[Huawei Mate 20 Pro Accessories] kl25:
[Review] Tech 21 Evo Check case and clear TPU "air cushion" case from taobao/tmall

Tech21 Evo Check case (pic #1-5)

https://www.tech21.com/en_ca/evo-check-huawei-mate-20-pro

Tech21 is a well-known brand that has been around for quite some time. Their cases are simplistic with rated impact protection. This particular case has a 12 feet drop rating as their “FlexShock” material that goes around the case supposedly absorbs and disperses impact shock much better than an average joe case. I been using this case for about 3 weeks and have yet drop the phone so I will update this thread once I spend more time with it. I’ve done quite an extensive search for a slimmer profile impact protection case, and unless I missed something out there this is probably as slim as it gets while maintaining its primary protective function. I feel absolutely safe using this case especially with the amount of raised edge around all 4 sides which helps protect the front of the phone. The camera lens is recessed nicely with the case therefore I have no concerns at all placing the phone on its back.

The buttons are extremely responsive and the case works with the Alinsea LOCA + UV applied tempered glass I bought from amazon.

Aesthetically, the case is only available in smoky transplant black with this check pattern on the back. Your fingerprint does get smudged on the case but it is less noticeable because of the darker color. Yellowing? Only time will tell. They do claim that their material is “resistant to yellowing”. Size wise, compared to the case below the Tech21 case does add noticeable girth to the phone making it more difficult for one-hand operations / navigation. But that is simply the price that must be paid for better impact protection.

I wish they took a more simplistic approach. Lose the check pattern on the back, slim down the sides a little bit for a slimmer profile and slightly beef up the 4 corners. At the end of the day, I think corner protection and raised front edges are the most important part of a good protective case.

Clear / transparent TPU “air cushion” case

https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?i...e8dE31OoJ&_u=m34gi5s2dd38&skuId=4048084618507

Don’t be fooled by the video on the product’s page. This is a very thin clear TPU case with these “air cushion” bumpers on the 4 corners. Similarly, I used this case for about 3 weeks and while it keeps the slim profile of the phone, I do not feel safe using it which forces me to handle the phone more carefully. The curved edges of the screen are quite exposed as there are essentially no raised edges on the sides with VERY slightly raised edges top and bottom. If I drop the phone and it lands on one of the four corners it might survive. However, if the phone face plants then I have zero confidence. The camera lens is recessed slightly with the case on so you can confidently place the phone on its back say at a table.

The buttons are responsive and similarly the case works with the Alinsea LOCA + UV applied tempered glass.

The case is a fingerprint magnet and last but not least, the dreaded yellowing of TPU. They advertise it on the Tmall product page as ‘resistant’ to yellowing. We shall see. It is simply too early to tell.

So which one is the winner for me? Well I like the generic clear TPU case due to its slim profile. However, I am also prone to dropping my phone so the impact protection from the Tech21 case is essential. With that said, I am sticking with the Tech21 case for now given its drop rating. It's also an attractive option now given everything on Tech 21 is 30% off. Without the discount, I bought it for $44 Canadian which is quite expensive for a case. However, my options are limited for slimmer impact cases. I will update this thread in another month or two to showcase how it looks after some meaningful usage.