Related
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
gkallivrousis said:
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Truthfully verizons body glove case is best for non bulkyness.Very stable fits well .ect.
I like my body glove
Personally I have tried the Body Glove case and I like the Otter Box Commuter case a little better. The new Seidio Innocase Active is also a very nice case; a close second to the Otter Box.
Definitely otter box. Slim sturdy and stylish
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
one problem though it has to slide into my jeans. Most of these cases have rubber and dont slide
Throwing in a vote for the Body Glove case.. great fit with just enough bulk to give you that warm protected feeling
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App
You should check out Techie Warehouse. If you go to the Covers & Skins area for the Droid X you'll find over 300 covers to choose from.
Best one I got laying around was not a Seidio, Otterbox or Trident... it was the Dual Layer Vertex Covers just google "techie warehouse vertex cover for droid x"
I quote from our product description about this product "The Motorola Droid X gets ultimate protection. A Screen Protector and two virtual walls of defense. The inner silicone core absorbs shock from bumps and drops. A hard polycarbonate exterior shell prevents cuts, scrapes, dings, and damage for the Motorola Droid X."
Let me know what you think of it.
i bought one of the 3 dollar black silicone ones off amazon. works fine for me..
gkallivrousis said:
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had the Otterbox, Seidio, Innocase, Verizon, Kragen, but I didnt really like any of them. Iphone cases are so much more refined compared to these.
The Otterbox Seidio, and Kragen cases are too bulky, the Innocase looks good but broke on me, and the Verizon Kickstand Case was too cheaply made.
There is a guy from another forum thats making a phone case. It looks great but its not for sale yet, I am personally looking forward to it because he claims its easy to open and has a bunch of other features. It looks absolutely beautiful, so lets hope he can pull this off.
Right now Im using a cheap Ebay Silicone case, its not great either but it was only $2 and thats value for money. I also got a Smartphone Coaster, its a cheap bit of tin but it does the job for now.
gkallivrousis said:
Hey guys i was wondering what case you would recommend. im very picky with cases since i dont like bulking my phone up but i also dont want to worry about scratches i wish phantomskinz had something. let me know please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phantomskinz does have skins for the droid X.. Check the site again!
+1 For the Body Glove
I really enjoy my Body Glove, Although I've managed to wear out the snap on the lower left side by removing the case over time to do a battery pull and it no longer holds securely.
I have a Green Trident Kraken on order, due to arrive today actually assuming UPS will brave the icy roads, Good reviews on protection but they all admit to the sacrifice of sleekness.
The pliable verizon silicone case is nice and it fits with extended battery-Motorola and cover. You can find them for $10 online or eBay.
Check ebay item #250759993717
I bought a Sedieo Innocase Surface back in December it cracked in half in January. They are really nice looking, but if you ever have to do a battery pull or if you want to use your car dock, forget about getting it out of the damn case. It fits way to tight. So I am back to the ole Silicone case, which works fine, but sucks if you put it in your pocket, cause it sticks to cloth / jean material.
I'm on my 2nd Body Glove case.
Likes: Belt clip, rubber texture, light weight
Dislikes: Rubber texture deteriorates, weak tabs will not survive impact.
It has kept my DX from scratches but the tabs that snap it together break too easily. First was replaced under warranty. I think I will kick out the $ for an Otter.
OnMy2ndGP said:
I'm on my 2nd Body Glove case.
Likes: Belt clip, rubber texture, light weight
Dislikes: Rubber texture deteriorates, weak tabs will not survive impact.
It has kept my DX from scratches but the tabs that snap it together break too easily. First was replaced under warranty. I think I will kick out the $ for an Otter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those cases with tabs that snap together aren't meant to be taken apart, after 4 or 5 times they will break. I created a case that opens easily, has no tiny tabs to break and has a multitude of other features.
I've also taken great care to make sure that the case is placed further away from the screen and buttons making it easy to touch the screen and press the buttons on the bottom.
There's space for the OEM extended battery, an extra micro SD card, and even an ID or credit card.
The case also functions as a stand and car mount, my case allows you to watch movies, make movies, capture photos, and use your phones GPS in your car with ease. These features not only work with the Motorola Droid X but with other cases, other phones, and even some other electronic devices such as digital cameras.
The case isn't any more expensive then other high quality cases either. Its 20 bucks and made from the same high strength plastic as other high end cases, so basically if your in the market for a case and other accessories you can pay for just the case and get the rest for free essentially.
If you think this case must be huge and weigh a lot you'd be surprised, its really a simple concept, its almost like a normal cellphone case but we've changed a the design a bit to allow it to function as an adjustable stand.
I can't post links yet so you'll have to google "Jawcase" to find more info, pics, and videos.
I like the Jawcase concept. Alot. I pledged. And good luck with getting your project off the ground Heather. Hope it gets funded.
I've gone through 3 body gloves now with my 4th's clips are broken yet again....
I think its a bit ridiculous that I cant take my phone case off because the clips can't stand it.
I need to find a new case, and I'm thinking of just going with one of the hard-ish silicone cases. The body glove looks great when you buy it, but the rubber wears away like no tomorrow and the clips are destroyed after a couple battery pulls. I had one for my enV touch and it lasted the entire lifespan of the phone with minor tears and such. My droid x's can't last anymore than maybe a month. Don't get me wrong, the body gloves are wonderful, but I'm clearly not having a good experience with it or maybe I'm not handling it properly
+1 for the body glove case. I havent had any issues with the tabs, but i always open it at the bottom with a coin.
Riddlin said:
I bought a Sedieo Innocase Surface back in December it cracked in half in January. They are really nice looking, but if you ever have to do a battery pull or if you want to use your car dock, forget about getting it out of the damn case. It fits way to tight. So I am back to the ole Silicone case, which works fine, but sucks if you put it in your pocket, cause it sticks to cloth / jean material.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shoot...I was pretty much sold on the Innocase Surface case, was gonna order one in the next few days. I've tried the cheap TPU case, the cheap 2-piece snap together case, maybe I'll try the Verizon silicon one instead of the Innocase.
So I was curious what evryone thinks is the best case I was going to order the trident agies case since its so hard to find a case and also the otterbox so any idea?
HTC Thunderbolt
I have about 12-15 cases for my TB...I have tried them all pretty much...I love the TPU cases...they are super cheap and are easy to take off and put on which is nice since I use a car dock a lot...if you aren't going to take your case off much the Otterbox is great, but it is pretty big...the Seidio Convert Combo is another good one, although I am not a huge fan of the slide on case as I think it tends to scratch phones. I am not a big fan of the Trident cases...I have one and I think they fit a little on the sloppy side, and they are a PITA to put on and take off
I bought a platinum series case that Best Buy released for the Thunderbolt, and I LOVE this thing! I've dropped my phone a few times, but never hurt anything.
I've also tried otterbox, but I must say that I enjoy this case more.
It's, in all, 3 protection layers... plus a clip that locks and unlocks.
Well worth the money to me.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
pop casemate, extended seidio active
here is my review
pop case-casemate
extended active case
i'm prefer pop case coz better looking:victory:
guinzo said:
here is my review
pop case-casemate
extended active case
i'm prefer pop case coz better looking:victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great case, however it does look old very quickly as the hard plastic gets scratched very easily and after a while the rubber material inside the case starts to become worn down and begins to sort of "shave off"...I have both the black and white Pop case. White begins to yellow fairly quickly too. Great cases, but I think there are better.
The Seidio case is great, its definitely one of my favorites...unfortunately I can't use it as I have ghost armor on my phone which adds the slightest amount of thickness to it so I an unable to slide the case on without ripping the ghost armor off...not an issue for most.
I like to keep my phones in brand new shape..from the day I buy them to the day I get rid of them (helps resale value!) and I will say the best way to protect your phone and keep it looking cool is to do Ghost Armor (carbon fiber wrap, matte wrap, or normal..they have many different styles) - they also have the best screen protector HANDS DOWN, and then top it off with a clear TPU case like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Thunde...r=8-1&keywords=Clear+TPU+case+htc+thunderbolt
This way you can see the awesome carbon fiber wrap, and add the shock protection and prevent screen cracks, etc that the ghost armor can't do (since the ghost armor simply prevents scratches and scrapes, DOES NOT save your phone from drops etc..)
I hope this really helps you out, I have spent a lot of time in this area haha...you could say I am the phone case expert
CC268 said:
I have about 12-15 cases for my TB...I have tried them all pretty much...I love the TPU cases...they are super cheap and are easy to take off and put on which is nice since I use a car dock a lot...if you aren't going to take your case off much the Otterbox is great, but it is pretty big...the Seidio Convert Combo is another good one, although I am not a huge fan of the slide on case as I think it tends to scratch phones. I am not a big fan of the Trident cases...I have one and I think they fit a little on the sloppy side, and they are a PITA to put on and take off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. And I too have bought and tried a slew of them.
Currently I own the otterbox, body glove, and shell/holster. If I had to pick one it would be the shell/holster just because you get some decent protection and a way to carry it on your belt. Also if you don't want to use a screen protector it is good because while in the holster it protects your screen.
The otterbox is a great case but keep in mind just like everyone else said the screen protector is a pain. It isn't designed quite like other otterboxes in that the top is uncovered so the screen protector will never fit fully flush with the screen.
Edit: regarding the screen protectors, they are all the same. I have tried them all from the top end to the cheapest. I found that the $1 3 pack work just as well as any (Steinheil, Zagg) so no sense in spending $20 when $1 does the same.
I love my Seidio Inocase Slider, I've got it paired with a Zagg Invisible Shield (Which I kind of hate, but if does do a fantastic job protecting the screen).
bond32 said:
This. And I too have bought and tried a slew of them.
Currently I own the otterbox, body glove, and shell/holster. If I had to pick one it would be the shell/holster just because you get some decent protection and a way to carry it on your belt. Also if you don't want to use a screen protector it is good because while in the holster it protects your screen.
The otterbox is a great case but keep in mind just like everyone else said the screen protector is a pain. It isn't designed quite like other otterboxes in that the top is uncovered so the screen protector will never fit fully flush with the screen.
Edit: regarding the screen protectors, they are all the same. I have tried them all from the top end to the cheapest. I found that the $1 3 pack work just as well as any (Steinheil, Zagg) so no sense in spending $20 when $1 does the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Otterbox Case- just take off the built in screen protector...its crap...I may make a case guide sometime haha - since I have so much experience with cases and I find that people are always asking about cases
Check out the case guide I made last night, should help you out a lot in deciding which case fits your needs
My personal favorite so far is the black rubber tpu case
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
jonah1234 said:
My personal favorite so far is the black rubber tpu case
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There you go...this guy is a genius...also my favorite cases, plenty of colors too!
Hey XDA,
I recently ordered this case to replace my Ringke Fusion (which I both like and hate) and hopefully I will like it enough to keep it as my long term case. I haven't noticed much as far as reviews for this particular case so I was thinking of doing one for it. I have a new qi charger coming with it so I should be able to test that and see if it adversely affects the glass screen protector I have on right now. If anyone out there is interested in pictures of the case on the phone or anything like that, let me know and I'll do my best to include them when I review it on Thursday, I'm a little bit of a case junkie and typically try out several for my phones during their life time, but this is the first higher end case I'll have for the N5 and I'm really excited to see how it turns out.
Seidio Product Page
moonDOOM
Probably no real reviews of this case because they're already well-known. Others have already posted, and I'll back it up, Qi wireless charging works perfectly with it. Simply the best cases you can buy. Also, the holsters are pretty fantastic.
I got the case in today and as apparently everyone knows already, this case is quality made. I previously had a Ringke fusion case on my N5 and liked being able to see the nexus logo, but hated the tpu layer and how the back collected dust every time it was put into a pocket. I decided to go with a more traditional 2 layer case and I thought that the Seidio Dilex looked the best out of the ones currently available.
Pros:
- After seeing the product in person, I'm immediately sold on this design. The case is much darker black than it appears on the website (bright lighting in their product photos) and the rubberized coating on the PC layer is the classic silky smooth texture that Seidio is known for and has used for years. On a side note, the other colors are actually really nice looking too if you prefer something other than black and it looks like they have the same texture coating. The case feels really good in hand because of the soft texture and the silicone actually feels really similar.
- The kickstand also adds just a little weight to the bottom of the phone and makes it somewhat easier to balance, hold and manipulate with one hand. Speaking of the kickstand, it's actually aluminum instead of plastic which is a nice touch. The best part is that the kickstand is spring loaded (slightly) to the outward position but also contains a magnet to hold it securely in place when not in use. It appears to be pretty well attached to the case so hopefully it will hold up over time.
- The ports are all pretty well lined up with the cutouts and they seem big enough to accommodate most cables.
- Qi charging works just fine, at least on the cheap chinese one I also got in today. NFC doesn't appear to be affected either, although I only tried once.
- I'm currently using a Nillkin glass screen protector and it appears that the silicone is soft enough not to interfere with the edges of the screen protector. May not be the same with other brands.
Cons:
- The only thing I can think of is that because the outer layer only presses the edges in the middle and corners, the silicone seems to be a little loose or saggy inbetween the "arms" of the outer shell. I'm hoping that settles into place over time but if it catches on my pockets too much, it might actually get worse.
- The sticky texture is great for grip, but also picks up a lot of dust, but that's not news to anyone who has used a silicone case before.
In conclusion, I'd probably give this case 4.7 out of 5 stars. I like just about everything about it but I wish the silicone they used was just a little less pliable.
Pictures of the Case
Sorry, I know the pictures are garbage (I had to take them with my old phone so the N5 could be in the case) but I'd be happy to answer any questions y'all might have.
moonDOOM
Looks real nice little too thick for my taste though.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
This looks almost exactly like the generic thick kickstand cases that are being sold under various brands at various prices.
Dilex Case and Qi
Good morning. I wanted to follow up on your case experience with Qi charging I put this case on a Samsung Galaxy S5 and used a powerbot circular charging pad. I found that to get the charger aligned, I needed to prop the device up on the kickstand so it was a little firther from the pad, and I could not get a charging lock.
I'm trying to figure out if that is a function of the powerbot's charging signal or the anatomy of my Qi pad. Does your phone sit square on the charging pad? or is it propped up on the kickstand?
Thanks,
Marcva
Just wanted to share my impressions of several cases I just tried for my V20.
I'm sure there are still new owners like myself coming on board as well as others who want a new case.
Some of the older reviews on the web mentioned some cases that didn't appear to be manufactured anymore but all these are still readily available as of May 2018.
I'm not going to post pics or videos as there is plenty of that out there, I'm just going to focus on some observations I had that might help someone decide. Let me start by saying I am coming from an HTC M8, and my preferred case for that was a SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle as shown here. I liked this case for a couple reasons:
It was clear an showed the beautiful finish of the M8. The V20 is similar in it has a great metal look and it is a shame to hide it.
Lightweight. While there is always a trade-off between weight and protection I am generally careful with my phone. I would say I've had the following types of drops:
From my lap in the car to the pavement when I stood up not remembering it was in my lap
From my hand to carpeted floor at home
From a foot or two above a desk onto the desk
Cover didn't block the IR port...which many M8 cases did. Luckily most, if not all of the V20 cases I have seen have cutouts for the IR port so that's a non-issue.
Even with a slim-line case like the Beetle I have never had any real damage to my phone. I did have my camera focus go bad on my M8 but I don't believe it was associated with any particular drop and the M8 was known to have that issue on some devices. Point being if you are relatively careful with your devices and like slim-line cases you will probably be more in line with my preferences....I'm definitely not an Otterbox type of guy.
Also, I haven't used clip holsters since Windows Mobile Phones were in fashion, so don't look here for advice on that .
Anyway, onto the reviewed cases...
I tried out the following cases for my wife and I:
ZIZO ION
UAG Plasma (Ash)
Spigen Rugged Armor
Ringke Onyx
Caseology Parallax Series (Coral)
Ringke Fusion (Clear/Smoke Black)
Overall I was impressed in one way or another with all the cases. I think if a particular style of case is what you are looking for then each one seems pretty solid in their category. Of course each has pros and cons, but I could easily see how someone could decide on any of them.
All the cases, with the exception of the ZIZO were very easy to put on and take off. This isn't a primary concern, but I do like the idea that I can get to the battery and microSD card without feeling like I'm going to break the case or the phone.
I'll start comments on each one in the same order:
I ordered the ZIZO as well as the UAG because I wanted to try something "tough" that was maybe MIL Spec rated but not quite as bulky as an Otterbox. The ZIZO case is actually 3 parts and comes with a separate tempered glass screen protector of your standard variety. It is an interesting case and I think out of all of them it felt it might offer the best protection. Of course it is probably the bulkiest of the bunch. Hardest to put on and take off for sure. The volume buttons also gave a lot of resistance.
The UAG is just to cool looking not to consider, despite the UAG branding splayed across the back. In all honesty it was hard for me to say no to this case because I felt it would offer good protection along with the wow factor. It also isn't exceptionally heavy although it is pretty large almost doubling the thickness of the phone. Despite that it still feels good in your hand. It is a tad slippery, but I think it has to do with the added weight pulling it down more than the material. If you don't mind a little extra bulk and like the way the UAG looks you will not be disappointed when you get it in your hands.
Spigen Rugged Armor (see Ringke Onyx below)
Ringke Onyx. I'm gong to talk about the Rugged Armor and Onyx together because the two cases are so similar to each other. Despite the fact that they hide the beautiful metal phone and only come in black they are both sharp cases. The Onyx is a bit more rigid on the back, while still having some bend. This harder plastic allows them to have that "brushed metal" look which is honestly cooler than the more rubberized look of the Spigen. However, apart from the Onyx having a cooler look, the Spigen I think has all the advantages. Likely because it is slightly less rigid, the Spigen feels a bit better in your hand. The edges aren't quite as sharp as the Onyx. The volume buttons on the Spigen also have less resistance. The Onyx buttons definitely aren't hard to use, but not as effortless as the Spigen. Apart from this the cases are so close you probably can't tell from 2 feet away (apart from the shinier plastic on the Onyx).
All this being said I couldn't in good conscience accept either of these cases because they are both so damn slippery. The Spigen here is not quite as bad as the Onyx, but they are both pretty loose in the hand. The way I test this (unscientifically) is I simply hold the phone loosely in my hand and jiggle it. I also lay it down on my open palm and slowly move my hand to a vertical position and see how vertical I can get my hand before the phone just slides out. Using these informal tests, as well as just "gut feeling" these two cases are definitely the most slippery of the lot.
The Parallax was purchased for my wife. Though it's cool geometric back pattern made me think I might want one too if I like hers. Surprisingly the pattern on the back doesn't help the grip on the phone, this phone was almost as slippery as the Ringke/Spigen discussed above. It is a two piece case, softer TPU inside with a poly-carbonate rim shell. Despite this you don't need to disconnect the pieces to either put the phone in or remove it. I like the idea of this case and apart from the slipperiness it feels good in the hand. While a different design and not tested to any MIL spec, I think this would probably offer close to the same protection as the Ringke/Spigen combo. If this case was a bit more grippy I might have considered it for my main choice (although the same could be said about the Ringlke/Spigen combo).
The Fusion is another Ringke case and it isn't just another color from the Onyx reviewed above. It is more rigid than the Onyx with a poly-carbonate backing and TPU bumpers that run the edges of the phone. Before I ordered this case I thought it might be my favorite solely because it is the closest I found to the SUPCASE I have on my M8. It doesn't quite have the same style as the SUPCASE (beveled edges, rounded back, cool camera cutouts), it is actually pretty plain/boring apart from it's clear back. The back allows the V20 to show in all its glory and if you have a titanium model like me the smoke edges are very similar to the phone. Quite simply with this case on it is also like there is no case on. This is true not just in looks but also in size - this is probably about the slimmest you can get. While it has enough extra case to raise the screen on the front and the camera on the back high enough so its not scratching on a table surface, I'm not sure how well this case would do in an extreme drop. I suspect it will perform on par with how my SUPCASE protected my M8 which was always good enough for me. Even though this case's protection is on the low side of the bunch, it has one more thing going for it: grip. Even though this case is smooth without any ridges or grabby parts it actually felt the most secure in my hand. This is probably a combination of both it being small, but also the materials it is made with. It has a slightly tacky feel despite not being sticky at all. I will say that one negative to the case is because it is clear (and maybe because of it's tacky feel) it will attract fingerprints. I've been told that these clear cases yellow over time, though reports say that this Ringke may not be too affected by that. My SUPCASE was a bit frosted and it held up fine in that regard.
In the end, with a phone as big as the V20, I felt that I had to go with a slim line case for my comfort level. I think it was really down to this and the (vastly different/larger) UAG for me out of the bunch and I opted to go with a slimmer profile over the protection of a bulky case (again compared to this one the UAG was almost twice as thick).
Well - there you have it. My opinionated and wholly unscientific review. Hope it helps someone make up their mind if they are considering for or against one of these. I'll likely have all the cases for a week or so and am happy to answer any specifics. After that I'm still happy to answer based on memory!
Wanted to add one (negative) update to the Parallax case we just noticed.
While trying to take a screen shot (hold power + volume down) it wasn't always working and instead was just turning the volume down.
When we took the phone out of the case it was easy to perform the operation.
I have a feeling that when pressing on the volume down it might also somehow be depressing the volume up slightly? And this unexpected touch in the combo isn't triggering the screen shot. I'm not exactly sure except that my wife failed to do it 4 times and I succeed 2 out of 4 until we took the case off and did it 3 times in a row (each) no issues.
Nice review, thanks for sharing. Couldn't agree more with your review on Spigen Rugged Armor and Ringke Onyx (I own both of them). Yes they are both slippery and the Ringke is bulkier than the Spigen. That's why I'm thinking about buying Ringke Fusion (in smoke black color) because it's slim and non-slippery.
Just want to share about level of protection of my Spigen Rugged Armor. Last month my phone (while protected by that case) was accidentally thrown hard to the hard floor. Turned out, my LCD and wide-angle camera didn't survive the accident (despite having the Spigen case + tempered glass on). But for regular drops, I think both Spigen and Ringke are OK (at least, I didn't see any scratch on my V20's edges).
komedol said:
Nice review, thanks for sharing. Couldn't agree more with your review on Spigen Rugged Armor and Ringke Onyx (I own both of them). Yes they are both slippery and the Ringke is bulkier than the Spigen. That's why I'm thinking about buying Ringke Fusion (in smoke black color) because it's slim and non-slippery.
Just want to share about level of protection of my Spigen Rugged Armor. Last month my phone (while protected by that case) was accidentally thrown hard to the hard floor. Turned out, my LCD and wide-angle camera didn't survive the accident (despite having the Spigen case + tempered glass on). But for regular drops, I think both Spigen and Ringke are OK (at least, I didn't see any scratch on my V20's edges).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Accidentally thrown hard to the floor."
Must have been an interesting scenario
Yeah I doubt that most cases will definitively protect anything that is thrown. The amount of force added even from a light throw is significantly higher than just a drop, even from a foot or two. I don't think much but an otterbox type case would survive that type of impact. I've never used full protection cases. I've used slim cases for the past few years and before that I used harder shell outer cases like the SEIDO (with holsters) or some cheap equivalent of those.
I have *never* in over 10 years (first smartphone was HTC TyTN II ... not counting Blackberrys) damaged a phone by dropping it (or any other means). I'm not talking a little scuff on the body if, as often happens the case itself splits in two. But I have never broken a screen, camera, etc.
Now I've broken a few cases (especially the cheap hard 2 pieces that click on) and one time my holster phone actually got pushed out of the clip while lifting luggage out of a trunk at an airport (never saw that phone again)...but never damaged a phone.
I know some people are more accident prone and honestly those people should have warranties on their phones
I'm getting a few more cases today for my wife because she doesn't like the Parallax. I'll throw up another review (and link here) once we've tested them.
TraderJack said:
Just wanted to share my impressions of several cases I just tried for my V20.
I'm sure there are still new owners like myself coming on board as well as others who want a new case.
Some of the older reviews on the web mentioned some cases that didn't appear to be manufactured anymore but all these are still readily available as of May 2018.
I'm not going to post pics or videos as there is plenty of that out there, I'm just going to focus on some observations I had that might help someone decide. Let me start by saying I am coming from an HTC M8, and my preferred case for that was a SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle as shown here. I liked this case for a couple reasons:
It was clear an showed the beautiful finish of the M8. The V20 is similar in it has a great metal look and it is a shame to hide it.
Lightweight. While there is always a trade-off between weight and protection I am generally careful with my phone. I would say I've had the following types of drops:
From my lap in the car to the pavement when I stood up not remembering it was in my lap
From my hand to carpeted floor at home
From a foot or two above a desk onto the desk
Cover didn't block the IR port...which many M8 cases did. Luckily most, if not all of the V20 cases I have seen have cutouts for the IR port so that's a non-issue.
Even with a slim-line case like the Beetle I have never had any real damage to my phone. I did have my camera focus go bad on my M8 but I don't believe it was associated with any particular drop and the M8 was known to have that issue on some devices. Point being if you are relatively careful with your devices and like slim-line cases you will probably be more in line with my preferences....I'm definitely not an Otterbox type of guy.
Also, I haven't used clip holsters since Windows Mobile Phones were in fashion, so don't look here for advice on that .
Anyway, onto the reviewed cases...
I tried out the following cases for my wife and I:
ZIZO ION
UAG Plasma (Ash)
Spigen Rugged Armor
Ringke Onyx
Caseology Parallax Series (Coral)
Ringke Fusion (Clear/Smoke Black)
Overall I was impressed in one way or another with all the cases. I think if a particular style of case is what you are looking for then each one seems pretty solid in their category. Of course each has pros and cons, but I could easily see how someone could decide on any of them.
All the cases, with the exception of the ZIZO were very easy to put on and take off. This isn't a primary concern, but I do like the idea that I can get to the battery and microSD card without feeling like I'm going to break the case or the phone.
I'll start comments on each one in the same order:
I ordered the ZIZO as well as the UAG because I wanted to try something "tough" that was maybe MIL Spec rated but not quite as bulky as an Otterbox. The ZIZO case is actually 3 parts and comes with a separate tempered glass screen protector of your standard variety. It is an interesting case and I think out of all of them it felt it might offer the best protection. Of course it is probably the bulkiest of the bunch. Hardest to put on and take off for sure. The volume buttons also gave a lot of resistance.
The UAG is just to cool looking not to consider, despite the UAG branding splayed across the back. In all honesty it was hard for me to say no to this case because I felt it would offer good protection along with the wow factor. It also isn't exceptionally heavy although it is pretty large almost doubling the thickness of the phone. Despite that it still feels good in your hand. It is a tad slippery, but I think it has to do with the added weight pulling it down more than the material. If you don't mind a little extra bulk and like the way the UAG looks you will not be disappointed when you get it in your hands.
Spigen Rugged Armor (see Ringke Onyx below)
Ringke Onyx. I'm gong to talk about the Rugged Armor and Onyx together because the two cases are so similar to each other. Despite the fact that they hide the beautiful metal phone and only come in black they are both sharp cases. The Onyx is a bit more rigid on the back, while still having some bend. This harder plastic allows them to have that "brushed metal" look which is honestly cooler than the more rubberized look of the Spigen. However, apart from the Onyx having a cooler look, the Spigen I think has all the advantages. Likely because it is slightly less rigid, the Spigen feels a bit better in your hand. The edges aren't quite as sharp as the Onyx. The volume buttons on the Spigen also have less resistance. The Onyx buttons definitely aren't hard to use, but not as effortless as the Spigen. Apart from this the cases are so close you probably can't tell from 2 feet away (apart from the shinier plastic on the Onyx).
All this being said I couldn't in good conscience accept either of these cases because they are both so damn slippery. The Spigen here is not quite as bad as the Onyx, but they are both pretty loose in the hand. The way I test this (unscientifically) is I simply hold the phone loosely in my hand and jiggle it. I also lay it down on my open palm and slowly move my hand to a vertical position and see how vertical I can get my hand before the phone just slides out. Using these informal tests, as well as just "gut feeling" these two cases are definitely the most slippery of the lot.
The Parallax was purchased for my wife. Though it's cool geometric back pattern made me think I might want one too if I like hers. Surprisingly the pattern on the back doesn't help the grip on the phone, this phone was almost as slippery as the Ringke/Spigen discussed above. It is a two piece case, softer TPU inside with a poly-carbonate rim shell. Despite this you don't need to disconnect the pieces to either put the phone in or remove it. I like the idea of this case and apart from the slipperiness it feels good in the hand. While a different design and not tested to any MIL spec, I think this would probably offer close to the same protection as the Ringke/Spigen combo. If this case was a bit more grippy I might have considered it for my main choice (although the same could be said about the Ringlke/Spigen combo).
The Fusion is another Ringke case and it isn't just another color from the Onyx reviewed above. It is more rigid than the Onyx with a poly-carbonate backing and TPU bumpers that run the edges of the phone. Before I ordered this case I thought it might be my favorite solely because it is the closest I found to the SUPCASE I have on my M8. It doesn't quite have the same style as the SUPCASE (beveled edges, rounded back, cool camera cutouts), it is actually pretty plain/boring apart from it's clear back. The back allows the V20 to show in all its glory and if you have a titanium model like me the smoke edges are very similar to the phone. Quite simply with this case on it is also like there is no case on. This is true not just in looks but also in size - this is probably about the slimmest you can get. While it has enough extra case to raise the screen on the front and the camera on the back high enough so its not scratching on a table surface, I'm not sure how well this case would do in an extreme drop. I suspect it will perform on par with how my SUPCASE protected my M8 which was always good enough for me. Even though this case's protection is on the low side of the bunch, it has one more thing going for it: grip. Even though this case is smooth without any ridges or grabby parts it actually felt the most secure in my hand. This is probably a combination of both it being small, but also the materials it is made with. It has a slightly tacky feel despite not being sticky at all. I will say that one negative to the case is because it is clear (and maybe because of it's tacky feel) it will attract fingerprints. I've been told that these clear cases yellow over time, though reports say that this Ringke may not be too affected by that. My SUPCASE was a bit frosted and it held up fine in that regard.
In the end, with a phone as big as the V20, I felt that I had to go with a slim line case for my comfort level. I think it was really down to this and the (vastly different/larger) UAG for me out of the bunch and I opted to go with a slimmer profile over the protection of a bulky case (again compared to this one the UAG was almost twice as thick).
Well - there you have it. My opinionated and wholly unscientific review. Hope it helps someone make up their mind if they are considering for or against one of these. I'll likely have all the cases for a week or so and am happy to answer any specifics. After that I'm still happy to answer based on memory!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny i've often thought the V20 reminded of the HTC ones. I have a silver one instead of the all too common titan Because i wanted to show it off. Turns out its so slippery that i would have to get a case.
Quicker & easier to get was the spigen rugged armor. This offers adequate protection from regular drops but its slippery and i didn't like it. The ringke onyx was on order and would take a few weeks to arrive. So i lived with the Spigen until then
The ringke though slippery on the back has ridges on the side which help with grip. So you could say its an improvement of sorts. I've knocked the phone off a table numerous times onto a hard tile floor and the onyx protected well.
But i've got these black cases that hide everything. So much for showing anything off.
After six months i got the RIngke fusion. For the first time i got to appreciate the design of the phone. The Fusion is drop safe up to 4 ft also. This is my favourite case. The grip as you mentioned is better than the previous two. To the point where i never get the feeling i'm going to drop the phone this to me is a minimum test a case must pass. I find interesting your idea of slowly raising your hand towards the vertical to test grip-ability
Next to arrive is an incipio NSG, again all black but hopefully better feel than the other two black cases. never tried an incipio before.
I can't tell whether the fusion will yellow at all, how well has yours held up ? i have the clear case, not sure if you got clear or smoked. The latter won't yellow. As for clear half the reviews on amazon said they had a problem and the remainder said otherwise.
There is a case by Speck called Presidio that is clear, well it isn't as clear as the Fusion, but slightly frosted and looks like its a hard case unlike the fusion.
So, as I have done with my last few phones I have obtained many of the most well-reviewed cases (and some not so) to see what I like best. I thought I would share my thoughts so that others might get some better insight into what's out there. I realize that cases are very subjective based on your specific goals for a case and your general tastes. With that in mind I’m just going to start by mentioning a bit about my own habits/likes so you can get an idea of what might influence me.
Like many (I think) I like to have a case that is as minimal as possible which still offering a level of protection against drops and bumps. I am definitely not an “otter-box” type guy who likes huge rugged cases with built-in screen protectors. Especially as phones are getting larger and larger I can barely fit them in my pocket even with minimal cases. To that same point, I tend to like very “sticky”/"grippy" or tactile cases as these large phones are also hard enough to hold as-is. I suppose if you have really large hands this might not be as much of an issue, but for me it tends to rule out a lot of cases that look great but feel “slippery.”
I tend to do a "stick test" where I lay the phone in the case flat on the palm of my open hand and then slowly rotate the phone to a vertical position The longer it takes for the phone to not slide off my hand, the better. Some cases will allow me to stand the phone basically straight up gripping my hand without me using fingers at all. Results are not totally scientific as the temperature/sweat on my hands can influence the outcome to some degree but overall I get a better than/worse than result.
As a real-life example of what I prefer, refer to my last 2 phone case choices:
HTC M8 - SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid. I loved everything about this case for the M8. It looked awesome, had just the right amount of protection while still being a slim case. The material isn’t the stickiest but based on the curve of the M8’s back, which this case follows, it creates a great curve in your hand for a fantastic fit/group.
LG V20 - Ringke Fusion Smoke/Clear Case - Unfortunately they didn’t make the same SUPCASE for my V20, so I went with this one. It also is a hard polycarbonate back (but not too hard/thick) with a more flexible TPU bumper. It has a great amount of tactile stickiness and the phone never slips from my hand.
As evident, I’ve tended to gravitate towards relatively clear cases on my last phones because the phones themselves have been great looking phones (brushed metal all around, etc). I purchased the Pixel 3 XL black, which while a nice looking phone really isn’t anything spectacular and I think the right case may even improve the looks (something I didn’t think was true on my above 2 phones).
Taking the above into account, below are my reviews/thoughts on the cases I’ve tried for the 3 XL. I’ve divided them into several categories for easier comparison which you will find below:
Full TPU Cases
I don’t normally like full TPU cases because they don’t offer much protection and tend to feel “squishy” due to being made totally of flexible material. Still, they are light-weight and the clear ones offer a good view of the phone, so I decided to try a few out.
Cimo Slim Grip ($8) - Like all the clear TPU cases I reviewed, they still have a yellowish tinge right out of the box. It’s hard to know if the cases will yellow more over time, but you can definitely see the yellow in the thicker parts (and around the cut-outs). Once the phone is in the case it is harder to see this, and since all the clear TPU cases suffer from it I supposed I can’t dock too many points.
As a TPU case it is super flexible and super tactile/grippy. Unfortunately the inside of the case is as well which makes getting it into the case evenly is difficult. There is barely any lip to the front of the case, so not much distance between the screen and a flat surface. Additionally the lip seems uneven, and not sure if this is manufacturing or simply because it is difficult to line the phone up perfectly because of the grip of the TPU. Buttons (volume/power) have good feedback, overall what I would expect for an $8 TPU case that offers mostly scratch protection.
Totallee transparent case ($28) - Almost identical to the Cimo in all regards that a clear TPU case can have. It does perhaps a slightly better fit and quality (though still yellow tinge). It is incredibly flexible, more-so than the other TPU cases. The largest downside (for my needs) is it has virtually no lip. If you place the phone face down on a flat surface I’m sure that the screen will make contact in many situations. Overall is is a nice “barely there” case that doesn’t add bulk or size, but for $29 it is really hard to recommend over the Cimo.
Spigen Liquid Crystal ($11) - A combination of the Cimo and Totallee cases. It has a better lip than the Cimo and a better fit and overall quality. If you want a low-profile clear TPU case I think this is the one to beat.
Dretal Carbon Fiber Shock Resistant Brushed Texture Soft TPU ($8) - Unlike the other pure TPU cases this one is a brushed metal/carbon fiber black instead of clear. The case design is nice, but doesn’t seem the best quality, with minor imperfections in the melding of the parts. Also the carbon fiber pads on mine looked scratched/hazy out of the box on parts of them, something I’m sure will happen over time making this case not look as sharp. Apart from look, unremarkable in any other way (good or bad). While this is a very flexible TPU case (making the phone super easy to put in/get out), it isn’t a very grippy case and I found it slipping out of my hands more than the others. This would appear to be a “knock-off” of the Spigen Rugged Armor - a case not available when I was ordering my lot. For the small difference in price if you can get your hands on one I’m not sure why you wouldn’t opt for the Spigen.
Polycarbonate (PC) - TPU Hybrid Cases - Light-weight
These are the types cases I usually prefer (along with the mid-weight ones below). Their harder back brings some rigidity and strength to the case and the rubberized bumpers provide some additional protection. Overall I find these superior to pure TPU cases while in some cases adding very little additional bulk.
MoKo ($7) - This is like the PC/TPU version of the Cimo from above. Decently grippy, though not as much as some of the other cases in this category. It is stiffer with the PC back and the rubberized edges are also pretty hard. The buttons are responsive but like a lot of cases in this and the TPU category they volume button is not split (up/down). This can make it difficult to tell which direction volume you are pressing. Lip is pretty good - possibly the highest in this category. There are little nubbins on the back corners that raise the case slightly from the ground. While these might help protect the camera by raising it a bit more, I wonder if they act as a buttress to strengthen the corners, they seem largely unnecessary though a few models incorporate similar designs.
VRS Crystal Chrome ($12) - While more expensive I found this to be mostly the same as the MoKo, but lesser quality. The lip is also the lowest out of the cases in this category, though to be fair the case may be the thinnest (though not by much). Nothing really here that can make me recommend it over the MoKo, especially at this price.
Ringke Fusion ($9) - Very similar to the MoKo in all respects. Might be a little better quality, but I could just be influenced by the brand. Volume control is also one button, but buttons seem a bit friendlier to use. Like the MoKo it has little nubbins on the bottom corners (more stylized). Also has a place for a lanyard (if that interests you). I think this would be my pick in this category if only for the reason that you can get it in a “smoke” color. Even with a black phone I feel the smoke adds a bit of “texture” to the look and prevents yellowing better. I don’t think the Pixel is pretty enough that it needs a completely transparent case anyway.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid S ($14) - Basically identical to the Spigen Liquid Crystal but with a stiff PC backing. It has slightly larger buttons and a kickstand. Personally, I don’t like the way the kickstand offset feels in my hand and I don’t think I’d get much use out of it. I don’t have much experience with the kickstands and they seem a bit flimsy to me. I’d be worried about it breaking off and then just having a busted case. Volume button is also two-parts, which makes feeling for them a bit easier. Once or twice I felt this case was a bit “squishier” in my hands, but the phone might not have been seated well. If you want a clear case with a kickstand, this is probably a good bet.
Polycarbonate (PC) - TPU Hybrid Cases - Mid-weight
Along with the light-weights, I prefer these cases. It is often a fine distinction, but I tend to feel these cases have a bit more “padding” offering some more protection with a very minimal change in footprint. But, this designation is a bit subjective so you could group these with the lightweight above - the main difference being these aren’t all transparent all around.
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle ($13) - I really wanted to love this case as it is what I had on my HTC M8. Unfortunately, while the back is highly tactile, the rubberized side bumpers are pretty slippery. The bumpers give a good lip, but they also extend around the back of the case a bit, creating what amounts to a small rear lip. This causes the back not to rest as snug in your hand causing the whole case less grippy. Additionally the power and volume buttons are basically flush with the case making it a bit difficult to find them easily (and also promoting a smoother/more slippery surface on the sides!). The buttons are responsive though and the case is really easy to swap on/off. It has a nice clean look and I think would offer a good amount of protection, but I don't think it is the winner for me this time around.
Ringke Fusion-X ($13) - Built like the Fusion but with some more meat on the edges, an overall stiffer case. A tad bigger all around than the Unicorn, and seemingly certified Mil grade tested. The design is more stylized - a “rugged” looking case while not being overly bulky. The texture of the design gives it some grip, which is good because otherwise it wouldn’t be very tactile. More defined volume buttons. Might be a competitor to Unicorn, except the sides are pretty slippery. It also has a lanyard hole.
This is probably a good choice for a more rugged look coupled with slightly more protection (at the expense of some added bulk). For me though the slipperiness of the case offsets the additional protection it might offer. I’d rather not drop it in the first place then have it be more protected when I do! But as a secondary “rugged” case for someone that doesn’t like overly bulky cases it might be a good fit.
UAG Plyo ($40) - A really interesting case. At first I thought it was the biggest in this category but it actually seems to be the same size as the Fusion-X (perhaps a hair smaller!). It is virtually the same size as the Unicorn Beetle and even the lightweight Ringke Fusion. Unlike these phones however it has straight, not beveled edges so it initially gives the appearance of it being longer, but it really isn’t (it might be a hair thicker, but when put side by side it is virtually unnoticeable). Seriously, I almost dismissed this case out of hand as being too large, but when I compare it again to other cases I was highly considering I see that it is similar in size.
It is Mil-spec tested and unlike the Fusion-X it is very grippy. Perhaps not as grippy as the Fusion, but a close second. As you also might expect with a thicker case the buttons and side “squeeze”seem a bit harder to press, but not unworkable (and Active Edge sensitivity can be adjusted). It has a smoky tinge to the color and a honeycomb pattern at the bumpers give it a cool look. The sides and back have a slight inward curve which is visually different and I think actually helps with the grip. While I haven’t tested any of these cases with wireless charging, UAG states that this is compatible - which would have been one of my only concerns for a "rugged" case. At $40 the price is relatively very high and this may be the only reason can’t recommend the case, or at the very least choose it for myself.
Polycarbonate (PC) - TPU Dual Layer Cases
I don’t prefer these types of cases, I find them to usually be bulkier and not usually provide more protection above the mid-weight single layer cases. They are almost never clear/clear-ish cases either though their dual layers can offer some interesting visual designs. My wife happens to be a fan of these, which is why I ordered a couple to check out.
Spigen Tough Armor ($17) - Honestly, I didn’t even realize this was a dual-layer case until I was reading some more about it for writing this review. I had it placed with the mid-weight cases above. Functionally I find it very similar to the Unicorn Beetle, despite it’s dual layers. It is basically the same size although with beveled instead of rounded edges. It was easy to put on/take off with both layers attached (part of the reason I didn’t realize it was dual layer).
The outer layer wraps around the middle and sides, but does not offer more protection around the corners. As the name implies, this is supposed to be “tough” and has some level of Mil-grade testing. I’m not sure I feel it would withstand that much more punishment than others in the mid-weight category though. It has the same flat buttons that the Unicorn does but the materials are not as grippy and can at times be quite slippery. Aesthetically, a very nice looking case but the all plastic kickstand mechanism seems flimsy. The kickstand does removes easily and they probably should have provided at least 2 spares with the case (which would have cost them pennies to do).
Spigen Neo Hybrid ($14) - Overall a really nice looking case - almost identical in size to the Tough Armor (perhaps a hair smaller all around). The outer layer wraps around the edges/corners of the phone than the middle like the Tough Armor. Unlike the Tough Armor, the edges are rounded as opposed to beveled. Volume/power buttons are easy to feel with good tactile feedback. I don’t think the thin outer shell is offering much more protection than the rubberized bumpers on the mid-weights above. It is however more grippy than the Tough Armor and also apparently has a Mil-spec rating. Unfortunately after several tries I still couldn’t get the outer shell to sit flush with the camera outline (it was raised around the camera's lower edge). Apart from that last issue, if you like dual layer cases and like the look of this one, I can recommend it.
Tudia Merge ($9.5) - Like the Spigen Tough Armor, the outer shell wraps around the middle and sides. It seems mostly aesthetic, but the metal look is very appealing and surprisingly not as slippery as the plastic on the Tough Armor. Buttons are a little stiff but overall feel good and the lip is sufficient. You can get it on and off easy without removing the back. This ended up being my wife’s pick.
BentoBen Slim Glitter Bling ($10) - This is mostly a “glamour case”, albeit a decently put together one. Quality is good although the paint on the edges will wear over time. On average the same length and width as many of the lightweight/midweight cases but a little thicker. Unfortunately this thickness doesn’t give it a superior lip (though it is sufficient). The buttons are a bit too recessed for my liking, but not stiff. The outer shell is actually pretty grippy due to the texture. We ordered this one only because my wife had the same one for her V20 and still she is opting for the Tudai this time around.
Miscellaneous Cases
Only one case doesn’t fit into the above categories. I ordered only to complete all the Spigen cases available for my phone to try it out.
Spigen Thin Fit ($10) - Basically a “non-case.” A small black clip-on that seems designed simply so you can use a magnetic holder without having to attach the magnet sticker to your phone directly. It adds virtually no bulk, but is slippery and would offer very little protection except from back scratches. Unremarkable for what it is and if you want something to prevent your keys from scratching the back of the phone it will work and probably slide in and out of your pocket easier than a TPU case. As for me, I’ll pass.
Well, that's all the ones I've tried out. Other well reviewed cases that I couldn't find on Amazon which I wanted to try:
Caseology Legion Series
Spigen Rugged Armor
Incipio DualPro Pixel 3 XL
Tech21 Pure Clear
Speck Presidio Stay Clear
For now, I think my choice is the Ringke Fusion, just like I had on my V20. Perhaps if the UAG drops in price I will move over to it.
If I check out any more or have any updated thoughts I'll update the thread.
I'll probably be hanging onto these cases for about a week before return, so please feel free to ask any specifics and I will try to get an answer.
So you buy these, review them, then return them?
airmaxx23 said:
So you buy these, review them, then return them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Most of these aren't available anywhere except online so there is no way to find if you will like a case without actually trying it.
The $10 I will pay to ship them all back to Amazon is worth it to find a case I like.
Don't forget Spigen Slim Armor and Google fabric cases
airmaxx23 said:
POST DELETED BY MOD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he's not, otherwise there wouldn't be a return policy. or, they would be sold in b&m stores where they could be tried on first, which would likely Jack up then price 2-3x. these cases cost pennies to make, maybe the best ones break into the very low dollars. returns are the cost of doing business.
Thread cleaned. Please keep comments on-topic. Disrespectful opinions about how the OP goes about acquiring the cases for reviews aren't needed.
Had @kellybrf not commented, I would have said the same. He's not taking advantage of any system. Amazon's return policy is interesting in how it's handled. If he's paying a return price, that means he's selecting the option that doesn't include the words "defective" or "not as ordered", etc. He's being honest with them about why he's returning them, otherwise he wouldn't be paying for return shipping.
The rugged armor is on amazon, did you not see it? would be curious how it compares as i use on all my phones
Thank you for the well-written review. It is very appreciated. My Pixel 3 XL is due to arrive on Monday the 17th. So I am in search of the required accessories. I require excellent protection as I drop things quite often ?
I have the Incipio DualPro. Love this case. Fits perfect, and has a perfect rubbery/grippy feel.
https://incipio.com/cases/more-devices/google-smartphone-cases/dualpro-google-pixel-3-xl-case.html
I've tried a few cases and, not speaking about phone protection, but I have found that none of the ones I've tried (all three were Spigen) are compatible with the Pixel Stand. The cases make the phone too thick to remain vertical on the stand.
I bought a otter box defender case the same time I got my class....I dropped the phone twice since and I have zero damage. Worth the money....not that bulky...
Uag plyo It is a very nice case with great protection. Wireless charging works perfectly. great case.
oneandroidnut said:
The rugged armor is on amazon, did you not see it? would be curious how it compares as i use on all my phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long time replying, just wanted to state that the case was not available on Amazon when I was ordering cases. It may very well have gotten back into stock afterwards.
I am still using my Ringke Fusion case and I don't have any major complaints. The tactile/sticky nature of the case has been in line with my previous cases which I purchased for similar reasons.
I would still like to get the UAG Pylo, but not until I can find it for ~$15 (which may never happen). As I have never dropped the phone so far, I'm not sure the slightly extra protection of the UAG would even be necessary, but it is a distinctive looking case.