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12 iPhone 5 & 5s slim case reviews, thoughts on Desmay Slight

ntnwwnet

ntnwwnet

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 11, 2006
269
0
I've been searching high and low for the slimmest iPhone 5 case available. Short of the few Desmay clones on eBay (see bottom of this post for links and thoughts), these are the ones I could find.

I ordered all of these. Below are my thoughts.

1. splash ZERO Ultra-Slim PolyCarbonate Case for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B005SE9JYG&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

2. KaysCase HardSkin Cover Case for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B0096Q7W6Y&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

3. elago S5 Slim Fit 2 Case for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B009B3TVX4&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

4. BoxWave Minimus for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B001D27I8G&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

5. [LF Black] Apple iPhone 5 Ringke SLIM Light Feeling Premium Hard Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B00993E7RG&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

6. [SF Matte Black] Apple iPhone 5 Ringke SLIM Soft Feeling Premium Hard Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B00993E8B6&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

7. Photive Hybrid iPhone 5 Bumper Case: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B0092TQHP2&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

8. KaysCase Slim Soft Skin Cover Case for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B008OG8A9K&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

9. KaysCase HardSkin Cover Case for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B0096Q7WOG&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

10. Photive Natural Slim Fit Case for Apple iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B0097BZNPK&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

11. Anker Glaze Case for iPhone 5: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B008WXM43S&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20

12. SPIGEN SGP iPhone 5 Case MATTE Hard Case Protection Cover [Ultra Thin Air]: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B009D4IMH2&linkCode=as2&tag=6458422537-20


--


1. Snug fit and the front has extended lip around the screen edge the glass won't touch the table if you put it face down. Top & bottom are exposed. Generic cutout for volume buttons & vibrate switch.

2. Feels cheap. But it's slim. Top & bottom exposed.

3. Very well built. Fits perfectly. Top & bottom exposed.

4. Hasn't shipped yet. I think it'll be like #3.

5. Not bad. This one's a matte color and not very grippy. Fits perfectly. Only top & bottom are exposed.

6. Same as #6, but with a rubbery, grippy feel. Fits perfectly. Only top & bottom are exposed.

7. The left, right and top of the bumper are a shiny black with the front and back edges being a off-black or almost dark grey color. Bumper is flexible but firm.

8. The case is a tight fit around the phone, it's a perfect fit that goes on without scratching the aluminum sides. The left and right bumpers of the case are hard plastic, while the back/top/bottom are rubber-ish TPU

9. It has a smooth, comfortable feel to it. It doesn't add any unnecessary weight and it fits nice and snug, as expected.

10. I like. Reminds me of the Case-Mate Barely There series. The fit is perfect. Fully covers left & right sides of phone. Top & bottom are open.

11. Meh. TPU case paired with a plastic bumper. All sides are covered.

12. Super light, no bulk, fits perfect yet not to hard to put on or take off.




-----




Desmay slight thoughts:

Desmay recently put up their Slight 5 case for the iPhone 5 and they promptly sold out in an hour. Reading their Facebook comments, the general thought is that they chose to offer very few just so they could sell out.

I took to eBay to look for similar ones and found what looks to be exactly what Desmay is selling, only from a generic Chinese manufacturer. It's worth noting that none of the images on Desmay's site are actual pictures. They are only renders.

Why pay $25 for the Desmay when you can get the same thing for $3? Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160885926175




-----
 
Last edited:
ntnwwnet

ntnwwnet

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 11, 2006
269
0
armoredsaint said:
tag for results!

where's the pics?
Click to expand...

Tag?

My iPhone 5 is the only camera I own and I don't see the use in taking pictures of the cases without the phone in it. If I can get another camera that's good enough I'll take and post some pictures.
 
J

Jasonv2

macrumors newbie
Sep 22, 2012
20
0
Those ebay cases don't appear to be the same as the desmay. Well, the desmay photos are renders but their cutouts are different than those of the ebay link. We'd have to wait for the desmay cases to be out before judging. I don't think just because they are the same thickness makes them the same case.
 
armoredsaint

armoredsaint

macrumors regular
Sep 7, 2010
233
9
USA
i went a head and ordered the desmay look alike from ebay - it's only $2.88. worth a try i guess, hope it's not a POS for that price :D
 
spyda

spyda

macrumors 6502a
Jun 30, 2009
732
0
armoredsaint said:
i went a head and ordered the desmay look alike from ebay - it's only $2.88. worth a try i guess, hope it's not a POS for that price :D
Click to expand...
Honestly the desmay is so thin and essentially as cheap as it feels that the $2 eBay replica's are likely the exact same quality, haha might order one...not sure.
 
ntnwwnet

ntnwwnet

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 11, 2006
269
0
Massa said:
Received this from Spigen. I bought my case through Amazon. Thought I'd share :confused:.
Click to expand...

What color did you order? My white one has no problems.

Edit: Email screen shot says black. Again, no problems with my white one. Also noticed that I linked to the black version.
 
armoredsaint

armoredsaint

macrumors regular
Sep 7, 2010
233
9
USA
spyda said:
Honestly the desmay is so thin and essentially as cheap as it feels that the $2 eBay replica's are likely the exact same quality, haha might order one...not sure.
Click to expand...

i don't use cases, i only use a skin on the back - but this is a good back-up when i travel a lot in and out of airports, hotels and rental cars, plus the risk of dropping is higher.
 
J

justinf77

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2003
625
542
ntnwwnet: Which case do you prefer between 3 and 12? I ordered the elago but I may want to try the Spigen as well.

One thing I'm happy about is the elago Slim Fit 2 now has a small lip which it supposedly didn't have for the iPhone 4. Some don't like the lip but I definitely do.
 
J

JonMPLS

macrumors 68000
May 23, 2010
1,672
242
MN
ntnwwnet said:
I've been searching high and low for the slimmest iPhone 5 case available. Short of the few Desmay clones on eBay (see bottom of this post for links and thoughts), these are the ones I could find.

I ordered all of these. Below are my thoughts.

1. splash ZERO Ultra-Slim PolyCarbonate Case for iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/Splash-Ultra-Slim-PolyCarbonate-Cover-iPhone/dp/B005SE9JYG

2. KaysCase HardSkin Cover Case for iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/KAYSCASE-iPhone-Retail-Packaging-Protector/dp/B0096Q7W6Y

3. elago S5 Slim Fit 2 Case for iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/Headphone-Adapter-Splitter-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B009B3TVX4

4. BoxWave Minimus for iPhone 5: http://amzn.to/QfUkfR

5. [LF Black] Apple iPhone 5 Ringke SLIM Light Feeling Premium Hard Case: http://amzn.to/QDydSg

6. [SF Matte Black] Apple iPhone 5 Ringke SLIM Soft Feeling Premium Hard Case: https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-Outfitted-Steadfast-Compelling-Lightweight/dp/B00993E8B6

7. Photive Hybrid iPhone 5 Bumper Case: https://www.amazon.com/Photive-Hybrid-iPhone-Bumper-Case/dp/B0092TQHP2

8. KaysCase Slim Soft Skin Cover Case for iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/KAYSCASE-iPhone-Retail-Packaging-Protector/dp/B008OG8A9K

9. KaysCase HardSkin Cover Case for iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/KAYSCASE-iPhone-Retail-Packaging-Protector/dp/B0096Q7WOG

10. Photive Natural Slim Fit Case for Apple iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/Photive-Ultra-Premium-Lightweight-Rubberized-Designed/dp/B00A9FV2D0

11. Anker Glaze Case for iPhone 5: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Glaze-Case-iPhone-Packaging/dp/B008WXM43S

12. SPIGEN SGP iPhone 5 Case MATTE Hard Case Protection Cover [Ultra Thin Air]: https://www.amazon.com/Spigen-Ultra-Thin-iPhone-Apple/dp/B009D4IMH2


--


1. Snug fit and the front has extended lip around the screen edge the glass won't touch the table if you put it face down. Top & bottom are exposed. Generic cutout for volume buttons & vibrate switch.

2. Feels cheap. But it's slim. Top & bottom exposed.

3. Very well built. Fits perfectly. Top & bottom exposed.

4. Hasn't shipped yet. I think it'll be like #3.

5. Not bad. This one's a matte color and not very grippy. Fits perfectly. Only top & bottom are exposed.

6. Same as #6, but with a rubbery, grippy feel. Fits perfectly. Only top & bottom are exposed.

7. The left, right and top of the bumper are a shiny black with the front and back edges being a off-black or almost dark grey color. Bumper is flexible but firm.

8. The case is a tight fit around the phone, it's a perfect fit that goes on without scratching the aluminum sides. The left and right bumpers of the case are hard plastic, while the back/top/bottom are rubber-ish TPU

9. It has a smooth, comfortable feel to it. It doesn't add any unnecessary weight and it fits nice and snug, as expected.

10. I like. Reminds me of the Case-Mate Barely There series. The fit is perfect. Fully covers left & right sides of phone. Top & bottom are open.

11. Meh. TPU case paired with a plastic bumper. All sides are covered.

12. Super light, no bulk, fits perfect yet not to hard to put on or take off.




-----




Desmay slight thoughts:

Desmay recently put up their Slight 5 case for the iPhone 5 and they promptly sold out in an hour. Reading their Facebook comments, the general thought is that they chose to offer very few just so they could sell out.

I took to eBay to look for similar ones and found what looks to be exactly what Desmay is selling, only from a generic Chinese manufacturer. It's worth noting that none of the images on Desmay's site are actual pictures. They are only renders.

Why pay $25 for the Desmay when you can get the same thing for $3? Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160885926175




-----
Click to expand...


Wow, thanks for your research. Which one do you end up using??

(FYI, I am using the Incipio Feather but like to experiment)
 
ntnwwnet

ntnwwnet

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 11, 2006
269
0
justinf77 said:
ntnwwnet: Which case do you prefer between 3 and 12? I ordered the elago but I may want to try the Spigen as well.

One thing I'm happy about is the elago Slim Fit 2 now has a small lip which it supposedly didn't have for the iPhone 4. Some don't like the lip but I definitely do.
Click to expand...

I prefer #12. The cutouts for the volume buttons & vibrate switch offer better coverage.

----------
JonMPLS said:
Wow, thanks for your research. Which one do you end up using??

(FYI, I am using the Incipio Feather but like to experiment)
Click to expand...

I'm currently using #10 until the Desmay clone from eBay shows up. I've given #3 & #10 to family members and I'm sending the rest back.
 
ntnwwnet

ntnwwnet

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 11, 2006
269
0
armoredsaint said:
i don't use cases, i only use a skin on the back - but this is a good back-up when i travel a lot in and out of airports, hotels and rental cars, plus the risk of dropping is higher.
Click to expand...

The Desmay is the closest thing to a skin I've found. Plus there's the added benefit of the sides being covered too.
 
dictoresno

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Apr 30, 2012
4,495
631
NJ
i currently have #1, its not too bad. i dont care for the rubber feel though. fit does seem good. but i disagree, the sides are not above the phone enough to lay it flat screen side down. theres only like 1 mm of gap.

i have the elago (#3) on order. i loved the feel, slimness yet thicker/higher quality of the S4 vs #1 on my iphone 4. looking forward to it. on thing is i wanted the elago with the hard shell/smooth finish...not this rubberized one. so i purchased the dark grey one.
 
T

takecarex3

macrumors newbie
Sep 30, 2012
2
0
Awesome thread guys. One quick question. I know on my iPhone 4 the Belkin case I used made the flash look funny at night due to the plastic around the camera and flash area.

Has anyone done any testing for this in any of these? I know some cases now have a black ring but wonder how necessary that is?
 
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