Hello! Poetic kindly provided me with both their Affinity and Revolution cases for review. As there are a bunch of similar threads here on XDA, I'll try to keep this post brief but informative.
General
One overarching statement I can make about these cases is that they have very distinctive designs, and probably won't appeal to those who appreciate a more minimalist aesthetic (e.g. those who use a Diztronic TPU or Spigen Slim Fit case). Style preferences, are, of course, objective, so I'll try to evaluate design based on function as much as form.
Affinity
Click here to buy it on Amazon.com
Album of pics here
Look and Feel - The case I received has an updated design (compared to the image currently on the Amazon page); the "P" logo is now between the cutouts for the microphone and fingerprint sensor, and the "Affinity" branding has been completely removed. I appreciate these changes, as it no longer obscures the phone's own "nexus" logo and overall reduces visual clutter. I've found the clear polycarbonate to be quite the fingerprint magnet; having not used any other clear cases to compare against, I'm not sure if this is a common thing or not. Hard TPU runs along the back, wraps around the corners, camera cutout, and buttons; however, the sides are a glossy plastic with raised bumps. I'm not fond of this plastic because while it does provide some extra grip, it's not quite as comfortable to hold as the rubber ridges on my Speck Candyshell Grip case. The slim profile of this case adds imperceptible bulk to the phone.
Cutouts - I've found no issues with cutouts for the ports, camera, or fingerprint sensor. Regarding the latter, the edge is pretty steeply bevelled, but doesn't feel sharp when I glide my finger over it. The thin profile of the case makes it not really an issue.
Protection - Speaking of the thin profile, the upper lip barely extends beyond the phone's screen; this is great for people who use (practically) edge-to-edge screen protectors. However, there is still enough of a lip for you to not worry about placing the phone face-down on a surface without a screen protector. Having TPU around all four corners should provide a little extra drop protection, as well. I haven't used the case long enough to see whether the TPU on the rear actually reduces scratching of the clear polycarbonate
Final Thoughts - This is a great case for someone looking for a clear back, but also wanting a bit more grip and drop protection than other clear cases on the market.
4/5 stars
Revolution
Click here to buy it on Amazon.com
Album of pics here
Look and Feel - This case is colossal with distinct, military/industrial styling. Personally, I don't really like the fake screws or seemingly-whimsical use of glossy TPU along the sides; if it provides no specific function, I don't think it needs to be a visual element (aside from some branding), in my opinion. If the hard polycarbonate back plate was really bolted onto the second TPU layer, that my opinion would've been different. The Nexus 6P is already a pretty large phone, and this case definitely makes it feel quite a bit bulkier. However, I really like the subtle texture of the TPU along the sides and button covers; it adds a nice amount of grip to an otherwise unwieldy case.
Cutouts - The headphone jack and USB-C ports are guarded by hard plastic and covered with TPU flaps; while I've found no fit issues with my headphones or stock charging cable, those with particularly bulky headphone jacks might run into issues, though the USB port opening is fairly generous. There's a much more gradual bevel towards the fingerprint sensor than with the Affinity case.
Protection - This case is obviously all about protection. The phone is first clipped into a plastic bumper with a built-in plastic screen protector before it's inserted into the TPU/plastic hybrid layer. This thing will be very resilient against drops! Having port covers is great protection against dust. Unfortunately, I found the built-in screen protector to be more of a hindrance than help, as there was a noticeable air gap between the plastic and the tempered glass protector on my phone's screen. This significantly decreased touch sensitivity, and I'd recommend just removing it in favour of a protector directly applied to your phone's screen.
Extra features - Aside from the Seidio Surface, I haven't seen any other phone cases with a built-in kickstand. This one is made of metal and feels very solid - a great addition for those who like watching media and like propping up their phone to do so. There is also a carabiner clip made of the same TPU as the rest of the case, increasing portability as this case is definitely not compatible for those who wear slim-fitting jeans.
Final thoughts - If you work in construction or any other rough/rugged environment, I'd recommend this case for the glut of protective features, short of waterproofness. However, its significant bulk and questionable styling makes me pause to recommend it to an average/casual user who doesn't need this level of protection.
3.5/4 stars
Related
I went a little case crazy the last couple of weeks. I have had the Seidio Dual Pro since I purchased the phone in June, but have been looking for something more substantial. I tried the Otterbox Defender and returned it a day later. The lint and hair that gathers under the plastic screen was driving me nuts. If it was not for that and the creaking of the case when held firmly, I would have kept it and my search would have been over.
The Incipio Dual Pro is still my favorite as far as comfort. It is a simple dual layer case with a very thin silicon inner layer and a nice grippy outer shell. It slips in and out of pockets easily, but provides the least amount of protection. The lip is very shallow and provides just enough clearance you will not scratch the screen face down.
The Trident Aegis is in between the Incipio and Seidio regarding protection. It also follows the traditional setup of a silicon inner layer and hard outer case. It is noticeable thicker than the Incipio. The protective silicon layer is nearly twice as thick and the corners are heavily reinforced. The lip is also a bit deeper. I liked this case, but wanted something that felt more substantial; similar to an Otterbox, but without the screen.
So today my Seidio Convert arrived, and it is perfect for my needs. First off, it comes with two cases and a holster (the holster only works with the heavy case, but you can order a thin holster separately). The first case is the Seidio Surface. It is a snug fitting plastic case that is lined with a felt type of material. This case snaps together from the top and bottom and feels very secure. The grip is excellent. I work in many different conditions and grip is very important to me. I have dropped several phones over the years when my hands get sweaty. I have no worries with this one. I feel the protection is close to that of the Incipio Dual Pro.
When you need that extra level of protection you convert the Surface Case by adding a very heavy thick rubber silicon layer over the top of the Surface Case. Then clip on the plastic outer backing that holds everything together. The three layers combine to offer a level of protection that exceeds the Otterbox Defender, in my opinion. The lip is very deep. There is no way anything can hit the screen if you drop it on a floor or sidewalk. The holster is very high quality. They redesigned it a couple of years ago and have added a lock to ensure it stays in the holster. The only thing I would change is the pin they use on the clip. I would have preferred a metal pin over the plastic one. The icing on the cake for me is the built in kick stand. I video chat with my kids every day when they get home from school and the stand works perfectly for that. The stand is built into the surface case so you can use it both ways. The other unique feature I have not seen before is the cover for the camera. A rubber flap protects the lens and then folds back and clips into the case when you want to use the camera.
The larger heavier cases take a little getting used to, but the transition was no more difficult than when we all moved from small screen phones to the Galaxy S4, and the added protection for me is worth it. I hope this mini review is helpful for someone. I will try to add pictures this weekend if I get a chance.
I will be reviewing two white cases that I bought for my aluminum Nexus 6P.
Ultra-thin Protective Shock-proof Soft Case Cover (First 5 photos)
Link: http://r.ebay.com/sNSxZC
Quality: This is a matte TPU. The cutouts for the headphone jack, camera, flash and laser autofocus are spot on. The volume and power buttons are covered but work well. It adds some thickness (1.5-2 mm) that I wasn't a fan of considering how large this phone is already. While this case should provide some drop protection, the bottom is mostly uncovered and therefore unprotected. The case overall very flimsy, has noticeable wiggle room, and actually comes off a little too easily.
Color/design: The camera bar is colored black on all the different color options. It also has a smoother texture than the rest of the case. There is a nice leather-like design down the middle, which really enticed me originally. The white looks great on the aluminum phone.
Feel: The case definitely adds grip (the white area has a rough Saffiano leather-like feel) but also bulkiness of a TPU case. Since it's so flimsy and not a snug fit, it doesn't give off a premium feel. I also don't like that the camera area is black personally.
Overall, I do not recommend this case.
Slim Frosted Matte Hard PC Case Cover (Last 4 photos)
Link: http://r.ebay.com/EDVjsi
Quality: This is essentially identical to the snap-on hard cases from Spigen and Ringke. The fit is very snug with perfect cutouts for all areas. The plastic used here is stiffer than the Kugi slim hard case, so you'll need a credit card to remove the case. The bottom of the case was chipped slightly--barely noticeable. Don't expect much drop protection, only scratch protection.
Color/design: I love snap-on cases so I am being biased here. However, the unique aspect of this case is that it doesn't have the sandpaper coating that some hard cases have, which is good since the white versions of those love to pick up stains. This case has a soft-touch rubber feel, which so far has failed to attract stains.
Feel: Wonderful to hold. Adds the much needed grip to the Nexus 6P. Note this case adds more grip than what Ringke and Spigen have offered in the past. It barely feels like you have a case on the phone since it adds barely any bulk. Also love that it has no silly branding anywhere.
Overall, I recommend this case for what you pay for is considerably lower than the branded versions.
I was sent a sample case by Poetic to review.
The first thing that strikes out is how durable and rugged the case is. It consists of two pieces, one internal that the phone snaps into, and an external one that hugs the first one and provides very solid protection from drops etc. It comes assembled and it takes some effort to disassemble (i.e. separate the two pieces). Then assembling it as well is tricky as you have to press gradually all over the case to make the two pieces stick together. On the upside, this ensures that the protection is solid and the phone stays snug inside. There are proper cutouts for the camera, including the proximity sensor in the back, the fingerprint reader, and all the ports, with nice rubber flaps to only have them open when access is needed.
The inside part also has a plastic screen protector over it, which is quite underwhelming. While it provides some extra protection, mainly from dust, it makes the phone more difficult to use, as the touch functionality is slightly impaired. The reason is that there's a slight gap (less than 1mm) between the plastic cover and the actual screen. That's with a (very thin) tempered glass screen protector already applied to my phone. I don't know if the screen protector has an impact (positive or negative) to this issue. It would be better if the plastic screen cover was removable as it's not fully water-proof and dust-proof anyway, because of the cutouts for the speakers.
That said, for the intended customers of this case (people that want to use their phone in adverse outdoors conditions, for example construction workers, etc.), the ruggedness and protection of the case makes up for the slightly reduced functionality.
Two extra nice touches are the built in stand, that works in both portrait and landscape mode, and the corner lanyard clip, which seems durable enough to make you feel comfortable, combined with the overall ruggedness of the case, to have the phone hanging from there while you are cycling for example.
Overall, while for most city dwellers, it's clearly overkill, I would recommend the case for these special occasions where the extra protection is really needed or for people that are in an environment that makes it necessary. It would be a five star product actually if the screen protector was of higher quality and didn't reduce the touch sensitivity.
Just received the Poetic Affinity clear case with black TPU lining and I have to say it's one of the better cases I've used so far with my G5. The case is actually VERY thin, similar to a scap on polycarbonate case but there's the added benefit of the TPU accents on the insides of the case as well as the rim, top and bottom of the case. The corners - where the point of impact during a drop is most likely to occur - is reinforced with shock absorbing TPU but it's not over the top. Since it's TPU, I haven't had any issues with pocket lint. I have another case that is made of polycarbonate, and has a TPU boarder but that one lifts my screen protector, this one doesn't. That clear TPU on that other one is also turning slightly yellow. Since this one is mostly polycarbonate with a but of black TPU, I don't see that issue arising any time soon. I also like that the TPU accents on the back of the case also adds grip while the phone is on a slippery table.
I would imagine the back of case would also get less scratches over time since it's not making much contact with the surface on the table. I am pretty satisfied with this case since I was looking for a way show off the natural look of my gold G5 without sacrificing drop protection or worrying about yellowing TPU.
Positives:
> Lightweight and thin - adds very little bulk, similar to the other clear snap on cases on the market while providing more protection where it's needed
> Fits and is compatible with regular PET screen protectors - having used another clear polycarbonate case with TPU sides, this one does not cause my screen protector to bubble. It covers the trim of the phone right up to the screen protector.
> TPU lip provides enough spacing on the front so you can place it face down on a table or ground
> Raised ridges on the sides of the case which improves grip
> Cutouts on the top and bottom are precise - dead on
> Volume rocker buttons are precise and I get solid feedback when pressing them - no mushy volume buttons (something I've come across with another case already)
> Cutout for the fingerprint reader is large and not recessed - finger fits comfortably even if you have long nails
Not so good:
> Surprisingly difficult to put on and take off - The fit is much on point and that might be a good thing in terms of keeping out dust, but it was a bit tough to remove from the phone when I first got it. It gets easier once you remove it a few times but the case truly fits the G5 like a glove and a bit of force is required in order to pop the corners out. It does not scratch the phone but I have to say it is tougher to remove in comparison to other cases I've used including Spigen and UAG.
Thinking of getting this for my oneplus 3 but worried about yellow fade and scratches. How's yours going on till this day? @Kawaisa
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.