[Galaxy Note 4 Accessories] Melissakis:
A review of Note 4 cases may look a little outdated, but a device like that is and I believe will stay in the first line (well, maybe the second) for a little longer.

I just received my last case and I decided to put them all together. I usually take one case of each type to meet any scenario. Right now I own nearly all types, except a leather “dress” one and and maybe a "heavy duty".

Rock DRV case (~€16)

This one came bundled with my phone and at first I did not like it. But after a few days and until now, it became my first choice because it combines protection, style, quality with some nice features.

Its rubber is of great quality, after a year of intense use there are no marks or scratches on it. The inner side that attaches to the back of the device has a soft layer that protects the phone. All the openings are perfectly alligned and it’s very easy to put in and pull out the phone because, as you can see there is no rim in a big proportion of the lip of the case. All buttons are left uncovered and therefore easily accessible.

Its trademark is, of course its screen cover. It’s made of rubber too, but it’s semitransparent, so it’s easy to take a glance to the screen, without opening the cover. Great idea, greatly implemented.

The photo does not do justice to the functionality of the feature, it's much easier to see the screen with the cover on in a room with normal lighting.

DRV is a thick case and that shows on the camera protection bump, which is more than enough. That means that it will probably offer good protection in case of a strong impact. Luckily I have yet to drop the phone. All in all, it’s a great case that has it all. It can be a little bulky sometimes, but if somebody is used to those cases, this one is one of the best all-around with very high value for money ratio.

Nillkin frosted shield (~€6)

I’ve been buying one of those for every phone I’ve owned in the last 3 years. I also buy them for the phones of my close ones. Nillkin has made a name for themselves and they deserve it, as they offer great products at very affordable prices.

Its material is hard plastic and it’s a pain to put in/take out without hurting the phone. It does not seem to offer a great protection against strong impacts. Some people have reported that it’s very easily breakable in its corner. All those may be true, but this case has a unique feature that makes it a must have for me, its textured back. It has a very nice feel that keeps me wanting rubbing and playing with it.

Moreover, it’s thick enough to provide a fair amount of protection for the camera lens. All buttons are uncovered.

It’s cheap and of good quality. Go buy one, just to feel its texture. The only material that is more pleasant for me to touch is Oneplus One’s sandstone back, period.

Spigen Hybrid Ultra clear (~€17)

A well known company and a well known case. Its rubber is of great quality, quite thick and it gets even thicker in the corners, which is reassuring in case of a fall.

All cutouts are perfectly placed and it gives a feel of quality. Of course its thickness makes the phone bulkier, but on the other side it offers a very good grip.

It offers the best camera lens protection among all my cases. Not only because it’ thick, but because each corner is raised an additional 5mm, resulting in great sitting on a flat, even on a little bumpy, surface. The buttons are all covered and, surprisingly, they have a nice feel when pressed, despite the thick material.

No more to say, except a complaint. After a year of moderate use, it has lost its clearness and it has become a little yellowish. Strange for a product of such a high profile.

It’s not the best looking case and it does not offer too much, but it’s the only one I feel comfortable to throw from a small height with the phone in it. It’s probably the best compromise between bulk and real protection.

IMAK transparent case (~€6)

I bought one of these for my wife’s Lumia 925 about a year ago and I liked it, so recently I bought one for myself. It’s a simple back cover, but there are two features that earned my attention; First, the plastic is absolutely clear and it stays like that more for more than a year later. Second, its plastic is not very hard and it’s very easy to put on/take out, but not too flimsy either. It’s so thin, that the camera lens stays virtually unprotected.

Unfortunately, the material is a little slippery. I do not consider it that much of a protection, and it gets scratched very easily, but it does have its place among my cases. It’s perfect for a day in the office, where the possibility of a scratch is a little smaller. It can prevent all those little, small scratches that happen each day without even noticing and it keeps the contour and the looks of the device almost untouched.

Yes, the case is on!

Nillkin Nature case (~€6)

My last purchase. Nillkin has grown to a company I like, so I bought it just out of curiosity, to see what it is, it’s very cheap anyway.

It’s a full case, not just a back cover. It’s o.6 mm thick and it’s made of a very clear, soft plastic. The thing that makes it stand out of all those cheap, no-name similar cases is the attention to details. The are two embedded protective caps, one for the USB port and one for the 3.5mm jack.

All buttons are covered. The case is almost unnoticeable and leaves the camera lens rather unprotected, but it’s the thinnest full case you can buy and it’s not really slippery. Unfortunately, there is a great disadvantage for me. I use a full face tempered glass that covers the entire front face of the device. The case makes contact with the glass in a specific spot and raises the glass just enough to make typing of the “a” and the “q” just a little difficult. Other than that, it’s one incredible case that offers a great compromise between style, protection and price. It’s not “heavy duty” either, but it actually makes the phone look even nicer and gives a little protection against every day scratches.

I hope that was a little useful for any of you considering to buy a case. Thanks!