those who use a Diztronic TPU or Spigen Slim Fit case). Style preferences, are, of course, objective, so I'll try to evaluate design based on function as much as form.
Affinity
Click here to buy it on Amazon.com
Album of pics here
Look and Feel - The case I received has an updated design (compared to the image currently on the Amazon page); the "P" logo is now between the cutouts for the microphone and fingerprint sensor, and the "Affinity" branding has been completely removed. I appreciate these changes, as it no longer obscures the phone's own "nexus" logo and overall reduces visual clutter. I've found the clear polycarbonate to be quite the fingerprint magnet; having not used any other clear cases to compare against, I'm not sure if this is a common thing or not. Hard TPU runs along the back, wraps around the corners, camera cutout, and buttons; however, the sides are a glossy plastic with raised bumps. I'm not fond of this plastic because while it does provide some extra grip, it's not quite as comfortable to hold as the rubber ridges on my Speck Candyshell Grip case. The slim profile of this case adds imperceptible bulk to the phone.
Cutouts - I've found no issues with cutouts for the ports, camera, or fingerprint sensor. Regarding the latter, the edge is pretty steeply bevelled, but doesn't feel sharp when I glide my finger over it. The thin profile of the case makes it not really an issue.
Protection - Speaking of the thin profile, the upper lip barely extends beyond the phone's screen; this is great for people who use (practically) edge-to-edge screen protectors. However, there is still enough of a lip for you to not worry about placing the phone face-down on a surface without a screen protector. Having TPU around all four corners should provide a little extra drop protection, as well. I haven't used the case long enough to see whether the TPU on the rear actually reduces scratching of the clear polycarbonate
Final Thoughts - This is a great case for someone looking for a clear back, but also wanting a bit more grip and drop protection than other clear cases on the market.
4/5 stars
Revolution
Click here to buy it on Amazon.com
Album of pics here
Look and Feel - This case is colossal with distinct, military/industrial styling. Personally, I don't really like the fake screws or seemingly-whimsical use of glossy TPU along the sides; if it provides no specific function, I don't think it needs to be a visual element (aside from some branding), in my opinion. If the hard polycarbonate back plate was really bolted onto the second TPU layer, that my opinion would've been different. The Nexus 6P is already a pretty large phone, and this case definitely makes it feel quite a bit bulkier. However, I really like the subtle texture of the TPU along the sides and button covers; it adds a nice amount of grip to an otherwise unwieldy case.
Cutouts - The headphone jack and USB-C ports are guarded by hard plastic and covered with TPU flaps; while I've found no fit issues with my headphones or stock charging cable, those with particularly bulky headphone jacks might run into issues, though the USB port opening is fairly generous. There's a much more gradual bevel towards the fingerprint sensor than with the Affinity case.
Protection - This case is obviously all about protection. The phone is first clipped into a plastic bumper with a built-in plastic screen protector before it's inserted into the TPU/plastic hybrid layer. This thing will be very resilient against drops! Having port covers is great protection against dust. Unfortunately, I found the built-in screen protector to be more of a hindrance than help, as there was a noticeable air gap between the plastic and the tempered glass protector on my phone's screen. This significantly decreased touch sensitivity, and I'd recommend just removing it in favour of a protector directly applied to your phone's screen.
Extra features - Aside from the Seidio Surface, I haven't seen any other phone cases with a built-in kickstand. This one is made of metal and feels very solid - a great addition for those who like watching media and like propping up their phone to do so. There is also a carabiner clip made of the same TPU as the rest of the case, increasing portability as this case is definitely not compatible for those who wear slim-fitting jeans.
Final thoughts - If you work in construction or any other rough/rugged environment, I'd recommend this case for the glut of protective features, short of waterproofness. However, its significant bulk and questionable styling makes me pause to recommend it to an average/casual user who doesn't need this level of protection.
3.5/4 stars
Just received the Poetic Affinity clear case with black TPU lining and I have to say it's one of the better cases I've used so far with my G5. The case is actually VERY thin, similar to a scap on polycarbonate case but there's the added benefit of the TPU accents on the insides of the case as well as the rim, top and bottom of the case. The corners - where the point of impact during a drop is most likely to occur - is reinforced with shock absorbing TPU but it's not over the top. Since it's TPU, I haven't had any issues with pocket lint. I have another case that is made of polycarbonate, and has a TPU boarder but that one lifts my screen protector, this one doesn't. That clear TPU on that other one is also turning slightly yellow. Since this one is mostly polycarbonate with a but of black TPU, I don't see that issue arising any time soon. I also like that the TPU accents on the back of the case also adds grip while the phone is on a slippery table.
I would imagine the back of case would also get less scratches over time since it's not making much contact with the surface on the table. I am pretty satisfied with this case since I was looking for a way show off the natural look of my gold G5 without sacrificing drop protection or worrying about yellowing TPU.
Positives:
> Lightweight and thin - adds very little bulk, similar to the other clear snap on cases on the market while providing more protection where it's needed
> Fits and is compatible with regular PET screen protectors - having used another clear polycarbonate case with TPU sides, this one does not cause my screen protector to bubble. It covers the trim of the phone right up to the screen protector.
> TPU lip provides enough spacing on the front so you can place it face down on a table or ground
> Raised ridges on the sides of the case which improves grip
> Cutouts on the top and bottom are precise - dead on
> Volume rocker buttons are precise and I get solid feedback when pressing them - no mushy volume buttons (something I've come across with another case already)
> Cutout for the fingerprint reader is large and not recessed - finger fits comfortably even if you have long nails
Not so good:
> Surprisingly difficult to put on and take off - The fit is much on point and that might be a good thing in terms of keeping out dust, but it was a bit tough to remove from the phone when I first got it. It gets easier once you remove it a few times but the case truly fits the G5 like a glove and a bit of force is required in order to pop the corners out. It does not scratch the phone but I have to say it is tougher to remove in comparison to other cases I've used including Spigen and UAG.
Thinking of getting this for my oneplus 3 but worried about yellow fade and scratches. How's yours going on till this day? @Kawaisa