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GS3 Case discussion thread

After using the rubbery "tire tread" case (which really looks much nicer than in the picture I posted a few pages back) and having zero tendency to slip out of my hand (but easy to pull out of my pocket) my Otterbox Commuter case arrived today. It is really nice to look at and seems very well made, quality wise. And I am sure it will protect the phone like a tank. But the outer layer is REALLY slippery to my dry fingers and hands. I find myself wishing they had made the 2 layers in reverse, with the silicone on the outside. I started fumbling it the instant I got it mounted.

So, I'm not sure I'll like it 100%, but I really do like the way its port covers work to keep dust out. Yes, it does add a bit of effort to pushing the power button, but one nice feature of the S3 is that you can wake up the display by pressing the Home button! :) So I only need to press power to blank the screen (half as much as I would press power on my DX).

I'm tempted to try using some Plasti-dip Black spray on the outer layer of the Commuter, to give it a rubberized surface. Still thinking about that. I wonder how thin a layer I could achieve and still have it look nice and work to add friction? I've used the dip containers, but not the spray. Anyone here ever used the spray on a tool handle? I guess I could practice on some old hard cases I have for previous PDA models.
 
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Similar to 2horses, I decided to go with an Elago case, yet I chose one from their "breathe line". Furthermore I decided to go with a white case to spruce up the Indigo Blue housing of the device. <snip>

Pros:
*Reasonably priced (I paid $8.99 shipped with Prime - Amazon.com: elago G5 Breathe Case for Galaxy S3 (Fits Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and other Carriers) - Glossy White - ECO PACK: Cell Phones & Accessories
*Available in numerous colors - Galaxy S3 Case | elago
*Mesh backing prevents device from becoming overheated.
*Hardshell casing ensures case will not easily crack, bend, or break.
*Slim fit ensures no bulk and contours perfectly to the shape of the device
*Simple and to some degree Eco-Friendly packaging

Cons:
*Offers minimal protection / top and bottom of device is not protected
*No lip around the circumference of the front of the case, thus offers little to no screen protection if device is placed screen down on flat/rough service.
*Does not include extras (some manufacturers include screen protectors, stands, cloths, etc.)
*Possible to find similar or better protective cases for the same price or cheaper.

Given the sheer size of the S3 and the ability for this case to add little to no noticeable bulk makes me a big fan of this case;more so then I had originally expected I would be. I plan on purchasing an SGP Curved Crystal protector once it is released, to remedy the lack of screen protection because of minimal lip.

I really like my elago case, but today I stopped by my local Verizon store to see what they on hand, and walked out with a blue silicon cover. It's the exact same color as the phone, but offers a bit more protection. I didn't think I'd like the side buttons being covered, but it actually makes them easier to find and push, although not easy to so accidentally - if that makes sense. And it's solid rather than a clear color like a TPU case would be. But it's practically invisible on the phone. I'll post pics here in a bit.
 
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Looked through about 8 pages and did not see anything about a case with ID/credit card holder built in. anyone know of anything like that? I had one from Speck for my 4s and loved it.

JAVOedge makes something along these lines:
Samsung Galaxy S3 Credit Card Back Cover - Samsung Galaxy S3 | JAVOedge

You may be able to find some Chinese knock-off via Ebay (much cheaper)

crop-original-1536-6122-galaxy-s3-credit-card-backcover-6.jpg
 
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I currently have the Tridea bumper and I don't like it. It's not a tight fit and I can't get a good grip on my phone. I ordered the Speck FabShell (in GeoMazing Spectrum) and will be getting it tomorrow. I hope this case will add a little more weight to the phone, I feel like I'm going to drop it since it's soooo light.
 
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This phone is so beautiful I can't imagine slapping some crappy, shiny silicone or TPU case on it. Makes me shiver. That incipio case looks ok, but the 'gray' is kind of a turn-off.

I have a black Ringke slim lite from rearth on my white S3 and it looks 'dead sexy'.

Gray looks good with the blue, but they also have white.

BTW, the phone looks great (until you drop it :))
 
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I do like the Active Garnet and I like the idea of the kickstand..does it add much bulk to the phone? I was looking at the Seidio Surface, but still undecided. Thanks


The Active case with the kickstand is only more bulky where the kickstand is located. But I believe I'll use it a lot if it doesn't break or something, so I'm going with functionality/usability over sleeker design.

The case itself adds some bulk being a more protective-oriented design. The lip around the side/front looks thicker than the Incipio, for example. But, since this phone is SO thin I don't mind a little more bulk for the extra protection. It still looks thin even with the thicker case. Plus, I've dropped previous phones too many times (and cracked a screen once when one landed face-down on a hard floor -- fortunately on just the corner and it was still usable, but still). The arachnid design certainly wouldn't appeal to everyone, but I personally like it for something different.
 
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I'm not sure if what i want exists. I am looking for a total coverage one piece case that I can use to make calls and text on the beach. Over the weekend I used plastic wrap and a snack baggie. The touch screen still worked through two layers of wrap and the baggie, but it looked awful and would have torn easily.

for daily use I just received the
CrazyOnDigital EXPLORER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00805SDO2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

It's a nice hybrid case and is a lot nicer looking IMO than the ARMOR case. It takes a minute or two to get the shell to seat nicely, but I love it.

However I paid $3 less for the case and $1 less for shipping when i ordered last week.
 
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Has anyone had any luck with cases and screen protectors going together? It seems from my brief experience that many cases will peel the protector off unless the protector is cut short enough.

MODS, I'm going to post this in the screen protector thread also as I think it's useful to both.

Will find out soon enough with my full Matte PhantomSkinz protector and Incipio Samsung Galaxy S III SILICRYLIC DualPro case....

Waiting for the protector to dry over night first....

Wish me luck :help:
 
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It turns out that ebay won't let me change my seller feedback any more negative than it already is. When I abandoned my update, they asked why. I replied "the seller is trying to buy favorable feedback by refunding my purchase price."

And now I'm looking more closely at the other cases I bought off ebay. The blue one I am currently using is now just barely acceptable because it's front is almost as off-center as the back. The right side bezel is completely covered, while the left side bezel is only about 10% covered.

Good thing I ordered a Diztronic case. They just released a new dark blue matte TPU case. We'll see how it turns out. I might also go to Verizon and check out the glossy dark blue TPU case they have. $20 sounds pretty steep, though...

But I guess I need to keep in mind that you basically get what you pay for.
 
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I might also go to Verizon and check out the glossy dark blue TPU case they have. $20 sounds pretty steep, though...

But I guess I need to keep in mind that you basically get what you pay for.

That's the one I picked up today, a corporate discount got me 35% off but it's so nice and fits so perfectly it's well worth the full price. Please post back and let us know if you like it too.
 
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