Favorite Non-Belted Case? - Hero CDMA Accessories

I've had one of the black, somewhat generic hard rubberized case off of eBay for my Sprint Hero since last December and have been extremely satisfied with it, considering how cheap it was. It has proven to be quite durable and has protected well against a couple falls to pavement. I usually don't mind the black treatment, but it really "pops" the silver fascia on the bottom 1/4 of the Hero's front side more than I like. Anyone find a more "organic" case that protects but blends in a bit more with the Hero's colors and/or design?

I have tried a couple out and was not impressed. I now have the Other Box and and love it.
Sent from my HERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

I have the same case as you and it has been a lifesaver i have drop my hero many times and it has yet to be damaged. I like it better then my father soft body glove case.

Seidio Innocase II.
1mm thickness
Really strong
Has some grip to it (like rubbery)
Not so much grip that it will pull your pocket lining out with it when you remove it from your pocket like those silicone cases. bleh. I hate that.
Fits like a ****ing glove.

Otterbox Commuter. No contest.

i use bodyguardz.com on every device i own. protects against most drops, will not scratch and adds no bulk

Related

Which case to buy for Dinc ???

looking to get a different case and i'm looking for opinions.........currently i'm using the body glove but i'm looking at:
Seidio Innocase II Surface for HTC DROID Incredible, Black
or
Dragonfly Kream Cover for HTC DROID Incredible, Black
or
OtterBox Commuter Case for HTC DROID Incredible, Black
thanks for the input
I have the Seidio Innocase II and love it.
trembly01 said:
looking to get a different case and i'm looking for opinions.........currently i'm using the body glove but i'm looking at:
Seidio Innocase II Surface for HTC DROID Incredible, Black
or
Dragonfly Kream Cover for HTC DROID Incredible, Black
or
OtterBox Commuter Case for HTC DROID Incredible, Black
thanks for the input
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly recommend that you get the Otterbox Commuter. I own the Innocase II and Innocase Active and the Otterbox Commuter stands above both. The Innocase II is nice if you don't care as much about durability or aesthetics, the Active is a damn good improvement over the Innocase II and provides a lot more protection and looks nice, but the buttons are difficult to push. The Commuter is very aesthetically pleasing, much more durable than any case I've held before, not noticeably thicker compared to the Active, and the buttons are so much easier to push. I used the Innocase II for ~3 months, the Active for ~4 months, and just got the Commuter by mail. I'm loving every bit of it.
Personally, the best case I've had (I've had the Innocase II as well) has been the black glossy silicone case I purchased from Verizon. It fits like a glove, looks clean and stylish, gives adequate protection to the camera, and is a bit raised on the front so the screen it protected from a fall or from a rough surface.
It's also available in a couple other colors I believe.
I used a coupon and got it 15% off for about $15 if my memory is correct.
I really was not happy with the Innocase AT ALL. Seidio's quality is progressively decreasing. Also, after a few drops, the random areas of the surface of the case start to peel off, making it ugly and removing any uniformity that existed before.
Note this was after I had to order a replacement from Seidio due to a design flaw in their product. The replacement I received was still flawed. They're just not reliable.
Just got the otterbox defender series, LOVE it
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
BABABANG said:
Personally, the best case I've had (I've had the Innocase II as well) has been the black glossy silicone case I purchased from Verizon. It fits like a glove, looks clean and stylish, gives adequate protection to the camera, and is a bit raised on the front so the screen it protected from a fall or from a rough surface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100% with you here. My fiancee has gone through about six cases for her Incredible and she keeps coming back to the red TPU case sold by Verizon.
I recently changed to the same black glossy TPU case you mentioned. I will never buy another type of case again. It fits tight and looks awesome!
DeaconBoogie said:
I agree 100% with you here. My fiancee has gone through about six cases for her Incredible and she keeps coming back to the red TPU case sold by Verizon.
I recently changed to the same black glossy TPU case you mentioned. I will never buy another type of case again. It fits tight and looks awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i used the innocase II and it just scratched the bezel of the phone. i was excited when i read the description of the case because it said it was "lined" with a soft fabric so dirt wouldn't scratch the phone, but they only lined the back of it and not the sides. so ultimately dirt got underneath and messed up the phone.
after i realized that, i switched to the verizon case i originally bought. on one, i cut out the volume and power buttons so u were touching them directly. worked good, but my cutting wasn't as smooth as i liked so snatched my sisters black case and use that one now.
Ty07allstar said:
I have the Seidio Innocase II and love it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't agree with him more, except that I bought the Rugged Combo case (which gives me the holster for the Surface II and the Rugged case and holster).
The first case I used was the Innocase II Surface. I liked it for the most part. The back pieces didn't match up quite perfectly, but it was barely noticeable and not a problem at all. My main problem was that it was so tight (considering I have a slightly thicker 1500 battery) that it would put a lot of stress on my screen protector when sliding it on or off. It eventually started to peel the top left corner off, and you know those things, once they start peeling off there's no stopping it.
I heard really good things about the Otterbox Commuter so I went ahead and ordered one of those and I'm thinking it was a mistake now. The usb port cover does not stay in. The hard outer shell is way to slippery for safety. For the amount of thickness added you would expect to be holding a phone with an exteded battery or maybe one from 3 years ago. Some people like a little bit more thickness to their phone, and were that the only issue I would probably be pretty happy with it, but all three of these things together make it seem like I got less than I expected. The inside silicone layer feels like it adds a lot of shock protection but I take pretty good care of my phones and rarely drop them. My next door neighbour has an Otterbox Commuter for his iPhone 3GS and it is worlds better. The hard shell covers all 4 sides, all the plugs fit in, and it conforms to the shape of the phone. Why they wouldn't mold this case around the shape of the phone and instead opt to make it more brick like is beyond me.
I think I'm going to sand down some parts on my old Innocase II Surface and try it back out again.
I use a Red HTC silicone glove. Fits very snug, bought it from best buy after trading in some old ass games, they still take xbox games unlike gamestop. Cost $30 but minus the $24 trading in 6 games. $6.... best buy takes trades for almost every electronic now...
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
seidio is great, i have it
nothing competes with seidio innocase II... nothing
Yeah, I got a Seidio Innocase as well. Fits very well and has protected my phone properly from 2 drops so far. Feels great and doesn't feel like it adds too much bulk or weight. You should get it too.!
Look up Case-Mate Tough Case. Double layer protection is the best and it looks better than any of the other ones.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
I bought an Otterbox defender series case. It's nice but not worth the money. I'll buy another Otterbox case for my next phone but may try the commuter series case instead.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
BABABANG said:
Personally, the best case I've had (I've had the Innocase II as well) has been the black glossy silicone case I purchased from Verizon. It fits like a glove, looks clean and stylish, gives adequate protection to the camera, and is a bit raised on the front so the screen it protected from a fall or from a rough surface.
It's also available in a couple other colors I believe.
I used a coupon and got it 15% off for about $15 if my memory is correct.
I really was not happy with the Innocase AT ALL. Seidio's quality is progressively decreasing. Also, after a few drops, the random areas of the surface of the case start to peel off, making it ugly and removing any uniformity that existed before.
Note this was after I had to order a replacement from Seidio due to a design flaw in their product. The replacement I received was still flawed. They're just not reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Granted...this is my 1st and only case I have for my Inc, I like the look and feel of the vzm silicone/rubber case. I may try an otterbox though.
For the price.. go with my el cheapo case in my sig!
I've used the Otterbox Commuter ever since it came out and I love it. Thinking about upgrading to the Defender series though but I think it may add too much bulk. I didn't have a back door for my phone for over a month and my otterbox held my phone together literally. It is WELL worth the price. I've dropped this phone hard enough to smash it into pieces and thank god i had an otterbox on it that prevented that, plus if they break it's a free replacement
I bought a cheap, hard-rubbery case from Verizon at my local store. It works great, but I honestly hardly ever use it. I'm surprised my phone still works. I drop it at least 3 times a week from decent heights (out of my truck onto asphalt or from my lap to the tile floor).
Dincs are surprisingly very durable.
I do however have a screen protector.
ksidirt said:
I bought a cheap, hard-rubbery case from Verizon at my local store. It works great, but I honestly hardly ever use it. I'm surprised my phone still works. I drop it at least 3 times a week from decent heights (out of my truck onto asphalt or from my lap to the tile floor).
Dincs are surprisingly very durable.
I do however have a screen protector.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forget the exact price of a DInc but it's somewhere between $300-$400. spending $40-$50 on an Otterbox that will keep it from breaking for sure is worth it, not to mention Otterbox will replace the cover if it breaks and pay for your phone too I think. Just my opinion. I am not risking my phone with a cheap Verizon cover.

Best very thin/low bulk Inc case?

I want a case for my Incredible, that doesn't make it feel so bulky. Something light and thin yet offering decent protection.
What's the best option here? Seidio Surface? Griffin Reveal?
ZealotOnAStick said:
I want a case for my Incredible, that doesn't make it feel so bulky. Something light and thin yet offering decent protection.
What's the best option here? Seidio Surface? Griffin Reveal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a 'speck' case recently from Verizon's site for $5. Its been in a few threads on this site. Very protective and doesn't feel bulky. Those seido ones look way too big, and they're expensive.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I just purchased a Seidio Innocase from amazon and it looks great and is not bulky. I carry it around in a hip case which my old otterbox didnt fit in.
Just got the Seidio Active case, but may not be what you're looking for.
I don't think it's bulky just because I already think our phone is too slim and too difficult to hold comfortably; it adds 2.2mm to depth of phone.
This may be what you're looking for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4hK8IdPmU4&feature=player_embedded
i ordered the seidio rugged combo, comes with innocase and belt clip, i like it better than the otterbox defender, less bulk, solid and secure feel, and if you dont want the added bulk, you can just remove the "rugged" case and use the provided innocase..expensive but great buy, 2 cases in 1...
I have the Otterbox Commuter Case and it's perfect for me. The Defender series is like a tank comparatively.
<br></div></div>
I have the Seidio Surface case and I don't even notice a difference thickness wise. Seidio advertized it only adds 2mm to the phone's thickness.
Chernyi said:
I have the Seidio Surface case and I don't even notice a difference thickness wise. Seidio advertized it only adds 2mm to the phone's thickness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seidio is awesome. I have the ACTIVE Blue.
I got it off of amazon a bit cheaper than the Seidio site, but totally worth it!
POQbum said:
Just got the Seidio Active case, but may not be what you're looking for.
I don't think it's bulky just because I already think our phone is too slim and too difficult to hold comfortably; it adds 2.2mm to depth of phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda like trying to handle that bar of soap that's been used down to about a quarter of an inch thick... Personally I liked the Body Glove case. My only gripe about it was the lip around the face of the phone was too big. It made using the full qwerty impossible and down actions on the track pad difficult. Good luck finding one though. The stores that have them keep them right next to the chicken teeth.
I too have the Seidio Surface case. It's great. Very slim, yet it offers protection to the camera lens.
I just got the seidio active case and i like it also its not bulky to me and it fits the phone really good.
I use the Incipio Feather case. It sounds like exactly what you're looking for. Decent protection and so slim you almost don't even know its there.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
hey do you all use a screen protector with your phones? I dont like screen protectors, but went with the barely there case and got scratches because it went face down once.
Gorilla* said:
hey do you all use a screen protector with your phones? I dont like screen protectors, but went with the barely there case and got scratches because it went face down once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
used to use one but not anymore. My screen shattered with one on and I never got a scratch before (6 months of having it and dropping it, sliding it face down).
Replaced the screen for $30 and now I don't use one because it's a hassle that I don't need.
It's useful for a lot of people though.
High Gloss Silicone
The Verizon High Gloss Silicone case is inexpensive, protects well, and add just enough thickness to protect the camera lense. My phone bounces when dropped onto concrete, but still slides easily in and out of my pocket.
(Search Youtube for "HTC Incredible High Gloss Silicone Case")
jimlange said:
The Verizon High Gloss Silicone case is inexpensive, protects well, and add just enough thickness to protect the camera lense. My phone bounces when dropped onto concrete, but still slides easily in and out of my pocket.
(Search Youtube for "HTC Incredible High Gloss Silicone Case")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+ 1.
Had shipped from Verizon for less than $10. It's what you are looking for. This is the case I have now after the speck case. Very light weight. Speck was nice, just turns from red to salmon after a while.
http://www.androidcentral.com/look-verizons-silcone-case-accessory-htc-droid-incredible
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I use the otterbox commuter. It adds some much needed depth to my phone, as I love the dInc, but its too thin for me to hold comfortably. The added depth also has the pleasant side effect of protecting the camera lens. Its over a year old and there's not a scratch on the camera lens; only scratches on it are 2 corners nicked from a drop (cleaning the phone without the case on it) and some minor pocket rash on the screen.
My speck case makes my phone indestructible
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
eckwheet said:
+ 1.
Had shipped from Verizon for less than $10. It's what you are looking for. This is the case I have now after the speck case. Very light weight. Speck was nice, just turns from red to salmon after a while.
http://www.androidcentral.com/look-verizons-silcone-case-accessory-htc-droid-incredible
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. -- I've had this case since I've had my phone (brought case for $20 at that time) and I love this case. Doesn't at any weight or bulk to the phone. Phone is easy to take out of phone, does not get stuck like the other 'rubber' cases. Protects the phone very well, ports and buttons are accessible. Case is very easy to put on the phone and remove as well. I love it!

Seidio Surface Case on Amazon

They have these on Amazon for $10 less than the Seidio site. The case and clip combo, edited cause I didn't know if people may have thought it was just the case. Just ordered the black one. I was going to wait for the cheaper platinum branded one from Best Buy but it still shows backordered on their site. I had the same case for my Captivate and Inspire and really liked it. If you need a belt clip this is a great option.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006671MRG/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details
My seidio active just came in from amazon, love it, although I had to pay the full 30.
pics/review/thoughts of your active and surface cases?
I'm looking for something with at least decent drop protection. Looks like Otterbox commuter fits the bill but I thought the active looked a little snazzier.
Here's the best photos I could manage with my old LG Optimus Get ready for the long blocks of text.
Lots of pros: Case fits perfectly along with exoskeleton, no need to worry about it being loose. Makes the phone a lot easier to grip. I no longer have problems gripping the phone, in whatever position I may be standing/lying. Case made of top notch material. Exoskeleton is made to absorb shock when the phone is dropped on its corners and it seems like it does just that.
Camera is not impacted by the case at all, or at least to the point where I cant tell. Everything is cut perfectly, both on the inner shell and outer shell. Doesn't add a lot of bulk to the phone itself.
Have a problem with accidently pushing the volume buttons? Not anymore. The soft inner case is solid enough so that the volume buttons/power button (which are covered) only get pressed when you want to.
Loved the kickstand the first time I tried it. I believe it was made to lock in one position. At first, I thought it was dumb that they made the kickstand open so that the charger port was pointed down towards the table but you can just flip the phone 180 degrees and use the kickstand that way too! Should be all the viewing angles you need.
Cons: The hard exterior exoskeleton does not cover the top and bottom of the soft case. I did not get the holster with it so I do not know how the holster will affect the softer plastic but it seems extremely durable. Not sure how long the kickstand will last but seems well built so hopefully the entire lifespan of my phone. Another con is that the kickstand juts out of the case a millimeter or two so that when you have the phone flat on a table, it doesnt sit flat on its back.
Does attract a bit of lint but hardly noticeable unless under bright lights, which is how I took the pictures
Overall, very nice and durable case. Wish it was a bit cheaper than 30 dollars so if you can snag a sale, good for you! Highly recommended it. I didnt even know seidio existed before reading through these forums and looking at the opinions others gave them and I am glad I went with it! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I just got my surface case in today and it is exactly what I expected. I've had the same case on my Captivate and Inspire. There are other cases I like better but the clip is a necessity for me. Fits like a glove and doesn't add much bulk at all.
It adds a decent amount of protection but don't expect Otterbox Defender kind of protection. Though I have dropped my Captivate and Inspire numerous times with this case on and never had any damage.
Pics later when I get a chance.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA App
FYI I've had Seido Surface cases cause micro scratches on the plastic of phones before. Little pieces of dust/debris get stuck inside and the hard plastic of the phone causes it to scratch the plastic of the phone.
You can have this issue with any type of hard plastic case. I've seen it happen personally on the cheap generic Ebay cases and expensive Surface cases.
I've seen the build up but not scratches in the 3 that I have owned. But I'm also not looking for it either as I don't care if the plastic gets scratched up. I just need something with a belt clip that doesn't add much bulk and gives some protection in case of a drop.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA App

Urban Armor Gear vs Otterbox Commuter

Really torn right now between purchasing the Commuter case from Otterbox or picking up one of the UAG cases for my note 2. I see that the Otterbox offers a two layer case vs the UAG single layer. Also the Commuter has covers for the ports and the UAG does not. Also for those that do own either or both, which do you orefer and why?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
2 layers or a single molded layer - both offer very similar level of protection. I played with Commuter, but pass on it. Using UAG now. Too many advantages over Commuter. The back is less slippery, and has standoff "feet" to create friction with a surface; Commuter is easier to accidentally push/slide off the table with slippery surface (like grass top or granite). Also feels less slippery in my hand (UAG that is). One piece is a lot easier to take off if you need to change battery or remove card. Design of volume/power buttons is better and more responsive, like an external hardware buttons. It's lighter. Better design, looks a lot cooler and has customizable vent inserts. Don't care much about port plugs since I use my phone as GPS on a charger in a car and having micro-usb port cover is PITA. I feel Commuter inner rubber shell will get loose with time, already noticed pull around volume buttons where the rubber part was looser.
Honestly i was pulling towards the uag but i couldnt risk an wait for it to show up so just said buck it an got a commuter.. So far ive been realy happy with it. Size is good gives me a better grasp. A tad slippery but i got used to it now an got my way of holding it. Lip size around the edges is nice too realy would help incase phone fell screen down. Also comes with its own screen protector wich i botched the install since i suck at putting those on. An the biggest of all my conserns was the push buttons. On most of my cases on my old gs2 they were hard to push an this case there just rite.. not to soft nor to hard at all realy just perfect pressure to press. Better then my exs gs3 commuter wich is hard as shat to press the volume or power. I wouldnt put up with it if it was like that on mine.
I give it a 9/10. An only for the color choices aint the best style combinations that they coulda use but oh well not a deal breaker
sent from my Cricket Note 2
Loved my s3 commuter but the note 2 version is now in the trash. That thing was a terrible fit and gradually got worse. Had a replacement that was the exact same. UAG looks like the clear winner right now. I will buy once the crazy pricing goes down.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I had been eye-balling the UAG case, but the uncovered ports were what swayed me to the Commuter. All the **** that collects in the usb port when left uncovered has always made me paranoid. Needless to say I always look for cases that cover the ports.
I was previously using the Defender. That case has great protection and all, but the crap that builds up underneath the screen protector was what made me start looking else where. Seriously, $60 (after tax) for a case that's "dust proof'" that I have to clean inside of twice a week? Plus, the volume and power buttons were as hard as a girls nipples outside in the middle of winter with no shirt on to press down. It made me feel like I was constantly trying to use my manliness to squash the phone and case to pieces with my bare hands with each use.
I'm on day two with the Commuter and have noticed a little bit of slipperiness on the back depending what surface I put it on. But, who cares. You can place the phone face down so the rubber comes in contact with the surface so it doesn't slide. Or, even better, you don't put your phone on a surface that has such a steep grade that it slides right off. The ports are covered (as mentioned) and the buttons have a nice firm yet responsive feel to them.
All the edges seem to line up nicely for what feels to be a nice snug fit. We'll see when I get my glass from Mime if everything fits together nicely.
I really wanted to like to like the UAG. The overall design of the case is pretty cool. The corners with edges will pay dividends when bumped against something. However, the more I thought about it, the big advertisement of a logo all big in brushed aluminum was a little much. Mix that with the uncovered ports and it was enough to sway me to the Commuter.
This is turning into a rant, so good luck in your choice.:silly:
I have to go with the commuter here. Some of the previous reviews have pointed out that the back is slippery. While I would agree, I also think that is not too slippery, and it is much easier to put in and take out of pockets than the UAG. Also, the biggest thing that I disliked about the UAG besides the lack of port covers, was that it just felt awkward in my hand. The commuter is much nicer to hold IMO. Also my UAG case was less than snug, it just felt like the phone wasn't secure. Also, the Commuter I think offers superior protection. Just check out this video. The Commuter, for all realistic purposes, does protects the phone just as much as the defender (which I also have). I think the commuter is the clear winner here.
Also, for what it's worth, Otterbox is the best mobile accessory company out there. Their customer service is quick & friendly. I have contacted them through both phone and email, and I have never received any service less than stellar, unlike my experience with UAG. I preordered my UAG case and was shocked at how little contact UAG had with me, as a preorder customer, especially considering how long the case was delayed.
My commuter also bent my charging port with its stiff port cover. Had to cut it off after my phone was replaced and then the left side of the phone began popping out. The Otter box hit the trash immediately.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
I loved my commuter when I first got it but now I hate it. The silicone is made out of cheap material, two weeks old and it's already tearing. The back is very slippery. I sometimes have trouble fitting my usb plug into the slot because the silicone gets in the way. Haven't had the usb bend yet as some have reported. The headphone jack on the commuter is not big enough for some of the plugs I use. I order the UAG case and it will be in tomorrow. I had the UAG on my S3 and I know what a terrific case it is. When my UAG comes in I'm throwing the commuter away.
I have had a commuter, a few other cases, and the UAG.
The Uag was my clear favorite. It is slim enough, but offer comparable protection to the commuter. The commuter was just too heavy and thick. The Uag is slimmer, and noticeably lighter.
I'd recommend Uag over the computer with out pause... Build, looks, and overall quality. But that is simply my opinion and nothing more.
I had seidio active... The magnet kickstand messed up the stylus.
I had a incipio dual pro shine. Great case that added protection, but not as much as the two you listed above. It so scratched so easy and looked like horrible in a week.
The Uag is my final case I believe. If your not sold on either, look into the trident aegis. I oersonslly don't like the way it looks, not even a little bit. But it is getting g great reviews by people here and the people who own it seem to prefer it. Maybe it looks better in person.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2
jbreeze228 said:
The silicone is made out of cheap material, two weeks old and it's already tearing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call or email Otterbox. This should not be the "case".
Haha. See what I did there?
AlphaNoble said:
Call or email Otterbox. This should not be the "case".
Haha. See what I did there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao. Nicely done sir.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
Anyone know if UAG Allows wireless charging or does it affect it?
So I settled on the commuter case and have got to say I am pretty happy with it. Doesn't make the phone all that much bigger and having the port covers is a plus. Although we will see I'm pretty sure I will end up getting the UAG case as well so I can try them both out.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Literally just got my UAG case in and it was effing awesome! It's so easy to hold and grip versus the commuter I was scared would fall out of my hands because it was so slippery. The buttons are a lot easier to push. Love how you can change the vent colors but rockin the orange for now. The only area the Otterbox wins in is the size of the spen cut out. Other than that there is no comparison between these two. Don't see myself using any other case. Great job UAG.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
chodie said:
I had been eye-balling the UAG case, but the uncovered ports were what swayed me to the Commuter. All the **** that collects in the usb port when left uncovered has always made me paranoid. Needless to say I always look for cases that cover the ports.
I was previously using the Defender. That case has great protection and all, but the crap that builds up underneath the screen protector was what made me start looking else where. Seriously, $60 (after tax) for a case that's "dust proof'" that I have to clean inside of twice a week? Plus, the volume and power buttons were as hard as a girls nipples outside in the middle of winter with no shirt on to press down. It made me feel like I was constantly trying to use my manliness to squash the phone and case to pieces with my bare hands with each use.
I'm on day two with the Commuter and have noticed a little bit of slipperiness on the back depending what surface I put it on. But, who cares. You can place the phone face down so the rubber comes in contact with the surface so it doesn't slide. Or, even better, you don't put your phone on a surface that has such a steep grade that it slides right off. The ports are covered (as mentioned) and the buttons have a nice firm yet responsive feel to them.
All the edges seem to line up nicely for what feels to be a nice snug fit. We'll see when I get my glass from Mime if everything fits together nicely.
I really wanted to like to like the UAG. The overall design of the case is pretty cool. The corners with edges will pay dividends when bumped against something. However, the more I thought about it, the big advertisement of a logo all big in brushed aluminum was a little much. Mix that with the uncovered ports and it was enough to sway me to the Commuter.
This is turning into a rant, so good luck in your choice.:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please let us know how it goes with the MIME glass screen protector.
I have both cases and must say UAG wins. Top it off with mime, excellent product with outstanding support
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda premium
P
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
UAG is very light and is easy to put on or take off. It has military standard drop. Heat vents keep your phone cool. Easy to hold. Looks good if you like the rugged look. Last a long time. I have a uag case from 4 years ago that still looks great today.
Sawdust in your port
Covered ports may seem unnecessary, but when I was working at radioshack, an old man came in and said his phone wasn't charging right. I assumed it was the cord (because that is the case 9 times out of 10), but the cable was perfectly fine. I then checked the USB port, and it looked like someone shoved white playdough in the port and shoved it down. As I pick it out, I discover it was sawdust that was left in there and shoved down over time. The phone worked fine after that.

Ordered a bunch of cases (list in post). I'll answer any questions.

So I've ordered and received the following 2 cases for my M8 so far:
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective
Aduro Shell Holster Combo Case
I'm not completely happy/unhappy with either one, so I've gone ahead and ordered the following cases:
Minisuit Clipster Kickstand Case - This one looks identical to the Arduro case but is $3 cheaper. If I decide to keep it, even after I ship back it will be the cheaper option.
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
Seidio Surface Case with Metal Kickstand and Holster Combo
Otterbox Defender Series
Spigen Capsule Clear
i-Blason Prime Series Dual Layer Holster Cover with Kickstand and Locking Belt Swivel Clip
SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
I'm not planning on writing complete reviews because it would be too time consuming, but I would be happy to answer any questions that anyone has.
I have preferred SEIDIO cases in the past with the holster combo. I had those on my HTC Tilt and my first Droid 2 - which was lost at an airport when I think a piece of luggage pulled the whole thing from my belt when I lifted it. Apart from that experience (which I blame myself for as much as anything), I'd been happy with SEIDIO...the Tilt survived a motorcycle accident that totaled my bike, but the phone was fine. SEIDIO was pretty expensive though, so I went through 2 or 3 much cheaper rip-offs (sans holster) over the last couple yeats of my phone.
I think the traditional SEIDIO rubberized cases provided a good balance of protection without being too incredibly bulky.
I'm caught at an impasse now with the M8 because it is such a nice looking phone I'd like to show it off with more of a light and clear case. OTOH, I have a 2 year old that I'd like to protect it from. Also, the M8 is much bigger than the phones I've had in the past (height and width wise, thickness is actually thinner) - so I'm not sure how a thick case will influence my carrying it around.
I think the best solution for me may be a case that provides protection somewhere in-between a TPU and a Otterbox (i.e. middle ground) and ideally be able to fit into some holster. I feel that the holster is necessary due to the size of the phone in a jeans front pocket - especially if a case is grippy and hard to get out.
Anyway, the above thoughts are how *I* will be judging the cases and some of them may change my mind entirely (e.g. The Otterbox, which I really don't think I want, but thought I would give it a shot).
I'll ship all the ones I don't want back to Amazon. I figure $10 return shipping is a good investment to find the right case for 2 years of my life.
Let me know if you have any questions about the cases and I will try to answer them!
TraderJack said:
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. I think the one from Verizon is identical to the Minisuit/Arduro ones I mention above. None of them look that slick...with the black cross-hatching. About they only thing they have going for them is a good holster setup...but that's why I'm hoping the Puregear has something else going for it rather than a slightly different design.
The cases will be here on Wednesday and I hope to try them all out then.
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
As long as we're talking about cases, you should try looking at the Dualtek case for the M8. It's a little bulky but definitely protecting the phone and looks stylish. Feels great, too.
I've been using Otterbox cases for every phone since I switched to Android years ago but I agree that the Defender and Commuter cases make this phone too bulky. Luckily they have the Symmetry Series which is slimmer (one piece, plastic shell with rubber liner built in) but still provides great protection. Color schemes are limited, I went with black, but they have around 5 choices if you like brighter colors.
Cons are that the case is a little slippery for my tastes and it adds bulk to an already big phone but I drop my phone every day so it's a trade-off.
http://www.otterbox.com/Symmetry-Series-for-HTC-One-(M8)/htc28-one-m8,default,pd.html
I just got the cases this evening. I'll respond directly to the questions asked, and then I'll give my overview on the others:
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one [HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo]. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Puregear is almost identical to the Arduro and Minisuit cases as I assumed it would be. It has a slightly different cutout for the camera (which I like less), and a different surface texture from the cross-hatching type on the other two. You can clearly see the surface texture differences in the Amazon pics. While I like the design texture on the Puregear slightly better, it is really so equivalent in every other way that it isn't worth the $4-5 premium you would pay over the Minisuit. These are low bulk cases..good holster. These cases would do virtually nothing in a drop except maybe allow a bounce before the phone snapped out of it. That being said my similar case for the Droid took a few drops and the phone was no worse for wear.
cue_32 said:
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is maybe one of my favorite from the bunch. It is way easier to take on and off then the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective case I also purchased. Unlike the Beetle, the back is totally clear instead of frosted - so it shows off the phone. The sides however are not rigid like the Beetle, which is why it can be removed from the phone easier. The back is more rounded like the phone, whereas the Beetle is more squared. It has a slightly tacky feel...maybe not as much as the Spigen below, but it is grippy. I would say it is kind of your standard TPU type case, but of the utmost quality for these type. Since you can find TPU cases for $3-4, I think the $10 for this is not totally out of line. I'm really unsure that either of the SUPCASEs would offer any real protection from a drop. I will almost definitely be keeping one of these cases for now.
One other benefit of this case is that it fits into the Minisuit/Arduro holster really well.
richteralan said:
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Despite the term "soft" being in the description in Amazon...I thought this was going to be a hard case - so I was a bit surprised.
It is actually not slippery at all, quite the contrary. I also don't think it is that bad of a finger print magnet. It is in some ways similar to the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case I mention above, except that it is clear all around instead of having a black bumper. However (and I think I read this elsewhere in the reviews) the clear color of the case has a yellow tinge to it that is really disappointing since the main feature of this case is to showcase the phone. This case may have just a *bit* more cushion than the SUPCASE - but in all honesty I still don't think any of these are offering great drop protection. I think I prefer the SUPCASE (either one) to this one - it just doesn't have the same "sparkle" that you get from the pics.
Going onto the other cases.
The Otterbox and the SEIDIO - the two most expensive ones. And, probably because of that, the two biggest disappointments:
The Ottterbox was just ugly out of the box. I've never had one before because I always thought they were bulky and ugly - but I wanted to give it a chance. Even though the Otterbox probably would protect better than most of these, I still don't think it would be foolproof. I also really dislike the screen covering piece which is non-optional. For the cost, I just wouldn't consider something like this over the i-Blason (see below).
The SEIDIO had the same nice finish I was used to on their matte cases. I wasn't a huge fan of the two piece snap together design. I also got one with a slight manufacturing defect and the pieces didn't line up perfectly. Because of the two piece design, it was able to stay as a slim case but protect all around the edges. However I'm sure the case would snap open if the phone fell onto a hard surface. Additionally, as much as I enjoy the quick release holster of the SEIDIOs, they are not without their problems and can easily get caught on things and drop your phone (happened to me not infrequently with my other cases). The kickstand on this phone was also not that attractive being a bit flimsy and off to the side. Like the others, I also really don't know how much protection from a drop this would give you - probably somewhere just north of the SUPCASE/Spigen. Like the Otterbox, just not worth the money on this phone.
Finally the i-Blason... I think it is one of the better in terms of protection - being a 2-piece shell case. South of the Otterbox maybe, but better than the rest. Not a bad looking case, though not beautiful. I almost wish they had a model without the kickstand and big fat grooves on the back. I don't know if those grooves serve a real functional purpose, but if you removed those pieces you would have a much cleaner looking case with probably the same level of protection.
Looks wise - I think overall the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid is my favorite... I'm just not sure it is going to give me the protection I want from my toddler. I'm considering keeping that and the Minisuit (mostly for the compatible holster). Or, perhaps I will keep the i-Blason for most of the time around the house, but also the SUPCASE for a svelter pocket profile and when I want to show off the phone.
I'm going to keep looking I think for something else like the iBlason. I might give up on the holster idea altogether as I realize it isn't the 90s anymore. I need to see how well this phone does in my pocket over the next week or two to decide if it's a priority.
If you all have more questions on these, I'll do my best to answer.
I just purchased the Case Mate Naked Tough Case from Amazon. So far so good. It has some shock protection and still shows the good looks of the phone. I'm using it in conjunction with a Zagg glass shield. I would post a link, but I suppose I need to post a few more times before I can.
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
FearlessAZ said:
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely. Honestly I played with the otterbox for all of 30 seconds. First off, I just thought it was ugly...
Put it on and it seemed pretty bulky, although I was going to give it a chance since I knew that with that bulk came good protection.
The minute I touched the screen though I observed exactly what you are stating, the screen protector is not flush and that gave it an overall cheap feel.
So here is my update as I am leaving town for a couple of weeks and am choosing a case to come with me for the first real road test:
Based on my observations above, and the info from this thread, I think I'm going to stick with the Supcase Beetle.
While I like the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case as well, I feel that it just doesn't offer great protection. Also, I find the volume buttons a little loose, as if they move too much off contact with the phone when you press on them.
The Beetle may only be a ~6-7 in the protection department, but the only ones that beat it are the Otterbox and probably the i-Blason. I just can't do the otterbox, and the i-Blason is a tad bulky and doesn't showcase the phone at all. I wish they removed the back nubbins and kickstand from the i-Blason. I haven't found a really nice and lean 2 piece case (internal silicon, hard outer shell). The Spigen 2-piece (not reviewed here) is a good contender for that role but it blocks the IR port, which is a non-starter (even though I will rarely use that feature, on principal I don't want a case that removes features from my phone).
So, for now I'm opting more for an "8 looks and 6/7 protection." The UAG looked like a good alternative that might have been 8 on both fronts, but from my thread linked above someone who has owned both feels that the Beetle is close on par with the UAG from protection standpoint. Price wise, the Beetle wins hands down.
I am still left though in a situation where I don't have a holster. I don't know yet how big of a problem that will be. I need to see how the Beetle does in my pants pocket over the next week. If it doesn't work out, and I can't find a compatible holster for the Beetle, I may have to abandon it all-together because it is just too hard to take it out of the Beetle on a regular basis to put into a holster-compatible case...I don't want to have to do that even weekly.
Dang. That is kind of a let down. I don't mind bulkyness at all but if that screen protector isn't tight, it's just pointless for me. I work construction and need something that won't allow the dirt to get between the screen and protector. I'll look into a few that you suggested. Thanks!

Categories

Resources