• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Review of UAG cases for Note 4 w/lots of pics!!!

twister6

Android Expert
Jul 30, 2010
2,247
928
This is a Review of Urban Armor Gear (UAG) cases for Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

In this review I'm going to look at Scout/Black version, available directly Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Case from Urban Armor Gear - Black – URBAN ARMOR GEAR or from Amazon:
Amazon.com: URBAN ARMOR GEAR Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Case, Black: Cell Phones & Accessories and
Maverick/Clear version: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Case from Urban Armor Gear - Clear Case – URBAN ARMOR GEAR or from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/URBAN-ARMOR-GEAR-Samsung-Galaxy/dp/B00O3AE9DW/

For what it worth, I've tested and shared with you A TON of reviews of different smartphone cases, and always try to be unbiased in my write ups. But the truth of the matter, at the end of the day I'm still coming back to and use most of the time UAG cases on all of our phones. Of course it's a matter of a personal preference, but for me UAG cases represent a perfect blend of protection without adding a bulk and a practical style without being too flashy. Smartphones don't come cheap these days, either if you are paying full price or even on a contract. If you factor in a trend of regular smartphones approaching phablet size territory, they are also not as easy to handle in your hands or in and out of the pocket. Therefore, I consider a good case to be a wise investment to protect your phone from accidental drops and scratches, despite how tough you think they build or the promises of next gen Gorilla glass you hear about.

So what makes UAG cases so special? Besides meeting Military Standards drop test, I like their idea of composite design where they fuse a hard PC outer shell with a soft impact resistant honeycomb pattern inner shell forming a single piece case. There are a number of 2-piece cases with inner soft sleeve and outer hard shell to hold it together, but sometime I don't feel like dealing with 2 separate pieces of assembly where UAG lightweight design takes care of that. But I do have to comment that in comparison to all of my previously reviewed UAG cases for Note 2, Note 3, Galaxy S4, and Galaxy S5 - I found Note 4 case fitment to be tighter where you need to apply extra force, starting at the corners, to get the phone out. For those who are constantly switching your batteries and need a quick removal of the case, you will probably get a bit frustrated and can find UAG case for Note 4 to be not your cup of tea. I confirmed with both Black and Clear version of the case, and it was equally a bit on a tighter side. For me personally it's not a show stopper and actually gives an extra peace of mind knowing that if I drop my phone it will not separate from the case, as well as less dirt and dust gets under the case cover.

As I previously mentioned, the outside of the case is made out of a hard PC material, but it feels very comfortable and secure in your hand due to a soft textured rubber grip areas located symmetrically on the sides of the case. Furthermore, the top and the bottom of the phone is covered in rubber bumpers with reinforced corners and a rubber bumper going around the front edge of the display to allow you placing Note 4 face down without touching the screen. This bumper also has enough depth to accommodate any film screen protector or a typical tempered glass one. And speaking for screen protector, UAG included one as part of the accessories, along with a cleaning cloth. It's a nice bonus to have to protect your screen from scratches or if you are researching to get tempered glass protector. Due to a nature of Note 4 slopped down edges, the included screen protector provides just enough coverage for the visible flat area of the display.

Though protection is important, case also needs to keep your phone fully functional. Starting with power and volume up/down buttons, those are covered for protection, easy to push thanks to a clever side cutout, and have a nice hardware-like design/texture to easy locate them just by sliding your finger. Even so buttons are easy to push, you still get a nice tactile response. At the top, you get very generous cutouts for all the ports including headphone opening to accommodate even oversized plugs. At the bottom, micro usb opening is also VERY generous to accommodate even extra large plugs. S-pen opening is wide enough to access it even with your thumb, and it still has a good corner protection around that area. When it comes to both mic openings at the bottom, I'm happy to report UAG case accommodates even my Verizon Note 4 where as many of you aware the left mic is shifted in comparison to every other Note 4. The speaker opening on the back is precise, and camera/flash cluster has one common opening with a black inner rubber trim to deflect flash reflection and to provide an easy access to a sensor next to the flash. Furthermore, you have 4 scratch resistant skid pads in the corners on the back to keep phone leveled and to prevent sliding when placed on the back, even on a slippery glass surface.

The case comes in 5 different colors, and hopefully I will be able to get other colors for review so I can show you all the colors on my white Note 4. The colors are Navigator (white), Scout (black), Aero (blue), Rust (orange), and Maverick (clear). Solid colors are not just your basic common colors; they have a unique color shade and a tough scratch resistant finish. I used my white Navigator with Note 2 for almost two years and it still looks like brand new with exactly the same color shade. It's true I used to be a fan of white color cases, until... I saw Maverick and put it on my Note 4 for the first time. This is a case that's going to stay permanently on my phone! It has a slightly different design since in order to keep the back transparent there is no soft inner lining on the back, while UAG still used a honeycomb pattern etched into the hard shell for inner impact resistant layer. The transparent effect is really cool and gives the back of the phone a unique 3D look.

Overall, UAG always been my highly recommended case and still is for Note 4. Even with a tighter fit which can be a hassle if you are one of those road warriors who swaps their battery in the middle of the day, I still find it adequate to provide an excellent protection for my $700 Note 4 and to showcase my phone in style without adding too much bulk. As a matter of fact, when I put my Note 4 next to Note 2, both wearing UAG case, I found Note 4 overall to be thinner, slimmer, and just a tiny bit longer. Also, for those who point out other similar looking single piece cases that imitate UAG industrial design style - keep in mind that you can imitate the look, but you can't imitate the build and the material quality. That will become very apparent when those look-a-like cases start fading out or end up with scratches or separated layers after the drop. As a mentioned above, I have been using my UAG cases for years and they still look like new.

Here are the pictures.

uag_n4_clear-01_zps8dcdd051.jpg


uag_n4_clear-02_zps9903110f.jpg


uag_n4_clear-03_zpsbe52edf3.jpg


uag_n4_clear-04_zps568d0cae.jpg


uag_n4_clear-05_zps5af169f4.jpg


uag_n4_clear-06_zps2fc23d63.jpg


uag_n4_clear-07_zps02e9effd.jpg


uag_n4_clear-08_zpsd5832169.jpg


uag_n4_clear-09_zps9f6d5562.jpg


uag_n4_clear-10_zpsd578412a.jpg


uag_n4_clear-11_zps743bb91f.jpg


uag_n4_clear-12_zps987cd48e.jpg


uag_n4_clear-13_zpsce59066d.jpg


uag_n4_clear-14_zps6a03eac3.jpg


uag_n4_clear-15_zps98c73f2d.jpg


uag_n4_clear-16_zps0da6481a.jpg


uag_n4_clear-17_zps25f9a2ff.jpg


uag_n4_clear-18_zps51bca7cd.jpg


uag_n4_clear-19_zpsca5b574d.jpg


uag_n4_clear-20_zpsb47192af.jpg


uag_n4_clear-21_zpsd1bb6fab.jpg


Out with an old, In with a new: Note 4 vs Note 2 in UAG cases:

uag_n4_clear-22_zpsb0f62019.jpg


uag_n4_clear-23_zpse946905e.jpg


uag_n4_clear-24_zpsb77010a3.jpg


uag_n4_clear-25_zps7de865b6.jpg


uag_n4_clear-26_zpsa604ab48.jpg
 
I bought a UAG a long time ago and they're quite slow to ship. Their website says 10 days (international) but it's been longer than that already. I hope I made the right choice though. I nearly bought an Otterbox, but there's so many bad comments from owners. The thing with the Spigen/Otterbox/UAG is that they all leave the screen very exposed. Are there any cases that protect the corners well and have a cover over the screen?
 
Upvote 0
I bought a UAG a long time ago and they're quite slow to ship. Their website says 10 days (international) but it's been longer than that already. I hope I made the right choice though. I nearly bought an Otterbox, but there's so many bad comments from owners. The thing with the Spigen/Otterbox/UAG is that they all leave the screen very exposed. Are there any cases that protect the corners well and have a cover over the screen?

With UAG it takes awhile when a new phone is released and it's a new case model. I just got Defender and Commuter as well for review, and Defender makes phone 1/2" longer and wider, adds a lot of bulk though gives you a tough protection. Spigen typically has a light drop protection, while UAG and Otterbox has Military Standard Drop protection.

Sounds like you are looking for a folio case with a flip cover. Those offer hardly any corner protection.
 
Upvote 0
you buy all these cases??? i wish i didn't see that orange one, considering i just got my spigen tough armor today in the mail... while i think its very nice looking and well built case, ughhh i feel like getting another phone case.

Are you asking me about orange UAG? and if I buy all these cases? Manufacturers send me cases for review, so I didn't buy it. Also have the rest of Note 4 UAG colors coming for review shortly, so I will post more detailed pictures. Orange case is SICK!!! My wife has it on her S5, it's not really orange but rustic color. She dropped her S5 yesterday on a concrete from a shoulder height - not even a scratch on the phone or the case.

Here is a pic from my other review of S5 folio case, with S5 in Rustic UAG next to it:

uag_s5_folio-04_zpsac4c2939.jpg
 
Upvote 0
Sounds like you are looking for a folio case with a flip cover. Those offer hardly any corner protection.

Just googled "folio case" and yes, exactly that - except I'd like one with corner protection as well. :) I used to have a case for my old HTC, you popped the phone into the plastic moulding and it offered reasonable back and edge protection, you then had a leather open/close cover to protect the screen, that was held shut by a magnet. That case was about
 
Upvote 0
Are you asking me about orange UAG? and if I buy all these cases? Manufacturers send me cases for review, so I didn't buy it. Also have the rest of Note 4 UAG colors coming for review shortly, so I will post more detailed pictures. Orange case is SICK!!! My wife has it on her S5, it's not really orange but rustic color. She dropped her S5 yesterday on a concrete from a shoulder height - not even a scratch on the phone or the case.

Here is a pic from my other review of S5 folio case, with S5 in Rustic UAG next to it:

uag_s5_folio-04_zpsac4c2939.jpg

is it available yet for the note 4 ? judging by the pic it remind of construction equipment orange. either way i like it :D
 
Upvote 0
I really like the Maverick, I'm glad I decided to give it a try. Question for you, since you have them all. is the case itself any different on the inside from the black (or any colored) one? How it feels, and the texture? are they are the same tight fit? Do the Color variations have a softer inner side?
...

Yes, clear Maverick case will have a different inner layer, all solid plastic versus colored cases having an inner layer with a soft rubber shell. As a result, colored cases are a bit more flexible in comparison to Maverick with a tighter fit. Outside texture feels the same.
 
Upvote 0
Back when I had my Note 2 w/UAG case, occasionally I was using Seidio holster with it. For those who are familiar with Seidio holsters - the are bar none in quality with their spring loaded clip. For Note 2 I used CONVERT exoskeleton belt clip holster. Now since I'm going through review samples of Note 4 Seidio cases, I just confirmed that Seidio CAPSA exoskeleton belt clip holster fits UAG Note 4 like a glove!!! Unfortunately, I don't see that holster being sold separately, but still wanted to mention about it and post a few picks for your reference.

uagcapsa_n4-01_zps8de59ad9.jpg


uagcapsa_n4-02_zps2713d709.jpg


uagcapsa_n4-03_zps6c6fbc5f.jpg


uagcapsa_n4-04_zpsc14cb0ee.jpg


uagcapsa_n4-05_zpsf6b054aa.jpg


uagcapsa_n4-06_zps1e20f74f.jpg
 
Upvote 0
Yes, clear Maverick case will have a different inner layer, all solid plastic versus colored cases having an inner layer with a soft rubber shell. As a result, colored cases are a bit more flexible in comparison to Maverick with a tighter fit. Outside texture feels the same.

Ah, OK. I might have to invest in a second care. I like the case, but if I have to pull my phone out, it's hard to do and I feel like I might break the phone or the case in the process. Thank you for the reply.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones