Develop Bugs

Harder silicone case

I'm curious if there is a stiffer/stronger silicone case out there. I had a hard silicone case for my ipod touch and miss it. The htc silicone case is just to flimsy and I'm not wanting a hard case never had any luck with them
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

What you want is a TPU case. It's a different material than silicon, somewhat stiffer and tighter fitting (maybe a bit less shock absorbent?), but pretty much superior in every respect imo... It's still a soft case tho, you still stretch it around the EVO to fit it in and whatnot, and you could bend it if you wanted (only difference is it snaps back to it's original shape much quicker than silicon).
It seems to have more grip on your hand but it slides out of your pocket a lot easier, a LOT easier, and unlike silicon cases it attracts almost no dust and lint whatsoever! My HTC/OEM silicon case (bought at the Sprint store) attracted so much lint and crap in my pocket that within a day of cleaning it all up I'd have this crusty line of crap all around the edges, it was pretty irritating. None of that w/my TPU case, at all!
The TPU cases also feel a lot slimmer on your hand even tho they're not that much thinner than the silicon one, they're still thick enough so that the camera is recessed below it and fully protected (most of them are anyway, there's some thinner ones)... I guess part of the reason they feel more svelte is that the edges are more rounded off and not as squre-ish as the HTC silicon one.
Button press feel is also much better w/these, probably because of the tighter fit, they actually improve the handling of the power button if you ask me. The side edges of these cases don't move at all unless you pull on it tightly, totally different feel compared to the silicon ones which loosen up and from just swiping your finger across the screen you can end up stretching the edge out.
In short, they're just superior in every way, just get one and you'll thank me later. All you have to do is choose one of the different ones out there based on aesthetics...

Amzer sells one w/an Argyle pattern on the back, that's what I've got right now, it's available on Amazon and off Amzer's site for around the same price ($9-10), it's semi-translucent and the pattern is actually a lot more subdued and doesn't stand out nearly as much as you'd think from looking at the online pics. I actually like the pattern, if anything I'd say the shade of the skin isn't quite smoked/black, it has a slight hint of amber/brown...
That's the only thing that bothers me about it. I'm gonna be ordering a plain black one along w/a red one from DCMugen on Ebay, he's selling some made by Epik that look to be the exact same thing w/o the Argyle pattern, and they're cheaper to boot ($3.50, or $6.50 for two). I can get you a link if you can't find 'em... I think they have 'em in blue and clear and a few other colors too.
Just don't fall for the cheap off-brand Argyle ones on Ebay, you can tell them apart easily because unlike the two I've mentioned those have one large cutout for the camera/LED/speaker, whereas these other ones have individual cutouts and from what I've read they're a bit thicker. Those other Ebay ones also have a large silly cutout for the fingernail hole on the battery lid that you use to pry it off, seems like a goof on the mold/design.
If you don't care for the Argyle pattern on the Amzer one I'd get the Epik ones from DCMugen, I think the colors/tint on those are closer to the photos. Here's a link to the red one, you can click on the seller for the other colors and the package pricing for two or whatever.
If you're not into the translucent look of either of those TPU cases you can always grab the matte black one at www.evocases.net There's a thread for those right here at XDA where misticjeff has even thrown in a $1 code discount for XDA members. The sides/front are still glossy (perhaps a bit glossier than the translucent ones, judging by the photos), back's matte. The frost one is no longer available.
On the thread about those some people were complaining about the feel of the power button, seems it's not as great as the Amzer/Epik ones, some people resorted to sticking a lil' bit of tape in between to make it easier to press... One thing the evocases.net does have going for it is the slightly raised ring around the camera, which I guess might protect it more in the long run... Even tho they're all thick enough that the lens is recessed (as well as the screen obviously).
My 2 cents, hope it helps... I'm loving the feel of these TPU cases tho, I'll probably never get a silicon case for a phone again.

Whew, that second post got pretty long... A picture or two would've made it easier to explain I guess. Lemme know if you're interested in the Argyle one and I can grab my camera and post some pics of how it really looks, there doesn't seem to be many pictures out there of the actual case ON the phone (for either of them really).
I was gonna wait 'till I had the Epik ones so I could photograph them all side by side but I can take pics of the Amzer Argyle one in advance and post 'em up. Like I said, I actually dig the Argyle pattern because it's pretty subdued, it's more of an etch or a shade (it actually feels like an etch on the inside of the case), rather than a print. The only thing that bothers me about it is the overall shade/tint.
I probably wouldn't even be ordering the Epik one if I wasn't also ordering some of those clear battery doors that are about to go on sale... I think those plain Epik cases w/the clear battery door will look very slick.

Best buy might have what you are looking for. My only gripe is the buttons feel hard to push. But give it a shot (most BB will let you try on the case) it might be what you are looking for.

Seidio Innocase Active Cased - Limited Edition
After looking around the net for some time I bought the Seido Innocase Active Limited Edition.
Can't post a link but search Amazon for the title in my thread.
It's a semi-hard silicon cover with a siliconized hard plastic that exo-skeleton. Perfect combo in my opinion. My one complaint is that the edges on the hard plastic piece have the siliconized coating peeling off a little but I think I may have gotten a defective unit as I haven't seen anyone else complaining about it yet.
Also got the ClearTouch screen cover anti-glare version. I've had this cover on a few phones and it's also the best for reducing glare and fingerprints while maintaining clarity. Kinda hard to install without getting dust underneath but once you get it on right it looks and feels great. ClearTouch is sold by boxwave and is on Amazon.

Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover
Has anyone tried the Hybrid Flexi Skin cover from Daydeal.com? I'm also looking for a tighter case than my OEM silicone skin I got from Sprint. I just don't like the way the sides become flimsy and flaps off the phone when I swipe my screen. I'm looking at this case:
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G, Honeycomb (Smoke & Clear)
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G is a combination back cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) edge with a smooth hard back.
* Protects the side edges and back of your EVO 4G
* Hybrid cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft TPU edge and a smooth hard back
* Stylish glossy TPU edge provides shock-absorbing protection
* Lightweight TPU is resistant to taring, stretching and deforming
* Compatible with HTC EVO 4G
Sorry, I'm a newbie and can't post links, yet. I don't know if the TPU edges would solve the flapping problem, since it's supposed to be firmer & tighter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hiway said:
Has anyone tried the Hybrid Flexi Skin cover from Daydeal.com? I'm also looking for a tighter case than my OEM silicone skin I got from Sprint. I just don't like the way the sides become flimsy and flaps off the phone when I swipe my screen. I'm looking at this case:
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G, Honeycomb (Smoke & Clear)
Hybrid Flexi Skin Cover for HTC EVO 4G is a combination back cover consisting of a semi-hard, semi-soft Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) edge with a smooth hard back.
...
Sorry, I'm a newbie and can't post links, yet. I don't know if the TPU edges would solve the flapping problem, since it's supposed to be firmer & tighter. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
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As I said in my previous post, TPU rocks as a material for cases/skins... I don't blame ya for skipping right over it tho.
TPU >>>>>> silicon
TPU doesn't attract dust at all, it's much tighter/rigid so the side edges don't flop out at all, but it's still got plenty of give (so it'll absorb a fall/bump), you could bend 'em in half if you wanted... Only difference is it'll snap back into form in a second unlike silicon which will probably just bounce around in an arc.
TPU also seems just as grippy on your hand, if not more so, but it slides in and out of pockets way way easier, and most of the TPU cases I've seen feel way more svelte in the hand than the OEM/HTC silicon scene... Probably in part because they're a tad thinner, probably also because the edges are more rounded off and not as blocky. Physically I'm sure it isn't a huge difference, but it sure feels like it.
This thread has some further discussion on TPU cases, it's really hard to judge them based on pictures alone, I was very pleasantly surprised with mine.

So I tried googling the title you posted and came up with this, only place I could find it at. Looks pretty interesting, seems the back is hard plastic and the edges are TPU. If you dig that honeycomb pattern I'd say go for it...
Altho if it's actual plastic it might get scratched up over time Looks like it's also clear/translucent, clear plastic usually shows every single flaw... A plain TPU case wouldn't have that issue. I'm just not seeing the advantage over 100% TPU, which are also like $3.50 vs $14 (look for DCMugen's Epik/TPU cases on Ebay).
OTOH that red back + black edges on the video in the link I pasted before looks pretty sweet... The rest look kinda gaudy imo ('cept for the all black) but red/black looks really different, I like it.

P.S. This is the Honeycomb (Smoke & Red) combination I was alluding to... There's also Honeycomb (Smoke & Smoke) and plain Black & Smoke (no honeycomb pattern, solid black sides). The red is the most distinct imo, those are all probably better in the long run than the clear back (less forgiving).

Jayr00 said:
Kinda hard to install without getting dust underneath but once you get it on right it looks and feels great. ClearTouch is sold by boxwave and is on Amazon.
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Tip for the next time you gotta install a screen protector and its the hard type: get some scotch tape, put it on the non adhesive side of the screen protector so you can peel it back without touching anything, and then grab another piece of tape and start taping the dust out of the screen or adhesive side of the protector and you'll be dust free in no time. Friends came over cuz they all needed new protectors and i did 4 phones in 20 minutes.

Hybrid Flexi Case
I got my new case today....went with the Smoke & Smoke combo. This case is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it. the sides don't flap and it has a really tight fit and seems really durable. Got it off of EBay for about $8.50 ($4.50 for case + $4.00 shipping/handling) from Daydeal as opposed to going to their site and paying $13.99.

Impulses said:
P.S. This is the Honeycomb (Smoke & Red) combination I was alluding to... There's also Honeycomb (Smoke & Smoke) and plain Black & Smoke (no honeycomb pattern, solid black sides). The red is the most distinct imo, those are all probably better in the long run than the clear back (less forgiving).
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I went with the smoke on smoke honeycomb case and got it today. It's darker so I think it'll hide any scratching that my occur on the backing. I agree with you on the clear backs when I first saw them, but the back seems scratch resistant (only time will tell)

Hiway said:
I got my new case today....went with the Smoke & Smoke combo. This case is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it. the sides don't flap and it has a really tight fit and seems really durable. Got it off of EBay for about $8.50 ($4.50 for case + $4.00 shipping/handling) from Daydeal as opposed to going to their site and paying $13.99.
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If possible can you please post pics? Im interested in this case but have only seen Daydeal's review on it.

Evo 4G case updates - Ballistic SG, Otterbox Commuter, CaseMate Tough

Yep, I'm starting another Evo 4g case thread. Mainly due to the fact that I can't find any decent reviews on the new Ballistic SG.
I've pretty much ruled out the Otterbox Defender and Ballistic HC because they seem a little more bulky than I want and overkill.
(link removed)
I'm aware of the Otterbox Commuter's issues with the silicone port cover coming off. I held the case and it just seems a little unsubstantial to me. The silicone seems very thin and the hard case is adequate but still seems very thin as well. I've also read a lot of complaints about the silicone deforming and not fitting the phone well after a short time.
(link removed)
The CaseMate Tough Case seems a little more substantial but I can't tell how thick/thin it is from the pictures. The corners seem better protected than the Commuter but there are no port covers.
(link removed)
I can't find any adequate reviews of the Ballistic SG case. It seems a little beefier than both of the others. I've heard the kick stand is a flimsy POS (if it's the same as the Ballistic HC) but I don't mind snapping it off and using the stock one. There are also no port covers with this one. Their customer service seems a little lacking so I don't know about support/warranty issues.
(I can't post links to the cases which is pretty annoying)
Does anyone have any updated information to share on these cases? I searched the forum but couldn't find anything current, especially on the Ballistic SG.

I too am looking for more information or detailed review of the Ballistic SG. Thakx in advance.

The Ballistic SG looks to basically be like the inner layer of the HC, but with a more finished look. It looks like the kickstand is the same. The kickstand on my HC has held up well, it isn't flimsy at all.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk

kd0axs said:
The Ballistic SG looks to basically be like the inner layer of the HC, but with a more finished look. It looks like the kickstand is the same. The kickstand on my HC has held up well, it isn't flimsy at all.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk
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Except that the very most inner layer of the SG is silicone instead of the outermost layer of the HC. Does the HC case have anything soft inside next to the phone to protect it or do you think the inside could possibly rub the paint off the phone eventually?
How do you like the built in screen protector of the HC? Is it better than a stick on if you've used one of those?
I totally forgot about not having to use the outer layer of the HC which would be good to take that off and stick the phone in my pocket. It looks like the most versatile case.
The only thing about the SG is it has the inner silicone which also servers as the corner bump guards.
I'm still torn. lol

The HC isn't lined with silicone, but it does have "shock absorbent polymer" on both the inside and outside of the inner case. The hard plastic does not touch the phone so there's no need to worry about it getting scratched. The corners are also well protected.
The built in screen protector is the only thing I didn't like about the HC. I actually removed it from the case and I am using a regular protector on my screen.
Sent from my HTC EVO 4G with Tapatalk

I was leary if the HC because of the built-in screen protector. I has been waiting months for the release and actually bought the Seidio Innocase Rugged instead. After a couple months I bought the HC simply cause I wanted something new. The screen protector is actually great and feels natural with no loss of function.

stanglifemike said:
I was leary if the HC because of the built-in screen protector. I has been waiting months for the release and actually bought the Seidio Innocase Rugged instead. After a couple months I bought the HC simply cause I wanted something new. The screen protector is actually great and feels natural with no loss of function.
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Are you also using the inner adhesive screen protector? I read the outer protector could show air bubbles if not used with the inner one.
A big concern of mine with the HC is the plastic cover around the front rim that covers the prox sensor near the ear piece. I also read that some people have had problems with this. The manufacturer may have resolved this by now.

I have the Ballistic HC case with the screen protector that came with it. No bubbles here. The cover for the 3.5mm is a little bit floppy, but otherwise ok. I haven't had any issues wit the proximity sensor. Overall, the case is good. I paid $30 at Amazon for it.

sqwerl said:
Are you also using the inner adhesive screen protector? I read the outer protector could show air bubbles if not used with the inner one.
A big concern of mine with the HC is the plastic cover around the front rim that covers the prox sensor near the ear piece. I also read that some people have had problems with this. The manufacturer may have resolved this by now.
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I'm using a Zagg screen protector and did get the oil slick look. The cabby powder trick works to cure that though. I am about to try the protector that came with it and see if that helps. No issues with the proximity sensor here though. I love it though, no complaints from me.

I have the red Ballistic HC case. Love it, but I have the proximity sensor issue. Is there a fix, or should I call Ballistic and try to get a new case?
Sent from my rooted EVO 4G running Myn's Warm 2.2 ROM, using Tapatalk.

I have an Otterbox Commuter (Bought 11/1 Last Year) and it works great. I cut the port cover off the bottom a couple months after I got it because it took too much fidgeting with it to get it to close right and I did not really need it.
The headphone cover on top is also getting pretty close to getting removed since it is an annoyance to have to open/close it all the time when I need it. It does not flip open like the bottom port cover did, but I just don't find that I need the extra protection for the ports on the phone.

Blkdimnd,
I don't know of a fix. Is the plastic raised a bit over the speaker and proximity sensor? Mine wasnt snapped together all the way at the top one time and I had that issue, but it was my fault. You could try bending the front cover so it bows in, instead of out, if that is your issue. Other than that, call Ballistic and see what they say.

Im trying to find reviews on the Ballistic SG myself... Seems good so far in terms of form factor as compared to the HC and Defender. I might end up purchasing it !!!

I own an Otterbox Commuter for my HTC EVO 4G and it is my second case. My first case was a simple and very inexpensive Amzer black silicone case that did the job of saving the phone's battery cover and camera lens from wear and tear for the first few months. After a friend purchased the Commuter and spoke highly of it and my Amzer case started to fit poorly -- likely my fault from removing it too many times -- I felt the need for something a bit more substantial. I bought the Commuter for around $30 in January and, nearly two months later, I must say that I'm pleased with my second case.
I agree that the silicone port cover feels flimsy. However, the cover shows no signs of ripping and I recharge my phone daily, resulting in heavy use of the cover. It would be great had Otterbox designed the port cover similar to the headphone jack cover, e.g., a cover that fits inside of the ports themselves, preventing them from opening on its own. Nevertheless, I understand why this may not have been practical: the ports are tiny as compared to the headphone jack port and appear to be more delicate.
I love the hard shell that covers that back of the phone. I purchased an inexpensive silicone mat for my car to keep the phone from sliding around on my center console; my first silicone case kept the phone from sliding on much of anything. The silicone inner shell and the hard outer shell easily protect the phone's camera and the screen.
My biggest gripe about the Commuter was the lackluster screen protector. It was great that the case came with a screen protector; it wasn't so great that the screen protector had numerous scratches after only one week of use. I replaced it after two or three weeks with a REALOOK premium screen protector, which comes with two (2) screen protectors and applied more easily than the one included with the case. Thus far, the REALOOK screen protector is holding up much better than the one included with the case and I have a second one to replace the first if it starts to show excessive signs of wear.
I can't personally compare the Commuter with any of the other cases in which you're interested but will personally vouch for the Otterbox Commuter. For $30, I feel that it does a better than adequate job of protecting my phone and it's so much nicer looking than most of the ones that friends and co-workers use for their phones, EVOs or not.

matthewdavisnelson said:
I own an Otterbox Commuter for my HTC EVO 4G and it is my second case. My first case was a simple and very inexpensive Amzer black silicone case that did the job of saving the phone's battery cover and camera lens from wear and tear for the first few months. After a friend purchased the Commuter and spoke highly of it and my Amzer case started to fit poorly -- likely my fault from removing it too many times -- I felt the need for something a bit more substantial. I bought the Commuter for around $30 in January and, nearly two months later, I must say that I'm pleased with my second case.
I agree that the silicone port cover feels flimsy. However, the cover shows no signs of ripping and I recharge my phone daily, resulting in heavy use of the cover. It would be great had Otterbox designed the port cover similar to the headphone jack cover, e.g., a cover that fits inside of the ports themselves, preventing them from opening on its own. Nevertheless, I understand why this may not have been practical: the ports are tiny as compared to the headphone jack port and appear to be more delicate.
I love the hard shell that covers that back of the phone. I purchased an inexpensive silicone mat for my car to keep the phone from sliding around on my center console; my first silicone case kept the phone from sliding on much of anything. The silicone inner shell and the hard outer shell easily protect the phone's camera and the screen.
My biggest gripe about the Commuter was the lackluster screen protector. It was great that the case came with a screen protector; it wasn't so great that the screen protector had numerous scratches after only one week of use. I replaced it after two or three weeks with a REALOOK premium screen protector, which comes with two (2) screen protectors and applied more easily than the one included with the case. Thus far, the REALOOK screen protector is holding up much better than the one included with the case and I have a second one to replace the first if it starts to show excessive signs of wear.
I can't personally compare the Commuter with any of the other cases in which you're interested but will personally vouch for the Otterbox Commuter. For $30, I feel that it does a better than adequate job of protecting my phone and it's so much nicer looking than most of the ones that friends and co-workers use for their phones, EVOs or not.
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I appreciate the feedback. I just realized the Ballistic SG also doesn't come with a screen protector. While the one that came with your Commuter may not the best, I suppose it's still better than nothing if comparing it to the other case.
Quite a few people haven't really had a problem with the port cover like you say and if someone wants a case to be indestructible then you probably need to get a Defender.
Just for comparison these are the dimensions I got directly from Ballistic.
Ballistic said:
Thank you for your interest in the HTC Evo Ballistic HC case. Here are the dimensions you requested.
Dimensions in the Gel, including holster:
X – 85.34mm (3.36in)
Y – 145.91mm (5.74in)
Z – 42.47mm (1.67in)
Dimensions in the Gel, No Holster:
X – 81.69 mm (3.22in)
Y – 135.63mm (5.34in)
Z – 24.75mm (0.97in)
Here are the Dimensions for the Shell Only:
X – 77.59mm (3.05in)
Y – 131.27mm (5.17in)
Z – 21.99mm (0.87in)
Here are the dimensions of the HTC Evo Ballistic SG case.
X – 75.97mm (2.99in)
Y – 131.40mm (5.17in)
Z – 22.48mm (0.89in)
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What I don't understand is if the SG is supposedly thinner than the HC it doesn't appear that way by the dimensions, unless that takes into account the curvature and the "lay on table" feature of the SG.
One reason I haven't already snatched up the SG is the cost. It looks like no one besides Ballistic is selling it so I can get an HC on Amazon cheaper.

I love my otterbox case because it is big and fits in my hands

I used the commuters for many months and never had a problem with the bottom port cover. in fact, that was one of my favorite things about the case. i was impressed how well it stayed in, considering all the hating I had read about it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

I ended up buying a Ballistic HC. For the price, I couldn't beat it. Ballistic is charging $7.95 for shipping so the total on the SG would be around $43 when there are HCs on Amazon all day for a lot less. That's with no screen protector or you can buy a $10 screen protector and get free shipping for an order over $40. Still pricey for such a simple case that I haven't seen any reviews whatsoever on.
Besides price it came down to buying a case with or without a silicone boot. Every complaint I've heard about silicone is stretches out and I didn't want to have to constantly take the boot off my phone to remove dust and lint. I have a silicone cover on another device and it has some terrible scratches all over it from all the trash accumulating. The HC seemed ideal since the silicone layer is optional and has an attached screen protector which pretty much seals it off.
I love the semi-soft material over the inner hard shell. It's firm enough not to move around but soft enough to stick fairly well to most surfaces. It slides easily in and out of my pocket.
The power and volume buttons have a very solid feel.
I was surprised that having an inner and outer screen cover didn't make it any more difficult to register touching the screen.
My biggest gripe about the case is the terrible kickstand. It doesn't snap down very snugly and once you snap it out, it swings very loosely. I thought about taking it totally off but then about 3/4 of the area under the kickstand is only covered by thin mesh for a flush fit. The Otterbox Defender kickstand is much more solid. I'll probably stick some tape under it to stop the rattle.
My second biggest gripe about the HC is some lint/dust still gets inside the case. I hope the case will always stay snapped together well after a lot of opening it to dust off the phone screen. The case snaps together like you almost need a crowbar to get it open!
Whereas the Otterbox Commuter's silicone port plug doesn't stay in place but the headphone plug is good, the exact opposite is true of the HC's silicone jacket. The port plug fits and stays but the headphone plug doesn't stay very well.
Since the top area of the case drops down to right about the screen viewing area, it's difficult to drag the status bar down without a little finesse.
All in all, I think all these trade-offs were pretty acceptable considering the price I paid.

I *LOVE* my Seido Innocase Surface II/Best Buy Platinum case. It's solid, adds very minimal to the "footprint", doesn't collect lint, and with a screen protector, gives me about 95% coverage (camera lens/leds/kickstand/ear port). It's held up remarkably well with removing it many times to change the battery too. Some cases wear out & become loose or whatnot. I have added a couple pieces of paper to keep the edges firmly seated, but it does fine without it.
I always forget to check, but when I did, I found several different colors on ebay for $19 shipped.

OtterBox
I've used the Commuter and the Defender both. IMO, the Defender is too bulky, but offers great protection. As for the Commuter, I really liked the syle and feel of the the case, but after 3 days took an Exacto knife and cut off the bottom silicone port cover (very poor design). After I did that, I was happy with it. I've dropped my phone several times on the tile in my house and the case provided great protection. The silicone does seem to stretch out after time, especially if you change out batteries often.

Otterbox COMMUTER vs Case Mate TOUGH

For those interested, here is my OTTERBOX COMMUTER vs CASE MATE TOUGH comparison. I now own both of these cases and found some interesting differences.
OTTERBOX COMMUTER
+ Very solid case 9/10
+ Rubber has extra cushioning bumpers on corners to better protect against drops
+ Cutouts also have secure plugs to prevent dust and water from intrusion
+ top, bottom and sides have hard plastic protection over the rubber making a more secure fit all round.
+ Rubber is of a higher quality 8/10
- Sound quality of speaker phone is slightly affected by the raised plastic that sits closely around the speaker. Sound comes out a little louder and sharper but still sounds fine.
- Case can be quite difficult to remove because the plastic cover sits over all four sides and is very tight
- Plastic cover surface is very smooth and nicely designed but will be slippery with oily or sweaty hands
- Screen protector cutout is a little short near the top where the earphone is compared to other screen protectors I've used, but quality is fine, average.
- headphone and charging ports are a little smaller than I'd like but should fit most accessories.
- ON and VOLUME buttons are a bit difficult to press, quite like most TPU cases
- Having plastic covering on the front sides, it can be easily knocked off a table when sitting face-down, and back down is even worse.
CASE MATE TOUGH
+ Very solid case 8/10
+ headphone and earphone ports are a perfectly cut to fit all brands.
+ Very easy to remove with only sides covered by plastic cover
+ Plastic material has excellent grip on sides and back making it much more secure in the hand.
+ Plastic is less likely to show scratches over time
+ Quite easy to remove with only the sides cover the the plastic cover.
+ ON and VOLUME buttons are very easy and nice to press, with perfect feedback, almost a little 'too' easy actually.
+ The entire front is rubber, so when sitting face-down, it does not move and has a secure grip on surfaces, less likely to be knocked of a table etc
- Because the plastic cover only sits over the sides, the top and bottom have the rubber exposed and it could catch on things, such as removing from a tight pocket. not a huge deal in use.
- headphone and charging ports are open and exposed.
- rubber is a little thinner than the Otterbox's and more stretchy/flexible, though may not be a big deal in use/drops.
So in conclusion, I really like both cases for different reasons. At first impressions, the Commuter appears to be the better case due to it's port covers, more secure fit with plastic covering all sides and the extra protection given to the corners of the case.....BUT....
....the Tough case just feel better in the hand, more secure. While both are almost identical in size, thickness and weight, the Tough has a nicely textured hard surface (that looks like rubber in photos) and this is what I would call 'active' protection, compared to the passive protection on the Otterbox. What I mean is that the Commuter is more likely to slip out of the hand, but be better against drops, and the Tough case is less likely to slip out of your hands, but make be less effective against drops. Also with the Tough case having rubber all the way around on the front, it's rock solid when sitting face down on a table surface and less likely to be knocked off.
Also, if you like to change your case on a fairly regular basis, the Otterbox is not an easy case to remove. Not that difficult, but the Tough is about 3x easier. This is a big deal for me, and combined with the nice secure feel, the Case Mate Tough is the preferred case for me as a daily wearer. If there are days where I feel I may need some extra protection against, say rain, I may be a little more inclined to throw on the Otterbox Commuter.
Either way you can't go wrong as both are great cases.

leicashot, any chance of any piccies with the Galaxy in the commuter case ? I'm thinking of getting one for my shiny new precious !
Also, do you have a car holder of any type that fits with the commuter on it ?

Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...

Interesting! I always wanted to compared them, but I dont wanna buy those cases because I know i would never use them after.

abhifusion said:
Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try take some pics later today....

do these cases come with screen protectors or no?

My tough case did not come with a screen protector which is fine by me since I hate them. Bout all I can say is that I had the tough case on my sgs2 both of which I got when they came out (each respectively, the case followed by a week or two) and have no complaints about it. Phone lived through a few drops one of which was standing in the back of a pickup to unload stuff and it fell out of my pocket onto the pavement, some 6 or 7 feet I would guess. The phone was fine and the case showed no mark whatsoever. I have not had any issue with the rubber on the ends sticking to anything and it does not pick up lint. The phone is easy to get in and out of the case but still completely secure in it and wont come out unless you take it out. The case has no movement on the phone and feels solid. The texture on the case is just about perfect for grip and more has an undefineable "good" feel. The ports and all openings line up perfectly with the headphone and microusb ports being opened up a little extra to let larger based headphone jacks or usb cables fully insert to their base. Something I appreciate because I have some headphones that sometimes wont go in without trimming the case.
To be honest I only see one real downside to this case and its going to come down to preference. If you want your phone as slim as possible this case isn't for you. The lip around the top is probably near two millimeter by itself and while it fits like a glove you have the width of both the rubber and case across the bottom and sides. To someone like me its a win because I think modern phones are too thin and I would want to do something to bulk them up even if I didn't need the protection.
I considered the otterbox to try something new but did not. I have no beef with it and it seems like folks that have them like them but for me it was hard to get away from something I knew worked great and for which I had no gripes.

I have a Case Mate tough too and i realy like, i used it on all my phones i had.
Here are some pics http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Cases/Case-Mate-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Tough-Cases.asp.
Never had the Otterbox but it looks clunkier and bigger, the Case Mate is a bit more elegant and has a good grip and feel.

Do any owners of either case use them in car holders at all ? If so any chance of pics in the car holder ? Also, does the case interfere with the operation of NFC at all ?

Hey guys,
I have the CaseMate Though since last week when i got my S3.
Before that I had the Otterbox Commuter on my DHD and I must say, I like the CaseMate much better. It may does not protect the ports as already said, but it does feel very good in my hand.
Car mounting is not a problem for me, I have an universal holder in which it will fit in easily

leicashot said:
Don't mean to be negative but I got the case today and it feels great except I'll be returning it. Why? Because the top front and bottom front of the case don't have hard plastic holding down the rubber lips, so they get caught and stretch in the pocket when retrieving. This over time may cause the rubber to tear or stretch too much cause it's very elastic and thin.
Whereas the Otterbox Commuter has the plastic sides cover top, bottom and both sides so that no rubber is loose, but held down tight. A much better product from my experience in the past and looking forward to having it when it arrives in the next week or so. This review will cover what I was talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Dxcyfm3Vg
UPDATE: See my review on both cases here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27997216#post27997216
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read a negative point about Tough case from you in another thread. Didn't see it mentioned here.
So is this problem a big thing or can i go with Tough case?

I have the Otterbox Commuter case on my S3 and I love it!! I had a defender case on my Tbolt and it added weight and size to it. I did not like it for that reason. The commuter case for the S3 fits just right and doesnt take away from the size that much. I have to believe this is a must have case for some protection for your phone.

anyone know if the case mate tough fit the active holster because it does appear to be the same size as the commuter

What are the dimensions of the case mate tough.

Nice review! Have u ever used the incipio silicrylic? seems very much comparable to the Case-Mate Tough and I dont know which one to choose.. Heres a link http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-SA-302-Silicrylic-Silicone-Samsung/dp/B0085VAP38/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1353870767&sr=1-2&keywords=incipio+s3

Hi, just got my casemate tough for the galaxy s4. I've been using one with my galaxy s3 and am very pleasedwith it but, unfortunately the one for the s4 is a bit disappointing. Although the look is the same the lip around the screen isn't as deep and the rubber doesn't come over the metal border fully. The volume button only has the rubber over it without the plastic surrounding which makes it feel fragile. I'll be returning the case and have ordered an otterbox commuter, although I would've preferred the casemate. Hope it's helpful.

I have 2 brand new Otterbox Defender series warranty replacements for sale, a Grey on white and Black on black with clip holsters for sale. Looking to sell both for cheap in a bundle. Shoot me a PM if your interested.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk 2

Current cases insufficient, need a new one, narrowed it down

Hi guys, I need a new case but have a couple questions about the causes I've narrowed it down to. I'm a student so I want to eliminate the need for having to buy another case if I dislike my purchase.
I have 2 tpu cases currently that were cheap at local cell shops.
The first one flexes too much where the volume rocker is so it causes my screen protector to bubble every time I press it. SUPER annoying.
The second seems to be somehow scratching the edges of glass that arent protected by my screen pro.
I'm guessing this case is a bit looser and has minimal movement and allows small particles to find their way in between the glass and the case.
I'm torn between two cases and I need some info on them that I havent been able to find reading the forums or from watching youtube reviews.
1) Incipio frequency: My main concern with this case is the sides flexing and causing my screen protector to bubble. Is there anyone that owns this case and can comment on this?
2) Seidio Surface: I've always wondered about just how snug these 2 piece cases are. Does the phone have enough space in the case that it is allowed to rattle at all? or is it just snug enough to keep the phone stable without scratching it?
COLES NOTES
-Need new case
-Incipio frequency or Seidio surface
-Will incipio case cause screen pro to bubble when volume rocker pressed
-Will seidio surface slowly scratch away at the aluminum finish/curved glass edges
All input is appreciated:cyclops:

So I'm writing this because of the "All input is appreciated"
Will you consider a third case? If so, take a look at the Trident Aegis case. You can find it brand new on eBay for $20 with shipping. I've used their cases before and they look extremely nice and on top of that, they do a good job with protecting the phones. I bought one brand new from eBay and I just got it today. It looks really top-notch. I'm waiting for my phone to come in. Hopefully I'll have it tomorrow so I can play around with it and give you some more feedback on Friday.

I've had the Seidio surface for over a month and so far no scratches on the glass or aluminum body. The inside of the case is soft with a carbon fiber sticker covering the inside. The phone fits snuggly but I can see a problem if you use a thick screen protector because of the tight fit.
All the cutouts are perfect with a nice beveled edge for the camera.
The case doesn't add a lot of extra bulk, which is the reason I got, I hate giant bulky cases.

Thanks for the replies guys!
I checked out the Triden Aegis but there's something about it I just didn't like.
I ended up ordering an incipio dual pro. I like the fact that the silicon insert seems to be more rigid than normal silicon inserts

I have a surface and uag. Had the surface first and like the feel but it doesn't really offer much protection. I saw the write-up on the uag and gave it a try. My surface stays on the ready but I haven't used it since receiving the uag.
Sent from my M7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Testingchip said:
I have a surface and uag. Had the surface first and like the feel but it doesn't really offer much protection. I saw the write-up on the uag and gave it a try. My surface stays on the ready but I haven't used it since receiving the uag.
Sent from my M7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
My incipio dualpro finally came in and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. I had my doubts after ordering that it would be too bulky or the silicon insert would be too flimsy.
I'm pleased to say that this case exceeded my expectations. There is some bulk added, however it isnt bad. It gives the phone some heft and just feels a little more solid. Fitment is perfect.
The only negative so far is that the volume rocker is a little harder to press

Recommendations for a Slim, Soft-Touch TPU Case?

I'm a new Axon 7 owner and am currently searching for a case to use on this phone. The stock transparent case that comes with the phone is great but due to the fact it's a glossy plastic, it attracts a lot of grease from my fingers and feels dirty after a while. I also dislike it because the sweat from my hands will form into condensation on the back of the case. I also have a problem where the jack on my headphones (Audio Technica ATH-M50) is too large to fit in the hole provided.
I decided to purchase the Spigen 'Rugged Armor' case from Amazon after reading a lot of positive comments about it, but I have been left disappointed and debating whether to return it due to the sheer size and thickness that makes handling the phone (Which is already large enough!) incredibly difficult with small hands. The case does not add much friction despite the material used having a rubber-like appearance, and I actually feel more likely to drop the phone as a result of trying to fumble with the added size. As well as this, the cut-out for the headphone jack is still too small even though it's larger than the wider than the one seen on the stock case. I also find it a lot more difficult to access the fingerprint scanner due to the thickness of the case surrounding it. Another problem is that the case is quite difficult to put onto the phone and a lot harder to remove, to the point where it feels like i'm actually going to damage the phone by attempting to do this!
For my previous phone, a Lenovo ZUK Z2, I had a fantastic Nillkin 'Frosted Shield' shell case that was made from a soft-touch rubber-like plastic. It was very slim at about 2mm in thickness at most, and although it didn't offer much in the way of drop-protection, it did have a nice textured back and that increased the grip tremendously. So, despite the case not being able to protect the phone quite as much from being dropped, it didn't matter because the chances of dropping the phone in the first place were a lot less likely. I wondered whether there was something similar for the Axon 7, but instead in a TPU-style with the sealed corners, and the same thickness as the stock case that's included with the phone? Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

This one is the best one, hands down: https://www.amazon.de/ARTILVST-umgebene-Struktur-Oberfl%C3%A4che-Protector/dp/B01MTLLSPA/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505381744&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=axon+7+slim+case+sand
It is ultra slim and has a very nice feel.

Sui77 said:
This one is the best one, hands down: https://www.amazon.de/ARTILVST-umgebene-Struktur-Oberfl%C3%A4che-Protector/dp/B01MTLLSPA/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505381744&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=axon+7+slim+case+sand
It is ultra slim and has a very nice feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That looks nice, it's kinda like the old Sandstone Black finish on the OnePlus One. There was one similar to this on Amazon UK but I don't think it had the same texture to it. My only compliant with that one is that it isn't a TPU case which completely covers the corners, but on the other hand the sand texture probably adds a lot of grip to reduce the risk of it being dropped.
I'm currently looking into getting the J&D case from their official website. It's in TPU-form which covers the entire phone (Except from the power/volume buttons!) and has the textured soft-touch back I wanted. The only problem with this one is that the glossy plastic edges look a bit tacky in the pictures, but hopefully it's not as bad in person as it looks on the website. I have a discount code which knocks a subtle 15% off the price listed, so it might be worth a shot.

Looking into this now myself. The stock clear case will go yellow as they all do. Getting cheap see through black case as a temporary till I find a good one. I find the clear one a tad loose at the side.

Sui77 said:
This one is the best one, hands down: https://www.amazon.de/ARTILVST-umgebene-Struktur-Oberfl%C3%A4che-Protector/dp/B01MTLLSPA/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505381744&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=axon+7+slim+case+sand
It is ultra slim and has a very nice feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
Does this case provide good grip?
Thanks for confirming!

joaste said:
Hi there,
Does this case provide good grip?
Thanks for confirming!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
In my opinion it's the perfect one.
My buddies ordered it for their Samsung cause of the nice touch.
Color is anthracite, not fancy but decent

Sui77 said:
Yes.
In my opinion it's the perfect one.
My buddies ordered it for their Samsung cause of the nice touch.
Color is anthracite, not fancy but decent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'm mostly interested in the grip. I had a similar case from Amazon. fr but it was in fact quite slippery (it had a satin feel to it). Had to send it back.
The stock case that came with the Axon 7 is quite grippy but it is slowly going yellow.

joaste said:
Thanks. I'm mostly interested in the grip. I had a similar case from Amazon. fr but it was in fact quite slippery (it had a satin feel to it). Had to send it back.
The stock case that came with the Axon 7 is quite grippy but it is slowly going yellow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is a different story.
It's the best pick you can get

Sui77 said:
This one is a different story.
It's the best pick you can get
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Just ordered it.

joaste said:
Thanks. Just ordered it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, have you received the case yet? Just wondering what you thought to it. If either you or @Sui77 could post a picture of it, that would be great as well. I'm still debating whether to choose this or the J&D TPU case that completely conceals the corners. I can't stand using the case which came with the phone much longer, as it's made from glossy plastic and attracts a lot of filth and grease. I imagine the ARTILVST case would be a lot better in this regard.

P650SE said:
Hey, have you received the case yet? Just wondering what you thought to it. If either you or @Sui77 could post a picture of it, that would be great as well. I'm still debating whether to choose this or the J&D TPU case that completely conceals the corners. I can't stand using the case which came with the phone much longer, as it's made from glossy plastic and attracts a lot of filth and grease. I imagine the ARTILVST case would be a lot better in this regard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I did. Or is ok, but not as grippy as I was hoping for. The original case provides more grip.
Some pics attached.

joaste said:
Yes I did. Or is ok, but not as grippy as I was hoping for. The original case provides more grip.
Some pics attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for posting those pictures! That's a shame to hear the grip wasn't as good as expected. I wanted something which provided more grip than the stock case, so maybe this isn't the right one for me. I also live in the United Kingdom and having the case shipped from Germany would make it more expensive in postage costs. It does look like a nice case but I am worried it might not offer much protection if the phone is dropped. I think the J&D case would perhaps be better because it has a soft-touch back and conceals all the corners properly.

I have that same Spigen case as above, an Incipio TPU case in smoked brown, and another thin "shell case". This thin shell offers zero protection in case it is dropped, making using one pointless , IMO.
The Incipio case is OK, but again thin and will show wear very quickly. The Spigen one is my favorite hands down, doesn't add bulk to the phone all ports easily accessable, and the edges offer good grip.

christoophat said:
I have that same Spigen case as above, an Incipio TPU case in smoked brown, and another thin "shell case". This thin shell offers zero protection in case it is dropped, making using one pointless , IMO.
The Incipio case is OK, but again thin and will show wear very quickly. The Spigen one is my favorite hands down, doesn't add bulk to the phone all ports easily accessable, and the edges offer good grip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions regarding the cases available for the Axon 7. It's interesting to hear how you found the Spigen case not to be bulky, because I found the opposite and returned it for that exact reason. I eventually purchased one of the cheap, plastic shell cases from AliExpress similar to the that in the pictures Joaste posted above.
My overall opinion on this case has been positive but it has worn on the edges and there are cracks down all four corners. As you mentioned, a shell case does not offer much drop protection but it's definitely better than not having a case at all and it does improve the grip quite notably. However, I wish it had a textured or 'Sandstone' back to help avoid grease buildup.
I am now looking for another case, but options in the UK are limited since the Axon 7 is not officially sold here.

I've been using my TPU smoke black case with a glass screen protector for a while and enjoyed that. I got fed up with the Poetic Revolution case because of the dry protector built into the front. It allowed dust and stuff in between the screen and protector. Tonight I stripped out the dry protector and put the case on with the glass protector still on the screen. Fits nice. I have a full coverage protector to fit and might see if it will work with the Poetic. Might need to trim the inner edges of the corners near the speaker grilles.

I've been using this Proworx case since right after I got my Axon 7, so for a bit over a year now. I wasn't super impressed when I got it so I figured I'd replace it as soon as I found something better or it wore out, but I'm still using it, which says something about it.
It isn't the slimmest, for sure, but it isn't as bulky as the Otter Boxes and whatnot that everyone with a non-cracked iphone seems to have. It protects very well - TPU around the edges, fully covering the corners (which is a must, in my eyes), polycarbonate back, enough of a lip on top to protect the screen if you set it down face-down, and the cut-outs and buttons are perfect. Good drop protection - I've "thrown" it onto asphalt, tile, and concrete without the phone getting a scratch. Also works well with the glass screen protectors we covered in another thread. Easy enough to put on and take off too, with no chance of the phone just falling out.
Again, not the thinnest, but not huge, and the protection is excellent. Plus they're cheap and come in multiple colors. And as is typical with cheap stuff manufactured in China, I've seen this same case under at least a couple of other brand names, CoverOn for one. For $5-$6 I recommend trying it - I like it enough that I pretty much never think about replacing it, even though it (a clear one) has yellowed a tad. After trying like 10 cases for my G3 and finding faults with each of them, I can say I like this one enough that I'll probably replace it with the same one, eventually.

emepher said:
I've been using this Proworx case since right after I got my Axon 7, so for a bit over a year now. I wasn't super impressed when I got it so I figured I'd replace it as soon as I found something better or it wore out, but I'm still using it, which says something about it.
It isn't the slimmest, for sure, but it isn't as bulky as the Otter Boxes and whatnot that everyone with a non-cracked iphone seems to have. It protects very well - TPU around the edges, fully covering the corners (which is a must, in my eyes), polycarbonate back, enough of a lip on top to protect the screen if you set it down face-down, and the cut-outs and buttons are perfect. Good drop protection - I've "thrown" it onto asphalt, tile, and concrete without the phone getting a scratch. Also works well with the glass screen protectors we covered in another thread. Easy enough to put on and take off too, with no chance of the phone just falling out.
Again, not the thinnest, but not huge, and the protection is excellent. Plus they're cheap and come in multiple colors. And as is typical with cheap stuff manufactured in China, I've seen this same case under at least a couple of other brand names, CoverOn for one. For $5-$6 I recommend trying it - I like it enough that I pretty much never think about replacing it, even though it (a clear one) has yellowed a tad. After trying like 10 cases for my G3 and finding faults with each of them, I can say I like this one enough that I'll probably replace it with the same one, eventually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to order one of these in black to try out. Have been quite happy with my Spigen, but after installing this Proworx case yesterday, I think I am falling in love. Seems to offer enough protection, fits & looks nice, AND I kind of like how the buttons are a bit harder to push in, which actually prevents me from squeezing open the screen every time I try to pick it up. :good:

RobboW said:
I've been using my TPU smoke black case with a glass screen protector for a while and enjoyed that. I got fed up with the Poetic Revolution case because of the dry protector built into the front. It allowed dust and stuff in between the screen and protector. Tonight I stripped out the dry protector and put the case on with the glass protector still on the screen. Fits nice. I have a full coverage protector to fit and might see if it will work with the Poetic. Might need to trim the inner edges of the corners near the speaker grilles.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quoting myself here.
Today I fitted the full coverage protector to my Axon 7 and it fits into the Poetic Revolution case nicely! Glad I stripped out the dry protectors in the Poetic cases. I've also now fitted a plastic protector over the glass one as a quick and easy tear off to sacrifice for wear and tear but the glass one makes the front of the phone flat. Even with two stacked protectors, touch works perfectly.
The picture is slightly misleading as the black section also covers the capacitive buttons so there's no indicator of position, but not being backlit anyway, it makes little difference.
Here's a quicky bunch of pics. I have a soft TPU smoky case, black Poetic Revolution and a blue/grey Poetic Revolution which can be mix and matched. Got a couple of little bubbles under the plastic protector and will fix that later, or just remove it. Looks good with just the full coverage glass one.

If anyone is looking for a slim case I just picked up a Bear Motion Sand from eBay. Best case I've had so far for my A7 and I've tried quite a few. Feels like my OPO did.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9Y5CQ...d_r=3683683e-ab8d-11e8-96dd-777fa7fb2507&th=1
Been using this one for over 6 months now with out any issues , not as bulky as it looks and the stand is useful . I also have a full body clear skin from clear-coat that fits superbly, clear-coat has various outlets through the UK and installs as you wait , is a bit pricey at £30 for the full skin .
I work in the building trade so need it well protected .