Okay, I have my Slim Armor now, in metal slate. So I thought to give my review, and provide comments on some aspects that others have not, especially in those YouTube reviews. I’m comparing it to my black Tones and Candy Grip Shear Case: all three are some of the slimmest full coverage cases around.
It IS a nice case, matching the color of the original black iPhone 5 almost perfectly. I agree with others is it very nice in that regard.
I put mine on as a whole unit. I didn’t have to take the two pieces apart. That was perfect.
Pros:
1.Nice matching color in slate. Nicer match than Tones black case.
2.Volume and sleep buttons are VERY easy and smooth; nicer than Tones.
3.It does have a better lip (lay-on-the-table) then I thought. A bit smaller than the Tones, I estimate about 0.5 to 0.7 mm. I don’t use a screen protector, I’m okay with that.
4.My trimmed Lightening to 30 pin Apple cable DOES fit nicely. GREAT!
5.Easy, VERY easy on and off, using the top method they describe. I liked that, since I do use the phone naked.
6.No flash problems, on any of these cases.
7. Fits my Bose over the ear headphones that has right angle plug.
Cons:
1.Weight: it is about 60% heavier than the Tones, 31grams vs. 19 grams (1.09 oz vs. 0.67 oz.). The Candy Shear is in between, at 23 grams (0.81 oz).
2.About 2 mm larger in both width and height (63.53mm by 129.08mm) than the Tones. Makes a difference.
3.Thickness is only slightly higher (10.8mm vs. 10.18) as the Tones
4.The reason why it is easier to remove, is that the top/bottom ‘rubber’ is softer than the Tones. That is good and bad. The fit moves around, and the left hand side is not fitting perfectly…its okay, but I wonder if it will stretch like my Magpul did.
5.Do to 4, I suspect dust getting behind the case will cause marks on the phone.
6.Slippery: the back polycarbonate piece is too smooth; not sandblasted like the Tones.
7.The back SCRATCHES way too easily. I had the case for 30 min., laid it on my kitchen table and got a small scratch on the back. Don’t understand this: at most there were bread crumbs on the table. It’s permanent too.
8.At work I slid it very softly on the clean Formica office table: MORE scratches. Unbelievable. Had my SwitchEasy Tones for 3 months…no scratches whatsoever! The Tones doesn’t scratch with the same operation: I just tried it.
9.More minor, the same back plate does fingerprint up a bit. But comes off easily.
10.Mute switch is recessed more deeply. I keep my fingernails short…I could almost not move the mute switch. I know this means the sides are thicker…but I don’t really think it offer that much more drop protection.
I do like the color, and the excess weight and size was bothering only slightly, well maybe a bit more than slightly. But having the back scratch in less than 1 day….not acceptable. I mean multiple marks. Some reduced with rubbing, but in the light they are very visible.
I mean, the back replicates the real iPhone metal back TOO much…both scratch!!!
I was going to keep it anyways (only $17), but now I plan to get a refund.
