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[Discussion] A full case really necessary? Bumper good enough?

This is the first phone I've owned where I ordered a case. My old phones (6800, Touch pro, touch pro 2, epic 4g... ) never really needed it as they had enough "plastic protection" (bulk) that dropping them didn't really cause much damage.
The more I think about it, the less it seems that a full case would really be necessary or beneficial. So my question, Is a case covering the back of the phone really necessary?
My thoughts on why its NOT:
Most (I would guess 99%) of drops end up hiting corners, not the front or back. Watch as many drop test videos as you want... how many of them drop flat on there back.... and out of those that drop flat on their back... how many land on a rock or something that pushes up past the rim (find one... I couldn't).
There isn't much need to protect on the back of the phone. If I were to drop my phone from head height and it landed flat on its back... on a rock... I would probably only crack the back cover.. which only costs like 3 bucks.
Protection from dirt... not. People like to say that a full back case would protect the phone from dirt. What they forget is that dirt will work its way into the case and small movements between the case and the phone will cause the phone to scratch on that dirt.
Doesn't really protect the camera. The only thing protecting the camera in the rim... which a bumper case has.
Also, I think a lot of the cases out there (the slim tpu cases, excluding the tech21 d30 case) probably don't provide much protection against screen cracking. Screen cracking seems to happen when you have a decent point load on the phone. More solid cases like aluminum bumpers, hard chell cases help distribute the point load to a larger surface area on the phone... causing less damage. Its like getting punched in the gut vs getting punched in the gut covered but a wood board. Either way your body still feels the full force of the blow, just one way the force is distributed over a larger area of your body.
Thoughts?

I had the same thought about the bumper and posted a thread asking for bumper recommendations here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2334648
What I got in response was mostly people ignoring my post and recommending different types of full case. I get the impression that most forum posters don't actually read posts before they reply but merely react to the title.
I agree with you about the bumper providing almost as much protection as a case but I think to keep the screen from cracking you need a soft bumper like TPU at least as an inner layer. If the phone lands on a corner with a hard bumper it will still have a lot of force concentrated in a small area will have no cushioning to dampen the impact.

It's not necessary, but it's still possible of something hitting the back case or the back case dropping onto something. You just need to outweigh the pros and cons yourself, then decide what to go with. If I was only worried about my phone being dropped, then I would get the bumper since I'm usually never in a environment with debris all over the ground. But I've had couple instances where things were dropped onto my phone. So I just buy a full case myself.

The necessity of having any case at all is dictated by your aversion to any inconvenience caused by a momentary ooops moment leading to a cracked screen or dented phone. Repair? Replace? I'd rather prevent my phone getting damaged in the first place.
Tapatalked via Galaxy S4 on Smart LTE

I think bumper/tpu cases in general are more for cosmetics and minor protection. And because of the chincy bezel on the s4, for example, ppl at work who like to put their phones glass side down. As well as protecting the camera and having a more flat back when using it on a desk/table. I myself own the neo hybrid and I don't think they offer any "REALLY GREAT" protection. Something in the middle would be the uag, which I think I will be ordering soon. It has the best of both worlds, IMO. And if you think ur gonna drop ur phone a lot for whatever reasons(clumsiness,blue collar work, or "you just never know"), I would go with a heavy duty full case for maximum protection from spiegen or otterbox.

reaeg said:
I had the same thought about the bumper and posted a thread asking for bumper recommendations here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2334648
What I got in response was mostly people ignoring my post and recommending different types of full case. I get the impression that most forum posters don't actually read posts before they reply but merely react to the title.
I agree with you about the bumper providing almost as much protection as a case but I think to keep the screen from cracking you need a soft bumper like TPU at least as an inner layer. If the phone lands on a corner with a hard bumper it will still have a lot of force concentrated in a small area will have no cushioning to dampen the impact.
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I ordered a couple (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=42676653&postcount=22) bumpers and should get them soon. I think bumpers aren't the "popular" thing so thats why you didn't get a very good bumper response.
As for tpu for inner layer, most of the aluminum bumpers provide a small tpu layer (very small)... but I don't think its really necessary. A rigid bumper like the aluminum ones will still distribute the force through the 2 sides of the phone if hit in the corner. Its just like my board on the stomach analogy in the OP. There is no soft layer between the wood board and your gut,,, but it doesn't hurt as bad because the load is spread out over a larger space.
The softer inner layer just help absorb the impact... to help not jar internals.
DKYang said:
It's not necessary, but it's still possible of something hitting the back case or the back case dropping onto something. You just need to outweigh the pros and cons yourself, then decide what to go with. If I was only worried about my phone being dropped, then I would get the bumper since I'm usually never in a environment with debris all over the ground. But I've had couple instances where things were dropped onto my phone. So I just buy a full case myself.
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I didn't think about dropping something on my phone, ha. I've never done that. I guess that is a use case...
Every time I've ever dropped my phone, the corners get dinged... even my old old phones that took years of dropping, the front and backs look perfect... the corners look messed up.

The back is more prone to scratching than the front tbh, and I'd assume that having a rounded off flat back would cause less drops than a bumper with a lip on both sides
The poetic atmosphere case is pretty good, let's you see the back of the phone
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

PoRco1x said:
The back is more prone to scratching than the front tbh,
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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That could be... but does it matter... a new back cover is only a couple bucks, way cheaper than a pricey case . That said... I might bet an imitation neo hybrid... cause they make the phone look sweet.
My point of this thread is kinda questioning the untested idea that the whole case provides more protection than the open back.... from falls. You could probably argue that it doesn't based on the low probability of a back hit.

icevapor said:
A rigid bumper like the aluminum ones will still distribute the force through the 2 sides of the phone if hit in the corner.
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That's a very good point.
Personally, I'd change the board analogy slightly. A dropped phone is more like strapping a board to yourself and running into something. In that case, having a layer of something soft between yourself and the board would be a nice bonus. I've always thought the ideal protection would be a rigid outer layer with a soft inner layer for exactly that reason; the outer layer distributes the impact over a large area and the inner layer absorbs that distributed impact.
Another concern I had with the aluminum bumpers was that you have metal directly against the screen which isn't ideal but I saw another user mention adding a layer of neoprene tape in between which could actually give that rigid outer layer, soft inner layer in a bumper that I've been after.
Please post your impressions when you get the bumpers. I'd be especially interested in hearing about the impact on signal performance. I've heard half say they decrease signal strength and half say there's no effect.
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norml said:
I think bumper/tpu cases in general are more for cosmetics and minor protection. And because of the chincy bezel on the s4, for example, ppl at work who like to put their phones glass side down. As well as protecting the camera and having a more flat back when using it on a desk/table. I myself own the neo hybrid and I don't think they offer any "REALLY GREAT" protection. Something in the middle would be the uag, which I think I will be ordering soon. It has the best of both worlds, IMO. And if you think ur gonna drop ur phone a lot for whatever reasons(clumsiness,blue collar work, or "you just never know"), I would go with a heavy duty full case for maximum protection from spiegen or otterbox.
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I think a bumper could offer great drop protection if designed well. The heavy duty cases protect the screen with nothing more than a lip. The screen is the most breakable part of the phone so there's not much point in protecting the back more than the screen. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

There isn't really any point to make this thread. Its all personal opinions and choice if you want a bumper or full case.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk 2

reaeg said:
That's a very good point.
Personally, I'd change the board analogy slightly. A dropped phone is more like strapping a board to yourself and running into something. In that case, having a layer of something soft between yourself and the board would be a nice bonus. I've always thought the ideal protection would be a rigid outer layer with a soft inner layer for exactly that reason; the outer layer distributes the impact over a large area and the inner layer absorbs that distributed impact.
Another concern I had with the aluminum bumpers was that you have metal directly against the screen which isn't ideal but I saw another user mention adding a layer of neoprene tape in between which could actually give that rigid outer layer, soft inner layer in a bumper that I've been after.
Please post your impressions when you get the bumpers. I'd be especially interested in hearing about the impact on signal performance. I've heard half say they decrease signal strength and half say there's no effect.
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The 2 bumpers I ordered look like they have a rubber/plastic barrier in between the aluminum and the phone. Some online show it, some don't.
I'll post infor when I get them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

icevapor said:
So my question, Is a case covering the back of the phone really necessary?
Thoughts?
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i had the same thought process as you. the back cover getting scratched is no big deal, because i can always get a replacement back cover for relatively cheap. the front isn't a concern due to a screen protector. what my biggest worry was the sides getting dinged or scratched. so after using slim cases, i figured i'd get a bumper case and see if liked it better. i bought the roocase from amazon and i liked it a lot (i got the white for my white S4). it looked SO much better in person, too. however, i wound up returning it because it made swiping annoying, because the lip was a little higher and it covered the screen just a little bit more than my slim cases. if that doesn't bother you, i would definitely check out the roocase (it's really cheap and it's free 2-day shipping with amazon prime). as for me, i'm going to maybe check out an aluminum bumper and see if that feels better.

icevapor said:
The 2 bumpers I ordered look like they have a rubber/plastic barrier in between the aluminum and the phone. Some online show it, some don't.
I'll post infor when I get them.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
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Alternative option of aluminum bumper for GS4 fabricated by DevilCase.
There is a video on their FB fan page. It seems like they just released bumpers for GS4 in few days ago, but can't find it at Amazon's marketplace yet.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Devilcase-Aluminum-Alloy-Bumper-Series/448520031891616
Some people discussed their bumpers for HTC One and had some reviews on its product. What do you guys think?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2316315&highlight=devilcase

Carved Nexus 6P Case

I was having issue attaching pictures. So here's an album on Imgur. http://imgur.com/a/OdjKx
I received my satellite series case today from Carved. The unique thing about the Satellite series is every case is different. The one that I have is unique to me and no one else will ever have the same design. If you want to be a plain old Jane they do offer just plain wood backs. Although the 6P variant of those haven't been added to their site yet. Just the Satellite Series and the option to make a custom case have been added for the 6P so far.
Now I have noticed that the case itself or the shell the woods attached to looks very similar to the Cover Up case. So it appears both companies source the shell or case from the same company and don't make it themselves. Which seems like a lot of phone accessory companies do that.
Anyway let's get on with the case itself. The sides have a really nice texture and it feels very secure in my hands. Now the case itself isn't the slimmest case you'll ever use. It's a little thicker then my Supcase Unicorn Beatle and Diztronic TPU case. But with the grip that isn't an issue.
The wood back of the phone has a different texture then what I imagined. For whatever reason I expected the wood to have a somewhat rough texture to it. But that isn't the case here. The wood has a very smooth feel to it and it's also somewhat glossy. The preview on the site didn't really show that. But it doesn't make the case any less beautiful.
The only issue with this case which I'm not sure if it's even an issue to be honest is the case isn't tight against the back of the phone. I originally thought the case was warped due to the wood. But I think it's like that by design. Before I explain further here's a .gif of what I mean. http://i.imgur.com/nknfW4H.gifv Most cases have a spot "dug out" for the camera hump. But this doesn't have that. It has these notches inside the case that appear to raise it just a little bit so the back doesn't touch the phone. Now this does make the fingerprint reader feel deeper then it actually is. This is really the only downside of the case for me and it's something I can live with.
If you're looking for heavy duty protection I would avoid this case. It's just going to protect the phone from everyday wear and tear and minor drops. The case doesn't really have a lip. The sides are raised above the screen so the screen doesn't get scratched when you set it face down. But there really isn't a lip that wraps around the front of the screen like most cases. Also the corners aren't reinforced like my Supcase.
If you want to know about the buttons they're adequate. They're better then the Supcase Unicorn but worse then the Diztronic TPU buttons. When adjusting the volume you can hear an audible click and has good tactile feedback. The same can't really be said about the power button. It offers no audible click. But none of the buttons are hard to press and they're probably still as sensitive or maybe a little less then what they're like without a case.
Overall it's a very nice case and it's probably the most unique case for the 6P out right now. The satellite series does run a little pricey. They run from $50-60 with free shipping. But it's highly worth it with what you're getting. There plain cases are about $30.
Here's a shameless plug! I have a referral code that you can find here http://go.referralcandy.com/share/F3LRXB3 you can get a 10% off coupon. Now I do get $2 from it. So if you don't like that don't use it! Also if this isn't allowed mods let me know and I'll remove it!

It seems that the case itself has some sort of a gap between the back of the phone. You can fill it up if you use some soft pads made of foam Just have a look eg. here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/accessories/mod-ultra-rugged-poetic-revolution-t3307492
The soft pads will help you to fill the gap while not adding too much pressure against the back of the phone itself.

I just bought one as well! Should be arriving here later today, I asked them about the gap, and they said they fixed that issue so maybe you got a bad one?

ytsu12 said:
I just bought one as well! Should be arriving here later today, I asked them about the gap, and they said they fixed that issue so maybe you got a bad one?
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Hmm. Let me know how yours turns out. Someone on Reddit has the gap also.

con100 said:
Hmm. Let me know how yours turns out. Someone on Reddit has the gap also.
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Will do! I will also post a few pictures once it arrives

con100 said:
Hmm. Let me know how yours turns out. Someone on Reddit has the gap also.
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I can confirm they didn't fix it what soever I am really disappointed in this and I will be returning the case.

ytsu12 said:
I can confirm they didn't fix it what soever I am really disappointed in this and I will be returning the case.
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That one looks nice. But yeah I think the gap is by design. Like I said instead of making a indent for the camera hump. They just put notches inside the case to raise it so the hump isn't an issue.

I ordered mine yesterday. Hopefully it doesn't have the gap, but I doubt it. Still, the cases look amazing.

Like I said before, if you really like this case and want to keep it anyway, use some thin soft pads made of foam in order to fill the gap. These pads will adjust the phone to the mechanical structure of the case. At least this method works great in the Poetic Revolution Case I´m using

A little heavy for me,and i would like a case which looks cute.

Case included with phone

So first off loving my 1+6 (8/128). Super fast and just plain awesome! Puts my S8+ in the dust
But my main reason for this post is about the included phone case that came with the phone. I haven't seen anyone mention it on here, so wasn't sure if anyone was aware. But inside the box the the phone is attached to once you unbox it, there is a basic style phone case inside. It's nothing fancy, but it's a case. And it's FREE. I actually like it, and was so glad it was there as I didn't want to wait several days for a case to be ordered and delivered. Granted, I completely bypassed that part of the unboxing as it usually just includes the "paperwork" that nobody reads. But after a day, I was hurting for protection on my phone. Always carefully putting it down somewhere where it wouldn't slide and scratch the backing. Or on something super soft. So, I just so happened to re-open the box and look inside and to my surprise, there was a case.
So, this phone is not only awesome in speed and performance (minus a bit of battery issues at the moment), but they also include a pre-attached screen protector AND a phone case! WOW...hats off to you OnePlus! More OEMs should be taking a page out of your book...ESPECIALLY for the prices we are asked to pay for these "premium" phones.

It's a high quality case and I like it a lot.
I knew about the free case inside the box but I bought other 2 cases from Oneplus, I like the one from the package more.

It doesn't suck, and I'm glad not to have to go naked with a glass phone while I wait for a real case from UAG. Nice gesture from OP, though these TPU cases cost about 50 cents to make.

Compared to other TPU cases ain't bad.
I jsut hate transparent TPU cases, with dust getting between the case and the phone

I really like it for indoor environment, pretty slim, grippy, light weight raised bezels, especially on corners, good quality material and air bags on corners

I don't like it. But I don't like gel cases full stop. They're too sticky for me. I've bought the silicone case though which is amazing.

Indeed, I was glad to see one included, though I did know about it beforehand as it was listed in the "What's inside the box" portion of the web site. I am putting on a rugged case in a couple of weeks but for now am happy my OP6 is protected to some degree.

Uh... They've been including a case since the 5T and have had the even pre applied even protector for quite a while now. And I would suggest getting the nylon bumper case it's much safer and doesn't make the device bulky. Didn't look through the whole box lmao.

Let me share my OP6 experience. I used the included case for a good 3 days and I think it's a decent option. Coming from OnePlus One, I decided to buy the sandstone back case for my OP6 and boy oh boy, it's premium! Although there is compromise with safety as it doesn't wrap up the phone completely but for someone like me who doesn't drop his phone much, this premium case if pure gold! Totally recommended ♥
Edit: Adds zero bulk to the phone, fits like a glove and even covers the camera bump with ease. As I've already mentioned a few times before, it feels and looks premium!

it's a good case, i'd just prefer a black rim because it looks a bit grayish from the front while the back looks grat transparent.
however, it's not only free, it's also decent ?

I have the silk white and when sunlight hits the case the whole surrounded areas of the phone glow a pinkish light. Super cool effect.

Is the camera bump really protected? I've been using the included case for a couple of days and I cannot tell for sure if it does. I really love slim cases as dropping the phone is quite improbable in my case, but getting the camera glass scratched for putting the phone on a table would be a bummer.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

VonSohn said:
Is the camera bump really protected? I've been using the included case for a couple of days and I cannot tell for sure if it does. I really love slim cases as dropping the phone is quite improbable in my case, but getting the camera glass scratched for putting the phone on a table would be a bummer.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk
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I was also wondering this, I tried it on a glass table and looked from underneath and I would say the camera glass is not protected by the stock case. I wonder if it would be the same case with the karbon bumper

VonSohn said:
Is the camera bump really protected? I've been using the included case for a couple of days and I cannot tell for sure if it does. I really love slim cases as dropping the phone is quite improbable in my case, but getting the camera glass scratched for putting the phone on a table would be a bummer.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk
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My search for the same answer brought me here. It looks like it's flush with the case but it's so close it's hard to tell. The case is thin and grippy and the buttons are easier to press compared to the nylon case. If I knew the camera was protected I would use it as my main case.

flexte said:
My search for the same answer brought me here. It looks like it's flush with the case but it's so close it's hard to tell. The case is thin and grippy and the buttons are easier to press compared to the nylon case. If I knew the camera was protected I would use it as my main case.
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just don't drop it with the stock case lol (pic attached)

vwite said:
just don't drop it with the stock case lol (pic attached)
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Thanks for that info. I guess I won't use this case on a regular.

I prefer cases that are as slim as possible. The phone is big already, and adding even more bulk with a sturdy case makes it even more cumbersome. I'm considering other choices as I don't want the camera to get scratches, but I haven't seen transparent/flexible with enough thickness to guarantee camera protection. OP cases are also compatible with the tempered glass, so I guess I'll have to go with one of the official cases (have an unopened sandstone, but again, I don't know how it fares regarding the camera).
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

se7ensde said:
Uh... They've been including a case since the 5T and have had the even pre applied even protector for quite a while now. And I would suggest getting the nylon bumper case it's much safer and doesn't make the device bulky. Didn't look through the whole box lmao.
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Yep that's indeed the case
Didn't realize it until I checked the box when I selling the 5T. Then I realized I had one with the 6 as well. Definitely great that both a pre-applied protector and a case are included in the box.
---------- Post added at 10:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 PM ----------
vwite said:
I was also wondering this, I tried it on a glass table and looked from underneath and I would say the camera glass is not protected by the stock case. I wonder if it would be the same case with the karbon bumper
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I usually protect the lens with Dbrands along with the body of the phone. You can also instead opt for lens glass protectors which can be purchased pretty cheaply.

Where can I buy this case?

Would love to know this as well. I've been thinking of buying the same thing with the same colour and I've never been able to find one

Bumper-only Case?

RhinoShield so far is the only option I've found for a BUMPER-ONLY case solution for our Note 9. I've bought this case twice after giving it a second chance and sent it back for the second time. The bumper frame itself is fine. It's got a fair amount of front lip to allow me to lay the phone face down to show off my Dbrand skin. Strangely enough, the lip on the back of the bumper frame is taller than the front.
Anyway, the biggest issue with this bumper-only case is the buttons. Oh my god, they have the worst buttons I've ever tried. I've mentioned in other threads that Spigen is the king when it comes to the buttons they build into their cases. They are raised a healthy amount so they're easily found and they have the best feedback ever. Very "clicky".
This RhinoShield bumper case buttons are so hard to register a click. They're too firm. The plastic is not soft at all. The second time I bought this case I tried pressing the buttons without the phone to try and soften them (like hundreds of pressings) and that did nothing to make them more malleable. I bought this case for the OnePlus 6T and the buttons on that case were just as ****ty as the one for the Note 9.
The other issue was the area around the S-Pen is too small, making retrieving of the pen more difficult compared to the dozens of cases I've tried before. I'm an average sized dude. My hands aren't huge but they're not small either. If I had longer nails maybe getting the S-Pen out would be easier but I don't.
Clear cases are not an option for me. They'll always reflect glare and distort the look of my drband skin. I just need a bumper-only solution. Just something to protect the edges of this phone. I cannot believe this type of case is not more popular. Like, why Spigen and others do not offer this as an option. Hell, if they could just make some kind of rubber band-like thing that I can wrap around the edges, that would be fair.
If anyone finds any BUMPER-ONLY cases, please share them with me. Thank you.

I've got one and I agree that the volume buttons are too stiff. I had to play / force them in and out with my plastic card holder edge to soften them a bit.
The lateral part are not that "firm" around the phone so unfortunately it feels a bit flabby.
It still makes the phone bulky, but according to one YouTube video where the guy toss the phone very high a few times without the phone being damaged at all, the protection is REALLY good.

roaduardo said:
RhinoShield so far is the only option I've found for a BUMPER-ONLY case solution for our Note 9. I've bought this case twice after giving it a second chance and sent it back for the second time. The bumper frame itself is fine. It's got a fair amount of front lip to allow me to lay the phone face down to show off my Dbrand skin. Strangely enough, the lip on the back of the bumper frame is taller than the front.
Anyway, the biggest issue with this bumper-only case is the buttons. Oh my god, they have the worst buttons I've ever tried. I've mentioned in other threads that Spigen is the king when it comes to the buttons they build into their cases. They are raised a healthy amount so they're easily found and they have the best feedback ever. Very "clicky".
This RhinoShield bumper case buttons are so hard to register a click. They're too firm. The plastic is not soft at all. The second time I bought this case I tried pressing the buttons without the phone to try and soften them (like hundreds of pressings) and that did nothing to make them more malleable. I bought this case for the OnePlus 6T and the buttons on that case were just as ****ty as the one for the Note 9.
The other issue was the area around the S-Pen is too small, making retrieving of the pen more difficult compared to the dozens of cases I've tried before. I'm an average sized dude. My hands aren't huge but they're not small either. If I had longer nails maybe getting the S-Pen out would be easier but I don't.
Clear cases are not an option for me. They'll always reflect glare and distort the look of my drband skin. I just need a bumper-only solution. Just something to protect the edges of this phone. I cannot believe this type of case is not more popular. Like, why Spigen and others do not offer this as an option. Hell, if they could just make some kind of rubber band-like thing that I can wrap around the edges, that would be fair.
If anyone finds any BUMPER-ONLY cases, please share them with me. Thank you.
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I meant to do a review of the rhinoshield to warn everyone how awful they are. I had the exact same esperience as you and to add insult to injury, when I contacted the company to voice my concern they wanted me to ship it back with me paying for the shipping and would only accept it if it was BRAND NEW WITH NO SIGN OF WEAR. Really? Very bad customer service and crappy product..
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

eurominican said:
I meant to do a review of the rhinoshield to warn everyone how awful they are. I had the exact same esperience as you and to add insult to injury, when I contacted the company to voice my concern they wanted me to ship it back with me paying for the shipping and would only accept it if it was BRAND NEW WITH NO SIGN OF WEAR. Really? Very bad customer service and crappy product..
Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk
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That why I bought that case from Amazon. Can't beat Prime.

I had Rhino bumper on SGS7, totally agree with you. Hard buttons and slipery material. My buttons chopped off after almost a year of wear and tear.
My gf is using Ringke Fusion (clear back case) + dbrand skin. It looks beautiful so I ordered same case for Note9 + dbrand skin. It looks much better with lighter skins. Darker skins looks great when there is enough light around you. In low light it acts almost like a mirror.
https://imgur.com/QTYcakg
No way I go back to Rhyno again. It's not bumper case but I don't mind to flip it over and show camo skin

roaduardo said:
RhinoShield so far is the only option I've found for a BUMPER-ONLY case solution for our Note 9. I've bought this case twice after giving it a second chance and sent it back for the second time. The bumper frame itself is fine. It's got a fair amount of front lip to allow me to lay the phone face down to show off my Dbrand skin. Strangely enough, the lip on the back of the bumper frame is taller than the front.
Anyway, the biggest issue with this bumper-only case is the buttons. Oh my god, they have the worst buttons I've ever tried. I've mentioned in other threads that Spigen is the king when it comes to the buttons they build into their cases. They are raised a healthy amount so they're easily found and they have the best feedback ever. Very "clicky".
This RhinoShield bumper case buttons are so hard to register a click. They're too firm. The plastic is not soft at all. The second time I bought this case I tried pressing the buttons without the phone to try and soften them (like hundreds of pressings) and that did nothing to make them more malleable. I bought this case for the OnePlus 6T and the buttons on that case were just as ****ty as the one for the Note 9.
The other issue was the area around the S-Pen is too small, making retrieving of the pen more difficult compared to the dozens of cases I've tried before. I'm an average sized dude. My hands aren't huge but they're not small either. If I had longer nails maybe getting the S-Pen out would be easier but I don't.
Clear cases are not an option for me. They'll always reflect glare and distort the look of my drband skin. I just need a bumper-only solution. Just something to protect the edges of this phone. I cannot believe this type of case is not more popular. Like, why Spigen and others do not offer this as an option. Hell, if they could just make some kind of rubber band-like thing that I can wrap around the edges, that would be fair.
If anyone finds any BUMPER-ONLY cases, please share them with me. Thank you.
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The only way you can fix the button issue, is get an Stanley blade and cut the sides of the button.. So the top and the bottom of the button is the only place where the plastic is connected.. Then they will be so easy to press!

I did that on my case on day 2, it helps but I wouldn't say it is enough. At the end, when my Rhyno bumper buttons wear I even tried to cut them out and flatten the area around button. I've got choped case with holes where buttons are placed and it was bad experience. Hard plastic, rough edges, not easy to dig and not pleasant to fingers. Too bad, unfortunately, I've used cases on same phone (sgs7 like I said) with much more tactile buttons so I gave up on Rhyno.

N1NJATH3ORY said:
The only way you can fix the button issue, is get an Stanley blade and cut the sides of the button.. So the top and the bottom of the button is the only place where the plastic is connected.. Then they will be so easy to press!
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I'm tempted to buy this case for the 3rd time and try this method but I don't know. The buttons are not raised enough to begin with. If they were as tall as buttons you'd find on Spigen cases, then for sure I'd try this razor method to try and fix the faulty design but I don't know.
I just cannot understand why RhinoShield is the only one making cases like this. Why is this type of case not more popular? Why would more users not want a bumper-only design. Why doesn't Dbrand and other skin makers not make a bumper-only case that helps show of their awesome skins better?

roaduardo said:
I'm tempted to buy this case for the 3rd time and try this method but I don't know. The buttons are not raised enough to begin with. If they were as tall as buttons you'd find on Spigen cases, then for sure I'd try this razor method to try and fix the faulty design but I don't know.
I just cannot understand why RhinoShield is the only one making cases like this. Why is this type of case not more popular? Why would more users not want a bumper-only design. Why doesn't Dbrand and other skin makers not make a bumper-only case that helps show of their awesome skins better?
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I think what’s happened as Rhinoshield get there case made in China, plus they purchase in bulk, there has been a manufacturing defect...
So at the moment Rhinoshield are stuck with the defect stock, I asked the exact same thing they would not answer me.. LOL
Razor blade is your only option! Some user say it works fine others say it dont so it's your call!
Or you can wait until they get rid of this stock and order more stock without defect! But that could be in the note 10 days!
Plus they aren’t telling me when they will get new stock, so I am guessing!

roaduardo said:
I'm tempted to buy this case for the 3rd time and try this method but I don't know. The buttons are not raised enough to begin with. If they were as tall as buttons you'd find on Spigen cases, then for sure I'd try this razor method to try and fix the faulty design but I don't know.
I just cannot understand why RhinoShield is the only one making cases like this. Why is this type of case not more popular? Why would more users not want a bumper-only design. Why doesn't Dbrand and other skin makers not make a bumper-only case that helps show of their awesome skins better?
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I honestly don't think I've ever been pleased w/Rhinoshield's bumpers.
I gave 'em a shot only after this design/model from Nillkin disappeared,in the Note 3/4/5 days (guessing you had one) :
Supcase had something similar,but,it's nowhere to be found on devices from the past 2-3 yrs as well.
Anyhoo,I think the problem w/Rhinoshield is their marketing pitch is strength/brute protection & if they pared down the overall width/thickness & eased-up on the button stiffness,they'd fail on that account.
IIRC,I 1st gave Rhinoshield a shot w/the S8+ & found the fit to be way too loose. IDK how the button situation was,as I returned it as soon as I got an RMA.
The exact opposite w/the S9+,a very snug fit,but,the construction lended itself to adding too much width to the grip & the buttons were stiff.
It got little use & I tossed it in the garbage soon after taking delivery.
IDK why no one steps up to the plate & makes a backless bumper that has a decent fit/low profile & usable buttons,or,for that matter,just have cutouts for the buttons.
I get it on the less popular phones,but,I'd think it'd be profitable for at least one mfg (if not Samsung themselves) to make such a bumper for the Galaxy S & Note lineup.
I suppose we shouldn't be surprised,as we've seen feature loss since the good 'ol Note 4 days,the same applies to case variety....................................

KOLIOSIS said:
I honestly don't think I've ever been pleased w/Rhinoshield's bumpers.
I gave 'em a shot only after this design/model from Nillkin disappeared,in the Note 3/4/5 days (guessing you had one) :
Supcase had something similar,but,it's nowhere to be found on devices from the past 2-3 yrs as well.
Anyhoo,I think the problem w/Rhinoshield is their marketing pitch is strength/brute protection & if they pared down the overall width/thickness & eased-up on the button stiffness,they'd fail on that account.
IIRC,I 1st gave Rhinoshield a shot w/the S8+ & found the fit to be way too loose. IDK how the button situation was,as I returned it as soon as I got an RMA.
The exact opposite w/the S9+,a very snug fit,but,the construction lended itself to adding too much width to the grip & the buttons were stiff.
It got little use & I tossed it in the garbage soon after taking delivery.
IDK why no one steps up to the plate & makes a backless bumper that has a decent fit/low profile & usable buttons,or,for that matter,just have cutouts for the buttons.
I get it on the less popular phones,but,I'd think it'd be profitable for at least one mfg (if not Samsung themselves) to make such a bumper for the Galaxy S & Note lineup.
I suppose we shouldn't be surprised,as we've seen feature loss since the good 'ol Note 4 days,the same applies to case variety....................................
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I'm tempted to try and modify one of Supcase's clear backs but the razor knife that I have doesn't seem strong enough to slice through that kind of plastic because I've tried to modify some other cases I have to create a backless case. It's so, so, so stupid that case makers don't see the benefits of a bumper-only design. It's frustrating for users like me who don't drop their damn phones all the time. I haven't used a screen protector since my iPhone days and my displays have always been great during the time I've had them until I sold/donated them off to another user.
If only I could find some kind of rubber band material that I can wrap the edges of my phone. That's something that these case makers could do. Make rigid edges (with soft, clicky buttons) but top and bottom elastic material so there's a tight fit. Does that make sense? Because getting the phone in and out of a RhinoShield bumper case is difficult. Yet another design issue with their cases.

roaduardo said:
I'm tempted to try and modify one of Supcase's clear backs but the razor knife that I have doesn't seem strong enough to slice through that kind of plastic because I've tried to modify some other cases I have to create a backless case. It's so, so, so stupid that case makers don't see the benefits of a bumper-only design.
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I've tried modding a few cases where it had a clear distinction from the bumper part of the case & the back cover portion.
Same here,no success,as the remaining bumper didn't have enough rigidity to hold shape.
roaduardo said:
If only I could find some kind of rubber band material that I can wrap the edges of my phone. That's something that these case makers could do. Make rigid edges (with soft, clicky buttons) but top and bottom elastic material so there's a tight fit. Does that make sense? Because getting the phone in and out of a RhinoShield bumper case is difficult. Yet another design issue with their cases.
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I totally get your design idea.
It's a different take on the 2pc metal bumper design,but,w/o the necessary assembly (screws). Remove the screws from the design,build-in some elasticity on two of the sides for easy removal-installation,yet,still holding shape & retaining edge protection.
That's actually a very nice idea,perhaps you have a friend or two who have some experience w/CAD software & sell the idea/patent/etc.... to one of the case mfgs...................

KOLIOSIS said:
That's actually a very nice idea,perhaps you have a friend or two who have some experience w/CAD software & sell the idea/patent/etc.... to one of the case mfgs...................
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If only I had the time and resources. I'm happy to see someone else take this kind of thing and run with it so I can just get myself one case. I just need one for my 6T and one for my Note 9. lol

I got the rhino shield bumper, no trouble with the buttons, just not as clicky as I would like. It is also quite slippery and doesn't stay put on the vehicle dash.
With that said, my dbrand grip should be here in a week or so, it is the best case I have had, and loved it on my note 8. They are taking preorders still for shipment in Feburary, so check them out for a bumper style case.
Sent from my Samsung SM-N960U1 using XDA Labs

nuclearrage said:
I got the rhino shield bumper, no trouble with the buttons, just not as clicky as I would like. It is also quite slippery and doesn't stay put on the vehicle dash.
With that said, my dbrand grip should be here in a week or so, it is the best case I have had, and loved it on my note 8. They are taking preorders still for shipment in Feburary, so check them out for a bumper style case.
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Is it wrong to assume the dbrand grip would be almost impossible to pocket?
I was just about to order the Rhino Shield.

Dbrand is slightly bigger, but very VERY grippy. I wear Duluth Trading Co. Cargo pants and always have 2 phones in the front left cargo pocket.. also fits in my work shirt front pocket. Not sure about jeans or skinny fitting clothes.
Sent from my Samsung SM-N960U1 using XDA Labs

One thing that I really do not like the look of with this case is that there are no raised buttons. The sides of the case appear to be flat, which would make it hard to find the right buttons you're looking for in a pinch or when the phone is inside your pocket or bag.
It's the one thing that's holding me from ordering this case. It looks pretty thick. That's fine but in my opinion if the case is going to be a bit thick you may as well have easily accessible raised buttons on the sides.
I just wish, considering the advancement with 3D print tech, that we could just design our own unique case for our phones. A case the way we want/need it. Like, if I could just have one of Spigen's cases but just the bumper, just the edges and no backing.

roaduardo said:
One thing that I really do not like the look of with this case is that there are no raised buttons. The sides of the case appear to be flat, which would make it hard to find the right buttons you're looking for in a pinch or when the phone is inside your pocket or bag.
It's the one thing that's holding me from ordering this case. It looks pretty thick. That's fine but in my opinion if the case is going to be a bit thick you may as well have easily accessible raised buttons on the sides.
I just wish, considering the advancement with 3D print tech, that we could just design our own unique case for our phones. A case the way we want/need it. Like, if I could just have one of Spigen's cases but just the bumper, just the edges and no backing.
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Click to collapse
It may have different texture for the buttons for us to feel them.
If you scroll a bit the page, you may see it.

dfwfreaks said:
Never like rhinoshield case.
They don't know how to make cases
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It's CrashGuard #3 for me today. Trying this case out for third time since it's the only viable option today for a bumper-only case.
I followed the advice of some users who suggested using a razor to slice into parts of the volume button grooves in order to make them more tactile. I'm happy to report that it worked pretty well. The buttons are actually registering clicks much easier than out of the box. Just to make it easier, I did the same thing for the power and Bixby button.
The other problem I had with this case is the area around the S-Pen makes it very difficult to remove the S-Pen. It's too small. I have average-sized hands and I have to use my pinky in order to get the S-Pen to eject. So I also modified that area and make some incisions with my razor. Then there's how tight the case can be as you try to put it on so skins can be pushed from the edges as you can see from the photos.
I just can't stand RhinoShield's tone-def response to criticisms to their CrashGuard cases. You have users reporting defective design features and they do nothing but push back with their half-baked suggestions to make their product work instead of correcting their design flaws.
They need to listen and stop deflecting. Spigen needs to also listen to us and give us a bumper-only solution.

dfwfreaks said:
Just get a tempered glass screen protector and D brand skin, bruh.
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Already had the Dbrand on for weeks and I've never used a screen protector on any Android phone. Last time I used a screen protector was on my iPhone 4s.

Budget friendly minimal 3a case

I have no relations to the company, just found it on Amazon and bought it. It doesn't add that much drop protection but adequately protects it for being so slim. It fits like a glove and doesn't cover the buttons or flex out on the sides.
https://smile.amazon.com/SteepLab-Super-Slim-Minimalist-Case/dp/B07VCJ5DMW/

Pinktank said:
I have no relations to the company, just found it on Amazon and bought it. It doesn't add that much drop protection but adequately protects it for being so slim. It fits like a glove and doesn't cover the buttons or flex out on the sides.
https://smile.amazon.com/SteepLab-Super-Slim-Minimalist-Case/dp/B07VCJ5DMW/
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Can you provide some photos pf your phone and how it looks like with the case on?Cause i want the mnml case but what they charge is insane if you think how its made.So if it looks good i can buy the one u posted

JimboTheDeveloper said:
Can you provide some photos pf your phone and how it looks like with the case on?Cause i want the mnml case but what they charge is insane if you think how its made.So if it looks good i can buy the one u posted
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Hello,
It looks exactly like they pictured, or like the minimal 3a case, there is a very slight, finished seem on the side that you cannot feel by hand but is there if you inspect it up close.

Pinktank said:
Hello,
It looks exactly like they pictured, or like the minimal 3a case, there is a very slight, finished seem on the side that you cannot feel by hand but is there if you inspect it up close.
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I dunno how it will look ona white pixel 3a xl thats why i asked,if you have a black pixel then ignore my rumbling XD

I do indeed have a black one but you can search mnml case on white pixel 3 on Google to get an idea. The only slight issue with the case is that the camera lip blocks the led out put on one corner by the tiniest bit. I'm guessing that most would not have noticed, but I work with cameras and image control for a living.

Spigen Rugged Armor case. Pretty minimal, but does provide decent protection. Only $10.99 on Amazon (Prime eligible). I've had this case on the last 3 phones I've owned and I've never had damage from a drop with any of them.

yeah, i second the spigen . caveat is i have only been using a week and have not dropped it yet , so no idea about level of protection. but as a minimal it wins as far as my tastes go.

Pictures make the Spigen look bulky compared to SteepLab or Mnml

waingro808 said:
Pictures make the Spigen look bulky compared to SteepLab or Mnml
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I think the pictures are deceiving. The Spegin case does wrap around the phone just like any other case, but it is not thick at all. The rubber is perhaps 1mm thick on the sides where the phone is the widest. The top lip may be slightly thicker (which is what you see in the pictures) but it doesn't add any addition size to the phone because it is where the phone is rounded anyway. The back is slightly thicker - perhaps 1.5mm.

sic0048 said:
I think the pictures are deceiving. The Spegin case does wrap around the phone just like any other case, but it is not thick at all. The rubber is perhaps 1mm thick on the sides where the phone is the widest. The top lip may be slightly thicker (which is what you see in the pictures) but it doesn't add any addition size to the phone because it is where the phone is rounded anyway. The back is slightly thicker - perhaps 1.5mm.
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I bought this Spigen case. I agree that it is not too bulky but it does add a lot of weight... The phone goes from 146g without the case to 178g with the case and it does feel heavier.

The Spigen case is pretty legit. In my opinion it isn't terribly bulky. I've been using it for around 3 or 4 months maybe? Which is how long I've had the phone for. Offers pretty good protection. Gone through a good amount of drops, phone is commonly abused by a toddler, and no sign of damage anywhere.
I'd opt for a slimmer case, but the phone being very probe to being abused by a toddler makes me opt for something with more protection haha.