Hello everyone,
I know that BMXant has done a review as well for this case, but I am still doing this since this is the black version, and in my opinion, each color makes the phone looks somewhat different
I actually really like this case. I was never a fan of TPU cases due to it being flimsy, and at most times loose and does not hug the phone properly. The SGP Ultra Capsule, on the other hand, is quite a work of art. It feels very nice in the hands, with no sharp or awkward protruding edges or defects. The look is very sleek and actually complements the nice sheen of the phone. It is made to the precise dimensions of the Optimus LTE and fits perfectly, from top to bottom. After putting it on the phone, give it a good squeeze, and you don't see any warping on the case anywhere on the phone.The cutouts are exact and the buttons line up with those on the phone. One thing to pay attention though, this case is actually intended for the Optimus LTE, and thus has the extra cutout at the right top corner of the phone. Nothing is there on the Nitro HD, so be careful with that corner.
Going back a step, I really love the packaging that it comes in. I was expecting it to be in a cheap flimsy plastic packaging or a cardboard box with cheap prints, but WOW, the packaging itself is very nice. As you can see in the pictures, it comes in a solid and rigid plastic container, shaped like the case, with really nice and fine prints on the included papers. I actually find the packaging more appealing than the case, but that's just me
And so, with that, enjoy the following pictures. Do note that these pictures are taken using the LG Nitro HD, with the exception of the few pictures of the phone inside the case. Those are taken with the HTC Rezound.
Please click on the images for a full size view
-Case and Packaging:-
-Case alone:-
-Case and Phone:-
Any questions, feel free to ask
After using it for about a night, I found a couple of things that's somewhat annoying me. Not too much, but just kinda bothers me.
First, this case is slippery in your hands. Compared to the ribbed battery cover, this case is silky smooth and slides on your palms if you don't grip it with force. It might take time to get use to holding it without it slipping.
Second, I am not sure if this is just me or it's the case, but it seems with this case on, every time I press the power button to turn off the screen, it requires me to press it twice. Pressing it once will turn off the screen but then it turns back on immediately, and I have to press it the second time to completely turn it off. I tried without the case, and I dont have such problem. Only with the case does this happen. I don't know if it's due to the design of the case where the power button is, but so far it's still happening.
BMXant, do u have the same issue with the power button like mine on your case?
aquariuz23 said:
After using it for about a night, I found a couple of things that's somewhat annoying me. Not too much, but just kinda bothers me.
First, this case is slippery in your hands. Compared to the ribbed battery cover, this case is silky smooth and slides on your palms if you don't grip it with force. It might take time to get use to holding it without it slipping.
Second, I am not sure if this is just me or it's the case, but it seems with this case on, every time I press the power button to turn off the screen, it requires me to press it twice. Pressing it once will turn off the screen but then it turns back on immediately, and I have to press it the second time to completely turn it off. I tried without the case, and I dont have such problem. Only with the case does this happen. I don't know if it's due to the design of the case where the power button is, but so far it's still happening.
BMXant, do u have the same issue with the power button like mine on your case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this problem. When you put the case on did you put the bottom in first, or the top? I slowly inserted the top of the phone in to the case and then molded the bottom on. Maybe yours is slightly misaligned?
mmm shiny...look slippery especially when wet. Here in Florida it will be meeting the ground each time it pulled out the pocket. No thank you.
P.S.
what's the deal with the opened top right corner?
One thing i should note: I have an Optimus LTE and there is nothing in the top right corner that requires a cutout.. a little confused here. maybe the LU6200 or the SU640 have a tassle cutout up there???
It wasn't originally designed for your Optimus LTE. It was designed for the Optimus LTE in Korea with the TV antenna which would use that corner of the phone.
^^what he said^^ lol. I have no idea how many devices LG has that bears the same optimus LTE name lol!
Ant, I'll try what u did n put it in top first. I might have done bottom first I can't recall.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA App
Lol! This phone nearly flew out of my hands this afternoon because of the case. Luckily, my highly tuned reflexes kicked in and saved the day
Also, I figured out the double locking issue I had. Apparently, for some odd reason, with this case wrapping around the phone, the way I hold the phone when I try to lock the phone is somewhat odd. I realized that now, when I press the lock button, I also accidentally lightly squeeze the volume button. Now it won't matter if you use stock screenlock app, but I use widgetlocker and enable "volume key to wake" option, so when I press any volume key, the phone wakes up. This didn't happen to me before when the phone was naked because I can feel the buttons there since they protrude out, but with the case, they are only slight bumps on the case and can easily be squeezed.
Well, after 2 days using this case, I have my doubts on this case. It is a nice case don't get me wrong, and will definitely protect the phone stylishly. However, I start feeling weird using it. This is probably why I don't like TPU cases. I started to realize how hard it is to press the physical buttons now, and of course the smoothness of the back makes it very vulnerable to slips. Also, when placed inside my pocket, this case squeaks and "vibrates" as you walk. It's like having a slab of rubber in your pocket, just feels uncomfortable cause it resists movement.
I am really contemplating on either getting a full body protector or stick with this and get a solid case from either Incipio or Speck or some other company. I can't stick with this TPU case.
p.s. also, if anybody loves using TPU case and is thinking of getting one of this, I will be selling this case for cheap, just PM me and we'll talk details.
Related
Hey guys, just figured I'd share my thoughts on the SPG case for the LG Nitro HD, or should I say LG Optimus LTE.
First off the build quality is good, it feels just like a Diztronic case, but slightly smoother. The cutouts are fine, but I wish that the Volume and Power button had a cutout as well. This isn't a big deal though as the Volume buttons are easy enough to press. (The Power button sometimes gives me a little trouble, but it's not a huge issue). The main problem with the case is that it has that stupid Antenna cutout that's not needed for the US version. Very lazy on SGP's part.
The case is fairly snug, but it does seem a tad loose in a few areas. It's not going anywhere, but it just doesn't fit like a Diztronic case. I'm not saying the phone moves around in it, but there's some slight play if you press on the sides of the case. Here are some pictures, probably the best you're going to get in this lighting. I tried to get a macro shot so you could see the screen protector that I just complained about, but the edges don't show in pics, it actually looks like there's no screen protector on the device.
Thanks for reading, I hope this helped some of you.
Nice. Wanted to see what the White one looked like. I wonder how it would look with a white skin on the front and back of the Nitro with the SGP case on. For a all white look...that would be interesting to see.
sdotagain said:
Nice. Wanted to see what the White one looked like. I wonder how it would look with a white skin on the front and back of the Nitro with the SGP case on. For a all white look...that would be interesting to see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might look weird. I have the same case and like it but its more of a "brite white" and it has some kind of flake/speck in the color kinda like you see on custom car paint jobs.
The case is securely snug around the top and bottoms but in the middle of the sides its not (not a problem tbh).
Doesn't it fit a bit looser because the korean LG optimus LTE HD is slightly different in housing? It looks more square with sharper edges for the korean model.
It's really snug all the way around the phone, no loose/flappy areas. It's the sides that arent like super snug like the top or bottom of the phone. The only complaint which is extremely minor is it has the cut off for antenna which the US model doesnt come with. After probably more than almost 100 battery swaps, the case still fits nice and tight like it was new.
Edited for clarity
Many of the reviews I read/viewed of this phone back in early December pointed out the cheesy-ness of the cover and back.
One reviewer, phonedog I believe, suggested just tearing the cover off 1st thing because it's going to break anyway.
I haven't had any issue with the cover and think it looks pretty slick.
And I very much like the textured back- it's a big feature of this phone IMO.
I also like the texture and grip of the back-cover. I'd agree with any negative sayings that it's a pain in the arse to take the cover off and have to resort to prying it open from where the mic is, but other than that I think the cover is quite resilient to a bit of flexing and it snaps in/out of where it should easily.
To each his own.
I prefer this cover to either soapbox feel of sammy or iphone glass or plastic of moto. The usb cover was a stupid idea but I just deal with it. M
Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk
When the rumors about this phone were whirling around and the first pictures came out, I almost decided not to buy it right then. Most pictures of the back that I see look very ugly, but in person, the back is great. It is very grippy and actually looks sharp IMO.
The USB cover can be bit annoying, but it really doesn't bother me that much.
The cover is actually pretty securely attached, and not likely to break off on accident. And I also think it was a stupid idea. But the back cover I love - I just wish the Nitro HD were popular enough to drive more accessory development - a gun metal grey brushed aluminum aftermarket replacement back would be awesome.
I like the texture on the back as it does make the phone easier to hold onto. But, I could do without the goofy cover for the micro-usb.
To be honest, I don't mind the usb cover. Better than having the port damaged/filled with pocket lint or something. I thought I was going to hate it. It only gets in the way whilst charging.
My Inspire didn't have a USB cover and I never damaged it, so I'm not a fan of the port cover. Or port positioning for that matter.
As far as the back is concerned. I don't like the feel of it, but it does have excellent grip and is very resistant to scratches and finger prints. It doesn't look so bad either. It looks much worse in pictures than in person.
I do have a problem with the design of the back cover though. Taking it off and on a few times, I've had the pucker factor every single time. It feels like it will break eventually. I hope it doesn't, but in the meanwhile, maybe someone will make an after market replacement before it happens. I haven't been taken the cover off as much now that I am carrying it on a daily basis.
I like the back cover... feels much better than Skyrocket. The USB cover is weird... I want to pull it off, but cant being myself to do it.
The back cover I guess is ok, I think it's durable, though it does feel like cheap plastic. Even with the texture on the back the sides are still smooth, so people saying about good grip, I'd like to see how you hold it that that texture matters ;p
The usb cover - it's useless (read as "retarded"). First off all, let's talk about the position of the plug, it's on top, which mean there will be no dock or anything related for this phone. Then this stupid cover, what does it protect it from? dust? gee how many phones anyone had with no such cover and has problem with dust? And it's not like this plug get used once a week, it's used at least twice a day!
I think the reason for the plug, is because many if not most people carrying the phone in the pocket and it lays there upside down, which means more chances something get jammed in that hole.
I really like the back cover, especially compared to the Skyrocket I had for a month.
The USB cover is actually quite useful for me. I work in a high dust environment so its quite handy.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA App
[email protected] said:
The back cover I guess is ok, I think it's durable, though it does feel like cheap plastic. Even with the texture on the back the sides are still smooth, so people saying about good grip, I'd like to see how you hold it that that texture matters ;p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
while the sides aren't textured they aren't slick like the typical back, I find I do get more grip from the sides of this back than the glossy back sides. I also find myself gripping this device a couple of different ways that put some finger/palm areas in touch with the textured back.
for instance, just sliding my pointing finger up a bit on the back puts a lot of that finger in contact with the textured back.
walking down the street listening to tunes with the headset on I'll grab the device below the volume buttons and really wrap my hand around it, that puts a lot of my palm in contact with the back and really locks the phone down in my hand and still gives me room to tap the screen and change tracks, etc with my left pointing finger.
Has anyone bought this? I'd like to see some pictures of it actually on the phone. Mainly curious if it will mess with the edges of my screen protector
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/EFC-1G6WBEGSTA?from_mobile=true
I bought one from UK, which is supposedly a clear case but its more like a clear white. Its not completely transparent. This is my favorite so far. Perfect fit. The cutouts are properly aligned. Its TPU but a little rigid than the aftermarket cases. You will not be disappointed. Its hard to explain but its amooth and shiny but not slippery. The cutout for the camera is slightly embossed to protect the lens. This UK version that I have has a provision to attach a lanyard on the upper left hand corner. If you have the full screen protector you will be fine.
Stay away from the Cruzerlite. It will push up the edges of your screen protector.
Factory case arrived today (Pictures)
So I went ahead and ordered it up. Placed the order on Sunday, shipped on Tuesday and arrived today(Friday). I must say I like it a LOT. Nice and slim, and its the first case I've seen in person that gives it a little face protection, yet doesn't aggravate my Zagg HD. I also am a big fan of the tabs that cover up the charging and headphone ports. Though we will see if they or I stand the test of time with them. Anyway, enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions about it.
Oh, P.S. It does NOT have a Samsung logo on it like in the photo from their site. Doesn't make too much of a difference I guess, but for some reason I was a little let down by that
Samsung case
The one I just received is essentially a pebble blue back with a flap that folds over the screen to protect it. Its about as minimal as you can get!. You just pop your back off put the new one on, looks just like the back you took off only now there is a nice flap to keep the screen protected. Of course there is not much protection if you drop it, other than you now have a "spare" back for the phone. I have a TPU case also, not sure which I like better. But if your in to a minimal look, this is the case!
Yeah I have that one, and love it. I also have a case-mate one that's really thin that I also like. I feel this one adds a decent amount of protection to the back and sides.
How easy is it to press the power button?
Thanks for the pics.
j3oomerang said:
How easy is it to press the power button?
Thanks for the pics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This Easy!
http://youtu.be/diu8i5UKTHc?t=28s:good:
j3oomerang said:
How easy is it to press the power button?
Thanks for the pics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Real easy. The raised part of the case doesn't protrude too much. Only Issue Im having is when I hit the lock button with my thumb I sometimes hit the volume rocker with my pointer finger
Digital-M said:
Real easy. The raised part of the case doesn't protrude too much. Only Issue Im having is when I hit the lock button with my thumb I sometimes hit the volume rocker with my pointer finger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not Real Easy, Its Actually This Easy!!
http://youtu.be/diu8i5UKTHc?t=28s:silly:
After reading your review, I got mine on BestBuy with the samsung logo on it
thank you :good:
Cyclops case
http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-pro.../cyclops-case-samsung-galaxy-s-iv-active.aspx
Unicorn Beetle Case
http://www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Samsung-Galaxy-Active-Unicorn/dp/B00DY5UVK2
Has anyone tried these out?
What I am really looking for is a case that adds some extra waterproofing and a bike mount so that I can use the phone on my bike as a bike computer.
Buzz_Litebeer said:
Cyclops case
http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-pro.../cyclops-case-samsung-galaxy-s-iv-active.aspx
Unicorn Beetle Case
http://www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Samsung-Galaxy-Active-Unicorn/dp/B00DY5UVK2
Has anyone tried these out?
What I am really looking for is a case that adds some extra waterproofing and a bike mount so that I can use the phone on my bike as a bike computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I own two of the Unicorn Beetle Cases, and had the Cyclops in my hands for a few minutes since my friend has one. I didn't like the Cyclops since it feels too "mushy" for my taste, but I'd say it *definitely* will offer more drop & rain protection if that is what you are looking for. I've never dropped a phone (knock on wood) and really just wanted a nice looking scratch protector type of case that is not too bulky, and the Beetle is great for that, but I don't think it would fare very well if it fell from a moving bike...
I ordered the black/yellow Unicorn Beetle, should be in a few days even thought it's a bit ridiculous: the tracking info showed it shipped from Memphis TN then to Phoenix AZ and then to Compton CA which basically means they leaped clear over Las Vegas NV in the process instead of just drop-shipping it here, go figure. I mean I know we're north of that route by a margin but even so, shipping companies (apparently this is coming by DHL) just can't seem to be efficient at all sometimes.
Anyway, once it arrives I'll post my opinions and thoughts on it but as stated it probably won't get here till Monday at the earliest.
But I can always hope...
Ok, got my Unicorn Beetle case and I absolutely love it - I chose the black/yellow color combination. A near-perfect fit (will explain that in a moment), gives the phone a really solid feel, not that it doesn't feel that way already but the additional weight and size just adds a bit more "uNF" to the overall heft of carrying the GS4A.
Now, about the near-perfect fit in my situation - I'm not saying this will be the same for everyone else but it was for me and I'll explain my "fix" for it as well.
When I first put the Beetle case on I loved it right at that moment, but after a few more moments I began to realize that the extremely snug fit was causing a problem: the power button was so "tight" it literally was acting like a touch-sensitive control just like the screen is. I mean it: I could just touch that side "bump" on the case and the power would go on and off with nary any pressure whatsoever. There was literally no space whatsoever and the power button section of the case was not only constantly touching the power button but pushing on it so it was like a micron or whatever away from making contact.
That wasn't going to work.
I removed the case and looked into the inner area where the power button of the GS4A makes contact with the case and noted there was a tiny "bump" added, probably with the intention of making sure the contact was made with the power button. Problem is that tiny plastic "bump" or hump or whatever you or the case maker might call it is/was about 0.5mm tall, give or take a tenth of a millimeter, so I took a razor blade and bent the side of the case (the grey rubber-like material, not the hard yellow plastic) enough so that I could shave - for lack of a better term - that little bump or hump so it was totally gone and the entire area inside the power button on the case was flush and flat.
Put the GS4A back in the now modded case and voila, not only was that issue taken care of in a few seconds but now there's a small amount of space between the physical button and the case portion that covers it - when I press in I can feel the rubberized grey plastic actually give just a bit, and I can feel the power button click physically as it does when it's "naked" and case free.
But, then I noticed that the volume buttons - the Volume Up button specifically - were doing exactly the same thing so, I removed the GS4A from the case again - I didn't check it for that little "bump" of extra material the first time because I wasn't having any problems with the volume at first.
Anyway, looking into the area inside the case on the volume buttons I noted another similar "bump" of extra material, one for each specific button (Up/Down) but this little bump was maybe 1/4th as thick as the one on the power button side was. I mean literally this was like a sheet of notebook paper thick while the power button bump was 4 or 5, big difference.
I did the razor shave thing on the volume button side and...
I am happy to report this case is pretty much perfect for me now.
The little mods I did took seconds but now the power and the volume buttons are working as expected, with just a tiny very tiny amount of spacing between how tight they were to now having that give that I notice when I press the buttons, I can feel them being pushed and get the click whereas with the case in original condition the buttons themselves felt rock solid with no give at all, and now we know why.
So, I'd give this case a 9.9 easy (there are no 10's, in anything), and would order another one without hesitation if I had a second GS4A. I'm a large guy (6'6" tall) and I have somewhat large hands, not gargantuan ones or anything, but whereas before with the bare GS4A feeling solid in my hand, with the Unicorn Beetle case on it, I feel like I could hold it while punching a hole in a brick wall or something and not think twice about it. The added ridges and nubs along the sides just kind of fit the size of my hand and the insides of my fingers when I grasp it, well, as perfectly as I could have expected.
Also, the cutout where the camera lens and LED flash are located has a huge spacing now, almost an 1/8th of an inch so you probably won't end up having to clean the lens nearly as often because of potential finger/palm prints on it. Helps a lot when it's laying on the backside as well.
If you want a solid case that looks great (my opinion of course), is fairly cheap in price (paid $9 + shipping = $14.99 for mine and worth every cent at this moment), the Unicorn Beetle for the Galaxy S4 Active is highly recommended.
(only camera I have presently is the one - two actually - in the GS4A so I have no pics to share, if you've seen the pics of the case then you pretty see what it really is)
Disclaimer: while the mod that I did - shaving off a half millimeter of excess plastic inside the inner area of the case where the buttons are located - has made it near-perfect for me and my use, minor manufacturing differences could mean that someone else using the same case (unmodded) might not have such incredibly close/tight tolerances as mine did, so YMMV. I just figured I'd spill my guts about my direct first-hand experience with the case and what I did to make it that much better. If you wish to do the mod that I did, just be careful with any sharp cutting tools you may choose to get it done.
Is the Unicorn beetle a rubberized case (IE if dropped will it help protect the screen from damage?)
br0adband said:
Ok, got my Unicorn Beetle case and I absolutely love it - I chose the black/yellow color combination. A near-perfect fit (will explain that in a moment), gives the phone a really solid feel, not that it doesn't feel that way already but the additional weight and size just adds a bit more "uNF" to the overall heft of carrying the GS4A.
Now, about the near-perfect fit in my situation - I'm not saying this will be the same for everyone else but it was for me and I'll explain my "fix" for it as well.
When I first put the Beetle case on I loved it right at that moment, but after a few more moments I began to realize that the extremely snug fit was causing a problem: the power button was so "tight" it literally was acting like a touch-sensitive control just like the screen is. I mean it: I could just touch that side "bump" on the case and the power would go on and off with nary any pressure whatsoever. There was literally no space whatsoever and the power button section of the case was not only constantly touching the power button but pushing on it so it was like a micron or whatever away from making contact.
That wasn't going to work.
I removed the case and looked into the inner area where the power button of the GS4A makes contact with the case and noted there was a tiny "bump" added, probably with the intention of making sure the contact was made with the power button. Problem is that tiny plastic "bump" or hump or whatever you or the case maker might call it is/was about 0.5mm tall, give or take a tenth of a millimeter, so I took a razor blade and bent the side of the case (the grey rubber-like material, not the hard yellow plastic) enough so that I could shave - for lack of a better term - that little bump or hump so it was totally gone and the entire area inside the power button on the case was flush and flat.
Put the GS4A back in the now modded case and voila, not only was that issue taken care of in a few seconds but now there's a small amount of space between the physical button and the case portion that covers it - when I press in I can feel the rubberized grey plastic actually give just a bit, and I can feel the power button click physically as it does when it's "naked" and case free.
But, then I noticed that the volume buttons - the Volume Up button specifically - were doing exactly the same thing so, I removed the GS4A from the case again - I didn't check it for that little "bump" of extra material the first time because I wasn't having any problems with the volume at first.
Anyway, looking into the area inside the case on the volume buttons I noted another similar "bump" of extra material, one for each specific button (Up/Down) but this little bump was maybe 1/4th as thick as the one on the power button side was. I mean literally this was like a sheet of notebook paper thick while the power button bump was 4 or 5, big difference.
I did the razor shave thing on the volume button side and...
I am happy to report this case is pretty much perfect for me now.
The little mods I did took seconds but now the power and the volume buttons are working as expected, with just a tiny very tiny amount of spacing between how tight they were to now having that give that I notice when I press the buttons, I can feel them being pushed and get the click whereas with the case in original condition the buttons themselves felt rock solid with no give at all, and now we know why.
So, I'd give this case a 9.9 easy (there are no 10's, in anything), and would order another one without hesitation if I had a second GS4A. I'm a large guy (6'6" tall) and I have somewhat large hands, not gargantuan ones or anything, but whereas before with the bare GS4A feeling solid in my hand, with the Unicorn Beetle case on it, I feel like I could hold it while punching a hole in a brick wall or something and not think twice about it. The added ridges and nubs along the sides just kind of fit the size of my hand and the insides of my fingers when I grasp it, well, as perfectly as I could have expected.
Also, the cutout where the camera lens and LED flash are located has a huge spacing now, almost an 1/8th of an inch so you probably won't end up having to clean the lens nearly as often because of potential finger/palm prints on it. Helps a lot when it's laying on the backside as well.
If you want a solid case that looks great (my opinion of course), is fairly cheap in price (paid $9 + shipping = $14.99 for mine and worth every cent at this moment), the Unicorn Beetle for the Galaxy S4 Active is highly recommended.
(only camera I have presently is the one - two actually - in the GS4A so I have no pics to share, if you've seen the pics of the case then you pretty see what it really is)
Disclaimer: while the mod that I did - shaving off a half millimeter of excess plastic inside the inner area of the case where the buttons are located - has made it near-perfect for me and my use, minor manufacturing differences could mean that someone else using the same case (unmodded) might not have such incredibly close/tight tolerances as mine did, so YMMV. I just figured I'd spill my guts about my direct first-hand experience with the case and what I did to make it that much better. If you wish to do the mod that I did, just be careful with any sharp cutting tools you may choose to get it done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buzz_Litebeer said:
Is the Unicorn beetle a rubberized case (IE if dropped will it help protect the screen from damage?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With mine, which I now realize isn't black/yellow at all but a very dark gray/yellow combo, the yellow part of the case is plastic, plain and simple - a tap of the finger or a pen will tell you that. But the gray portion is some kind of rubberized or rubber-like material that has a minor amount of flex to it, some give, some take.
I see people grabbing similar cases that have cutouts (large ones) for the volume and power buttons and personally I can't stand those kinds of cases myself. If I'm buying something to protect the device I want as much as possible of the device body/surface protected to the maximum potential, and given this one does that extremely well it's why I give it high marks as I did.
I don't consider this case to be "shock-proof" in any respects since it's such a tight fit. It's not like the Otterbox Defender for the GS4A (now available but of course insanely costly considering it's a case) which is a rubberized inner case with the harder outer shell that does provide some level of shock-resistance.
As my GS4A already has a cracked digitizer (that still functions without any dead spots or zones), I'm damned sure not intending to drop it at any time 'cause if that happens I'm pretty confident I'll kill it by doing so.
So to clarify: the Unicorn Beetle case is hard plastic on the very backside which melds into the slightly softer and very slightly more flexible sides. If it was entirely made of the harder plastic material it would probably require being in two parts or else you wouldn't be able to get the phone into the case at all.
I have both...
I have both the unicorn beetle and the trident cyclops and I have to say I prefer this case over both. I cant post links, so just search for this: black perforated net hybrid galaxy s4 active - on eBay and it'll pop right up. It has a better feel in my hand and it seems to provide more protection than the unicorn beetle, though admittedly not more than the cyclops. Funny, this one is cheaper than both and I liked it better. The perforated part is a rubberized hard material, and the inner shell is silicone. It also seems less bulky than both. Another reason I like it over the bulky cyclops trident case is that Im also using the bodyguardz tempered glass screen protector linked here. The plastic built in protector on the cyclops trident gets in the way.
Morgan
I am quite happy with the unicorn beetle case. I bought it a couple weeks ago because my bulky full-protection case wouldn't fit in my car dock, yet I still wanted protection and a TPU case anyway. Its been awesome ANYWAY just sayin.
br0adband said:
So to clarify: the Unicorn Beetle case is hard plastic on the very backside which melds into the slightly softer and very slightly more flexible sides. If it was entirely made of the harder plastic material it would probably require being in two parts or else you wouldn't be able to get the phone into the case at all.
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Is the inside TPU or hard plastic? I ask because I want to buy the missus a new case (the Tudia TPU works good, but she needs a bit more protection; she doesn't know how to NOT drop phones ) but I've had bad luck with hard plastic cases scratching the crap out of phones and not actually protecting them when dropped. I had a S2 w/hard plastic shell and when dropped the stupid case would come apart! It scratched the crap out of the bezel as well, I definitely was not happy with it. I know it's a 1-piece case but I'd prefer to have TPU touching the phone on the insides, hard plastic is ok on the outside.
(Yes, I cleaned the case pretty regularly to keep dust/dirt out, it still scratched my phone more than it should have in a really short period of time)
Not sure what the difference is but the yellow portion on mine is hard plastic; the grey portions are a softer more flexible material so if that's what "TPU" is then there's your answer.
br0adband said:
Not sure what the difference is but the yellow portion on mine is hard plastic; the grey portions are a softer more flexible material so if that's what "TPU" is then there's your answer.
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Looking at the pics on Amazon it was hard to really tell if the inside is TPU or hard plastic (TPU is the flexible rubber, usually) but you answered my question! I prefer TPU over hard plastic as I said in the above question, I think it's pretty shock resistant after using one for several months on my Rugby Smart. If Seidio used that over the soft silicone or hard plastic I'd be a lot happier... TPU is the best of both IMO.
IMissPalmOS said:
I own two of the Unicorn Beetle Cases, and had the Cyclops in my hands for a few minutes since my friend has one. I didn't like the Cyclops since it feels too "mushy" for my taste, but I'd say it *definitely* will offer more drop & rain protection if that is what you are looking for. I've never dropped a phone (knock on wood) and really just wanted a nice looking scratch protector type of case that is not too bulky, and the Beetle is great for that, but I don't think it would fare very well if it fell from a moving bike...
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Is the back of the beatle case flat? I am thinking of getting it and putting a quad lock mount on it so i can put it on my bike.
Buzz_Litebeer said:
Is the back of the beatle case flat? I am thinking of getting it and putting a quad lock mount on it so i can put it on my bike.
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Not totally, no. The outer edge that looks glossy in photos is raised. The highest points are the middle portions on either side, raised about 1.5mm. Also the portion that has the SUPCASE logo in some pictures (but not in reality) is raised and textured a tiny bit.
EDIT: After looking at the quad lock in your other post, it looks like it would work fine with the beetle case. It is flat where you'd need it to be.
So, I ordered this bumper case on Christmas Eve, and it ended up taking 15 business days for me to receive it, due to delays and because the product was being shipped from the UK, while I live in the US.
The case consists of plastic/TPU like frame with rubber going around it. The case was actually quite hard for me to put on, however, I think it might be because I have a skinomi full body protector on it, so it does take a bit of a push to get it in. Another thing is, the power and volume buttons can be kind of hard to push, and the camera button especially, but once again, I have a protective skin on the inside, so it is harder for me than it may be for you if you do not have one on it. I have attached a diagram that may give a better idea on this issue.
There is a nice grip to it, and there is alot of space between the rubber part of the case and the screen for you to set on the desk on the back or face-down, I even have a nillkin glass screen protector on the front, and it lies on its front side just fine.
Now, the bad thing about this case is that my magnetic charging cable did not fit at all. I had no choice but to modify the cable. I took a knife and cut off the sides, filed them down a bit, and then take some elmer's glue to fill in areas where I cut too deep. After that, it fit perfectly fine, and I have no issues with it what-so-ever. Note that I am using a 3rd party charging cable, I am not sure if the original DK31 cable will fit without any modifications.
The case comes in black, white, and purple. I have attached the links to the case and the respective colors below, as well as pictures of my own. Pictures were taken with my sister's Nexus 5 on 4.4.2 Stock KitKat.
Black:
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/metal-slim-bumper-frame-for-sony-xperia-z1-black-p41877.htm
White:
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/metal-slim-bumper-frame-for-sony-xperia-z1-white-p41878.htm
Purple:
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/metal-slim-bumper-frame-for-sony-xperia-z1-purple-p41879.htm
UPDATE: So I went ahead and removed the skinomi side guards, and the buttons are ever so slightly easier to press. The most noticable difference is the dedicated camera button, as it was extremely hard to push down all the way in order to launch the camera application, and use it to take images. I'm actually kind of glad that I took them off.
Case Review
One of the best reviews i have seem for this case! My friend actually just got this case today and had the same problem with the magnetic charging port. They should have checked that out prior to release XD. Anyways, Solid review. Thanks granted
kusanou said:
The case consists of plastic/TPU like frame with rubber going around it. The case was actually quite hard for me to put on, however, I think it might be because I have a skinomi full body protector on it, so it does take a bit of a push to get it in.
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Can you confirm whether this is the skinomi protector you have ?
kusanou said:
Another thing is, the power and volume buttons can be kind of hard to push, and the camera button especially, but once again, I have a protective skin on the inside, so it is harder for me than it may be for you if you do not have one on it.
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ok, this i was not expecting to hear. I figured since the buttons were there that it would be easier than cases that only had holes which means the button now sits flush with the case requiring a more conscious press. So when i saw a case that had rubber inserts i figured easier to push as they are sitting right on top of the real ones. I cant see why skinomi gets in the way of pressing buttons at all.
Why is it harder to push the buttons ? do the buttons not go in all the way, maybe they should have been a little more prominent.
kusanou said:
There is a nice grip to it, and there is alot of space between the rubber part of the case and the screen for you to set on the desk on the back or face-down, I even have a nillkin glass screen protector on the front, and it lies on its front side just fine.
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Prominent lip is apparent. Bu there is a strip there as well. So i guess the grip comes from the rubber on the edges. Would have preferred an all rubber grip.
kusanou said:
Now, the bad thing about this case is that my magnetic charging cable did not fit at all. I had no choice but to take a knife and cut off the sides, file them down a bit, and then take some elmer's glue to fill in areas where I cut too deep. After that, it fit perfectly fine, and I have no issues with it what-so-ever. Note that I am using a 3rd party charging cable, I am not sure if the original DK31 cable will fit without any modifications.
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You've done a good job going by your pictures, can hardly tell you've done any work on it.
i suppose the official DK31 requires much more room around the port to fit better.
One Twelve said:
Can you confirm whether this is the skinomi protector you have ?
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Yes, that is what I have.
ok, this i was not expecting to hear. I figured since the buttons were there that it would be easier than cases that only had holes which means the button now sits flush with the case requiring a more conscious press. So when i saw a case that had rubber inserts i figured easier to push as they are sitting right on top of the real ones. I cant see why skinomi gets in the way of pressing buttons at all.
Why is it harder to push the buttons ? do the buttons not go in all the way, maybe they should have been a little more prominent.
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I attached a diagram I drew on how it works. The skinomi side guard kind of forces you to have to push a but more, that was already apparent for me for the volume and the camera shutter keys especially. I think that the bumper is also pushed out a bit more around the corners of the device, so the bumper isn't able to reach all the way, resulting in more of a need to push. The buttons on the bumper themselves are also feel a little hard as well, but I think that's just because of the side guard making me push more.
Prominent lip is apparent. Bu there is a strip there as well. So i guess the grip comes from the rubber on the edges. Would have preferred an all rubber grip.
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I guess so, personally I like it that way, but yes, the grip would be much better had it been all rubber.
You've done a good job going by your pictures, can hardly tell you've done any work on it.
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I guess I should have made it more clear that it was not the case that I had modified, but the cable. I will fix that in my post.
kusanou said:
I attached a diagram I drew on how it works. The skinomi side guard kind of forces you to have to push a but more, that was already apparent for me for the volume and the camera shutter keys especially.
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I did not realise the skinomi as you pictured it in the diagram could hold onto the buttons so much. How ? its just a bit of plastic with cutouts for the buttons to go through. Unless its so tight that the buttons face resistance going through. Skinomi must have contracted after you applied it so it literally grips the buttons tighter now.
kusanou said:
I think that the bumper is also pushed out a bit more around the corners of the device, so the bumper isn't able to reach all the way, resulting in more of a need to push. The buttons on the bumper themselves are also feel a little hard as well, but I think that's just because of the side guard making me push more.
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Would you consider removing the skinomi around the trim since you now have a bumper and you think skinomi is making it harder to operate.
kusanou said:
I guess so, personally I like it that way, but yes, the grip would be much better had it been all rubber.
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Looks attractive or you could say its trying to preserve the original looks.
kusanou said:
I guess I should have made it more clear that it was not the case that I had modified, but the cable. I will fix that in my post.
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Oh i must have missed that.
So...would you recommend this case ?
The ads always look a lot more attractive until somebody actually tries it and describes the experience.
One Twelve said:
I did not realise the skinomi as you pictured it in the diagram could hold onto the buttons so much. How ? its just a bit of plastic with cutouts for the buttons to go through. Unless its so tight that the buttons face resistance going through. Skinomi must have contracted after you applied it so it literally grips the buttons tighter now.
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The buttons don't really face resistance, in fact, they have plenty of room to operate. The issue is that when you push your finger down on it, because of the skinomi, you need to push your finger further for the button to register, it has a similar feeling as to the aluminum bumper case where you have to kind of reach further in, if you get what I am saying.
Would you consider removing the skinomi around the trim since you now have a bumper and you think skinomi is making it harder to operate.
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It doesn't bother me all too much as to remove it, however, I feel like the skinomi may come off when I remove the case to insert the sim card next month, and I'll probably throw it away then.
Looks attractive or you could say its trying to preserve the original looks.
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That's kind of why I got this bumper in the first place.
So...would you recommend this case ?
The ads always look a lot more attractive until somebody actually tries it and describes the experience.
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As I keep using this bumper, I'm getting used to pushing the buttons, and I'm actually liking it more and more. Grip may be an issue for some, but for me the rubber on the front and back are just fine. So long as you don't need access to the microSD or SIM card slot all of the time, and are willing to modify your magnetic cable a bit, I would definitely recommend the case. I'm sure there may be some more favorable options out there in the future, or maybe even now, but right now this is the only case that I really like, I have access to what I need, and it looks good.
kusanou said:
The buttons don't really face resistance, in fact, they have plenty of room to operate. The issue is that when you push your finger down on it, because of the skinomi, you need to push your finger further for the button to register, it has a similar feeling as to the aluminum bumper case where you have to kind of reach further in, if you get what I am saying.
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Yes i do, you're saying skinomi is actually a lot thicker than it seems. This isn't apparent from the photo on their website. In fact i was wondering why would anyone pay so much when you could get a wet apply transparent protector for half that price. Well, sknimoi is prolly 2-3x thicker than the one i had in mind.
Skinomi I figured was good if you wanted a textured pattern rather than transparent. Now i realise since its so thick maybe its better than a thinner protector. though its overkill for the sides if you have a bumper.
kusanou said:
As I keep using this bumper, I'm getting used to pushing the buttons, and I'm actually liking it more and more. Grip may be an issue for some, but for me the rubber on the front and back are just fine. So long as you don't need access to the microSD or SIM card slot all of the time, and are willing to modify your magnetic cable a bit, I would definitely recommend the case. I'm sure there may be some more favorable options out there in the future, or maybe even now, but right now this is the only case that I really like, I have access to what I need, and it looks good.
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This case looked attractive and functional at the same time. It tries to preserve the looks and has rounded edges rather then being blocky.
I guess durability is the question, will it last and not break easily. Given a choice between this case & a no name tpu, this one looks like it can handle a little more impact.
Grip is something i'm not sure about, more is better than less. I have not figured out what the minimum amount of grip is. But i think the Z1as it is, offers little. Sony decided looks are more important. This is why i preferred the ZL to the Z just because it felt really secure in the hand due to the textured back.
One Twelve said:
Yes i do, you're saying skinomi is actually a lot thicker than it seems. This isn't apparent from the photo on their website. In fact i was wondering why would anyone pay so much when you could get a wet apply transparent protector for half that price. Well, sknimoi is prolly 2-3x thicker than the one i had in mind.
Skinomi I figured was good if you wanted a textured pattern rather than transparent. Now i realise since its so thick maybe its better than a thinner protector. though its overkill for the sides if you have a bumper.
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It isn't all that thick, however, just thick enough for it to be kind of an issue. I will say though that the skinomi protector I have applied to the backside gets really greasy, even if my hands are relatively clean.
This case looked attractive and functional at the same time. It tries to preserve the looks and has rounded edges rather then being blocky.
I guess durability is the question, will it last and not break easily. Given a choice between this case & a no name tpu, this one looks like it can handle a little more impact.
Grip is something i'm not sure about, more is better than less. I have not figured out what the minimum amount of grip is. But i think the Z1as it is, offers little. Sony decided looks are more important. This is why i preferred the ZL to the Z just because it felt really secure in the hand due to the textured back.
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The lip on the back actually helps quite a bit with the grip, however, this is mostly in landscape mode if you're watching a movie or something. The sides are smooth, however, its not really slippery in any way, as the natural moisture of my hands create a sort of friction. I actually don't see myself dropping it due to it slipping out of my hands at all, this may sound weird, but with the friction, the plastic part actually feels grippier than the rubber part, even.
Nice review, I'm tempted to get it now... from the pictures it seems the case makes it look quite bulky overall?
How thick is it with the case compared to the naked phone?
Celeron787 said:
Nice review, I'm tempted to get it now... from the pictures it seems the case makes it look quite bulky overall?
How thick is it with the case compared to the naked phone?
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I actually have pretty small hands, so the Z1 without a case was already kind of big for me, and only slightly more with the case. Most of the bulk will come from the lip on the front and back of the case that keeps the screen/back from touching the surface of whatever you put the device on. Bulk on the sides isn't very much at all
UPDATE: So I went ahead and removed the skinomi side guards, and the buttons are ever so slightly easier to press. The most noticable difference is the dedicated camera button, as it was extremely hard to push down all the way in order to launch the camera application, and use it to take images. I'm actually kind of glad that I took them off.
cool
Already ordered the black one. Its coming from DHL.
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