Can't go wrong with Otterbox defender series. I still have my Note 2 in pristine condition to this day, so its worth every penny. Upgrading to Note 8, on Friday.
FineInstinct, just following up on your post from 4 months ago. I just bought a Note 8 and am having a tough time finding a case and a screen protector that I feel provides the best protection. Did you buy the Ottorbox Defender. What do you use to protect the screen? Thanks in advance!
I always go with the Otterbox Defender. I use the holster often. I have never broken a phone in my entire life. I can TRY to break my phone by chucking it to the ground but with the Otterbox, it remains in mint condition. I have a Galaxy Note 5 that has lived in an Otterbox since it was born. When I take it out of the case it looks BRAND NEW. And Otterbox has a lifetime warranty, which the rubber does wear after about 2-3 years and I have never ever had a problem with getting Otterbox to send me a new one for free with the lifetime warranty after it start warping. One time I returned the Otterbox just because it was old and ugly and they still replaced it. I made my official switch to Otterbox after an electrician told me that he dropped his iPhone with an otterbox off of a 3 story building on accident and the phone was 100% undamaged. When you buy the defender version with the holster, the holster can also be double as a phone stand to watch movies or whatever because the clip locks into an open position when you lift it all the way. I don't know is Otterbox advertises this use but I kind of just figured it out myself and use it that way.
i've had my note 5 in a otterbox defender series since day one and still looks brand new. I poped out that silly plastic screen protector and added a glass one, much more nicer.
This is stupid. We had a perfectly functional plastic back, then people wanted something that feels more "premium", only to cover it with a plastic case to protect the premium back.
IP67-rated not the same as IP68 certified which means Apple will not cover water damage same as iphone 7. Taking it to the beach /pool at your own risk
Its actually still nice to have. I have similar cases on my S7 Edge and iPhone 7 thatll cover the charging port, but it means you get less dust in there. That does prevent some crappy build up overtime, you wouldnt believe the gunk I pick out of ports for friends and family xD
It's not even dust. I work for a major carrier and regularly clean out people's ports. They are filthy and disgusting. Crusted full of god knows what then people come in surprised that it doesn't charge. If you have kids or work in a field where you're prone to crust it's a good idea to still cover your port.
The Samsung LED Case has been my favourite since it was introduced with the Note 4. I have had one for the S7, Note 7 and S8+ I have never had any issues with them and they are very durable. it's good to see a positive review here for the Note 8 version I have ordered.
Supcase Beetle has been my go to case for my past few phones. It saved one phone from a fall from a roller coaster and it's still pretty thin/lightweight.
Thanks for this upload. I saw some video where someone straight threw the rugged Samsung case from about chest high onto solid floor, and it ended up perfectly fine.
I bought the Rugged Protective Cover and Alien Surface HD screen protector for my Galaxy Note 8. After 2 days I dropped the phone on a bench and the screen is fucked up (repair cost: 300 eur) , I really recommend to invest in UAG Cases+Glass screen protector, I was using them 4 years on to my Galaxy Note 3 without problems.
First time I’ve come across your channel and definitely subscribing. I appreciate the extra effort when not only you show good case options but also how they would work with the fast charging pad. Thank you. Ordered my case through Amazon and exchanging my iPhone 7+ tomorrow for the Note 8.
I've got the really big otterbox case and I do really like it. I ride horses and I forgot to take my phone out of my back pocket before a barrel race. My phone came flying out of my pocket, landed in the dirt from what was probably at least a 6 foot fall, maybe 15 mph. And it's still in perfect condition. Even my glass screen protector was unharmed. Personally don't use the clip very often (I honestly don't even know where it is rn) the phone still fits well in my back pocket in jeans, fit a in my slim fit fanny pack for running and riding. If I don't have pockets it usually sits okay in my waist band even with the added weight.
I have the otter Box defender case and I love this case I had it for my S8 plus. this case is so durable I dropped my phone so many times it just works for me
Unicorn beetles are the best case. Awesome design, cheap (one for my s8 plus was 20 dollars i believe), really good protection but also keeps it slim. Id definitely check it out.
Great video. I have both of the Samsung cases which I love because they are "smart" cases, they turn the phone on and off. Don't understand why there are not more "smart" covers. The S view case is a fingerprint magnet so I find myself gradating to the led case. I love it, light and protective. Keep up the great work Erica
This was a useful round-up and much more useful than a lot of the reviews I consulted that just praised every product because they'd been sent them free. I bought the Rhino Shield bumper, which I'm pleased with. Thanks for putting in the effort here.
Almost a year later I am watching this because I am looking into upgrading from a Note 5 to a Note 8. I was going to get the Note 9, but I cannot justify spending $1000 on a phone. I have always used otterbox since my S3, because I am a horrible klutz who drops things constantly. I am happy to see an otterbox made the cut. I generally go for the commuter series, but the defender looks like it protects the screen a bit better on this model then the commuter does. Thanks for this great comparison video!
tiburonroano on the fence about getting it really like the idea of a kickstand always having to prop my phones up wish it wasnt 40 bucks with so many decent cases only costing 15
Because I like my phone on my waist, I always choose an Otterbox Defender case for the mainstream phones I use. I don't know if there'll be generic leather pouches for the taller phones. But seeing this case comparison makes the phone huge with a case on.
Hands down the best protective case for the Note 8 is the Spigen Tough Armor. I've had a Spigen case on my Note 4 for 3 years, drop it almost everyday, and it doesn't have a single scratch or crack on the case. Spigen is hands down the best case out there. Dont believe me? Watch Flossy's review on cases and he always proves that Spigen is the best one too hands down!
I got the Rugged Protective Cover for my Note 8. From my perspective it's the better case for the Note 8 due to the fact that it's a Samsung branding case, it's not bulky like the Otterbox, it has a built in kick stand and lastly it gives your finger great positioning when the fingerprint scanner is about to get used. Back in late November I got it at Best Buy, but I didn't pay the Best Buy price though. Best Buy was able to match the Amazon price at $23.97. 👍👍
Clayco hera is good but adds bulk and you'll lose some sensitivity on the touch screen due to the built-in screen protector but not much. Worth it if you're prone to dropping your phone. I also have the Samsung rugged case and I think I prefer it. Keeps the phone slim and has kickstand. Nice grip to it as well.
Thank You Erica for the good review. It cracks me up how most people reviewing these flagships rate how feel in the hand without a case when most people I know buy cases for them.
My friend accidentally dropped her 3 days old note 8 with protection casing but the screen at the curved edge side still cracked. Only 'wallet type' casing with front cover can prevent damage to the curved edge.
I already got the LED case yesterday before watching this and I totally agree with you on this case. Second best for me will be the Otter Box defender I will get that case at some point in the future. My go to day to do will be the LED case.
Erica when you're testing cases. Please comment on the buttons. Especially for the "rugged" tier, some of the button cutouts can be very stiff and makes a huge difference for buyers.
I had the Samsung Rugged Case. It was great until I realized that it was too thick for my older Samsung Wireless Fast Charger. It would trigger to charge, then it would blink and stop charging. I swapped it for the gray Samsung Alcantara Case, and everything works perfectly. Wireless charging included.
Erica, now that you saw the new iPhone (granted you haven't yet had the time to play around with it) would you say that Samsung is the clear winner with their current flagships? I'm an iPhone user since the 3G, got every round number, never used an "s" model (I'm a fan of major changes and my contract lasts for 2 years, so yea...). I always shied away from android, mainly because stock android wasn't always the easiest thing to get. But now, I don't know, I think I'm gonna go Samsung after I'm done with the 7 plus next year. To be honest, I feel kinda dirty about it 😀.
I totally can relate with that dirty feeling except that I've had a Note4 for 3years love it to bits but seriously considered upgrading to an Apple phone if the iPhone X offered something new and exciting... but I am once again underwhelmed by the things that Apple has to offer... I was also underwhelmed by the Note7 and S8 which I also considered upgrading to. Despite these devices being highly praised i was still underwhelmed as I was still very much satisfied with what my Note4 had. My point is that with Note series phone you won't feel like you have an outdated phone for a good few years and the S Pen brings more depth to a smartphone. Personally I love that it works like a mouse which makes life so much easier on many occasions. I think if you really want to try something new and explore something different definitely try a Note phone, its great at being you're handy digital personal assistant and entertainment system. I see buying Note8 would be a better investment than any other phone but that's just my opinion. P.s. I felt dirty coz I was really considering to get an iPhone eventhough I'm certainly no fan of Apple but I am a fan of trying new tech but face id and augmented reality and faster phone by 1s is just not enough to sway me away from the tech offered in a Note.
Hi Erica... well done! I just bought my S8+ in Dec '17. My Defender case is a bit different from yours It is thinner material and fits tighter. The port plugs were a bit tight, so I had fun searching for the USB charging port the first time... Yup, finally looked at the tiny instructions to find it. The sides are different from yours, too. They come up a bit higher, so I don't see an exposure on the edges as yours had. Maybe they watched your video & took the hint! I don't see an "S Pen" opening. I wonder if my phone has one. It took me a few iterations to figure out what you were even saying was there. "It's not you, it's me." I'm 70 and though the hearing is good, sometimes the understanding lags behind. Thanks for what you do. Catch you in another video.
So actually, I've had my note 8 for about 7 months now. I've found the tech21 cases to be best for me on it. Best protection. I went from an otterbox defender. My main complaint was wireless charging. Smile it worked, the heat produced from the phone and or the pad warped the rubber on the outside, making it off and uncomfortable to use. I RMA'd 3 cases from them before i swapped and i have not looked back done. I've had the case for 3 months and it's been amazing
JosePerez1220 convenience? plenty of people would rather walk in a store and pick what they want up. Not everyone has prime so it could take a week to get it or you pay more for faster shipping and then hate it 😔
That Rhinoshield is not available @Best Buy. Erica needs to disclose sponsors in her review. I can't trust her reviews if I can't decipher where the ads begin and end.
Let me tell you a story. I hate the cover protecting the screen. My sister has it, the kid of her throughed the phone out of the window. As soon as they discovered the fact, she rushed down stairs. Guess What? Her cover was broken in thousand pieces, nothing had happend to her phone😁😂 I was stunned!!!
Your comments about rugged cases leaving you feeling unprotected is why I'm going with the Lg V30 instead of any Samsung phone after using Samsung for years. (I'm hoping Otterbox makes a case for the V30 that really DOES protect the screen from all sides!)
I had an Otterbox Commuter for my S7 Edge, and while it survived (literal hundreds) of drops, the thing that finally killed it was the screen's CURVE getting hit, cracked / chipped during a drop. The only thing that's probably going to protect the screen (besides a screen protector, but good luck doing that + a case), is a wallet case or the Defender facing the belt clip.
I just started watching your videos and I am enjoying the videos every time I watch them. Great!!! You are fantastic at describing the information you have learned about the phones that you review!!
The extra material on the top and bottom is to protect dropping it on its face If it drops face down, it puts extra distance between the screen and the ground Unless you drop it on the side edges which is highly unlikely
I really love that defender series case! Not a fan of the whole belt clip, but I've owned many defender cases and I like that one better than the rest. Thanks for the reviews!
One thing I really look for in a case is how easy it is to feel the buttons like volume and power without looking. On my old Note 3 I had the sView case and you couldn't feel the buttons at all. It looks like it's the same with the flip cover cases here.
The sides do not need to be protected if the top and bottom edge/corners are raised enough. Unfortunately 99% of cases have a slim lip at best. Goballistic had the case with the highest lip (Tough Jacket) but I don't think they make cases any longer. 99% of cases are about making the back of the phone look pretty while not really giving any confidence that if your phone falls on it's face it won't get hurt.......
I have the Note 8 with the dark blue phonecase and it works perfekt. I really drop it often. I like on this case that it has a stand on the backside, it's really helpfull if you watch movies and don't want to hold it all the time.
Thank you very much for this in-depth phone case review. I was really struggling to find the great design for the curved display phone as some cases look very cheap and awkward on it. Your review is amazing! It truly helped a lot. Thank you
EXACTLY! with thick cases, they never seem to provide protection for one of the most important things on the phone! The screen! I don't want to buy a case unless it has something to protect the screen!
Best review I have seen for Note 8 cases, thanks! And you covered all the ones I am interested in, good choices of what's out there. I am not sure you are aware of all the functionality of the LED cover, it does show notifications and you can even make custom icons for individual callers or use pre-made LED icons, a bit of fun there ;)
its honetly annoying how even the otterbox defender isnt even a defender anymore... They could have at least covered the unused bezel for more protection.
The "rugged" one will not let you charge using wireless charging. It shows it works, but you will not see it actually charging. I used it myself and then looked at the reviews afterwards (i know, i should have looked first) and they agree.
I bought a iBlasson case for my 8+ and I like it. There ist a screen protector built in and it has covers for the headphone and the charging port. I'll be switching to the note later this year and I'll buy their case again
Great video, Erica! I used to use Otterbox Commuters for a long time, but then I got hooked on the DualPro from Incipio. That's what my Note8 has on right now. I would consider that LED Wallet Cover, though! It looks pretty nice! 😎
Hey Erica - I really enjoy your reviews. You have a good sense of the things people would want to know and you seem to be pretty objective in your opinions. I also like the fact that I recognize all or most of your outdoor scenes being that I have lived and hung out all over Snohomish County. Not really important, but kinda cool I guess. Anyway, Thanks for the Note 8 reviews.
Awesome video, I'll probably be going for the LED case. I like how smooth it looks. The other flip case would win for me if the front couldn't get scratched so easily
Spigen has been the best cases I've seen for the last few years. They have a variety of styles for whatever you might like at really great prices. Otterbox has went to poop in last few years.
That's so true. I'm getting this phone for my birthday and I want the otterbox defender because I like the bulk so I went on best buy and it was $60! So I went on amazon and I found the Same one for $14 dollars.
I like you number 1 pick flip cover case too, but the reason I wouldn't get it because one thing a phone gets used for A LOT is navigation. You might know the way, but you don't know the traffic, construction, and accidents. I don't see that working well with my dash mount that grips from the sides.
All of your vids are excellent, Erica. That's coming from someone whose aren't! :-) I've a S6. You've whetted my appetite for the Note 8. I need to wait until the next price drop. And gawd knows when that will be. Anybody? Well done (again) Lassie!
I recently bought that otterbox defender for my note 8 but took it off because I noticed that the phone heats up easily in that more than when I use other cases. Watching in 2019 and all I got to say- I miss those Sony phones!
