I had an otterbox defender but it was too big and didnt fit my docks, so I went to the tpu but then i got the thinking... What is it protecting besides the back case? I mean is it really going to absorb enough shock to save my phone if I drop it?
I'm more worried about the screen, but even then the screen seems strong enough to not scratch (and if you scratched hard enough wouldnt it just go through the screen protector and scratch the screen anyways?)
I mean its a little slippery without the TPU case but will it really save my phone from a fall?
Are there screen protectors out there that will prevent my screen from shattering or scratching despite being gorilla glass?
It really just seems like the tpu makes my phone warmer than it should be and bigger...
I went 6 years with a razor only to have a semi deep scratch on the plastic and a few nicks...
My screen has two small scratches from putting my phone in my pocket with my car keys. I've always used tpu cases. I had one on my captivate and dropped it from about 10 feet and no damage. I guess it all depends on how it lands but mine has saved my phone multiple times.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
go get and use the Otterbox Commuter case. It protects with minimal bulkiness.
Sadly, there is no screen protector in the world that doubles as a drop protector too. If you really want to protect against scratches and knicks and still have grip, get the ZAGG shield that also covers the back.
Sure, the Commuter is bigger than a TPU case but it sure as heck protects from drops more than a measly back cover.
yes it will protect the phone
drew68 said:
My screen has two small scratches from putting my phone in my pocket with my car keys. I've always used tpu cases. I had one on my captivate and dropped it from about 10 feet and no damage. I guess it all depends on how it lands but mine has saved my phone multiple times.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
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Well nothing sharp goes in my phone pocket, and the screen faces my leg.
I'm just not convinced a tpu would give it that much more protection. I'm sure moto has to do quality studies and test how durable they are. If I drop my phone I'm a lot more worried about breaking or scratching the screen than the back case.
And then are screeen protectors even strong enough? It really depends on how you drop it, all the force in one corner or the middle of the screen and thats it, if it falls flat on the back, probably no real damage. And what about shock? does it absorb all the shock or will something crack inside?
I want to write into myth busters, see if cases really protect.
Also, dont you notice your phone getting hotI assume from the thicker tpu, so wont that over heat it, slow it down, and reduce the life?
A case's effect on heat dissipation is real. The amount of heat removed from the phone by air (convection) is not going to be the same as the heat passing through the case (conduction) and convection on the outer surface. Material properties and thickness dictate how much is affected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_thermal_conductivities
The higher the 'k' value, the easier it is for heat to pass through. As you can see,
the materials that would absorb shock better do not make the best conductors. So, this is not specific to TPU, just about any case is going to be lousy with cooling, in theory.
Related
I just got my Incipio Feather in the mail, and I must say I am very let down. When I looked at the picture on the website, I really thought that the case was going to wrap around the front but it does not. In all fairness, I did look at the picture again and it doesn't wrap around in it like I thought it did. The picture is very deceiving, the way they shade the Evo makes it look like the case wraps around, at least to me it does. Anyways...
The Incipio is a lot thicker than the Barely There, and doesn't come up as high on the sides either. That actually makes it feel rather awkward in the hand because there is a very pronounced lip around the whole phone. Also, the Incipio case has a full cutout, like a bite, from the front of the case for the volume rocker whereas the Barely There has a rectangular hole and covers the plastic in front of the rocker.
The Incipio also provides far less protection for the camera lens. With the Barely There, the lens is completely protected, it covers the edge of the glass, fully recessing the lens into the case. It has a separate cutout for the flash, lens, and speaker. The Incipio just has one gaping hole for all three to share.
My biggest complaint about the Incipio is that because it doesn't come up all the way around the sides, the face of the Evo sticks out from it and consequently the corners are not fully protected. If this thing takes a tumble on to concrete, there is a good chance your corner could still get scratched. With the Barely There case, while still not very protective, at least your corners won't get beat up.
The only positive about the Incipio is that I like the way the material feels better than the Barely There. It has a softer, almost velvety finish to it. The Barely There still has a nice rubberized texture to it, just not as nice as the Incipio's.
I see no reason at all to purchase the Incipio case when you can buy the Barely There case instead. The Barely There is thinner, feels more comfortable in the hand, and provides more coverage/protection. I am sticking with my Barely There case and will probably give the Incipio away.
Casemate Barely There
Incipio Feather
Both cases cost $19.99.
Thanks for the review ... appreciate it. Have you looked at the other Case Mate Evo case that is two part (Tough Case)? Just wondering about the protection and quality.
No I haven't, at least not in person. I'm sure it's a great case, and I know other people have had good experiences with it, but I personally don't like the way it looks compared to the OB Commuter case or the Seidio Active Limited, and I already have both of those.
_MetalHead_ said:
No I haven't, at least not in person. I'm sure it's a great case, and I know other people have had good experiences with it, but I personally don't like the way it looks compared to the OB Commuter case or the Seidio Active Limited, and I already have both of those.
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Couple of quick questions for you ... since you have both. I had the Seidio Active Limited from Amazon, really liked the feel of it, but the plastic back began to peel off. I didn't replace it with another ... afraid the same thing would happen. Any issues for you? So I've been using the Otter Box Impact case, but since I keep my phone in my front pocket ... it can be a lint magnet. If you don't mind ... tell me about your experience with the Commuter case from OB. Thanks.
wmdunn said:
Couple of quick questions for you ... since you have both. I had the Seidio Active Limited from Amazon, really liked the feel of it, but the plastic back began to peel off. I didn't replace it with another ... afraid the same thing would happen. Any issues for you? So I've been using the Otter Box Impact case, but since I keep my phone in my front pocket ... it can be a lint magnet. If you don't mind ... tell me about your experience with the Commuter case from OB. Thanks.
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I have the exact same issue as you with the Seidio. I have actually gone through 3 of them now, and they all started peeling within a week. The first one I had one of the tabs broke off while putting the case on. It's a shame that the build quality is so crappy on them because I really like the design, and I think it's a little more rugged than the OB Commuter. Not by much though, it just has thicker silicone.
My only complaint about the Commuter, and I know a lot of people share the same feeling, is that the cover for the charging and HDMI ports was poorly designed. It is a pain to get it closed, and it never stays in place for very long. Also, the way they cut the silicone for that cover, it is subject to tearing. Mine hasn't torn, and neither has my buddy's, but I know some people have had that issue. The good news is that Otterbox, unlike Seidio, has no problem whatsoever sending out a replacement case if by some chance that piece tears off, or any other defect for that matter. Overall I think it is a great case and I use it regularly, and even with the small issue of that cover, I can still recommend it to people.
Thank you ... I'm thinking about trying the "Barely There" since I'm an "in pocket" guy.
You can barely tell that there is a case on the phone with the Barely There, hence the name. If you're an in pocket guy, then that is definitely the case you want. I use it way more than all my other cases combined.
get the barely there case, i have it and love it, and as they say, its hardly noticable. plus case-mate came out with a full frontal screen cover, so you have case protection on back and sides and a full screen cover to cover the remaining parts
wmdunn said:
Thank you ... I'm thinking about trying the "Barely There" since I'm an "in pocket" guy.
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You said my words exactly. I too am very let down with the Incipio Feather case. I also thought that it would at least have a lip that came over the front edge but nothing. I dropped my phone on the carpet(fortunately it was carpet) and it popped right out of the case. If you want protection I don't think this is the case to use. They could have done much better. I would have preferred one of the Incipio NGP cases to this thing.
I've been using the Barely There case for almost 2 months. I love the feel of it. The material holds well. The screen protector it came with is awesome. I hated the way stealthguards and invisible shield felt on the glass. The screen protector that the Barely There came with feels just like glass when it's on.
The only thing is that this case is just to protect against scratches and minor drops on carpet maybe. I dropped it once on concrete and the case flew off and I have a small dent on the top front corner of my Evo.
This is my experience exactly
dcfella said:
I've been using the Barely There case for almost 2 months. I love the feel of it. The material holds well. The screen protector it came with is awesome. I hated the way stealthguards and invisible shield felt on the glass. The screen protector that the Barely There came with feels just like glass when it's on.
The only thing is that this case is just to protect against scratches and minor drops on carpet maybe. I dropped it once on concrete and the case flew off and I have a small dent on the top front corner of my Evo.
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I have the Seidio Rugged and it comes with the Innocase Surface as well and I really like the Surface, its not too thick and protects the camera lenses from scratches. I just need to get the belt clip for the Surface so outside of work I don't have all the bulk.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Get the Otterbox Impact. I love it. High quality silicone and nice thick screen protector.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Those aren't really barely there cases
xlGmanlx said:
Those aren't really barely there cases
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Barely there cases are counter-intuitive. If you want to protect a case against impact should you drop it, the case needs to be heavy enough to absorb most of the impact itself and not the phone. These barely there cases may protect from scratches on the phone body but that's it. So I guess you can safely slide the phone around on your desk but don't drop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Case mate barely-there case on newegg for $9.99. I would post the link but I don't have 8 posts yet.
Not really applicable in a thin case review check op as the subject isn't the merits of thin cases versus other types
mitchellvii said:
Barely there cases are counter-intuitive. If you want to protect a case against impact should you drop it, the case needs to be heavy enough to absorb most of the impact itself and not the phone. These barely there cases may protect from scratches on the phone body but that's it. So I guess you can safely slide the phone around on your desk but don't drop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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the bottom flap on my commuter stays in place fine, also fits great in your pocket, unless your female and wear them skin tight the barely there doesn't have any lay on the table protection for the front glass, which is just too risky in my opinion.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Poetik said:
Case mate barely-there case on newegg for $9.99. I would post the link but I don't have 8 posts yet.
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Thanks, just order it. I had the ID case for the iPhone from them and that thing took a beating and never gave up. Hope to expect the same from them again
I still think the Otterbox Commuter is the best case out there. It doesn't add that much bulk, feels sturdy and protects like none other. Well worth the money.
Well, what are your opinions on the otterbox impact? I basically want to know the reasons i should get it...
Im currently debating over the otterbox + JUST screen protector
and
full body maximum screen protector (from zagg)
The zagg one is a couple bucks cheaper for me because i have my warranty, but the otterbox definetly seems like more protection. My question is, is there ANYTHING about the otterbox that annoys you? Whether it be hard to push the touch sensitive buttons at the bottom of our screen, or if it made it too thick. Anything.
What would you guys get? The full body, or the otterbox?
Thanks
The otterbox.
The Zagg protector does protect your phone from scratches and small knicks. But if you drop your phone onto the street or a rough surface, the plastics of the phone will nick and chip on impact even with a zagg shield. An otterbox will provide the barrier or rubber that really saves phones on impacts. I have that case and its pretty decent. I bought it as soon as it came out and it was the only one available from otterbox at the time. Now, I think the commuter looks way better.
capocaccia said:
The otterbox.
The Zagg protector does protect your phone from scratches and small knicks. But if you drop your phone onto the street or a rough surface, the plastics of the phone will nick and chip on impact even with a zagg shield. An otterbox will provide the barrier or rubber that really saves phones on impacts. I have that case and its pretty decent. I bought it as soon as it came out and it was the only one available from otterbox at the time. Now, I think the commuter looks way better.
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+1 otterbox for drop protection, zagg for scratch protection.
The otterbox is awesome for drop protection, it's a little bulky but not too much and the only thing i don't like about it is that it can attract some lint when in your pocket, specially on the speaker and sensor holes on the top but that's easily cleanable, and the bottom is not as tight as it was at first but thats after a year of use, i'd go with it or the commuter as it looks way better but kinda pricy.
Hi guys,
I know this is a silly question but I think its warranted
Coming from a range of IPhone devices I've always used silicon cover that rims around the glass so if it fell out of my pocket screen side down the glass would not crack. Most of my if not of my drops have been from the waist down so hopefully ill continue on that trend and maybe I can escape using a bulky cover.
Now I've just put a gel cover on my note and can't help but feel it adds a lot of volume to a pretty big phone already!!!!
Ideally I want the following but unsure if it will satisfy needs
*Thickish screen protector that will help avoid glass cracking.
*Skin around the boarder if the phone to avoid scratching ( when I do drop it just order replacement skins )
*Rear battery cover is replaceable so not too worried about that but maybe need a skin to cover the camera glass from scratches.
What do u think guys would this be possible and is there any screen protectors / skins out their you would recommend?
Thanks all
a good screen protector will hold your glass in place after its shattered, but wont stop it from shattering.
most screen protectors do not cover the whole screen, they leave the edges exposed. when you drop your phone, its 90% likely to land on a corner first, so you'd need to reinforce the corners to minimise vibrations and the resultant damage in the case of a drop.
the only cases i know of that do this well are the ballistic cases. i had a ballistic shell gel and ballistic hardcore case on my old motorola atrix, i accidentally dropped it from my roof when i was fixing my antenna. no cracks on the screen, no scratches on the device itself. not bad for an 8m drop. sadly ballistic havent released any cases for the note.
Dam thanks ur right the edge needs protection.
Sometimes I think a rubber band would be good enough!! If only someone made a thin silicon band that just edged around the screen and steel frame that would be good enough for me.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Souai said:
a good screen protector will hold your glass in place after its shattered, but wont stop it from shattering.
most screen protectors do not cover the whole screen, they leave the edges exposed. when you drop your phone, its 90% likely to land on a corner first, so you'd need to reinforce the corners to minimise vibrations and the resultant damage in the case of a drop.
the only cases i know of that do this well are the ballistic cases. i had a ballistic shell gel and ballistic hardcore case on my old motorola atrix, i accidentally dropped it from my roof when i was fixing my antenna. no cracks on the screen, no scratches on the device itself. not bad for an 8m drop. sadly ballistic havent released any cases for the note.
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I've had ballistic on my last 3 phone and they where amazing. The rubber "balls" in the corners saved my phones numerous times. Never had 1mm of damage. I really hope they do come out with something for the Note. I would be more than fine with the extra bulk knowing it's that protected.
Do cases actually protect your screen on the S3? I am looking for a slim case after I had a sensitivity issue on the S3 and then cut out the inside and made it worse. I like the looks of the diztronic but there is no use if it only protects the battery cover that is worth $15.
Make sure the edges are higher than the screen like almost all are then you can lie it flat and keeps the screen clear of surface, and the most obvious thing is just buy a screen protector.
I've dropped mine on my screen a few times. My trident kraken works great.
Sent from Pluto.
I think my screen protector has saved my phone a couple times. Yeah sure it wont protect your phone from everything, but it sure does help and a few extra dollars is defiantly worth the price of saving something that costs a lot more.
I have an otterbox defender on mine and it comes with a screen protector and the raised edges help to keep most everything away from even that. However compared to the slim phone it was it now a little closer to being a battle tank, but at least now I never worry about dropping it.
Depends on the case, logically.
My Speck Candyshell works wonders.
How do you think the neo hybrid case will handle being dropped?
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Does the cover hold up well?
tehsprayer said:
Do cases actually protect your screen on the S3? I am looking for a slim case after I had a sensitivity issue on the S3 and then cut out the inside and made it worse. I like the looks of the diztronic but there is no use if it only protects the battery cover that is worth $15.
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Answer to this is a definite yes. Obviously a case with high sides will protect the phone when lying on the screen side however a lot of phones get dropped on the back cover and the screen shatters. A case will help absorb the shock and might just save the screen from force of impact. A corner drop to concrete could easily crack the screen as well but here again, case could keep that from happening.
CCallahan said:
Answer to this is a definite yes. Obviously a case with high sides will protect the phone when lying on the screen side however a lot of phones get dropped on the back cover and the screen shatters. A case will help absorb the shock and might just save the screen from force of impact. A corner drop to concrete could easily crack the screen as well but here again, case could keep that from happening.
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What about flat landing with case and screen protector
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You might want to consider a sgp glass too. Anything could happen including a hammer falling on your phone. Happened to me.....
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
I've actually ordered a Zerolemon case, it promises to cover the entire phone and has a built in screen protector. I'll give feedback on whether the full on screen protector will affect my S3 screen sensitivity.
I had my Razr in my back pocket the other week, and when i sat down in a car i heard a quiet cracking noise, the back glass cracked.... How hard is it to swap and are they really that brittle? Thanks!
I can't speak for how hard it is to install the new one but it's literally just a piece of glass with the adhesive strips. It'd be pretty trivial with a spudger/knife and a heat-gun. It looks like the going rate for a new one is around $100USD from AliExpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002618579898.html
Glass only bends so much. It's neither solid nor liquid, an amorphous solid. A bizarre material, the laws of hydraulics can apply to it. Making some of it's behaviors seem baffling.
I have a Note 10+, which is huge. I always wear bdu pants. The thigh cargo pockets are perfect for phones.
Watch a tear down vid of that phone before you dig in. Take your time and have a OEM seal kit to close it back up.
blackhawk said:
Take your time and have a OEM seal kit to close it back up.
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This is huge, make sure you have those adhesive strips!
In case phone is used without protecting case, highly recommend putting hydrogel film on the phone back and front glass panell, it's literally invisible but create extra protection as well a makes phone less slippery in hands.
Putting hydrogel screen protector on internal display is a different story, I have it on and so far no issues after few month.
kreoll said:
In case phone is used without protecting case, highly recommend putting hydrogel film on the phone back and front glass panell, it's literally invisible but create extra protection as well a makes phone less slippery in hands.
Putting hydrogel screen protector on internal display is a different story, I have it on and so far no issues after few month.
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Welcome to XDA
You really need a good case to protect from face plants and corner hits when drop as well as from being flexed. Any impact that can bent the frame or shatter the display can damage chipsets and the mobo by high G loading alone. A good case spreads out the impact G loading spike making drops survivable.
blackhawk said:
Welcome to XDA
You really need a good case to protect from face plants and corner hits when drop as well as from being flexed. Any impact that can bent the frame or shatter the display can damage chipsets and the mobo by high G loading alone. A good case spreads out the impact G loading spike making drops survivable.
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True, after using phone for few weeks with just hydrogel film on it I've ordered few cases on Amazon to get more protection. I was looking for compact phone thus chosen Razr and don't want to add any bulk to it.
Finally ended up with evutec carbon case, may be not super protective comparing to others but it's almost perfect in terms of look & feel. Hydrogel film still used along with the case and completely invisible.
kreoll said:
True, after using phone for few weeks with just hydrogel film on it I've ordered few cases on Amazon to get more protection. I was looking for compact phone thus chosen Razr and don't want to add any bulk to it.
Finally ended up with evutec carbon case, may be not super protective comparing to others but it's almost perfect in terms of look & feel. Hydrogel film still used along with the case and completely invisible.
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Yeah it's a trade off.
Sometimes it's more practical to tether the phone if you have a tether point.
BDU pants have cargo pockets that are perfect for stashing phones.
Belt pouches are another option.
The occasional fast as on ice slipe/hip-shoulder fall/landing on the phone side might not end well.
There's only so much you can reasonably do.