Case Review - Cruzerlite Spi-Force - Galaxy S III Accessories

Case Review – Cruzerlite Spi-Force
I was recently contacted by Cruzerlite asking if I would review a case for them. I decided to go outside of my comfort zone (TPU cases) and review a case made for protection.
For disclaimer purposes, let me start by saying I despise Otterbox and other bulky cases. I think they take away from the design of the phone and make the phone too bulky. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my new Spi-Force case and put it on. The first thing I noticed was the build quality. This case is a two-piece case made of TPU and Polycarbonate and everything feels very sturdy. The white part is TPU (which we all know shows dirt after awhile) while the black part is the Polycarbonate. All ports line up perfectly and the cutouts for the back are spot on. This is something that bothers me on other cases (holes cut too big – off centered) so I was very happy when everything lined up here.
Obviously, I put the white part on first --- immediately noticing that I could rock this case without the black piece. It looks better and fits like a glove, however you lose the added protection and the kickstand. Speaking of the kickstand, it’s definitely one of the better ones I’ve tried. You won’t be able to use it vertically, but it works like a champ horizontally. The kickstand is very sturdy (made of polycarbonate) and it locks into place. I tried a Casemate case with a kickstand and this Cruzerlite one kicks it to the curb.
The front part of the case has a nice lip, so you can set your phone down and your screen will be lifted. On Cruzerlite’s website, they do have a drop test to show you how durable this case is. Needless to say, I came away very impressed.
Here is why I like it better than the Otterbox Commuter (the only one I considered buying):
*Not a lint trap
*Not slippery (has a great grip in the hand)
*Better design (IMO) and has many different color options
*Doesn’t feel as bulky in hand or pocket
This is a case I would actually rock on a daily basis, which is huge considering I hate anything other than TPU. To anyone who works construction or a similar trade that needs protection, I would recommend giving this a shot if you aren’t too keen on Otterbox or other companies. It’s a good price ($20) and by viewing the drop test, you can see how durable this case is -- not to mention the better grip and resistance to lint.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
***Drop Test: http://youtu.be/VhCkMS4GHOQ
***Link to site: http://www.cruzerlite.com/cases/samsung/galaxy-s-iii/cruzerlite-spi-force-for-samsung-galaxy-s-iii
Sorry I can't post any other pics. I'm running AOKP build 3 and my camera hates me

Ok.. but it's ugly. As hell.

ingenious247 said:
Ok.. but it's ugly. As hell.
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Agreed

Lol.
Not NEARLY as ugly as some other protection cases. I guess it's a matter of opinion. I don't need puke orange mixed with bile green for a case

1ManWolfePack said:
Lol.
Not NEARLY as ugly as some other protection cases. I guess it's a matter of opinion. I don't need puke orange mixed with bile green for a case
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Thanks for this review, man. I've been stuck with some crappy INCIPIO case that I bought when I got the S3 on release day. (Verizon sucks at keeping Samsung accessories in stock.) NO GRIP on that damn thing...which is something I need where I work.
I've been looking for a good case that has GRIP. This appears to be "the one". Looks cool, too. (IMO.) The little stand in the back is a huge bonus.
Thanks for the info. You hit all of the important key points instead of making some stupid, long-winded, drawn-out review.

Related

Case-Mate Tough is the #1 EVO case

I have finally found my love . The Case-Mate Tough case is hands down my favorite so far. The cases I have tried already, are;
- Body Glove case I bought the same time I picked up the EVO in the Summer, it looked so bad ass Sci/Fi cool in the box, but we all know this case blows, it cracks way too easy, and the plastic feel is not comfortable against face and too slippery, this case sucks.
- Otterbox - Commuter, I thought the quality was pretty good, but it was a very bulky and heavy case, and the back plastic not a good feel for holding the phone, too slick. The kickstand access is too tight, and phone wobbles when using it. Overall not impressed with the Commuter.
- Otterbox - Impact, my Brother has this case, and it feels great in the hand, and looks pretty good too, but can get a little lose around the sides of the phone, and is bulky. But I like this case #2, it feels good, and looks good, just a tad too thick.
- Case-Mate Tough, this is it baby This is easily, the best case of the ones I have tried. I was surprised at the slimness of this case for it being it a 2pc protection case, it is thinner than the Commuter + Impact, and my God the feel of the case is just perfect, I couldn't let go of the phone last night, it just feels so good in the hand, not slippery at all, but not too sticky either, just right. And it looks very professional, and just perfect. And great kickstand access. This case will really protect your phone well, but also look great, feel great, and is not crazy bulky/thick like other protection cases. Highly recommended.
Well based on your review im gonna pick one up since sedio will not rma my active case even though they re designed it, buncha assholes
so if it sucks im comming after you!
$20 shipped at newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=HTC_EVO_4G_Tough_Case-_-75-998-759-_-Product
Pics or it didn't happen!
NYCHitman1 said:
Pics or it didn't happen!
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Yes pictures would be much appreciated
Sent from my fresh Evo 4G!
NYCHitman1 said:
Pics or it didn't happen!
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Excatly.
Also show us pics to compare thickness of Evo w/ and w/o the case ont.
Here you go ...
Reviews, photos, even a video. I've had this case for a couple of months, and it is as good as the OP stated. I also had the Seidio "Active" case, which began to come apart in just a few weeks, and tried the Otterbox "Impact", which is a lint magnet. The Tough Case is a keeper.
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-EVO-4G-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-EVO-4G-Tough-Cases.asp
Thanks for the link, I forgot to post those official pictures.
The best thing about this case, is the feel. It just fits in the hand so nicely, and just feels great.
Yeah it is one of those "thicker" cases, but with the protection it delivers, it is one of the thinnest of the thick cases, if that makes sense. Meaning the Otterbox and other dual layer heavy duty cases, this is the slimmest in that category.
Now if you want, super model, waif thin, Case-Mate also makes a really pretty case, the "Barely There Case", I plan to buy this too, and just use on the weekends, or when going out to dinner or black tie event
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-EVO-4G-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-EVO-4G-Barely-There-Cases-review.asp
Zorachus said:
Thanks for the link, I forgot to post those official pictures.
The best thing about this case, is the feel. It just fits in the hand so nicely, and just feels great.
Yeah it is one of those "thicker" cases, but with the protection it delivers, it is one of the thinnest of the thick cases, if that makes sense. Meaning the Otterbox and other dual layer heavy duty cases, this is the slimmest in that category.
Now if you want, super model, waif thin, Case-Mate also makes a really pretty case, the "Barely There Case", I plan to buy this too, and just use on the weekends, or when going out to dinner or black tie event
http://www.case-mate.com/HTC-EVO-4G-Cases/Case-Mate-HTC-EVO-4G-Barely-There-Cases-review.asp
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I have one of the "Barely There" cases as well, and you are right ... it is very elegant ... really feels like there isn't a case on at all. It covers the back (especially the camera lens) and all four corners ... and is very nice for those who keep there phone in their pocket.
zikronix said:
Well based on your review im gonna pick one up since sedio will not rma my active case even though they re designed it, buncha assholes
so if it sucks im comming after you!
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My first Active case had the outer layer peeling so I RMA'd it and they sent me a replacement one which was much much better than the original one I had, even the silicone part was better. Less prone to picking up dust. Though for the price I probably would've just gotten the Tough case especially since it's only 20 bones on newegg... but I don't believe it was out when I ordered the Seidio one... =T
Having this Tough case most of the week now I am in love Mainly due to the feel in hand, this case has the best materials for holding the phone comfortably, it just sits in your hand perfectly with not being too slippery nor too rubber sticky, it is just right. I can't put the phone down it is too sexy with this case.
here is 21 and some change
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0S2WSKVC07ZP3796F3YH
well i ordered 2 cases...
The casemate and the new sedio active hybrid....we will see which one sucks less then one is going back
Would you say it is worth replacing the Otterbox with the Case-mate or are they pretty comparable?
TigerBait1127 said:
Would you say it is worth replacing the Otterbox with the Case-mate or are they pretty comparable?
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I had the Otterbox Commuter for a week, was not happy with it, it felt too plasticy, and slick, and was very thick/bulging case. I went into to Sprint store to check on some stuff, and the guy there had the Case Mate Tough on his EVO, I was like, wow that is cool looking, and looked to be a bit thinner than my Otterbox.
Bought it on the spot, and wow instant love, the feel of the case it what gets me, it just feels soooooo nice in your hand, and the back has a cool design, and the best kickstand cutout of any case I have seen. The Otterbox will never be back on my phone.
Case is adds too much thickness to the EVO....
DarkManX4lf said:
Case is adds too much thickness to the EVO....
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I agree, it does, but it feels so nice in the hand, and offer great protection. I wish the case was thinner, but that would be impossible with the nice cushion it has.
What case do you like ?
I don't like the camera area on the case mate, ill stick with the commuter aka best evo case on the market
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Has anyone else tried this awesome case out yet ?
Well I had the sedio active (now named the active X)
I ordered the new sedio active x (hybrid) from here on reffered to as "the x" and the case mate from here on reffered to as the "CM"
Ill tell you this they are damn near identical. They both have a rubbery type feel to the plastic piece that wraps around the silicon case. There is no actual plastic that touches your phone its silicon with a plastic over wrap. The cm has more texure to its plastic outer shell than the X
They fit the phone about the same the volume and power I think are easier to hit on the x vs the cm
the pricing is about the same but the cm comes with a static type screen protector, cloth and application card. The x comes with nothing.
The x comes in a myriad of colors and holsters are availaible. the cm comes in two colors and there does not appear to be any type of holster availaible, however the cases are so close Id bet to say the sedio one would fit
cm offers a 90 day warranty (3 month)
x offers a 180 day warranty (6 month)
sedio generally has pretty good customer service (except in my case)
case-mate had been in business a zillion years
I think with everything being as it is, I have to say Id prolly go with the x
its not that the cm isnt a great case because it is, im going simply based off the accessory options and the warranty.
however with that being said....I should go with the cm because im mad at sedio now.

Rearthusa Extremely thin case(+Screen Protector) for our Galaxy Note

Ive done business with them in the past with my sgs2. I ordered about 5 different cases and used there matte screen protectors with no issues. I emailed them a month ago to release something for the galaxy note and they came through. Very high quality cases and screen protectors. Will post update once I recieve mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...cessories&hash=item41609d223e#ht_15433wt_1031
pictures.
http://myrearthusa.com/product_images/spec_images/galaxy_note_slim_prd.jpg
video of the case for sgs2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME6e-hK9w0E
That material looks very slippery. Are the sides "grippy?"
I love the headphone jack and micro USB caps to protect it from dust! Might grab a metallic color one!
I want their Steel Bumper series on my Note.
I like to looks of this. Does anyone have this case yet? I know it is silicone but is it more rigid than a regular tpu case?
planoman said:
I like to looks of this. Does anyone have this case yet? I know it is silicone but is it more rigid than a regular tpu case?
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I ordered it last night from Louisiana. I'll post up a short review when it arrives.
Just ordered mine too, looks great ! thanks for posting
Any one received the case yet?
***there is no tether included with the Rearth Note case even though it says so****
Dear ericshmerick,
Hi,
I'm really sorry for the confusion. Our design made a mistake on the
detail description. However, this Kit does not have a lanyard with the
package. We are still working on an accessories option so that you can
purchase a lanyard separately. I hope this help. If you have any other
questions feel free to let me know.
Regards
Charlie
-rearthusa
****
So in other words, they advertised to include a 0.5 cent part but will instead offer if later for sale even though it's advertised as included.
Keep it classy rearth. No sale for me (and it was in my cart ready to purchase).
wow, that looks amazing.
I received my case last week. Unlike my great experience with sgs2, I received a damaged retail box and a case with buff marks all over it. Was very unhappy but they are sending me a brand new one now. Will post a short review when I receive the new one.
Like the poster above stated it does not come with a lanyard. Screen protector is pretty good though.
Just a few quick pics. Came in the mail today. Overall has a nice fit to it. The case is quite slick(slippery), yet feels okay in the hands because of the lack of lip around the entire face. It does get smudged quickly and it is noticible. It is a soft silicon type but much more rigid once on and the slickness actually helps the feel of the unit gliding in and out of your pocket.
Around the case basically the button areas are cutout and the sides are half covered by this(bumper part) of the case, hence no lip on the sides.
The top and bottom both have a decent lip to allow faceplanting of the Note. And the Stereo Headphone port and Micro Usb both have plugs to keep the dust away, very nice touch.
The screen protector is also better than the 5pk for $4.00 ebay special, as it has the entire face covered with the exception of the ft cam notch where it is blank in the space right above the cam itself.
In the first pic my I4 with Cleave Aluminum Bumper is shown for size along with the Note with Rearth case.
This case is quite nice. I basically echo everything previously said.
It's kind of a pain to get off if you need to change the battery though, but that goes for most hard cases like this I guess. I already have a screen protector on so I'm not touching the one that came with the case yet.
- Frank
I just got mine yesterday, and I have to say I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my purchase. I paid $28.00 for a case that is sub-par to the hard shell Nillkin I bought for about $10. The case is slick, shiny, easily smudged, and provides absolutely NO protection to the Note. If there was a single good thing I could say about it, it is the fact that it IS thin. It's like having no case at all. At the very least, they could have made it a matte finish. It's worth about $10.
This is about the 3rd or 4th different brand of case I have tried for my Note.
Save your money.
I agree with yeahmon. This case is expensive!!!
Go get a Nillkin ultra slim hard case instead. Only US$9.99 and comes with a screen protector too. Free shipping.
http://www.obostore.com/Nillkin-Ult...Faceplate-for-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-p-3357.html
I bought one and measured it. Only about 11mm thick. Great and nice fitting case with good quality material.
More colours at a slightly higher price at US$12.49.
http://www.obostore.com/Nillkin-Shi...Faceplate-For-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-p-3356.html
US$27.99? I can buy 2 cases and have change left.
There are a lot of nice hard cases in obostore at a really good price. Go take a look guys and gals.
a matte version does exist
yeahmon said:
I just got mine yesterday, and I have to say I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my purchase.
...
At the very least, they could have made it a matte finish. It's worth about $10.
...
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I have ordered this case as well but can not yet comment on it's quality, or lack thereof, since it has not yet reached me.
I will certainly comment on that once I have some experience.
They do have a matte finished black case though.
In fact I ordered a matte one, even though I visually prefer the shiny black version (they call it noble black). To avoid exactly the problems you are describing (easily smudged and scratched). As said, I can not comment on this actually being the case and certainly will report back on this.
yeahmon said:
I just got mine yesterday, and I have to say I am EXTREMELY disappointed in my purchase. I paid $28.00 for a case that is sub-par to the hard shell Nillkin I bought for about $10. The case is slick, shiny, easily smudged, and provides absolutely NO protection to the Note.
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What case are you comparing it to? The one in ddeath's post?
Compared to that Nillkin case, the Ringke case offers better protection since the bottom has zero protection on the nillkin case. It's not only covered on the Ringke case but the Ringke also has caps for the headphone/usb ports so you don't get lint in them.
Yes, the Nillkin case is cheaper. And I also shouldn't have gotten the shiny case. But from a protection standpoint it's exactly as advertised. I don't understand the dissapointment.
I'll probably use this case as a daily driver and swap it with a thicker, higher protection case for 'heavy days' (trips or whatever).
- Frank
Disregard this post
I bought their case two weeks ago, and I am reasonably happy with it. I bought the one with "matte black" finish, so it was not slippery. Feels pretty solid in hand, actually.
All the cutouts on the case are very precise. The rubber caps help a lot. But as everyone said, the lanyard was missing, so I emailed their support and they sent me a lanyard in a separate mail very shortly. The lanyard looks exactly like what the photo shows, but I don't know how to attach the lanyard, because the case was so tight, I don't see a hole where I can attach the string. If anyone knows, please enlighten me.
Because the case is so slim, I feel its primary purpose is to prevent scratches on the front, side and back in daily use. But I personally would doubt its shock absorption capability when you drop it.
This case is more for people who like to go naked. It adds no extra bulk to the note. And it will protect it from some small drops. It will protect from the housing getting scratched.
Its not for people who need maximum protection but for people who want something that's barely there.
GALAXY NOTE

Video Review: Rearth Ringke Slim Lite case

Hey fellas,
Got my hands on the Rearth Ringke Slim Lite case today, this is a thin snapback shell that protects the back and sides of your S3. Made of a polycarbonate material, it features a matte coating that feels terrific in the hand. Adds a good amount of grip, although it gets a little dirty with fingerprints. I really have nothing bad to say about this case apart from it lacks drop protection, I highly recommend it!
Check out the full review below:
nice video mate keep them coming. looks like a nice cheap case
I bought this case for my S3 and like it quite a bit. Nice review.
Just placed my order for this case. Thanks for the review.
I ordered this case too. Not sure if coupon is still valid but "freeshiping" for free shipping on your order
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app
Nice review man.
My biggest concern with that case is that it doesn't protect the top or bottom of the phone from scratches. It's not meant for drop protection so why not go with a cheap TPU case instead? At least the TPU case would be able to cover the top and bottom of the phone to prevent scratches.
Poetik said:
Nice review man.
My biggest concern with that case is that it doesn't protect the top or bottom of the phone from scratches. It's not meant for drop protection so why not go with a cheap TPU case instead? At least the TPU case would be able to cover the top and bottom of the phone to prevent scratches.
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I hear ya, it's all personal preference. I only put these videos out to help others make their decisions, but in the end they have to choose based on what they like. A lot of people would go with a cheap TPU case, but others prefer an ultra-slim case.
Just bought the white one was looking for a thin case.
Love the feel of this case. Mine has fitment issues though. The cutouts on the side just barely clear the buttons and I can see white from the back plate in them. Going to contact Rearth today and see if this is normal.
Edit: Looking closely at their stock pictures, the fitment of the buttons in the cutouts is normal. I feel like they should be moved a millimeter or two towards the face of the phone. Cutouts for camera, flash, and speaker suffer the same issue also. Spare room on bottom and barely clears the item at the top.
i bought one and got it yesterday but i dont like it if someone wants it ill sell it for 10.00 and you pay shipping,let me know.
dang i hit reply and the whole site change,lol
I just got mine yesterday. It is a very sleek case, but not for my tastes. I need something with a little more protection because of work. It is a good case if you are always careful with your phone anyways. I do have to also comment that it is just as slick as the battery cover.
I would love a case like that with a matte white clear finish..
I got one too, and it is slim, which I like, but I just don't like it, but can't figure out why.
great review! I just post a thread talking about this case. I really like how thin it was, but the colors were too attractive to me. Do you ever use the strap included?
I have the black one and love it. Fits perfectly and doesn't add much as far as thickness is concerned.
i bought the alpine white one should be here in a day or so ..... ill give it a whirl :good:

Cruzerlite VS Diztronic REVIEW

Which one to choose? which one to get? which one is better? Well i get messages all day everyday in regards of this. So I said..ima make a comparison video
Here u ll see the things I like from each case and the fitment as well
enjoy
http://youtu.be/EFGpC0KBjN4
I ordered myself the matte black tpu from Diztronic.
kch ugh
Nice quick review!
I gave both of these cases a fair go. Both of them I ran with for a week. I've decided to stick with my Diztronic TPU. Honestly. both cases are great.
Both cases are easy the slip in and out of pocket. Although slightly thicker, the Cruzerlite is still very slim. Does feel like it would offer a bit more protection in a fall. Since I have never dropped a phone my deciding factor, which might seem stupid to some people, is that the clear Cruzerlite case would get dust buildup from pocket lint and you'd visually be able to see it at the edges of the case. That can easily be fixed by purchasing a non-transparent Cruzerlite case.
The Diztronic case, my only problem with is most of the case fairly slick. What gives me a good grip on the phone is the rim of the case where you put the phone through. It's a different plastic finish from the rest of the case which is much easier to grip with your fingers. I kind of prefer it that way.
Just my opinion on these two.
DarkManX4lf said:
I ordered myself the matte black tpu from Diztronic.
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thats my favorite diztronic color
SmokeRob said:
Nice quick review!
I gave both of these cases a fair go. Both of them I ran with for a week. I've decided to stick with my Diztronic TPU. Honestly. both cases are great.
Both cases are easy the slip in and out of pocket. Although slightly thicker, the Cruzerlite is still very slim. Does feel like it would offer a bit more protection in a fall. Since I have never dropped a phone my deciding factor, which might seem stupid to some people, is that the clear Cruzerlite case would get dust buildup from pocket lint and you'd visually be able to see it at the edges of the case. That can easily be fixed by purchasing a non-transparent Cruzerlite case.
The Diztronic case, my only problem with is most of the case fairly slick. What gives me a good grip on the phone is the rim of the case where you put the phone through. It's a different plastic finish from the rest of the case which is much easier to grip with your fingers. I kind of prefer it that way.
Just my opinion on these two.
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Agreed. I think this cases are so similar but so different at the same time. Best part is that buying one of each won't hurt your pocket at all
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
I'll add my 2 cents even though I can't do an apples to apples comparison. I was never a fan of protective cases, I never used them with my Samsung Fascinate in the 2 years that it was my primary device. That was until the screen broke on my 3 month old SGS3.
While Samsung was repairing my phone, I did some research and decided on a Diztronic matte dark blue case. It's a great quality product. The TPU material is thin but pretty stiff and the fit on the phone is tight, removing the case causes the battery cover to get unsnapped 90% of the time. The cutouts are perfectly positioned (although I would actually prefer covered lock/power and volume buttons, read on). The matte finish actually makes the cover a little more slippery both in hand and when sitting on other surfaces, but I perfer the way the case looks. Also the case has a solid company behind it, when my case arrived, I noticed it the color was actually back and not dark blue. I emailed customer service at Diztronic and they let me know that their latest batch of dark blue covers were in fact darker than earlier batches. They sent me one from an earlier batch at no cost.
In the meantime, I acquired a CruzerLite gloss black case for my Fascinate. The TPU material is a little bit thicker and more flexible than the Diztronic. The case also fit looser than the Diztronic although there is no risk that the cover will fall off when being removed from a pocket like silicon cases. The lock/power and volume buttons are covered (raised and appears to be the same thickness as the rest of the case), but I had no issue using them. The cutouts are in the right places, but there is an extra cutout on the case on the side that does seem to have any reason for being there (maybe another phone shaped like the Fascinate has a use for it). The gloss finish is pretty sticky, especially when the phone is sitting on something smooth. I had no concerns leaving the phone sitting on the leather passenger seat in my car when driving. I would rate this case one step below Diztronic in terms of overall quailty, but will keep on using it as my Fascinate is now being used as a game system for my kids.
I also wound up buying a no-name TPU case (from Amazon) for a Pantech Burst I recently bought (from eBay). While the overall quality of the case leaves something to be desired compared to either the Diztronic or CruzerLite, it does have one feature I wish both the Diztronic and CruzerLite cases had. The lock/power and volume button on the case is covered, but the material in those locations is both raised and significantly thinner than the rest of the cover. IMHO this is the way to go for these buttons.
Hope this helps folks figure out which case to get.
I just got the Diztronic yesterday and I am quite pleased. Nice fit, nice feel, nice look. I even used the screen protector that came with it and it's not half bad.
Just dropping my 2 cents. The diztronic for the matte/clear model.. it gets rather dirty easily so if you happen to get your hands dirty regularly and need to use the phone. Just know the clear will start to change color.
arctic84 said:
Just dropping my 2 cents. The diztronic for the matte/clear model.. it gets rather dirty easily so if you happen to get your hands dirty regularly and need to use the phone. Just know the clear will start to change color.
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Agree with this 100%. I used the case for 3 months then threw it away cause it got so dirty and ugly.

My V20 Case Review: Spigen, Ringke (x2), UAG, Caseology, & ZIZO

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.

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