Disclaimer: This review was neither sponsored, nor did I recieve any personal discounts. My personal opinion about this product is unbiased.
Pricing
dbrand lists the case with a skin for 39.90 USD. I applied a newsletter subsription and paid 35.91 USD. No shipping fees were charged.
Delivery
The case was shipped from Canada to Germany in about 12 days and a tracking code. Although I thought that sales taxes would apply and be collected by the customs, the package had a "customs free" sticker on it and no taxes were charged. I dunno why but I do not complain.
Pictures
Retail box
The retail box is a gem. I took some shots of it so you see what I mean. It contributes nicely to the product and makes you feel having purchased something precious. Nicely done, robots!
Assembly
If you purchased a skin with the case, you have to bring it up to the case first. If you watch and follow the video guide, this is fairly easy and led to a perfect result for me.
Build quality / Durability / Looks
For my last 5 phones, I used SPECK cases and therefore was used to bulky cases. In comparison, this case feels lighter and even slim. It sure is a good amount bulkier than typical "slim case" but it comes with a decent amount of drop protection. Thanks to the Pixel 5 being a compact phone, it still can be held with one hand in a comfortable manner when wearing the case.
The edges feature a slighly nobby texture that feels just great and should also prevent accidential slips. The texture of the Matrix skin looks dope.
All in all, this case looks high-class and also provides nice haptics. In my eys, it is worth the money.
Protection
The case feels sturdy and protective. I am confident that my Pixel 5 will survive some serious drops with it.
The lip on the frontside has the signature curve: Thick at top and bottom, flush at the sides. This makes the back-swipe gesture a breeze while still preventing screen contact when placed on flat surfaces. I am a bit unsure wether this will lead to trouble with face-down falls on uneven surfaces, but I assume that a evenly formed lid might not perform much better in this scenario.
Fitting / Cutouts / Buttons
The case fits like a glove. The buttons are super clicky and it's a joy to use them. The cutouts are precise and the port cutout should be big enough to provide space for most cables.
Unfortunately, the fingerprint cutout is rather small. This makes the "swipe down for notifications" gesture definitely harder to use although it still works. For me, this is not a show stopper but it might be for people with fat huge fingers. I just wish that dbrand would have made the cutout a little bit bigger since this is my only point of criticism with this case.
Durability
If you search the internet about the dbrand Grip cases, you will stumble upon many stories where the cases fell apart. Then I found this thread, where dbrand gave a comprehensive explaination why this happened and which counter measures were taken. This case is the latest generation and comes with all the described improvents. Only time will tell wether this case will hold up better.
Verdict
I highly recommend the drand Grip case for the Google Pixel 5: It looks and feels great, provides good protection without adding too much bulk. The customizablity with new skins is unique and might tempt you to spend more money. This being said: If you have huge fingers, the fingerprint cutout might be too small for you. I am confident that this case will not fall apart (or dbrand being obliging if it does).
Could you please take a picture from the top with the screen on and with a white background on (you could go to the settings or anywhere else that shows the entire screen from edge to edge)? I would give an idea of how much bulk it adds to the phone.
I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
does the Wireless Charger work on pixel+case?
trax69 said:
does the Wireless Charger work on pixel+case?
Click to expand...
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Yes, I use an Anker PowerWave Alloy and wireless quick charging works flawlessly.
dragos281993 said:
Could you please take a picture from the top with the screen on and with a white background on (you could go to the settings or anywhere else that shows the entire screen from edge to edge)? I would give an idea of how much bulk it adds to the phone.
I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
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Here you are:
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its a good grippy case.. I love mine.
you gotta be out of your damn mind to pay for this...Ringke case, 12 bucks, owned, tested (not intentional) and it even got a cool Lanyard loop.
I have a new one for sale - has a sage skin on back - never used it - $20 delivered - PM me or email me at [email protected]
One of long term video reviews showed edges warping near cutout and buttons. How is it holding up so far? Price gives me a reason to pause even with the super 'grip" edges.
After using it every day, it is still in mint condition.
Thanks for the really good review. Just one point to clarify: can you please confirm that the back of the base (not just the side bumper) also has a grippy texture? If you put it on your pant leg when sitting, for example, will it slide off easily?
I love my Dbrand Grip with the red dragon skin and its super grippy texture.
If you're looking at phone cases to protect your phone's screen, you need to check out one of the screen guards. Screen protectors are becoming more advanced as the years go by. Some are built right in, some you have to put on separately. Either way, these are the best ways to make sure that your screen is safe. How can I make my phone case grippier?
You should also make sure that the cases you're looking at are anti-skid. This means that the case doesn't just slip over the phone, but stays put instead. If your phone slips out of the case, it will stop the phone from sliding all over the place. How can I make my phone case grippier? Start looking for cases with anti-skid features!
Another question you may be asking yourself is how can I make my phone case grippy if the material is hard and doesn't let the phone slide all over? Well, this is another problem that many phone cases have. So many cases are made of extremely hard materials that it's nearly impossible to slide your phone in and out. But luckily, there are some great soft cases available that are great at preventing your phone from sliding around.
I've been rocking this phone case for over a year. Just ordered the Leather skin insert from D Brand drop and a matte black skin as well. I've had the tear down on it for the year. The case is quite nice and offers good protection. The cut outs make it easy to use gesture controls.
ademmer said:
Durability
If you search the internet about the dbrand Grip cases, you will stumble upon many stories where the cases fell apart. Then I found this thread, where dbrand gave a comprehensive explaination why this happened and which counter measures were taken. This case is the latest generation and comes with all the described improvents. Only time will tell wether this case will hold up better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After over a year of frequent use, I switched to an Google Pixel 6 Pro and therefore also sent this case to rest. Time for a wrap up on durability!
Unlike older generations, my case stood the test of time. The rubber did not separate from the plastic and even after some serious drops on concrete, the case is still in mint condition.
Only the skin foil started to get loose around the fingerprint scanner which led to strange haptics when you remove the finger from the scanner (since the foil will move a millimeter with with your finger). A new skin will surely fix this and so would some glue.
Guess what? I already pre-ordered this case for my new Pixel 6 Pro!
Related
Photos at the bottom of the post for those looking to get straight to the phone p0rn
When I got my DINC2 the VZW rep was "nice" enough to throw in a silicone case for free. I say "nice" because silicone is made for bakeware and o-rings, not phone cases. I was pulling the case off the phone as I walked out the door and it got ditched in the first trash can I saw.
I set out to find a case based on some specific requirements:
Thin and light
Grippy exterior
Excellet camera lens protection
The last one is really important and I'm surprised more folks don't highlight it in case reviews, especially for HTC phones. As anyone who owned the original DINC will tell you, HTC loves to leave their camera lenses flapping in the breeze where any hard object passing by can scratch/crack/smudge it.
My DINC wore a Seidio Surface case from day one and it was phenominal but with the DINC2 being slightly larger the Surface seemed to add more bulk than I was willing to stick in my pocket. I had read about the Incipio Feather case here on the forums and ordered one based on other's experiences. I was extremely disappointed when it arrived already broken still inside it's packaging. I returned it but the seller took six weeks to send the replacement, so in the meantime I got the Case Mate.
Once I had both of them in hand I was surprised at how different they were. It's the same basic design, a super thin case that wraps around the two sides and the four corners leaving the top and bottom exposed. What struck me was the difference in materials. The Case Mate was noticeably more rigid, fit more tightly and the "soft touch" surface was more grippy. The Incipio was certainly a quality case but the Case Mate just felt better.
Lastly, to the point of protecting the camera, the Case Mate takes the cake. The Incipio adds pretty much nothing in terms of shielding the camera but the Case Mate has a deliberate lip which gives the camera 2-3mm of setback. When you put the phone down in the Incipio case the lens still touches the table which means if you put it down on something less forgiving you're just asking for lens damage. The Case Mate's lip puts some distance between the lens and whatever you put it down on. When you take into account that your phone spends a great deal of time in your pocket, along with change/keys/etc the Incipio offers pretty much no protection to what I would call a design flaw on HTC's part.
In the end I'm glad I didn't pay for the Incipio (the seller refunded my money and let me keep the case to avoid negative feedback for the six week return delay). The Case Mate is a fantastic minimal case for the DINC2 that adds very little bulk, makes the phone easier to grip, protects the camera really well and feels much more durable than a 1mm thick piece of plastic.
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Cool review thanks. Still just waiting for my red or white battery cover so I can show it through my Griffin Reveal look alike case
Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
I got the Innocase Surface, I really like it. Viewing from the pictures it looks like the casemate is abit thinner but not by much. I was considering the Casemate but I wasn't too sure how much I wanted a case that doesn't really protect the bottom or the top faceplate. Glad you enjoy the case though!
After spending some more time with the Case Mate I've discovered what might be it's only flaw and frankly I don't think I completely blame the case for this one.
The power button on top of the phone is already pretty minimal but with the case it's just slightly harder to actuate. The case comes up close to the button and stands off from the phone about the same distance. That means the button is pretty much flush with the case.
Now Case Mate didn't design the phone to have a slightly-too-small power button (I don't care for it even without the case) but they might have considered leaving a bit more clearance to make it a little easier to press.
Cool review. Incipio Red feather user here. I posted my review on Amazon.com, mine is the only review that's posted there. I've been very happy with my Red case as it is my favorite color and it is the thinnest out there(1mm).
I have to disagree with your comment on camera protection, the incipio feather has an ample lip which covers the camera. The only thing you can expect from these thin case is to have just a tiny lift off from surfaces and the feather gives the lift. I honestly do not see the point of thicker lip because it literally does nothing more than just a slightest lift off.
However since I've never touched the Case Mate Barely There, I have to take your words on the material. I wish they make more bright colors.
Very nice review! I went with the CaseMate as well and I really like it for easy pocket carry. I had the same concern with reduced ease of access to the power button, so I did a quick mod on mine with a Dremel wheel. I will probably go back and clean it up so it doesn't look so angry-beaver-ish but it is really nice to use with this tiny modification and with the change it truly lives up to the "Barely There" name.
If rooted I can MOD your ROM to make it so you can pull the phone out of sleep with the volume keys, that seems to be working for me.
nice review. I am catching this thread a little late I know but the aspect I dont like about this case is I dont see much protection for the screen in the event of a drop. I would never think that would be an issue but two days ago my Dinc2 feel out of my bag as I was putting it in my car and landed face down flat on its screen and shattered the screen. Had to dish out the deductible for a replacement. Now I am using a TPU case as is has just enough lip to protect the screen if it happened again.
I want a case similar to this, but it just doesn't protect the screen enough.
As soon as I saw the OEM flip case from Samsung I knew it would be one of the first accessories for my new S3. Unfortunately after having read reviews of the case's questionable construction, coupled with the fact that I wasn't a huge fan of the integrated battery door, I figured I'd shop around for an alternative.
Thankfully that alternative came in the form of ROCK's Big City Flip case. With their "Quicksand" case has been a big hit amongst XDA'rs, I figured it was a no-brainer.
Warning: Picture Heavy:
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PROS:
*Texture is PHENOMENAL ! - The pictures really don't do it justice. ROCK claims the material is "Italian imported PU", (I suspect it's like a "Pleather", plastic-like leather) but whatever it is, it provides a great deal of grip but remains extremely soft to touch. An added bonus is the fact that the "dark blue" variant matches PERFECTLY with the S3 Pebble Blue version.
*Design is simple, elegant, and creative - Reverting back once more to the texture, I've never seen anything quite like it. It's almost reminiscent of a cascading waterfall. The inside is completely lined with a micro-fiber/felt-like material that ensures both the front and back of the device will remain scuff free. Not to mention the "cradle" for the actual phone hugs it in all the right places, ensuring it won't escape the case's clenches All ports, camera, light, and speaker portions are precisely cut and accessible, EXCEPT the volume rocker (at least when the case is closed); thankfully however the material on the spine of the case is soft to the touch, thus allowing you to press the volume rocker with ease.
*Reasonably priced - Similar cases run $25+, and given the reputation of ROCK and the quality of the case, I'd say it's nothing short of a great buy. Not to mention it comes with a screen protector and decorative lanyard. I managed to pick mine up via eBay for $16.88 shipped (note: I have yet to come across a seller not based out of China or Hong Kong).
CONS:
*Loose Frontt - Similar to the Samsung OEM Flip Case (along with a bevy of other similar products) the front portion of the case has no clip, magnet, or similar fastening feature. While not a particular deal killer for me, I'd rather not have the flap potentially swing to and fro every time I use the device. (Note: I plan on trying to add a magnetic strip to solve this in the near future).
*Top and Bottom Minimal Protection - I suspect ROCK took a cue from slim case designs when designing the "cradle" portion. Similar to slim cases, there seems to be a minimal amount of protection for the device on both the top and bottom portions of the case. Unfortunately I haven't tested a screen protector with the case on, but will update accordingly
*Tricky Using with One Hand - I assume this is a no-brainer for most who have used or plan on using these types of cases, but attempting to use the device cradled in this case with a single hand, proves more difficult then you might suspect. Most of this has to do with the spine of the case not sitting flush with the back when the front is flipped over. Not a total deal breaker for me, but possibly for some.
Overall I'm quite happy with the purchase!
Notes:
More info and pictures of the case here:
http://rockphone.cn/en/products_det...5&id=1400&year=0&month=0&pmenuid=0&pbrandid=0
Seller I purchased the device from (took about 9 days from China to the D.C. area):
http://myworld.ebay.com/samlink360/&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2754
You can attempt to check the validity of the case (apparently there are lot of ROCK case knockoffs floating around out there) but I haven't been able to get the page to display properly:
http://rockphone.cn/en/certification.asp
Nice! Think I'll be ordering a blue one
Thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Nice to have this as an option. I have the OEM white flip cover case and found I actually prefer that it's the battery cover and not adding more bulk with an overlay. Since the GS3 has a removeable back, I'm not at all worried about protecting it as if it gets scuffed, I'll just swap a new back on. In fact I just got my Touchstone chargers and backs so I'll be modding the back for inductive charging like shown in the other thread - something that some cases will hinder since it will add too much thickness.
I've been mulling over modding it so the flip is vertical instead of book-type, which sometimes annoys me as well when I'm holding it. I've found that the only time i really hate the flip cover is when I'm trying to take pictures, the flap gets in the way. Not sure how to mitigate that at all with a flip cover. In regards to the cover staying closed I have some super tiny neodymium magnets that should work to make it snap closed.
Would have been bad-ass if it worked as a smartcover on/off, but I guess Samsung maybe afraid of apple coming after them for copying again. I tried using the smartcover apps that use the light sensor for on/off but they just become annoying at turning the device off at random times for me.
Does this come in any other textures? I find the one pictured not to my taste and would rather have a grain instead of the wavy lines I see.
rEVOLVE said:
Does this come in any other textures? I find the one pictured not to my taste and would rather have a grain instead of the wavy lines I see.
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Click to collapse
Actually ROCK does offer two additional flip-style cases.
One being similar to the Samsung OEM case, which has the back portion of the case serve as the battery cover. Colors vary for this version, and the texture looks a bit similar, just seems to trail in a horizontal pattern.
ROCK Elegant Side Flip - http://www.rockphone.cn/en/products...5&id=1478&year=0&month=0&pmenuid=0&pbrandid=0
The other offering has the front flat of the case flipping up and over the device. This case also seems to be constructed of a more traditional leather-like material, making it more smooth as far as pattern is concerned (can't seem to find a direct link on their site):
ROCK Flip Leather - http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...tand-function-10pcs-lot/608303_600638683.html
Jubmasterflex said:
Actually ROCK does offer two additional flip-style cases.
One being similar to the Samsung OEM case, which has the back portion of the case serve as the battery cover. Colors vary for this version, and the texture looks a bit similar, just seems to trail in a horizontal pattern.
ROCK Elegant Side Flip - http://www.rockphone.cn/en/products...5&id=1478&year=0&month=0&pmenuid=0&pbrandid=0
The other offering has the front flat of the case flipping up and over the device. This case also seems to be constructed of a more traditional leather-like material, making it more smooth as far as pattern is concerned (can't seem to find a direct link on their site):
ROCK Flip Leather - http://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...tand-function-10pcs-lot/608303_600638683.html
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Click to collapse
I bougt this for a fraction of the price. The rock is 100.00 and this one is less than 10.00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZG080Q/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
piiman said:
I bougt this for a fraction of the price. The rock is 100.00 and this one is less than 10.00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZG080Q/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
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Click to collapse
I only provided a link for photo reference, a single case really isn't $100, just a bulk order of 10...
Jubmasterflex said:
I only provided a link for photo reference, a single case really isn't $100, just a bulk order of 10...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where can you buy just one?
It should have had the quicksand back cover, this seems very slippy.
htcsnap93 said:
It should have had the quicksand back cover, this seems very slippy.
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Click to collapse
Actually the texture and pattern make it INCREDIBLY tacky, which has made me overlook the front cover not having a fastening mechanism. It's also far easier to use with one hand after a few weeks of ownership (the fold has relaxed quite a bit). Honestly this has replaced my Elago slim fit case.
piiman said:
So where can you buy just one?
Click to expand...
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Here - http://www.slickfans.com/rock-flip-...r_p1776.html?zenid=jd4kr1m397hmb6d249h940ggt0
More colors and variations of cases - http://www.slickfans.com/rock-case-for-galaxy-s3-rock-flip-leather-case-for-galaxy-s3_c261
I personally didn't really like this case, it seemed too bulky and the texture was just a bit too soft. It's significantly larger than the official case, because the back snaps on and doesn't replace the battery cover, and the material they use has a layer of cardboard sandwiched within.
I got this case a couple days ago for my white SIII. Love it so far.
I think i' over flip cases though. Just hard to use the phone with them.
ROCK has best cases ever!!!
I also bought the Rock "Big City" flip case and I am very pleased!
I made a video for you to see the case, with close ups! the texture is realy amazing.
In this video, I review two Rock cases, the first is the Flip case and the second is the well-known Quicksand!
thanks..just ordered the big city in blue!! this looks awesome
i effin hate my stupid samsung flip cover. I have honestly exchanged it about 6 times and each one has fallen apart....its a POS
QUICK QUESTION
Does the case extend 1mm or so beyond the top and bottom of the phone? it seems to be that way in the pictures..just curious
thanks!
ROCK Case is always get my breath,last time I got a Rock quicksand case for GS3,amazing case!!! what a pity they now stop to manufacture that case for the reason of a lot of knock-off ROCK case in market, so just cherish the copyright ROCK Quicksand! Instead, the ROCK forest case is also outstanding with its natural leaf design...
http://www.slickfans.com/side-flip-...rock-forest-protection-series-pink_p2164.html
I'm switching my gears a little bit to step down from all the premium cases I have reviewed so far and to focus on a handful of budget cases from www.tvc-mall.com where you can get each one for a few bucks. Those are typically even cheaper than ebay, but you do have to pay shipping. Lately I didn't have much luck with ebay where either they ship a wrong stuff, or description is different from pictures, and there is a hassle to exchange or refund the money. I have purchased from case-parts/tvc-mall (the same place) many times in the past and always been happy with their products and customer support.
First one is a hybrid TPU case with a very unique design of molded flexible hard plastic bumper and soft tpu textured back. The hard plastic bumper grips phone very securely around the edges and provides a nice corner protection. Although slim, it offers a raised lip to keep the display away from the surface, and also provides a nice friction for the front and the back of the phone so it will lay flat and won't slide. All the cutouts are perfect, power/volume buttons are covered and not hard to push, and it even offers a bonus of two small corner holes to attach lanyard. The 3D cube texture on the back is really cool too. http://www.tvc-mall.com/details/Coo...alaxy-S-4-IV-i9500-i9505-Black-MHC-I9500-08A/
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The next case is something for the ladies with it's shiny electroplating finish and rubbery diamond cut back pattern with rhinestones. Although having a fancy sparkling finish, this case is very slim and lightweight. Buttons are open for direct access of power/volume, and top bottom are exposed as well. You still have a side lip to keep the phone off the surface if placed down. This case is obviously more for the looks rather than protection. But I have to tell you it does look very fancy and sparkly, and stones are actually recessed. http://www.tvc-mall.com/details/Ele...alaxy-S-4-IV-i9500-i9505-Black-MHC-I9500-30A/
If you want to have the slimmest and the most minimalistic protection for your S4, you have to check out this hybrid tpu/plastic bumper case. Since this is a bumper, you don't have the back cover. But the bumper is nicely wraps around the phone, raising front and the back from touching the surface. Bumper is made out of clear flexible plastic material with a molded tpu rubber edge. Buttons are covered, flexible, and easy to push. All the port openings are perfectly aligned. This one gives your S4 a bumper/corner basic protection without adding any bulk. http://www.tvc-mall.com/details/TPU...S-4-IV-i9500-Transparent-Black-MHC-I9500-01A/
Next Folio leather case was definitely a pleasant surprise. You don't expect much for $3.60 case until you open it up. This is a very nicely crafted wallet folio case with a magnetic latch. The wallet part of it has 3 slots for credit cards and drivers license with an additional wide slot for some cash. On the other side of the wallet you have a slim plastic shell/case to hold the phone. The phone goes in very secure, definitely will not fall out of it even if you drop it. You get cutouts for power/volume for direct access, and also cutouts for camera/flash and speaker. This way if you want to take pictures, you don't have to take the phone out of the case, just open the flap. The top and the bottom of the case are open so you can connect headphones and use charging cables without taking phone out. Also, it's very nicely padded to give you a decent drop protection while magnetic latch/flap will keep it closed if you drop it. As a bonus, you can open and prop the case in landscape mode to watch movies. http://www.tvc-mall.com/details/Fol...laxy-S4-S-IV-i9500-i9505-White-MLC-I9500-35B/
Last one is an armband case to keep your S4 securely next to you while exercising, running, biking, etc. It's made out of quality neoprene material with adjustable velcro band. The front of the case has a soft pu leather material and a reflective strip around the display window. The transparent rubber/vinyl window allows you to control touch screen for basic functions. You can also push on Home button through the case, but obviously you don't have access to back and menu buttons. The top of the case flap has a cutout for headphones. Also, there is a little side pocket for a key. Overall a very functioning armband to keep your phone attached securely to your arm through any physical activity. http://www.tvc-mall.com/details/Spo...alaxy-S-4-IV-i9500-i9505-Black-MSP-I9500-01A/
Just have to make a quick update. Since I mentioned Case-parts.com and tvc-mall.com are the same sites, I realized that tvc-mall.com is the only one where you can use paypal in addition to other payment methods. So, I have updated all the links above to point to tvc-mall page (it appears they have an identical database anyway).
And just as a general comment, you guys can check out my signature link where I have reviewed multiple dozens of cases in the last few months. I know these above cost a dollar plus change, but I was honestly impressed with a quality for that price.
Have you reviewed any cases that are ultra low-profile? I know the lip around the screen will protect the screen when face down, but i feel that this raised edge gets in my way.
Any recommendations for bumpers or super slim cases that barely stick up above the glass?
alphadog00 said:
Have you reviewed any cases that are ultra low-profile? I know the lip around the screen will protect the screen when face down, but i feel that this raised edge gets in my way.
Any recommendations for bumpers or super slim cases that barely stick up above the glass?
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Click to collapse
All the Spigen stuff I reviewed is low profile, too low for my personal taste. Why would you want to put your $650 phone into a case with a low profile without a bumper protection for corner or screen lip or back protection (since camera on S4 is protruding)? Gorilla glass 3 will only give you a false sense of security. It might be able to withstand some minor scratches, but it will scratch. And if you drop your phone - your glass will shatter and will cost you $200 (either through replacement, or insurance deductive, or all the insurance monthly premium you are paying). You can call me paranoid but between XDA and AndroidForums I have read a ton of horror stories of people dropping their phone to see a few seconds later a spider web crack from the corner of the screen. I would never carry my phone naked.
As you can see from dozens of my case reviews, I typically focus on brand names, stuff that goes for $30, $40, $50 and higher. But if you are on a budget or just have an addiction to get different cases for everyday of these week, you always have an alternative above to buy for $1.50 or $2.30
If you are seriously looking for the most minimalistic case/bumper to improve the grip, not to obstruct with any colors, you can choose that clear bumper above with a white rim (if you have white S4) or use with black rim (for back S4). That will be a really good solution.
Btw, if links above are not working, just change "tvc-mall" to "case-parts" with everything else remaining. I have no idea why sometime it works and sometime it doesn't... Will have to email these guys to tell them about their webpage problem...
vectron said:
All the Spigen stuff I reviewed is low profile, too low for my personal taste. Why would you want to put your $650 phone into a case with a low profile without a bumper protection for corner or screen lip or back protection (since camera on S4 is protruding)? Gorilla glass 3 will only give you a false sense of security. It might be able to withstand some minor scratches, but it will scratch. And if you drop your phone - your glass will shatter and will cost you $200 (either through replacement, or insurance deductive, or all the insurance monthly premium you are paying). You can call me paranoid but between XDA and AndroidForums I have read a ton of horror stories of people dropping their phone to see a few seconds later a spider web crack from the corner of the screen. I would never carry my phone naked.
As you can see from dozens of my case reviews, I typically focus on brand names, stuff that goes for $30, $40, $50 and higher. But if you are on a budget or just have an addiction to get different cases for everyday of these week, you always have an alternative above to buy for $1.50 or $2.30
If you are seriously looking for the most minimalistic case/bumper to improve the grip, not to obstruct with any colors, you can choose that clear bumper above with a white rim (if you have white S4) or use with black rim (for back S4). That will be a really good solution.
Btw, if links above are not working, just change "tvc-mall" to "case-parts" with everything else remaining. I have no idea why sometime it works and sometime it doesn't... Will have to email these guys to tell them about their webpage problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I have never used a case and never had a problem. My gear sells for like new with no scratches. But I did recently scratch one phone by carrying two together with screens touching, so i am debating a case or not.. But I am not in favor of them.
In the palm/ppc days I bought cases - expensive ones. In my opinion the cheap ones suit me fine. I think expensive cases are a waste of money, but that is my opinion.
That's for the suggestions though.
This is a review of Urban Armor Gear UAG cases for Galaxy S5. http://www.urbanarmorgear.com/collections/all#samsung-galaxy-s5
Rather than starting my review with usual "I reviewed a ton of cases in the past, check out my signature...", I will tell you that UAG is the only case I use everyday with my Note 2. Period. YMMV and we all have personal preferences, and I'm not going to deny - there are a lot of other great cases which I'm going to cover in the next few week, but I'm glad that I can kick off my review of S5 cases with UAG. As a matter of fact, that was the first thing I put on my wife's S5 until she decides which one she ends up keeping. Here why I think so highly of this product.
I have reviewed in the past all of their cases from iPhone, S3, Note 2, S4, Note 3, and now S5. They definitely got this distinct industrial design look, which unfortunately has been copied lately by some low quality look-a-likes. With a lot of companies once they got a winning design, they just continue making the same cases scaled for the next phone, year after year. With UAG, they are constantly tweaking the design with new details to improve the grip, to have it thinner and more flexible while still retaining max protection, and even to improve the packaging. So starting with packaging, they finally got some refreshing colors to make their box more appealing. Of course, you still get a detailed description of the features on the front and on the back, including an official stamp of approval meeting MIL STD 810G-516.6 Military Drop-Test. It's about time to add this stamp of approval considering it has been already drop approved by thousands of it's users over the years, myself including. As a bonus, UAG also provided HD screen protector which I found to be a very nice gesture.
The case is very lightweight despite its composite design where hard outer PC shell is fused with a softer TPU-like inner soft impact resistant shell with a signature honeycomb pattern. The idea of such fused design makes the case thinner while still retaining a decent drop protection, and also adding a convenience of quick one-piece case removal without dealing with two separate shells. You also still have an enhanced corner protection which blends in nicely with the rest of the outline. One new additional element was added to the sides of the case in a form of a lower grip pads on each side which haven't been present in the previous S4 design. This enhances the grip and also makes sides look symmetrical next to upper pads with volume and power buttons. I found this design improvement to be very effective. Along with a sculptured industrial lines of the back design with decorative hex screws, UAG S5 case definitely has a much better grip. Although case feels slim, you still get the same rubber lip around the screen to lift the display with phone placed down or to provide a protection when dropped. Along with corner protection, you still get rear skid pads that allow phone to be placed on the back without any wobbling and keeping it from sliding on a smooth surface. And of course you get all the generous port openings to accommodate usb cables, over sized headphone connectors, IR port, mic, etc. Power and volume buttons have a very nice tactile feedback and can be easily located just by sliding your fingers along the side of the case. I also like how they put an inner trim around camera/flash opening to enable a glare-free flash.
Overall, I know it's hard to choose a case with every new phone because market is saturated with new additions almost every week. And most likely nobody gets just one case because we change it for different occasions or extended batteries, etc. But when you are making this deselection don't be fooled just by something that looks "cool", because at the end of the day the purpose of the case is to protect your phone. Well, that and also making it look cool at the same time But protection should be #1 priority, and if the case is made out of brittle plastic that will crack if dropped or cheap TPU material that will stretch and pull, or fused layers that will come undone - you might as well carry your phone naked. Otherwise, look for reputable companies that has been around for awhile, those which have a lot of feedback on Amazon, and those who don't just sell a case but actually offer a support to back it up. UAG is definitely of those companies, and I highly recommend and use their cases all the time.
Here are the pictures.
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Great pics of fantastic cases. Gonna have to pick up one for mine. Looks good on the phone.
Great review. Thanks! :good:
I have the "Rust" on my S3 for almost the last two years and love it. (you love that color or just plain hate it.)
I'm getting the S5 in a couple weeks and already ordered my new S5 UAG "Rust" (again) from ebay for a great price of $26.44 shipped.
It's been a great case for me and look forward to the new one.
Thanks again for the awesome pics and review.
Side note: I've also ordered my new "phantomskinz" for my new phone which I have used on my HTC EVO and S3 and recommended to others and all liked them.
I am not affiliated with the company. Just sharing my experiences.
-Mike
Excellent review. Got the Scout on my S4 and hands down probably the best case I've used. Dropped my S4 a few times and its survived all the drops with no physical damage to the phone or case. The design is not suited to all but it functions extremely well.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
Could you provide measurements of the case? It doesn't look all that bulky in the pictures.
How easy is it to take off/put on?
Is the finger print scanner or HRM impeded by the case at all?
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
Fantastic review!
Any chance you can let me know if the lip around the case covers all the chrome bezel on the S5? I'm not personally a fan of it and I would love for my case to cover it. I currently have the Spigen Ultra Hybrid and it doesn't cover the bezel very well.
Got my maverick
I just got my maverick case. It looks and feels absolutely amazing. Easy to install and fits perfectly even with a tempered glass on. I love it. Really worth the money.
Excellent review and beautiful counter tops. :good:
felloffthetruck said:
Excellent review and beautiful counter tops. :good:
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LMAO!!!! I was thinking the same at first pic ... "Nice Granite..." LOL
nice case there
When it comes to color selection, UAG has been very consistent with a selection of their "unique" colors. Even so it's referred to as black, white, blue, etc, they always have a special rugged off-shade, and color just doesn't fade. Been using their cases for years, so can confirm it from a firsthand experience. I didn't even realize, but they introduced a new S5 case color, Valkyrie. With this unique pink/rose shade of color, I think it will appeal more to ladies. Personally, I never seen any other case with a similar color. So here you go, an exclusive from UAG:
http://www.urbanarmorgear.com/products/valkyrie-1
sculpt a piece of wood, carve a rubber inside and not throw money =)))))
a paint them and write your name on it
I've been on the hunt for a decent case for this phone since I got it on its release date and it's been greuling. It's almost as if this phone doesn't exist, in the Americas anyway, a lot of cases I've come across are nameless and generic, worst of all, poorly designed with a big theme being the inclusion of the battery door button cutout.
Here's a few companies and cases I've found to be actually designing a case for this phone:
VRS Design, some simple designs that work, nothing too fancy but that's just what some of us want:
https://vrsdesign.com/collections/lg-v20
Noreve, these are some impressive wallet style cases and the quality seems unprecedented, great for a gift or for those of us who want a nice leather flip case, definitely not within most budgets with certain customization options but worth keeping in mind:
http://www.noreve.com/en/1303-v20
J&D Slim Case, a simple case from Amazon for cheap, does the job but features the aforementioned battery button cutout and a less precise design than the rest on this list, I found it to be the more acceptable of the budget cases I've come across because of its simple design, small form factor, and the 4 color options:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KNQ4SH6/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ONQGybGDMFMHS
Seidio, skeptical at first but glad this is a case I bought, a random brand that popped up in my search a few times. They seem to have one of the few 2 layer cases that don't have a battery button cut out and that also doesn't add much heft to the phone, all with adding a kickstand as well. Another great thing I love about the case is that it's inner layer can function as a standalone super slim rubber case, the fit is perfect and there are no quality issues as far as the precision and design is concerned (will post pics eventually):
https://www.seidioonline.com/product/lg-v20-surface-case/
Incipio, a popular brand making decent cases for more than just Samsung and Apple phones? WHAT?! I was surprised to see the selection Incipio has for the V20 and they look very promising. Starting from $20 you can get a case that fits well, looks nice, is from a trustworthy brand and best of all, doesn't have a battery button cutout! I took a liking to the Dualpro, NGP, and Octane models, they seem to provide good protection without adding a ton of bulk and offer some options for color:
https://www.incipio.com/cases/smart...lg-v20-cases/incipio-dualpro-lg-v20-case.html
https://www.incipio.com/cases/smart...0-cases/incipio-ngp-advanced-lg-v20-case.html
https://www.incipio.com/cases/smart.../lg-v20-cases/incipio-octane-lg-v20-case.html
I hope this helps some people out there hunting for cases, I was sure in need of this research and thought I'd share.
these are some cool cases. Thanks.
I have the High Pro Shield VRS (also had it on Note 7). Fit and feel is perfect,however.... The kickstand pivot seems to be positioned a hair too low. The phone tends to wanna fall over at the slightest bump. The Note 7 didn't suffer from this (same model case). Its like the center of gravity is a lil higher, still a great case and is not a deal breaker.
Oh hey, I've wanted Incipio to make cases for this phone. It's my lucky day. Now to convince myself 19.99 is worth it...
Have you actually tried them all? If not which one did you end up going with? I may go with the Incipio for $19.99. It's definitely worth it because I don't have phone protection. You think I'd learn my lesson after dropping a Nexus 6P and cracking the screen. Nope. I'll try to be careful.
UAG
It's a bit bulky and the cam is recessed (good).
However, when you insert the case, make sure the button (left) side inserted first.
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Slickwrap and under a poetic atmosphere case....I see no other case/skin setup I rather have. Feels good and I love the way it looks (get compliments all the time on it). Not the best picture (looks better in person)
Spigen Rugged Armor black is very nice, thin, fits prefectly, improves grip and audio jack cutout is large enough to use Professional Headphoes such as DT990 or HD500 and such... and it also is very very light
axaman943 said:
Spigen Rugged Armor black is very nice, thin, fits prefectly, improves grip and audio jack cutout is large enough to use Professional Headphoes such as DT990 or HD500 and such... and it also is very very light
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Exactly the problem I have with the Obliq. Nice case but the Sennheiser hd650 cable struggles to make the fit.
Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
axaman943 said:
Spigen Rugged Armor black is very nice, thin, fits prefectly, improves grip and audio jack cutout is large enough to use Professional Headphoes such as DT990 or HD500 and such... and it also is very very light
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By far my favorite case so far. I have 3 other cases and I haven't used any of them since I picked up the Spigen. Can't say enough good things about it.
mingkee said:
UAG
It's a bit bulky and the cam is recessed (good).
However, when you insert the case, make sure the button (left) side inserted first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2nded.
My big thing has been keeping screen recessed since my Evo 4g took a 2 ft fall getting out of a car & hit perfectly on a rock to shatter the screen.
I always used OtterBox defender after that. But phones kept getting larger. When I got Note 7, tried UAG and loved it when I switched to V20 got UAG again. Much less bulk, but feels just as safe. Phone has dropped multiple times with zero issues.
I bought this one in navy for 11$ on Ebay sale. Gorgeous looks with solid quality, great feel in hand (not slippery at all), not bulky and totally protected with Spigen tgsp! #stronglyrecommend https://www.incipio.com/cases/smartphone-cases/lg-smartphone-cases/lg-v20-cases/incipio-ngp-advanced-lg-v20-case.html
How good are the Ghostek cases? They look pretty cool.
https://www.amazon.com/Ghostek-Premium-Protective-Explosion-Proof-Protector/dp/B01N52ENP5/
But mostly i'll be going for the UAG case. Sucks that its not available here in India. Have to wait for someone to drop by from the USA
Currently rocking this one , the only case minimal enough with a good grip and a very classy back
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZ7W06J/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
i found the poetic revolution to be the best case . My phone has fell so much in the street and also i accidentally threw it to a wall. LOL everything looking good so far. I have had it since november. It has flaps for dust proofing and whole for every mic and the IR . It has a screen protector that if it gets scratched or you dont like it, well, you can always remove it and use your temper glass.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-LG-V20-...hash=item1c734fc168:m:mPdtEZsVXyX2QYszMOeYMbw
jinkerz9430 said:
i found the poetic revolution to be the best case . My phone has fell so much in the street and also i accidentally threw it to a wall. LOL everything looking good so far. I have had it since november. It has flaps for dust proofing and whole for every mic and the IR . It has a screen protector that if it gets scratched or you dont like it, well, you can always remove it and use your temper glass.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-LG-V20-...hash=item1c734fc168:m:mPdtEZsVXyX2QYszMOeYMbw
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How well does it slide in and out of your pocket? My biggest beef is when a case is too "rubbery" and gets hung up.
Also how is the built in screen protector? I've been thru a ton of glass protectors now, none seem to suit me.
bond32 said:
How well does it slide in and out of your pocket? My biggest beef is when a case is too "rubbery" and gets hung up.
Also how is the built in screen protector? I've been thru a ton of glass protectors now, none seem to suit me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It slides very nice in and out of pocket. Lol
The built om screen protector is quite good. I didnt remove the one that came with the and yet it adhered very well to it. Up until now it has just one small scratch on it.
Over the time, the cover start getting some external sign of use that looks like sctatch but is more caused by all the time thr phone has felt on the street and other places. Lol nevertheless it still feels as if thr cover were brand new.
The only downside is that if you put it in a diagonal surface, it will slide easily. Unless you put it upside down
Picked up the Poetic Revolution case but removed the screen protector. In hindsight, that might not have been the best idea because of the double-sided take they use on the top and bottom of the front piece that holds the protector.
Let's just say I'm almost worried about removing the front now as I can see the adhesive trying to stick to the phone. ....... (Wait, Devhux! You mean to say you didn't think of that BEFORE putting on the front piece????? Hahahahaha!)
Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk
Been using Ringke Onyx, it is well made although a bit slippery. Good price as well.
I bought this as I needed one in a hurry. Works great though
Caseology Parallex
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N4MB2VY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nice texture. Just enough grip