Best case for note 2?

[twister6]

If we laid all our cases on a table side by side no one could tell who made what unless it were a defender..... That's how alike 96% of these cases are.

Now I need one for my iPhone 5.

Oh trust me, once you put new UAG on the table next to all other cases - you will know the difference, and they (URBAN ARMOR GEAR) make one for iPhone5 as well. For Note 2 their upcoming case is:

Now, tell me this will not stand out? They supposed to start shipping it first week of Feb. Can't wait!!! Got mine on order already and will review it in details as soon as I get it!

 

[twister6]

I had the flip cover on my Note I & Note II until one day it fell out of my pocket and put some scratches on the chrome bezel on the corner.
The flip looks great and does protect the screen, but does NOT protect the rest of the phone, especially the chrome around the outer edge. That really ruined my day scratching it like that. So off came the flip and on went this rubber & plastic cover made by "Cube" I got at the local mall that protects it better. has a lip around the screen and I have a screen cover on it too. Look nice too!

Got this one from ebay as well. The problem, similar to what I described before, the inner rubber shell is a soft silicone and it will pull away around the edges where outer plastic mesh shell is not holding it down. It will definitely offer the protection if you drop it, but you will notice over the time silicone part will loosen up and lint/dust will start getting inside. Although it's not really a big deal since its just a replaceable accessory and you can buy 3-4 of these for the price of one premium case

 

[ScandaLeX]

Oh trust me, once you put new UAG on the table next to all other cases - you will know the difference, and they (URBAN ARMOR GEAR) make one for iPhone5 as well. For Note 2 their upcoming case is:

Now, tell me this will not stand out? They supposed to start shipping it first week of Feb. Can't wait!!! Got mine on order already and will review it in details as soon as I get it!

My point exactly. You've just bought up another case. Place this next to a commuter or defender and you have the same thing. Doesn't matter which company is selling it they're all selling the same things. Somebody is replicating somebody.

I don't see this one standing out any more than the one I'm already using. But that's just me.

 

[twister6]

My point exactly. You've just bought up another case. Place this next to a commuter or defender and you have the same thing. Doesn't matter which company is selling it they're all selling the same things. Somebody is replicating somebody.

I don't see this one standing out any more than the one I'm already using. But that's just me.

Hang on, by the same token every car is the same - a box on 4 wheels with 4 doors. From a functional point of view it will get you from point A to point B, but if you start taking into consideration different safety options, gas mileage, reliability rating, style, and so on - it's not the same. Just like with cases. True, their functional purpose is to cover the body of the phone but they all do it in their own unique way, and some do it better than others. Plus, every case looks so different.

 

[ScandaLeX]

Hang on, by the same token every car is the same - a box on 4 wheels with 4 doors. From a functional point of view it will get you from point A to point B, but if you start taking into consideration different safety options, gas mileage, reliability rating, style, and so on - it's not the same. Just like with cases. True, their functional purpose is to cover the body of the phone but they all do it in their own unique way, and some do it better than others. Plus, every case looks so different.

I definitely want to give you a detailed reply but I'm beat. Will get back to this in a day or 2.

 

[drexappeal]

Hang on, by the same token every car is the same - a box on 4 wheels with 4 doors. From a functional point of view it will get you from point A to point B, but if you start taking into consideration different safety options, gas mileage, reliability rating, style, and so on - it's not the same. Just like with cases. True, their functional purpose is to cover the body of the phone but they all do it in their own unique way, and some do it better than others. Plus, every case looks so different.

While I understand where you were going with your analogy, I think the car example is a bad choice. Different cars would actually be represented by different phones (entirely). Different cases would actually represent different rims or body kits that are placed on the car.

And to that extent, ScandalEx has a very valid point because rims / body kits, to a certain degree, are somewhat copied from another design aspect elsewhere. Some may be made of better material than others, but all do have their unique aspects.

So really, it comes down to personal preference.

 

[drexappeal]

Okay, I'm not fond of cases, but if I didn't mind using cases, I'd definitely be going with this:

Custom Cases Personalized | iPhone Samsung LTC HG | Wireless Emporium

 

[twister6]

...
So really, it comes down to personal preference.

Agree, everything is up to a personal preference, and we all have different taste. But its more than just a rim or a body kit to enhance the look. We are talking about different levels of protection and different levels of functionality. The case with a slippery plastic back will slide across the table if you push it with a hand by accident; the case with no corner protection will not protect the phone as much when you drop it on a concrete surface; the case with a small lip will not protect you screen while placed down; the case with a lip too wide will push on a screen protector thus lifting up the edges; the case with a protruding folding kickstand will make back of your phone uneven and hard (wobbly) to use when you have it placed on top of flat surface; the case with either soft or hard volume/power buttons will make it hard to use the phone or too easy to push it when you just grab the case; and so on. I went through at least half a dozen of very similar cases which you can file under the same-looking category, and all of them had either one or two or all of these problems (or what I consider as a problem for my taste). So, I'm still looking for that perfect case to suit my personal preference, and I'm glad to share my "journey" with you guys on this forum

 

[SixtyDashOne]

I'm a minimalist, I don't like to add a bunch of bulk to my phone. Plus I have the Best Buy Black Tie protection plan so if anything happens to the phone I am covered anyway. Yeah, you have to spend a few days with some POS loaner phone, but the plan pays for itself depending how often you end up using it.

I took advantage of that plan twice when I had my iPhone 3GS and it paid for itself after I dropped my phone from about 20 feet up on a cell tower (I used to work on cell towers) onto gravel and completely shattered the screen. I had to take advantage of the plan a second time after I jumped into the swimming pool with the thing in my pocket and killed it. Best Buy fully honored the Black Tie plan both times, no questions asked.

So I am not that concerned with total protection like what an Otter Box gives you, that is just too much bulk (I know, I had one on my 3GS for awhile). Not to say that I don't care about my phone, this thing is boss and I freakin love it, but I would rather just protect the battery cover which seems to be the weak point with this phone and the most susceptible to scratches, and not have to add 2x the weight and bulk and ruin the way the phone looks with some huge case. I've got some cheapo back covers I've gotten off eBay and that's all I really feel that I need on it.

 

[PyroSporker]

Agree, everything is up to a personal preference, and we all have different taste.

Don't forget, there is a big difference between providing a personal preference and trying to over sell a product to someone else before you have even seen or used it.
It is possible to provide an opinion without making generalized and sweeping statements without qualifications (data, evidence, etc.). It is also ok for others to have preferences other than yours. If someone is truly looking to only provide their opinion then it should not matter if anyone else in the world was in agreement or disagreement with them.

 

[twister6]

Don't forget, there is a big difference between providing a personal preference and trying to over sell a product to someone else before you have even seen or used it.
It is possible to provide an opinion without making generalized and sweeping statements without qualifications (data, evidence, etc.). It is also ok for others to have preferences other than yours. If you someone is truly looking to only provide their opinion then it should not matter if anyone else in the world was in agreement or disagreement with them.

If you referring to me wetting my pants about UAG case, yeah guilty as charged I'm only basing my opinion on S3 UAG case reviews and drop test i saw on YT, but I'm making an assumption it will be as good in terms of quality and protection level, although they did change the design. But I promise to give a full detailed review of this case once it start shipping.

But the whole rant above started with me taking a second look at ebay cases I got and giving my updated opinion after a month of using it. And also a comment that all these cases look a like and copy each other. I actually did that because of a number of likes and PMs I got asking about my reviews. I want others to understand it's just my opinion because I had hands'on experience, and I actually suggested before to read and watch different reviews and then go out and try some cases (like Otterbox) yourself in a local Verizon/Sprint/BestBuy stores. With ebay, you can't try it, seller from China will not accept returns (it cost them money), and I learned a lesson with defective cases and screen protectors where sellers credited my money back and then ebay suspended my buying priviledge for 2 weeks because I had 5 refunds. But that's another story...

 

[jack58]

I'm a minimalist, I don't like to add a bunch of bulk to my phone. Plus I have the Best Buy Black Tie protection plan so if anything happens to the phone I am covered anyway. Yeah, you have to spend a few days with some POS loaner phone, but the plan pays for itself depending how often you end up using it.

I took advantage of that plan twice when I had my iPhone 3GS and it paid for itself after I dropped my phone from about 20 feet up on a cell tower (I used to work on cell towers) onto gravel and completely shattered the screen. I had to take advantage of the plan a second time after I jumped into the swimming pool with the thing in my pocket and killed it. Best Buy fully honored the Black Tie plan both times, no questions asked.

So I am not that concerned with total protection like what an Otter Box gives you, that is just too much bulk (I know, I had one on my 3GS for awhile). Not to say that I don't care about my phone, this thing is boss and I freakin love it, but I would rather just protect the battery cover which seems to be the weak point with this phone and the most susceptible to scratches, and not have to add 2x the weight and bulk and ruin the way the phone looks with some huge case. I've got some cheapo back covers I've gotten off eBay and that's all I really feel that I need on it.

I have to disagree. At least for me, it is a waste of money paying almost $240 over two years for insurance I probably won't use. I've owned maybe 20 cell phones the past 10 years, never broke or had one quit. I've dropped maybe four of them, easily repaired the damage myself by changing out the housing or faceplates. I think that insurance fee is a BIG money maker for the phone companies.

 

[drexappeal]

I'm a minimalist, I don't like to add a bunch of bulk to my phone. Plus I have the Best Buy Black Tie protection plan so if anything happens to the phone I am covered anyway. Yeah, you have to spend a few days with some POS loaner phone, but the plan pays for itself depending how often you end up using it.

I took advantage of that plan twice when I had my iPhone 3GS and it paid for itself after I dropped my phone from about 20 feet up on a cell tower (I used to work on cell towers) onto gravel and completely shattered the screen. I had to take advantage of the plan a second time after I jumped into the swimming pool with the thing in my pocket and killed it. Best Buy fully honored the Black Tie plan both times, no questions asked.

So I am not that concerned with total protection like what an Otter Box gives you, that is just too much bulk (I know, I had one on my 3GS for awhile). Not to say that I don't care about my phone, this thing is boss and I freakin love it, but I would rather just protect the battery cover which seems to be the weak point with this phone and the most susceptible to scratches, and not have to add 2x the weight and bulk and ruin the way the phone looks with some huge case. I've got some cheapo back covers I've gotten off eBay and that's all I really feel that I need on it.

I'm a minimalist, when it comes to things like this also. I prefer keeping the phone as thin as possible. In fact, the most I put on the phone is a custom back skin and a screen protector. I paid for Geek Squad protection up front (mostly because I had a bunch of gift cards, so it didn't cost me anything out of pocket), but compared to all the other insurances available, I like the fact that Best Buy has a "no deductible" on their insurance. That's gold. I'm actually planning on going in to Best Buy, to see if I can get another back battery cover because one of the clips always seems to pry loose.

 

[MISS DIVA]

I had the flip cover on my Note I & Note II until one day it fell out of my pocket and put some scratches on the chrome bezel on the corner.
The flip looks great and does protect the screen, but does NOT protect the rest of the phone, especially the chrome around the outer edge. That really ruined my day scratching it like that. So off came the flip and on went this rubber & plastic cover made by "Cube" I got at the local mall that protects it better. has a lip around the screen and I have a screen cover on it too. Look nice too!

I've got three of these cases ( pink/blue/red ) and love them. Think I'm going to get the purple one

 

[bluthndr]

I actually got one of the normal screen protectors along with a 2 piece black silicone boot & black plastic "spine" that clips on the back. Ebay has them for like 6-10 bucks with a holster. It has a wide plastic kick stand that folds flush, and the wide ribs on the back make it easier to hold onto with one hand while using it.

I have used otterbox for other phones, but with the S-pen and speaker holes, it's not exactly water resistant, and some of the "full enclosure" cases I've used trapped dirt inside and scratched the casings on some of my phones.

 

[twister6]

I actually got one of the normal screen protectors along with a 2 piece black silicone boot & black plastic "spine" that clips on the back. Ebay has them for like 6-10 bucks with a holster. It has a wide plastic kick stand that folds flush, and the wide ribs on the back make it easier to hold onto with one hand while using it.

I have used otterbox for other phones, but with the S-pen and speaker holes, it's not exactly water resistant, and some of the "full enclosure" cases I've used trapped dirt inside and scratched the casings on some of my phones.

Sounds like you got this case: http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2/639726-best-case-note-2-a-4.html#post5333428

 

[drexappeal]

So, a while ago, twospirits posted up the extended battery case that he purchased to try out from ebay. While I liked the concept of it, I wasn't quite sure I wanted a flip cover version.

After some digging, I found this on ebay:

External Backup Battery Charger Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 II N7100 B0117 | eBay

I purchased one, in the hopes that it's definitely without the flip cover. I tried emailing the vendor, to see if they can definitively tell me that it does or doesn't have one, but they must have been using a translator, or couldn't quite understand my question. From their answers to me, I gathered that they were telling me that this one is different than the version with the flip cover.

What's great is that it also provides access to the s-pen. Main reason for my purchasing this, is to use on long days out when I know I'll be using my phone heavily, but don't want to carry an extra battery.

 

[twister6]

So, a while ago, twospirits posted up the extended battery case that he purchased to try out from ebay. While I liked the concept of it, I wasn't quite sure I wanted a flip cover version.

After some digging, I found this on ebay:

External Backup Battery Charger Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 II N7100 B0117 | eBay

I purchased one, in the hopes that it's definitely without the flip cover. I tried emailing the vendor, to see if they can definitively tell me that it does or doesn't have one, but they must have been using a translator, or couldn't quite understand my question. From their answers to me, I gathered that they were telling me that this one is different than the version with the flip cover.

What's great is that it also provides access to the s-pen. Main reason for my purchasing this, is to use on long days out when I know I'll be using my phone heavily, but don't want to carry an extra battery.

You might find a few of these links useful:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2082846

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2125844

 

[SixtyDashOne]

I'm actually planning on going in to Best Buy, to see if I can get another back battery cover because one of the clips always seems to pry loose.

The battery covers are available on ebay in a variety of colors for what I consider to be a reasonable price. They are aftermarket but they look good. I just put a silver brushed aluminum battery cover on mine and it looks awesome.

But if your stock cover seems to be defective or poor fitting, then yeah, they should definitely give you a new one.

As far as minimalism, yeah I just cant stand to spend hundreds of dollars on a beautiful phone and then hide its beauty in some huge, bulky case. I would rather pay the insurance and be able to admire its naked beauty every day than to cover it up with some bulky case and have to carry around and look at a brick every day just because I'm afraid of dropping it or whatever.

 

[drexappeal]

You might find a few of these links useful:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2082846

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2125844

Only reason I got the ebay case, was just to have as a "backup." On every day use, I prefer having my phone fairly naked (with exception to the back skin from unique skins). It is just more convenient for me to have that, slap it on just like a case and then take it off when I'm done with the day.

 

[drexappeal]

The battery covers are available on ebay in a variety of colors for what I consider to be a reasonable price. They are aftermarket but they look good. I just put a silver brushed aluminum battery cover on mine and it looks awesome.

But if your stock cover seems to be defective or poor fitting, then yeah, they should definitely give you a new one.

As far as minimalism, yeah I just cant stand to spend hundreds of dollars on a beautiful phone and then hide its beauty in some huge, bulky case. I would rather pay the insurance and be able to admire its naked beauty every day than to cover it up with some bulky case and have to carry around and look at a brick every day just because I'm afraid of dropping it or whatever.

Yeah, it wasn't like that before, but the more that I've used the phone and I swap batteries (rather than actually charging through the USB port), the clip has just seemed to have gotten more and more loose. I might go tomorrow morning, since there are a ton of errands I have to run anyway. Hopefully, Best Buy has one in stock that they can just give to me, since I have geek squad protection.

I agree. My preference is to not have to have a case on my phone. Only cases I've purchased are just for "emergency" situations.

 

[inhalegal]

So can I make this thread come alive again! I'm...well...my husband is due for an upgrade in 11 days and of course I'm taking it! I'm still searching for a case. Right now I have a Qmadix holster case for my HTC Rezound. I really like the holster, not because I clip it to a belt, I just like the fact it gives protection to the screen part of the phone. The Defender Case looks like way too much for me, too bulky. What do you guys suggest? If there is a kickstand option, that's cool. But I find with my Nexus 7 I use my case in portrait mode alot and haven't really found that great of a case for the Note 2 that has a portrait kickstand. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[drexappeal]

So can I make this thread come alive again! I'm...well...my husband is due for an upgrade in 11 days and of course I'm taking it! I'm still searching for a case. Right now I have a Qmadix holster case for my HTC Rezound. I really like the holster, not because I clip it to a belt, I just like the fact it gives protection to the screen part of the phone. The Defender Case looks like way too much for me, too bulky. What do you guys suggest? If there is a kickstand option, that's cool. But I find with my Nexus 7 I use my case in portrait mode alot and haven't really found that great of a case for the Note 2 that has a portrait kickstand. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

One of the great things about Samsung, due to their popularity w/ the S3 and Note 2, is the 3rd party accessory support both phones receive.

That said, picking out the "perfect case" is always so subjective. Everybody has different needs. In your case, just based on the small 'bit of information you've provided us, take a look at the Seidio Kickstand case and holder.

Now, since you said you use your phone in portrait mode more often than not, there are quite a few kickstand cases on ebay that allow for use in portrait or landscape mode.

While not much of a "rugged" protector, there is always the many flip cover or flip case options that are available.

To help narrow it down, I think it'd be best if you also mentioned if you prefer any particular color, any particular material on a case, simple vs. busy design, etc.

 

[Moozilla]

I am waiting for my GN2 to arrive but have been looking at cases. I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Body Glove case as it looks like it will provide some protection without adding bulk. I wish the lip was a little more apparent but oh well. Now I just need to choose a screen protector.

Oh, here is a link. They have two colors: charcoal/gray and raspberry/white.

http://www.amazon.com/Body-Glove-Di...1-8&keywords=samsung+galaxy+note+2+body+glove

 

[inhalegal]

Any thoughts or opinions on this case? It's a Mybat Skullcap case. I really like the look of it. I know it doesn't have a kickstand, but that's ok

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=121063342617&index=1&nav=SEARCH&nid=22506424280
Also does anyone know of a generic type belt holster that might fit this or possibly some of the other hybrid cases on ebay. I'm not too concerned about the belt clip, I just want something that protects the screen when I throw it in my purse, even with a screen cover on. Thanks!