When you have one of the smartest smartphones at your disposal, you obviously want to make sure that you have the smartest protection out there. The rugged OtterBox Defender Case safeguards the thin and light body of your Samsung GALAXY Note from damages under virtually , any circumstances for the ultimate protection solution!
DESIGN AND FEEL:
Full access to all the Samsung Galaxy Note’s buttons and features through the case, including camera, flash and stylus opening.
Silicone plugs provide full coverage of volume controls, headphone jack, micro USB opening, power button and charging port.
Two-layers of protection include a sturdy polycarbonate inner layer and rugged silicone outer layer.
Inner polycarbonate layer includes a built-in screen protector and inner foam liner.
Outer silicone layer features a grooved texture on the side for enhanced grip.
BUILD QUALITY AND LAYERS OF PROTECTION
Screen Protection: Built-in screen protector prevents scratches, scuffs and smudges while retaining the sensitivity of the Note’s touchscreen.
Inner Layer: Two-piece polycarbonate snaps together around the Galaxy Note creating a solid shelter. The
inside of the polycarbonate includes a foam inner liner to cushion the Note against oopsies such as bumps,shocks and drops.
Outer Layer: Rugged silicone wraps around the inner polycarbonate layer. The sides of the silicone outer layer feature a grooved texture for enhanced grip.
Holster: Rotating belt clip securely fastens to almost anything and also doubles as a media viewing stand when locked into place. You can face the touchscreen out for use or face it in for maximum protection.
ACCESSIBILITY AND STYLE :
The case is classic black in color, which some people may find boring, where as I just love the simple bold look, it looks very sturdy and strong. It does add some bulk to the phone but for me it wasn’t a deal breaker.The Earpiece,Sensors and front facing Camera are protected with hard plastic edges which are very classy and look stunning.The Volume keys are also fully protected ,as is the Power key on the right side..
At the top , the noise cancelling mic is open and the Headphone jack covered by a small pull-able cover, what is great about this is there is a very hard plastic edge around the Jack port.As with the Top the Bottom is also well protected namely the Micro USB Charging port. The S-Pen is fully open giving great ease of use when pulling out the S-Pen. There is separate openings for Microphone and rear speaker.
One word to describe this case would be: DEFENDER!
"Conclusion"
My overall experience with Otterbox Defender series has been great. This is the Best Protective Case for Galaxy Note as no other case provides this Premium look, Awesome feel, and the Amazing protection that Otterbox provides.
Price :
It is priced at $59.99 on www.otterbox.com
For Images and More info , Visit : www.theandroidcop.com/review-otterbox-defender-case-for-samsung-galaxy-note/
I was fortunate enough to find this case lying around the workplace.
The boss-man said I could have it!
Saved myself $60!
Ouch... feels like having 2 notes inside my pocket, lack of close-up pictures in details
Too bulky for a already large phone... and too expensive.. there is better protection for less out there... IMHO
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA Premium HD app
Yes its big, but I'd worked out what size it would be before buying the phone or case. Get a ruler, make a cardboard mock up.
I actually had the case before the phone and it went straight into it on arrival. Working outdoors a lot and having had old candy bar type phones often take a tumble to the ground, I wanted my new phone properly protected.
Having used the phone and case for 6 months, its only tumbled out of pocket once, when not actually clipped in. I typically use the hard beltclip cover, in top pocket of work shirt, with the clip opened over the shirt button. This prevents it riding deeper in the pocket, but the button provides something for the clip to grab, so if during contortions outside, the phone flips out of pocket, it remains clipped to the pocket. Additionally when using the belt clip cover, the silicon shell faces the body, so it seems very unlikely perspiration would find its way into the phone, which seems to be an issue with some phones and their usb/headphone ports (covered with defender)
It seems it would also be quite secure if deeper in the pocket without the belt clip cover, the silicon case grabs the pocket well, although in this position the button is exposed to body moisture (if theres no stock seal around that)
What I did NOT like about the case was the built in screen protector, like all matte finish protectors I have seen, it blurs the pixels giving a fuzzy effect to the display.
I carefully removed the built in protector, pushing around with thumb in warm weather worked, and replaced it with a Spigen glas.t, tempered glass protector. The glas.t is about 0.5mm thick, there is room for it within the defender case. I suspect the tempered glass/silicon adhesive would do a good job of spreading the energy from a sharp impact, performing much like a laminated car windscreen which tend to keep most impact chips in the outer glass layer.
I have the full protection of the defender case, and full visual clarity of the screen. Win/Win
I also do not have to worry about the possibility of dust, grit etc working its way into the case and being held against the screen. This may not happen, I didn't leave it original long enough, but certainly seemed it would be likely in the environments I work in.
Hope this helps someone
Its big, bulky, but is worth it! Own one myself. Its worth the tradeoff for protection of an expensive toy
Well i have this case for over 2 months and i can say that its trully worth the money! The extra protection is awesome as well is the design and grip! However it has 2 downsides IMHO.
1st you have to open it and clean it once per 15 days and believe me at first it's a pain in the ass to open it and you re gonna break some nails .
2nd some areas far on the top on the screen need to be pressed harder i.e. it takes some time to get used to taking down the Notification Center the first days.
Hope this helps!
Related
For those interested, here is my OTTERBOX COMMUTER vs CASE MATE TOUGH comparison. I now own both of these cases and found some interesting differences.
OTTERBOX COMMUTER
+ Very solid case 9/10
+ Rubber has extra cushioning bumpers on corners to better protect against drops
+ Cutouts also have secure plugs to prevent dust and water from intrusion
+ top, bottom and sides have hard plastic protection over the rubber making a more secure fit all round.
+ Rubber is of a higher quality 8/10
- Sound quality of speaker phone is slightly affected by the raised plastic that sits closely around the speaker. Sound comes out a little louder and sharper but still sounds fine.
- Case can be quite difficult to remove because the plastic cover sits over all four sides and is very tight
- Plastic cover surface is very smooth and nicely designed but will be slippery with oily or sweaty hands
- Screen protector cutout is a little short near the top where the earphone is compared to other screen protectors I've used, but quality is fine, average.
- headphone and charging ports are a little smaller than I'd like but should fit most accessories.
- ON and VOLUME buttons are a bit difficult to press, quite like most TPU cases
- Having plastic covering on the front sides, it can be easily knocked off a table when sitting face-down, and back down is even worse.
CASE MATE TOUGH
+ Very solid case 8/10
+ headphone and earphone ports are a perfectly cut to fit all brands.
+ Very easy to remove with only sides covered by plastic cover
+ Plastic material has excellent grip on sides and back making it much more secure in the hand.
+ Plastic is less likely to show scratches over time
+ Quite easy to remove with only the sides cover the the plastic cover.
+ ON and VOLUME buttons are very easy and nice to press, with perfect feedback, almost a little 'too' easy actually.
+ The entire front is rubber, so when sitting face-down, it does not move and has a secure grip on surfaces, less likely to be knocked of a table etc
- Because the plastic cover only sits over the sides, the top and bottom have the rubber exposed and it could catch on things, such as removing from a tight pocket. not a huge deal in use.
- headphone and charging ports are open and exposed.
- rubber is a little thinner than the Otterbox's and more stretchy/flexible, though may not be a big deal in use/drops.
So in conclusion, I really like both cases for different reasons. At first impressions, the Commuter appears to be the better case due to it's port covers, more secure fit with plastic covering all sides and the extra protection given to the corners of the case.....BUT....
....the Tough case just feel better in the hand, more secure. While both are almost identical in size, thickness and weight, the Tough has a nicely textured hard surface (that looks like rubber in photos) and this is what I would call 'active' protection, compared to the passive protection on the Otterbox. What I mean is that the Commuter is more likely to slip out of the hand, but be better against drops, and the Tough case is less likely to slip out of your hands, but make be less effective against drops. Also with the Tough case having rubber all the way around on the front, it's rock solid when sitting face down on a table surface and less likely to be knocked off.
Also, if you like to change your case on a fairly regular basis, the Otterbox is not an easy case to remove. Not that difficult, but the Tough is about 3x easier. This is a big deal for me, and combined with the nice secure feel, the Case Mate Tough is the preferred case for me as a daily wearer. If there are days where I feel I may need some extra protection against, say rain, I may be a little more inclined to throw on the Otterbox Commuter.
Either way you can't go wrong as both are great cases.
leicashot, any chance of any piccies with the Galaxy in the commuter case ? I'm thinking of getting one for my shiny new precious !
Also, do you have a car holder of any type that fits with the commuter on it ?
Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...
Interesting! I always wanted to compared them, but I dont wanna buy those cases because I know i would never use them after.
abhifusion said:
Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will try take some pics later today....
do these cases come with screen protectors or no?
My tough case did not come with a screen protector which is fine by me since I hate them. Bout all I can say is that I had the tough case on my sgs2 both of which I got when they came out (each respectively, the case followed by a week or two) and have no complaints about it. Phone lived through a few drops one of which was standing in the back of a pickup to unload stuff and it fell out of my pocket onto the pavement, some 6 or 7 feet I would guess. The phone was fine and the case showed no mark whatsoever. I have not had any issue with the rubber on the ends sticking to anything and it does not pick up lint. The phone is easy to get in and out of the case but still completely secure in it and wont come out unless you take it out. The case has no movement on the phone and feels solid. The texture on the case is just about perfect for grip and more has an undefineable "good" feel. The ports and all openings line up perfectly with the headphone and microusb ports being opened up a little extra to let larger based headphone jacks or usb cables fully insert to their base. Something I appreciate because I have some headphones that sometimes wont go in without trimming the case.
To be honest I only see one real downside to this case and its going to come down to preference. If you want your phone as slim as possible this case isn't for you. The lip around the top is probably near two millimeter by itself and while it fits like a glove you have the width of both the rubber and case across the bottom and sides. To someone like me its a win because I think modern phones are too thin and I would want to do something to bulk them up even if I didn't need the protection.
I considered the otterbox to try something new but did not. I have no beef with it and it seems like folks that have them like them but for me it was hard to get away from something I knew worked great and for which I had no gripes.
I have a Case Mate tough too and i realy like, i used it on all my phones i had.
Here are some pics http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Cases/Case-Mate-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Tough-Cases.asp.
Never had the Otterbox but it looks clunkier and bigger, the Case Mate is a bit more elegant and has a good grip and feel.
Do any owners of either case use them in car holders at all ? If so any chance of pics in the car holder ? Also, does the case interfere with the operation of NFC at all ?
Hey guys,
I have the CaseMate Though since last week when i got my S3.
Before that I had the Otterbox Commuter on my DHD and I must say, I like the CaseMate much better. It may does not protect the ports as already said, but it does feel very good in my hand.
Car mounting is not a problem for me, I have an universal holder in which it will fit in easily
leicashot said:
Don't mean to be negative but I got the case today and it feels great except I'll be returning it. Why? Because the top front and bottom front of the case don't have hard plastic holding down the rubber lips, so they get caught and stretch in the pocket when retrieving. This over time may cause the rubber to tear or stretch too much cause it's very elastic and thin.
Whereas the Otterbox Commuter has the plastic sides cover top, bottom and both sides so that no rubber is loose, but held down tight. A much better product from my experience in the past and looking forward to having it when it arrives in the next week or so. This review will cover what I was talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Dxcyfm3Vg
UPDATE: See my review on both cases here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27997216#post27997216
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read a negative point about Tough case from you in another thread. Didn't see it mentioned here.
So is this problem a big thing or can i go with Tough case?
I have the Otterbox Commuter case on my S3 and I love it!! I had a defender case on my Tbolt and it added weight and size to it. I did not like it for that reason. The commuter case for the S3 fits just right and doesnt take away from the size that much. I have to believe this is a must have case for some protection for your phone.
anyone know if the case mate tough fit the active holster because it does appear to be the same size as the commuter
What are the dimensions of the case mate tough.
Nice review! Have u ever used the incipio silicrylic? seems very much comparable to the Case-Mate Tough and I dont know which one to choose.. Heres a link http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-SA-302-Silicrylic-Silicone-Samsung/dp/B0085VAP38/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1353870767&sr=1-2&keywords=incipio+s3
Hi, just got my casemate tough for the galaxy s4. I've been using one with my galaxy s3 and am very pleasedwith it but, unfortunately the one for the s4 is a bit disappointing. Although the look is the same the lip around the screen isn't as deep and the rubber doesn't come over the metal border fully. The volume button only has the rubber over it without the plastic surrounding which makes it feel fragile. I'll be returning the case and have ordered an otterbox commuter, although I would've preferred the casemate. Hope it's helpful.
I have 2 brand new Otterbox Defender series warranty replacements for sale, a Grey on white and Black on black with clip holsters for sale. Looking to sell both for cheap in a bundle. Shoot me a PM if your interested.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk 2
Ballistic SG Maxx Review for the Nexus 5
Introduction:
Since I've seen many questions on the Ballistic SG Maxx (a.k.a. Tough Jacket Maxx), I decided to make a review regarding my input on this nifty case. To start things off, I’d like to mention that this case if one of the most expensive cases out there. It’s usually around 28 USD but it’s definitely worth the money considering that the case will protect your $350+ investment.
Design:
The Ballistic SG Maxx features a dual layer design with a built-in screen protector and a belt clip. The inner piece is made of silicon; a thick, stretchy material. (Be aware that the silicon is not to be stretched too extensively. Doing so will result in a warped product.) The outer layer is plastic. Aesthetically, the design looks rather bulky, but the intention of the company was to design a bulky case capable of resisting drops. In terms of taking on and taking off the case, I find it effortless. The outer layer comes off with slight pressure and the silicon layer slips on and off with ease. The belt clip is plastic. It feels cheap, but after taking out for a spin, I found it to be actually pretty sturdy.
Feel:
The case obviously adds a lot of volume to the phone. The case is still usable in one hand and I can still reach all the icons on the other side of the screen without the assistance of the other hand, not to mention my hands are small. The outer plastic layer feels nice in the hand and gives the phone a good grip. On the back of the plastic is a rubbery back plate. The back plate helps with the traction of the phone. The button cutouts are amazing. They are easy to press, but are not too sensitive at the same time.
Dust:
This case is a lint magnet. The silicon attracts dust easily. The speaker grills are susceptible to dust. Luckily, the charging port and the headphone jack have flaps that cover the internals of the phone. Be aware dust can still seep through the cracks of the flaps.
Camera: The case is thick, but it does not obstruct the camera’s field of view neither does it block the camera’s flash.
Screen Protector:
Like many, I bought the case because of the built-in screen protector. I was appalled by the fact that I wouldn't have to purchase an additional screen protector since the case already supplied me with one. Honestly, the screen protector that Ballistic supplies the SG Maxx with is disappointing. There’s a noticeable gap between the phone and the glass screen when you apply it, which invites dust to loiter on the inside of the screen protector. It’s also extremely thick. The touch screen’s sensitivity goes down when the screen protector is applied. The edges of the protector are rigid and can cut you if you’re not careful with it. You’ll be better off using a different company’s screen protector. Ballistic’s screen protector is low quality and is not on par with other brand’s screen protectors. The built-in screen protector may look appealing at the first glance, but when using it, it is very inconvenient.
Verdict:
Overall, this is a good case for those who seek maximum protection. I've dropped my phone twice; once at 2 ft and once at 4 ft and my phone took no damage. If you never drop your phone or has no concern in shielding your device, this case is simply not for you.
Pros:
- Good drop protection
- Precise cutouts
- Fits the Nexus 5 well
- Comes with a belt clip
Cons:
- Can be costly
- Built-in screen protector is disappointing
- Lint magnet
- Adds a lot of bulk to the phone
Images are attached to the post. Thanks for reading!
I too have this case and find the build quality superior to otterbox. I also like the idea of the soft part being on the phone followed by a hard case protecting the outside as opposed to vice versa on the OtterBox. I will say that I may not purchase another case from them though because after buying my SG Maxx it's as if ballistic forgot they ever made them after the name change.
All in all- like I said I totally agree it's a good case, but if otterbox stops being scared of nexus devices then I would probably go that route due to the ridiculously awesome warranty (makes you feel like your money was better spent.)
http://i.imgur.com/V57GksT.jpg
Good review. I have one as well. My brother's screen still cracked after a fall but he had the normal version, not the MAXX. I have dropped mine from 3 ft, no issue. I ordered a new screen protector, felt better but not optimal and I'm not using it, as you have to double tap towards the top.
Thanks for the awesome review. I been rocking this same case for about a 2 weeks now. Mine is the fully black version that doesn't have a belt clip on it. I used to be an Otterbox fan, then I switched over to Diztronic for my other phones. Decided to pick this up with 2 discounts and have loved it since, by far one of the best cases I have owned yet as far as build quality goes.
Swyped from my LG Nexus 5 using XDA premium.
Nice review, thanks!
One remark: I think you're missing the point of the screen protector that comes with this case. It's really thick because it's meant to protect more than just scratches, it will(or should) protect your screen against more than just keys or coins in your pocket, for example if you drop it and lands face-down on an object.
I don't think you should consider this case as a 'daily driver', but more of a case you put on when you hiking or something, which is exactly what I'm considering it for
The built in screen protector is NOT built in. You can remove it whenever you want. It is really nice. Super strong. It is not meant for daily use. I work construction and it is perfect for me.
I've dropped this phone from a distance than would of ****ed this phone up. (around 2 stories high onto asphalt) Not a single scratch on phone or case.
I use this one for work and http://www.spigen.com/nexus-5-case-ultra-hybrid.html for home./
Hi, few days ago I was happy Z3c owner. Phone is great but it's one of the most fragile phones on market so I'm looking for a case.
I bough Ringke Fusion but seems also not so protective comparing to cases I had before for older phones like Ballistic or Trident.
So, if You would like to help me choose right. Except one I have (Ringke) I found Cruzerlite - looks nice cause on left side only magnetic port is opened so not so many weak spots but it also like Ringke seems like tuned regular TPU for 2$.
Case Mate from Z1c after adding few cutouts looks promising and people are saying it's best protection case. I also found Incipio Dual Layer case but I heard that rubber part is stretching and I hate it when it does.
There are many other cases on eBay for 2-10$ but I would like not to buy another case like this Ringke which is not best choice for me for it's price.
Cruzerlite Bugdroid.
Bought 14 months ago. Great cover
I use the Case-Mate Barely There clear plastic case (edit: for the z3c, not the modified z1c in the poll). It's hard plastic, not TPU, but I like it because it has a very slim profile.
Thank You, but unlike all I prefer something more "bulky". I used that my phone can hit on the street when I'm running and get out of this without a scratch. Pity that there is no such case for Z3c.
Hama Crystal Case for Z3C, fits perfect(without plastic adapters)
This thread should include the Devilcase. It can take hits to concrete, leaves the USB flap and magnetic port exposed, and adds minimal bulk.
I never saw any crash tests with Devilcase but I don't think those tiny parts of foam or sponge between phone and bumper can absorb damage.
I know it looks great but without it phone also looks great and I think with and without this case screen is as well exposed as without it. If I depend only on scratch protection I would take any 0.3mm transparent case.
Anyway thank You for mention.
The sides of the bumper come up about 2mm,so that with a glass screen protector (that you should get no matter which case you buy) there is still about 1mm separating the protector from the offending surface.
And like I said, I've dropped it multiple times onto concrete to absolutely 0 ill effect. It's not like other slim cases, aluminum behaves much differently than silicone.
I'm working in a repair service center and I saw many iPhones after they hit the ground in a alu bumper and they looks same as phones without any protection. Thats why I conclude that all hard cases and bumpers acts the same in contact with the floor.
Of course I'm using tempered glass but it can help in case of direct impact on the screen but it wont help with pressure formed from the side impact.
Still I'd go for something more flexible cause I'd rather not to test aluminum shock absorption.
I think if I wont find anything decent I will order Cruzerlite and after comparing it with Ringke I'll stay with better one.
It sad there is no really rugged case for Z3c.
You can laugh but after reading some reviews I ordered Devilcase.
I didn't want to argue with you, as we had contradictory personal experience. I won't laugh, you made a good choice.
I once had the original Sony case.
Plus: The magnet that opens the screen when opening the case
Minus: The window that is positioned in a different place than the clock widget. One cannot change the position of this clock widget on the lock screen.
Minus: The book-wise opening which makes the front flap being a hindrance for easy handling
Now I bought a cheap one, opening from the top side:
Plus: Easy handling
Plus: Self installed magnet in the flap for automagic opening of the screen when opening the flap.
Plus: Good protection
I have some pictures.
The Sony Cover pictures are taken with original locked phone.
The other pictures with unlocked Marshmallow and destroyed DRM keyes.
It's easy to see the bad picture quality after unlocking. :crying: :crying:
The best by far is the Case-Mate Tough for the Z3 Compact.
It's dual layered with an inner rubber layer and a solid plastic outer layer.
It has cut outs so you can use it with the official Dock DK48 and leaves the usb and sd card flap accessible.
http://www.case-mate.com/products/black-sony-xperia-z3-compact-tough-case
Do You have or tested one??
I have one and it's awesome. Good grip too.
I skipped this one cause most reviews I found was negative. Mostly because like half of the phone is unprotected.
Only a portion of one side is uncovered, all the corners are protected and even if you dropped it sideways the case sticks out.so the phone isn't touched. Try it out you will see how tough it feels.
Make no mistake, the phone is very safe.
devilcase all the way
I dropped my Z3c several times already, sometimes on a pavement. not even a scratch on the phone itself, Barely There protects it really well.
I recently recieved my second SPECK CandyShell Clear for my HTC 10 (I broke the first one by trying to mod it but that's a different story), so I took the chance to take some photos and give you a short review. Disclaimer: This review is neither sponsored, nor did I recieve any discount in order to write this review.
Pricing
I paid ~30 USDs at an online Android accessories retailer (used some available-to-all coupon that reduced the price by ~5 USDs).
The price is pretty hefty when compared to other HTC 10 cases except the original ice view ones.
Retail box
This case comes in the standard SPECK retail box, which looks nice IMHO and is very easy to open.
Build quality / Durability / Looks
Although it is made of plastic, this case definitely screams premium. The way it shimmers and feels in hand sets it apart from its competition.
Unlike the (now retired) Gem Shell I had for my One M9 and similar to the original CandyShells, this one has a two-layered construction: The outer layer is sturdy plastic while the inner one is soft rubber. Both layers are completely transparent (although the rubber has a very slight frozen look only notably when the case is not yet put on the phone).
SPECK promises that this case would resist UV yellowing and I can mostly confirm this: My first CandyShell Clear did not yellow for two month except the buttons. The buttons did yellow indeed but this did not affect the overall looks too much since the rest of the case stayed perfectly clear.
I had some CandyShell/GemShell/CandyShell Grip cases before and one of the very few downsides is that they were quite prone to scratches and looked worn after a couple of days. I was really astonished to see that SPECK made some serious improvements here: The first case had very few scratches after two month, none of 'em were obvious. No comparison to the elder cases where the gloss disappeared quickly due to the surface being covered by scratches all-over.
One nice detail is the SPECK logo. It is placed quite nicely to complement the HTC logo and not to interfere with it. But what it really makes it a stunner is how it is done. It is embossed in the rubber layer of the case in such way. that it appears to be embossed in the metal body of the phone. Nice idea, SPECK!
The only downside in this department is that this case adds some bulk. Not too much and nothing like UAG-like cases, but those who like their device as slim as possible might find it too bulky.
Protection
Protection is where this case really shines. The sturdy outer shell combined with the cushioning inner rubber layer keeps you covered in most drop situations. The front-side lip does not only protect the screen when putting it face to the table but is also thick enough to protect the screen while dropping on almost flat surfaces.
Fitting / Cutouts
This case sits like a glove. It is manufactured to fit the contours of the 10 like a perfect ten (pun intended). All cutouts are surrounded by rubber that will keep dust out of the case.
The small cutouts for the bottom-side and back-side microphone fit perfectly. The headphone jack cutout is big enough so that most headphones should fit into it. The camera cutout is quite big but this way, the flash should not interfere with the case (although I have not tested this). The bottom speaker cutout fits also well, same goes for the USB port cutout.
But the USB port cutout may be the biggest downside of this case: It is so tight that some cables won't fit. The original HTC charger cable, which comes with the 10 does. But my 3rd party cables with metal plugs did not fit and so won't any cables whose plugs are significantly bulkier than the rather slim plug of the original cable.
Remember that I told you, it was a different story that this is already my second CandyShell Clear? I broke the first one while extending the USB port cutout with a drill. Unfortunately, I did not spend enough attention and damaged the inner rubber layer which looked pretty ugly. So I replaced the damaged case with this new one and also replaced my cables with ones that provide slicker plugs. Quite some hassle but this case is definetly worth it.
In case you wonder which cables I was talking about: Aukey CB-CMD5 (pack of 5) will fit while Aukey CB-CMD2 (pack of 5) won't.
Liked this review? Do not forget to push the "thx" button!
Does the tpu on the front fit properly? The lip would get pushed in and down when I put the phone one and I couldn't get it to actually be a lip on the screen. I sent mine back. On the bright side speck has a very easy return process.
if you take a picture with the flash on, does the light bleed through the case?
aer0zer0 said:
if you take a picture with the flash on, does the light bleed through the case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least the flashlight does. Have not yet checked whether this affects photos. I'd assume so but I remember having read otherwise somewhere. As soon as I tested it, I will let you know.
TotallyAnxious said:
Does the tpu on the front fit properly? The lip would get pushed in and down when I put the phone one and I couldn't get it to actually be a lip on the screen. I sent mine back. On the bright side speck has a very easy return process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This case is a tight fit indeed. It took me some patience to get the phone in while keeping the lid in place. Once the phone is in, it takes some force to remove it. Great for being sure that the phone won't slide out accidentally on drops. Not so great if you want to remove your phone frequently.
Version w/ S-Pen Holder:
https://www.amazon.com/CaseBorne-Compatible-Samsung-Galaxy-Fold/dp/B0B86Q1H41/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=caseborne%2Bz%2Bfold%2B4&qid=1670817376&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1
Version w/o S-Pen Holder:
https://www.amazon.com/CaseBorne-Compatible-Samsung-Galaxy-Fold/dp/B0B86NMFSH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=caseborne%2Bz%2Bfold%2B4&qid=1670817629&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
I love my Galaxy Z Fold 4, but was disappointed once I found out that there are not many cases available for it. And the ones that are typically suck. I tried cases from Spigen, VRS Designs, SUPcase, Zagg and multiple others from Amazon. EVERY SINGLE ONE was terrible quality. The hinge protectors were clunky and poorly designed. These other cases HEAVILY relied on the adhesive strips to hold the flimsy case onto the phone. Several of the rugged cases included built-in screen protectors, which were terrible. I dreamt of a case that would provide 360 degree protection, a sturdy kickstand, a practical S-Pen holder and the ability to use a tempered glass screen protector. When I thought all hope was lost, CaseBorne provided my dream case.
The Vanguard Series Z Fold 4 case by CaseBorne is INCREDIBLE. Before I go any further, this case is a tank. And tank's are big. If you own a Z Fold 4, you know that it is already a thick phone. And this case will make it even thicker. But if you own a Z Fold 4, then you're most likely okay with that. If you weren't, you wouldn't use a foldable.
Now for the Pro's:
- Rugged and durable case design
- The cover screen is protected by a raised lip, but it doesn't interfere with typing. Even with my big sausage fingers.
- The back of the phone provides a nice raised lip around the camera, and a really nice, sturdy kickstand.
- The kickstand is positioned perfectly on the back, and the phone can be propped up in any orientation (folded and unfolded).
- 2 tempered glass screen protectors are included with the case.
- The hinge protection is amazing. Some very intelligent engineering went into making this hinge cover. Yes, it's claim-to-fame is that it doesn't cover the front screen when the device is unfolded. But I really appreciate the quality of it the most. Something about the design and quality of the hinge cover is just incredible. When unfolding the device, it is so smooth and doesn't feel clunky and cheap like other rugged cases.
-The hinge cover includes an awesome hidden compartment for your S-Pen. Personally, it's my favorite implementation of an S-Pen holder for the Z Fold 4. It's hidden and out of the way, but also very accessible when I need to use my S-Pen.
- Karl, the founder of CaseBorne, is a really nice guy and is very personable. And CaseBorne is a small business, so it's great to support them!
Con's (There aren't many):
- The screen protectors are slightly too big. The edges of the protector go right to the edges of the front cover. Unfortunately, after trying to apply the screen protector perfectly several times, I was unsuccessful. As of now, the right edge of my screen protector is slightly lifted off of the cover screen. But it's something I'm willing to tolerate.
- Color selection. I selected the all black case. And it looks great; however, I would like to see some other color options in the next version. Currently, CaseBorne offers black, a light orange, and purple. I would really like to see a dark orange/copper or an olive green.
- When the device is unfolded, the hinge cover acts as a grip for your fingers. However, due to the design of the hinge protector, it doesn't stay completely stationary. There is some slight movement in the hinge cover. I would like to see this somehow made to not move when the device is unfolded. But let me be clear, it doesn't feel cheap, just kinda 'springy'.
Overall, this is an incredible case, and I suggest anyone who owns a Z Fold 4 to check it out.
Caseborne Case Quick Review -
Caseborne Case(without SPen) by ArmadilloTek for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
I was searching for a phone case that could maximise protection and I stumbled upon Caseborn by ArmadilloTek . At first glance, the prices were the same as other case manufacturers. The Caseborn case seemed to be more protective than other cases.
In the case box, you can find 2 screen protectors for the external screen, 2 wipes, and some spare two-sided scotch. The case itself is very good, it has great protection all round the phone including the camera and the hinge. It also comes with a horizontal stand which lets you watch videos, play games etc with ease. However, the size of the case overlaps the size of the phone itself but this is expected if it offers maximum protection.
PRO'S:
- Good quality plastic of the case
- Includes hinge protection
- Easy to hold the phone; there is no awkwardness when holding it
- Easily foldable
- The inside of the case has padding so the phone can't get scratched
CON'S:
- It's big for someone with small hands which could cause issues
- Phone case seems bigger than the phone
Overall, the phone case is a very solid build. It has brilliant protection. The phone case has great potential in the market and can definitely be a competitor with other case brands. Time will tell how the case is in use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B86NMFSH
Some may say this case is "MASSIVE", and they're not wrong. However, it's no bigger than any other brand's cases with a hinge protector and pen holder. If you want a fully protective case that can hold the spen and keep your warranty alive because _Samsung_, you basically need something this tanky.
That said, there are some amazing features of the Caseborne over some of the competitors. Just as a reference, I have 2 Samsung cases (Standing with S-Pen, and Slim standing case), a Spigen case with the pen holder on the right side, and a bunch of generic cases with and without the hinge cover. What sets the Caseborne apart are
The one-piece design: Caseborne comes with stickers inside just like the Samsungs, but they don’t seem necessary. The case hugs the phone incredibly well and will not fly off, unlike the Samsungs. Since it’s a single piece, you don’t need to worry about the hinge part scratching up other parts of the case or phone when unfolding it.
Screen protectors: The included front screen glass protectors are good quality, and much better than the dot matrix screen protectors found on the generic ali express cases. And also much better than some of the other $80+ cases that doesn’t even come with a screen protector. The case and the screen protector are an EXACT fit, so if you have a different aftermarket TGSP like me, you will need to remove it before installing it.
Cutouts: This is one of the few cases that actually cover the volume rocker while still allowing for easy fp unlock. Most other cases do not cover a good half of the power/volume rocker side, and some of the other cases that do cover extend out too far to be able to unlock the phone easily. I have not had any issues unlocking my phone with this case.
Unfortunately, it’s not perfect:
The kickstand feels cheap. It works well enough, but the plastic action just doesn’t feel good. Something like ESR. TORRAS, or Spigen’s kickstands (for other phones, not the Fold4) would go a long way to making this case feel much more premium
The actual volume rocker buttons feel a bit too sharp and protrude a bit too far.