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BestSkinsEver Samsung Galaxy S2 T989 Total Body Skin Review
I know our phone is more than a year old now, I am writing this review as there doesn't appear to be any particular review of the skin for our phone (in this case, it's better late than not at all). The review is based after two weeks of usage so that I can provide as accurate information possible.
*to view a larger image just click on the thumbnail*
Delivery and Packaging |10/10| :
The skin was ordered from the BestSkinsEver website so it was shipped directly from their main facilities. Living outside of the US I had to choose the 'First Class Mail' shipping method which was $3.00CDN. The delivery arrived in my mailbox exactly 7 days after ordering just as advertised, no complaint. The skin came packaged in a white #10 sized envelope, nothing fancy, this is beneficial to the shipping cost and is eco-friendly (the skin is what matters the most). There were no damages (folds/tears) on the envelope which was great. Included inside the envelope is a packing slip with your shipping information, order info, etc... and most importantly the skin which is protected on some sort of vellum paper (protects adhesive side).
Pricing and support |10/10| :
Depending on the time you see this review, the price and availability of the skin may be different. I purchased the skin during a 30% off sale, however, even without the discount the total body skin is affordable (less than $10) compared to similar skins from other companies.
As for the BestSkinsEver support, they have provided outstanding customer service from my experience with them. I had an issue where I found a small gash right in the center on the adhesive side of the screen protector during installation. I had contacted the company with the issue and provided them with several pictures and they were able to quickly send me a replacement screen protector free of charge.
Application |8/10| :
It is a wet application, so I had to prepare a homemade solution of liquid soap and water inside an empty Monster ScreenClean spray bottle. I prefer the idea of making the solution myself rather than having the company charge an extra cost for their own solution. Instructions for the application is given on the website and after following the video applying the skin was a breeze. The overall procedure took me more than half an hour (could be quicker) but I was trying to be a perfectionist. Since it is a wet install, it made aligning the skin easy as long as you sprayed enough of the solution (don't be afraid to be generous adding solution, just make sure you wipe off any excess that come to the edges). Also, it is important to keep your hands moist with the solution at all times during application so that there is no friction between your fingers and the skin.
The only difficulty that I came across during the application was getting the side skins installed, particularly around the corners. Patience is key, I held the corners down in place with my fingers and I used the heat of my breath to help the adhesive stick. After doing so the side skins were flush with one another perfectly around the sides, top and bottom of the phone as shown in the provided pictures. I would also like to mention, the skin for the back of the phone leaves some sort of texture in certain areas due to the grid pattern on the back cover (this is metioned on the website). However, after some trial and error I was able to remove most of the texture and even with a bit of it left it looks pretty cool, almost like a camouflage pattern.
After applying the skins I used a gift card double-wrapped with a microfiber cloth to push away air bubbles and wipe off any leftover solution. At first it will still look like some of the solution is still under the skin no matter how much you try to squeegee it out, but after using the phone for 24-48 hours the solution disappeared/evaporated and the skin protector looked flawless (as if it weren't there at all).
Screen Protector Quality |9/10| :
First off, the screen protector is cut perfectly to fit edge to edge of the glass which is quite amazing. The cut-outs for the camera and earpiece are placed appropriately and are close to accurate. The cut-out for the earpiece however could have been cut closer/smaller so that the top part would adhere properly and not move as easily (not that great of an issue).
The feel/texture of the screen protector after the application felt somewhat rubbery, but after more than a weeks use with the phone any friction by the screen protector began to smooth out (even after wiping any oil marks off the screen). Speaking of oil marks, the protector does not easily attract fingerprints unless your fingers are extremely oily and when there are fingerprints, it's hardly noticeable at all (almost as if there is an oleophobic coating). Any fingerprints on the protector literally comes off with a single wipe of a cloth. When it comes to scratches the screen protector is more than decent enough to prevent everyday scratches from loose change and keys, but definitely isn't a guarantee. Any minor scratches disappear due to the self-healing properties of the skin.
The best attribute with this screen protector is that it retains the clarity of the screen while it's on. There are no issues with any brightness loss, rainbow affect, color tint, grainy look... nothing! The screen protector is crystal clear... the only flaw is that at certain angles where harsh light is hitting the screen there is a noticeable orange peel effect/texture, although it doesn't really degrade the clarity and is not visible with the screen on.
Body Skin Quality |8/10| :
The body skin for the phone is perfect for anyone who does not want the housing of the phone to get scratched. The cut-outs for the headphone jack, usb, buttons, camera and microphones are cut extremely precise. The back cover is cut edge to edge, it's only the speaker cut-out that is ever so slightly off center. Also, the side protectors are cut perfectly to not leave any space between... downside, there is about a millimeter of vulnerable space between the side and the back due to the curvature of the sides. The feeling/texture of the body skin has the same slickness as the screen protector, although it provides a better grip compared to the raw feel of the phone, particularly the sides. As for protection goes, the body skin will definitely hold up against any scratches from everyday items as it has the same self-healing properties as the screen protector. The body skin is thin enough to maintain the sleekness of the phone. The trade off is if you are looking for any drop protection, the skin is not thick enough to absorb any impact.
Overall |9/10| :
The BestSkinsEver total body skin in my opinion is the "best skin" in respect to it's notable quality over it's affordable price. The skin is easy to apply and for everyday use, it's more than enough protection while keeping the phone's sleek form factor. The skin in particular is made extremely well with all the precision cut-outs and the screen protector definitely keeps the quality of the screen. Overall, it works great for what it's designed to do and I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for an affordable option to protect their Samsung GS2 T989.
There's a possibility that I get complaints such as the review being rather long for some people... if it's a lot to read, just read the "overall" or just don't read it all. Since it's a review, I believe it's better to give any necessary information.
Additionally, I bought myself a Diztronic case and a Sandisk 64 GB Micro SD card. I can write a review for them as well if anyone would like me to and if anyone knows any other products you would recommend I get, let me know. Thanks!
thanks man im thinking of ordering tomorrow or ill just use this with my d3o case
Great review, FineTalent! You might not be an All-Star Dev yet but you're definitely an All-Star reviewer lol.
Great review, this product is exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks a bunch!
Posted from my Galaxy S II X.
FineTalent said:
There's a possibility that I get complaints such as the review being rather long for some people... if it's a lot to read, just read the "overall" or just don't read it all. Since it's a review, I believe it's better to give any necessary information.
Additionally, I bought myself a Diztronic case and a Sandisk 64 GB Micro SD card. I can write a review for them as well if anyone would like me to and if anyone knows any other products you would recommend I get, let me know. Thanks!
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nice review!! I got my phone yesterday and I'm planning on buying the same case as you. do you mind making a review for the other stufff you mentioned??
I'm so glad you posted this review. I actually purchased this skin a few weeks ago. I had planned on putting a review up myself, but I got lazy .
My initial attempt to do this ended in a blaze of anger, resulting in my crumbling up all the pieces, and tossing them in the trash. The next morning, I saw one of the side pieces on the floor, and thought I'd give it another shot. Unfortunately, all the pieces were kinda stuck together. I figured out that the soap I was using to apply the films was a moisturizing soap, with kind of a waxy feel...pretty foolish on my part. Anyway, I carefully pulled the films apart (whilst watching a movie, because it was a looooong process), and used a different soap for the mixture. End result: glossy white protection film all around. Great product, great price.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Diztronic Samsung Galaxy S2 T989 Matte Back Black *Rev 2* TPU Case Review
I have had this case for about a month now and I am writing this review as there doesn't appear to be any particular review of the case for our phone. *to view a larger image just click on the thumbnail*
Delivery/Packaging |9/10| & Pricing |8/10| :
I ordered the case from the Diztronic website so it was delivered from their main facilities. I live outside of the US so I had to choose the "USPS First Class Mail" method which was $2.50 CDN. The package arrived in my mail box close to 2 weeks, which was a longer wait than I hoped for but it was noted that international shipping would take 7-30 days. The package itself came in a grey plastic envelope with the shipping information labelled on it. Inside the package was the case wrapped in a clear plastic with the logo label and a cut piece of cardboard that was placed to help retain the shape of the envelope. When taking the case out of the plastic, there is an image of the phone printed on a piece of cardboard within the case to show what the case will look like on the phone. The packaging the case came in was more than secure enough to provide protection when being shipped (there were no tears or faults in the packaging at all).
The pricing and availability of the case will vary at the time you read this. Although, the cost for the case itself was a decent $10 for what you get, by far not the most affordable however. I used the discount code "XDA" to get an extra $0.99 off the order which was convenient. It would have been nice if they included a screen protector like they do with some of the other phone cases they offer.
Installation & Fit |10/10| :
Putting the T989 in to the case is extremely easy since it's a one piece, TPU style case, so there are no tools or attachments needed. My approach in putting on the case was by starting off with placing the top of the phone (where the headphone jack is) in the case since the top of the case has 'lip' that goes slightly over the top bezel compared to the bottom. Then I just pushed in the rest of the phone in the case making sure the sides of the case did not catch the buttons, which was not a problem at all, right until the bottom of the phone was securely in place.
The case itself is extremely slim and the fit is almost close to perfect, every side of the case is snug to the phone, however, note that I am using the case on top of the body skin I reviewed here. So for anyone who was wondering, yes, this case will work with a body skin applied on the phone. The case is so firm in fact that even the left and right sides of the case do not move as easily when sliding your fingers towards them moving outwards , however, this may change in time... I just haven't experienced it as of yet.
Build Quality |10/10| :
This particular case has a very premium feel, there is a certain weight added to the phone with the case on. It also may have to due with the matte back option I chose for the case. The feel of the matte texture finish is almost identical to the feel of the Razer gaming mouse I have (if you have used a Razer mouse, you would understand what I mean). It has a very paper-like characteristic yet is soft to touch. The matte finish is carried from the outside of the phone to the inside as well which adds to the overall quality of the case (it is also provides a softer surface for the phone compared to the raw plastic). The benefits of having the matte finish is that it is less prone to fingerprints, the downside is that if the matte part gets scratched it will be very noticeable. The matte finish is smooth making it easy to take the phone out of the pocket.
I'd like to mention however, the matte finish is not applied to the outer border/rim of the case as that part is left glossy. It appears as if the case was made with two pieces which may be the instance since the separation between the glossy/matte finish is symmetrical around the circumference of the case. I believe this was done because it is the area that would get worn out the quickest and it probably was easier to manufacture that way. In my opinion, I think the glossy rim for the case was a great idea, it definitely looks aesthetically better for the whole front of the phone. Also, the glossy finish offers a better grip to the case, since the matte finish may be too smooth to grip at times.
Now, when it comes to the cut-outs of the case, they are placed accordingly for every necessary part of the phone. The cutouts for the power button/volume-rocker is perfectly placed and provides a substantial amount of room which provide easy access for any finger size. The cutouts for the headphone jack and micro-USB port are evenly spaced out which leaves enough room for anything that you would like to connect. The headphone jack of my Shure earbuds which is somewhat wide, fit without a problem, at the same time the stock USB cable that came with the phone fits just as expected with the case on (I have provided pictures above with the cables attached below) . Regarding the USB cut-out it was noted that in revision 2 of the case they have enlarged the cutout to leave room for the bottom microphone (I have not experienced any call echo with the case on, even on the stock T989 ROM). The cutout for the top microphone is also precisely placed, there are no issues.
The back cutouts for the case are just as accurate as the cutouts on the side of the case. The camera cut-out does not obstruct the lens of the camera or the LED flash at all. I particularly like how close the cut-out for the rear speaker is, it's nicely placed at the same time it does not reduce the volume produced from the speaker. I'd also like to mention that the case somewhat lifts up the rear of the phone around the speaker area which lets some sound still leak out when the back of the phone is faced down. Lastly, for anyone who is wondering about the reception quality when using this case, I have found no issues during use which is expected since TPU isn't a material that interferes with radio signals.
Protection Quality |8/10| :
The most important part of any case is the protection it offers and this case in my opinion provides more than satisfactory protection for day to day use. Due to its slimness it may not have the drop protection that cases like the Otterbox offer, yet, the TPU material used is particularly good at protecting the phone from average height drops such as from a computer table to stomach height. The case is thick enough to protect the camera area as it lifts the glass part off the surface, this also applies to the front glass of the phone as the rim of the case provides about 1 mm of clearance when setting the phone down on it's front. The rim of the case is formed perfectly over the edge of the front right before the glass, so if you have a screen protector it will not lifted/bubble up.As for scratch protection goes, the case definitely prevents scratches to the back housing of the phone. The disadvantage with this case is that since there are cut-outs for the buttons, dust/sand particles can enter sides of the case which can cause scratches to the bezel of the phone (which is the major reason I bought a body skin to be used right underneath the case). If you are worried about scratches on the phone, the combination of the body skin with this case offers amazing scratch protection if you are willing to spend the money for it.
Overall |9/10| :
If you are looking for a sleek looking slim case to protect your T989, the Diztronic TPU case is definitely a great option! The build quality of this case is notably impressive and there's no questioning to why this case is somewhat pricey compared to the TPU alternatives on Ebay. You definitely get a premium case, particularly with its Matte back finish. As for protection goes, the case offers the best balance between protection and keeping the slim profile of the T989, the TPU qualities with this case is more than enough in protecting your phone from everyday drops. Overall, the Diztronic Matte Back Black *Rev 2* TPU case is definitely a product I recommend for any GS2 T989 user, there are enough noteworthy features that this case offers for you to get one if looking for a case.
I know the review is long, please read what's written under "Overall" if you do not want to read everything or just don't read it at all, lol. Hope this review will be of some use to people. Cheers!
I can agree with everything said here about this case. It's really nice and extremely comfortable! It's the first case I got a while back and it's the last one I'll need.
Great, authentic review
I also have this case and I agree with everything said here. It is a really good case.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
I bought about three cases before this'd one and love it!! Great review and well said I love mine
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Thanks for this. Diztronic has my heart when it comes to protecting my phone.
Didn't know how it would look on a black S2 though until now. So thank you again.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
would you guys prefer the d30 case or this one?
mycars12 said:
would you guys prefer the d30 case or this one?
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I've been running d30 for about a year and 1 month and the case isn't dirty or yellow (it's white) and it still stands today with the many falls
Sent from my 4.2.1 xLoud Paranoid Grouper with Motley Kernel
I have the same case and its the best case I have ever owned. I drop my phone quite a bit and phone/case still look perfect. Fits great on device, and has a nice non slippery feel that does not attract dust. My wife has the pink version and its the same quality but a little slicker, she really likes it too.
diztronic
I have the matte black diz rev 2. I bought my t989 at tmobile store and wanted titanium but was told they aren't made anymore. Now this was from corp office. So I got white. The diz covers it nice black with a little white showing fitting for ICS . I really don't care if it scratches it. I May buy New housing anyway!
I've gathered the best cases and acessories available for the ZTE Axon 7, here
https://android-repo.com/2016/08/27/best-cases-and-accessories-for-the-zte-axon-7/
Finding a decent tempered glass, i would say was challenging since the Axon isnt so popular yet, but this puppie seems to work ok!
The tempered glass looks promising, can i use it with a case? Or does the edges peels off due to the pressure exerted by the case ?
blitzkrieg19 said:
I've gathered the best cases and acessories available for the ZTE Axon 7, here
https://android-repo.com/2016/08/27/best-cases-and-accessories-for-the-zte-axon-7/
Finding a decent tempered glass, i would say was challenging since the Axon isnt so popular yet, but this puppie seems to work ok!
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Click to collapse
Thx for the link. I ordered the Skinomi Carbon Fibre set because of this. Dont mind buying that tempered glass, its absolutely terrible.
1. i had the golden one, its nothing like the phone´s natural gold color, it just looks terrible and cheap.
2. The sides peel off very quickly and the edges are not smooth, you cant even put the phone in your pocket without getting stuck on it. I had this even though i applicated the screen perfectly.
3. The protector is only adhesive on the edges, it comes off very easily
4. The phone sometimes does not detect your touch with this tempered "glass"
Good choice on the in ear headphones, but personally i prefer the Bose SoundTrue Ultra
Cant agree with the overear bose headphones though, the AKG K701 are far more superior (and cheaper!), but the cable is a pain in the a**. Huge connector which is almost as big as the phone itself, but the sound is not from this world.
Thanks!
---------- Post added at 11:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------
shellsuper said:
The tempered glass looks promising, can i use it with a case? Or does the edges peels off due to the pressure exerted by the case ?
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it peels off by simply looking at it. Worst protector ive ever had.
deluxxx said:
it peels off by simply looking at it. Worst protector ive ever had.
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Click to collapse
Do you mean the Skinomi or TopAce screen protector?
this is the only screen protector without any reviews, good or bad. Keeping my eye on it.
https://www.amazon.com/Protector-LV...7_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JB7SM76Y8N6BNT184CH6
TopAce. Cant say anything about skinomi yet. im waiting for the shipping
This is absurd that no one can figure out how to cut a piece of rectangular plastic to the correct size.
Do me a favor and upvote and/or comment at the new product request forum at bestskinsever.com (link below). At least we know that Mike can do a bang-up job -- he just needs to know that there is a need:
https://bse.uservoice.com/forums/237647-new-product-forum/suggestions/15815908-zte-axon-7
Quick review of CoverON (google B01IPO3PJK). I'm big fan of hybrid rugged cases and this is perfect. It has small rise on front and little bigger on back. It protects front screen and back camera perfectly. With clear case that you get in box I got vibrations because fingerprint scanned my leg, this case solves it. It makes phone little bigger and good protected. Corners are soft, sides are plastic. Buttons are filled with TPU and are easy to press. Got holes for mics, headphone jack, charger.
Only con that I found that back and sideways are little slippery on flat surface. Hand grip is perfect.
All in all who wants rugged case and don't mind phone little bigger recommended! I bought from Ebay for 13 dollars shipped little expensive but very good case.
Here are pictures (first 3 from ZTE, others from samsung s4)
sipe1 said:
Quick review of CoverON (google B01IPO3PJK). I'm big fan of hybrid rugged cases and this is perfect. It has small rise on front and little bigger on back. It protects front screen and back camera perfectly. With clear case that you get in box I got vibrations because fingerprint scanned my leg, this case solves it. It makes phone little bigger and good protected. Corners are soft, sides are plastic. Buttons are filled with TPU and are easy to press. Got holes for mics, headphone jack, charger.
Only con that I found that back and sideways are little slippery on flat surface. Hand grip is perfect.
All in all who wants rugged case and don't mind phone little bigger recommended! I bought from Ebay for 13 dollars shipped little expensive but very good case.
Here are pictures (first 3 from ZTE, others from samsung s4)
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I picked this case up as well. My only company about it is the silicone around the USB-C port is rather weak and doesn't fit well. I have a Spigen case in a similar style for my m9 and I didn't have this issue. For now it's a nice case but I'll be keeping an eye out for a better fitting case.
blitzkrieg19 said:
Finding a decent tempered glass, i would say was challenging since the Axon isnt so popular yet, but this puppie seems to work ok!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought one of those and it fell off in only a few hours. The halos are awful, but you can't see since the edges aren't clear. This screen protector is actually worse than others because no adhesive in the middle, so it comes off very easily and creates a halo rainbow effect in the middle of the screen. There was also a noticeable bowing of the screen protector whenever you tapped the screen because there's going to be a gap between the touchscreen and the glass. If you use a case, you may be able to prevent the sharp edges from cutting your fingers, but otherwise don't even bother. My experience with this was awful, I wouldn't wish this screen protector on my worst enemies.
Anyone found a case similar to the included clear TPU case that has more protection around the screen (bigger lip around the screen)?
http://m.ebay.ca/itm/New-Ultra-Thin...617423?varId=411017927173&txnId=1568928808001
I just received the above gray TPU case, and while the matte back is great, it has a smaller lip around the screen than the Axon's included case. When placed face down, the glass screen will actually rest on the surface, not the edges of the case.
I'm using a transparent slim hard case. It gives minimum protection but has a lip around the sides (very small) so the screen is not hitting the surface. I'm very pleased with it, and it ads grip to the device.
http://s.aliexpress.com/fuUJJvQN
Slipgrip Car Mounts
I see that Slip Grip Car mounts have added car and bike mounts for the Axon 7 using various cases. Axon 7 mounts, using Generic Cases. I really like these mounts because they are custom made for a certain phone in a specific case. The ones I have used hold really well, even when off-roading in a Jeep or going over railroad tracks on my bicycle.
It's nice to see that they are supporting some of the A7 cases I have seen mentioned here.
This guy shows off 4 different cases.
https://youtu.be/xUrgLUPaAOM
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
((RayDar)) said:
I see that Slip Grip Car mounts have added car and bike mounts for the Axon 7 using various cases. Axon 7 mounts, using Generic Cases. I really like these mounts because they are custom made for a certain phone in a specific case. The ones I have used hold really well, even when off-roading in a Jeep or going over railroad tracks on my bicycle.
It's nice to see that they are supporting some of the A7 cases I have seen mentioned here.
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I ride a motorcycle, a Suzuki GSX S750. Think the bike mount would work out at the higher speeds?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Slipgrip Car Mounts
polar2792 said:
I ride a motorcycle, a Suzuki GSX S750. Think the bike mount would work out at the higher speeds?
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This puts me in a difficult spot. I don't want to be the guy who says 'yeah, that should work' because I would feel responsible if it fails. I have been using these on my bicycle for years and I have only had one failure, which was completely my fault. It was a particularly rainy day and I wrapped my phone in a ziplock bag. The extra plastic made the phone bigger and the bag zipper was pressing against the release clasp. I could tell that it wasn't being held as snugly as normal, but I thought it would be good enough. When I hit about 37 MPH going down hill (in hindsight, perhaps I shouldn't have been going that fast on a rainy day), I hit a bump which dislodged my phone. Lucky for me, it was connected by a short charging cable that I had wrapped around the mount. The phone dangled upside down for a while before I even noticed.
The connection to the handlebar is very secure and the connection from the mount to the bracket is as well. The weak spot is the clasp that hooks around the phone in the middle of one side. With a large enough force, the phone can probably overcome the spring strength of the clasp and become dislodged, although I haven't seen this happen under normal circumstances.
I am not willing to say for sure that these will mounts will work flawlessly on a motorcycle, but they might. You should e-mail the guy at slipgripcarmounts.com and asks what he thinks. It seems like he custom-makes each order and so he might be willing to make a custom version that has a larger or longer clasp for you. Another option, for extra insurance, could be to loop a rubber band or piece of string around the base of the mount and connect it to the clasp to hold it closed in extreme conditions (although such a measure would obscure the middle of the display).
I hope this helps.
((RayDar)) said:
This puts me in a.... I hope this helps.
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Ok sounds like it would work but like you say I will email the fellow to see what he thinks. I've been looking at normal mounts and there isn't that many custom made ones. I don't want just a generic one you know? Especially with a $400 dollar investment in it. Thanks for the reply!
Sent from my ZTE A2017U using Tapatalk
I bought the red one as it looks like Iron-Man
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lux...32705386418.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.0.Wa7b54
Fits pretty snug!
I picked up a generic Chinese temper glass protector off ebay for around $3 shipped and it works okay.
I almost thought they sent me the wrong one because it does not completely cover the black portion of the screen, but does cover most of the actual visible screen portion. As have found out the slight curve of the screen (similar to the Note 4 IMO) makes it difficult for hard screen protectors to work.
Sirradiodude said:
I picked up a generic Chinese temper glass protector off ebay for around $3 shipped and it works okay.
I almost thought they sent me the wrong one because it does not completely cover the black portion of the screen, but does cover most of the actual visible screen portion. As have found out the slight curve of the screen (similar to the Note 4 IMO) makes it difficult for hard screen protectors to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odd that it halos on the top and bottom yet those areas of the screen are flat. Is the adhesive on the glass protector just poorly applied?
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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
Wanted to share with you all, a really good case that is worth the money for this phone, and I am really happy with it.
The case is intended to put on and leave on, hence the adhesive films on the inside of the front cover, the back (with yellow cushioning) just clips on with a strong solid tight fit. The front cover bezel/lip looks to be about 2.5-3mm deep, but accessing the right side soft menu still good. My finger size is about average/medium size and I have no problem also accessing the power button and fingerprint sensor on the side beside the s-pen.
Used the glue adhesives on the front screen that were already applied, just had to pull off the backings (They also included an extra set of glue adhesive strips for a second mount if you ever need to take off and put back on) and it fits perfect, lines up with all the holes and speaker grills. The back piece with the hinge cover (with 2 spring loaded hinges), protects the back and fold hinge while the lip around the camera protects the camera lenses. It too also has perfect alignment with holes and has lots of clearance with the USB C port fitting. The hinge cover protector also gives you something to hold/grip when the phone is unfolded.
Suggest you first get a front glass screen protector (I used the Spigen Glastr Ez Fit for perfect alignment and easy application) for the front and camera lenses protectors also before applying this case.
This quality case feels very good, smooth, solid, elegant, and provides a great grippy feel. More importantly, I feel more confident holding the phone with this case on, as it feels like it could weather some accidental mishaps and protect the phone.
In my pictures, you will notice I also put a pop socket on the back centre for four reasons:
1) use for general holding in hand, even more support than the hinge cover protection bump when fully open
2) use as a kick stand for front screen and/or the unfolded full screen
3) use for a magnetic mount that I have in my car - so phone can sit in folded vertical or horizontal orientation and also unfolded orientation, using a pop socket flat mount with the metal plate stuck on the back of it- I just slide my pop socket into the pop socket flat mount holder and then attach to the magnetic mount, which also allows me to:
4) wireless charge at home, by twisting the top half of the pop socket half a turn to remove, when it is pushed in, which will allow a closer clearance for wireless charging through the case as it is all plastic
One critical point based on the design of the spring loaded hinge cover protector, when you do unfold/open the phone to full screen, and you are using the back screen for taking a selfie, you loose about 1 cm of view area on the left of the front screen. This minor con is something I can live with as this is in only this situation and for the design, it is a great compromise having that hinge protection.
In closing, I am really happy I got this case. I was originally worried that it might be too bulky, eventually ending up removing it for a thinner/smaller case, but I think it has a great balance of protection, holds the s-pen on the front side of screen keeping it's thickness down (compared to the Samsung pen/kickstand case, or others in some cases), and one of the few cases that protects the hinge, allowing the phone full protection around the whole phone. Hopefully you found this helpful for your situation.
used to have slim armour pro on my fold 3. i thought same as you and glued the front and back to the phone. i didnt removed for 2 months as theres was no need but after 2 months i wanted to clean the phone as dust clogged in corners, dam that case bonded with phone like a rock. no matter how much i pulled it wont come off lmao. i had to use some 70% alcohol and slowly pried it off. there were several scraches on the front screen border where the case was contacting the phone. also its weighs so much, i dont know why they named it as slim as it aint slim at all. but i have to say that case is like BUNKER and protected my phone from several hard falls
this time thinking of going with latercase as i rarely fold my phone unless im going outside.
eswar539 said:
used to have slim armour pro on my fold 3. i thought same as you and glued the front and back to the phone. i didnt removed for 2 months as theres was no need but after 2 months i wanted to clean the phone as dust clogged in corners, dam that case bonded with phone like a rock. no matter how much i pulled it wont come off lmao. i had to use some 70% alcohol and slowly pried it off. there were several scraches on the front screen border where the case was contacting the phone. also its weighs so much, i dont know why they named it as slim as it aint slim at all. but i have to say that case is like BUNKER and protected my phone from several hard falls
this time thinking of going with latercase as i rarely fold my phone unless im going outside.
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I read a lot about people having a challenge to pull the case cover off on the Z fold 3, some had glued the back on also which the current 4 version doesn't have or need, as it snaps on pretty good, but some with the 3 did use the glue strips which made it a challenge to get off. I can't speak to this Z fold 4 vs the 3 case, but having used it a couple of days, I still think it is a solid quality case.
It is a "little" thicker than the Samsung pen case, but not by much, and the pen holder on the Spigen sits in a nice place compared to the Samsung making it thinner right away, even with the hinge on the back when opened up. I understand why they need the glue adhesive on the front protection cover, as it needs to stay locked on especially when you are pulling on the s-pen constantly. What I really like is that it does protect the Fold's hinge area also... the Latercase is super thin, so less protection and the hinge is susceptible when folded with mishaps and for me I use both the front and the inside about the same. I can't see me taking the front cover off for a long time and don't think I will need to clean from the inside on the front panel as the fit is super tight, but the back can be snapped off easily if necessary. There are a lot of people that have used the Latercase as it is thin and has good grip, but doesn't have the "bunker" safety. As I mentioned in my closing casual review, I was afraid the size of the case would be too much for the protection it offers, but it is a lot better than I thought it would be in terms of weight/thickness and with the hinge protection and great pen storage location, I am very happy with it.
I recommend stick for example transprant tape for hinge to protect before scratches from this case. Every unfold and fold device i saw more scratches on the tape and thanks for it no on the hinge
I did it on my fold 2 from first days and now look like new.
eswar539 said:
used to have slim armour pro on my fold 3. i thought same as you and glued the front and back to the phone. i didnt removed for 2 months as theres was no need but after 2 months i wanted to clean the phone as dust clogged in corners, dam that case bonded with phone like a rock. no matter how much i pulled it wont come off lmao. i had to use some 70% alcohol and slowly pried it off. there were several scraches on the front screen border where the case was contacting the phone. also its weighs so much, i dont know why they named it as slim as it aint slim at all. but i have to say that case is like BUNKER and protected my phone from several hard falls
this time thinking of going with latercase as i rarely fold my phone unless im going outside.
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Had the same issue with mine. Damaged and scratched my z fold 3 due to the case adhesive.
Tried to go another route for my fold 4 and got the vrs terra guard modern case, It looked alright & initially I was happy as it had Good Protection. It felt more plasticy than the spigen version but i liked the design so ignored the finish.
Over my 4 days of use I found that the magnets in the hinge created big dead spots in the inner screen where the S-Pen wouldn't register.
Screen protector included is much smaller than the active screen area. (So basically useless)
The hinge created a weird noise while opening and closing which i ignored and it eventually broke after 4 days of use (the hinge created tension in the plastic holding it and lifted the inner base of the case and broke).
Thankfully no damage to the phone.
I'll probably try the iblason or supcase I saw on some youtube channels they looked solid and only had one small piece of adhesive tape for the top cover.
Syd91 said:
Screen protector included is much smaller than the active screen area. (So basically useless)
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Spigen screen protector for the outer small screen is very good. Although its not edge to edge which will hinder with cases.
_GRIZZLY_ said:
I recommend stick for example transprant tape for hinge to protect before scratches from this case. Every unfold and fold device i saw more scratches on the tape and thanks for it no on the hinge
I did it on my fold 2 from first days and now look like new.
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So far, I don't see anyone has managed this on a fold 4! The hinge film gets pushed off when you open the phone as the tolerances are much tighter than the 2 and 3
jonstatt said:
So far, I don't see anyone has managed this on a fold 4! The hinge film gets pushed off when you open the phone as the tolerances are much tighter than the 2 and 3
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Interesting, so in this case scratches problem can be unfortunetly hard to resolve.
After over a month with the Spigen Slim Armor Pro Pen Edition case, it is holding up great. Haven't had any close ones or miss-haps to talk about, and the under the hinge protector, minor dust, which is cleaned out easily with a clean micro-fibre. The case gives me the confidence that it has that 100% protection. Very well designed with upgrades to it since the first one they offered for earlier folds, I have to say this is their best design yet. Everything just works well, the case, the EZ glass front protector, the pen holder, the camera lens cover protection, the removable pop socket with the metal stick on that works with my car magnetic mount and the ESR phone boost kickstand. As for the fold 4 itself, no issues and works well with the Watch 5 pro and Buds 2 pro. The only one thing I wish it did have is a wider front screen similar to the Mix 2/Vivo Fold, but with all the pro's, in Canada, it is the clear winner for Folds here.
For its price, its terribly expensive. There are cases just like it for 30% less money that use magnets on the hinge instead of glue, and the material feels better. I feel as though Spigen rips people off and they must have massive profit margins if you see the cases that show up on amazon and aliexpress.
What case do you recommend then?
Q-Prof said:
After over a month with the Spigen Slim Armor Pro Pen Edition case, it is holding up great. Haven't had any close ones or miss-haps to talk about, and the under the hinge protector, minor dust, which is cleaned out easily with a clean micro-fibre. The case gives me the confidence that it has that 100% protection. Very well designed with upgrades to it since the first one they offered for earlier folds, I have to say this is their best design yet. Everything just works well, the case, the EZ glass front protector, the pen holder, the camera lens cover protection, the removable pop socket with the metal stick on that works with my car magnetic mount and the ESR phone boost kickstand. As for the fold 4 itself, no issues and works well with the Watch 5 pro and Buds 2 pro. The only one thing I wish it did have is a wider front screen similar to the Mix 2/Vivo Fold, but with all the pro's, in Canada, it is the clear winner for Folds here.
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Just got my Z FOLD 4 a couple of days ago..(used to have orginal Z FOLD.....then Xiaomi Mi MIx FOLD..now this beast..it is awesome!)....I have the Samsung case with pen holder...but interested in this Spigen one you recommend..you say it allows wireless charging with the case on ? (the Samsung one does not.....)...and looks like it gives easier access to the S pen too...but does the S pen not block the fingerprint reader ? It is kinda damm expensive too for a case ...let's hope it comes down in price in Amazon prime sale next week !
elio321 said:
Just got my Z FOLD 4 a couple of days ago..(used to have orginal Z FOLD.....then Xiaomi Mi MIx FOLD..now this beast..it is awesome!)....I have the Samsung case with pen holder...but interested in this Spigen one you recommend..you say it allows wireless charging with the case on ? (the Samsung one does not.....)...and looks like it gives easier access to the S pen too...but does the S pen not block the fingerprint reader ? It is kinda damm expensive too for a case ...let's hope it comes down in price in Amazon prime sale next week !
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Hey Elio,
Congrats on getting the Z Fold 4,
No issues with the finger print reader, I have average sized hands and thumb works all the time, there is enough room. Yes it is expensive, but well worth it, you wont feel ripped off as it is excellent quality, and there is no other design out there that has this unique set of design features. The case feels really good in the hand (not plastic feel... more of a smooth rubbery feel, so great grip) and it fits like a glove on the case. As for charging wirelessly, no problem... I even have a removable pop socket and an ESR phone boost kickstand, and still no problem charging after I remove the top of the pop socket (just a quick 1/2 twist when it is pushed in). Not only easier access to the pen, but better placement in my opinion, I would rather have a little wider than making it thicker... it already is thick because of the fold design... so why put a storage s-pen on the back... and putting it in the hinge protector like some designs makes the hinge protector a huge bump on the back when open.
I have very negative experience with the Spigen cover cases for Fold 4. The first one, the Tough Armor got broken after 16 days. The second one, the Slim Armor Pro got broken today after 4 months. Totally, I lost almost 150€ for these two cases ;-( I will request replacement. My conclusion is there is no way to make a good unbreakable cover case for Fold 4. For my previous non-foldable phones the Spigen cover cases where perfect.