Upon first hearing that the Nexus 4 would be constructed of front and rear glass panels, I immediately thought of all the issues that have plagued the iPhone - easily cracked screens, scratched glass and a slippery surface leaving little to hold on to. Don't get me wrong, the design makes the Nexus 4 look absolutely stunning, but it makes it a much more delicate phone than it should be.
That said, I contacted Spigen right away to get my hands on their Ultra Crystal Dual screenshield, which contains a set of front / rear screen protectors. Due to their ultra-thin and clear nature, you cannot tell they are installed as they function identically to the glass panels. You'll still find build ups of grease and fingerprints - but at least you will be protected from scratches.
Retailing for $13.99, there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there, but I choose to use Spigen's as I believe they provide the most 'natural' experience, since they don't distort the display. Check out the full video review below for more info;
Sometimes a manufacturer's design decisions lead to difficulty producing certain 3rd party accessories, which can be frustrating to consumers. Examples of this are seen with the HTC One X and its non-removable battery (which makes it very difficult to increase battery life), the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (which featured slightly curved display, causing screenshields to bubble on the edges) and now the Samsung Galaxy S3, that has bevelled edges, once again causing most screenshields to bubble.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had been using screenshields that were cut short and only covered the touchscreen portion of the display - a bit annoying but something I learned to live with. That all changed when I was introduced to the Tridea True Shield, a full coverage 3D screen protector. Whatever the technology used may be, it works - pretty well for the most part!
The True Shield is a crystal clear protector that offers good clarity, protection and a nearly invisible design - although it is quite the fingerprint magnet, showing these off very well. I shouldn't use the term full coverage however, as there is still a slight gap between the edges and the protector, but this is almost negligible and most cases will cover this gap up.
At 12$, it is priced higher than other options, especially since you only receive 1 in the package. I've got the SGP Curved Crystal in for review, which is a direct competitor to the True Shield, so if you're interested in these types of protectors - stay tuned for that review before making your decision.
I test out a lot of cases. I get 2 or 3 packages weekly (sometimes more!) from different case manufacturers trying to promote a new product. For the most part, the majority of cases are very similar to another and don't 'think outside the box'. Whenever I find a case that does, I'm eager to try it out. Now, a lot of people don't care for a unique or exclusive case, they simply want something protective and reliable. I completely understand that, but as a reviewer, I see so much of the same stuff that I like something out of the ordinary occasionally.
The Speck FabShell does a good job at fitting into that space with its unique fabric backing. The case itself is pretty straightforward, featuring a TPU body that is backed with plastic for added durability and protection. What sets this case apart from others is the fact that the plastic is lined in fabric, which not only adds grip, but features a characteristic design.
I'm not a huge fan of the design options that Speck has released, but the case itself is not a let down. Offering great protection, the FabShell features nearly perfect ports and cutouts, falling short due to its lack of responsiveness with the power button. Other than that however, it is well made.
Check out the video review below for more information and my full thoughts:
There are some cases that just tend to be reliable, affordable & get the job done. The Diztronic Matte Black TPU case is exactly that for me, I don't always use it, but I always keep it around. Priced at $9.90 USD, this is a budget-conscious option, but don't let that price point fool you - this case is as good or even better than other more expensive alternatives.
Featuring a matte coating on the back, the Diztronic case is a TPU case that hugs your Galaxy S3 tightly for a snug fit. Ports and cutouts are decently cut, with some being slightly misaligned (but not affecting overall performance). Protection wise, you'll find this case provides excellent scratch protection and some minimal drop & shock protection. Not too shabby for a 10$ case.
Bumper. What exactly does it mean? A quick dictionary search will lead you to something along these lines; a fixed metal bar used in a vehicle to reduce damage after a collision. Seems useful, huh? The folks at Tridea took the idea of a bumper and ported it to phones in order to have a similar effect, reducing damage during a drop or fall.
The result is the Tedoori Bumper case, made from a TPU material, it hugs the sides and corners of the Galaxy S III to provide a tight fit whilst adding a slight grip. The execution of the case is good for the most part, it is comfortable to hold while maintaing a minimalistic and simple design. The ports and cutouts are spot-on, so I have no problems with the manufacturing of the case.
The main issues come with the way the case is meant to be used, simply put: this case offers an extremely low amount of protection from scratches or drops. Bumper cases in general are to be used by consumers that are careful with their devices, the Tedoori being no exception. One drop and you can kiss your Galaxy S III goodbye. This isn't a knock on Tridea, but rather bumper cases in general.
The Galaxy S3 is finally amongst us! After a long 4 month wait (for me at least), I received my 16 GB Pebble Blue model late last week. Whenever I get my hands on a new device, I immediately start sourcing cases & accessories to keep my beloved well protected. In today's post, we'll be checking out the Spigen SGP Flex HD full coverage screen protector for the S3.
Back in December I installed and reviewed the same screen protector for the Galaxy Nexus and went on the use that screen protector for the following 7 months. Upon hearing SGP would remake this shield for the S3, I knew I wanted to check it out right away! A full coverage screenshield is one that covers the whole glass display, in the case of the S3, its slight curvature means some protectors can't cover the curved areas.
Visually, this screen protector won't provide the best clarity or feel, but where it excels is protection. A little thicker than most, the Flex HD provides unparalleled protection from drops and scratches.
Check out the video below for the installation (very easy!) and review:
In the continuation of our HTC One X accessory coverage, I've decided to take a look at the CandyShell case, which comes from the folks over at Speck Products. The CandyShell case first came to existence in early 2009, when it was produced for the iPhone 3GS. Its popularity was quickly noted by consumers and the case design spread to many other devices.
Due to its simplistic yet stylish approach and design, this remains Speck's most popular case, so it is no big surprise it was ported to the One X. The case itself is a hybrid, composed of a plastic shell with a silicone inner layer, although the real treat is that the materials are molded into one single piece. Due to its design, it is extremely protective, yet slimmer than most other hybrid cases.
Check out the full video review below for more info:
Seems a lot of you liked the Galaxy Nexus accessory coverage I brought to the site, with that said, the Galaxy Nexus is slowly becoming a last generation device. In my transition away from the Galaxy Nexus, I've gotten my hands on the HTC One X - which will be used in the next couple of weeks until my Galaxy S III arrives.
In order to protect the new investment, the folks at Case-Mate hooked me up with one of their new Tough cases. Like the name states, this is an ultra protective case featuring a dual hybrid layer design. The inner silicone is nothing special, average quality at best. However, once paired up with the hard plastic shell, the phone feels extremely solid and resistant. This case offers a great amount of protection, albeit at a premium price point.
Check out the full video review below for more info:
So here it is, the first part of the Galaxy Note review. You know what a ridonkulous handset like the Note needs? An equally epic review. A review that can match it's RSI-inducing proportions. This will be that review.
Make the jump to get stuck in, if the length of this first post is anything to go by you'll need to get reading now if you are to stand any chance of finishing before the next part is up...
Pretty soon we're going to be entering one of the hottest months on record as far as Android handset releases go, and here at AndroidNZ we're getting the handsets of November at release - that includes the Motorola Razr, and the Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Nexus.
It goes without saying that we're going to be giving you ridiculously detailed "real-user reviews" here at AndroidNZ, something that's increasingly difficult to find out there as sites race to push out a review after only a day or two of use.
It doesn't end there though. Apart from offering reviews from folks who are actually using the handsets as their daily drivers for a couple of weeks, we can offer something else that is pretty unique - real 1:1 attention to the questions you want answered in the reviews.
That's what this post is all about: what you want to know.
If you've got burning questions that need answering let us know, it doesn't matter how idiosyncratic your needs, we'll strive to answer your query - because we understand that no matter how many bells and whistles a handset has, its how it relates to you that's important.
Balls in your court; join us after the break and drop a comment if there is something you've just gotta know.
When it comes to phones, I tend to favor Samsung products because their high-quality screens have won me over. However with my love being so strong, I find I don't give myself the chance to try out products from other companies, usually because I am hesitant to spend money on something that might be decent.
Last month I was given the chance to use a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G (fancy american marketing, really just HSPA+ speeds) - to which I joyously accepted. The folks at Sony's PR agency sent out the test device quickly, and a couple of days later I had the phone in my hands. Was it good enough to take me away from Samsung? Answers past the jump...
