When the first mobile smartphones appeared, it became necessary to protect them from external influences. Owners could drop the device on a hard concrete floor, put it in their pocket along with a bunch of keys, and even simple, normal operation led to scratches on the case and scuff marks. Some owners eventually got bored with the appearance of the device, and they wanted to diversify it.
At first, a little, and then a huge number of cases for every taste and color appeared. Initially, they were expensive, and many people simply did not buy them. Their appearance was also “gloomy”, few of the manufacturers thought about the design. But with the development of the mobile phone market, cases have also developed. Chinese manufacturing firms have made countless of them to suit any owner, with different budgets, in different materials and in many colors.
There are varieties of covers: bumpers, lining panels, flips, book covers, with enhanced protection and others. All of them can be found in the Chehli.biz store.
Bumpers
Bumpers are a frame located along the edges of the case, protecting the sides of the gadget. For complete protection, it is advisable to use glass or film.
overlays
Overlays are the most popular category. Their selection is just huge. The panel is superimposed on the back surface of the mobile device. They are comfortable and practical. We recommend choosing this phone case for yourself.
Flips
Their design outwardly resembles a "box" in which you need to flip the lid down. They keep the device well, look stylish and fashionable, but it is inconvenient to flip the lid all the time.
Books
Open from left to right. They are usually made from leather. They look solid, emphasizing the style and appearance of the owner.
Enhanced protection
The name speaks for itself. Such covers are usually used for an active lifestyle, for example, extreme sports. They are not afraid to drop or use in the rain.
They are also divided by materials: silicone, plastic, leather, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), rubber, wood and the like.
Silicone
Silicone is a soft, pleasant material that fits comfortably in the hand and protects the mobile device well. There are different colors and shades.
Plastic
Plastic is a rather fragile material, but it resists shock well.
Leather
They look great, are pleasant in tactile sensations, keep the accessory well from chips and scratches.
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)
A special, relatively new material that simultaneously combines all the best characteristics of silicone and plastic. It is soft at the same time, but also quite hard. Holds up well.
Rubber
This is one type of silicone cases. Pleasant, beautiful, usually represent a cartoon character or a character from the animal world.
We have considered this issue rather superficially, but this information should be enough to choose the right accessory for your mobile phone.
We are talking about the original cases for the premium Samsung phablet.
Samsung has been following in the footsteps of Apple for a long time, releasing an impressive portfolio of original cases for its flagships. Galaxy Note 8 was no exception here - as many as six branded cases were presented for it.
- 2Piece Cover Galaxy Note 8
- Clear Cover Galaxy Note 8
- Alcantara Cover Galaxy Note 8
- LED View Cover Galaxy Note 8
- Clear View Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8
I will detail four of the most interesting Samsung cases for the Galaxy Note 8 from this list. Go!
I want to start my review of Samsung cases with the Alcantara Cover Galaxy Note 8, the most controversial among the accessories for the Galaxy Note 8. On the official pictures, the cover looks premium, rich, but in reality everything is not so wonderful.
Alcantara here is peculiar, more like aged velvet. Even a new case is prone to stains after contact with hands. It looks untidy, I can imagine what Alcantara Cover for Galaxy Note 8 will look like in a month or two after daily use. From Alcantara, most likely, little will remain.
Another major disadvantage is the high price. It is not clear to me why a regular plastic overlay with a stretched layer of Alcantara costs 4,000 rubles (~$70). It's not a fancy protective case like the Urban Armor Gear that's impossible to kill and the price tag is justified. Here you pay simply for the word "Alcantara". This is bad.
But on the other hand, this is the most “luxury” case in the Samsung collection, it is really pleasant to use it. For me, Alcantara Cover for Galaxy Note 8 evokes leather cases for iPhone 7. There is a sense of premium, which is important for a certain part of users, especially if it is a case for a smartphone like Galaxy Note 8.
I noticed this cover when I was at the exhibition. While scouring the Samsung pavilion in search of new products, I stumbled upon a booth with cases for the Galaxy Note 8. Only one case caught my attention in this turmoil - Protective Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8. Perhaps this happened because I adore protective cases like Urban Armor Gear (), and it just turned out to be the only such cover from Samsung.
Already in Minsk, having talked more closely with the Protective Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8, I realized that Samsung had never done anything cooler. If I took myself Note 8, then this case would become the first accessory for it.
The Protective Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8 meets the US Army's MIL-STD-810G-516.7 electronic device protection standard. A must have for lovers of protected cases!
The cover is made of a plastic material, something like elastic polyurethane (although polycarbonate is indicated on the official website). It's plastic, but it's not oak, and if dropped, the case should take the hit.
The back side has a skin-like texture, it is not too obvious, as in cheap cases from Ali, it is pleasant to touch it, and it improves the grip.
On the back side there is a leg that serves as a stand. This is a nice bonus for those who often watch videos from their phone.
It is best to take the Protective Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8 in blue, it looks unusual. The black is too nondescript, the texture on the back is not visible at all.
The most pleasant thing is the price of 3000 rubles (~$50), which is the norm for this class of cases. And then there's the stand. Check out this case if you own a Galaxy Note 8.
Clear Cover is the simplest and most inexpensive branded case for the Galaxy Note 8. There is not much to tell about it, this simple plastic cover, the main advantages of which are a thin body (only 0.95 mm) and price.
The Clear Cover Galaxy Note 8 is available in four colors: clear, blue, black, and purple. All shades have a high degree of transparency, so the color is not particularly important here, but if you have a black Note 8, then it is better to take a black Clear Cover. Then the cover will be less noticeable.
I note that this case is unlikely to somehow protect Note 8 from serious falls, thin plastic is poor protection against mechanical damage. Still such cases often become the cause of abrasion of the smartphone case.
The fact is that plastic is a hard material, and if dust with small grains of sand gets between such a case and the phone, this can lead to scratches and scuffs on the corners. I have seen this more than once, when iPhone owners buy penny cases with Ali, and then wonder why he is so worn out.
The Clear Cover Galaxy case costs only 1,500 rubles (~$25), so I'm sure that many will prefer it.
The Galaxy Note 8 LED View Cover is the most advanced and therefore the most expensive of the Samsung branded cases.
The cover is a classic "book", a kind of notebook, inside which is placed a smartphone. On the inside of the hinged lid there is a pocket for plastic cards. Handy if you don't like carrying your wallet around.
The main feature of the Galaxy Note 8 LED View Cover is a small LED "screen" (actually it's just a group of diodes) that can work in different modes - clock, notifications, animated icons. It looks good, LED-indication is visible both indoors and outdoors.
The material of the Galaxy Note 8 LED View Cover tries to pretend to be leather, but in fact it is polyurethane, but it is painfully high quality. Tactile sensations are purely positive, the workmanship of the case is at a high level.
Although considering the price of 5,000 rubles (~$87) it would be foolish to expect otherwise, the very idea of paying almost $90 for a case looks dubious. In my opinion, the psychological bar for any, even the most sophisticated cases, comes in the region of $ 50 (3,000 rubles). I wouldn't buy anything more expensive. And you? Write in the comments!
It turns out that the only real downside to the Galaxy Note 8 LED View Cover is that it's overpriced. Other than that, this is a great flip case that will keep your Galaxy Note 8 looking good for a long time to come.
Conclusion
Behind the scenes are two covers - Clear View Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8 and 2Piece Cover Galaxy Note 8. The first is a copy of the LED View Cover, but with a transparent cover and the ability to turn into a stand. This miracle costs 4500 rubles (~$78), which immediately makes it unnecessary, it's easier to take a cooler LED View Cover.
The second case, which is 2Piece Cover Galaxy Note 8, is not a case at all. These are two hard polycarbonate overlays that are worn on the lower and upper ends of the Galaxy Note 8. This decision looks as strange as possible. The 2Piece Cover Galaxy Note 8 costs as much as 1500 rubles (~$25).
If I, as a Galaxy Note 8 user, were to choose a case from the original series, then of course I would choose the Protective Standing Cover Galaxy Note 8. In my opinion, this is the perfect case for Note 8, especially if you have high requirements for the security of your device .
If it’s a pity for 3000 rubles, then you can safely take the plastic Clear Cover Galaxy Note 8. It is more expensive than analogs from Ali, but here the plastic will be better, and it also fits perfectly to the dimensions of Note 8.
Original book covers provide good protection against falls and look presentable, but the overpriced price makes it difficult to recommend them for purchase.
Still have questions about Samsung branded cases for Galaxy Note 8? Ask them in the comments!
For the Samsung branded cases for the Galaxy Note 8 provided for review, I thank Samsung Service Plaza in Minsk. This is the most official service center and at the same time the branded store of Samsung smartphones and accessories.Samsung Service Plaza knows how to repair quickly and efficiently, while repairing phones is carried out in the presence of the client.
Lately at MacRadar, we've covered a wide variety of iPhone cases for all occasions. We decided to collect the best of them in one digest - so that you can always keep the most interesting options at hand.
Mous - a case for those who constantly forget their headphones
There are two unusual elements on the back of the Mous case. The first is a compartment for storing standard EarPods, and the second is a coil with which the headphones can be hidden and taken out. In order to get them, you need to grab the ear pads and pull. To hide them back in the compartment, just scroll the drum at the bottom and the headphones will roll back.
Radius - a minimalistic aluminum case for iPhone
Radius is a case that looks like a metal frame, almost invisible from the front. The case is available in versions for iPhone 5, 5S, 6 and 6 Plus. All versions look identical: a frame that is attached crosswise at the back, with a small seal near the camera. The thickness of the cover is just enough to ensure that when falling, all elements, including the volume buttons, are protected. Looks very cool.
Moment is the best case for mobile photographers
Among the abundance of cases for the iPhone, there are both simply beautiful and really practical options. Moment, for example, will be very useful for mobile photographers, as this case adds several handy features to the iPhone.
Highline - iPhone case for true extreme sportsmen
Highline is a case with a special cord that is inserted into the Lightning connector and additionally fastened with a special latch. The other end of the cord is tied around any element of your clothing, such as a zip puller. The latch can withstand a lot of pressure: even if you swing the iPhone, this will not have a negative effect on the connector.
Aquatik - waterproof case for iPhone 6 with Touch ID support
Aquatik for iPhone 6 is Lunatik's latest case that not only looks good, but also protects against most damage.
Little Pocket Book - luxury case for iPhone 6
There are two reasons why we buy a smartphone case. The first is for protection when the gadget is still new, and the desire not to harm it overpowers the desire to use the device without restrictions. The second - when the cover becomes not a means of protection, but a luxury item, adding a couple of points to the owner's style. Little Pocket Book is such a case.
Leather Wallet Case - leather case for iPhone 6 from Mujjo
Among all the variety of materials for cases, leather looks the most beautiful. Especially if the case itself is made filigree and thought out to the smallest detail. Leather Wallet Case from Mujjo is just such a case that will hold not only an iPhone, but also a couple of bank cards with cash.
I will immediately emphasize that this is just a personal experience, but I am sure it will be useful to many. If only because they ask me several times a week what kind of case I have on this or that smartphone. Also, this note is definitely not for those who, in principle, are against cases / covers and similar protective accessories. So please just accept that someone needs them and don't write comments like: "I never understood how you can put an ugly case on a beautiful smartphone that designers worked on." Thank you!
And now to the topic. Once upon a time, I used phones without cases. But as soon as I started getting expensive devices, I somehow didn’t even think about it and immediately bought cases / cases for them. I remember buying a Nokia E90, which I then preferred to a laptop. It was an expensive purchase and I didn't want the appearance of the device to deteriorate after a month or two. I had a lot of smartphones and, accordingly, a lot of cases / bumpers / cases for them. And here are my observations.
I gave up on pockets/covers a long time ago. Firstly, they quickly become unusable due to the constant removal of the smartphone. Secondly, the smartphone itself is constantly removed from such a case and remains unprotected. Thirdly, when you put it back in, a grain of sand or something else can get between the case and the pocket and scratch it.
But even cases and bumpers have weaknesses. And always different! There were models that made me very happy for a long time, and then at one moment they had cracks or they began to crumble in different places. For example, once we did a review.
Then I really liked one of the models and I got one for my iPhone 5s.
A very nice case, to which there should not have been complaints even after a long time of operation. He protected the smartphone from all sides, and, due to the design and materials, he had to seriously soften the blow when falling. My device never fell in it, but at some point, I and some other users of the same model cracked and fell off the lower plastic strips. Obviously, they constantly touched my pockets when I took out / put my smartphone back in, and at some point these bands could not stand it. Below in the photo one of the yellow stripes is no longer there.
And I'm not just talking about a specific drawback of a particular case. This is a very partial case, but the problem is that I only recently found the perfect case for myself, because with all the previous ones, something happened over time. The Otter in the photo above is too difficult to put on and the smartphone becomes uncomfortable to use in it. And after a while, the latches begin to become unusable. If you remember, right after I bought the iPhone 6s, I bought a Skech Crystal case for it,
Very cool case, seriously. Comfortable, beautiful, made of good plastic and ... with a silicone side. And this very side is now not just yellow, but almost brown. Yes, silicone tends to darken over time.
I won’t bore you with stories anymore, just trust me, every case or bumper I have had such problems. And this is not because I chose accessories poorly, on the contrary, I choose them as a paranoid one, so that they protect well, look beautiful, and be of high quality. And now, today, after more than six months of using one case, I can safely say that it is the best of all that I had. This is a UAG case, or Urban Armor Gear.
I did, and then quite pragmatically concluded that they were good. Because I did not know how the products of this brand would show themselves after a period of active use. But today, having traveled with this case on more than one off-road expedition, visiting several countries and just using it every day, I understand that now I no longer have to worry about choosing cases for new devices. I will just buy UAG, and I will only choose the color.
The manufacturer claims military standard protection, which provides zero damage to the device when dropped from a height of 48″ for 26 repetitions. That is, it is an accessory that protects against falls. And I have already experienced it to the fullest extent.
More precisely, not to me, but to one stoner in Barcelona. The screenshot above is a crash of my iPhone 6s with Periscope streaming running (). I just took pictures for myself, and the dude pushed his arm from his leg with a specialist and the smartphone flew first strongly up, then flopped onto the asphalt. We will not go into the details of the conflict, but damn, how glad I am that the UAG case was on the iPhone! It is designed to completely absorb almost any drop. There are no signs of a fall on the smartphone or even on the case. Still, look at how many crash tests they do with UAG cases, they simply have to withstand such drops. By the way, at electronics exhibitions, I very often see people with just such cases.
During use, no cracks appeared on the case, nothing fell off, it does not rub the case, there are no nuances at all that one could complain about. Therefore, for all those who constantly ask me which case / case / bumper to buy and which one I have, I answer: take UAG and you will definitely not regret it. The choice of models is quite large, there is not only iPhone! And yet, this is not a review, not an advertisement, and in general there is no hidden subtext or intent in the note. Just a recommendation from personal experience!
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Battery cases will extend the battery life of the phone, and cases with pockets will allow you to store credit cards and business cards - just keep in mind that the magnetic stripes on the cards can be demagnetized by the electromagnetic radiation of the smartphone.
The silicone bumper will protect the device from deformation during falls, and the side panels will not be scratched. The metal bumper is based on a rigid frame, which is usually supplemented with a plastic layer. All together provides the smartphone with more reliable protection. Basically, bumpers are produced for phones with right angles, but there are designs with rounded edges and edges.
A cover, flip or book protect both the case and the screen of the phone. The cover has a rigid fixation at the base and closes the back and side panels. The screen is protected by a light cover. The flip opens from the bottom, the book swings open from the side. For large-sized smartphones, books with a stand-lid are produced. Some models allow you to store money and credit cards in the case. There are cases with special windows for service information and integrated magnets. If the smartphone supports this function, the window of the book will display the time, received messages, weather and other information, and the lock / unlock will be carried out when the cover is closed or opened.
The holster case is made of leather or leatherette and is attached to the belt. When purchasing such a case, you should remember that good protection cannot be cheap. At first, a good-looking budget case will very quickly lose its original appearance and is unlikely to protect the phone from mechanical impact.
"Pocket" or case - a simple design that will reliably protect the device from all sides. The case closes with a magnetic clasp. Depending on the material, the case may have varying degrees of protection against bumps and drops. One inconvenience - the phone will have to be completely removed from the case each time. You can choose a slotted design that leaves the screen and camera opening open.
Sports cases allow you to fix the gadget in a comfortable position and use it as a player. The mount fixes the phone on the arm or belt without interfering with movements. Different models of sports cases can be shockproof, protect against moisture, temperature extremes and, of course, have a secure lock that prevents the phone from slipping out while driving.
The design of the extreme cover is a dense, firmly closed case where the phone is placed. The "second" case is able to protect the gadget from water, dirt, hard knocks, falls from a height, snow and frost.
materials
Leather cases are durable and reliable, pleasant to the touch, do not slip out of your hand and perfectly protect your phone from dust and moisture.
Gel and silicone cases protect the body of the smartphone well, “extinguish” the impact when dropped, but at the same time they are light and compact. The disadvantages include loose fit of the cover to the body, loss of shape over time, the appearance of cracks and holes.
Plastic cases are flexible, lightweight and durable. A wide variety of forms of covers are created from this material, which are not too expensive.
Fabric covers are lightweight and inexpensive. They will not protect the gadget in case of a fall, but there will be no scratches on the screen and abrasions of the case. The choice of models is very diverse.
Cases made of wood - original, durable, light. A great option for lovers of natural materials.
Metal models will reliably protect the phone from shock. They serve for many years, but make the phone heavier.
Reference article based on the expertise of the author.
