[Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Accessories] Pilz:
Spigen NeoHybrid:

This was Spigen’s original hybrid style case that they are known for, so you would expect their flagship case to be their best. There’s some bad news here like with the NeoHybrid Crystal I reviewed earlier: the plastic bumper still does not sit flush on the sides. Of my 6 Spigen case styles 3 of them have rather large issues including some of their most popular models.

I have to hand it to Spigen, they have one of the best feeling TPU cases I’ve used to date, and this remains true for this case. The back is subtly textured giving you a little more grip than a standard TPU case or their other ones I’ve reviewed. Spigen opted for a style similar to Verus (VRS Design) where only the center portion has a texture while a small strip on the top/bottom of the case are just normal TPU as can be seen in the pictures. I mentioned this in my Verus High Pro Shield review: this type of hybrid style case hasn’t truly been great since the days of my Note 3 and its NeoHybrid that I loved. I think case manufacturers need to rethink the way their bumper (plastic) is designed and maybe opt for another material, or way to hold it in place better.

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present.

Volume/Power buttons: The buttons themselves are great when you remove the plastic bumper, but when it’s installed they are nothing short of a nightmare. I don’t know why anyone would want their buttons to be flush with the frame because it allows for accidental presses (I can push the frame near the buttons and it will catch the TPU button and press it) along with user frustration. What should be the easiest part of a case to perfect turns out to be the part where most companies struggle. The issue here isn’t even the buttons necessarily, it’s how the frame forces them to sit flush, and causes 99% of the issues.

Overall: 6/10 A flagship case should be nothing short of the best in a company’s line up, but here it’s everything but that. The NeoHybrid had it’s moment of fame before phones shapes started to force a change in their design. What consumers are left with is a fantastic looking case that takes form over function with the numerous bumper issues manufacturers are having. I’ve reached out to Spigen several times about this exact issue, yet they have failed to address it time and time again. I think this will be my last NeoHybrid case, or any case with this design due to the numerous issues I’ve seen.

Spigen NeoHybrid: (ignore my wet install screen protectors bubbles :)

As you can see the bumper bows outward, and has a small gap still.

Spigen Liquid Crystal: When I started to look for a clear case initially I found a lot of choices with some drawbacks. I was hoping to use a clear case to show off my S7 Edge with my SlickWraps skin since the normal back is way to reflective given that it’s silver (and essentially a mirror). Spigen seems to have either a hit/miss with their cases without a middle ground in sight. The liquid crystal is a hit with its low profile (just like the Thin Fit), and great overall feel. Spigen opted to use a dot matrix on the inside of the TPU to prevent it from having a rainbow effect as I noticed on my Ringke Fusion when the included matte protector wasn’t used. Given how the texture (barely noticeable) dot matrix is on the inside of the case it helps prevent dust from getting inside better than my other two clear cases did. The one downfall here is the slickness of the TPU. Unlike their Rugged Armor, this TPU is slippery, and a fingerprint magnet (less so than my Ringke Fusion or Ultra Hybrid). I wouldn’t say the case feels ‘premium’, but it does feel nice for the $2.99 I paid for it.

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present.

Volume/Power buttons: All of the buttons are excellent, tactile, and raised just enough to easily find. You won’t find any issues here, so that makes me like this case even more!

Overall: 9.25/10

Spigen Liquid Crystal The liquid crystal isn’t trying to be anything more than a simple clear TPU case, and it does that very well. It features great buttons, a slim profile, and a back region that doesn’t suffer from the rainbow effect. If you don’t need any extra grip, then I would recommend this case for a simple, effective TPU case.

Spigen Thin Fit:

I always like to have a slim case for my phones when using them at home because I don’t need any real protection besides from scratches and very small drops onto my carpet. I usually end up with the Spigen Thin Fit or Ringke Slim depending on which company offers a better thin fitting case for that particular phone. I chose the Spigen one this time around because it was available first, and like the Ringke it offers top/bottom protection. The case also has one of my favorite textures which is a ‘soft feel’ finish like the Nexus 5 (black model) had. It not only adds some grip to the case, it also just feels nice to hold. The case itself is extremely low profile and barely offers any face down ‘lift’ for your phone. Don’t expect this case to offer any real drop protection beyond a foot or so (even then it might be a gamble), but everyone’s experience will vary on that front. There is also a raised lip for the camera just like on their Rugged Armor which I like a lot.

I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present. Spigens headphone/USB port cutouts are usually on the larger side, so they might accommodate some slightly larger cables/headphones depending on how big they are.

Volume/Power buttons: There isn’t a whole lot to be said here since the button cutouts are completely open so you can easily access the phones actual buttons. There is ample room for your fingers, but not too much so it unnecessarily exposes the phone.

Overall: 9.5/10Spigen is still making my favorite slim case the way they always have with the addition of top/bottom coverage. This is the slim case to get if that’s your style I highly recommend it!

Spigen Thin Fit:

Spigen Tough Armor:

I decided to give Spigen’s other cases a chance because of the great deal they had on Amazon a few days ago. The Tough Armor is Spigen’s version of a true rugged case; it is the same as their slim armor with more bulk for added protection. The case does feature a small kickstand that only functions in one landscape position. I wouldn’t trust it to last considering how it’s made out of plastic with a very flimsy feel to it. The shell of the case is a plastic or soft with a smooth finish which as with other companies cases provides zero grip. As I mentioned above, these companies must want you to drop your phone in their rugged cases since they aren’t making them easy to hold with their large size and smooth surfaces. Spigen did add a glossy finish to their camera cutout that has a nice appearance to it even if it serves no function. The cutout still allows for easy access to the heart rate sensor which I completely forgot existed since I will never use it. The inner layer is made from Spigens high density TPU in a thicker form similar to the kind that is also used on their other cases.

I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present. Spigen has ample room as with all of their cases, and their cutouts line up well with each port.

Volume/Power buttons: I’m not sure why Spigen opted for buttons that are flush with the sides of the case. While these buttons do click well the way they’re implemented is questionable. I have no other real complaints besides how they sit, so you should be able to easily click the buttons assuming you can locate each one.

Overall: 7.5/10Spigen did a lot of things right with this case including their use of thicker top/bottom TPU sections for added drop protection, but they dropped the ball in other areas. The kick stand is more of an afterthought, and should be removed if they aren’t going to make it more stable/durable. Next, the buttons are flush with the case which makes it hard to locate them. These are the only flaws I could find with a case that fits the bill in all other aspects.

Spigen Tough Armor:

Spigen Ultra Hybrid:

Spigens case line up can get a little confusing with all of their very similar cases (slim armor, rugged armor, tough armor, NeoHybrid EX, Ultra Hybrid, and the crystal clear case). Their Ultra Hybrid usually tries to remain slim while offering a nice styling similar to what the slim armor is in their line up. The bumper around case is a TPU, while the back is polycarbonate. Unlike their NeoHybrid EX (the clear one) it doesn’t have a dot matrix style pattern to prevent fingerprints/smudges on the inside. Just like the Ringke Fusion this case is a fingerprint/dirt magnet for no apparent reason. It could be the coating on the polycarbonate, or another factor, but I didn’t have this issue on my Nexus 6P’s Ultra Hybrid case. This case also has 4 small feet to keep the back raised off a surface, and a scratch resistant coating on the back side (not the inside) just like the Ringke. As with all clear cases, there is no added grip from the back due to its anti-scratch coating.

I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present. Spigens headphone/USB port cutouts are usually on the larger side, so they might accommodate some slightly larger cables/headphones depending on how big they are.

Volume/Power buttons: I am very disappointed with the buttons on this case. Spigen’s other case that I have features great tactile buttons, but this one’s are like pressing concrete. They might be worse than the Incipio Dual Pro Shine I reviewed above which is quite a feat. I’ve only used this case one time because it’s unbearable to use the buttons.

Overall: 7/10Spigen opted for their tried and true physical design with a catch: horrible buttons. I can deal with smudges, dirt and other issues, but the buttons not pressing is what kills the case for me. I know Spigen loves revising cases during their normal cycle without telling anyone, so knowing them there will be a new version of this case at some point (just like they did with the 6P) to fix any issues.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid:

Note: In the pictures the areas that look like smudges are where the case is touching the glass back of the phone, so you also get to deal with that.

Supcase Beetle:Supcase is known for their unique designs, and rugged cases. Their line up usually consists of two primary cases: Beetle, and Beetle Pro. The first one is their thinner case which still provides ample protection with minimal bulk. The later version is more similar to an Otterbox Defender with over the top protection. I prefer minimal cases with the most protection out of preference, this is why I bought the regular Beetle. The Supcase utilizes a hybrid design featuring a TPU bumper and acrylic clear frosted back (they also have a solid black version). All 4 corners are designed to take larger impacts due to their size which also helps you grip the phone since the back isn’t exactly textured. There are 4 little circles around the back of the case too that are designed to keep the back lifted ever so slightly (paper thin) off a table so you won’t get scratches on it. I’ve used their cases for a long time now, most recently on my Nexus 6P. That particular case doesn’t show any external wear from use/falling on a treadmill numerous times while working out (my 6P still lives to tell the tale). The one downside about their frost clear back panel is that it scratches easily from the inside. When I place my phone in the case occasionally it would have the corner touch the inside frosted back and leave a permanent mark. Personally this isn’t a big deal to me, but I wanted to make everyone aware that this occurs.

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present.

Volume/Power buttons: Supcase usually has tactile buttons that lean more toward the stiffer side of the spectrum. This case falls in line with that giving you a nice responsive feel more in line with the Speck/Incipio Dual Pro.

Overall: 9/10 I enjoy using this case at the gym given its extra corner protection in a slimmer profile despite the back picking up marks easily while inserting your phone. Supcase still provides a great protective case in a slim profile relative to some of the other ones I have. This case rounds out my top 3 favorite hybrid cases as of [3/23].

Supcase Beetle

Tech 21 EVO Frame:

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Tech 21 cases over the years, but this is my first one. I decided to opt for more protection in a slimmer package due to the S7E’s unique yet fragile design. This case is very tall compared to the rest of my line up due to the added in drop protection. Tech 21 claims their case is rated for a 2.2[m] ~6[ft] drop making it fairly heavy duty for everyday situations. There is a unique cushioning area in the extended top/bottom portions of the case which is likely why it has a higher drop test rating. The case is on the thinner side too making it comfortable to hold all while adding in extra drop protection. My one complaint with this case is how slippery it is. I think it’s ironic how the case is rated to handle drops, but then is slippery. It’s like they want you to drop your phone given how slick the outer edge can be. Around the backside the case has more of a TPU smoothness to it reminiscent of the Spigen Rugged Armor or LUVVITT TPU case. This is another expensive case that I believe is worth the money at the time of writing this. I had a Speck Candyshell in Oynx earlier one, but the buttons were so bad (edges were very thick too) I had to return it which is something I rarely do with cases.

I’m going to repeat some things here because there is only so much you can say about the port/headphone cutouts

Ports: The micro USB port has no issues fitting cables from any of these manufacturers: Tronsmart, Choetech, Samsung, Nvidia, Motorola, Aukey, and Anker. If you have large ‘studio’ style headphones with a massive aux cable you won’t be happy with the normal sized cutout for headphones, but it works fine with my Bose QC 20’s, Freestyles, OE’s, Samsung headphones, and some others I’ve tried. All microphone cutouts are also present. The bottom/top cutouts are enlarged due to the added thickness that comes with the drop protection, but there still should be ample room for all of the normal things you would plug in.

Volume/Power buttons: Tech 21 nailed the buttons on their EVO Frame case. They have an excellent tactile feel that provides just enough resistance so you won’t accidentally press them. I have nothing but good things to say about the button feel here.

Overall: 9/10I like many things about this case that put it at the top of my list, but the slick edges make me fumble with my new ~$800 phone more than I would like.

Tech 21 EVO Frame