[Google Pixel 2 XL Accessories] kl25:
Case reviews: Rhinoshield CrashGuard & SolidSuit, Zeking Ultra Slim, Crave Slim Guard

i've used a number of cases that you can easily purchase from amazon before including the spigen tough armor, spigen neo hybrid, spigen crystal shell, ringke fusion and the rhinoshield crashguard. I think the 2 most important aspects of a good phone case is reinforced corner protection and elevated front edge to protect the screen. When I got the pixel 2 XL, I started looking for a slim yet protective case and I ended up trying the 4 cases below. I used each case about 1-2 weeks and thought I'd share my thoughts. I did receive the Rhinoshield cases from the company for free but they are not involved with my write up in any way, shape or form.

The photos attached are in accordance to the order of which the cases are reviewed.

Rhinoshield CrashGuard bumper case:

This was my favorite case when I had my galaxy s7 and when I moved on to the LG G5 then G6, I was disappointed to find out that they don't make the CrashGuard for them.

From my experience using this case with the galaxy s7 (which I had for about a year before it was stolen...), this case simply works. I am not the best when it comes to handling my phone therefore it gets dropped a lot; this case really does the job well when it comes to impact protection while being minimalistic. During the past 2 weeks with the case, I've dropped my pixel 2 a few times from different heights, mostly from standing height and some from when I get out of the car and the case has been effective. According to Rhinoshield, their cases have a 11.5 ft impact resistance rating which supposedly far exceeds the " US MILITARY DROP TEST STANDARD".

Many others have commented on how slippery this case is. Well, it is and that's because Rhinoshield now coats the cases to make them more stain resistant. For me, personally, I don't mind as I find it easier to slide in and out of my pockets.

Some physical changes I've noticed is that the case fits A LOT more snug to the point where it is quite difficult for me to take the phone out of the case. That's an inconvenience for me as I fly a drone here and there and in order for the phone to fit into the remote controller I have to take the case off. Now I may have to buy a separate phone holder for the remote controller. Another change that's worth pointing out is that in my old s7 case, the raised lip on the back of the case was more pronounced at the corners and the top and bottom edges. This gave me more of a piece of mind since it is a bumper case and the back of the phone is exposed. However, it seems like they have eliminated that from their design of the new cases and I wish they kept that. Lastly, now you can change up the color of the power button but the colored buttons have to be purchased separately. The power button is very responsive but the volume rocker you'd have to press a little bit harder.

Other non-noticeable changes they've made since I had their case for the s7 is they now use a different material (fancy name 'ShockSpread Material') for their cases which is suppose to be lighter, thinner but just as protective and durable.

The case is friendly with their screen protectors, as well with the Sparin TPU screen protector that I got from amazon. In terms of skin, it will not work with the Dbrand precision fit skin but fine with standard fit. However, it will leave an indent on the standard fit skin as shown in photos.

Lastly, if you happen to have a Feiyu tech SPG-c gimbal, with the heaviest counterweights the phone with this case just barely works.

Rhinoshield SolidSuit

Overall, very similar to the CrashGuard bumper case.

I'll highlight the differences:

- compatible with the RhinoShield add-on lens

- of course, heavier and bulkier (heaviest of the 4)

- feels very solid because of the overall construction, as well the back is protected

- most of the finishing is the same as the CrashGuard, however the back of mine has the carbon fiber finishing which I guess made it less slippery

- volume rocker is much more responsive than the CrashGuard

- did not work at all with the Feiyu tech SPG-c gimbal

Zeking ultra slim TPU case from amazon canada

In my opinion, very good case. For less than $10, you get padded corner protection plus raised front edge without much added bulkiness; this is just as good as cases such as ones from Spigen or Ringke but for 1/3 or 1/2 the price.

It is made of TPU and I haven't had the case long enough to speak about yellow-ing, but the TPU feels decent not cheap. On the inside of the back of the case, there are these microdots and I can't understand their purpose. You can actually feel them when you brush you finger across. The side buttons are responsive, clicky. A really thoughtful and unique design is that along the sides of the case the TPU's texture is different and it allows for better grip (almost like there's a very smooth sandpaper strip). The advantage of this case in comparison to the two Rhinoshield cases above is that it does feel slimmer in hand.

When it comes to impact protection, it doesn't have that "over 11 ft of impact protection" that's marketed for the Rhinoshield cases, however the few times I dropped the phone in this case it was completely fine.

I did try to use this case with the Dbrand 'precise fit' skin. It will not work well with the skin if you have the tendency to take your phone in and out of the case. As i took my phone out, it lifted the skin that goes around the the corner on the side of the phone. On the other hand, the 'standard fit' skin did just fine. In terms of screen protectors, it is compatible with the Sparin TPU screen protector as well as the protectors from Rhinoshield.

Similar to the Rhinoshield CrashGuard, this barely worked with my Feiyu Tech SPG-c gimbal.

Crave Slim Guard from amazon canada

This case is very similar to the Ringke Fusion in a sense that both have the TPU bumper that goes around the case, and the clear polycarbonate back. This case, however, has a very pronounced elevated front lip to the point where it almost feels like the phone is sunken in inside the case. It's very good if you're looking for extra raised front protection, however when you're swiping left or right on the screen you will feel the edge more so than the other cases. It may help if the company just round off the raised edges a little bit more. A thoughtful part of their design is that they raised the back corners a tiny bit; my guess is they are there to raise the back a little bit so when you sit the phone on a flat surface it doesn't scratch up the polycarbonate back. All the buttons super responsive and clicky; probably the best buttons of the 4 cases. The phone does feel pretty slim in this case and I think even slimmer than the Zeking TPU case. I don't remember dropping my phone while using this case, but based on its construction it should do just as good as the Ringke Fusion case but definitely not as good as the other 3 cases above.

Overall I think this case is just as good as the Ringke Fusion if not better protection because of the pronounced elevated front edge. Keep in mind, from my experience using these cases with a polycarbonate back they will get scratched up over time and you will see more finger print smudges.

When it comes to compatibility with skin and screen protectors, it is the same as above.

Similar to the Rhinoshield CrashGuard and ZeKing ultra slim, this barely worked with the Feiyu Tech SPG-c gimbal.

Long review but hope this helps. I will start another post for my screen protectors review as well as a review of the add-on lens from RhinoShield.