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New AL13 Bumper for iPhone 5, Amazing !

D

dinesh29888

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 1, 2012
73
0
Wow this looks amazing, any1 tried this ?
 

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My only concern with a bumper like this is that instead of being overly concerned about possibly scratching my iPhone I'd be overly concerned about possibly scratching my $50 bumper.
 
You forgot a link. Is this aluminum or something? Doesn't look like anything special judging from the pics.
 
I just saw this today. It looks very nice, but is not a new design. There are plenty of these type metal cases available with the sliding back piece.

I don't see what is so different about this one.

From what I have seen with Al cases that I have tried, if there is a continuous piece of metal wrapped around the case, signal will drop. The Element case I have now has gaps and signal is barely affected.

Thoughts?
 
No mention of reception performance. Since its all aluminum I would be worried it would have the same issues as element vapor.
 
Mechinyun said:
No mention of reception performance. Since its all aluminum I would be worried it would have the same issues as element vapor.
Click to expand...
They say in the FAQ on the kickstarter page that it reduces signal strength by less than 10 %.
 
This bumper would be worth it if it had precision cut outs like Power Support Flat bumper. This has open bottom and sides? Meh.
 
Yeah, the T-type 3 looks way better than this. This looks more cheap looking with the open volume rocker space.
 
Ok. I just read the review on it. (T-type 3) looks pretty nice. Price. Not so much tho. Like the same amour as a lifeproof Frē
 
Received my AL13 today. It's comes in a very nice presentation which include and front and back screen protector. Applying and removing the bumper is a breeze. Very nice fit. I didn't use the screen protector so I'm not sure the quality of them. You will see noticeable signal loss though.
 
3rdiguy said:
This bumper would be worth it if it had precision cut outs like Power Support Flat bumper. This has open bottom and sides? Meh.
Click to expand...

Given that $80 price tag, have to agree with you. At least provide coverage to the power & volume buttons, like what other bumpers of this price range does.
 
cinez said:
Received my AL13 today. It's comes in a very nice presentation which include and front and back screen protector. Applying and removing the bumper is a breeze. Very nice fit. I didn't use the screen protector so I'm not sure the quality of them. You will see noticeable signal loss though.
Click to expand...

I've been interested in ordering this bumper but I don't know how bad the signal loss is. Do you think you could use the speedtest app and post pictures/speed of your network with and without the case? Also, what colour did you get? If you got gun metal or black, do you think you could post a picture of that too? I heard the black one is too light in colour.

Thanks!
 
SJism23 said:
I've been interested in ordering this bumper but I don't know how bad the signal loss is. Do you think you could use the speedtest app and post pictures/speed of your network with and without the case? Also, what colour did you get? If you got gun metal or black, do you think you could post a picture of that too? I heard the black one is too light in colour.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sure... Speed test is in the following order from bottom to top (wifi bumper off, wifi bumper on, LTE bumper off, LTE bumper on). My battery was running low so I also ran the same test while charging, tested in same order. I ordered the Black one and it is a lighter color black, it looks a little blueish or purplish (similar color to the back metal of the black iphone 5). I wish it was darker black. Hope my pictures are helpful. In case anyone asks I have the following on my phone; black Metallic series full body skin from Digiskin, Tech Armor Premium HD screen protector and AL13 bumper. I provided links below.

http://estore.digiskin.me/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008THTTUI/ref=oh_details_o05_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 

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cinez said:
Sure... Speed test is in the following order from bottom to top (wifi bumper off, wifi bumper on, LTE bumper off, LTE bumper on). My battery was running low so I also ran the same test while charging, tested in same order. I ordered the Black one and it is a lighter color black, it looks a little blueish or purplish (similar color to the back metal of the black iphone 5). I wish it was darker black. Hope my pictures are helpful. In case anyone asks I have the following on my phone; black Metallic series full body skin from Digiskin, Tech Armor Premium HD screen protector and AL13 bumper. I provided links below.

http://estore.digiskin.me/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008THTTUI/ref=oh_details_o05_s02_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...

This was my thoughts exactly. I was not a Kickstarter backer, but ordered mine separately in black. I dont think this can even be called a "slate black" as they are saying. And I certaintly dont think it matches the back of the iphone. Those pictures you posted prove it. I feel more like I ordered a dark purple than a black. Their customer service tried telling me its more of an "ash" color - which would indicate grayish tint, not purple.

The other issue I have - I normally have 4 bars LTE on my iPhone when I am at home and at my work. Since my case has been on not only have I dropped to 2 bars, but I will only get 3G. About 30 seconds after I pull the case off it switches to LTE.

I contemplated switching mine out for a different color, but not at the expense of such a terrible degradation in signal.
 
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That's exactly my experience. I myself have strong LTE signal with it off, once the bumper is on it goes in and out of LTE to 3G. Love the look of the case but hate to sacrifice that much signal streangh.
 
Seems they tend to lie a bit about loss of signal. They claim only a 5 to 10% signal loss. 2 bars is not a mere 5 to 10% loss. Of course they make that claim but never posted any real proof.
 
Signal Loss

Just one more confirmation. I have the AL13. The quality, fit & fill are great.
I lose 2 bars and often have no LTC. Even on 3G my wifes 4S is faster than my 5. This is the MOST expensive case I ever wont use.:(
 
Beautiful case BUT

I too am disappointed by the poor reception. I believe it is worse than the claimed 5-10%. I lose 1 to 2 bars.

I can live with the power button but the volume buttons are a real pain to operate.

Now i am looking for something as minimalist as this without reception loss that is also compatible with the spigen tR screen protector.

Maybe that case doesn't exist...
 
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