Galaxy S2: Case and screen protection.

Forums › Android › Galaxy S2: Case and screen protection.

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569 posts

Ultimate Geek

#490350 6-Jul-2011 23:20

UnrealWarCheek:
I think it was your post in the android forums that sparked my sudden interest in cases and screen protection, after all, it's only a matter of time before that drop or scratch! so in regards to purchasing them, 'sooner rather than later' springs to mind.

I've dropped mine rather a lot, I've actually lost count now... Mine has made bids for freedom onto such forgiving surfaces as carpark asphalt, concrete paths and tiles at home, all from hip to about chest height. I'm so glad I'd bought a case before the phone even turned up! Have been using one since day one and it has saved me a great deal of grief.

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Dratsab

3929 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#490921 8-Jul-2011 09:16

I've purchased 4 items from Trademe for my SGS2. Didn't want to wait for stuff to arrive from overseas sites... :-)

Two of these were Screen Protectors and a Gel Case. Very happy with them. The case is nice and thin too. A mate has a Case Mate for his, and while I liked how it protected the phone, I didn't like the bulk it added.

Debin

111 posts

Master Geek

#492175 11-Jul-2011 19:34

Rearth Ringke case turned up today :)

It's a mix of silicone and TPU type material, it is quite interesting. Almost feels like pliable plastic? Hard to describe, very nice though. Isn't a 'super tight' fit but it is definitely almost perfect. Doesn't add much bulk to the phone at all, about 3-4mm around the edge I suppose, but it isn't veyr noticeable and I don't feel that my phone isn't as slim anymore! I'm pretty damn particular about this type of stuff, so yeah. Great 'buttons' for the volume and power buttons. Slight gap on the top left corner for what I presume is the antenna, but due to the thickness of the case (3-4 mm maybe? at most?) you don't feel that it would hurt the phone if you dropped it. Spaces for cameras and ports.

Overall the case feels very well made and professional.

A+ would trade again.

Brendan

707 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#492265 12-Jul-2011 00:41

A few weeks ago, I ordered a full body skin set for the s2 from www.gadgetshieldz.com for $7.99 US. I was amazed when this arrived 3 days later from overseas - India, actually...

I had previously had a 'best skins ever' set for my sgs 1, and was very pleased with it.

I've had the skin on the s2 now for a couple of weeks, and my impressions so far are that this is good for the money. The skin covers the entire phone, and it has the damage resistant, self healing qualities of the set for the sgs1.

• It seems to be just slightly more rubbery than the other set - but then again, I used that set for months (with no damage) and they do 'cure' over time.

• The screen protection is very high - but when held at an odd angle, there is a slight ripple effect to the surface, but this is not visible with the screen on nor is it notable through touch.

• Adhesion to the phone surface is very good - perhaps better than the set for the s1.

• finger print resistance is average - in other words, you'll be wiping it several times a day.

• it does cover the nice texture on the back of the s2, leaving it smooth - pity... No way around that though if you want a full body skin.

• it's accuracy with camera, holes, buttons etc is perfect.

Overall, i'd give it a 7/10.

I don't know if i will leave it on at this stage. It's ok, butI was hoping for a bit better in the screen department. Oh, don't get me wrong: everything is readable, clear, the protection is there. But I was hoping for a just a bit more clarity (e.g. more light transmission) and a bit more fingerprint resistance.

If you want a full body skin kit, it's very hard to beat at this price.

I may look at replacing the screen guard with a SGP oleophobic one, not sure... Any local suppliers?

Not keen on an actual case due to them adding bulk and being dust traps.. But on the other hand, a suitably sexy one might convert me - i'd like some protection against drops... But I have a lanyard attached to the phone which I always loop over a finger when in use, in case of a slip.

K1000716

569 posts

Ultimate Geek

#492281 12-Jul-2011 07:36

Well written!

My sgp protector came from overseas, couldn't find local suppliers at the time. From memory it was about a 2-3 wait.

UnrealWarCheek

86 posts

Master Geek

#492367 12-Jul-2011 11:30

Woo hoo! My Case-Mate Tough arrived this morning! Well I discovered it in the letter box this morning so it could have arrived yesterday. I ordered it from Clove on the 6th, received an email saying it was dispatched on the 7th, and it arrived on the morning of the 12th. Fairly impressive I think.

Sorry about the image quality. My (up until now) trusty logitech Webcam pro 9000 decided to have contrast issues. Maybe something to do with taking it from a cold room and plugging it into my laptop in a warm room. Condensation perhaps.

I have large hands so the case adds some much needed bulk to the phone, but having said that, it's not as bulky as I though it was going to be.

The matte rubber armoured look is very appealing. The case is very easy to hold with the textured plastic outer. The only issue that I'm likely to have is one of my fingers finding the opening for the camera and smudging it.

The GPS lock with the case on took 29 seconds. It was the first GPS use of the day (fresh A-GPS data downloaded), cloudy (snowing) outside, and used inside under a corrugated iron roof with brick walls. Even with all the conditions, it took a little longer than I would have expected.

I'm really pleased with the case.

Laurence.

Crysoganus

29 posts

Geek

#492423 12-Jul-2011 12:57

Nice... would you mind me asking how much it cost.. and where did you get that little battery gauge that looks like a petrol gauge???

UnrealWarCheek

86 posts

Master Geek

#492444 12-Jul-2011 13:35

DaveQ: Nice... would you mind me asking how much it cost.. and where did you get that little battery gauge that looks like a petrol gauge???

The battery app is called 'BatteryChecker' and is freely available from Android Market.

The case I bought from Clove.co.uk, an online retailer held in high regard by forum members. It cost me 24.99 pounds + 8 pounds for delivery via airmail post.

So all up 33 pounds. = NZD$63.70

I know it's expensive as similar Case-Mate cases for iPhone cost $45, but I was sold straight away on its dual layer protection. And besides, after spending $1000+ on the phone, $63 isn't much to separate you from heart ache.

Knowing my luck shops will probably be selling this case now...

BTW there is a youtube review of the case on the previous page.

Laurence.

pjshark

46 posts

Geek

#492499 12-Jul-2011 15:25

@pjshark: Did you incur any customs charges?

Regards,

Laurence.

Sorry for the late reply, but no I did not incur any custom charges.

UnrealWarCheek

86 posts

Master Geek

#492526 12-Jul-2011 15:40

pjshark:
@pjshark: Did you incur any customs charges?

Regards,

Laurence.

Sorry for the late reply, but no I did not incur any custom charges.

Hey no worries. From what I could make out from the NZ Customs website, I wouldn't have been charged anything (and I wasn't).

@DaveQ: Check this out. dual layer case for SG2 + screen protector. I didn't see this straight away when the seller was recommend to me. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Mobile-phones/Accessories/Cases-protectors/Samsung/auction-390989555.htm

Laurence.

mxpress

373 posts

Ultimate Geek

#492528 12-Jul-2011 15:43

CdTDroiD: search for h2phone on trademe, they should have them, real easy to deal with also

Brendan

707 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#492731 13-Jul-2011 01:45

UnrealWarCheek:
pjshark:
@pjshark: Did you incur any customs charges?

Regards,

Laurence.

Sorry for the late reply, but no I did not incur any custom charges.

Hey no worries. From what I could make out from the NZ Customs website, I wouldn't have been charged anything (and I wasn't).

@DaveQ: Check this out. dual layer case for SG2 + screen protector. I didn't see this straight away when the seller was recommend to me. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Mobile-phones/Accessories/Cases-protectors/Samsung/auction-390989555.htm

Laurence.

Note, it's not dual layer, it's just got rubberised edges.

I had a similar momax case for the Desire I had, it was a nice enough case but added a lot of bulk.

UnrealWarCheek

86 posts

Master Geek

#492799 13-Jul-2011 10:37

Brendan:
UnrealWarCheek:
pjshark:
@pjshark: Did you incur any customs charges?

Regards,

Laurence.

Sorry for the late reply, but no I did not incur any custom charges.

Hey no worries. From what I could make out from the NZ Customs website, I wouldn't have been charged anything (and I wasn't).

@DaveQ: Check this out. dual layer case for SG2 + screen protector. I didn't see this straight away when the seller was recommend to me. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Mobile-phones/Accessories/Cases-protectors/Samsung/auction-390989555.htm

Laurence.

Note, it's not dual layer, it's just got rubberised edges.

I had a similar momax case for the Desire I had, it was a nice enough case but added a lot of bulk.

Oh? Thanks for the correction :) Sorry DaveQ for giving the wrong impression.

BTW, I received my MOMAX screen protector this morning. I ordered it from H2phone (on TradeMe) at around 3pm yesterday. Not bad from Auckland to Dunedin.

It was a timely purchase too as I've noticed a small scratch on my screen. It's about mid way, a few mm in length between the side and the actual screen. I only noticed because of the way the light hit it. Thought it was a small hair trapped under the rim of the case. You can imagine my horror when the "hair" didn't move after a few wipes with the hite-cloth. You can only just see it directly, it's about 1/3 the width of a hair.

Laurence.

Crysoganus

29 posts

Geek

#492843 13-Jul-2011 12:45

Hey Laurence,

That Momax link looks PERFECT, I'm not too worried about some additional bulk, but do want to protect the phone.. Thanks for posting the link.. And there's no scratches on mine as yet.. I've dropped it 3 times now (luckily onto carpet) but each time my heart was in my mouth... you klnow the feeling... lol.
The screen momax protector is good?

And thansk for the widget name.. I'll grab that.

cheers Dave

UnrealWarCheek

86 posts

Master Geek

#492947 13-Jul-2011 16:23

DaveQ: Hey Laurence,

That Momax link looks PERFECT, I'm not too worried about some additional bulk, but do want to protect the phone.. Thanks for posting the link.. And there's no scratches on mine as yet.. I've dropped it 3 times now (luckily onto carpet) but each time my heart was in my mouth... you klnow the feeling... lol.
The screen momax protector is good?

And thansk for the widget name.. I'll grab that.

cheers Dave

Hey no worries

As much as I like the sleek thin look to the phone, for practical reasons the bulk is needed so you can hold it with confidence.

The momax screen protector is great. I had a surgical approach to its application as dust will always get trapped somewhere.

tips:

1 Work in bright sunlight.

2 Make sure room is relatively free of airborne dust (you see it if it's sunny)

3 Wipe screen with a damp cloth (with a little washing up liquid in it). This removes that very thin layer grease that the cleaning cloth misses (unless you wipe harder, but if you do and there's a hard particle in the cloth... welcome to Scratchville: population YOU).

4 Dab the screen dry with disposable kitchen towel (don't wipe) if there's any moisture on the screen.

5 Now you can gently wipe with micro fibre/hite-cloth.

6 Once the screen is clear keep the cloth handy as new particles of dust and fine hairs will take advantage of your clean and clear screen.

7 Have a practise run, get a plan of how you'll apply it (see 8,9).

8 Apply the button end first, unfortunatley the removal tab is at the other end of the protector but you can get around it. I applied the button end first as it was the most critical to align. Once the button end is lined up make sure the side of the protector is parallel to the screen.

9 Only expose as much of the sticky side is as needed (as per instruction on packaging).

10 Once you start the application, try to wipe (new) dust, stick down protector, wipe out bubbles, wipe (newer) dust etc and during this you'll be exposing more of the protector as you peel it back

11 Sadly you don't have more than 1 pair of hands, but keep your sanity.

12 Dust will get somewhere, it's about minimising the chances of dust getting in.

If your lucky (like me) it would have gone well. I had only one hair near the camera get it, other than that the rest is perfect.

If you do get a hair or dust particle, for god's sake leave it alone!! if you do try to pull the protector up, it'll create a chance for more to get in. It begins a vicious circle of: for every bit you get out, three more will get in!

With the momax protector, it has a silicon layer that applies against the screen, any dust particles will eventually get pulled in to the silicon. The end result is a small bubble with hair, instead of a huge ugly bubble containing "that F$%#ing hair" that you saw initially.

I know I've typed a lot but I have a pathological hatred of screen protectors. Get it right, and it's gravy all the way. Get it wrong, you'll fixate on it until you take it off and start the whole miserable process again!

Good luck.

Laurence.

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