GS3 Case discussion thread

bennybbc said:

I don't have the Spigen case but I looked at the link you provided. It will be quite a step down as far as protection goes. The top and bottom edges are open and unprotected with this case. I have about a dozen cases that I've bought for this phone and a few of them are double layer cases that are still pretty thin. And they also protect all 4 edges. To me that's very important. That's your call for your phone though. It just seems that if you already bought the Otterbox case then protection is a priority to you. There are a lot of other cases available that aren't as thick as the Otterbox but still provide much better protection than the Spigen case you're considering. I did a full review of all the cases I have previously in this thread if you're interested in seeing some alternatives.

Benny

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Hey Benny, the main reason I actually got the Otterbox was because I liked the color combination of the white and grey on my white phone. Usually I'm not a huge stickler for the protection aspect of the case rather the style and feel in my hand and pocket. My past few phones prior to the S3 I used the case from the case/holster combo that Verizon sells and never had a problem with them as far as design or protection. I thought about it for the S3 but I wanted to keep my phone as white as possible so I didn't want the black case on my phone. I'm gonna try and use the Otterbox for a little bit and see if I adjust to it.

fdnj48 said:

I just got my white/grey Otterbox Commuter. Its nice but it makes the phone way too thick for my liking. I think i'm gonna return it and get this one instead Amazon.com: SPIGEN SGP Samsung Galaxy S3 Case Ultra Thin Air Hard Case Protection Carrying Cover FREE Ultimate Clear Steinheil Screen Protector Cover Film Shield Skin for AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, International, 3G, US, LTE, i9300 - Smooth Whi

Anybody try this one out yet?

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I just got the Otterbox Commuter today too, same color.

I like it actually. I thought the naked phone was just too thin and slippery. At least this way I won't drop it.


Funny huh? Its easy to drop with no protective case but with drop protection, you're less likely to drop it .

Garrett67 said:

I just got the Otterbox Commuter today too, same color.

I like it actually. I thought the naked phone was just too thin and slippery. At least this way I won't drop it.


Funny huh? Its easy to drop with no protective case but with drop protection, you're less likely to drop it .

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Yeah exactly!! I do like how it looks. I might end up keeping it for days where I know I can potentially damage it, even if I don't use it all the time

I'm using the Seidio Active Combo Case Skin Cover With Holster on my GS3 -

SF Planet | Seidio Active Combo Case Skin Cover With Holster for Samsung Galaxy S III - Royal Blue

Saved my bacon today when I dropped it 4 feet onto a linoleum floor, where it landed on one of the phone's corners. I took the holster off, expecting to find at least a broken screen but there was nary a scratch on the phone or the case.

Dave

I bought 3 different cases today off eBay. I got one for .01 Well plus 4.99 for shipping The other 2 were in the 12-15 dollar range. I am sure there are probably links to the exact cases in this 27 + long post so I won't link them . They are all 3 of the Carbon Fiber variety. 1 is just the TPU style case and the other 2 have the Holster and skin + kickstands. Can't wait to get them !!!

bennybbc said:

I don't have the Spigen case but I looked at the link you provided. It will be quite a step down as far as protection goes. The top and bottom edges are open and unprotected with this case. I have about a dozen cases that I've bought for this phone and a few of them are double layer cases that are still pretty thin. And they also protect all 4 edges. To me that's very important. That's your call for your phone though. It just seems that if you already bought the Otterbox case then protection is a priority to you. There are a lot of other cases available that aren't as thick as the Otterbox but still provide much better protection than the Spigen case you're considering. I did a full review of all the cases I have previously in this thread if you're interested in seeing some alternatives.

Benny

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I think its obvious that if the person wanted a case with more protection they would given a link to a case with more protection...when you look at a case that is "ultra thin", you know what you are getting. People don't buy cases just for protection. It can be for style or making the phone feel better in your hand. Every time I view this thread, It seems I find you always telling people that their slim cases will not protect their phone. I understand you might be trying to be a good citizen, but if I were to post on here asking for people's opinion on slim cases, I don't want a recommendation for bulky protection case.

fdnj48 said:

I just got my white/grey Otterbox Commuter. Its nice but it makes the phone way too thick for my liking. I think i'm gonna return it and get this one instead Amazon.com: SPIGEN SGP Samsung Galaxy S3 Case Ultra Thin Air Hard Case Protection Carrying Cover FREE Ultimate Clear Steinheil Screen Protector Cover Film Shield Skin for AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, International, 3G, US, LTE, i9300 - Smooth Whi

Anybody try this one out yet?

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I don't have this exact case, but I have a very similar one. Amazon.com: [Alpine White] Samsung Galaxy S3 Rearth Ringke SLIM LITE Premium Coated Hard Case - Rearth Eco Package: Cell Phones & Accessories

If your case is like mine, its perfect for what you are looking for. Let me know what you get.

Ok so I have decided I am not happy with my case. I prefer the case off as it is alot thinner without it which i like. I am looking for a SUPER SLIM black case which covers the whole phone. NOT like the following image where you can see the top exposed:

ULTRA THIN CRYSTAL CLEAR HARD CASE COVER FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 I9300 | eBay

Also im from UK so no american sites pleaaaaaaaaase!

After buying 4 or 5 different cases, I think I've found the one I want for good.
The only problem is... "it's coming soon"... LOL
Otterbox Defender Series.
RealTree Camo Galaxy S3 Case Defender Series | OtterBox

ok, so I just read through the 27 pages :-s but did not find what I'm looking for (unless I overlooked something which is possible). I'm looking for a clear rubberized TPU case. I just got the Blue SGS3 and I don't want to cover it up. I don't want a hard case.

Funnyusername said:

I think its obvious that if the person wanted a case with more protection they would given a link to a case with more protection...when you look at a case that is "ultra thin", you know what you are getting. People don't buy cases just for protection. It can be for style or making the phone feel better in your hand. Every time I view this thread, It seems I find you always telling people that their slim cases will not protect their phone. I understand you might be trying to be a good citizen, but if I were to post on here asking for people's opinion on slim cases, I don't want a recommendation for bulky protection case.

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I don't think it was obvious at all. The OP originally selected a case that offered a significant amount of protection (Otterbox). Then with the next case it was very different from the first case and offered much less protection. How is it obvious that he wanted a thin case? It's easy to deduce that the desire was for a case that offered more protection than the second case offered. Nowhere did the OP specifically ask for an opinion on a slim case.

I don't think it's too uncommon for someone to find a case they think they might like but due to poor pictures or possibly just an oversight they miss that the case doesn't cover a significant portion of the phone. When I first looked at the link for the thinner case I was using my phone and the missing top and bottom protection wasn't obvious until I looked at it on my desktop computer. I was simply pointing out that the top and bottom of the case were left exposed and that if he was originally looking for a full protection case then the second case didn't offer that. I thought I was HELPING the OP by pointing out something he might have missed. I was NOT trying to tell him he should get a case that offered more protection. Try to read a little more carefully.

What is obvious is that you don't care for my posts. That's fine with me. But I have contributed far more useful content to this thread than you have as evidenced by the number of "Thanks" and "Likes" that I have received. It's likely that I have more cases for the SGS3 than most if not all others on this thread and therefore more experience. All of my cases are not heavily armored. A few are but most are medium protection with a few lighter, thinner cases. I also have first hand experience with at least 8 different smart phones and at least a couple dozen different cases of just about every style and type. Add to that many dropped phones and I think it's safe to say I have a little bit of knowledge and experience to offer on the subject. But nobody has to follow my advice or suggestions or even read my posts.

If you don't care for my posts then do yourself, (And me) a favor and ignore them. It's pretty simple to do. Then you won't have to attack me for trying to offer my opinions and suggestions and I won't have to deal with your unfortunate misinterpretations of my posts. There ya go, your problem is solved.

Benny

I started out with the matte black Diztronic case, which was pretty good, the only thing I didn't like about it was that the material was a bit too slippery for my taste. So I started doing some research and found that the Body Glove Dropsuit was perfect, it looked like it had really good grip and I LOVE the look of it on my S3 I think the pictures speak for themselves (note: I also have an XO Skins screen protector on my phone if anyone is curious )







The material isn't quite like any TPU case I've had in the past, it's a little more rigid, which I guess isn't a bad thing. It makes the case a little more difficult to take on and off. The button response isn't too bad, better on the volume rocker than the lock button, but still extremely responsive, I just miss that "click" feeling when hitting the lock button. Overall a great case

Funnyusername said:

I don't have this exact case, but I have a very similar one. Amazon.com: [Alpine White] Samsung Galaxy S3 Rearth Ringke SLIM LITE Premium Coated Hard Case - Rearth Eco Package: Cell Phones & Accessories

If your case is like mine, its perfect for what you are looking for. Let me know what you get.

Click to expand...

+1 to this case. It is by far the best thin/slim case IMO. AND I have real world experience to back it up. Just this past weekend my wife and I drove to Costco. I used nav since it was the first time going to this particular location. I had the phone in my lap and fell a sleep (my wife was driving). After we arrived I forgot the phone was still on my lap. I opened the door and proceeded to exit the car. Well the phone flew from my lap as I went to exit, landed hard on the back left corner, bounced, then landed face down on the pavement.

My heart froze, I thought the phone was done for. We have an SUV so the drop was much higher than from a sedan. I picked the phone up with complete dread. To my surprise, there's not a single nick or mark on the phone. Not one. The back left corner where the phone landed does have a nasty nick and there are a few nicks on the front edge or lip (about one on each corner. But the phone is fine. Even my screen protector doesn't have a mark on it.

Here are some photos:

The big nick on the back left corner:



One of the more visible front nicks:



Another front nick (on lower bottom):



The other nicks on the case are so small they really don't show up on camera. But like I said before, not a single blemish on the phone itself.

So while these thin cases might not protect the phone as much as cases the size of an oven mitt, they do offer pretty darn good protection, at least in my experience. Anyone looking for a case with a minimal design should really consider the Ringke Slim since it seems to offer the most corner and back protection out of all of these types of cases.

Oh, and this probably goes without saying, but the phone works just fine.

kishin14 said:

+1 to this case. It is by far the best thin/slim case IMO. AND I have real world experience to back it up. Just this past weekend my wife and I drove to Costco. I used nav since it was the first time going to this particular location. I had the phone in my lap and fell a sleep (my wife was driving). After we arrived I forgot the phone was still on my lap. I opened the door and proceeded to exit the car. Well the phone flew from my lap as I went to exit, landed hard on the back left corner, bounced, then landed face down on the pavement.

My heart froze, I thought the phone was done for. We have an SUV so the drop was much higher than from a sedan. I picked the phone up with complete dread. To my surprise, there's not a single nick or mark on the phone. Not one. The back left corner where the phone landed does have a nasty nick and there are a few nicks on the front edge or lip (about one on each corner. But the phone is fine. Even my screen protector doesn't have a mark on it.

Here are some photos:

The big nick on the back left corner:

One of the more visible front nicks:

Another front nick (on lower bottom):

The other nicks on the case are so small they really don't show up on camera. But like I said before, not a single blemish on the phone itself.

So while these thin cases might not protect the phone as much as cases the size of an oven mitt, they do offer pretty darn good protection, at least in my experience. Anyone looking for a case with a minimal design should really consider the Ringke Slim since it seems to offer the most corner and back protection out of all of these types of cases.

Oh, and this probably goes without saying, but the phone works just fine.

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Every single damage I got on my T-Bolt was from a car to the gravel. I feel your pain (sorta). When I got my S3, I told myself to always be extra careful when getting out of my car. So far so good. I have dropped my phone with the Ringke case on (not from your extreme heights) and it has saved some good nicks and stretches for sure. People think if they buy these slim cases, think their phone is going to break on any drop. From our experience, not true.

I wish us the best of luck with our "non protective" cases.

valorian said:

ok, so I just read through the 27 pages :-s but did not find what I'm looking for (unless I overlooked something which is possible). I'm looking for a clear rubberized TPU case. I just got the Blue SGS3 and I don't want to cover it up. I don't want a hard case.

Click to expand...

I posted this in this thread, post 1191. I'll post it again. I have this case and it is the only clear TPU case I have found.

Clear Clear TPU Gel Case for Samsung Galaxy S III S3 i9300 Phone Clear TPU Case | eBay

I don't know how many have seen this, but this is a flip case. I also have this case. It is ok. The one thing I like about it is that it be used as a kickstand case too. I don't really like the flap cover. I do like the fact that you can just snap it in without taking off the phone's back cover. For the price it was good. But I would not pay the full price for this. Too many on Ebay that are much cheaper.

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KeithSr said:

After seeing this on here, I bought one.
Buy.com - Fosmon Samsung Galaxy S III S3 i9300 PC TPU Hybrid Gel Case w/ Kickstand (Black)
I fits in the holster from my Seidio Surface case.
It also has a kick stand, nice.

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I love my Hybrid Case with Viewing Stand type 3. The silicon covers of the power and volume switches are nicer that open slots. And the price was great.
Hybrid Case with Viewing Stand (Type 3) for Samsung i9300 Galaxy S3 - Blue/Black

KeithSr said:

After buying 4 or 5 different cases, I think I've found the one I want for good.
The only problem is... "it's coming soon"... LOL
Otterbox Defender Series.
RealTree Camo Galaxy S3 Case Defender Series | OtterBox

Click to expand...

I'm sure it'll come out soon. i was thinking the same about the nightsky commuter case. and then AFTER i already purchased two cases via amazon, i get the email from otterbox stating that they have then out now. just be patient.

mak916 said:

I posted this in this thread, post 1191. I'll post it again. I have this case and it is the only clear TPU case I have found.

Clear Clear TPU Gel Case for Samsung Galaxy S III S3 i9300 Phone Clear TPU Case | eBay

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Thank you, I did miss this. This is just what i'm looking for.

amado3 said:

Add another fan of the acase superleggera here. Fits great, doesn't add much bulk, slides out of pocket nicely. Looks like my phone dimensions went from the stated 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm to about 140x75x13.5

Got the SPG curved glass protector but haven't put it on yet to see how well they work together. If nothing else, the lip on the case keeps the screen from touching if I were to put it face down.

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I'm interested to hear how the SPG curved class protector fits with the Superleggera. I have that case and absolutely love it. Dropped my phone onto a tile floor and phone survived it all without a scratch.

valorian said:

Thank you, I did miss this. This is just what i'm looking for.

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Took me forever to find one. This is a good case. Just leave it on for few days so it can mold to your phone. You will see what I mean if you get it.

valorian said:

Thank you, I did miss this. This is just what i'm looking for.

Click to expand...

mak916 said:

Took me forever to find one. This is a good case. Just leave it on for few days so it can mold to your phone. You will see what I mean if you get it.

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Are you referring to this, which looks like trapped moisture?

laptopquestion said:

Are you referring to this, which looks like trapped moisture?

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I don't think that is moisture. That is air that gets trapped between the phone and the case. You can put a little baby powder, not too much, in the case and it will help with that.

i've just got this for my phone, and I love it....does make it look bulkier, but I'd rather be protected than it slip out of my hands lol

Samsung Galaxy S3 Case - Defender Series | OtterBox.com

shellbell1471 said:

does make it look bulkier, but I'd rather be protected than it slip out of my hands lol

Samsung Galaxy S3 Case - Defender Series | OtterBox.com

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Exactly what I'm thinking!

Funnyusername said:

Every single damage I got on my T-Bolt was from a car to the gravel. I feel your pain (sorta). When I got my S3, I told myself to always be extra careful when getting out of my car. So far so good. I have dropped my phone with the Ringke case on (not from your extreme heights) and it has saved some good nicks and stretches for sure. People think if they buy these slim cases, think their phone is going to break on any drop. From our experience, not true.

I wish us the best of luck with our "non protective" cases.

Click to expand...

I have become fond of the nicks and marks on the case caused by the drop. It's a constant reminder that the case saved my phone from what may have been an untimely demise