A brief review of the KuGi High Quality ultra-thin PC hard case cover.
Quality
Precise cut, matches typical slim hard cases sold by Spigen or Ringke.
The top and bottom of the phone are uncovered, as is the volume and power button area.
Really thin (~1 mm) and will easily crack if dropped I imagine. Buy this for its ability prevent scratches and add grip, not drop protection.
There is a noticeable seam where the front and back halves of the case were sealed together that you can both see and feel. Some parts such as the camera cutout show tiny bit of residual material from the cutting process. There is a slight misalignment with the camera area, clearly shown in the Amazon photos..
There were fine scratches on the back of the case that the camera couldn't pick up but are visible in good lighting and can be felt while holding. I imagine this case is prone to scratches.
Front lip is slightly raised so you can place the phone on its face and not worry about contact with the touchscreen. I don't have a screen protector on it yet but does not cover the screen at all.
No issues with chargers fitting in the type C port.
Color
The red color is a lot deeper than the ones posted on Amazon. More like dark candy apple.
The red also has a slight satin/iridescent look to it, which gives it a professional flair and causes it to give off different hues in different lighting. This is the best aspect to this case.
In my opinion, this red color looks terrible on the aluminium Nexus 6P (shiny on shiny), but probably would look nice on the graphite or white.
Feel
Identical to the soft-touch slightly-rubbery feel found on the black Nexus 5 (sorry, only comparison I am capable of making).
Adds some grip to the phone, but nowhere as much as the quicksand or glossy TPU.
The case also does not add considerable bulk to the phone.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014ZJ05E2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
Overall, this is an above average case with a beautiful shade of red, and serves me well until the more established manufacturers release their cases.
Does the camera cutout over the laser autofocus module? One of the questions on Amazon that early models did cover this module, but there's no word if revisions have been made since then.
In other words, does the size and location of the camera cutout match the official cases on the Google Store?
alkasdfj said:
Does the camera cutout over the laser autofocus module? One of the questions on Amazon that early models did cover this module, but there's no word if revisions have been made since then.
In other words, does the size and location of the camera cutout match the official cases on the Google Store?
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Based on the attached pictures, it looks like the camera cutout matches the official Nexus 6P case that I have.
I ordered the gold one based on the review, so I'll know for sure shortly.
The camera cut out is identical to the official Nexus 6p (felt-back) cases so the laser autofocus is fine.
Any more owners of this case who can post their opinion, in particular the camera laser concern? I usually buy the Ringke Slim but it doesn't (yet?) exist for the 6P, so this is the closest option for now.
Related
I just received my Case-mate barely there case today from play.com & thought I'd give a mini review ago.
It comes in a smartly packaged box, upon opening the box you have in your hand a moulded abs plastic shell & a sealed packet containing a screen protector, micro fibre cloth & a piece of soft card.
The shell is easy enough to put on, it's just a simple push to fit design that works really well.
The actual fit of the Case-Mate barely there is superb with the power & volume buttons being easy to access as are the mini usb port & 3.5mm socket while also giving the camera & speaker unobstructed access.
I didn't fit the screen protector, well seeing as Samsung used gorilla glass & the fact that a screen protector isn't going to do much good if you drop it face down (I've seen a few on here with cracked screens) & that someone can do this to one with no ill effect then I see no need.
The Case-Mate barely there itself was purchased to improve the grip of the phone which as we all know is a little slippery & protect the rear cover from getting scratched & knocked, well the Case-Mate barely there does improve my hold on the Galaxy S but not like I was hoping it would .
The case wraps around the rear of the phone following the Galaxy S contours like a second skin, I can see this case giving great protection to the corners & rear of the phone.
So in all a well made case that fit's superbly, gives easy access to the various button & connectors whilst saving corners & back cover from scratching & knocks. And like it's name implies you'll barely notice it's on the phone.
My only gripe is it feels a little to silky for my liking, I was hoping it would have a rubberised back for improved grip something a little like a silicon case feel.
nice review. i just ordered mine, so it's gonna be a long wait before i get it.
Thanks for the review. I also purchased mine, it was shipped today, can't wait to get it.
I know what you mean about the feel of the case. I have one on my ipod touch but only because I couldn't get a Flexishield case for it. I have a Flexishield on my Desire and am about to get one for the SGS. For me it has a better feel to it and fees less slippery.
Great review, I ordered mine about 2 weeks ago. Hopefully it comes in soon
Anyone has pictures of the silver one ? I ordrered it but it won't be there before three days or so.
Very nice case
jonni3 said:
I didn't fit the screen protector, well seeing as Samsung used gorilla glass & the fact that a screen protector isn't going to do much good if you drop it face down (I've seen a few on here with cracked screens) & that someone can do this to one with no ill effect then I see no need.
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Seriously that keything doesn't mean crap. You think it's the BIG things in your pockets that do the scratches? It's not. Take any sandpaper and swipe ONE time over the glass of the SGS and you'll have tons of scratches, you don't even have to press very hard. It's generally not your keys, a screw or a screwdriver in your pocket that cause scratches, it's tiny grit that does. Every time you wipe the screen you risk scratching it if there's the wrong kind of dirt on either the screen or the cloth you use. That's why people can be however careful and still get scratches, just read around, you'll see. Everyone doesn't bull**** you when they tell you they take good care of their phone.
Ok recieve my silver casemate, some low res pictures here. I'll take very good ones later when I get back a hold of my APN charger.
http://picasaweb.google.com/114505993397088135290/CasemateBarelyThereSilver#5524273441974319986
Anyway just imagine OP's picture with that kind of grey/black/silver reflections.
It looks kinda glossy, how is the feel of the case?
I've noticed with mine it's started to feel a bit more rubberized now it's been handled.
@ mickeko
About the screen protector you have a valid point & I am now going to have to rethink not having one.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Yea the screen protector looks ugly ^^ it breaks the harmony of the phone in the area around the front facing camera, you can clearly see the protector cutout that is quite ugly. You do not have this problem on silicon cases as they often cover the side cutout. However I would never go without a screen protector without a pouch, the dust level of my pockets are way too random to take the risk of the godamn dust scratches (the silver case also has that little problem, but they are only visible if you search for them micro scratches of doom).
The case feels good, no creaks.
It's not very glossy, or at least I won't call that glossy, in fact it acts like a mirror if you face it at 90° incidence. But if you tilt it even by 5/10 degrees in mid light conditions, it takes a very nice and not glossy dark/grey silver tint similar to the one of the original chrome bezel of the SGS. They both blend very very well. It is really a BARELY THERE experience. very thin, very stylish. Nearly to the level of a naked iphone 4.
Sounds pretty good & seems like your more than happy with it
These case's really complement the phones shape & add very little to the overall dimensions, know what you mean about the screen protector it's not really that attractive, I'm looking for one that covers the entire screen from edge to edge so it doesn't notice.
Looking at your pic's on the pc & it does seem to have that smoked chrome effect like the bezel on the SGS
Indeed but the SGS bezel is a little more greenish/blueish in tint but it is barely noticable (you had to get me to check it closely in white light to notice it), both have the same reflection behaviour however which is why it blends very nicely.
I also notice a very faint rainbowish halo (probably there from transparent coating material used over the silver layer) in the backplate reflections, well, it's kind of cool actually.
My barely there case just came in, I must say very nice case.
My girlfriend has a cheap ebay one, and this is definitely worth the price.
Good job case-mate
epicfailguy2 said:
Anyone has pictures of the silver one ? I ordrered it but it won't be there before three days or so.
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Just a heads up. I had a metallic 'silver' case-mate barely there on my Desire and it murdered the 3G signal strength. Swapped it for the plain black and it was fine. Dunno if you have that issue with the SGS.
Signal is the same, didn't notice any change 4bars in town.
Just picked mine up today and couldn't be happier with it. Slides in and out of my pocket fairly easily and adds some structural support to the phone which you could argue is a little lacking.
So far I'm very happy with it; I was quite skeptical as I was a long time iPhone (indestructible 2G model) owner and have never used a case.
Haven't had a chance to add the screen protector.
Told you I was going to make it up for the crap ass webcam pictures
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=OHLglrlRsrw
Where did you guys purchase this at?
EarlZ said:
Where did you guys purchase this at?
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Asking about Barely there case?
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...rely+there+galaxy+s&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Although I see there are no black ones or metallic at the moment, only pink
Just got mine two days ago and must say this is the perfect case for my SGS, could be a little less slippery, but still definitely worth it's money.
Recently applied bestskinsever.com front and back skins to my D850.
http://www.bestskinsever.com/lg-g3-skin
I ordered the glossy front and the matte rear. The glossy front keeps the phone looking exactly like it does from the factory. I ordered the matte rear because the phone does not have a glossy rear finish like many other smartphones. The matte rear goes very well with the "brushed metal" look of the back plate. It even creates a slight pearling/frosting effect with the white. I am happy with my choices.
Bestskinsever is such a better buy than the other brands...I got mine for $11.99 shipped to my door which is a fraction of what other brands charge for just the front! It comes in a flat envelope with instructions.
You need to make your own application solution out of water a dish soap, but that's not a huge deal at all. I won't really go into the whole installation process because there are tons of videos out there detailing how to install wet phone skins.
Front:
It is well made and is the same quality I have always expected from them. The cutouts for the camera, light, and motion sensors were perfectly positioned as well as the cutout for the speaker.
I was a bit apprehensive about the overall size of the front skin though. It was slightly smaller than the front of the phone on all four sides. I thought that as a result, it would be obvious that the phone has a skin on it since the skin wouldn't reach all the way to each edge.
My worries quickly subsided once I applied the skin to the phone though. Being slightly smaller made it easier to position the skin on the screen without the edges of the skin hanging over the sides of the phone...making them more susceptible to capturing dirt or peeling off. Once finished, it was an excellent fit. The only way you can tell this phone has a skin on the front is by looking closely at the camera/sensors where the skin has its cutouts. SATISFIED!
Back:
The back was a less pleasing experience. Yes, the cutouts for the laser sensor, camera, flash, buttons, and speaker are positioned perfectly. However, do you remember how the front was ever-so-slightly smaller than the actual front of the phone, which made installation easier? Well unfortunately, bestskinsever did not create the back piece this way. The piece is pretty much exactly the same size as the back plate of the phone.
Lining up the skin perfectly as intended with all the cutouts exactly in their places made it very difficult to keep the corners of the skin adhered. This is due to the curvature of the phone and was most prominent at the top corners. To combat this, I removed the skin and placed it slightly lower on the phone so the top edges would have a fighting chance of staying stuck down. I achieved a reasonable amount of success at the top of the phone, while keeping the cutouts reasonably in place.
The bottom of the phone definitely has a small amount of overhang as a result, which in my opinion is not as bad as the top corners were looking prior to re-positioning. I'm curious how the overhang is going to hold up over time. I'm anticipating that it will probably begin to collect grime/lint but we will see. Hopefully since it is the matte finish that anything it does collect will be less apparent. If I hear from bestskinsever that they will be revising the rear skin to make it slightly smaller like the front, I'll definitely pick one up.
You can see the imperfections at the top and bottom. I do love the slight pearling/frosting effect that it creates though.
is this just a clear vinyl wrap?
Yup, that's correct.
I have never been a fan of phone cases because they make the phone bulky and heavy. Plus I just like the way today's smartphones look...they are pretty lol.
Update on the skin after being installed for a few weeks now.
The front is still acceptable. The edges have stayed completely stuck down and there is no dirt starting to accumulate on any of the edges. When looking at it with the screen off at certain angles, you can see that there have been some imperfections that have developed randomly across the surface. I'm not sure what has caused them. They aren't scratches at all...more like indentations, but when rubbing your finger over the surface, it's still perfectly smooth.
The rear is a different story. Just like I predicted in my review of the back, the bottom edge that is overhanging has collected some dirt and grime. It has peeled away from the phone slightly as well. While the other there edges are staying adhered to the phone better, they are still accumulating grime and beginning to look dirty. Additionally, the large cutout for the buttons/camera is beginning to collect grime on the edges as well. The back of the phone doesn't look clean. Just seems kind of dingy.
Due to my dissatisfaction, I've ordered a Spigen Ultra Hybrid case (which will be arriving today). Definitely looking forward to peeling off the back skin and cleaning the phone. Liked this particular case because it has a clear polycarbonate back which should still allow the phone's "beauty" to show.
I'm glad bestskinsever gave me this skin for free just for writing a review, so I haven't really lost out on anything and I still have a decent screen protector.
I received this case and used for few days now and here is what I feel about this case. The case is made out of polycarbonate and it feels like same material is used as Affinity, TPU area, which is very sturdy and high quality. There are contoured grips on both sides and top and it prevents from sliding off your hands. There are also honeycomb texture area near both sides on the back. Combining these two features should help a buyer who constantly drops the phone while holding.
The edges around the case on front have beveled edges and top and bottoms are great, but sides can be more beveled, few spots can feel a little sharp, but usage overtime will make this issue go away. Back cover can be detached and replaced if you want to. I am not sure why this feature exists, but if you would like to combine with different colors, you can do it. Given the price of this case being relatively cheap, that is possible. I personally like the case overall, doesn't add much to its thinness and I can still feel like holding a thin phone. Back cover is plastic and replaceable as mentioned above.
This is an excellent case for someone who doesn't have to see the phone natural color obviously because it covers the whole area, or someone who is looking for a case for your BLACK phone. I have coral blue as you can see in screen shots, but this will go great with black ones. But, honestly, this case with coral blue is not bad in my opinion.
ESR reached out to me to see if I wanted to test any of their new Pixel 4XL accessories so of course I said yes. I'm using their tempered glass case on my 3XL and really like it, and it is good to see that they expanded their lineup for the 4XL. They sent the tempered glass case (Mimic) and protectors, the slim clear case (Zero,) as well as the kickstand case in both clear and black. The cases are all TPU based so they are flexible, and of course the Mimic has a tempered back which adds some rigidity. Since the Nexus 6P I've had a white phone and to show off the color always preferred the TPU sides with a polycarbonate back, but I've found that the glass back is even better in terms of clarity and scratch resistance. While no better or worse than polycarbonate, the smooth back of the Mimic does make it slipperier if you set it down on an angled surface (say, your leg) while the full TPU cases offer just a bit of grip to keep it in place better. All of these ESR cases use what seems to be good quality TPU with the dot matrix pattern to avoid the case sticking to the phone. I was actually impressed that the Mimic offered that, despite only having TPU edges. The "black" kickstand case is more of a smoke color and is semi-transparent. Not sure how well it will pair with the orange or white Pixel 4, but I've got an orange coming so I'll update with pictures once it arrives. The screen protector comes in a two pack and appears to be full adhesive, despite the black border. The sensor areas aren't cut out, but they don't have any adhesive. Time will tell if those areas become dust magnets or not. Obviously without a phone I'm not using them yet, but at least initially the coating feels very smooth.
In the images you're looking at, from left to right, the kickstand case, the Mimic and the Zero. My 3XL has the Zero on, with the 4XL Zero next to it for comparison.
I will of course update this post once my phone arrives, but I know that some of you will start getting phones in the coming days and wanted to throw out my initial opinions. They're offering XDA users a 20% discount with the codes below, and some of the Pixel 4 cases may have a 5% discount on the Amazon page which will stack if available.
Pixel 4XL
Metal Kickstand Case, Clear F8R72K6O
Essential Zero Soft TPU Case, Clear 4X7NAEF8
Mimic Series Tempered Glass Case, Clear 99TV34ZG
Tempered-Glass Edge-to-Edge Screen Protector, 2-Pack ZZNHDQYA
Pixel 4
Metal Kickstand Case, Clear YYEWIX3H
Essential Zero Soft TPU Case, Clear F2N6DUNN
Mimic Series Tempered Glass Case, Clear UI6GFPSP
Tempered-Glass Edge-to-Edge Screen Protector, 2-Pack 46HGDZ9O
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Thanks for the codes.
I had already ordered the mimic and essential zero for my (to be delivered tomorrow) 4xl and actually received them yesterday.
I immediately reordered at the discounted prices and initiated the free returns to amazon.
I know it's only a savings of approximately $5.50, but it's definitely worth it to me and I'm happy about it.
Hopefully the cases fit great on my new phone. I want to show off my "panda".
Thanks again
I have the zero clear here waiting for the phone to arrive tomorrow and I just ordered the clear with kickstand and used coupon code. Thanks
Just ordered the mimic. I like the idea of it. We'll see how they execute.
P4XL arrived today, here are pictures of the Mimic, Kickstand (in black) and Zero (in that order) as well as the installed screen protector. I don't think I'm crazy about the screen protector; it went on easily and looks good at a distance, but on dark screens you can see a slight halo around the edges of the display just before the protector's black border. It also feels nice and smooth, but smudges pretty easily.
As for the cases, unlike the P3 the Mimic has a lip where the glass meets the TPU on the back, which gives it just a little grip. I like it. The black Kickstand case definitely would work best on the black, if you're going white or orange I'd suggest the clear case. The Kickstand itself is very sturdy and stays in place at any angle you place it. It has enough strength to prop up the phone with the kickstand lying flat on the table, meaning you can adjust the phone at any angle you'd like. It also adds a pretty sizable hump to the bottom, fwiw. The Zero feels nice and slim, though I'm not sure it's noticably slimmer than the Mimic. The full, smooth TPU gives it a different in hand feel for sure and more grip when laid down on a smooth surface.
All in all I like all 3 cases, but personally I'll probably stick with Mimic. I'll also likely try some other screen protectors, though I can't say any Pixel has had good screen protector options.
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I purchased the zero but haven't put it on yet. This phone feels really good in the hand and I want to go naked.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using XDA Labs
kellybrf said:
ESR reached out to me to see if I wanted to test any of their new Pixel 4XL accessories so of course I said yes. I'm using their tempered glass case on my 3XL and really like it, and it is good to see that they expanded their lineup for the 4XL. They sent the tempered glass case (Mimic) and protectors, the slim clear case (Zero,) as well as the kickstand case in both clear and black. The cases are all TPU based so they are flexible, and of course the Mimic has a tempered back which adds some rigidity. Since the Nexus 6P I've had a white phone and to show off the color always preferred the TPU sides with a polycarbonate back, but I've found that the glass back is even better in terms of clarity and scratch resistance. While no better or worse than polycarbonate, the smooth back of the Mimic does make it slipperier if you set it down on an angled surface (say, your leg) while the full TPU cases offer just a bit of grip to keep it in place better. All of these ESR cases use what seems to be good quality TPU with the dot matrix pattern to avoid the case sticking to the phone. I was actually impressed that the Mimic offered that, despite only having TPU edges. The "black" kickstand case is more of a smoke color and is semi-transparent. Not sure how well it will pair with the orange or white Pixel 4, but I've got an orange coming so I'll update with pictures once it arrives. The screen protector comes in a two pack and appears to be full adhesive, despite the black border. The sensor areas aren't cut out, but they don't have any adhesive. Time will tell if those areas become dust magnets or not. Obviously without a phone I'm not using them yet, but at least initially the coating feels very smooth.
In the images you're looking at, from left to right, the kickstand case, the Mimic and the Zero. My 3XL has the Zero on, with the 4XL Zero next to it for comparison.
I will of course update this post once my phone arrives, but I know that some of you will start getting phones in the coming days and wanted to throw out my initial opinions. They're offering XDA users a 20% discount with the codes below, and some of the Pixel 4 cases may have a 5% discount on the Amazon page which will stack if available.
Pixel 4XL
Metal Kickstand Case, Clear YYEWIX3H
Essential Zero Soft TPU Case, Clear F2N6DUNN
Mimic Series Tempered Glass Case, Clear UI6GFPSP
Tempered-Glass Edge-to-Edge Screen Protector, 2-Pack 46HGDZ9O
Pixel 4
Metal Kickstand Case, Clear F8R72K6O
Essential Zero Soft TPU Case, Clear 4X7NAEF8
Mimic Series Tempered Glass Case, Clear 99TV34ZG
Tempered-Glass Edge-to-Edge Screen Protector, 2-Pack ZZNHDQYA
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Did you know that you have the links grouped and labeled incorrectly? The top group of links says Pixel 4XL - but they are actually for PIXEL 4 products and the bottom group is labled Pixel 4 while the links are all for 4 XL products? Hopefully everyone clicking the links looks carefully before buying anything - or they will be disappointed - I thought you might want to update the OP .....thanks for the options though - look like great products....
Just now I order " Mimic Series Tempered Glass Case " I don't like to use the case all the time. I am a fan of clear full body skin. But I like the idea of the glass case and I am very interesting to try it
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Geekser said:
Did you know that you have the links grouped and labeled incorrectly? The top group of links says Pixel 4XL - but they are actually for PIXEL 4 products and the bottom group is labled Pixel 4 while the links are all for 4 XL products? Hopefully everyone clicking the links looks carefully before buying anything - or they will be disappointed - I thought you might want to update the OP .....thanks for the options though - look like great products....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not, thanks and fixed!
Here's some pics of the zero on the 4 xl. It's a good case. The cutouts are lined up good and it's not too bulky. It also has the dot matrix so you don't have spots where it sticks to the phone. Definitely a good case but the phone feels so good naked, I don't think I'll leave it on very long.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs
kellybrf said:
I did not, thanks and fixed!
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I wasn't paying attention and bought the pixel 4 version of the case because of that. No biggy, just made me laugh when I opened the packaging and went to put it on. Refund started and correct one ordered.
The screen protector is really great. Cant tell its on.
What happened to the Mimic black?
I'm using mimic clear currently on my 4xl and it's very nice. With the coupon code and prime discount I paid about $14. Really good deal. Paid about $7 for the essential zero but haven't messed with that one yet.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Wasn't a fan of the screen protector. Super easy to put on and it doesn't block any sensors. But the rounded corners come out too far cutting of a little bit of real estate. And it holds on to fingerprints so keep a cloth handy. Frustrating as they mailed everything else.
Bought the ESR screen protector 2-pack and it didn't go well for me at all. First one didn't apply properly so had to bin that one, second one spontaneously shattered within 2 days. Got a Spigen one and no issues yet.
So I got the ESR Mimic case and I have to say it's a piece of crap. It's like a 99 cent TPU case with a piece of tempered glass glued protector glued to the back. Mine came in with a bunch of scratches and scuffs that couldn't be buffered off. No point in using a clear case when there's visual imperfections that take awake from the viewing experience. I bet they make a huge markup on this case considering they're charging $22 and that's with the discount. I'm pretty sure they paid for their reviews on Amazon. Returned the same day. Go for the Caseology Skyfall instead it's $14 and a way more attractive/high quality case. It doesn't have a glass back but it is leaps and bounds ahead of the ESR Mimic in terms of quality. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VFSBQDH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Display + Buttons
Oblique angles
Rear, Texture, Hump, repeat Hump
Corners
Cutouts
What is aramid fiber? I don't know, please go look it up and be mindful of marketing.
Synthetic materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, composite, aramid, kevlar, etc are just fun names for the same concept. You take strands of something really strong in one aspect but catastrophically fails if twisted or sheared or rubbed against itself. That's why you lay out all the fibers in certain directions then glue them in place and hope the glue prevents situations where the fibers are weak.
When you see aramid, think amine-based (nitrogen). Carbon alone (like in carbon fiber) blocks radio frequencies so no-go for phones. Nitrogen helps the fiber form similarly strong chains without RF obstruction that pure carbon sheet linkages cause. From what I've read, aramid is closer to kevlar but doesn't require the same tension for strength. Being 0.7mm thick, it's definitely not protective and you should only think of this as an alternative skin. From what I've read, the shock absorption is somewhere between glass and plastic. You are def getting worse drop protection than any real case.
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Ordered 2/7, received 2/26 (19 days, if math hard). I didn't take a picture of the box, but think fauxfiber-wrapped cardboard with foam inside. Sturdier than your Amazon package, closer to particle board tbh.
I paid $26 on aliexpress and would not recommend it if you need a case. I like the slim case but need a lip. I don't lay my display face down but still ... I love the rear, the button cutout is tolerable, and the lack of lip is a dealbreaker. I don't see any suitable alternatives so it's my daily for now.
Texture: the plastic feels amazing. Soft and grippy enough. My XPS 13 9360 has 1/10th the texture and is grippier. I have no complaints about the texture or grip and would not adjust either. It can be slippery for those concerned about that. After a week, it still looks and feels new. I'm not sure how scratch-resistamt this material is, but it definitely still feels superlative.
Finish: Minor variation/bumps at the corners. In general, straight lines are cut perfectly while rounded edges have small imperfections (<0.5mm). If you're struggling to see it in the photos, trust your eyes. I chose the camera cover variant for piece of mind (also comes in no-top/-bottom or camera-cut-out or both). You can see that small space, which I really don't like. I can feel the case creak a bit in that area, and am certain that harder-than-glass particles will accumulate and scratch the lens.
Installation: it's not terribly hard to install, but removal can be scary. The small bridge of plastic over my 3.5mm port shows some visual strain. It's not quite a crack, but the aramid plastic is clearly discolored in a fracture pattern. It only appeared when I began to very gently remove it (to take inside pics for you...).
Ergonomics: I don't like the exposed buttons but feel like cutouts would have caused problems. Hard to install/remove, prone to stress fracture were avoided by just cutting that section out. This is why we see so many cheap hard cases just omit the top and bottom. You lose a little protection and also lose a little headache.
Personally: I didn't just buy a case to protect my phone. I was rocking the very protective and great-feeling case temporarily while the aramid fiber was en route. It's big and bulky, but it feels amazing in the hand and I highly recommend it if you can grab it for under $10. This aramid fiber one is basically a skin, and I like the look and feel despite the lack of protection. I'm going to keep using it while I seek an alternative or addition for some screen protection. I don't hate screen protectors, but would prefer just an ultra-minimal 3d-printed bumper or something. This is a lot of concession and effort for a case I paid $26 for. I don't think a skin would be a suitable alternative, but for anyone interested I implore you to reconsider a slim plastic that that has top/bottom coverage. How do I truly feel: god damn does this case feel good. Forget a skin, the in-hand feel during use is amazing and I recognize that my phone is basically caseless. I'll put the rugged case over this one rather than risk breaking it from frequent removal.
Things I would change: LIP, smaller button cutout . I paid $5 for a small sheet of fake carbon fiber for wrapping cars and plan on using it to pad the gap in the camera hump. It may be too thick, or just right. I might just cut a tiny ring to "seal" the camera holes. I originally intended on surrounding the buttons so it would be more flush, but think the effort is not worth the payoff.
Other: I had the Totallee leather case for the last couple months on my 3 XL (was $8 new on amazon) and the cutouts were atrocious. After several hours with an exacto knife and a small flame, I made the buttons easier to use and the USB-C port accept my big, thick plugs. I think with those mods, that was my ideal case. Very slim but stiff, ~0.3mm lip (1mm would have been nice), and the leather rear feels fantastic while the edges are more durable plastic for daily use.