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Review of Spigen Neo Hybrid, GlasTr, and Aluminum home buttons w/lots of pics!!!

twister6

Android Expert
Jul 30, 2010
2,247
928
This is Review of Spigen S4 accessories: Neo Hybrid case, GlasTr tempered glass screen protector, and collection of Aluminum replacement home buttons, Samsung Galaxy S4 Cases | S4 Screen Protectors | SPIGEN SGP

Spigen is famous for their slogan "Something You Want". If you just got your new shinny S4 or waiting to get one soon, you will definitely find something you want from a collection of newly released Spigen accessories. This company is very well known for their screen protector and slim case accessories. Slim cases often sacrifice extra drop protection in favor of very basic scratch protection. This is definitely not the case with Slim Armor I already reviewed and this new Neo Hybrid. As a bonus, a premium tempered glass screen protector (GlasTr) and replacement aluminum home buttons were included in my review package, so I will take an opportunity to talk about all of these in my review.

Neo Hybrid is a very unique case consisting of two pieces, a thin TPU inner shell and outer PC frame. While TPU shell comes in black, PC frame is offered in a variety of 5 different colors. I just wish those would be sold separately so you don't have to buy another case if you want to change a color of your frame. TPU shell is made out of flexible material that snugly wraps around your S4 covering the whole back, with an exception of speaker/camera/flash opening and also covering the sides leaving only precise cutouts for power/volume/micro-usb/speaker/headphone and other S4 port openings. The outer finish of TPU is matte and non-slip, while inner finish has a pattern with a mix of matte and shiny pattern grooves which all come together to offer an acceptable impact protection. The PC frame only covers the edges of the case, and precisely interlocks with grooves of TPU shell. There is no worries that either TPU shell or PC frame will come loose once everything is assembled. One important thing to note, TPU and PC has to be assembled together before putting S4 into the case. One unique feature of PC frame are the separate power and volume buttons that are plastic but made to resemble shiny aluminum-like material. Once the case is assembled with S4, it feels very solid with a phone, no pulling or sagging anywhere. TPU part of the case gives a good non-slip surface for the back of the phone and also offers a small lip on the front so you can put a phone face down without worries about the screen touching the surface. Due to unique design of this form-fitted case, it transforms shape of S4 into a square off design, resembling in some way iPhone. I personally found it very comfortable to hold in my hand, a decent non-slippery grip. I know there has been a number of remarks about micro-usb port opening. I tried it, and demonstrated in my pictures, with Samsung oem charger cable and two other usb cables without any problem. But it's quite possible there will be 3rd party cables that will not fit properly, One option is that you can always trim off rubbery-plastic part of the connector since they typically have over-sized grip mold. Overall, a very unique slim case that also offers wrap-around protection and adequate shock absorption during your typical everyday use. They did kept it slim with a small lip, and in my personal opinion this case will work better with a thinner GlasT screen protector rather than GlasTr which I'm going to talk more about later.

As a bonus with Neo Hybrid, jelly bean home button stickers are included to customize your phone. But if you want something more solid with bold colors and a premium feel - Spigen offers aluminum home button replacements that come in a pack of three colors: black, silver, and red. These look very slick and definitely going to offer a premium touch to your phone with it's laser cut design. These will look especially awesome with GlasTr tempered glass since it has home button cutout.

And speaking of tempered glass, I was surprised that GlasTr was included with my review package from Spigen since I'm using a display model of S4. But nevertheless, I would like to review this product and offer to you as many pictures as I can to give you an idea of its quality. Spigen offers two versions of GlasT tempered glass screen protectors, one is the original one with super thin 0.23mm thickness and another is a thicker 0.4mm version called GlasTr. Both of these screen protectors offer real glass material, whole transparency, signature oleophobic coating (anti-fingerprint coated layer), anti-shatter film, 8-9H surface hardness, and a special silicone adhesion. The "R" version, due to being thicker, also offers rounded borders, tapered home button cutout, and special anti-chip ultra protection. In addition to screen protection, package also comes with a unique anti-scratch battery cover protection film just in case if you decide to carry your phone without a case. You do get a jelly bean button cover, but I would recommend going with their aluminum replacement home button. Keep in mind, "R" glass is twice thicker than an original GlasT. So when you are choosing one versus the other, check with your case and thickness of the lip.

Overall, Spigen is known for a high quality products and they always deliver it! Design is always a matter of preference. So if your preference to outfit S4 with a slimmest case that will also give you a piece of mind if you drop your phone - this is definitely "something you want"! Also, keep in mind, every Spigen product comes with a unique serial number to id it and to validate the warranty and provide you with a support. There is a number of fake Spigen knock-off available elsewhere, but these are just that - a low quality knock off that will not offer the same level of quality you get from buying the original one. So please be aware!

Here are the pictures!!!

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Ooh, so it adds 1.1 mm? Hmm, that's just going to be too thick. lol, I'm kidding. So does it still feel almost as minimal as the naked phone? I've never used a case, but this one has me interested. I'm wondering how the red trim on the white phone looks.
From what ive heard most people say, this case doesnt add much to the width (from screen to battery cover), but it makes it feel longer (from the power button side to volume button side).
 
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i got an S4 last night and asked the verizon rep about this screen protector.

He said they do not sell them because they have not been tested by verizon and cant verify if the glass protector covering the sensor lights would affect them.

Can anyone verify that thre are NO issues with the protector on?
 
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i got an S4 last night and asked the verizon rep about this screen protector.

He said they do not sell them because they have not been tested by verizon and cant verify if the glass protector covering the sensor lights would affect them.

Can anyone verify that thre are NO issues with the protector on?

Would be great to hear a feedback from those who installed it. One thing for sure, I know very well how Spigen is obsessed with every product their release. Screen protectors is their bread'n'butter, so I can guarantee this has been tested inside out. Beside, I haven't read one negative feedback with a reference to sensor lights - that's another good indicator because as you know people turn to forums more often to complain about problem rather than to praise the product ;)

Btw, I would stay away from Verizon screen protectors. Yes, they will install it for you for free, but they use cheap stuff. I remember asking them awhile ago if their regular film protector for Note 2 will have rainbow effect under fluorescent lights (very common problem with cheap sp), and they were not sure about it. Since they were doing free installation in a store, I asked if I buy it and they install it and I will see rainbow effect right there in the store - can I return it back. The reply was "no", you paid for it, you keep it :(
 
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Would be great to hear a feedback from those who installed it. One thing for sure, I know very well how Spigen is obsessed with every product their release. Screen protectors is their bread'n'butter, so I can guarantee this has been tested inside out. Beside, I haven't read one negative feedback with a reference to sensor lights - that's another good indicator because as you know people turn to forums more often to complain about problem rather than to praise the product ;)

Btw, I would stay away from Verizon screen protectors. Yes, they will install it for you for free, but they use cheap stuff. I remember asking them awhile ago if their regular film protector for Note 2 will have rainbow effect under fluorescent lights (very common problem with cheap sp), and they were not sure about it. Since they were doing free installation in a store, I asked if I buy it and they install it and I will see rainbow effect right there in the store - can I return it back. The reply was "no", you paid for it, you keep it :(

true. i havent seen negative feedback yet but just wanted to make sure..i actually just ordered it online, so hopefully there are no issues...

any tips for putting the thing on??
 
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I have the Spigen Glastr installed on my Galaxy S4 and LOVE it. As someone else said, it is the best protector that I have used (and I have used just about everything from Zagg and Spigen). This doesn't affect any of the sensors and was very easy to install.

One tip to help with the installation: place some masking tape on one of the long sides of the protector and position the cover with the plastic still on the protector. When you have the screen protector positioned, tape one side of the cover in place and remove the plastic from the back of the protector. Press the protector into place. Remove the masking tape and the plastic from the top of the screen protector and you're in business!
 
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I fainted when I saw the aluminum home buttons priced at $9.99!!

I assume it was a reaction to excitement for such a great bargain? :p

These are typically intended to raise home button after install of thicker tempered glass screen protector. The cheap low quality stuff from China sells on ebay for $5 per single color and those are of a crappy quality with fading colors and glue that's going to leave marks if you remove it later. 3 high quality aluminum home buttons for $9.99 where you decide on one color to keep and to sell the other two on ebay for $5 each sounds almost like a freebie to me ;)
 
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So, I just went to put my glastr protector. Took off the film to then apply to my screen when I saw it has dust on the sticky adhesive side.

How can I get rid of the dust which is now stuck to the glue/sticky adhesive????

Scotch tape trick ;) Take a piece of the tape and make a loop with outer sticky side. Use it to pick up any dust particles!
 
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So, I just went to put my glastr protector. Took off the film to then apply to my screen when I saw it has dust on the sticky adhesive side.

How can I get rid of the dust which is now stuck to the glue/sticky adhesive????

Touch it with the sticky side of scotch (clear) tape. The tape is stickier than the screen protector, so the dust will transfer to the tape.
 
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Sweet case, I've been looking at that one. Plus, the other Hybrid case they have, the Slim... but I've heard the plastic is soft and the back scratches easily.

Nice screen protector, but I wonder... why? With my old SII that had Gorilla Glass 2. When I originally got the phone, I had AT&T put on the matte screen protector, which up until the day I traded it in, keep it in pristine condition. Now they have Gorilla Glass 3, same screen protector and seems to be holding up just as well.

Any particular reason for this glass sheets, other than some redundancy (not that its a bad thing, in regards to protection)? Though, I do like the engineering that appears to have gone into them, plus the addition of the aluminum buttons.
 
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Scotch tape trick ;) Take a piece of the tape and make a loop with outer sticky side. Use it to pick up any dust particles!

Touch it with the sticky side of scotch (clear) tape. The tape is stickier than the screen protector, so the dust will transfer to the tape.


thanks for the feedback guys but i think i screwed myself... i tried getting the dust off and ended up just putting the protector on. Looks fine when the screen is on but when screen is off, i can see dust and some bubbles which dont come off using the squeegee...

gonna have to use their replacement program and pay half off for a new one... very annoyed....
 
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Another tip I heard about when applying a screen protector (though I haven't tried it myself), is to apply the protector in the bathroom after somebody has taken a shower or a bath. The steam in the air will pull all of the dust in the air to the floor as it clears, so just wait until the steam has gone and away you go.
 
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