GS3 Case discussion thread

Well, after reading on cases and screen protectors for several days now, here are my findings.

Best overall screen protector imo: Samsung Galaxy S3 Screen Protector Steinheil Curved Crystal - GALAXY S3 - Samsung - Cell Phones

Case options:

Sleek look, fits like it is part of your phone, great protection & feel: seidioonline.com

If protection is your number one concern and you don't mind a little added bulk: Rugged Samsung Galaxy S3 Cases | OtterBox.com

This is a great runner up: Samsung Galaxy S3 Cases | Speck Products

Finally for budget option...while doing my research...I did have this on my phone and I was pleasantly surprised how great this case was for the price. It fits perfect, feels great and costs only $10 which includes a screen protector as well. Amazon.com: Diztronic Matte Back Dark Blue Flexible TPU Case & Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S III (Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon and International Carriers) [Diztronic Retail Packaging]: Cell Phones & Accessories

Well, there you have it...I thought I'd share this, some of you may find it helpful.

~Chandria

Just to add to the above - think i might pull the trigger on this one for my temp case -

Amazon.com: Diztronic Matte Back Clear Flexible TPU Case & Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S III (Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon and International Carriers) [Diztronic Retail Packaging]: Cell Phones & Accessories

Also looking at this one....but kinda confused coz I want the kickstand
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I have two cases (one blue, one black) like this, both purchased off ebay. They are fairly decent. The blue one is translucent and its front edges sort of "glow." I found this to be distracting. The black one, being solidly colored, didn't "glow," but I found the contrast between pebble blue and black to be less that aesthetically pleasing - I just didn't like the match. But for $1.85 each with free shipping, they will make for more than adequate back-up cases for me.

Because of my pickiness, I went out and purchased one of the blue Belkin cases from Verizon. The case matches the home button, so the case color complements the phone's color quite nicely. The Belkin case covers the phone's buttons, but the TPU isn't as stiff so the the buttons are easier to push than on my S-Line cases.

Now I'm waiting on the matte blue Diztronic case I ordered last week. I want to compare it to this Belkin case in terms of color, fit, and finish, and protection. I'm thinking I may end up returning the Diztronic because I like covered buttons. But I've got to keep an open mind...

More Later

I am looking for

1) thin protection with a slight lip in front to protect the glass, but I don't want to add excessive thickness to the phone as it goes into my pocket.

2) dark blue or clear maybe? I LIKE (but don't LOVE) the pebble blue backplate so wondering if a clear case will preserve the look or will just make it look like my phone is wearing a condom. I'm leaning to a dark blue (not black).


3) is TPU the material of choice for thin protection? I've read about 6 pages of this thread - sorry I don't have all day to read 78 pages and growing...... I want something that will add a small bit of grippiness but not make it so I need to spend 2 minutes wrestling the phone out of my shorts pocket every time!

4) I'm thinking matte would look nicer than glossy. But perhaps I need to see them in person. The glossy TPU reminds me a bit of those old oval plastic coin purses that people used to use a long time ago....


I am very interested in your views between the Diztronic and the Verizon/Belkin blue cases. For others out there....any other options you've seen on Ebay?

I came across this on a UK website....seems to be a nice dark matte color - appears to be semi transparent.

SD Ultra Thin TPU Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 - Blue

I don't understand why Otterbox haven't officially released the Defender yet. Yet, there are people on Amazon selling it already, and I even watch a video where someone did a drop test with one...

Honestly

phatbass30, I have a case that looks just like that on my E4GT, and love it. Not sure I want it on my S3, but here's the eBay link to one just like it if anyone is interested:

FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S 3 III S3 BLACK FABRIC CARBON FIBER LOOK HARD COVER CASE | eBay

Haha! Just found this one too, not sure I'll be buying it either but it sure made me laugh:

FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S 3 III S3 BEER MUG DESIGN HARD COVER CASE | eBay

MachineGunnWilly said:

I may be in the minority here but I really WANT/NEED a case with a belt clip. BUT all the current ones i can find clip on with the screen hidden away. I want to use my phone as my MP3 player and constantly change and play with the music. Kinda shocked i cant find one.

Click to expand...

This one might work, and the clip doubles as a stand:

FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S 3 III S3 BLACK HOLSTER BELT CLIP STAND HARD COVER CASE | eBay

Hogan773 said:

I am looking for

1) thin protection with a slight lip in front to protect the glass, but I don't want to add excessive thickness to the phone as it goes into my pocket.

2) dark blue or clear maybe? I LIKE (but don't LOVE) the pebble blue backplate so wondering if a clear case will preserve the look or will just make it look like my phone is wearing a condom. I'm leaning to a dark blue (not black).


3) is TPU the material of choice for thin protection? I've read about 6 pages of this thread - sorry I don't have all day to read 78 pages and growing...... I want something that will add a small bit of grippiness but not make it so I need to spend 2 minutes wrestling the phone out of my shorts pocket every time!

4) I'm thinking matte would look nicer than glossy. But perhaps I need to see them in person. The glossy TPU reminds me a bit of those old oval plastic coin purses that people used to use a long time ago....


I am very interested in your views between the Diztronic and the Verizon/Belkin blue cases. For others out there....any other options you've seen on Ebay?

I came across this on a UK website....seems to be a nice dark matte color - appears to be semi transparent.

SD Ultra Thin TPU Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 - Blue

Click to expand...

Re Diztronic - I got the matte black and it works for me - even used the screen protector that came with it.

I just ordered the Otterbox Defender for the S III from 'alwayz-on-sale' on Amazon. Should be here 20th - 25th July, $46.47 (all in)...

Hogan773 said:

I am looking for

1) thin protection with a slight lip in front to protect the glass, but I don't want to add excessive thickness to the phone as it goes into my pocket.

Click to expand...

Terms like "Thin" and "Excessive thickness" are very subjective terms. I've found most TPU cases to be reasonably thin by my standards but they may not match yours or anyone else's. I wouldn't rely too much on someone else's opinion on that one. Look at them and see if you think it will work for you.

Hogan773 said:

2) dark blue or clear maybe? I LIKE (but don't LOVE) the pebble blue backplate so wondering if a clear case will preserve the look or will just make it look like my phone is wearing a condom. I'm leaning to a dark blue (not black).

Click to expand...

My daughter has bought 2 "Clear" cases for her white SGS3. Without being on the phone neither of them are very clear but when you slip them onto her phone you can read the "Samsung" logo clearly through the case and the phone appears to be almost as white as without a case. However, when I put them on my blue SGS3 the color of the phone changes completely and it's just sort of a washed out whitish-blue. Not attractive at all in my opinion. There may be a clear TPU case out there that is more translucent than either of these two cases but I doubt it. I think if you want a very clear case for a blue phone you'll need to go with a hard shell case. I have seen those and I believe they are quite clear, but not flexible or shock-absorbing the way a TPU case is.

Hogan773 said:

3) is TPU the material of choice for thin protection? I've read about 6 pages of this thread - sorry I don't have all day to read 78 pages and growing...... I want something that will add a small bit of grippiness but not make it so I need to spend 2 minutes wrestling the phone out of my shorts pocket every time!

Click to expand...

I undestand not wanting to read 78 pages of this thread. There is an easy solution to that. Go into the "User CP" and under "Options" you'll find "Number of posts to show per page". Increase that to the maximum of 40 and 78 pages will magically reduce down to only 23 pages. Much easier to handle, right?

And yes, I would say that TPU is at least MY choice for thin phone protection. But you'll have to decide if you want it glossy or matte finish. Both offer some grip without being too "Grippy".

Hogan773 said:

4) I'm thinking matte would look nicer than glossy. But perhaps I need to see them in person. The glossy TPU reminds me a bit of those old oval plastic coin purses that people used to use a long time ago....

Click to expand...

I haven't seen one of those coin purses since the one my grandpa used to carry around 30 or 40 years ago.

The matte versus glossy thing is a tough call. I have used only one shiny piano black TPU case on my Droid X for almost 2 years now and I'm completely used to it. But I now have quite a few other cases for my SGS3 and the matte finish ones sure do look nice. I haven't used any of them long enough to decide if the matte finish has any drawbacks as far as getting dirty easier goes. The shiny black one was practically maintenance free and protected it from numerous falls from 4' to 6'+ to concrete/asphalt and there isn't even a mark or scratch on either the phone or the case.

Hogan773 said:

I am very interested in your views between the Diztronic and the Verizon/Belkin blue cases. For others out there....any other options you've seen on Ebay?

I came across this on a UK website....seems to be a nice dark matte color - appears to be semi transparent.

SD Ultra Thin TPU Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 - Blue

Click to expand...

That blue case in the UK looks very nice but it doesn't appear to provide any protection at all for the screen. One picture showing the front looks like there is no lip protruding above the face of the phone the way most other TPU cases have. That would be a deal breaker for me.

But back to your desire for a thin case...If you want a case with good protection for the front of the phone then you'll need one with a lip protruding around the face of the phone. But that will also make the whole thing thicker. Which takes us back to my original statement that "Thin" and "Excessive thickness" are pretty subjective and will have a direct impact on the level of protection it provides...Pardon the pun.

Benny

ImpulsebuyerNy said:

Amazon.com: iSee Case Holster Shell Combo black kickstand Protective Full Cover case for Samsung Galaxy S III i747, S3, i9300, i535, L710, T999 (S3-Clip Black): Cell Phones & Accessories

I really like the look of this seems pretty slim and the belt clip is something i had on my Evo 3D which i cant see to get past -

Question for those still looking - whats the best clear case out there that is relatively slim? I hate to cover a white phone up with a black case kinda defeats the purpose

Click to expand...

My daughter has two "clear" cases for her SGS3 and they both look ok on her white phone. The phone still looks white and you can read the "Samsung" logo through the back of the case. But when placed on my blue one they look like crap in my opinion. The original blue turns into a washed out whitish-blue. So, if you have a white phone there are a few choices for clear TPU cases.

Bruce

dervari said:

I think it may have to do with the screen protector. I have had the same issue. I tried without the screen protector and it worked flawlessly. However, after using the case a bit I don't seem to be experiencing the back button issue as much.

Click to expand...

What brand of screen protector are you using that might be causing a problem with the back button? It seems if it's thick enough to cause a problem with the back button it would cause a problem with the rest of the screen as well.

Benny

t35rk said:

I am very happy with my Superleggera. Its a nice combo of size and protection and is a well made tight fitting case that makes for easy button pushing. I have the black that covers my blue sg3 and I've been pleased with the result.

Click to expand...

Same here. Got it for $12 shipped and am very happy with it. Fit is excellent. Good protection, but not too bulky. It's a winner for me. Especially in terms of value.

Thanks for this - I agree that if I'm going to bother getting a case, might as well add the extra 1mm or whatever for the "lip" to give it a little protection for the screen. It's not as if my pants are THAT tight that I can't fit another mm into my pocket.

I also agree that a "clear" TPU case will probably just make the phone look more muddled - I don't think they can make flexible TPU that is optically clear.

Im looking into this one right now - anyone have any experience with this? Think it would fit into a seido holster with belt clip?

New Clear Soft TPU Gel Case Cover For Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III 3 S3 | eBay

I've been searching for a clear TPU case and came across this one:

Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S III I747 / I9300 Crystal Case Clear: Cell Phones & Accessories

Any of you guys got a thin case that has "leash" attachment? I was on the boat yesterday and took couple of pictures of sunset on the water with my phone, however, every time I was taking picture I thought, dam I need some type of leash to my hand, in case it slips off of my palm.

calscott said:

I've been searching for a clear TPU case and came across this one:

Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S III I747 / I9300 Crystal Case Clear: Cell Phones & Accessories

Click to expand...

That looks to be hard plastic, not TPU just as an FYI

I bought just the case but they offer the Rearth SLIM lite package that includes a lanyard. I like the case a lot.

Rearth Samsung Galaxy S3 Ringke SLIM Lite Kit

ImpulsebuyerNy said:

Im looking into this one right now - anyone have any experience with this? Think it would fit into a seido holster with belt clip?

New Clear Soft TPU Gel Case Cover For Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III 3 S3 | eBay

Click to expand...

This one
Clear TPU Gel Case Cover for Samsung Galaxy S III S3 i9300 Phone | eBay
may or may not be the same, but it's got better pictures.

Tempted. It looks like it's a totally clear TPU case with enough of a front lip for some protection.

Hogan773 said:

That looks to be hard plastic, not TPU just as an FYI

Click to expand...

Thanks, I believe your right....my search will continue.

I received the Anymode Simple Case and have been using it for about 5 days now.

I really like the minimalistic look and feel of the cover and the fact that it "grips" on top and in the bottom of the phone lets you enjoy that loveley curved screen of the GS3 to the fullest without a cover beeing in the way.

The color is dark metallic blue (darker than the blue phone) and is a good match.

The feel of the cover is velvety and feels like very good quality and the fit is very snug. It doesnt feel slippery at all and actually gives a better grip on the phone as the area where the cover meets the phone is a good place to "rest" your fingers.

It says on the packaging that it is 99.9% anti-bacterial... so it wont be from your phone that you catch the zombie-virus









any questions feel free to ask

DC2_408 said:

Just pulled the trigger on this case,

Amazon.com: Acase Samsung Galaxy S3 Case - Superleggera PRO Dual Layer Protection (Black/Black) (Fits AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon): Electronics

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Mine came in the mail today. I must say I really like this case. It does add some bulk to the phone, but because the phone is so thin it will fill like a normal size phone with the case on it. This case feels really good in the hand also. Makes me wish I would have ordered more than one at the price I got it for.

mak916 said:

Mine came in the mail today. I must say I really like this case. It does add some bulk to the phone, but because the phone is so thin it will fill like a normal size phone with the case on it. This case feels really good in the hand also. Makes me wish I would have ordered more than one at the price I got it for.

Click to expand...

Mine also came in today! I'll post pictures by tonight.