So I decided to do a review on a case which I've been using since my HTC One M7 days. It's the Urban Armor Gear case. This is my first ever review so I do apologise if it seems a bit biased but I'll try and make it as honest as possible.
Let's start off with some basic overview of the product itself.
The UAG Rugged Case for the HTC One M9 is a fused composite case that consists of a hard polycarbonate plastic and soft (but rigid to the feel) rubber. I personally love the military design of the back of the case. The rugged feeling is further enchanced by the rubber bolts that are near the edge of the case. The corners have rubber bumpers that absorbs impact from a drop on the corner of the device because let's face it, no device drops face down all the time right? A new addition from the old M7 case is the grips on the side of the case. I did find myself trying to grip my M7 firmly when I took it out of my pocket with the old case that didn't have the grips at the side but with the new M9 case, the added side grips are a godsend. While not everyone is into the solidness and rugged feel, I personally LOVE it.
Picking it up, you can immediately feel how solidly built it is with the plastic and rubber construction. It definitely adds some heft to the device but there's always two sides to a coin. I personally love the added weight because it tells me that I have a quallity product in my hands and I'm not afraid that anything will dent at all should a drop occur. Doing some research, there are other cases out there that have similar features like the Otterbox series of cases. I find that two seperate pieces is way too troublesome for me as assembly and deassembly can be a pain whereas the UAG can easily slip in and out although it's a bit difficult to get it out once it's in there which is good so I know that my M9 won't fly out of the case anytime soon lol.
Everyone knows about that shiny black top on the M9 right? It's the IR Blaster. UAG has actually thought of that and made a cut out at the top of the case for the IR! A nice addition! The only problem that I could find with the case after about one week of use is that the buttons are a bit hard to press straight out of the box. You need a period of "burn-in" for the rubber at the buttons to soften up before it feels normal to press. Another thing is the lack of colour options on the website. It's currently available in Ash (Smoked) and Maverick (Transparent) which is really little compared to when I had the M7 and it had colours like Aero, Outland and so on. I do hope UAG brings those colour options back for the M9.
Other than that, I really have nothing else to say about it. It's a rugged and solidly built case and I really like it a lot. It has both beauty and protection in one. Not many cases have both. If you're in the market for a rugged case and don't like the hassle of a seperate piece case like Otterbox, look no further than UAG.
I hope I wasn't too biased in this first mini review of mine. Do add your opinion in the posts below. I'd love to hear what others think of UAG's recent colour options like ash and maverick as compared to the solid colours.
Looking for a new case myself. Was kind of sold on the tech 21 but I've never had uag before and might invest..
dladz said:
Looking for a new case myself. Was kind of sold on the tech 21 but I've never had uag before and might invest..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're into the rugged protection type, then UAG is for you. But if you're into the slim cases or TPU cases, you might find that UAG cases adds a bit of weight and thickness to the phone.
Androidian10 said:
If you're into the rugged protection type, then UAG is for you. But if you're into the slim cases or TPU cases, you might find that UAG cases adds a bit of weight and thickness to the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I could get away with it then I'd probably go without a case, but weirdly on the flip side to that, out of the cases I have had, I don't mind chunky ones, I'm not a small bloke by any means and have pretty big hands ( note 4 was no problem) having said that, I've just ordered the verge versus in titanium, that's a two parter, next pay day which is a few days I'm going to get a few of them, uag, spigen hybrid and if I can find a tough case with the dot style then I'll be more than happy with that. I'd prefer not lose a feature.
dladz said:
If I could get away with it then I'd probably go without a case, but weirdly on the flip side to that, out of the cases I have had, I don't mind chunky ones, I'm not a small bloke by any means and have pretty big hands ( note 4 was no problem) having said that, I've just ordered the verge versus in titanium, that's a two parter, next pay day which is a few days I'm going to get a few of them, uag, spigen hybrid and if I can find a tough case with the dot style then I'll be more than happy with that. I'd prefer not lose a feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you could take a look at the Speck cases as well. I used to have the candyshell on my old old iPhone 3G S. Was a pretty good case with dual protection as well. I was choosing between the UAG and Candyshell as well. I'm planning on getting the Candyshell Grip for my next case.
Androidian10 said:
Maybe you could take a look at the Speck cases as well. I used to have the candyshell on my old old iPhone 3G S. Was a pretty good case with dual protection as well. I was choosing between the UAG and Candyshell as well. I'm planning on getting the Candyshell Grip for my next case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting on the verge to be delivered, I'm a massive fan of Tech 21 as they've actually revolutionized the technology, also they can accommodate a phone with minimal footprint.
I've never heard of speck but i'll have a nose and see what they have to offer.
Strictly speaking i would love to have the hunter f for my phone but i doubt they'll make one, best looking cases period.
dladz said:
Still waiting on the verge to be delivered, I'm a massive fan of Tech 21 as they've actually revolutionized the technology, also they can accommodate a phone with minimal footprint.
I've never heard of speck but i'll have a nose and see what they have to offer.
Strictly speaking i would love to have the hunter f for my phone but i doubt they'll make one, best looking cases period.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the UAG stands out for me is because it eliminates the curved back of the phone. When you slip the phone into the case, it becomes a block so it won't wobble around when I put it on the table. But yeah, I'd say Speck and UAG are in the same category. But do come back with your views on the verge tho.
Androidian10 said:
I think the UAG stands out for me is because it eliminates the curved back of the phone. When you slip the phone into the case, it becomes a block so it won't wobble around when I put it on the table. But yeah, I'd say Speck and UAG are in the same category. But do come back with your views on the verge tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do, should be here tomorrow.
Dude.... that's not related to the thread at all. Make a new one with your question.
If the case came in other colours like Black or Orange, I'd be all over it. I'm not a fan of the transparent cases. This does seem like a well built, nice looking case though.
nice looking case
Related
Hi everybody, this is my first post on these forums, although I have been reading them for over a year! Anyways, I was looking at buying a case for my Sensation that would keep it safe, but at the same time not adding to much bulk. I have narrowed it down to 4 cases, that I'm sure will all offer the level of protection I need, I am just wondering which one is the least bulky and slimmest.
Case-Mate Tough Case
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensation-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Sensation-Tough-Cases.asp
Case-Mate Pop! Case
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensation-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Sensation-Pop-Cases.asp
Otterbox Commuter
http://www.amazon.com/Otterbox-Comm...=UTF8&qid=1320160752&sr=8-1&tag=5336653508-20
Naztech Vertex
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-GRAY-...=300611783107&ps=63&clkid=5006598650185159423
I was looking at the Seidio with the kickstand, but I don't like all the exposed rubber as that would make it more lint-prone, and more difficult to get out of the pocket(one of my top pritorities).
Thanks in advance!!!
galaxyhtc said:
Hi everybody, this is my first post on these forums, although I have been reading them for over a year! Anyways, I was looking at buying a case for my Sensation that would keep it safe, but at the same time not adding to much bulk. I have narrowed it down to 4 cases, that I'm sure will all offer the level of protection I need, I am just wondering which one is the least bulky and slimmest.
Case-Mate Tough Case
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensation-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Sensation-Tough-Cases.asp
Case-Mate Pop! Case
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensation-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Sensation-Pop-Cases.asp
Otterbox Commuter
http://www.amazon.com/Otterbox-Comm...=UTF8&qid=1320160752&sr=8-1&tag=5336653508-20
Naztech Vertex
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-GRAY-...=300611783107&ps=63&clkid=5006598650185159423
I was looking at the Seidio with the kickstand, but I don't like all the exposed rubber as that would make it more lint-prone, and more difficult to get out of the pocket(one of my top pritorities).
Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the otterbox's rubber on its case looked low grade compared to the seidios and case mates. it looked like what trident was using..
i was looking into the naztech but i didnt like how there is a bar on the top of the screen lol. id like to see a review on it. might get the case mate pop
If it helps your decision I had one otterbox which I had to have replaced thru otterbox due to silicone stretches and the phone will actually slide up and down in the case. had the replacement for about a month and just took off the second one today due to complaints of me sounding muffled and any back to the old dependable tpu case even though it is a ***** to get out my pocket and attracts lint it is my fave
Sent from my HTC Pyramid using xda premium
fireishott said:
If it helps your decision I had one otterbox which I had to have replaced thru otterbox due to silicone stretches and the phone will actually slide up and down in the case. had the replacement for about a month and just took off the second one today due to complaints of me sounding muffled and any back to the old dependable tpu case even though it is a ***** to get out my pocket and attracts lint it is my fave
Sent from my HTC Pyramid using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah.. and if you watch the video reviews on it they didnt seem to pleased either lol. im dispointed in otterbox for this case.
Thanks for the info, i don't know though, was the otterbox easy to get in/out of your pocket.
galaxyhtc said:
Thanks for the info, i don't know though, was the otterbox easy to get in/out of your pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it was super easy due to the hard plastic that covered the silicone layer that is one thin I miss about it and am still on the fence about putting it back on. I will say my phone survived a few high drops ( I am a cable tech and it fell from a ladder about 18 feet to concrete with out a scratch)
Sent From My HTC Sensation 4G powered by Sense-O-Matic
Wow, you just made my decision harder.... !!! Haha thanks though, i'm sure i can't go wrong with either of these cases, but I just want to know which is the best.
OK, I'm pretty sure that the Tough Case and Vertex are out:
Tough Case: I saw that the rubber wraps around the screen on the phone, and can attach lint, also, it does seem a bit bulky.
Vertex: Lack of information is difficult. From the pics I don't think it'll work out for me.
Personally I use zagg skins now. They are seriously epic. I have always hated all phone cases because of the bulk they add no matter how thin. But the zagg skins are tough...real tough. And add essentially no weight/thickness to the device. When I got mine i was trying to scratch the back and screen to no avail. zagg also offers a lifetime warranty, but I have no idea what their limits are on it. Plus you can customize it with any picture you want.
Just my opinion. Good luck with your choice.
I have both Case Mate POP and Otterbox Commuter... otterbox has far better plastic because it cant get scratched at all. The case mate pop looks like it's 10 years old after a week. Still I user POP rather than the otterbox because the rubber on otterbox is like a MAGNET for all the dirt that is around you. I used to clean the rubber, and put it in my pocket, and when I get it out it's entirely covered with dust... I don't even know what were they thinking when they were making it. Another thing about the otterbox is that the earphone jack cover never fits like it is supposed to.
I ordered this a week ago because it looks funny
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensat...-Sensation-Sensation-SE-Tut-Silicone-Case.asp
I will order the case mate tough also... I hope that will be what I want at last
Wow, thanks for the info! So which one of those has a thinner/less bulky form factor, and is easier to get in/out of your pocket?
Case
I bought a Yoobao case off of Ebay, I love it. It is very tough and thin holds the phone tight.
Ehh, thanks for the info, but I already have a TPU and while it is nice and slim, I want something with a little more protection.
I'll put my two cents in, I just got the vertex and I'm very impressed. I've had the commuter and didn't like it. The plastic seemed cheap to me and was too slick. I also had a tpu case that was ok but I didn't think it would protect very well and made the power difficult to press. The vertex is quality, looks and feels very nice and fits great.
Sent from my NookColor using xda premium
Hi, thanks for the input! Does the back material make it easy to get in & out of pockets easily? And also, is it thinner than your otterbox?
galaxyhtc said:
Hi everybody, this is my first post on these forums, although I have been reading them for over a year! Anyways, I was looking at buying a case for my Sensation that would keep it safe, but at the same time not adding to much bulk. I have narrowed it down to 4 cases, that I'm sure will all offer the level of protection I need, I am just wondering which one is the least bulky and slimmest.
Case-Mate Tough Case
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensation-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Sensation-Tough-Cases.asp
Case-Mate Pop! Case
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-Sensation-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-Sensation-Pop-Cases.asp
Otterbox Commuter
http://www.amazon.com/Otterbox-Comm...=UTF8&qid=1320160752&sr=8-1&tag=5336653508-20
Naztech Vertex
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-GRAY-...=300611783107&ps=63&clkid=5006598650185159423
I was looking at the Seidio with the kickstand, but I don't like all the exposed rubber as that would make it more lint-prone, and more difficult to get out of the pocket(one of my top pritorities).
Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't tried the Case Mates yet, nor the Seidio, BUT:
Naztech is a POS - crappy build, plain & simple.
Otterbox's silicone is too damn loose - quoting others here.
Just saying......
Well, I've been on these forums reading for about 5 months now, but this is my first post...
I've had the Casemate Tough Case for the same amount of time I've had my Sensation; about 5 months.
The tough case's hard backing makes it very easy to slip in and out of your pocket. The only exposed rubber is a small section at the top and bottom of the phone and a very thin rim around the screen, the rest is the hard plastic. I never notice that it's collecting lint\dirt, except when I remove the case, there is a small rim of dust collected under the rubber rim, but you can't see it until the case is off.
The exposed rubber parts always look clean and smooth, same goes for the hard plastic outer shell.
The farthest I've dropped my phone with the case on is off the bar... so maybe 4 feet or so? No damage to the phone or the case.
I haven't tried out any other smartphone cases, so I don't have a large frame of reference, but I haven't had a single issue with the tough case. Hope this helps!
master1454 said:
Haven't tried the Case Mates yet, nor the Seidio, BUT:
Naztech is a POS - crappy build, plain & simple.
Otterbox's silicone is too damn loose - quoting others here.
Just saying......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you actually tried the naztech case? I'm sitting here right now literally starting at it trying to find a problem with something and I can't. I can't compare it with the tough case but its better than the otter.
Like I said before, and I don't know if this even matters, the naztech has cut outs for all the holes on the back cover, none of the other two piece cases have that feature.
As far as the plastic, the naztech has a rubberized back which makes it easier to hold than the otter but still slides into a my pocket easy.
i think you guys should check momax case....
For what it's worth...
I picked up one of these on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055DHCKS/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
Inexpensive, fits very well, easy to slip on and off, isn't a lint magnet, reminds me of the great Boxwave slip cover I had on my Nexus One.
Highly recommended.
Hey guys,
Got my hands on another case, this time it is the Speck Candyshell. In my previous review we took a look at the Candyshell Grip, which a variation of this case. The Candyshell features a hybrid design with a glossy, hard plastic backing wrapped around an inner silicone layer. Probably the most stylish case in my opinion, this one offers great protection - although it is a pain to remove!
Check out the full review below:
Nice review. Been thinking about getting a Spec case. I wonder if it would be easier to take off of the AT&T model just because its 0.5mm shorter.
ignignokt-_-t said:
Nice review. Been thinking about getting a Spec case. I wonder if it would be easier to take off of the AT&T model just because its 0.5mm shorter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! It is very likely it will be much easier to remove, the main reason it is so hard to remove is that the extra 0.5mm digs into the bottom of the case, so you have to apply some pressure to pop it off.
After switching to the ballistic from the speck candy, i am 100% satisfied. speck power button is just stupidly too hard. ballistic feels so perfect.
Got a Candyshell for free with my One X. I ended up swapping it out for the official HTC case. It just felt like it fit WAY too tight on my phone, not to mention it made the power button nearly impossible to operate.
Trying to get it on and off again also felt like I was going to snap my phone in half.
Xodium said:
Got a Candyshell for free with my One X. I ended up swapping it out for the official HTC case. It just felt like it fit WAY too tight on my phone, not to mention it made the power button nearly impossible to operate.
Trying to get it on and off again also felt like I was going to snap my phone in half.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So true. How are you liking the official HTC case? I've heard great and terrible things about it.
I got my Speck Candyshell today and I love it...It's pretty sweet looking and incredibly protective.
I just received my Candyshell Grip case that you had reviewed previously and am very pleased with it. Adds a good amount of protection while still looking great. The silicone buttons are a bit difficult to press as you mentioned, but not too big of a deal after I've gotten used to them. Overall good quality cases IMO.
The basic speck candy shell is probably one of the better, nicer designs that actually protects the outside AND inside of the phone.
Many cases, hard ones particularly, with no soft rubber/silicon inside allow dirt/debris to get in and scratch the heck out of your phone case.
Never had this issue with Speck candy shell.
Hello all,
I've always only had the Otterbox Commuter as my one and only case for phones, and with them being so slow to get out the color I want for the S4, I was wondering if I should keep waiting for a bit longer or go with another choice like the Incipio DualPro or Seidio Active. I don't have any experience with either of them, so I'm wondering if anyone who has used them can shed some light (both good and bad) on them.
Thanks.
facetubespam said:
Hello all,
I've always only had the Otterbox Commuter as my one and only case for phones, and with them being so slow to get out the color I want for the S4, I was wondering if I should keep waiting for a bit longer or go with another choice like the Incipio DualPro or Seidio Active. I don't have any experience with either of them, so I'm wondering if anyone who has used them can shed some light (both good and bad) on them.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incipio Dual Pro is horrible. Fitment is off and constantly slips on an end, exposing the screen with no lip coverage. Luckily it was free from the ATT store for me, but i wish i chose a different case from them. I ended up ordering a minimalist JL case from amazon anyway.
I have an Incipio case and I think it's great. Probably the best case I've had for a phone. Only like $25 too.
its_dale said:
Incipio Dual Pro is horrible. Fitment is off and constantly slips on an end, exposing the screen with no lip coverage. Luckily it was free from the ATT store for me, but i wish i chose a different case from them. I ended up ordering a minimalist JL case from amazon anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I've been reading up on it for the S4 and.....that's the first I've heard of it. Will look into it more. Got pictures of it?
itslinx said:
I have an Incipio case and I think it's great. Probably the best case I've had for a phone. Only like $25 too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's $16 on Amazon right now :good:
no pics sorry, its sitting at home
Consider having a look see at the Casemate Toughcase if you like the otterbox, its actually less bulky while providing better protection for the phone. I'm very surprised this case doesn't see more play here becuase its a truly good case and I get people asking my out of the blue what it is and where I purchased it. I've got probably a dozen friends on it now and I did nothing to convince them, they mauled and pawed at the case for a few and were sold. If you are of a mind you can quickly pull up a few reviews on youtube of the case.
I've been using the Seidio Active case for a few days now. I used a 10% off coupon I found searching Google and it came out to $31 shipped. I bought the one with the grooves for your fingers. Also has a kickstand. I pull out the kickstand when holding the phone and put my ring finger under the kickstand so I have a good hold of the phone and my thumb can reach more of the screen. Kickstand also comes in handy with the smart stay option so the screen won't turn off when I'm reading. It is easy to take on and off so I can get to the battery easily. All the proper cut outs are there and are lined up perfectly. Complaints - When typing or pushing the menu / back key my fat fingers will hit the edge of the case. I just have to work on using the tip of my thumb. Depending on the angle of the phone you may not be able to see the notification light. There are covers for the volume and power button which took some getting used to but I can now hit them without looking.
krabman said:
Consider having a look see at the Casemate Toughcase if you like the otterbox, its actually less bulky while providing better protection for the phone. I'm very surprised this case doesn't see more play here becuase its a truly good case and I get people asking my out of the blue what it is and where I purchased it. I've got probably a dozen friends on it now and I did nothing to convince them, they mauled and pawed at the case for a few and were sold. If you are of a mind you can quickly pull up a few reviews on youtube of the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How well does that case work with a glass screen protector?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
I have the Incipio Dual Pro Carbon now as my temporary case. The rubber is constantly coming off from around the lip. You see the silver when this happens. Not a huge deal but in a drop it won't be that good. Also the silicone grabs a little bit of lint.
Seidio active... I have it on my Nexus 7 and had it on my Note 1.... Huge lint magnet, OLD OLD design, silicone can be warped and won't lay flat in some areas.
Otterbox Commuter.... I will order one of the colored models when available. Buttons were terrible on the S3 but it seems to have an improved design....Putting the case on seems to be better than the S3... Overalll good design.
I also ordered the Cygnett Workmate... It seems to cover the issues from the other case and offers better grip... I will know in a couple of weeks.
Ttrain721 said:
How well does that case work with a glass screen protector?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The edges of the case do come over the top of the device to the screen side but this is only the softer inner portion of the case and I'm thinking it would work fine but I do not use screen protectors so I'm not certain. You can see it pretty clearly in some of the youtube videos of the case so you should be able to make a call from that. A link is here ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l3X7Oxgx5I and the same fellow reviews several others which might catch your interest as well.
I've included a couple pictures that show something you cant see there. The one is of my year old S3 case next to my brand new S4 case. Notice how the thing still looks new? The other seems like kind of an oddball picture but what you are looking at is the largest portion of the soft inner case and the thing to notice there is the lack of lint. While these do catch a tiny bit of lint it is very little as you can see there. I did not clean the case up, it went from my pocket to the drawer after my S4 got here.
On my S3 I have had my phone in that case directly alongside a friend who had his in a commuter case and we both agreed that this case felt better in the hand and it had a more premium feel. It also has better grip but does not hang in the pocket. He in fact is one of the people I know who ditched his case and got the Casemate instead. Now I've obviously not seen the Otterbox for the S4 yet but it appears much like the Casemate counterpart to be pretty much a rehash and I would expect that they will compare similarly again.
facetubespam said:
Hmm I've been reading up on it for the S4 and.....that's the first I've heard of it. Will look into it more. Got pictures of it?
It's $16 on Amazon right now :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine (Dual Pro) at a TMob store. I totally disgaree regarding overlapping screen. It TOTALLY protects the screen via it's superb fit overlapping. Plus it has a nice "feel just holding it'. Used to have a Body Glovefor my S3. The bodyglove was on the thick side and it just didn't have the same tactile feeling when holding the phone. Mine is black with Grey...IOW two tone. Only saw it in a TMob store. Solid colors online from this link.
http://store.androidcommunity.com/incipio-dualpro-hard-shell-case-with-silicone-core/4A225A14120.htm
krabman said:
The edges of the case do come over the top of the device to the screen side but this is only the softer inner portion of the case and I'm thinking it would work fine but I do not use screen protectors so I'm not certain. You can see it pretty clearly in some of the youtube videos of the case so you should be able to make a call from that. A link is here ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l3X7Oxgx5I and the same fellow reviews several others which might catch your interest as well.
I've included a couple pictures that show something you cant see there. The one is of my year old S3 case next to my brand new S4 case. Notice how the thing still looks new? The other seems like kind of an oddball picture but what you are looking at is the largest portion of the soft inner case and the thing to notice there is the lack of lint. While these do catch a tiny bit of lint it is very little as you can see there. I did not clean the case up, it went from my pocket to the drawer after my S4 got here.
On my S3 I have had my phone in that case directly alongside a friend who had his in a commuter case and we both agreed that this case felt better in the hand and it had a more premium feel. It also has better grip but does not hang in the pocket. He in fact is one of the people I know who ditched his case and got the Casemate instead. Now I've obviously not seen the Otterbox for the S4 yet but it appears much like the Casemate counterpart to be pretty much a rehash and I would expect that they will compare similarly again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, that is some kind of funky back they have there. How does it feel? What is it?
And you said that Casemate offers better protection than the Commuter, any links to vids/proof to this? Cause if that's true, then that's a great deal. It looks like it is as bulky as the DualPro. Lastly, how are the colors with the Casemate? Got sick of all black, and that's why I've been looking elsewhere while waiting for the Commuter colors. Thanks.
Incipio DualPro
I purchased my Incipio DualPro from an AT&T store ($35 + tax) just to have something to protect the phone while I figure out what I really want as far as a case. I went in to get the cheapest thing they had but really liked the look of the fake carbon fiber which looks even better in person. But, the silicone layer is so loose and floppy that even with the stiff Plextonium frame:laugh:, it won't hold its shape leaving the bezel exposed where the fancy named frame isn't. This case had the makings of a winner.
Love this look:
Hate this:
Returned to AT&T store today!
The outer shell is plastic. It has the appearence of the knurling you see on a ratchet handle for example. In person it looks good and has a better feel than that of the Otterbox counterpart. The bulk of the case is about the same as the commuter, it is designed for protection and those who would avoid the Otterbox commuter for that reason would want to avoid it as well. That said it is slighly less bulky than its commuter counterpart because it is thinner.
As to protection there are no sure proofs, no 1000 phones dropped and here is the absolute numbers, test. You have to look at the case and make a judgement. The casemate clearly covers the corners better and has a better fit which combined with what are visibly better materials means you can pretty much figure your phone has a better chance than it does in the commuter. There is no sure thing. I had my S2 and then S3 both in the same case for those phones and while I haven't dropped the S4 yet I did have occasion to drop both of those several times and neither suffered a scratch although again no case will protect against bad luck.
In regards to the colors, I've no idea. I always go black so have never looked. Best bet might be to check the case out in a store. Its popular enough that I noticed our AT&T shop here had some on the shelf for S3s. Or if you have a case kiosk at the mall they will likely have one and you can check out the material yourself. Casemate has many other cases but I have no experience with them. I was Otterbox all the way till I ran into the toughcase which just plain out commuters the commuter at its own game. IMO
Looking at the dimensions of all the products, it looks like Casemate is the bulkiest, with Otterbox second, and Incipio DualPro the least bulkiest.
The one thing I'm not a fan of the Casemate from the pictures is that there seems to be more open exposed areas, especially at the top.
I ordered the Dual Pro case and have been waiting for it to come in.... I bought the Body Glove Dimensions case from the T-Mobile store just to have something on it until the Dual Pro case came in...The Dual Pro case looked really nice in the store but I want the white and gray one that they didn't have.. Now I'm hearing all the crappy reviews about the Dual Pro case and I'm having buyers remorse...Maybe I will get one from a good batch that will fit like a glove...UNLIKELY!!!! Anyway the Body Glove Dimensions case feels really good in my hand and looks nice however it doesn't protect anything just nice and slim.
facetubespam said:
Looking at the dimensions of all the products, it looks like Casemate is the bulkiest, with Otterbox second, and Incipio DualPro the least bulkiest.
The one thing I'm not a fan of the Casemate from the pictures is that there seems to be more open exposed areas, especially at the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not sure where you are getting your dimensions from but I can tell you from actually having both in my hand with the S3 the toughcase is slimmer. Since it appears that the Commuter is a reboot with a few minor changes just as the toughcase is for S4 I'm pretty sure you are going to see the same thing again. Also the only openings on the tough case are where the IR and headphone jacks are and the same applies on the bottom where there is no opening other than the two ports there. The Otterbox possesses exactly the same openings in their case and then unlike the otterbox the casemate piece does not have the wide open corners which are the single most likely spot for the phone to hit in a drop.
lol Sometimes you just cant let a favorite go, I do it myself. Either way you're getting a good case that stands a real chance of saving your overpriced ludicrously profitable for Samsung device so its all good. :good:
prototype.77 said:
I ordered the Dual Pro case and have been waiting for it to come in.... I bought the Body Glove Dimensions case from the T-Mobile store just to have something on it until the Dual Pro case came in...The Dual Pro case looked really nice in the store but I want the white and gray one that they didn't have.. Now I'm hearing all the crappy reviews about the Dual Pro case and I'm having buyers remorse...Maybe I will get one from a good batch that will fit like a glove...UNLIKELY!!!! Anyway the Body Glove Dimensions case feels really good in my hand and looks nice however it doesn't protect anything just nice and slim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do have to remember that those that have problems are usually the ones that take to online to complain, so just take all the amount of bad stuff with a grain of salt.
krabman said:
Im not sure where you are getting your dimensions from but I can tell you from actually having both in my hand with the S3 the toughcase is slimmer. Since it appears that the Commuter is a reboot with a few minor changes just as the toughcase is for S4 I'm pretty sure you are going to see the same thing again. Also the only openings on the tough case are where the IR and headphone jacks are and the same applies on the bottom where there is no opening other than the two ports there. The Otterbox possesses exactly the same openings in their case and then unlike the otterbox the casemate piece does not have the wide open corners which are the single most likely spot for the phone to hit in a drop.
lol Sometimes you just cant let a favorite go, I do it myself. Either way you're getting a good case that stands a real chance of saving your overpriced ludicrously profitable for Samsung device so its all good. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:silly: I think on the corners, they both go about it differently, Otterbox has the silicone there, and casemate has both, with the plastic outside. Bet they both have their own science reasons for doing it that way lol.
I'll wait it out a little while longer before deciding. I think my biggest concern about the casemate is that I won't like how the textured back feels.
JawjaBill said:
I purchased my Incipio DualPro from an AT&T store ($35 + tax) just to have something to protect the phone while I figure out what I really want as far as a case. I went in to get the cheapest thing they had but really liked the look of the fake carbon fiber which looks even better in person. But, the silicone layer is so loose and floppy that even with the stiff Plextonium frame:laugh:, it won't hold its shape leaving the bezel exposed where the fancy named frame isn't. This case had the makings of a winner.
Love this look:
Hate this:
Returned to AT&T store today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine does exactly this.
I just saw that UAG (urban armor gear) is going to start shipping their cases soon.... might have to look into them now :/
Never had a one piece polycarbonate silicone case before.
So I am looking to get a new case for my GS4. I had a Nexus 4 previously and had the Poetic Slimline bumper. I loved it. It fit so nicely in my hand. So much so I got the Poetic slimline for my GS4. Its good but it doesn't feel the same. I think the reason is because of how rounded it is on the edge. On the nexus 4 rather than round to the back it angled.
So I am looking for a thin and light case that angles to the back rather than rounds or at least isn't a smooth transition. I do want it to offer some protection though. The poetic is nice for this because it has the hard and soft. One other thing is I love wireless charging and don't want to lose that (I have an insert).
In my search I have seen a number of things and am leaning towards an aluminum bumper right now. I am willing to consider othhings but this seems to do what I want best.
I haven't been able to find reviews on the ones I am considering.
Really like this (1) one. I think this (2) one is the same but without the back cover. Has anyone used either of these?
I am also considering a Spigen Neo Hybrid. Might make it too iPhone-esque though.
Any other suggestions would be nice.
SSMI said:
So I am looking to get a new case for my GS4. I had a Nexus 4 previously and had the Poetic Slimline bumper. I loved it. It fit so nicely in my hand. So much so I got the Poetic slimline for my GS4. Its good but it doesn't feel the same. I think the reason is because of how rounded it is on the edge. On the nexus 4 rather than round to the back it angled.
So I am looking for a thin and light case that angles to the back rather than rounds or at least isn't a smooth transition. I do want it to offer some protection though. The poetic is nice for this because it has the hard and soft. One other thing is I love wireless charging and don't want to lose that (I have an insert).
In my search I have seen a number of things and am leaning towards an aluminum bumper right now. I am willing to consider othhings but this seems to do what I want best.
I haven't been able to find reviews on the ones I am considering.
Really like this (1) one. I think this (2) one is the same but without the back cover. Has anyone used either of these?
I am also considering a Spigen Neo Hybrid. Might make it too iPhone-esque though.
Any other suggestions would be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the second one you talk about, I love(d) that case. It fit well in the hand and felt very premium. Unfortunately the service went from -94dbm to almost -103dbm, and I would constantly get failed text messages in places i would have normally 2 bars.
The neo hybrid is deffinently a sweet case, the back is a little slippery in one hand though.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
Spigen
Google Spigen S4
and scroll to their neo hybrid
i personally have a slim armor case and the spigen build quality to superb
make sure to buy geniune from site or your own trusted retailers( inside a genuine case has a verfication code to check if it is genuine)
I think that most if not all Aluminum cases with an aluminum rear cover will experience signal loss. Not a good thing under most circumstances.
I sport a UAG case which I'm very happy with.
I started a thread about the UAG a couple of weeks ago:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451240
I've also looked at the Speck cases online which seem pretty intriguing.
http://www.speckproducts.com/smartphone-cases/samsung/samsung-galaxy-s4-cases.html
I have the Otterbox Defender & Commuter cases, as well as the Cygnett WorkMate Evolution case, but I don't think those are the look you're looking for.
Hmmm.... 4 cases in the last 3 months for a guy that never used any cases for years
SSMI said:
So I am looking to get a new case for my GS4. I had a Nexus 4 previously and had the Poetic Slimline bumper. I loved it. It fit so nicely in my hand. So much so I got the Poetic slimline for my GS4. Its good but it doesn't feel the same. I think the reason is because of how rounded it is on the edge. On the nexus 4 rather than round to the back it angled.
So I am looking for a thin and light case that angles to the back rather than rounds or at least isn't a smooth transition. I do want it to offer some protection though. The poetic is nice for this because it has the hard and soft. One other thing is I love wireless charging and don't want to lose that (I have an insert).
In my search I have seen a number of things and am leaning towards an aluminum bumper right now. I am willing to consider othhings but this seems to do what I want best.
I haven't been able to find reviews on the ones I am considering.
Really like this (1) one. I think this (2) one is the same but without the back cover. Has anyone used either of these?
I am also considering a Spigen Neo Hybrid. Might make it too iPhone-esque though.
Any other suggestions would be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also sent you a PM not sure if you got it, about if you wanted my aluminum bumper
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4
Just waiting for this to come in any day now
http://www.cruzerlite.com/cases/sam...lite-bumper-for-samsung-galaxy-s4-white-black
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
I have the Neo Hybrid, some things to consider:
1) The plastic bezel is awful, the paint will start chipping within a couple of weeks (I have chips all over the bezel), then you will see the unpainted white plastic underneath and they aren't cheap to replace at $9.99.
2) It looks nice, but if you drop it I highly doubt it will offer much protection, I did once and where it did drop I saw the frame's paint chip, luckily it was on my hardwood floor and not concrete.
3) I contacted Spigen's customer service and they are down right awful, you won't get a response for weeks and if you do they will say it's your fault. I understand that if I drop it and chip it is definitely my fault, however the bezel should not chip just from it being in my pocket.
I have moved on from the Neo hybrid to Obliq, the one linked below. It does add a little bulk, but man the case is built with high quality and looks great.
Good luck, I hope you find a good case.
http://www.amazon.com/Obliq-GS4-XTMPBK-Samsung-Premium-Protective/dp/B005OHS5WO
Honestly I think the best combination of both protection and slimness is going to come from either the Element Atom, Otterbox Commuter, or one of the Spigen cases.
Incipio makes some nice cases as well.
ipaq_101 said:
I have the Neo Hybrid, some things to consider:
1) The plastic bezel is awful, the paint will start chipping within a couple of weeks (I have chips all over the bezel), then you will see the unpainted white plastic underneath and they aren't cheap to replace at $9.99.
2) It looks nice, but if you drop it I highly doubt it will offer much protection, I did once and where it did drop I saw the frame's paint chip, luckily it was on my hardwood floor and not concrete.
3) I contacted Spigen's customer service and they are down right awful, you won't get a response for weeks and if you do they will say it's your fault. I understand that if I drop it and chip it is definitely my fault, however the bezel should not chip just from it being in my pocket.
I have moved on from the Neo hybrid to Obliq, the one linked below. It does add a little bulk, but man the case is built with high quality and looks great.
Good luck, I hope you find a good case.
http://www.amazon.com/Obliq-GS4-XTMPBK-Samsung-Premium-Protective/dp/B005OHS5WO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got rid of my SPG Neo Hybrid Neo 2 days after getting it a couple of months ago because I saw the 'writing on the wall' regarding minimal if any drop protection, sagging neoprene after 2 days, cheap construct, etc.
With the above being said, the case in your link looks to be of protective construction, although it looks like a UAG knock off, but at half the price and nice selection of colors.
But I have to do more research on it.
I've since got a Speck Candyshell case which seems pretty cool.
I need some protection, but I also like some colors, more than the standard black cases available. I just ordered a 2nd Candyshell[/QUOTE]
Edit:
I read some reviews on the Obliq. They were general but positive, then I read a review that I'm linking to. This guy seems to be very meticulous, and he is comparing the Obliq to the UAG, which he has both owned:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1JF3PCUYDD1LR/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R1JF3PCUYDD1LR
Biker1 said:
I got rid of my SPG Neo Hybrid Neo 2 days after getting it a couple of months ago because I saw the 'writing on the wall' regarding minimal if any drop protection, sagging neoprene after 2 days, cheap construct, etc.
With the above being said, the case in your link looks to be of protective construction, although it looks like a UAG knock off, but at half the price and nice selection of colors.
But I have to do more research on it.
I've since got a Speck Candyshell case which seems pretty cool.
I need some protection, but I also like some colors, more than the standard black cases available. I just ordered a 2nd Candyshell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is odd, I have the gun metal and the black Obliq case and the buttons work as smooth as butter, right out of the case, no break-in period required. Also I have the UAG and the Obliq does look like a knock off but I think it looks better. Also the UAG ones are $29 vs $9.99 or $14.99 for the black Obliq case.
UAG is not better or worse than Obliq in my opinion. UAG also looks a bit worse with those fake screws in the back that are just part of the plastic, those make the case look cheaper, I wish they had just left those out of the design.
Go with whatever makes you feel better, but for 3 times the price you aren't getting a case that is 3 times better.
I'm going to be replacing my old M7 for an M9 pretty soon, and I want to have a case ready for it the second I buy it. I can't decide whether I should get the UAG case, or stick with the otterbox defender like I have with my last 2 phones. The otterbox has only let me down once, when it fell off of holster and got run over by a truck because I didn't make sure it was in there securely, and I don't exactly expect any case to stand up to that. The new defender also looks hideous in my opinion.
That being said, I've heard a LOT of good things about the UAG cases, and I absolutely love the industrial look it has to it.
I work as a mechanic and need to make sure I have a durable case should this phone ever fall, for example, off of a car lift and on to a concrete floor (6-8 foot drop). And in this exact scenario I've never had to worry about my phone when its in an otterbox. I need to make sure I have a case durable enough that I can chuck my phone across a room and not worry about it being damaged, as I can with the Defender on my current M7.
So for anyone that has one, or even both of these cases, which one would be the better option? Does the UAG compare to the defender as far as protection?
And if I go for the UAG, can anyone recommend a good Holster/hipcase for it, since it doesn't appear to come with one like the otterbox?
Edit: If anyone has another case to recommend I'm open to that as well!
Edit2: I also just found this Poetic case, has anyone tried it out? I have a poetic folio case for my Nexus 7 that I really,. really like, but does this offer good enough protection?
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-Case-...sbs_cps_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JB4GWJ85SBTVCHM61VT
Edit3: And another one I just came across that looks promising, not a brand I'm familiar with. Maybe someone has used this one, or another one similar to it before?
http://www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Full-...sbs_cps_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JB4GWJ85SBTVCHM61VT
I've always been a commuter fan but sprung for a UAG this time round. While I think UAG will suffice for my needs, I would go for another otter box if I would pick again. Doesn't feel like enough shock absorption in the back of the phone
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
2 votes, against 2 votes, democracy at work.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
The UAG case looks 100% better than the Otterbox Defender case, but I have no idea how it would hold up in an industrial environment. I opted for the Defender because its what I've used going back to the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC M7, HTC M8, and now my HTC M9... And the defender case, despite all its short comings, has never let me down. I am in and out of a semi truck all day, in and out of factories frequently, and pulling the phone out of my pocket quite a bit throughout most days, so I need something protective, not that just looks good.
But, as I said, I have not had any experience with the UAG case, so I would also be interested in the durability of the case in dropped scenarios.
I had UAG on my M7, but for my M9, I'm waiting for UAG to come out with different colors. That is if they ever decide to make them. I like the Aero (blue color) case, so hoping they decide to make that one for the M9. Right now I'm using the Spigen Neo Hybrid for the time being.
I've seen the otterbox and it just looks too plain to me. Just my opinion, of course
aka120 said:
The UAG case looks 100% better than the Otterbox Defender case, but I have no idea how it would hold up in an industrial environment. I opted for the Defender because its what I've used going back to the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC M7, HTC M8, and now my HTC M9... And the defender case, despite all its short comings, has never let me down. I am in and out of a semi truck all day, in and out of factories frequently, and pulling the phone out of my pocket quite a bit throughout most days, so I need something protective, not that just looks good.
But, as I said, I have not had any experience with the UAG case, so I would also be interested in the durability of the case in dropped scenarios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive heard the UAG is supposed to be pretty durable as far as drop tests, but Im looking for a little more feedback than your standard tech website review of it, rather someone who actually owns it and has experienced it firsthand. Ideally someone who has used both.
dafluke24 said:
I had UAG on my M7, but for my M9, I'm waiting for UAG to come out with different colors. That is if they ever decide to make them. I like the Aero (blue color) case, so hoping they decide to make that one for the M9. Right now I'm using the Spigen Neo Hybrid for the time being.
I've seen the otterbox and it just looks too plain to me. Just my opinion, of course
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really want to go with a UAG because it looks so much better, but I need to make sure I'm still getting good protection from it as well, because the new defender just looks absolutely hideous.
Also, votes now at 4 v 4, Democracy strikes again.
chaosrde said:
I really want to go with a UAG because it looks so much better, but I need to make sure I'm still getting good protection from it as well, because the new defender just looks absolutely hideous.
Also, votes now at 4 v 4, Democracy strikes again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For my purposes, the UAG provides excellent protection all around. Of course, it all depends on what environment you subject the phone to. In your case, it might be best to try both and make a decision that way.
Everyone will have subjective views on the cases and each scenario will be different. It's just a matter of which case will provide you with the peace of mind you are looking for, and only you can make that decision.
I hope you get the answer you are looking for. I'm sure both cases are great in their own right and both will have their pros and cons. Tough decision for sure.
I Pre Ordered the UAG ASH model for my M9 Coming from the UAG Maverick on my M8. I love the case and I loved it on my M8 as well.
The case looks great and I dropped my M8 enough times to know how tough the UAG cases are. NO Brainer.
chaosrde said:
Ive heard the UAG is supposed to be pretty durable as far as drop tests, but Im looking for a little more feedback than your standard tech website review of it, rather someone who actually owns it and has experienced it firsthand. Ideally someone who has used both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though I already have the Otterbox, I'm considering getting the UAG as well. The screen protector on the Otterbox usually ends up with scratches after a few months of use, the rubber outer shell loses its shape and becomes lose fitting(although it can be slightly shrunk by boiling it for a tighter fit again), and the inner hard shell tends to have areas that don't snap snug together and creaks when pressure is applied. Its still a very good case but definitely has its flaws.
So, the UAG having the same ruggedness type of design, I think I'll give it a shot, although I won't be able to pick it up at the house for a few weeks. The only con I can see is that the UAG is lacking a holster like you stated. I have no idea if there is a holster that will work with it.
Sorry I am of no help on the UAG case, but I can say the Otterbox gives sufficient protection still, and the look grows on you... but it is no where's as nice looking as the UAG case.
aka120 said:
Even though I already have the Otterbox, I'm considering getting the UAG as well. The screen protector on the Otterbox usually ends up with scratches after a few months of use, the rubber outer shell loses its shape and becomes lose fitting(although it can be slightly shrunk by boiling it for a tighter fit again), and the inner hard shell tends to have areas that don't snap snug together and creaks when pressure is applied. Its still a very good case but definitely has its flaws.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love the defender on the M7 I'm using currently, but I punched out the screen protector and took it to my local mall and had ghost armor put on my screen. (paid them 5$ to install it because I ALWAYS end up with bubbles when I do it), I absolutely love ghost armor and I'll be getting it done on the M9 when I pick it up as well.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
chaosrde said:
I love the defender on the M7 I'm using currently, but I punched out the screen protector and took it to my local mall and had ghost armor put on my screen. (paid them 5$ to install it because I ALWAYS end up with bubbles when I do it), I absolutely love ghost armor and I'll be getting it done on the M9 when I pick it up as well.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I may do that with my M9 when the front plastic gets scratched up. Or I may not do it, just remove the plastic; I never put a screen protector on my M8, and it did fine.
Defender with mod
The day I bought my m9 I went and grabbed the defender case. I like the fact that it's easily available, customer service is good and since my evo3d never let me down. The one thing I do change is the screen protector. I rip the plastic out and put a glass one in because it feels better. But I also know as ugly as some people think it is I never had to worry about using it with dirty hands and messing with colors. It just wipes clean every time. Shade tree mechanic here.
I had a defender on my S4, and same thing happened, fell off my holster, and was run over by a bus. The screen was smashed, but the phone still functioned. I was able to connect to PC and copy files off. The phone when turned on, and on WiFi still receives emails and notifications, just can't use it. I was using it as a way of charging a spare battery for the S4 replacement.
Have a Spigen Neo Hybrid for my M9 and am thinking of getting a defender for it, just to cover the screen.
UAG has my highest regards, I had can confirm their cases are heavy duty. I had one for my M7 and dropped my phone multiple times out of a firetruck so about a 10ft drop and never had a problem. I loved the feel of M7 case. The M9 UAG case looks bada$$ but i just didn't like how it felt on my M9. As for its build I feel it is just as tough as the M7 case.
As for the case I'm using now i got the Spigen Neo Hybrid, its not as tough as either the UAG or Defender case but it feels nice and looks awesome.
I'd go for the Otterbox. The last UAG case I had was a simple one shell design and wasn't very rugged at all. I would imagine the 3 layer design of the Otterbox will be much better for protection.
I always use the supcase alternative, it's cheaper and I think they are better made than otter box. The screen protectors suck but are glued in and just pop off so I replace with a glass one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TS...E+Cases+m9&dpPl=1&dpID=51RLUcVxY7L&ref=plSrch
spiderjerusalem said:
I always use the supcase alternative, it's cheaper and I think they are better made than otter box. The screen protectors suck but are glued in and just pop off so I replace with a glass one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TS...E+Cases+m9&dpPl=1&dpID=51RLUcVxY7L&ref=plSrch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a separate TPU part, or is it pretty much molded into the harder plastic? The Defender has the solid interior plastic surrounded by the soft cover (three pieces rather than the two of the supcase).
stevedebi said:
Is there a separate TPU part, or is it pretty much molded into the harder plastic? The Defender has the solid interior plastic surrounded by the soft cover (three pieces rather than the two of the supcase).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have the defender? If so can you tell me how flush the screen protector is to the screen? The defender on the m7 and m8 both had horrible gaps which made the touch screen much more difficult to use.
Built in screen protectors are usually pretty bad, at least all of the otterbox ones I've had were. You're better off punching it out and getting a separate one.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Free mobile app
I got a defender the day I got my M9. Main reason was the belt holster. Working as a mechanic I tend to get sweaty and I hate putting my phone in my sweaty pockets. Holster fixes that problem. The screen guard doesn't have a huge gap, but there is a gap. I can't see it nor does it seem to hurt the way the screen looks but I can feel it when I type.