Urban Armor Gear vs Otterbox Commuter - Galaxy Note II Accessories

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.

Related

Very Cool Hard Case

I ordered this on ebay after watching the video on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9RaUUN1Pgh4
I have to say I'm pretty impressed with it. Very unique design. It's hard, and rubberized to so you can keep a good grip on it.
It's not cheap, I paid about 60 bucks USD for it. Check it out, you guys might like it., I know I do!
Cheers!
Thank you for that! Bit bulky, but has cool features. Please give us an update when it arrives.
Same here. Too bulky and cheaplooking for my taste.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Did look at one like that but I thought it was a bit bulky too. Like the hard front cover for bag protection though.
Using this one on mine with a screen protector and a slip case, for bag protection
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-GEL-CAS..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item2c58e50d25
It is excellent quality and offers good bump and scratch protection. It does not increase the footprint much and has a nice lip on the edge to give you a good purchase on the tab while holding it.
Cut outs for ports and buttons are spot on and have enough room around them for a the cables to attach correctly (others do not!)
For the price I am very pleased.
Love the kickstand.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
bisto321 said:
Did look at one like that but I thought it was a bit bulky too. Like the hard front cover for bag protection though.
Using this one on mine with a screen protector and a slip case, for bag protection
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-GEL-CAS..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item2c58e50d25
It is excellent quality and offers good bump and scratch protection. It does not increase the footprint much and has a nice lip on the edge to give you a good purchase on the tab while holding it.
Cut outs for ports and buttons are spot on and have enough room around them for a the cables to attach correctly (others do not!)
For the price I am very pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same case in pink and love it, but I got it at daydeal dot com.
Sent from my glorious Galaxy tab
bisto321 said:
Did look at one like that but I thought it was a bit bulky too. Like the hard front cover for bag protection though.
Using this one on mine with a screen protector and a slip case, for bag protection
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-GEL-CAS..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item2c58e50d25
It is excellent quality and offers good bump and scratch protection. It does not increase the footprint much and has a nice lip on the edge to give you a good purchase on the tab while holding it.
Cut outs for ports and buttons are spot on and have enough room around them for a the cables to attach correctly (others do not!)
For the price I am very pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the 2nd case for my Galaxy TAB and it's exactly the same case like yours except with white side.
It's cheap but it's good.
The case posted by Big_Totoro is good but, kinda worried the front lid with standing stoppers
which might eventually create marking or scratches on Galaxy TAB screen.
I'm using Incipio Silicrylic with kickstand. It is very nice and rugged. The kickstand kind of sucks but I contacted Incipio and they are going to work something out. Kickstand aside, the case is nice and heavy duty without adding much bulk.
I ordered this case in black just over a week ago and it arrived today. Brilliant fit, barely adds any weight while the device feels fully supported. The different prop positions are also great. My only concern was that it wouldnt fold back on itself to allow good usage one handed, but it a actually folds back on itself really well.
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Got mine
It isn't really very bulky. compared to a 3mm rubber skin yeah it is, but that isn't going to give you any protection anyhow
The rubberized outside is very grippy. Easy to hold in one hand without the fear of slippage.
The "stand" parts don't contact the screen at all when closed. It might if you have pressure applied to it, but again, it is soft rubberized finish on those stant peices as well on the inside.
The fit is brilliant. Leaving all the external buttons accessible. The front cover folds back easily, and don't fold over on itself at all.
It feels very sturdy and rugged. Not cheap feeling at all.
Just goin to touch on the "bulkiness" topic again briefly. Most leather or PU leather cases I have looked at at alot bulker than this case. While that MAY off a little more padding, I have noticed that most of those leather cases, the clasp interfers with the view of the screen.
Just my 2 cents
Cheers guys!
Thank you. I haven't found a retailer in Europe though. I hope this will change.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab via XDA DEVS app
bisto321 said:
Did look at one like that but I thought it was a bit bulky too. Like the hard front cover for bag protection though.
Using this one on mine with a screen protector and a slip case, for bag protection
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-GEL-CAS..._MobilePhonesCasesPouches&hash=item2c58e50d25
It is excellent quality and offers good bump and scratch protection. It does not increase the footprint much and has a nice lip on the edge to give you a good purchase on the tab while holding it.
Cut outs for ports and buttons are spot on and have enough room around them for a the cables to attach correctly (others do not!)
For the price I am very pleased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first peice of accessories for my Tab looks wonderfull I like it , price is fair
Got the same hard case in black, OP said rubberized finish, though mine is more like a textured finish, not sure if there are 2 types?
looks a little plasticy?
sjjones said:
looks a little plasticy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, certainly not what I would call rubbery or soft-touch. I haven't heard back from the seller yet.
Mine is Black as well. I guess we have a difference of opinion on what rubbery feel is
Its hard plastic with a rubberized coating. I dont know how else to explain it. Its not silicon rubbery or so rubbery that it would rub away.
Its not squishy, but its definatly not slippery. So there is a ruberized coating on it.
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App
just got my GT for a week, i saw this case on "yeebay"
will order one during or after the xmas/NY holiday, so i'll receive it as soon as the post office people start working.
Just an update, it turns out that there are 2 versions - the GLARE is not rubberized. I bought this for ~$40 from the seller. According to the seller, this cost less than the rubberized and it made sense cause he is selling the "other" version for ~$60. But when I went back & look at the item # I bought from (he still has units selling under the same item #), the price has gone up to ~$60.
I think the case is fine as is and will not spend return shipping & extra $60 to get the rubberized finish, just put that towards a leather case instaed.
Hi Big_Totoro,
How did you find it at Ebay? I've no idea how it is called or who build it (Manufactor). I was not able to find it anywhere in the web. Can you give me a hint?
Merry Christmas to all people out there!
I bought one of these too and absolutely love it. The fit is perfect, the ergonomics are fantastic (someone has spent a lot of time thinking about how this will be used so it supports all positions), it provides great protection, and the rubberised surface feels great.
I reckon this is the best case I have bought for any device- most useful, and if anything the device feels smaller to me in the case- an illusion obviously, but a testament to the quality of it.
I bought a few cases for my tab, but this is the only one that I will be using

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

Case Suggestions

Just got my phone back from getting the screen replaced and need to find something to put it in to keep it safe! Any Suggestions?
Original HTC Desire HD Leather Case
Hi there,
when I got my NS i went to the nearby Electronics Shop and tried the cases they had. The Original HTC Desire HD leather Case fits very well...
do you have the i9020 or i9023? Any type of case you have in mind?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I really like the cases from this thread. Picked up two of them.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1222925
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
The Incipio Feather Case is nice. It doesnt add much bulk, but still protects well.
Why not get a good screen protector and then run without a case. When the battery door gets to the point that its no longer attractive or you want to sell the phone buy a new battery door cover. A new battery door will cost you $7-$12 on eBay.
My Nexus has survived wars and it still looks good w/o a case. Like ^ this guy said, screen protector would suffice. I hate that extra bulk in my pocket.
I've got the trident aegis black-on-black for my NS4G (which I've had since last august) and think it's great. I had never been a "case" guy, and always kept my phones bare, but this phone was just waaaaaay too slippery. The smooth plastic back is one of the worst features of this phone and makes it really hard to hold on to if you're constantly juggling stuff in your hands and on the move. I dropped it a bunch of times in the first few days I had it before I just caved and ordered this case.
It's a two-piece case with a silicone full body case that covers the whole phone, and then a hard plastic outer shell that kind of clamps around the silicone.
The silicone part is supposed to absorb shock when you drop it, I guess. It has tabs that cover the headphone and usb ports, cutouts that are perfect for the camera and speaker, and mic, and is a bit thicker on the corners, which gives me some confidence and makes me think that they thought the design through well. I've dropped it a bunch, and watched my 1.5yr old son throw it to the ground, and no probs.
The plastic part wraps around that and is supposed to be good at reducing risk of damage during "crushing" impact. All I can say is that I actually shut my car's trunk on this phone accidentally and it was absolutely fine. It gives it gives it a sleeker feel and minimizes the "ruberry-ness", too.
It also comes with a clear screen protector that is fine, and I don't even notice. Since the screen is curved most people complain about the fact that screen protectors don't stick well on the edges, which is true, but the lip of the silicone case on the front covers this area, so you don't even notice it. I also don't notice a difference when using the touchscreen.
The silicone part does collect lint, so if you're OCD about that, it'll be annoying, but the protection makes it totally worth it for me. I'll gladly pay $30 for a rock solid case that collects a little lint rather than get insurance at $7.99 x 24 months = $192 over the contract. The one thing that's important to know if you use multiple batteries like I do, is that you have to put the silicon section into the hard plastic section first, pop all the buttons out of their holes on the hard plastic case, and then push the phone into the case. If you try to put the rubber part on the phone first, and then put the hard plastic on, the fit is so tight, it's tough to get the buttons to pop out. It was pretty frustrating before I figured this out, but now it only takes me a few seconds to do a battery swap. Finally, the case does add some bulk to the phone, but I personally don't think it's all that bad. The phone feels more solid in my hand and is much less slippery.
I've been meaning to write a review for this phone in the proper thread, but I don't like to review stuff unless I've really used it. So I pretty much forgot till I saw this post. Maybe I'll go link to this post in that thread too, but if you want pics, I remember seeing them in that thread, and in threads over on androidcentral or androidforums or something. Good luck with the case search.
I grabbed the Ballistic case for my Nexus. It's pretty rugged, stays on very well, and comes off easily when you want it too. Feels very solid in your hands.
corgan1001 said:
I grabbed the Ballistic case for my Nexus. It's pretty rugged, stays on very well, and comes off easily when you want it too. Feels very solid in your hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dou you have i9020 or i9023 version?
These are sick... Like the Mercury, but minus the blatant Engrish
http://www.myincipio.com/Google-Nex...Ultralight-Hard-Shell-Case-1065_1566-opt.aspx

Looking for a "grippy" protective case with non slip back

I'm looking for a protective case for my Note 2 that has a grippy/hard rubber feel that doesn't slide around when I lay it down on it's back. I have an Otterbox commuter but the back is hard plastic and slides around a lot if I lay it down unless I flip it over. My wife has an Iphone and her otterbox has a very grippy rubbery feel that is non slip. I wish their Note 2 cases were like that. I'm looking at the Griffin Survivor case and was wondering if anyone has any other recommendations before I try it out? Thanks!
dengood1 said:
I'm looking for a protective case for my Note 2 that has a grippy/hard rubber feel that doesn't slide around when I lay it down on it's back. I have an Otterbox commuter but the back is hard plastic and slides around a lot if I lay it down unless I flip it over. My wife has an Iphone and her otterbox has a very grippy rubbery feel that is non slip. I wish their Note 2 cases were like that. I'm looking at the Griffin Survivor case and was wondering if anyone has any other recommendations before I try it out? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.amazon.com/Duzign-Sentin...1378141878&sr=8-3&keywords=duzign+case+note+2
This case has been discussed by many on this forum and it has good reviews. It is definitely protective and grippy. You can even tell from the back rubbery design. If you want something slim, with a soft matte feel, i'd get the Six Abundant Case: http://www.amazon.com/DBA-Cases-Abu...=1378141992&sr=8-1&keywords=six+abundant+case
Wow, that first one definitely looks grippy!
Thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
dengood1 said:
Wow, that first one definitely looks grippy!
Thanks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're very welcome
opasha said:
You're very welcome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if the back is hard plastic or a softer rubber feel on the first one? I need it to stay put on a flat surface as I move around at work. The Commuter slides all over the place, which I cannot have. It will "stick" if I turn it over because of the rubber edges, but I need the phone to be face up/hands free. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
dengood1 said:
Do you know if the back is hard plastic or a softer rubber feel on the first one? I need it to stay put on a flat surface as I move around at work. The Commuter slides all over the place, which I cannot have. It will "stick" if I turn it over because of the rubber edges, but I need the phone to be face up/hands free. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From all the reviews and things I have heard about it, it seems to be in the middle. A hard rubber. So it's good for shock absorption. Definitely not a soft rubber because that would wear out very easily. However, from what everyone in the forums have said and from the amazon reviews, it seems like it will stay in place without issue. Also, it's only $10 and from amazon. If you don't like it, you can ship it back the same day for a full refund without any cost to you. Just keep the original box/packaging.
Here's a quote from someone who has it: "The back part of the case (the black exterior) feels more like silicone than plastic which gives it a nice look and grip. I have dropped my phone once on this case and I have to say that this case does a very good job on absorbing impact."
dengood1 said:
Do you know if the back is hard plastic or a softer rubber feel on the first one? I need it to stay put on a flat surface as I move around at work. The Commuter slides all over the place, which I cannot have. It will "stick" if I turn it over because of the rubber edges, but I need the phone to be face up/hands free. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a hard plastic exo with a softer plastic inner. I have this case and it will not hold in place on a hard flat surface. Mine will not even "stick" when placed screen down. The kickstand is about a 4/10 (flimsy, too easily collapsed etc)
Also, the buttons, imo, are junk. Last night, after I started using this case again after owning it for ~6 months (used for 2 weeks), I took a razor blade to the buttons. Couldn't stand them being so difficult to press.
However, the drop protection is definitely up to the same level as the commuter, for being such a cheap case.
I'd say it's worth the price, maybe even less.
Also, I have a similar six abundant case that was free. And although it's very nice, and my most used case, it offers very little protection, and definitely not "grippy" on surfaces.
Wish I had some suggestions. The Griffin Sur. looks grippy. If you search the forum here there are a few people that bought one and commented on the quality. I believe they don't officially support it.. So it's actually a knockoff.
Edit2: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2174889 has info for the knockoff griffin. Enjoy.
Brad.S. said:
It's a hard plastic exo with a softer plastic inner. I have this case and it will not hold in place on a hard flat surface. Mine will not even "stick" when placed screen down. The kickstand is about a 4/10 (flimsy, too easily collapsed etc)
Also, the buttons, imo, are junk. Last night, after I started using this case again after owning it for ~6 months (used for 2 weeks), I took a razor blade to the buttons. Couldn't stand them being so difficult to press.
However, the drop protection is definitely up to the same level as the commuter, for being such a cheap case.
I'd say it's worth the price, maybe even less.
Also, I have a similar six abundant case that was free. And although it's very nice, and my most used case, it offers very little protection, and definitely not "grippy" on surfaces.
Wish I had some suggestions. The Griffin Sur. looks grippy. If you search the forum here there are a few people that bought one and commented on the quality. I believe they don't officially support it.. So it's actually a knockoff.
Edit2: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2174889 has info for the knockoff griffin. Enjoy.
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Thanks for the input, bro. That's rather unfortunate. I guess other sources don't have the best description then.
Have you looked into the body glove case? That looks pretty nice and there is a lot of discussion recently on it in the Post Your Pics of Your Phone thread. Check it out.
opasha said:
Thanks for the input, bro. That's rather unfortunate. I guess other sources don't have the best description then.
Have you looked into the body glove case? That looks pretty nice and there is a lot of discussion recently on it in the Post Your Pics of Your Phone thread. Check it out.
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Click to collapse
Definitely bro, maybe others will chime in with different opinions about it.
I was actually just revisiting the idea of the body glove refined gel case (been subbed to that thread for forever). I remember it being a very popular case earlier this year. At one point there was an eBay seller with ~50 of them for $8+free shipping. I should have jumped on it then. I'm just afraid that the lower section of the case (shiny area) will end up scratching easily (read: shiny back mercury case).
Still haven't even gotten around to trying the UAG... Even though I designed and 3D printed some custom inserts.
What case are you rockin?
Brad.S. said:
Definitely bro, maybe others will chime in with different opinions about it.
I was actually just revisiting the idea of the body glove refined gel case (been subbed to that thread for forever). I remember it being a very popular case earlier this year. At one point there was an eBay seller with ~50 of them for $8+free shipping. I should have jumped on it then. I'm just afraid that the lower section of the case (shiny area) will end up scratching easily (read: shiny back mercury case).
Still haven't even gotten around to trying the UAG... Even though I designed and 3D printed some custom inserts.
What case are you rockin?
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Click to collapse
3d printing?? Dude that's awesome! I saw on geeky gadgets or theawesomer website ad about a 3d real time laser scanner. It was really impressive. Expensive ($1400 I think) but very cool. Right now I'm using my Six Abundant Case. I rotate between that and my white UAG case. The UAG case is worth it for me. It's not super bulky and protects my phone extremely well. I have large hands so I have no problem gripping and using my phone in one hand with either case on. I do have way too many cases at this point. I even have the casemate tough. Totally forgot to mention that. That definitely has a good feel in terms of grip and it is super slim for a fully protective case. Another nice one is the DBA ultra case. I'll most likely be upgrading to the note 3 so I stopped buying more cases, lol.
opasha said:
3d printing?? Dude that's awesome! I saw on geeky gadgets or theawesomer website ad about a 3d real time laser scanner. It was really impressive. Expensive ($1400 I think) but very cool. Right now I'm using my Six Abundant Case. I rotate between that and my white UAG case. The UAG case is worth it for me. It's not super bulky and protects my phone extremely well. I have large hands so I have no problem gripping and using my phone in one hand with either case on. I do have way too many cases at this point. I even have the casemate tough. Totally forgot to mention that. That definitely has a good feel in terms of grip and it is super slim for a fully protective case. Another nice one is the DBA ultra case. I'll most likely be upgrading to the note 3 so I stopped buying more cases, lol.
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Click to collapse
Yeah! Got into robotics development at my University a few years back and somehow got nominated to be the guy that learns the ins/outs of our 3D printer so that I can teach others everything about it (even the computer science professors). In the printing world, $1400 is fairly cheap for a production item.
I did see the 3D scanner. I believe it is going to be made by Makerbot. We made our own using a Kinect (think: xbox 360) to do real-time scans of objects and roll them into 3D files. However, I usually make one-off prints so I have to build them entirely by hand in a 3D environment.
Agh.. You are making it hard not to press the "complete my order" button for the black uag haha. I too have large hands/long fingers; I often get my iPhone-using-friends asking me how I always use one hand with this beast. If I was a female I'm sure I'd have gained muscle from just using it by now lol.
Forgot about casemate. I'll have to check them out. (have their tough case on my Skyrocket & love it)
I'll most likely be upgrading as well (if not at least a smart watch).. So now seems like a bad time for me to by yet another case.. But.. I have an addiction lol.
Brad.S. said:
Yeah! Got into robotics development at my University a few years back and somehow got nominated to be the guy that learns the ins/outs of our 3D printer so that I can teach others everything about it (even the computer science professors). In the printing world, $1400 is fairly cheap for a production item.
I did see the 3D scanner. I believe it is going to be made by Makerbot. We made our own using a Kinect (think: xbox 360) to do real-time scans of objects and roll them into 3D files. However, I usually make one-off prints so I have to build them entirely by hand in a 3D environment.
Agh.. You are making it hard not to press the "complete my order" button for the black uag haha. I too have large hands/long fingers; I often get my iPhone-using-friends asking me how I always use one hand with this beast. If I was a female I'm sure I'd have gained muscle from just using it by now lol.
Forgot about casemate. I'll have to check them out. (have their tough case on my Skyrocket & love it)
I'll most likely be upgrading as well (if not at least a smart watch).. So now seems like a bad time for me to by yet another case.. But.. I have an addiction lol.
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Click to collapse
That's really nice, bro. I know $1400 is not that expensive when it refers to such technology, but I meant in general - that's like a nice fully loaded laptop price, lol. I'm familiar with Kinect/Xbox360 so yeah, that's really interesting. I'm sure the whole 3D development can take time from scratch. Maybe I missed them, but did you ever post pics of your 3D-rendered cases? I'd love to see how they turned out.
Yes, the Case-Mate Tough is solid. I have the same black one as in this teamvenum review: http://www.teamvenum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=686
I know you complained about the buttons you eventually cut out of your Sentinel case. This is where the UAG shines. The button design makes it super easy to press the covered buttons. The one thing I love about my UAG case is that I can just toss my phone around onto my bed or the table like whatever without any worry. The shock absorption technology on UAG cases is pretty solid. I even got one for my father's S3 and he loves it (esp since he is accident prone/clumsy with all technology, lol).
Yes, the smart watch upgrade is definitely happening for me as well. I can't wait till they release the Samsung Gear this September. It's definitely going to be a step up from my pebble watch, which I use and wear all the time.
Also, your addiction...I understand all too well, especially being a huge tech fanatic. If you don't have a solid protective/easy to hold case currently and work in an environment where you really need that, I would go for it.
opasha said:
That's really nice, bro. I know $1400 is not that expensive when it refers to such technology, but I meant in general - that's like a nice fully loaded laptop price, lol. I'm familiar with Kinect/Xbox360 so yeah, that's really interesting. I'm sure the whole 3D development can take time from scratch. Maybe I missed them, but did you ever post pics of your 3D-rendered cases? I'd love to see how they turned out.
Yes, the Case-Mate Tough is solid. I have the same black one as in this teamvenum review: http://www.teamvenum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=686
I know you complained about the buttons you eventually cut out of your Sentinel case. This is where the UAG shines. The button design makes it super easy to press the covered buttons. The one thing I love about my UAG case is that I can just toss my phone around onto my bed or the table like whatever without any worry. The shock absorption technology on UAG cases is pretty solid. I even got one for my father's S3 and he loves it (esp since he is accident prone/clumsy with all technology, lol).
Yes, the smart watch upgrade is definitely happening for me as well. I can't wait till they release the Samsung Gear this September. It's definitely going to be a step up from my pebble watch, which I use and wear all the time.
Also, your addiction...I understand all too well, especially being a huge tech fanatic. If you don't have a solid protective/easy to hold case currently and work in an environment where you really need that, I would go for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never printed any cases for my Note 2, just the inserts for the UAG case with lettering and glow in the dark filament etc. I did make four cases for my gf's S3 but in the end she moved to a pink folio wallet case (which would take too much time to make haha). I've since then had two dead SD cards.. So I've lost a lot of pictures (backups are my priority every 24hrs now..). The cases were more of a "wow factor" type of thing. Everywhere we went people asked more about her case than my huge phone lol.. Lead to a lot of explanations of what a 3D printer is.. But After a few times on/off of the case they'd get weak and start to crack at random layers of which the printer printed it (our printer has a resolution of 0.001mm).
Started sanding the area of the Sentinel case today that I hacked out with the razor to make it smoother. Only had about ten minutes with some 1600grit paper, so I got one side pretty smooth!
I wanted to pledge money to the kreyos smart watch but got worried that I'd be stuck with money in the air for it and no item on my wrist until next summer.. The galaxy gear is definitely going to be watched (pun intended)! As long as it stays within $200-300..
As you can tell, it's hard for me to commit to some purchases lol!
To op: I remember seeing some peel & stick grip strips for phones. They were just thin clear gel-type adhesive strips. Been looking for them but can't find the review. Honestly, I'd also like a grippy case..
Edit: found it! www.egrips.com/ check it out.
Thanks for everyone's input...much appreciated. I own the Bodyglove case but I is still harder plastic than I would like. Its a decent case though. I had the Casemate Toughcase for my Note 1 and liked it, very protective as well, but still had a hard plastic outer shell. Maybe I'll research on getting some type of nonslip rubber strips for my Otterbox to see how that works. There are a few cases mentioned here I'll have to take a look at. Thanks again to you all.
Sent from my SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
dengood1 said:
Thanks for everyone's input...much appreciated. I own the Bodyglove case but I is still harder plastic than I would like. Its a decent case though. I had the Casemate Toughcase for my Note 1 and liked it, very protective as well, but still had a hard plastic outer shell. Maybe I'll research on getting some type of nonslip rubber strips for my Otterbox to see how that works. There are a few cases mentioned here I'll have to take a look at. Thanks again to you all.
Sent from my SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Try the DBA Cases Ultra protection cases very good quality and good feel
http://www.dbacases.com/samsung.html
I have the UAG case. I have used the UAG line of cases for all my phones and they are solid. They have the bevel in the front so if it drops face down you wont shatter your screen and it has extra cushion on the corner bumpers. They are only $30 - $35 online. They fit on my OEM samsung dock with spare batttery charger.
The reason why I trust all my phones in the UAG case is that my wife's nephew through my note down the escalator at the mall. My heart stopped as I saw it tumble and bounce off every step. When I went to get it, the phone and case didnt have a scratch on it. The otterboxes are great but they are way too big. Especially for our note.
I am using a cheap eBay tpu. Smoke clear and it is rubber. It works great and protects just fine. Best of all it was only a buck and a half! Rubber does a pretty decent job of keeping it from sliding around unless it is on something very slick. keeps good in the hand too
Sent from my kraken (Note2) using xda app
I have the body glove from sprint.
I feel it offers the best for daily use and it has pocketablility which is nice. It doesn't get hung up as it has a glossy surface at the bottom of the phone.

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.
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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
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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!

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