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Just thought I'd share some thoughts and pictures of a new case I got (I am a bit of a case junkie... usually end up with 10-15 cases per phone). Typically I either wouldn't be the first to post about a case (so I don't bother) or I don't feel strongly enough to share. I didn't see anything about this case, though... so here goes.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073YAAVK/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
Various colors are available.
Notes: My device is the Verizon/LTE variant. This is a 2 piece case (black silicone base and red fishbone part).
Looks: I really think the case looks great, the pictures below won't do the colors justice but the black is a very nice matte black and the red is a very cool shade. The design is appealing, of course, or I wouldn't have purchased it... heh.
Fit: The fit is nearly perfect (might actually be perfect, this is the first time I'm ordering this style of case). One of the... ribs has a teeny tiny slight gap between it and the black base. It is not highly noticeable and I couldn't capture it well in a picture... but it's there.
I don't know if this is related to my phone being the VZW version.I don't know if this gap will go away as the case "settles in" since it is pressed down easily and doesn't feel too tight.I don't know if the case will fit with the extended battery, but since I have the extended battery at home I will test it out and report back.
Feel: I really like the feel of the red part on my hand when I'm holding it. It's not any extra grip or anything, but it is comfortable. The side grippyness is sufficient to not be slipping out of your hand, but it's not as grippy as many other cases that have a more textured design.
Function: The lip is sufficient to protect the screen when face down. The only thing I don't really like about the case is that the button parts aren't super noticeable by touch. Don't get me wrong, they work perfectly and you can feel them just fine when you are trying to, but when I am not paying attention I find myself not being certain where they are for a moment or two. I will probably get used to this, though.
Hope that gives everyone the info they're interested in... if you have questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks for the write up and pics. That case looks awesome. Curious if it would fit with the extended battery. Hope to hear back from you about it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I tried it with the extended battery...
The silicone part fits perfectly, the fishbone part is a little close but does fit too.
The... spinal parts at the top on the back are slightly raised. Just a bit, only an issue if you are pretty nit picky... But it definitely fits and the clips/ribs and top/bottom fit perfectly.
Happy to confirm that the slight gap on one of the ribs has gone away over night. The case fits perfectly now (regular battery). Still fits good, but not great with the extended battery (might improve if left alone over time).
Thanks again. I might check into getting one of these on payday. The price isn't too bad even if I end up not liking it.
Zomb!e said:
Thanks again. I might check into getting one of these on payday. The price isn't too bad even if I end up not liking it.
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No problem... good luck if you decide to buy it, hope you enjoy it. I myself am a case junkie. I've only had the Galaxy Nexus for 2 weeks and have 6 cases and I still have 20 or so for my last phone (Epic 4G Touch).
How is the silicone? Is it a dust/lint magnet and is it a chore to get out of medium to snug fitted pants?
redrapt0r said:
How is the silicone? Is it a dust/lint magnet and is it a chore to get out of medium to snug fitted pants?
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No issues getting it in and it of pockets (even the tighter "cell phone pockets" a couple of my pants have).
It does acquire a bit of dust like you'd expect, but FAR less than most silicone cases I've had (guessing because a lot of it is covered/broken up by the fishbone part).
I tend to be pretty nit picky and with this case I do not feel the constant urge to clean it.
How "protective" would you say it is?
Just ordered a nexus and am looking at cases my primary concern is protection, although I want a cool look too.
How do you think this would compare to come of the other cases in terms of protecting against drops? I figure a self-described "case junkie" might be the person to ask this sort of comparative question to
Ok, so this is all just my opinion... I'm not dropping my phone on the ground to support this, lol.
Both pieces (the silicone case and the red fishbone that locks it into place and secures it) are pretty secure and well made. The lip around the face is a good size (not so tiny that it is insignificant and not so big to cause usage issues).
I won't sit here and pretend I have a rating system for this stuff, but I have some cases that feel like they won't protect anything beyond it sliding around the desk or a gentle fall onto some clouds/carpeting and some cases that feel like they will do their drop and protect it from a moderate drop and fall. This case falls into the latter/better group.
I like the appearance, but not so much that I'd use it if it was a piece of crap. Thankfully, it seems well made to me.
Woah
what struck me on first glance is the design!
Its quite eye catching
I'm just not sure if it is durable...
This look good. I bought one
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Stumbled upon this case and hadn't seen it mentioned in the forums here yet. I want something slim and pocketable, yet able to take a drop from waist height. This looks like the best thing I've found so far.
Due out mid-may according to the person I spoke with at the company. One thing she couldn't say for sure though was whether or not the power button was covered.
http://www.goballisticcase.com/products/htc-one-ballistic-aspira-series-case
The reason I asked her is if you look closely, you'll see a little bit of rubber sticking off the top... looks like a power button covering to me. What do you guys think? Anyone know more about this case, the company or seen a pre-production model? Maybe this is why it's been delayed* -- due to a mistake?
(See edited pics I attached below)
*Note: "Delayed" being my own personal interpretation as to why the case was not available at the launch of the new phone as most big case companies do nowadays.
The video at 0:29 shows the power button is covered. It could be that they will fix this like Poetic is.
On second look, I see that the video is a general one for their line and not for the One specifically.
Long813 said:
The video at 0:29 shows the power button is covered. It could be that they will fix this like Poetic is.
On second look, I see that the video is a general one for their line and not for the One specifically.
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Yeah... I still am thinking along the same lines as what you were suggesting.
These cases are available now. Called and had a rep go find out that even though the picture looks like it's covered, that the IR functionality is not impaired. I'll report back if I get one.
its like you are carrying a soap on this case
ad78 said:
its like you are carrying a soap on this case
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Find out in next week's exciting episode who I'll choose.... will it be, the slim yet protective answer... or the slimmest, most pocketable answer?
From the posts, comments and effort placed into details, information and thoughts people provide on these forums in general, we're all kinda part of a soap opera it seems. Makes sense, phones are a total love/hate relationship!
I can attest that Ballistic make some really good Cases. I had the Ballistic Smooth Case on my HTC One S and I loved it, it looked Stylish yet protective.
While the Ballistic Aspira looks good i still prefer the Smooth, too bad its not available for the HTC One.
That said, i would definitely give the Aspira a Try, the only thing that worries me is the hard plastic, looks scratchable...
Anyone tried this case out yet? I've got one on the way, looking for an ideal, attractive case with good protection all around (without being overkill and covering all the ports and adding unnecessary bulk). Not into the UAG case... hate the milspec/ruggedized styling.
I hope it looks like it does in the photo... has a very "Portal"-esque aesthetic to it
lol it does remind me of Portal as well.
But really, tbh... this looks far from slim and pocketable o_o
The UAG looks smaller than this.
Judging by reference dimensions and proportions, I figure the corners of the Aspira stick out a tiny bit more than otterbox Commuter, whereas the waists are a bit slimmer. UAG outside dimensions are about the same as Commuter, the real differences seem to be in how deep/thick the case is... UAG is the slimmest there, Commuter feels thick due to the rear and side profile, I expect the Aspira will feel better in that regard, even with the higher edges around the screen. Hopefully they don't get in the way of typing etc. I'd love to do a full side by side review with Commuter, Aspira, UAG with professional comparison and specific measurements, anyone got a UAG to send me?
ordered one, will report back in a few days...
jodeltje said:
ordered one, will report back in a few days...
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Awesome, look forward to it. Very interested in comments regarding the lip around the screen and overall pocket-ability. Cause you can tell it would take a drop it better than a thin TPU or Seidio Surface.
Also make sure you take a photo of a very dark environment to engage the flash and let us know about any wash-out (if present). The design looks like it accounted for it in two ways by keeping the opening far away from the flash & lens + blacking out the rings around them.
Lauski said:
Also make sure you take a photo of a very dark environment to engage the flash and let us know about any wash-out (if present). The design looks like it accounted for it in two ways by keeping the opening far away from the flash & lens + blacking out the rings around them.
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Will do
Ballistic Aspira = Great bloody case.
Wow, just arrived and got it on the phone, fantastic case! Quick first impressions review here, I'll make a real review thread soon as I can, this case deserves the attention.
-The case feels much, much slimmer than my otterbox Commuter, comparing the depth (thickness) and width of the cases the Aspira is a hair smaller in both dimensions, but it FEELS much smaller due to the superior ergonomic contours and curvyness. This is the exact criteria I was hoping for with this case, I'm a product design engineer myself and love good simple, ergonomics above all, favouring natural curves to fit the hand. Very impressed with the case in that regard, the glossy white back with grippy forward edges handles extremely well and much less likely to slip from my hand than my Commuter case.
-Built quality is fantastic, the plastics used are top quality with perfect finish, the overmolded one-piece design is right on the money, and the blends where the two materials meet are very precise and no hanging burrs, overlaps etc. Cutouts couldn't be better... they look fantastic and the size and placement is bang on. Nothing in the way of the power button IR blaster, no issue using 90 degree headphone connector, best looking camera cutout I've seen. To top that all off, the volume rockers function perfectly, a clear step up in function and feel from the Commuters which are too stiff, and there are no slots or cutouts around the rocker to let dirt in. Also, the Ballistic text logo molded into the one side looks really bloody clean... I dig it.
-Lip around the screen is about 3mm height, same as the Commuter. does not interfere with typing or swyping near the outside of the keyboard. the lip is raised the slightest bit in the four corners, adding some extra bounce protection there and does not get in the way, additionally it means when laying the phone face down, it's standing up the littlest bit on those corners, which I really like.
-Criticisms: don't have any yet... which is fantastic as I'm a severely picky perfectionist. initial impressions is top score in appearance, handling, and build quality... I don't think this case could be made any thinner without sacrificing protection, I feel it offers an excellent level of protection especially if combined with a glass screen protector.
Durability test will come throughout the week, I keep my phone in coveralls pocket all the time and work in a busy machine shop, my phone does get dropped from time to time and usually gets dirty with aluminum dust, coolant residue, etc from handling. the HTC One tends to pick up tiny steel filings around the speakers (magnets yo), the commuter was a PITA with this cause I had to take the case off the phone to clear them away... this case has just the right bit of flex around the speaker grills so it should allow me to wipe them away with the case on. Will report end of the week, and do a photo test with flash in the dark to check for reflection in the cutout.
Also I will get photos of it on the phone! it really looks fantastic :good::good:
Can anybody comment on how this case will fit into Slim (not skinny) jeans? Does the silicone part catch in pockets? Does it not wrap properly in some places? I had a ballistic for GS2 until I realized that thing was a tank and only needed a TPU case.
Also, the back is just polished polycarbonate as opposed to the Aspira's big bro, the GS, which has a TPU back that is virtually unscratchable. That's closer to what I had for the GS2. Can anybody tell us if the back is prone to scratches?
I'll give you detailed field report in a few days time, I keep my phone in jeans pocket usually and always taking it out to browse on transit, two hours a day, plus shop time. Should have an idea about scratch resistance and pocketability by Friday
Ps, did some low light flash photo tests, no signs of whiteout/reflective effects from camera/flash cutout.
ApoC_101 said:
Wow, just arrived and got it on the phone, fantastic case! Quick first impressions review here, I'll make a real review thread soon as I can, this case deserves the attention.
-The case feels much, much slimmer than my otterbox Commuter, comparing the depth (thickness) and width of the cases the Aspira is a hair smaller in both dimensions, but it FEELS much smaller due to the superior ergonomic contours and curvyness. This is the exact criteria I was hoping for with this case, I'm a product design engineer myself and love good simple, ergonomics above all, favouring natural curves to fit the hand. Very impressed with the case in that regard, the glossy white back with grippy forward edges handles extremely well and much less likely to slip from my hand than my Commuter case.
-Built quality is fantastic, the plastics used are top quality with perfect finish, the overmolded one-piece design is right on the money, and the blends where the two materials meet are very precise and no hanging burrs, overlaps etc. Cutouts couldn't be better... they look fantastic and the size and placement is bang on. Nothing in the way of the power button IR blaster, no issue using 90 degree headphone connector, best looking camera cutout I've seen. To top that all off, the volume rockers function perfectly, a clear step up in function and feel from the Commuters which are too stiff, and there are no slots or cutouts around the rocker to let dirt in. Also, the Ballistic text logo molded into the one side looks really bloody clean... I dig it.
-Lip around the screen is about 3mm height, same as the Commuter. does not interfere with typing or swyping near the outside of the keyboard. the lip is raised the slightest bit in the four corners, adding some extra bounce protection there and does not get in the way, additionally it means when laying the phone face down, it's standing up the littlest bit on those corners, which I really like.
-Criticisms: don't have any yet... which is fantastic as I'm a severely picky perfectionist. initial impressions is top score in appearance, handling, and build quality... I don't think this case could be made any thinner without sacrificing protection, I feel it offers an excellent level of protection especially if combined with a glass screen protector.
Durability test will come throughout the week, I keep my phone in coveralls pocket all the time and work in a busy machine shop, my phone does get dropped from time to time and usually gets dirty with aluminum dust, coolant residue, etc from handling. the HTC One tends to pick up tiny steel filings around the speakers (magnets yo), the commuter was a PITA with this cause I had to take the case off the phone to clear them away... this case has just the right bit of flex around the speaker grills so it should allow me to wipe them away with the case on. Will report end of the week, and do a photo test with flash in the dark to check for reflection in the cutout.
Also I will get photos of it on the phone! it really looks fantastic :good::good:
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Thanks for the first impressions!, I'm glad that mine is on the way! . Looking forward for the pics ! Cheers
Just a little mid week update: case has totally grown on me, it's been perfect for me so far. Been working on a batch of small aluminum parts at work with machining and polishing, made sure to handle the phone plenty with my dirty hands.. dirt will barely stick to the glossy back, and wipes off easily. It will stick to the silicone but it wipes off that too. So far it's great for dirty job! Someone asked about or mentioned case materials of other ballistic cases, I believe the base material of this case is PA or PV based, most likely acrylic based. It's a super fine gloss finish in a solid milk white colour, with just enough flexibility to get on the phone. Poly-Acrylic makes sense since it feels great but also keeps enough tack for good handling, and depending on the blend and curing it can have excellent scratch and abrasion resistance, which this case appears to have. It should also exhibit good UV and sunlight resistance, as not to embrittle and change colour over time, which TPU can do. The lining material of the case is a silicone type rubberized plastic, it has a good solid cure and shouldn't shred like the softer durometer grades like some otter cases tend to do.
Off topic but funny cause of the irony, those aluminum parts I'm working on are fiber optic parts for the bad guys (Samsung). I believe Intel uses them too. I actually have no idea what they are for.
I just got this case today (gift from my boss who got it from out Ballistic rep). Having had it on for a few hours, I can tell you that it feels good , even though it's a little slick, not too thick, not as thick as an Otterbox Commuter. The power button is open, all the openings are where they're supposed to be. Seems like a good case
I just got mine in today and I really like this case! I have a zillion different cases and this one seems to give me the best of everything I want. I was using Case-Mate tough case before which I really like too.
Sent from my HTC One with hi-fi stereo and the Now Network.
Just wanted to do a review of some cases I bought and tried recently for my LGOG, hoping the info would be useful to other people. There are some other good and cheap options available online, but these are the ones I tried first-hand. I am really happy with all three of them, so here's the proof that sometimes you get more than you pay for...
First, a generic sleeve picked up at a local dollar store while I was waiting for my Amazon order to arrive. For just $2, it's pretty much as good as free. Simple, but ingenious: two pieces of synthetic leather (it's high quality, smooth, soft, and doesn't stink) stitched together, but with an added pullout ribbon that is surprisingly convenient, and works wonderfully to get the phone out. My wife was quite amused by the way it worked (as was I ). Sized perfectly for my phone, and looks pretty nice and elegant, too. Excellent basic protection sleeve, considering the price. Highly recommended, if you prefer your phone naked, but still want reasonable protection carrying it around. Five stars from me!
Next comes the Diztronic case, ordered from Amazon. It's a low-profile TPU wrap-around skin that looks and works much better than it costs. Very nice soft touch finish, clean design with precise cutouts, sharp looks and enough protection for daily use. The fit is perfect, feels like this phone was born in it. Some people on Amazon complain that it peels the screen protector at the edges due to a tight fit, but I don't use screen protectors, so I don't care. Adds very little bulk, but gives a nice protection around the bezel, so you can safely lay your phone face down. It also levels the protruding camera lens cover on the back, so it doesn't get scratched easily. One thing that seems weird at first is that the design around the volume and power buttons is very different. But then I realized how much it actually helps -- the power is recessed deeply in the cutout, making it much less prone to accidental presses, while still easily reachable with a fingertip. Very convenient. It would be nice to have a better grip on the sides (like a diamond pattern or something), but even as is, this case still makes the phone much less slippery than naked. And I didn't like the prominent logo on the back, as I prefer all my things with as little branding as possible (ideally, none, but that's just wishful thinking). Four stars (minus one for the grip and the logo).
The last one is a cheap dual-layer case pretending to be an OtterBox, also from Amazon. I saw this case there under different brands; mine was Aimo. I used OtterBox cases in the past, and to be honest, this one is quite impressive in comparison. Pretty much the same design features (except the port covers), build quality and the level of protection as Commuter series, but for just a small fraction of a price. And it has a handy folding stand on the back, which works in both portrait and landscape. If you are reeeally nitpicky, you might find the fit between the inner silicone layer and the outer hard shell a tiny bit loose along the top and bottom edges, but hey, it's not exactly an OtterBox, OK? Again, you really have to look hard and close to notice this. All the cutouts are precise, and the buttons are nice and light to the touch. Note that this case is quite bulky, and doesn't match the design style of the phone itself, so some people may not like it for its aesthetics. But as far as protection goes, this is probably the best option for this kind of money. This case is available in different colour combinations. Nothing beats black for me, but you can get yours in neon pink, if you want. Five stars, hands down!
Thanks for these suggestions and pics.
My first case for OG was Nilkins hard plastic case - at first it may look good, but actually is a piece of you know what. The rubber layer on the case started to peel off after 2 weeks first on the corners then the rest, due to this the phone looked ugly. After a while corners just broke off completely. All this happened with regular use without any extremes.
The next one I bought was a bit cheaper also from China - TPU X Type soft silicon I guess. I've been using it for many months now and it havent changed a bit. Good protection, looks nice and I guess it wont change forever unless you cut it with scissors
So yes, cheap can be good, but buyer beware as some cheap cases will be a headache.
I have this one:
aliexpress: /item/Genuine-Brand-New-IMAK-Crystal-series-PC-Ultra-thin-Hard-Skin-Case-Cover-Back-For-LG/1027800082.html
Phone looks nice in it. The plastic is sturdy, but it scratches easily. However it's a cheap one so no risk in trying it.
And the classic one gel case:
aliexpress: /item/Hot-Sale-8Colors-S-Curve-Line-Shape-High-Quality-Soft-TPU-Rubber-Wave-Gel-Soft-Skin/1310173671.html[/url]
This offers complete protection, but it's ugly.
PS: Just copy rest of URL after aliexpress.com to see it. I'm not allowed to post links.
First case I got was this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/QuickSan...lePhoneAccessories&hash=item3f25597db6&_uhb=1
It still works great to this day, but peeled the screen protector off.
I have had many E975 cases, flip ones, rubber and hard ones.
Currently I am using the LgOg official bumper and it is a dream, sometimes the holes are tight but I simply file them and they work fine
The bumper: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181246366449?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I'm what they call a casaholic, so I tend to accumulate a plethora of cases. I will post reviews of my cases below (some of you may have seen my other OP's in the S7 Edge and Nexus 6P forums). I will keep this OP updated with plenty of details over time.
Diztronic TPU:
I am a long time Diztronic fan dating back to my LG G3. I always enjoyed Diztronic’s simple, yet appealing design that never tried to be anything other than a great case. For starters, Diztronic cases are made from TPU and feature a plain back without any visible logo which is a big plus considering how some companies use the Verizon branding standard plastering them everywhere. On this case you will only find the logo along the side discretely hiding in plain site; I’ve noticed Spigen starting to do the same, except some of their cases still sport a back logo as well. Inside the case Diztronic decided to put their main logo in a rather large in your face way. The placement of the interior logo is fine because you will never see it unless you take your phone out of the case.
Along the back of the case, the camera cutout is larger than the ones you will find on my Spigen cases. I can appreciate this design given how TPU flexes as you place your phone in it. For example if someone puts their phone in sideways and the TPU is unevenly tensioned, a more precise cutout might not be perfectly aligned (this happens all of the time if you look at the alignment while installing the case various ways). One thing I don’t particularly like is how the camera almost sits flush with the case given its width.
Now, as for the case’s feel you will find a nice soft-touch like TPU. I think Diztronic has one of the best feeling TPU’s out there with Spigen coming in second. Since Diztronic only makes a TPU case, and their Voyeur Hybrid for some phones, they do an excellent job making what’s arguably the best TPU case out there.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports:
The stock cable does fit, but it will push the TPU upward slightly due to the connectors size. I haven’t found any issues fitting the stock cable, or any of my other Type-C cables that I use for my Nexus 6P, so don’t let that discourage you. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you shouldn’t have any issues given the relatively large cutout on this case. It works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present.
Volume/Power buttons:
All of the buttons click exceptionally well as I would expect from a Diztronic case.
Overall: 9/10
Diztronic makes excellent TPU cases that are my personal favorite. I appreciate the work that goes into the simple, yet elegant design along with their excellent feel. My one issue with this case is how the camera sits almost flush with the TPU, other than that small personal nitpick you won’t find a better TPU case out there.
Diztronic TPU
Incipio Octane:
Incipio has a rather slim offering for the HTC 10, but they are making some of their best cases for it. I’m bringing back a favorite from my S7 Edge: the Incipio Octane. This case is a hybrid with a harder TPU bumper and what I believe to be an acrylic frosted back.
First lets talk about the build of this case; I think Incipio has a nice unique design given the tire tread styled bumper region that contrasts the frosted clear back. The frame doesn’t provide a whole lot of grip, but it doesn’t need to because unlike the Spigen Ultra Hybrid this case is not slippery, nor does it attract fingerprints. Incipio paid particular attention to detail by having a black border around the camera/flash cutouts which will prevent the ghosting issues seen on other cases. One thing I wish they changed was their logo placement; I think it interferes with the nice look of the HTC 10 with not only it’s size, but also the depth, and sheer in your face look it has once you see it.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports: All of the ports are aligned properly, and Incipio didn’t use the seemingly dumb cutout that Spigen has on their cases. Up top the headphone cutout isn’t large, but it will get the job done nonetheless. I haven’t experienced any issues fitting the stock cable, or any of my other USB-C ones that I have.
Volume/Power buttons: Incipio never has issues with their buttons, so I was happy to feel the ones on this case. All of the buttons are slightly raised giving them a easy to find feel. I don’t think anyone will have any issues with the buttons on this case.
Overall: 9/10 I love every part of this case with the exception of Incipio’s logo placement. It features great buttons, a nice frosted back section, and a unique style that makes it worth the ~$20-25 you will pay for it online or direct from Incipio.
Incipio Octane
Incipio NGP:
Given the lack of cases available for the HTC 10, I opted for another Incipio based on their track record. Even though Incipio’s selection isn’t great for this phone I wanted to try a different case from them this time: The Incipio NGP
There isn’t anything really special per say about this case other than it being my favorite TPU case (dethroning the Diztronic). Incipio opted for a harder TPU than what Diztronic or Spigen normally use; now, before you think to yourself how that might suck or be bad it’s a good move on their part. The TPU seems more scratch resistant so far, and honestly feels very similar to what Tech 21 uses in their EVO Frame case that I have for my S7 Edge. With that being said it resists scratches, fingerprints, and other dirt a whole lot better than the other two. I particularly like how there is a very subtle texture to the TPU giving it that more dare I say “premium” (even though I really don’t like how often that word is overused). I now wish I bought this case for my S7 Edge given how nice it feels in your hand followed by the good price for what it is. I know there are cheaper options out there, some of which are also great (Diztronic), but I doubt you will be disappointed with this case. There is also no dumb/obnoxious antenna cutout that Spigen seems to love putting on their cases. If I had to pick one thing I didn’t like it would be their logo placement on the back of the case. I would personally prefer a less invasive logo on the side, or a smaller one.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports: All of the ports are aligned properly, and Incipio didn’t use the seemingly dumb cutout that Spigen has on their cases. Up top the headphone cutout isn’t large, but it will get the job done nonetheless. I haven’t experienced any issues fitting the stock cable, or any of my other USB-C ones that I have given how large it is.
Volume/Power buttons: Excellent buttons overall on par with the Incipio Octane, Diztronic and Spigen cases. All of them are tactile, easy to find and smooth (for better or worse).
Overall: 9.25/10 Incipio nailed it with their NGP case for the HTC 10. The build, buttons, and feel are all top notch for this type of case only adding to how great it is. You don’t find this one scratching either, so that is another nice ‘feature’ to have if you would call it that. The buttons can be a little on the smooth side despite being easy to find, and the giant logo isn’t something I’m personally too fond of. Given how nice the case is I would definitely buy it again for any phone I own from here on out.
Incipio NGP
Spigen Ultra Hybrid:
There aren’t a whole lot of good clear cases on the market for phones lately. I’ve search for a long time to find one from a good manufacturer for each of my current phones (Nexus 6P, S7 Edge, HTC10), yet I always found the Ultra Hybrid to be one of the better ones out there. (The S7 Edge model had some issues). Spigen made the HTC10 version better than their previous ones, which is good news especially after how tightly the one for the S7 Edge fit causing it to interfere with the buttons functionality. Since I like using skins/wraps (SlickWraps/dbrand), I usually get a few clear cases to show off the phone in a unique way.
The Ultra Hybrid (UH) holds up to scratches well even though it will get small ones over time. There is a scratch resistant coating on the back, but not one on the inside. I would be careful wiping dirt out of the inside for this reason because I’ve scratched a few cases this way unfortunately. Spigen decided to make individual cutouts for the bottom firing speaker unlike Diztronic which just had one large cutout. I can’t say that I have a particular preference for either method, but I thought it would be useful to note the differences in these cases.
One thing that I will say for all 3 of my Spigen cases is that there is a very obscure large cutout along the top. I don’t know what purpose it serves, why they decided to include it, or if they will revise their case lineup and remove it. I emailed Spigen about the cutout earlier; as of writing this review I have not heard back from them. I think this HUGE cutout really detracts from otherwise good/great cases therefore making it very hard to recommend the cases until Spigen addresses this issue, or explains why it’s there.
Update: as @klarthur mentioned, the UH has a ghosting issue when the flash is used. I should have expected this given how close the cutout is to the flash coupled with a lack of black border around the cutout.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports:
The stock fits perfectly, without displacing the TPU like some other cases. I haven’t found any issues fitting the stock cable, or any of my other Type-C cables that I use for my Nexus 6P, so don’t let that discourage you. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you shouldn’t have any issues given the relatively large cutout on this case. It works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present.
Volume/Power buttons:
I was expecting better tactile feedback than I found on the Ultra Hybrid. The case makes the buttons feel slightly “mushy” compared to my other TPU cases. I really can’t stand when cases cause the button to no longer feel tactile because it ruins the overall experience of the phone. Buttons should always retain a tactile feel so they don’t further detract from how the phone should feel if it wasn’t in a case. I will update this section if the buttons beak in overtime, so let’s hope that happens.
Overall: 7/10
There are a few discrepancies with Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid case that will hopefully get fixed if they revise it. First, there’s the gigantic cutout along the top that serves no purpose that I could find as of writing this review. Secondly, the buttons lost their tactile feel in this case making the experience poor. I still like the look of this clear case despite it’s issues and will likely use it from time to time until a better clear one gets released. (Incipio Octane is enroute!) For right now I wouldn’t buy Spigen’s cases even with their sale given the odd cutout on them (thinfit is the exception).
Spigen Ultra Hybrid
Spigen Rugged Armor:
The Spigen Rugged Armor (RA) has been a staple case for each of my phones alongside some others since it first came out. The case has a nice look to it, but the size of carbon fiber on each case varies, as does their overall look. For example, my Nexus 6P version has a much smaller CF area, while my S7 Edge one has a huge one in comparison. Spigen decided to make the one on the HTC 10 version small, but I feel that a larger region would look better here. That’s my personal preference, and it doesn’t affect the quality of the case.
As far as the TPU goes, you will find a high quality near matte finish that wears off overtime as I’ve come to find out. I will post a picture below showing the case on all 3 of my phones. The Nexus 6P version is the oldest (bought it back in October), followed by my S7 Edge one. This should provide a good visual for what to expect overtime as you use the case. My Nexus 6P RA had the buttons wear overtime so they are no longer as tactile as they used to be using that case. I’m not sure if that will be a continued trend, but if my S7 Edge version gets the same issue, I will add a note here (that would imply the HTC 10 version would also have that issue).
I mentioned a rather odd issue in my Ultra Hybrid review, so here it is again:
There is a HUGE cutout along the top of the case that seems to serve no real purpose. I reached out to Spigen for comments, or clarification as to its purpose. I will add an update if I hear anything from Spigen, or elsewhere online.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports: The stock fits perfectly, without displacing the TPU like some other cases. I haven’t found any issues fitting the stock cable, or any of my other Type-C cables that I use for my Nexus 6P, so don’t let that discourage you. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you shouldn’t have any issues given the relatively large cutout on this case. It works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present.
Volume/Power buttons: All of the buttons have a nice tactile response to them that anyone could appreciate. One thing that makes this case stand out is how Spigen textured the power button to match what HTC did with the phone. This gives the case a unique feel more in line with what a good case should have.
Overall: 7/10
Given all of the nice attributes of the case, I’m questioning its longevity after experiencing other issues with my Nexus 6P one. I expect this one to encounter a similar issue with the buttons as it gets used more, although nothing is definitive yet. My other grievance is the large cutout along the top of the case. I think it impacts the cases ability to protect your HTC 10 in the even of a drop.
Spigen Rugged Armor
Spigen Thin Fit:
I appreciate the minimalist nature of thin fit cases, especially for bulkier phones like the HTC 10. The case features a metallic finish given the “gunmetal” color of this particular one. It feels like Spigen made this one slightly thicker than their other thin fit cases that I have for my Nexus 6P and S7 Edge, although I would need to measure it to confirm that. All of the cutouts are present, but I would have liked a little more room around the flash module given the cases reflective nature in this color scheme.
While the case is plastic, the back feels almost “rubbery” at times which is good. The last thing I want to happen is having my brand new HTC 10 fall on the ground. This case should have enough grip (not a lot, but enough for what it is) to prevent something that like for most people. On the top/bottom you will see a lip covering a very small amount of the otherwise open regions. This should also help out in the event of a fall, although I wouldn’t expect it to handle big drops well.
Spigen seems to have a very inconsistent way of making their thin fit cases in general. My S7 Edge one covers the top/bottom of the phone just like the one I had for my Nexus 6. Now, my Nexus 6P one is open at the top/bottom just like the HTC 10 is. I don’t know why they seem to have it open then covered more like the Ringke slim depending on the phone. I wish Spigen would just have it covered to give you more of a 360 degree side coverage in a slim package.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports: There should be absolutely no issues accessing the ports given how both the top and bottom of the case are completely open.
Volume/Power buttons: Spigen has large cutouts that are rounded at the edge to give you easy access to the buttons. I didn’t experience any issues using/finding the buttons.
Overall: 7/10
Spigen has been too inconsistent with their thin fit line to make it as appealing as it could be. The open top/bottom are not something I’ve particularly a fan of given the choice. I also did not like how Spigen had their cutouts on this particular case because it slightly distorts the flash unlike in an all-black one like the Rugged Armor. This is still one of the few slim cases out there, so if you can deal with the open top/bottom and potential flash issue depending on the color, than disregard what I said above.
Spigen Thin Fit
Supcase Beetle Pro:
Generally I'm not a huge fan of these "rugged" cases, but with the limited selection of HTC case I figured it wouldn't hurt to try out. First I wanted to say that I'm rather impressed with the build of this case which is on par with the slimmer version Supcase makes (not for the HTC 10 unfortunately). With the added heft you get a sense of comfort knowing that there's a very high chance your phone will survive most if not all large drops, falls, impacts etc. I didn't find the case too big personally, and the added holster is certainly a nice touch. One thing that I really don't like about this case is the build in screen protector. It has one of those awful dot matrix patterns to assist with touching the display given how there's an air gap between it and the screen. The fingerprint scanner cutout is also on the smaller side which caused some misreads for me compared to other cases. I also found that dust, hair, and other particulates loved making their way under the screen protector no matter how hard I tried to blow them out with a can of air before placing my phone in the case. Lastly, the bottom lip of the case makes it awkward to use the fingerprint scanner or buttons in general given how low HTC decided to place them.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports: There should be absolutely no issues accessing the ports given how both the top and bottom of the case are completely open. I've tested multiple cables without any issues; also my Shure SE215's, Bose QC20's, Bose Freestyle and all aux cables fit just fine despite the port covers/small port.
Volume/Power buttons: These are surprisingly tactile, even more so than a few of my other cases. I have absolutely no issue at all with them, plus they are raised ever so slightly to help you find them in a pinch.
Overall: 8.5/10 I am impressed with this case despite its few small drawbacks given how much protection you are getting out of it. The holster is also a nice addition that really completes the whole package and offers something different to your conventional "rugged" style case.
Supcase Beetle Pro
Mods: I'm reserving a few posts for pictures due to the large amount I plan to include for each case review. Please don't delete any of them because it makes life harder when things are scattered. Thank you in advance!
TUDIA:
I’ve owned many TUDIA cases dating back to my Nexus 6 a few years ago. All of those cases have been great, simple, and durable. I honestly think they fell short of their previous feel with this case. The case at first feels and looks nice, but don’t be fooled by the signature TUDIA styling, and nice look because this case has some serious flaws. My case has a ton of mold lines throughout that I somewhat reduced with an X-Acto knife before snapping the pictures. It shouldn’t be shipped looking like a factory second, yet it still was. Now, lets talk about their TPU; TUDIA went with the same material they have always used in my experience which is fine. The TPU is on the slicker side and seems to resist scratching better than Spigen’s Rugged Armor. Around the camera cutout there is a very sharp edge that is nearly translucent (about a 0.5mm section of it) that seems like it wasn’t supposed to be that thin.
I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts
Ports: All of the ports are aligned properly, and Incipio didn’t use the seemingly dumb cutout that Spigen has on their cases. Up top the headphone cutout isn’t large, but it will get the job done nonetheless. I haven’t experienced any issues fitting the stock cable, or any of my other USB-C ones that I have.
Volume/Power buttons: This is one of the areas where the case falls apart for me. The buttons are absolutely unusable and do not even budge even with a lot of effort. These are by far the worst buttons I’ve encountered in a while which says a lot. They are molded into the case in such a way as to not provide any movement (i.e. poorly designed). TUDIA did mark them so you can visible see what button is what not that it matters because you can’t press them with this case on. The HTC 10 has firmer buttons as it stands, so that added to the molded TUDIA buttons with no thinner section to allow them to slightly move kills this case. There’s a good reason many case manufactures always post about having responsible buttons (the good case manufactures that is) because it can make or break an otherwise decent/great case.
Overall: 5 /10 TUDIA fell short for me here in many ways: The first was the amount of mold marks, mold lines etc that were present on the case. Secondly their horrible excuse for buttons was the final nail in the coffin here because it renders the case unusable. I rarely rate a case at a 5 (or below), but it is well deserved in this instance.
TUDIA
Case Dimensions Table
Reserved 2
Reserved 3
Pilz said:
I'm what they call a casaholic, so I tend to accumulate a plethora of cases. I will post reviews of my cases below (some of you may have seen my other OP's in the S7 Edge and Nexus 6P forums). I will keep this OP updated with plenty of details over time.
So far my first batch of case reviews will include: Spigen Rugged Armor, Spigen Thin Fit, Spigen Ultra Hybrid, Diztronic TPU, and the Incipio Octane
My HTC10 isn't arriving until Tuesday, but I have all of the cases except the Incipio on hand right now. I will post the reviews promptly upon getting my phone so stay tuned!
Just a quick update: If anyone has any case suggestions, or reviews they would like to see, leave a comment below. I will have a look at each recommendation and decide if I will add a review for that particular case as I have done with my other phones.
Mods: I'm reserving a few posts for pictures due to the large amount I plan to include for each case review. Please don't delete any of them because it makes life harder when things are scattered. Thank you in advance!
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I ordered the Ringke Oynx case from Amazon, but won't come til June sometime. Any experience of these cases on other phones?
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
c4llum said:
I ordered the Ringke Oynx case from Amazon, but won't come til June sometime. Any experience of these cases on other phones?
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I had one for my S7 Edge but it arrived bent like a bananas. You can read my review if it via the S7 Edge case OP in my signature. I won't be buying another Oynx case from them, although u would like a Ringke Slim if they decide to make one.
Pilz said:
I had one for my S7 Edge but it arrived bent like a bananas. You can read my review if it via the S7 Edge case OP in my signature. I won't be buying another Oynx case from them, although u would like a Ringke Slim if they decide to make one.
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surely the fact that it was bent was an accident not a standard feature! doesn't mean the case is bad necessarily...
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
c4llum said:
surely the fact that it was bent was an accident not a standard feature! doesn't mean the case is bad necessarily...
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Well, the case wasn't exactly great if you read the review I wrote. I liked some aspects of it, but compared to some other ones I had it wasn't as good as it could be given Ringke's other products I own. I respect your opinion on the case, however, I just found the edges to be very sharp among the things I disliked. I own a lot of cases, and if one doesn't fit the bill or check all of the right boxes I will let people know. I try to be as unbiased as I can he to help people make choosing a case easier. I understand that sometimes I will write a review (rhino Shield bumper for the 6P) that a lot of people really disagreed with, yet thats the nature of different perspectives. I still hope to provide the best reviews that I can given the circumstances, so with that being said I will consider trying one for my HTC 10 when they eventually get released. I have 5 cases so far with many more planned to come once I get my phone. I was trying to see what Ringke had planned, but their website is down (product pages are showing an error message), so I'll just have to wait and see what gets released from other companies that I can add to my review OP.
HTC let me know today that my order won't ship until late June so I cancelled it in favor of waiting for T-Mobile assuming they will release it before then. I will wait until Friday before finding another place to buy one online so I can post the reviews.
If you have any questions, or suggestions that I could help with your welcome to ask away. I am still slighlty confused as to why Spigen has such large cutouts on the top of their cases, and I'm still awaiting their response to that question.
Stay tuned for some reviews tonight! My HTC10 is out for delivery, so I will post a few of my case reviews for everyone.
Out of these 4 cases that I have on hand which ones does everyone want to see first?
-Spigen Ultra Hybrid
-Spigen Rugged Armor
-Spigen thin fit
Diztronic TPU
Pilz said:
Stay tuned for some reviews tonight! My HTC10 is out for delivery, so I will post a few of my case reviews for everyone.
Out of these 4 cases that I have on hand which ones does everyone want to see first?
-Spigen Ultra Hybrid
-Spigen Rugged Armor
-Spigen thin fit
Diztronic TPU
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They have all been reviewed for almost a week now. You may be a little late to the party......
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
thegrants82 said:
They have all been reviewed for almost a week now. You may be a little late to the party......
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I do things a little differently than most people. You can view my previous work (some of it at least) via my signature. I've been doing case reviews for the past few phones which are very popular, so I wanted to continue my detailed reviews to help members out.
Pilz said:
I do things a little differently than most people. You can view my previous work (some of it at least) via my signature. I've been doing case reviews for the past few phones which are very popular, so I wanted to continue my detailed reviews to help members out.
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I have seen your reviews. Not too many different ways or styles to discuss a 10 dollar piece of plastic. Either way, have it at.
Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
thegrants82 said:
I have seen your reviews. Not too many different ways or styles to discuss a 10 dollar piece of plastic. Either way, have it at.
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I'm always open to criticism, or comments so you can be the judge when I post them. If you don't like them it's okay with me
OP Updated
Reviews added:
-Diztronic TPU
-Spigen Ultra Hybrid
-Dimensions Table in post #2
Saw your reviews with the S7 Edge.
Some people might not be able to speak into detail about a $10 piece of plastic like you.
Really good man. So far I have all three Spigen cases. They are all lovely and can be used for different occasions.
How you liking the 10 compared to the S7E?
Sent from my HTC 10 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Jooosty said:
Saw your reviews with the S7 Edge.
Some people might not be able to speak into detail about a $10 piece of plastic like you.
Really good man. So far I have all three Spigen cases. They are all lovely and can be used for different occasions.
How you liking the 10 compared to the S7E?
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Thank you, there is a lot that can be said if someone wants to
I like my Spigen cases too aside from the weird top cutout. I'll post the other two reviews tomorrow, and hopefully my other cases will start to trickle in.
I like the software better, but the camera is lacking a lot. My battery life has been mediocre too so far, but this is only day 1. I'm going to unlock my phone then root it before I decide on the performance and battery life. I hope HTC fixes the camera since that last update didn't help that much.
What kind of screen protector are you using for your phone?
napkun said:
What kind of screen protector are you using for your phone?
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Spigen crystal film since I've heard a TGSP won't fit properly due to these 2.5D edge
I have seen reviews of the Spigen Ultra Hybrid that report ghosting when taking pictures with flash on, due to the clear case. Did you test that out by chance? If not, would you be able to? That would be a deal-breaker for me. Thank you for doing these!
klarthur said:
I have seen reviews of the Spigen Ultra Hybrid that report ghosting when taking pictures with flash on, due to the clear case. Did you test that out by chance? If not, would you be able to? That would be a deal-breaker for me. Thank you for doing these!
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I have not tested it, but I will check for you. I might wait until it gets a little darker outside (or take one in a dark room) before checking to confirm that. I completely agree which is why I like how Incipio has a black border around their camera cutout. I will post a review of the Octane case when it arrives (should be great based on my S7 Edge version). If you have any other questions feel free to let me know. I enjoy helping people out, especially when it comes to accessories!
I will kick off these reviews and first off mention that Caseborne has let some users try their cases free of charge in exchange for honest reviews. I was not pressured at all about providing positive feedback and in fact the owner seemed to really want to hear what elements could be improved upon.
That being said, here is my review of the Caseborne case for Z Fold 4
First off, this review is not going to be focused on the size of the case. It's massive. It was built for all encompassing protection with pretty much all built in functions that you can ask for. I really am not worried about dropping my phone in this case AT ALL. It is like insurance without paying insurance. So with that, let's get into the pros and the cons and decide it it's a buy.
Pro's
Hinge protection and S Pen Holder. This is seriously the most awesome hinge protection design I have seen. The hinge protector has two hinges itself that fold onto the back of the case. You can tell the designer really thought through the best way to do this. There are cutouts that the two hinges fold onto in the back of the case, all fitting together well like a puzzle. Honestly, it's brilliant. And incorporating the S Pen Holder into the hinge was a great move, and it works really well. It's not like some cases for the Folds that will mark up your S Pen with the tightness or are too loose. And the Pen is completely protected. It's great.
The kickstand. It's the perfect amount of tight, making it easy enough to flip out but not loose enough to rattle or come out on its own. It is something I commented about on one of Casebornes older models and they fixed it. So good on them for listening to feedback.
The cutouts. The cutouts are utter perfection, the manufacturer did a great job ensuring its all perfectly done. The fingerprint scanner cutout feels great and isn't blocked at all.
The little details. The raised nubs on the rear of the case that help the case sit flat when folded, the design elements that add to the look of the case but aren't overbearing. And thankfully it doesn't have any weird quips like "enjoy life" or say "camera" where the camera is.
The cons
The S Pen Holder housing is really tight. It's pretty difficult to get off and takes multiple tries sometimes. This may loosen up over time, but there is probably some improvement that can be done here, just like they did with their kickstand.
The volume buttons. I'm a little torn here because they function well but they feel sharp and protrude out of the side a little too much. Everything else feels so premium, I think these could have been a bit better. But again they function very well.
The case doesn't sit flat when unfolded. I mean we all knew this coming in, but using the kickstand is a necessity if are sitting at a table and want to use it unfolded. I don't know how you would solve this, I think it's either hinge protection or sit flat. But it's definitely the main thing that makes me debate whether to use a larger case like this vs a thinner case with no hinge protection.
All in all, this case is a masterclass in design. I've never seen a case so well thought out and executed. It's big. But it was meant to be and Caseborne has leaned into providing max protection. I can't wait to see where they go from here. I also would like to challenge them to expand their excellent design capabilities into a mid protection range where I feel a larger market might be available for them. Using this case, I am confident that they can come up with some sort of differentiator there as well.
Let me know if you if you have any questions, happy to answer them. I would say if you are looking for a max protection case, this is the one to get for the Z Fold 4.
Here is the link in case anyone is interested: https://a.co/d/dozUaBI