What cases is everyone using?

[ritchea]

Just got my Ringke Slim in the mail today, so that from here on out.

My son got one in black. It seems to work well and the plugs are nice to help avoid lint from pockets getting into openings. They lift out easily. The screen protector that came with it was too small. I ordered one in metallic gray.

 

[incredible x4]

Ok, I just bit the bullet and got a Kraken. Got a really good deal on Amazon too. After reading what artman had to say and a lot of other reviews the Kraken sounds like the way to go for me. I've just never been all that impressed with Otterbox's cases. They always felt really cheap and flimsy. Then I kept reading that they are prone to scratching the screen of our phones so that killed it for me. My Kraken will get here Thursday so I will post my initial impressions then.

 

[artman540]

Nice it's a really nice case. I forgot to mention it comes with a belt clip and a crystal clear screen protector.

 

[Trooper]

I have both a Diztronic and Cruzerlite. Mainly I use the Diztronic because I like the grippy feel of it better.

Was thinking about getting a Rinke Slim. Are they worth it? Looks nice and I like the openness of it, but seems like it would protect a bit less due to that.

Any owners of one care to share?

 

[quantumrand]

I have both a Diztronic and Cruzerlite. Mainly I use the Diztronic because I like the grippy feel of it better.

Was thinking about getting a Rinke Slim. Are they worth it? Looks nice and I like the openness of it, but seems like it would protect a bit less due to that.

Any owners of one care to share?

At $26, they're definitely on the pricier side, compared to TPU cases, but it's really all about preserving the Galaxy Nexus look with the Ringke Slim, and I think that's what makes it worth it.

As far as protection is concerned, it does cover the most accident-prone spots, specifically the top, bottom, and (most importantly) corners. The portion that is left exposed isn't nearly as likely to be damaged in a fall (and if it is, the screen would be taking damage anyway, which is a much bigger deal).

I think the sacrifice is pretty negligible and certainly worth keeping the style/look of the Galaxy Nexus; however, if you're not particularly vane or don't really care for the GNex look, you'd probably be just as happy with a cheaper case.

Personally, I have yet to see a case that I would have preferred over the Rinke Slim, but I also really like the slim lines of the GNex and didn't want to cover them up.

 

[umataro42]

I guess I'm a bit of a case whore myself, having tried a few, including ones you've listed and I reached the same conclusion, the Trident Kraken is the best.

I didn't try the Otterbox Commuter but the Kraken is what the Defender should have been and for almost $20 less. It has the 2 layers of protection (silicon and hard case) but with the hard case on the outside it slides in out of of my pocket very easily, and the included kickstand is pretty convenient for watching videos. Its true part of the LED is covered up but you can still see it, so its not a huge problem.

If you're looking for low cost, minimal protection (and minimal bulk) then go with the Diztronic Rev3, or the Cruzer Lite (only reason I didn't get this is because I already had the Diz).

My problem with the Defender was also the silicon on the outside. I like to keep my phone in my pocket and with the silicon layer on the outside, it always gets caught on my pocket lining. Its also even bulkier than the Kraken. The built in screen cover also left an oily film over my screen, so I had to remove it.

I also tried a Seido case that was 2 pieces you snap together. It wasn't much more protective than the Diztronic but a lot more inconvenient.

If you haven't ordered it yet, I'd skip the Ballistic Shell Gel. I didn't get that, but tried the very similarly designed BoxWave case and its basically like the Kraken except the corner bumpers make it too bulky and not as easy to slide in or out of a pocket, and the hard case part is just one piece so its doesn't snap together into a solid outer shell like the Kraken.

I'm what you might call a case whore.

Otterbox Defender- This case gets way too much credit for what it is. It does fit the extended battery but that is about the only good thing it has going for it. The front of the case goes all the way up to the viewing portion of the screen and some have reported that it scratches the phone which makes the built in protector pointless. The clips that hold the case together are not quality at all and will crack and break off after the first few removals. The part I hate most, is that the silicone is on the outside. This case is not worth the $50.

Otterbox Commuter- This is everything the Defender wishes it as. Very nice silicone on the inside of a hard shell. It even has better port covers than the Defender.I have also heard that the Seidio spring clip holster fits it nicely. It does not fit the extended battery.

Verizon case/holster combo- A nice case if you do not care about dropping your phone. Might as well go naked. The case does not protect the top, bottom, corners, or screen. It will not fit the extended battery.

Cruzerlite Androidified- Very nice TPU case. You have to be carefull putting it on as it fits so snug it will bunch up your screen protector. It feels really nice in hand and adds very little to the phone. As a bonus they look cool as hell, especially in Android green. This will fit the extended battery. I got min for $10 each.

Trident Kraken- If you need protection and are considering the Otterbox Defender, STOP. Get this instead. Has a very nice inner silicon layer, which can be used as a case on its own, Surrounded by a beefy two piece hard shell. The clips that hold it together snap like legos. It has port covers, fits the extended battery and has a kickstand that can be swapped out for a bike clip, car mount, tripod and a number of other things. At $32 I can not speak more highly of this case. The only issue with it is that it covers half of the notification light. Hopefully this will be revised in the future.

I'm also going to pick up a Ballistic Shell Gel but I don't think it will have what it takes to replace the Kraken.

 

[ritchea]

At $26, they're definitely on the pricier side, compared to TPU cases, but it's really all about preserving the Galaxy Nexus look with the Ringke Slim, and I think that's what makes it worth it.

Totally agree. This is NOT the best protection, but I rarely drop my phone (ok, famous last words!) However, when my husband upgrades, I will definitely look into getting something akin to a tank which is what the Kraken sounds like. I wanted to keep the "slim" and add some substance which the Ringke Slim does. It has more grip than I thought it would (I didn't expect any) but still slides in and out of pockets easily--maybe too easily for some. My son got the black and he's happy with it. I got the metallic grey and really like it. I think it gives the phone "another dimension" look.

 

[wrecklass]

I think the sacrifice is pretty negligible and certainly worth keeping the style/look of the Galaxy Nexus; however, if you're not particularly vane or don't really care for the GNex look, you'd probably be just as happy with a cheaper case.

Refreshingly honest assessment. My thought when I saw the Ringke was it was for people who wanted more protection for the battery

I have the Cruzerlite Androidified, and the Seidio Surface which handily happen to be the exact same size so I can use the Seidio belt clip with both. Then again I suspect my wife would tell you that "vane" would be the last adjective anyone would use to describe me.

 

[no786]

xo skin screen protector.
incipio feather case.