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Seidio Active X Case Black Review UPDATED - 50+ pics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thread Updated

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

how easy is the back part to remove?

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

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

Updated More pics

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

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

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

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

Seidio Innocase Review (BLACK)

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

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

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

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

how easy is it to remove?

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

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

can ya describe in detail how it is though?

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

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

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

thank you this will help

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trident Aegis vs. Trident Kraken 2 (pics)

Since I get bored easily, I thought I'd splurge on a Trident Kraken 2 for my Charge. I previously compared the Otterbox Commuter to the Trident Aegis and found that while I preferred the Aegis, it still had some short comings.
So what do you get for twice the price of the Aegis?
A split case, which makes the Kraken 2 easier to install and remove.
A kickstand, which is metal and quite nice.
A screen protector, which is an integral part of the front cover.
Protection for the hard buttons, front facing camera, ear speaker, and sensors.
A holster.
Thoughts:
I've read other reviews of Kraken 2 cases which stated that the case doubled the weight of the phone. I never believed that, so I weighed the bare Charge and the Charge with the Kraken 2 on it.
Bare: 5 ounces.
With Kraken 2: 8.25 ounces.
So, I still don't believe it doubles the weight of the phone.
The hard case on the Kraken 2 seems to have slightly less grip to it than the hard case on the Aegis. Some may not notice a difference, but I do.
The integral screen protector appears cheap, but I guess any piece of plastic in that area would appear cheap. Mine arrived with a small flaw at the bottom of the protector, I may contact Trident about a replacement. It is factory sealed to the front half of the hard case, so it does provide good moisture protection. I was worried that having two layers of screen protection would have a negative effect on the touch screen experience, since I already have a Steinheil Ultra Clear protector installed, but I notice very little difference. I do notice a strange "oil slick" effect when the screen is dark wherever the two protectors make contact. I might remove the integral protector... time will tell.
Most of the silicon port covers have a different design than the Aegis, with the exception of the headphone jack cover. The new design makes it easier to open the covers.
The case is easier to install and remove than the Aegis, but I have yet to accomplish the task of removing it without the using a small flat bladed screw driver, or other prying device.
The kickstand is metal, operates well, and could be very handy.
The Kraken 2 is thicker than the Aegis, but I am still able to slide the phone in and out of the front pocket of my Levis.
The holster is 100% plastic. It holds the phone very well, but I question the durability of the clip. I'm sure the plastic that flexes when you operate the clip will have a very limited lifespan.
All of the buttons are very easy to press. No complaints at all.
You have to be more precise with your finger swipe to access the pull-down menu, because the hard case limits your finger movement near the top of the phone. I will adapt to that.
Overall, I really like the Kraken 2. Yes it is a large case, but it has everything I wanted, and then some. I'll be using the holster all of the time, and I may grow to love the kickstand. I will miss the flared top corners of the Aegis. They made for a very nice place to rest your index finger and thumb.
Photos:
I really need to buy a light box! Also, please ignore the poor fit of the Kraken 2. My wife had an appointment, so I had to install the Kraken 2 on her phone and snap the photos as fast as I could. I screwed up the install in a couple of spots.
Note: When the Aegis and Kraken 2 are shown together, the Kraken 2 is on the right.
The front cover (far right) has a built in screen protector.
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Nice, I'm totally getting on of those. Thanks!
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA Premium App

I wanted to get a Kraken II in red but the belt holster is too important for me to risk it. I've read a lot of bad reviews on Trident's Kraken belt holster so I went with the Otterbox. Props for the comparison though!

Great reviews! Just curious, if you could only get one case which would buy after trying out all three of the cases the Aegis, Kraken II or Otterbox...

I ordered my blue Kraken II on ebay 5 minutes before you posted this. Red and blue are not available on the Trident site as of yet but there is a seller on ebay that has them and the rest of the colors for $33 with free first class shipping. I was waiting to jump on this case because I either wanted the red or blue. Thanks for posting the comparison, the case looks great.

blahdc said:
Great reviews! Just curious, if you could only get one case which would buy after trying out all three of the cases the Aegis, Kraken II or Otterbox...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd go with the Kraken 2. It's not quite as nice to hold as the Aegis, but you can't beat the protection and features.
I forgot to mention that the HDMI cover on my Aegis didn't want to stay closed. It was getting annoying.

Sweet thanks! Now I'm torn between the red or the green. Red might be a little too flashy, I'm leaning towards the green.

That's a bunch of case.
I have the Aegis, and it seems huge enough as it is. I don't know that the "additional" protection is worth it. I don't see the need to have my buttons covered and the top portion of the phone is covered by my clear screen protector. Due to the lip on the Aegis, if you drop it, its not going to land flat on the screen as it is.
But, if you're into the belt holster thing, I guess that's a plus. The kickstand would never get used for me either.
I do wish that the Aegis had the Kraken's dust covers though. My HDMI cover is really easy to uncover (though it doesn't ever fall open like the previous poster's did, thank god) yet the charger cover is rather difficult. Looking for a silver lining, I guess that is a good thing that the slot that has an opening to the inside of the phone is the best sealed.
I just couldn't deal with that bulk. Thanks for doing the side by side. It reaffirmed my happiness with my purchase, but I did want to offer my perspective for the people who are looking to buy one of the two. I'm certainly not lambasting anyone's opinion or purchase.

I am glad I am not the only one that feels the same about the Aegis dust covers. Hdmi too easy to open and usb too hard.

Update: In my review, I said "You have to be more precise with your finger swipe to access the pull-down menu, because the hard case limits your finger movement near the top of the phone. I will adapt to that."
Well, I don't think I will be able to adapt. It's driving me nuts. I'm using the Zeam launcher and when you swipe the home screen with that launcher, it takes you to the app. drawer. When I'm attempting to use the pull down menu in the limited space that the Kraken 2 provides, I'd say that 50% of the time I end up in the app. drawer.
So... I'm not sure if I'll be using the Kraken 2 as my permanent case.
In fact, I'm thinking of going the other direction now and trying the Case-mate Barely There. I told you I get bored easily.

Rememo said:
Update: In my review, I said "You have to be more precise with your finger swipe to access the pull-down menu, because the hard case limits your finger movement near the top of the phone. I will adapt to that."
Well, I don't think I will be able to adapt. It's driving me nuts. I'm using the Zeam launcher and when you swipe the home screen with that launcher, it takes you to the app. drawer. When I'm attempting to use the pull down menu in the limited space that the Kraken 2 provides, I'd say that 50% of the time I end up in the app. drawer.
So... I'm not sure if I'll be using the Kraken 2 as my permanent case.
In fact, I'm thinking of going the other direction now and trying the Case-mate Barely There. I told you I get bored easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This drove me nuts with my Otterbox too. Easy fix: use ADW Launcher. If you swipe down anywhere on the screen it pulls the notification bar down.
Also how well is the belt clip working for day to day?

yutzybrian said:
This drove me nuts with my Otterbox too. Easy fix: use ADW Launcher. If you swipe down anywhere on the screen it pulls the notification bar down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never had this issue with any case I have owned (I don't currently have a case on my Charge at the moment), but that is one of my favorite features of ADW that I use all of the time.

yutzybrian said:
This drove me nuts with my Otterbox too. Easy fix: use ADW Launcher. If you swipe down anywhere on the screen it pulls the notification bar down.
Also how well is the belt clip working for day to day?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the ADW launcher for a while, along with others, but I always come back to Zeam. So... I can't give that up.
The belt clip is working great so far. Time will tell....

I got my case today and it is kind of hard to hit the notification bar at times. I might stick with the Aegis. The only thing I like more about the Kraken is its easier to pull out pockets then the Aegis.

I just ordered a Kraken 2 for my Charge today. My only hesitation is the holster, which is a must-use for me. Thanks OP for the great write-up!

[User Review] MyBat Tuff Hybrid protector case

Aloha!
So i've looked and searched, but there doesn't seem to be any reviews of this case for the Google Nexus 4 (LG e960).
I've also had experiences in the past with MyBat cell phone cases, Both good and bad.
So let's get started. I'll try to give you as complete a review as possible.
Where to get it:
http://www.mybat.com/Product/TUFF_Hybrid_Protector_Covers-17-288-0.html
I got mine from: Cell Pro (California, US) via E-Bay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/cellpro/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3686
(Free shipping, to Hawaii and it got here in TWO (2) days!!!)
This one in particular is called: LG Nexus 4 E960 Hybrid Hard Case Silicone Cover Black / White Skin TUFF
Review scoring:
Material -- 8.0/10 - Hard plastic parts of the case didn't feel flimsy and withstood initial installation, removal and re-installation (for the purposes of getting good pictures) without any tabs breaking. The soft ?silicone? rubber inner sleeve was also installed, removed and re-installed without incident, although i will say that the top and bottom portions of it did feel a little thin when slipping the phone into the sleeve.
Grip -- 7.5/10 - As you all know, the Nexus 4 is a pretty slippery phone after a few hours of use, due to oils from your hands getting on it, This case improves that condition considerably, and the slightly raised buttons and ribs make it a lot easier to hang on to. It still slipped in my hands but grip was regained when my fingers caught on the raised soft ?silicone? on the sides of the case/phone.
Buttons: Ease of Use -- 8.5/10 -- Ease for button - Remarkably the button feel/feedback is improved since you have more of a button to push, no longer mostly flush with the side of the phones body.
Fit / Finish -- 9.0/10 -- Snug fit/Hole openings - The cut outs are actually pretty good for a $9.00 case. No real 'seams' or molding artifacts to be seen. All the holes lined up with little attention to "making them line up". The soft ?silicone? rubber fits like a comfy glove over the phone, and after the hard shell is installed, only the top and bottom forward facing sections can be lifted, but it is not loose or 'easily' pulled away from the phone either. In my opinion, it's a fairly snug fit. There is no 'gaps' of significant concern after the hard plastic shell pieces are installed. (no more than you'd expect for a $9.00 case anyway ... )
Appearance / Style - Kinda subjective, but imo it makes it look like a i-Phone 5 (lol) -- [[ http://www.tekbeattv.com/review/mybat-tuff-hybrid-case-review-for-the-iphone-5/ ]]
Protection -- 7.0/10 - This case feels like it'd do a pretty good job protecting the phone from most everyday hazards. raised lip to protect the front screen and completely covers the rest of the phone in about 1/8" of
Price/Value -- 9/10 - My reason is simple. Its a $9.00 case, that realistically offers really good protection for the 'everyday' perils of owning/using this phone (Nexus 4).
Pros: Adds pretty decent protection against the everyday perils, I wouldn't suggest it would survive 500ft drops though. Really inexpensive, Good Fit/Finish. Raised lip around the front screen protects the screen and does not lift or cause any problems with my T-Mobile screen protector.
Cons: While also a "benefit", the raised lip of the case interferes with using my current favorite ROM (Paranoid Android 2.99 Beta NINE.9+ PIE). Since the lip is raised and very close to the edge of the screen it's more difficult to activate the "PIE" than without the case. It also adds a fair amount of width / thickness to the phone, (I estimate around 1/4" (1/8" all around)). It also loses it's "sexy" curvy feel, for a more square-ish feel (ala i-Phone 5-ish)
- Low Bandwidth warning - Pictures follow
https://picasaweb.google.com/110826929139769922477/MyBatTuffCaseLGE960Nexus4
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Top review. Thanks. Can you post a photo of the screen from a small angle please?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Black River said:
Top review. Thanks. Can you post a photo of the screen from a small angle please?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you're asking for here. Do you want a pic of the phone with the display on? trying to see how much of a lip it has?

Show me the lip pls
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Here's some pix of the raised lip around the front screen:
Hope that helps.

Looks pretty durable

Comparison measurements for those concerned about increased bulk (which is inevitable on this type of case)
Stock measurements: 5.27 x 2.70 x 0.36 in
(quoted from: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_nexus_4_e960-5048.php)
After case installed measurements: 5.5625 x 2.8750 x 0.5625 in
(no where near "100% accurate" but as measured by my measuring tape .... )
(5 9/16" x 2 7/8" x 9/16")

Very nice review, thanks! Would you say that the silicone on top and bottom is thick enough to offer good protection from regular drops? I am also owning this case http://www.ebay.com/itm/FULL-BLACK-...ccessories&hash=item51a60af104#ht_2077wt_1372 and it did not really impress me, silicone is very thin and it even slipped off the phone while in my pocket.

Lownita said:
Very nice review, thanks! Would you say that the silicone on top and bottom is thick enough to offer good protection from regular drops? I am also owning this case http://www.ebay.com/itm/FULL-BLACK-...ccessories&hash=item51a60af104#ht_2077wt_1372 and it did not really impress me, silicone is very thin and it even slipped off the phone while in my pocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aloha Lownita,
Yes, while i can't say "how much of a drop the top and bottom can handle", i think it offers pretty good protection with about 5/32" of silicone rubber at the top and bottom of the phone (estimated by 1/2-ing the increased height of the phone with this case on), and i'd estimate a bit more at the corners (which is what makes the phone look more square unfortunately for those that love the aesthetics of the natural design of the phone)
I have carried this phone/case combination in my jeans pocket and tried taking it out of my pocket while sitting in the car. The case/rubber does not come off. (and I don't wear really baggy jeans).
Overall, I'm happy with the case. aside from the cons i listed in my review, i haven't had any other complaints come up while using it.
I'll probably do a short / long term update on this case over the next few months.
Enjoy! and if you get it, i hope you enjoy it's protection as much as i am.

tazer808 said:
Aloha Lownita,
Yes, while i can't say "how much of a drop the top and bottom can handle", i think it offers pretty good protection with about 5/32" of silicone rubber at the top and bottom of the phone (estimated by 1/2-ing the increased height of the phone with this case on), and i'd estimate a bit more at the corners (which is what makes the phone look more square unfortunately for those that love the aesthetics of the natural design of the phone)
I have carried this phone/case combination in my jeans pocket and tried taking it out of my pocket while sitting in the car. The case/rubber does not come off. (and I don't wear really baggy jeans).
Overall, I'm happy with the case. aside from the cons i listed in my review, i haven't had any other complaints come up while using it.
I'll probably do a short / long term update on this case over the next few months.
Enjoy! and if you get it, i hope you enjoy it's protection as much as i am.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the white black version if this case. I really like it but I am still having issues with proximity sensor while on call. You having any issues?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Proximity sensor, hrm I've taken calls and the screen goes blank, but i think i might have seen it where when i moved the phone away from my ear, it didn't wake the display? maybe? Is that what you're referring to? i've only had that happen once. and have used the phone for multiple calls.

tazer808 said:
Proximity sensor, hrm I've taken calls and the screen goes blank, but i think i might have seen it where when i moved the phone away from my ear, it didn't wake the display? maybe? Is that what you're referring to? i've only had that happen once. and have used the phone for multiple calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i have to be in a brightly lit room for the screen to come on while i'm making a call. I thought it might be a rom/kernel issue, but it seems to work right after I take off the hard plastic cover. otherwise, this is a really nice case.

I have the solid black version of this case as well. I have had no proximity sensor issues so far.
I've had this now for ~2 weeks. So far, so good! That said, I don't use this as my daily case as it's too bulky. This is my "I'm going to the gym" or "I'm doing something rough outside" case.
I agree with pretty much the entire review. As far as how good the protection is, I don't think I can say there is another case available that will protect your phone better than this case. Sure, the protection can be increased, but I'm unaware of any case that accomplishes this for our Nexus 4.

Okay.. well... get into work today, and not 1 hour into the day and my phone took it's first tumble. Only about a foot and a half or so, directly onto the NOC raised floor. Short distance, and not a rough outdoor street or sidewalk but the case did it's job. it bounced once or twice and landed flat, screen side down. no scuffs or damage to the case.
:lol: not much of fall but certainly doing what i predicted it would do. Protect the phone from every day mishaps.

tazer808 said:
Okay.. well... get into work today, and not 1 hour into the day and my phone took it's first tumble. Only about a foot and a half or so, directly onto the NOC raised floor. Short distance, and not a rough outdoor street or sidewalk but the case did it's job. it bounced once or twice and landed flat, screen side down. no scuffs or damage to the case.
:lol: not much of fall but certainly doing what i predicted it would do. Protect the phone from every day mishaps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For science!
Jaxidian said:
That said, I don't use this as my daily case as it's too bulky. This is my "I'm going to the gym" or "I'm doing something rough outside" case.
I agree with pretty much the entire review. As far as how good the protection is, I don't think I can say there is another case available that will protect your phone better than this case. Sure, the protection can be increased, but I'm unaware of any case that accomplishes this for our Nexus 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I wanted to hear

FYI, one more piece of info that might be important to some about this case:
I *am* able to charge my phone on my LG WCP-700 Qi charger, but it must be in the absolute perfect spot! It can't move even 1 mm, it seems! Take the back hard cover off, and you then get a little bit of play. Some other Qi chargers have even less of an available area of play with our Nexus 4s in general, so I'd assume they wouldn't even work with this case. Ultimately, YMMV but I'd go with the assumption that you can't charge wirelessly with this case. Larger USB cables will fit in the gap with this case just fine, though (a problem with some cases).

Just a quick question, does the case interfere with NFC operation in any way?
Cheers,
deltatux

deltatux said:
Just a quick question, does the case interfere with NFC operation in any way?
Cheers,
deltatux
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried yet but based on the effect reported when using qi charger I'd say it 'might' interfere especially if the other phone also has a case.
Time will tell on this issue as more people get this phone and use it to its fullest capabilities
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

tazer808 said:
I haven't tried yet but based on the effect reported when using qi charger I'd say it 'might' interfere especially if the other phone also has a case.
Time will tell on this issue as more people get this phone and use it to its fullest capabilities
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update:
Tried NFC transfer today with a buddy of mine and his SGSIII, works fine. his was in case, and mine in this case. NFC detection and file transfer (3mb) worked great.

Hey guys. . .New to the Forums!
Just picked up a N4 from T-Mo, and this thread just made my decision for this case, especially when I'm not going to wait for Otterbox to start or evermake a case for this. As well as some of the posts bout NFC working with this case. . . .
Just curious if there would be any issues with a glass screen (like the Clarivue HD Glass) with this case. Or a best screen protector that will cover most of the glass (cutouts for sensor and camera) without interfering with the sensitivity and screen resolution while using this case. . Like Zagg/GhostArmor or similar thick screen protectors

[REVIEW] Cruzlite 'Experience Case'

Hello all,
I have just received a Cruzerlite 'Experience' case for review. Firstly, I'd like to thank XDA for this great website and to all the members on this forum, I've learned a lot and appreciate all the info found here on how to take full advantage of my Galaxy S4. I find it incredible the vast amount of knowledge on XDA and the willingness of others to share. Thanks to 'opasha' for announcing the need for Beta Testers. Cruzerlite contacted me via PM on July 6th and after emailing them my contact info, one of their products arrived in the mail on July 18. Please note that I am NOT being compensated financially for this review and that the opinion stated in this post is my own. As stated in 'opasha' original post, this is a product Beta Test. The final product you receive may or may not be exactly like the one in this review. I recommend contacting Cruzerlite ( http://www.cruzerlite.com/cases/samsung/galaxy-s-iv ) directly for any questions regarding specs, availability, color options, or additional information.
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Came in the mail in a bubble pack. The case is enclosed in a clear plastic box, it's rigid enough so it doesn't get crushed in the bubble pack while being mailed:
The Case that I requested was for a bright color and they sent orange. Some of you may be picky like I am, the shade of the color is very important to me, here it is next to my S4 for comparison:
Since this is the 'Experience' case, it has graphics of various android themes. IMO it's fun and matches well with the bright orange. The back is frosted but the android graphics itself are clear:
Looking at the lateral edges you can see that it is also clear:
With the case on my Black Mist colored S4 it darkens the shade of orange a bit, to my eyes kinda like a light rust or light root beer color.
One thing to note from this angle is the quality of construction. On inferior/cheap ebay cases, there is a noticeable amount of excess material (flash) and at times there can be a edge or 'lip' formed at the seam of the where the front meets the back. If this occurs in a case it is quite an annoyance. On my current tpu case (a generic one I got off ebay, as I like yellow it was the only place to find that specific color) the lip is quite sharp.
On the Cruzerlite 'Experience' it did not exhibit any excessive 'flash' materials and the 'lip' was minimal. IMO, this is reflective of higher quality control and manufacturing standards that you may not find in a cheaper product.
Let's take a look at the dimensions of the Cruzerlite case. I measured my S4 as is and it came in at approximately .333 inches in thickness
With the 'Experience' case on it measured approximately .388 inches so the Cruzerlit TPU case adds a scant .05 to the overall thickness.
Next area to examine are the cutouts. Here we have the camera and flash. The cuts lined up correctly and is slightly raised around the camera. It's a dual hole design which I prefer. Other brands do a single cut for both camera and flash which IMO is less protective. Also the case adds some height to the phone so if you lay your S4 on a flat surface, it doesn't come into direct contact with the camera lens.
Areas around the ports are important to inspect, if it is cut too high or not thick enough in certain areas, it will affect the structural integrity of the case and can cause bowing making the case act or look flimsy. On my ebay case it bows around the front side where the volume and power ports so visually it looks bad. The Cruzerlite tpu IMO struck a good balance in it's construction, is not too soft (like a silicon case) but not overly hard (like a hard plastic). It's flexible enough to retain it's shape but soft enough to get it on and off easily while still being secure. Texture wise, the back is smooth to slide in and out of pants pockets with the lateral sides having enough tact for grip and not being overly slippery.
Moving down to the bottom of the phone the cut out for the charging port is slightly offset to the left. While it is not centered correctly it allowed plenty of space for the OEM micro usb cable and my aftermarket ones.
The microphone area is also off center. I was concerned with it blocking sound quality so I places several calls to see if it was affected. Fortunately it did not interfere with sound transmission nor did it affect volume.
The power button is exposed, which is a design I prefer. Other cases have it covered making it a tad more difficult to press.
On the volume button side, it's open just like the power button.
At the top of the phone the cut out for the 3.5mm headset jack and microphone are aligned. I use either a Monster iSport or Etymotic earbuds and the ports are wide enough to fit without any problems.
The ir port is also centered correctly allowing full function:
Going to the back side of the case, the speaker port is not centered but the cutout was wide enough for it to fully work.
Overall I am happy with the case. It's construction and quality is better than other tpu cases I have tried and comes in at a reasonable price (as listed on their site it's only $9.90). I've had it for 2 days now and it will be replacing the current one that I am using. Any changes on my impressions will be added to this post. I plan to use it for another 2-3 weeks and as I like it very much will purchase one from Cruzerlite ( http://www.cruzerlite.com/cases/samsung/galaxy-s-iv ), only hard part is deciding on what color!
Thanks again for the opportunity to review the case. I'd like to pay it forward and send this case out in a few weeks for review to another XDA'er. If you are genuinely interested in a orange case by Cruzerlite, reply to this post with either positive comments or constructive criticism. You must reside in the U.S. and actually own a S4 AND willing to post a unbaised review here on XDA within a week of receiving the case from me. Thanks for taking the time to read this review and hope that it helps. HAGWE everyone!

Great review! Very indepth. I am impressed with your ability tobreak down the pros and cons of the case to a scientific level
Amazon UK/EU
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr...axy+S4&ie=UTF8&qid=1374453240&rnid=1632651031
Amazon US
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_i...g+Galaxy+S4+cruzerlite&ie=UTF8&qid=1374453327

Superb review and pics very well done ty
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

So after getting an email from cruzerlite this morning I decided to check my mail. This is a review for the cyan/light blue Experience case from Cruzerlite.
Just as the previous reviewer mentioned the cutouts seemed to not be exact or correctly aligned on initial application to the phone. With some slight pull of the tpu and correct alignment I was able to get the case to properly adjust with near perfect alignment.
As for the design, it looks very good with the phone in the case. The images on the back of the tpu are on point , transparent and unique from your average tpu cases. At first I was debating on the color thinking it might be too light or not too "manly" of a color for me. Im glad I chose this color, it's more than I expected. The color is great, it has more of an aqua color appearance in person.
The IR sensor and noise canceling mic is centered and does not affect the sound quality performance. As for the headphone cutout it is wide allowing headphones (straight or L shaped) to fit properly.
The charge port cutout is wide allowing OEM to third party cables to be used with this case.
I do have a screen protector (cheap one) on my phone. The case does Not affect my screen protector. Meaning it does not raise any edges or cause any type of push to the screen protector.
The lip of the case greatly protects the screen from getting scratched while laying the phone screen down on a table or any flat surface; while at the same time adds a completely new appearance and feel for the user.
As you can see from the image below the case is just about a hair thinner compared to the platinum series case or "seido" case.
Overall I think the case is of premium quality. It seems very durable and will protect your phone from getting scuffed on the edges from accidental drops. This case exceeded my expectations thinking it would be just like the average tpu cases I have used on my past devices. I recommend this case to anyone looking into purchasing a tpu case. For the price listed on amazon I think its worth the purchase.
Edit: The camera is horrible with flash. I constantly get a blue tint on all pictures now. Only with the case on of course. Have moved back to previous case because of this.
Thanks to Cruzerlite and XDA for the opportunity of reviewing this case.

Thanks, hope this review helps someone who is considering a Cruzerlite and purchasing this case.

Appreciate you looking, IMO it's a well made case and comes in a variety of colors and styles.

Thanks for your indepth review j510, your case looks like it fits perfectly.

Damn that second one is Hnnnnnnng.... :victory:

picachux said:
Damn that second one is Hnnnnnnng.... :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a nice ICS blue

HiredGUN.45 said:
Appreciate you looking, IMO it's a well made case and comes in a variety of colors and styles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got the darker blue and it is also very nice

Droidguy987 said:
Just got the darker blue and it is also very nice
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Click to collapse
How long did it take you to receive your case from when you provided your shipping info? I'm really excited to try this case out.

GreenXSniper said:
How long did it take you to receive your case from when you provided your shipping info? I'm really excited to try this case out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About 11 days no tracking shipped from germany

Received my green case yesterday, after a day of use around the job site I am gratefully impressed with the case. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow I'm not usually to much for tpu cases but CruzerLite has done it with this one. The textured back makes it not slippery, I've also taken the case on and off a bunch of times trying to see if it's going to stretch out and or wear to the point it doesn't fit properly. To my amazement I still fits perfectly, I've actually like it so much I want to pick up a couple more colors. The one and only thing that I don't personally care for that much is the icon pattern on the back but the good definitely out weighs the bad, I've also had a few people say they like the green case on black S4. If you are debating the case all i can say is don't great case and doesn't add much bulk. :good:

xxwckdxx said:
Received my green case yesterday, after a day of use around the job site I am gratefully impressed with the case. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow I'm not usually to much for tpu cases but CruzerLite has done it with this one. The textured back makes it not slippery, I've also taken the case on and off a bunch of times trying to see if it's going to stretch out and or wear to the point it doesn't fit properly. To my amazement I still fits perfectly, I've actually like it so much I want to pick up a couple more colors. The one and only thing that I don't personally care for that much is the icon pattern on the back but the good definitely out weighs the bad, I've also had a few people say they like the green case on black S4. If you are debating the case all i can say is don't great case and doesn't add much bulk. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look forward to the pictures

Droidguy987 said:
Look forward to the pictures
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was super busy today didn't get a chance to get the pictures taken
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

xxwckdxx said:
Was super busy today didn't get a chance to get the pictures taken
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand

Green Galaxy S4 case Pics
Here you go.... bare with me used my wife's Epic 4g Touch to take the pictures.

I got the white Open Experience case today. I want to thank Cruzerlite for sending this case! My first impressions: the case feels very nice in the hand [better than anything I've bought off eBay for the same price this case goes for]. The cutouts are very precise (only thing is the speaker beside the USB port is slightly off but I am sure it will get fixed but no big deal as it doesn't cover it fully). There is a plus! I'm using a Spigen glass.tR slim and the case fits perfectly without chipping it off. Protection is minimal, the same you can expect with any cases in this category, however it does add a slight lip raising the phone's screen (even with my glass screen protector). The case is quite stylish it makes the phone stand out. I received the white one and dang the thing looks good with my black S4 (good contrast). Buttons are easy to press. Overall quality!
Sorry for the picture quality, they are taken with a Blackberry Curve

Might have been just a slight defect with yours or maybe the white one, my green one is spot on. By the way that white does look nice, thanks again Cruzlite
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

Blue open experience case
Hey Guys,
So I received my case for beta testing and on first glance, the case feels amazing. I will post pictures soon, but in the time being I have uploaded a video review/unboxing of the case. enjoy
LINK to VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K_8JsAx5O4