[Nexus 5 Accessories] mmmmBACON:
Where to Purchase:

Both of these links contain mostly the same cases, but there are a few that are available in one and not the other. So if there is a case you want that is located in both, buy from the seller that charges less!

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/24-Species-pattern-Lichi-grain-cover-case-For-LG-Nexus-5-case-LG-Google-Nexus-5/1566612064.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/24-Species-pattern-Lichi-Grain-cover-case-for-LG-Nexus-5-case-google-Nexus-5-case/1566550193.html

On my seemingly never ending search for the right case for every occasion, I stumbled upon the Painted “Lichi Grain” Hardcases. I am assuming “Lichi Grain” means leather look. Google search comes up with “Litchi” while every case of this style is “Lichi” so I don’t know. Maybe it’s just universally spelled wrong… who knows.

Anyway, these caught my eye for 3 reasons:

1)	They are hardcases, which for better or worse, satisfy my minimalism addiction.

2)	They have a neat texture.

3)	They have painted pictures on them!

So, I decided to have a look through all of them and test one out. There are 20+ different designs to choose from. Some case designs are clearly meant for kids, some for girls, and some just weird…but I’ll hand it to them, they have a little bit of everything. I narrowed it down to the Skull, the weird anime Mario (not sure where I would ever use it!), and what I eventually settled on, which was the stylized Superman symbol. I figured I couldn’t be a grown ass man walking around with an anime Mario case… as much as the nostalgia was hitting me hahaha.

Presentation:

When I ordered it I was expecting the typical envelope with the case just wrapped in foam or something, which is generally how it is when you order something from overseas. While this came in an envelope, it was actually packaged nicely when I opened it up. It comes in a nice protective package, with a little window so you can feel the texture of the case. The presentation was a pleasant surprise.

When I cracked the package open and held the case you do notice the texture quite well. It isn’t two layers where it is a hardcase and then a leather coating or something. The plastic itself is textured and grooved like that. When you feel the case, you do feel the bumps and grooves, but it’s not a soft or grippy texture. The feeling is along the lines of the White Ringke Slim, the White Spigen Ultra Fit, the White LG Hardshell, or any standard polycarbonate case with no additional coating on it. This is just “Lichi Grain” textured. So I would consider it smooth but bumpy? If that makes any sense at all.

The painted picture on it made no discernable difference to the feel of the case. It still felt exactly the same as a standard polycarbonate case. So I don’t know what kind of paint they used, but you don’t feel it anyway. Whether or not the paint begins to wear/rub off or not, I have no idea, but for the short time I’ve had it, it seems durable enough.

Build Quality:

The case is thin and bendable. I would say it is just a bit thicker than the LG Hardshell (for those of you who have that). Following along those lines, you will know that this case will provide 0 drop protection. I think if you bent it outward too much, it would snap in half. Not that it would break putting it on and taking it off the phone, but just so you have an idea of the thickness of the case, and it being minimalist.

As for the cutouts, tight would be an appropriate word. It fits around the camera and flash very closely, but ever so slightly off centre (by like .25mm or something) and the power and volume cutouts are rounded and indented. I honestly would like them a tiny bit bigger, but if you are a fan of precise button cutouts, this doesn’t disappoint.

There is the slightest lip for a “lay on the table” screen down design. I never do, but if you want your case to be seen, you can do it without the screen touching the table (but just barely).

Looks:

I like it. The colors and contrast are very nice. The white is a bright white (the camera didn’t capture it well without flash due to how the room was lit) and I like the pattern used inside of the Superman symbol. It is not just a black stamp, but an interesting design in itself. The “Lichi Grain” also adds to the look and gives it some extra character. So I wasn’t disappointed at all in the looks department. It is a classy looking case.

Overall:

I’m pleasantly surprised. I figured I would give it a chance and it turned out nicer than I expected. It’s a nice looking case, quite thin, and the design/texture are done very well. I have no idea about the durability of the paint, so that’s still up in the air, but it looks nice regardless.

I’m not sure how often I’ll use it, as I still love my quicksand cases (of course) and I will soon have a Slickwraps skin to put on my replacement Red Nexus 5 (whenever they decide to ship it…) but I know I can pull this case out whenever I need a change of pace.

Pros:

- Sweet Design

- “Lichi Grain” Texture

- Thin/Minimalist

Cons:

- Durability of the paint is unknown

- Thin/Minimalist (so overall strength)