[Galaxy S 4 Accessories] Biker1:
I went into the T-Mobile store and took a look at the Tech 21 Impact Maze Smoke:

1) the case was pliable and appeared that it would offer some protection for the S4. The bumpers on the corners are not like on the UAG though. The perimeter of the Impact is the same thickness all the way around.

2) I had an issue getting the S4 into the case.

I couldn't get the lip of the case to go over the side edges of the S4, I could get one side to fit but not the other. I couldn't get the lip to go over both sides of the case at the same time, and here's the reason why:

I have an aftermarket battery cover on my S4 because I wanted to change colors when I use a transparent case like the UAG Maverick or the Tech 21 Impact in Clear. The aftermarket cover is slightly thicker than the stock cover due to the coating of paint. And I mean it's just a 'hair' thicker This minute difference in thickness of the cover makes it so the Tech 21 Impact Maze won't fit the S4. The Impact case tolerances are that tight.

I'm sure the case would fit well if you have the stock cover and:

- don't plan to use aftermarket battery covers to change colors

- if you get an aftermarket cover, you have to make sure it is exactly the same thickness as the stock battery cover, which may be difficult to find.

- I'm not sure because I didn't have the stock battery cover to try, but when you do get the S4 into the Impact, it's possible that upon drops that the edge of the case may slip a little leaving the S4 edges exposed. I'm not sure of this, but others with the case will know better.

- I posted a link to a Tech 21 video earlier where the head guy is slamming an iPhone against the wall and floor without sustaining damage, but that case has a wider border/lip surrounding the case. I doubt this type of test can be done with the Impact line of cases for the S4 due to the lip tolerance just going over the side edges of the S4 without much room for error.

While I was looking forward to getting the Impact due to the uniqueness of the case with the D3O, after seeing it in person and comparing it to the UAG which I had with me, it appears to me that the UAG will offer a better amount of protection for drops due to the bumpers and the tolerance of the UAG regarding fitment of the lip over the edges. In addition, from an aesthetics standpoint, you can use aftermarket cases without any fitment issues if you ever want to change colors of your S4 with the Maverick transparent case.

As a note, the lip is slightly shorter in height than on the UAG but it is slightly wider on the Impact.

The foreseeable issue may not be the height or width of the lip on the Impact, but it's tight tolerance of the fitment where it may 'roll' off the edges of the S4 under certain conditions.

- For instance, the S4 may be in your pocket and when you take it out, the Impact lip may have rolled off the S4 edge slightly, therefore not affording as much protection for the S4 if it is dropped, and the edge was completely encasing he S4.

- upon a drop, the case lip rolls off the S4 edge ever so slightly.

The above are just my observations from what I saw.

Looks like I'll pass on The Tech 21 Impact for now.

If Tech 21 made the case I saw on the iPhone in the video for the S4, now that case I may just purchase, as the built in protection looked much more durable than on the Impact ;)

I emailed Tech 21 a few days ago regarding a couple of inquiries I had, but haven't received any responses.

As far as Customer service response time regarding inquiries and/or case warranty issues from the 3 companies I have sent inquiries to:

- UAG

- *Speck

- Tech 21

*Speck Customer service has been the best of the 3 listed above.