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GS3 Case discussion thread

Zoandroid said:
After seeing that very informative video of the "drop test" comparison between an S3 and iPhone, I am looking at the Otterbox line of cases, which seem very sturdy. But I have some questions I am not finding answers for on the Otterbox website.

Can someone who is familiar with using them explain how the "built in screen protector" on the Defender case works?

Does the case assemble from front AND back and snap together?

How much affect on touch screen performance does this case have?
Click to expand...

Well a picture is worth 1000 words so...




As far as the performance it has a much better feel/glide than the screen protectors that you apply (I have used both wet and dry application types of many brands) and as close to the actual glass of the phone experience you will get (besides going bare back and using no protector at all)

You can see the clip points on the top and sides in this pic. they hold really well (I havent had them come apart when I didnt want them to except when I dropped my evo ~40' and even then they simply separated from impact leaving the phone unharmed and still in the backhalf of the polycarbonate case which was still in the rubber shell)


All in all I have to use these for the type of work I do... They add a lot of bulk and definitely dont leave your phone looking sexy on a night out, but also definitely do their job for work/heavy drinking related circumstances.

(image above is for galaxy note as I couldnt find GS3 pics like this)
29oCf
 
I've come to this thread often in the last week or two. Nothing struck me as being "right" until I stumbled across this case tonight:

Samsung Galaxy S3 Body Glove Anti-Microbial TPU Case

Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Body-Glove-Anti-Microbial-TPU-Case.png


The video shows it off better than the photo I think. The design is subtly interesting without being too loud. I've had a Body Glove case on my Captivate since I got it two years ago - and it's an excellent case.

Smartphonepedia's security certificate has expired - or I would order the case right now. Judging from the box in their video, this case is probably available at local AT&T stores.

Most of the cases I'd seen up to this point weren't quite right for me. The thin ones offer no top/bottom protection. The highly protective ones are too bulky. All the in-betweeners I found managed to look cheap, and/or they covered the buttons (I much prefer cut-outs).

I did find one other interesting case, that user "4424" posted a few pages back. With a bit of Googling I came up with this eBay store:
1
tintincali210 items - Get great deals on items on eBay Stores!

1-35a.jpg


The "Ultra Light Weight" models could potentially look great on a Pebble Blue S3 - the aluminum sides would cover the purple trim of the phone, while the clear back would show off the stock battery cover which is probably the nicest part of the Pebble Blue model. At least that's how I envision this case turning out. Does anyone have photos of one on their phone? Is there a US-based outlet for them?

I might just have to try both.

The Seidio Surface could be a possibility as well. I'd love to see a YouTube review of that one to get a better idea of what it's like (Seidio's web site doesn't show much).
 
I finally made up my mind and got the Seidio Surface in Garnet Red. Should arrive by Friday. Excited to see how this looks with my white S3.
 
I have used seidio surface for my last 3 phones. For some reason though this phone feels more fragile and I really wanted some Impact protection. Seidio surface dont offer much impact protection. Surface wont soften the blow of a dropped phone. They will definately keep it from getting dings from drops but for the SGS3 has such a big screen i feel like a waist high drop might crack the screen. I decided on a hybrid case, the incipo silicrylic. Its similar to the seidio active cases but I had problems with the seidio case being too grippy for pocket carrying. A bad review on amazon said the incipio cases are very slippery and that is actually what i wanted for pocket carrying. If this case does not work out though I will have to settle for the seidio active and deal with the pocket gripyness
 
i am also in the market for a good case, but the ones i see always says fits the GT-i9300 model and i have the US version t999 from t mobile.will they also fit my phone or do i need a specific case for my model?
 
Here's a few pics of my Speck Candyshell that came in. The color is actually a light grey although it appears white in the photo. I'm using my wifes 4S in a TPU case for comparison.

Hard and shiny outer surface. Looks good now, not sure how long the finish will last. Plenty of room in the cut outs for everything as far as I can tell without the actual phone. It also has rubber inserts on the corners for additional protection.

2012-07-03_05-02-22_442.jpg


Inside has a rubbery liner, kinda like a TPU surface. Seems like it will be helpful in minor impacts and help grip the phone within the case.

2012-07-03_05-02-42_67.jpg


Direct comparison of the size difference with a 4S.

2012-07-03_05-03-05_245.jpg
 
BloodKil said:
Well a picture is worth 1000 words so...




As far as the performance it has a much better feel/glide than the screen protectors that you apply (I have used both wet and dry application types of many brands) and as close to the actual glass of the phone experience you will get (besides going bare back and using no protector at all)

You can see the clip points on the top and sides in this pic. they hold really well (I havent had them come apart when I didnt want them to except when I dropped my evo ~40' and even then they simply separated from impact leaving the phone unharmed and still in the backhalf of the polycarbonate case which was still in the rubber shell)


All in all I have to use these for the type of work I do... They add a lot of bulk and definitely dont leave your phone looking sexy on a night out, but also definitely do their job for work/heavy drinking related circumstances.

(image above is for galaxy note as I couldnt find GS3 pics like this)
29oCf
Click to expand...

Thanks! That does pretty much explain how they work, and I am impressed. It appears the piece with the belt clip snaps onto the face of the case? I prefer to carry my phone in my front jeans pocket, so would not use that part. Can you tell me if you've ever carried it in your pocket, and if removing it is difficult? Some case reviews admit that these bulkier cases aren't very pocket friendly. I use my phone many times a day, as well as taking it out of my pocket whenever I am sitting, so I wouldn't like accessing it in a pocket to be troublesome. But I can't imagine how a more protective case would be designed and still allow easy use. Otterbox sure has that covered. :)

One other aspect which generally shoots down most fully enclosed cases is support for extended batteries. Although I have aways preferred using one, I'll give the S3 stock battery a workout before deciding, as one of the features described for this phone is supposed to be better battery life.
 
Well i thought my Speck CandyShell would be coming any day now. I checked the tracking number and USPS says it was delivered yesterday. I never got it though. Just shot Speck an email. Hope they help me out or ill have to do a charge back on my check card.
 
Fahrenheit85 said:
Well i thought my Speck CandyShell would be coming any day now. I checked the tracking number and USPS says it was delivered yesterday. I never got it though. Just shot Speck an email. Hope they help me out or ill have to do a charge back on my check card.
Click to expand...

When that happens here at my rural location it has sometimes meant that the postal carrier took the box to the wrong address and left it there. Usually if it is one of my nearby neighbors they will call or bring the package here. I doubt it would work that way in a city. But you might try contacting your post office, and also might want to try looking around for where they may have left the package if your home has rather inconspicuous places outdoors for them to put things. I've had packages left in places I would never have noticed had I not known they claimed to be delivered. Hope you find it. :-)
 
I think this needs about 10 more pieces of plastic to ensure total protection of the phone.
BloodKil said:
Well a picture is worth 1000 words so...




As far as the performance it has a much better feel/glide than the screen protectors that you apply (I have used both wet and dry application types of many brands) and as close to the actual glass of the phone experience you will get (besides going bare back and using no protector at all)

You can see the clip points on the top and sides in this pic. they hold really well (I havent had them come apart when I didnt want them to except when I dropped my evo ~40' and even then they simply separated from impact leaving the phone unharmed and still in the backhalf of the polycarbonate case which was still in the rubber shell)


All in all I have to use these for the type of work I do... They add a lot of bulk and definitely dont leave your phone looking sexy on a night out, but also definitely do their job for work/heavy drinking related circumstances.

(image above is for galaxy note as I couldnt find GS3 pics like this)
29oCf
Click to expand...
 
Zoandroid said:
When that happens here at my rural location it has sometimes meant that the postal carrier took the box to the wrong address and left it there. Usually if it is one of my nearby neighbors they will call or bring the package here. I doubt it would work that way in a city. But you might try contacting your post office, and also might want to try looking around for where they may have left the package if your home has rather inconspicuous places outdoors for them to put things. I've had packages left in places I would never have noticed had I not known they claimed to be delivered. Hope you find it. :-)
Click to expand...

Well I feel stupid. Right after I made this post, shot an email to speck, and called my post office...the post lady shows up with this
p1040878v.jpg
.
Well heck dont I look silly. As a note my Droid Bionic is the same size as the case.
p1040879bd.jpg
 
What I really need is a huge case store dedicated to the S3 so I can evaluate the look/feel/bulk of all of the different cases in person and decide. I'm not a huge fan of hard cases as I like the impact absorbing effects of a softer tpu/silicone case but I need to be able to easily remove the phone from my pocket (old school silicone cases are too grippy for this). Some of the hard shells looks nice and have a thin soft inner layer to absorb impact but they often do no cover the top or bottom of the phone and don't wrap around enough to protect the screen when lying face down.

I guess I'm just overly picky about cases.
 
I had a bit of a wake-up call yesterday... have an inexpensive two piece carbon fiber looking case on my E4GT, and I accidentally dropped it yesterday. The whole thing exploded, and I had four phone parts looking up at me from the floor - the small front case ring, the case back, the battery cover (!?!), and the poor naked, backless phone. Fortunately, everything worked fine when I put it all back together (never even shut off), but I was sure glad it was my work phone and not my S3. Maybe cheaper isn't as good after all.....
 
I really wish Seido Surface combos weren't $50+. But.... I've had such good luck with them over they years.. I just ordered a new one.

I'm really interested in the vent cases. After playing some games with my new S3, I can see it really builds up some heat. However, I'm not sure the vents would truly offer any cooling. I'm curious to see how S3's do in thick TPU and heavy use. But my Note did fine the dystronic case and TONS of gaming.
 
bvbull200 said:
I'll try to remember to when I get home. The only camera I have available right now is on the phone itself.
Click to expand...

TPU Gel Case Cover Skin Stand /Screen Protector For Samsung Galaxy S3 III i9300 | eBay

I'll save you the trouble...Here's a Chinese seller on Ebay with lots of colors of this case and it shows it with the kickstand in action. I've seen at least one other seller of this case on Ebay and I think it showed the case with the kickstand in portrait mode too. I ordered a black/clear one for my yet-to-be-delivered blue SGS3. It's so cheap I figure that if the case is junk it's not a big deal.

Benny
 
bennybbc said:
TPU Gel Case Cover Skin Stand /Screen Protector For Samsung Galaxy S3 III i9300 | eBay

I'll save you the trouble...Here's a Chinese seller on Ebay with lots of colors of this case and it shows it with the kickstand in action. I've seen at least one other seller of this case on Ebay and I think it showed the case with the kickstand in portrait mode too. I ordered a black/clear one for my yet-to-be-delivered blue SGS3. It's so cheap I figure that if the case is junk it's not a big deal.

Benny
Click to expand...

That looks like the one. Looking at mine, though, I don't see how this case could sit up on the kickstand in portrait mode. Works just fine for landscape, though.
 
Zoandroid said:
When that happens here at my rural location it has sometimes meant that the postal carrier took the box to the wrong address and left it there. Usually if it is one of my nearby neighbors they will call or bring the package here. I doubt it would work that way in a city. But you might try contacting your post office, and also might want to try looking around for where they may have left the package if your home has rather inconspicuous places outdoors for them to put things. I've had packages left in places I would never have noticed had I not known they claimed to be delivered. Hope you find it. :-)
Click to expand...

I'm in a rural spot too. If it's not a regular delivery person, I find my stuff all over the place. On the patio, in the bushes, under the doormat, even in the bed of my truck. Every day I'm expecting a delivery turns into a scavenger hunt. :rolleyes:
 
BryanMR2 said:
I've come to this thread often in the last week or two. Nothing struck me as being "right" until I stumbled across this case tonight:

Samsung Galaxy S3 Body Glove Anti-Microbial TPU Case

Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Body-Glove-Anti-Microbial-TPU-Case.png


The video shows it off better than the photo I think. The design is subtly interesting without being too loud. I've had a Body Glove case on my Captivate since I got it two years ago - and it's an excellent case.

Smartphonepedia's security certificate has expired - or I would order the case right now. Judging from the box in their video, this case is probably available at local AT&T stores.
Click to expand...
Samsung Galaxy S3 Body Glove Anti-Microbial TPU Case - YouTube
Im almost certain this will be in all the main retailers as Body Glove is a popular name brand and has been carried in the past.
 
Have been haunting this thread, looking at video reviews, etc. Went to a couple stores to look and touch, spotted in incipio silicrylic dual at Radio Shack and really liked combo of size, protection. Came back, checked amazon, had it for $20, "padded" my cart with Diztronic TPU for free shipping. Two good cases $30 shipped. Now someone ship my phone please.
 
bennybbc said:
1
TPU Gel Case Cover Skin Stand /Screen Protector For Samsung Galaxy S3 III i9300 | eBay

I'll save you the trouble...Here's a Chinese seller on Ebay with lots of colors of this case and it shows it with the kickstand in action. I've seen at least one other seller of this case on Ebay and I think it showed the case with the kickstand in portrait mode too. I ordered a black/clear one for my yet-to-be-delivered blue SGS3. It's so cheap I figure that if the case is junk it's not a big deal.

Benny
Click to expand...

$0.99 shipped?! How do these people make money? Does it ship with free toxic cancer-inducing fumes included? :D
 
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