Develop Bugs

[Review] "Carbon Fiber" Snap-On Hard Case

To start, this is the case I am reviewing: CARBON FIBER Snap-On Hard Case AT&T Samsung Captivate
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Look (5/10): I was pretty upset when the case ended up being a much lighter color than it appeared to be in the eBay picture. I was hoping for a dark grey/black look, but it ended up being a bright silver.
Feel (7/10): I generally like the feel of the case. It has a soft rubberized texture, but it's not too grippy. Still slides in and out of pockets nicely. The part I didn't like is the edges where the two parts of the case come together are a bit sharp. Now, it's nothing serious, I'd just like a smoother one piece feel. Does not restrict access to any of the buttons or virtual keyboard. The phone obviously has a thicker feel to it, but it's not terrible. Just feels like a phone in a case. Actually feels a little better to me since I have larger hands.
Fit (7/10): I was able to get all sides of the case to snap securely into place. Have to use a penny to get it to pop apart. Lines up pretty good, no gaps.
Price (10/10): At $8 shipped, I can't complain.
Overall (7/10): For the price I paid it's a decent quality case. There is an all black rubberized variant that I would choose over this one since I wasn't too pleased with the color.
Link to full image gallery. Sorry about the image quality. I don't have very good lighting in my room and I didn't want to drown out the pictures with flash.

Thanks for the review, I bought 2 black cases like this from ebay, have yet to receive the second one but the first one has one side that won't snap on. The seller agreed to take it back and replace it.

Thanks for the review. I think I'm going to be returning my $23 Samsung OEM one for the $8 black one.

Be warned, they are kinda tricky to get off. Make sure to take it easy so you don't damage your phone. I almost did haha.

One more word of warning when using these types of cases, the notification bar can be hard to access if you have big fingers. I sometimes have trouble using my thumb to adjust the brightness or pull the notification bar down and have to use the tip of my pointer finger. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Doesn't stop me from being happy with the case though.

dmshaefe said:
One more word of warning when using these types of cases, the notification bar can be hard to access if you have big fingers. I sometimes have trouble using my thumb to adjust the brightness or pull the notification bar down and have to use the tip of my pointer finger. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Doesn't stop me from being happy with the case though.
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I had that problem with the hard buttons (the bottom four buttons) on the OEM case though. Plus when I took this phone out it's so sexy THIN that I don't know if I want to stick it back in a case...

TexUs said:
I had that problem with the hard buttons (the bottom four buttons) on the OEM case though. Plus when I took this phone out it's so sexy THIN that I don't know if I want to stick it back in a case...
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Yeah, I'm struggling with the same thing. I've got the Body Glove case on order. Hopefully that will satisfy my needs for sexiness and security.

SGP Ultra Silke & Steinheil Crystal Clear

Just got mine in. Fits well, very slim. Looks like it'll do the trick. Not sure what I was expecting for a texture, but this wasn't quite it -- very dry, slick feeling. But not smooth - it has a fine rough texture. Crystal Clear shield strikes me as good, so far - pretty slick, very clear. Not quite as slick as the glass though, I can feel it. My GF's Vibrant was just delivered, so I'm going to try them out side by side when I get home.
Some pics .. Don't mind the dust, it's a mess in my office. Surprised I managed to keep the screen clear long enough to apply it.
There's a little ghosting in a few of the images -- that's not anything on the screen, it's just from me trying to soften the flash on this cheap little camera with some paper.
UPDATE: 3 months and it broke. I tried filing a warranty claim on it because I don't think it would have broke as quick if not for the corner cut-out (design flaw in my eyes). We'll see what they say.
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Full Size

Thanks for the pics. Did you order from SGP directly? It looks to be the version for the Korean model (extra cutout in the corner).

Yes, ordered direct. They shipped it out the next day, took about three days to get to me coast to coast.
Yeah, it has the cut out corner. Slightly annoyed about that, but hey... Its a minor flaw in a decent case.

nice, i've heard many people praise that case.
I might have to pick one up myself!

Looks pretty sexy. I ordered a Case-Mate Barely There. If that isn't too good, I will try this!
Hope you enjoy it. ;D

I have a black silke and I'm loving it so far. Fits very snugly and provides excellent shock protection.

SamVib said:
Looks pretty sexy. I ordered a Case-Mate Barely There. If that isn't too good, I will try this!
Hope you enjoy it. ;D
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I considered the Barely There and their other one... the rugged case, don't remember its name right now.decided to wait until they get more color choices. Please post some pics when you get yours.

i got mine in the mail yesterday
fits very snug and it doesnt leave your phone bulky!
sgp case+realook screen protector=great protection without your phone being orson welles

I posted this in another thread about the SGP Silke case and thought I'd share it here as well.
Pasted from other thread:
I was about to buy the Ultra Silk because they look really nice. Instead for $5.95 (and free shipping) I got this exact (as far as I can tell) copy from Ebay seller MRCELLSHOP http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I am very happy with the fit, finish and weight of this case. It has exact cutouts and fits perfectly. Can't go wrong or $5.95 with free shipping!
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Bump because I edited the OP -- case broke.

I had the hard mesh case which also has the corner cutout, and mine broke recently. It's not really a design flaw in the product, it's just that these cases are designed for the stock Galaxy S which has a button in that corner. Just be careful when buying a stock case vs a Vibrant case - the stock case will fit just fine but that corner will always be the weak link.

You're absolutely right. But since SGP chooses to market this case as a "Samsung Vibrant" case, I think I'm justified in calling it a design flaw. If I bought a product listed as an i9000 case it would be different.

I've had the SGP Slike for a few weeks now and really like it. The only complaint that I have is that it seems to have stretched a little from having to remove and put it back on a few time (mainly in order to pull the battery) and now it seems a little loser then it did when I first put it on.

Kickstand Case from Korea

Ive seen this on a couple of threads but i havnt seen and reviews yet?
Whose got this and is it work well?
thanks
http://cgi.ebay.com/galaxy-s-I9000-..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item2a0a8f0118

looks like junk

kolyan said:
looks like junk
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I agree, It doesn't even protect the sides all the way...
I wouldn't buy it

Kinda cool how they integrated the kick stand, but I agree its kinda a bad wrap around the phone.

It does cover more then the T-Mo Clear case w/kickstand though and for $9 i think i may just get it to try it out.
On a side note.... i stopped by the Verizon store today to see if the sweet Fascinate Kickstand case would fit on my Vibrant. It did fit almost perfect except the speaker was block and the camera was half blocked. I think im going to order this korean one and then if that doesnt work i may just buy the fascinate one and modifiy it to work with my vibrant. It really felt and looked awesome... just wish it was 100% perfect match

*My previous post got deleted by accident w/all the other 24 hr data during yesterday's maintenance*
I think that seller was selling 3 diff colors; black, white, and pink(?). I bought the black one 3 wks ago and recieved it about a wk ago. Initially, I thought that it was going to be shiny hard plastic case but to my pleasant surprise, it wasn't. The exterior is covered in a thin layer of hard rubber, covering the black hard shiny plastic underneath, while the inside of it is slightly padded. It looks a lot better in person than in pics.
Is the kickstand serving its purpose? Hell yea, it is...it makes watching movies on my dope SAMOLED screen that much more awesome The hard rubber makes for a good grip so it won't easily slip out of your palms like it sometimes would w/out it and it gives the phone an overall slick/cool (IMO) look. The only downside so far is that I'm getting some very small worn out spots where the hard rubber has rubbed off but it's not a big deal though.
Pics or it didn't happen, you say? Well, check 'em out !
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Awesome TEE!!!!! That's exactly the response I was looking for! I went ahead and ordered mine last nite! Thanks so much! cant freakin wait!

No prob...it's a great investment. The seller also threw in a surprise gift--an extra clear jelly case!

TEE82 said:
No prob...it's a great investment. The seller also threw in a surprise gift--an extra clear jelly case!
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just wanted to bump this thread and want to say i absolutely love this case. its slim and doesn't add any heft to the phone. i also like how the company added some soft padding on the inside of the case so our phones won't get scratched up on the battery case.
only problem is with the extra jelly case they provided; while looking and feeling nice, it's hard to press power button with it on.
at any rate, excellent case.

I purchased one about a week ago. I havent received it yet, but i can wait.

It looks good I just placed an order. thanks for posting pictures.

What case do you have?!

I'm currently using a standard black soft case but am looking for a change of pace.. What are you guys using? What works well for you?

Well, im using a pretty cheap one with kickstand which i really like. Found it on ebay at about USD$7.00. Its double layered, and protects the phone A LOT. Im also using a Zagg Screen Protector too. I want to keep my phone as close to new as possible.

Yeah i hear ya lol i got mine for cheap on ebay too, i have an iphone screen protector on LOL it fits because well... the ENTIRE iphone is the size of our screen *flex* but anyway

PatimusXPrime said:
I'm currently using a standard black soft case but am looking for a change of pace.. What are you guys using? What works well for you?
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2055522

I use this
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Consist of two parts
Has a rotating clip that can be converted to a stand
And the sliding parts that house the phone can be inserted in both sides if you want the screen to be inside and protected.
I bought it from local market ... Only 6$
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Q&A or Accessories would have been the correct sub-forum for this thread, maybe a mod will move it for us.
I started with a OB Defender, moved to the Trident Kraken, and now I use the OB Commuter. I also have a skin that is made for a 3rd party extended battery, but I have never used the battery or skin.

OB and trident are so expensive lol i feel like any hard case would be fine.. i dont drop my phone lol and $50 is pretty crazy...

I have this case:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007K5H4YS/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00
Along with a white Fantom tempered glasss screen protector:
http://www.xgearlive.com/products/android/samsung/fantom
Love the combo; looks sweet, quite safe, and an unexpected side effect: the ladies dig it.
(sorry about the pic, my N7 is the only other camera I have at the moment...)

PatimusXPrime said:
OB and trident are so expensive lol i feel like any hard case would be fine.. i dont drop my phone lol and $50 is pretty crazy...
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Well.. It depends. If you drop your phone right now and bust the screen you are going to spend way more fixing it. If you drop/scratch/ding your body/screen but dont break it then you are stuck looking at a flawed/ugly phone. With OB or Trident you are most likely not going to have these problems. I have dropped mine over and over but under the case is a flawless phone that looks like it just came out of the box. And under my ZAGG is a screen that has never been touched by a human finger. When I go to sell it, the price will reflect that.
Additionally the port covers are a must for me and are mostly only found on those cases. Just search for the threads on "wont charge / usb not working / etc". My old roommate had to send hers in for a replacement because of issues with the charging port.
You get what you pay for, for sure.

I use the Rearth Ringke Slim, and the Ringbo screen protector from the same company. The case is very slim and low profile, but probably doesn't offer the best protection from a major drop.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Luardi Slim Bumper (Best Bumper So Far)

For the past six months, I've been searching and waiting for the perfect bumper and I think I've finally found it. The other bumpers like Draco and Tedoori have button cutouts that kill the symmetry of the phone's lines. Bumpers like Spigen are plastic and just look terrible.
The one made by Luardi is slim and has nice curves that won't kill the S3's nice curves. I have yet to see someone review it here so :I will post one when I get it.
What do you guys think?
Link:
http://www.luardi.com/slim-aluminum-bumper-252.html
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Way too expensive. But looks nice. I hope it has front and back lips so it may help protect the f and b.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

+1
Looks great, but way to expensive

Wouldn't exactly say that's anywhere near "Way too expensive". Considering other aluminum bumpers like the Draco Design's one is nearly double the price....

Actually, it's on sale on eBay and you can pick it up for $40. Still pricey but not bad. Hope it's worth it.

Does anyone know things will work with the metal back covers that are on Amazon , if so I'll buy one.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Metal backs will distort NFC but phone signal is not really affected that much unless your normal signal is bad to begin with.

Looks nice, if it didn't have the grip parts I might consider it.
Overall doesn't seem expensive IMHO

Anyone received theirs yet?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Mine has arrived but stuck in the mailroom until tomorrow. I'll let you guys know as soon as I get it.

please comment on the signal w case on vs case off

jinosong said:
Mine has arrived but stuck in the mailroom until tomorrow. I'll let you guys know as soon as I get it.
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So how is it? Any pictures?

i'm curious, too. Thinking about possibly getting one of these, or Luardi's leather wallet case... i'd prefer staying with something that doesn't increase the bulk of the phone, but also curious about how installing the phone in Luardi's aluminum bumpers goes.

Just ordered mine
Ordered mine from ebag through Amazon for $37. First time it came the case did not look anything like the picture. It was probably a knockoff. Called Ebag and they assured me it was probably mis-packaged my employee so I'm ordering another one.
The attached picture shows the one they sent me. Just a case with a cut out for the buttons.

Pictures
After some crazy Fedex routing, I finally got my bumper. At first, I glance, I was disappointed, because I got the same case as previously mentioned from eBags via Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Luardi-Aluminum-Bumper-Samsung-Galaxy/dp/B00ANWLUO0/). But then when I opened it up more, I realized that this was in fact the aluminum bumper, it just doesn't match the picture that Luardi / Amazon / eBags posted on their order page.
The case is more subdued than in the advertised pictures and the bumps along the size are less pronounced (I prefer that). The one thing they did design-wise was to make the top portion a thin plastic inset to hold the phone in the bumper. It seems to work, but makes the case feel cheaper. It could be that this design allows the bumper to be less bulky without additional securing closures. It looks pretty good, but it isn't as solid as I had hoped, it will creak and flex slightly when squeezed, particularly along the bottom where the plastic inset can be released.
I took some pictures and posted them on dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/agfy6zj9tk1prni/ceJKB08chh
Let me know if there are any other angles that you want me to take.
I am trying out the case to see whether I am going to keep it. I suspect that Amazon / eBags would still authorize the return since it clearly doesn't match what they are advertising.

Digging the finger grips

Looks cool. I wonder if it's equivalent to Draco bumpers