Full disclosure: I was given this case for free, the vendor is seeking reviews. But, as I've said before, I will give an honest review of a free product regardless. People's feelings be darned.
Product arrived in a timely manner. Packaging was plain, I'm assuming it was non-retail. There were no markings or branding of any kind. No instructions, either. Not that they were really needed I guess, but I would assume that a retail purchase would be packaged, and not arrive in a plain padded envelope.
The case by itself looks, well, clear. Mine is clear with opaque rubber (TPU, Poetic calls it). I guess a model with black TPU is available. I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the case, because I'm not, but it is kind of unremarkable to look at. And I don't think that's a bad thing. After all, this case is designed to show off the phone, not just to show off. And that is apparent when it's actually on the phone. It hugs the shape of the device and doesn't compete for your attention.
The case is made of rigid plastic. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of hard cases, as I feel they can be rough on phones. But, the note 5 has an aluminum frame instead of the Standard issue Samsung chromed plastic. And there is clearish rubber around the frame as well as the lip that goes over the screen. It is along the sides as well. That made me feel better about it being a rigid plastic.
The case is one piece that pops in firmly but easily enough. Let me tell you, this baby is snug! And I mean that in a good way. Takes a little doing to get it out once it's in (again, I hope the retail packaging has instructions, in case there's some "trick" to it). But this thing really hugs the phone tightly. Solid fit. There is a very thin lip over and around the merest edge of the screen which holds the case on. It's a pretty impressive design, because the case basically clips onto the aluminum frame, leaving the entirety of the screen exposed. But there is no fear of the phone popping out of this case.
There is a slight lip that keeps the screem from coming in contact with the table when placed face down. A slight lip, but it is there, even with a glass screen protector on my phone.
It's made of clear polycarbonate with a clearish TPU on the corners, around the screen and in two raised rails running the long way down the back. It is comfortable in the hand, allowing the holder to feel the contours of the phone without adding bulk.
Along the sides, there are upraised ridges for grip. Which is good, because the smooth polycarbonate could feel a bit slippy if not for the TPU rails on the back, rubber around the lip of the case and ridges on the sides. This case has a good, reasonably grippy feel. Those who do not like the feel of smooth plastic against their palm may not dig it, but it feels pretty good to me. .
The buttons are perfectly lined up, and very very clicky. One cool thing about the volume buttons: instead of being one big rocker style button for VOL up/down (many cases "join" the two buttons), the Poetic Affinity case keeps them separated just as the phone was designed. It looks sharp and deliberate, and provides some useful tactile feedback.
The TPU around the frame and the rails along the back ensure that your phone will stay put wherever you set it, which is nice.
The ports are almost all lined up perfectly (more on that in a sec). The SPen port seems wide open, which is pretty common for cases of this type. The bottom speaker, instead of being a cutout, is 8 holes drilled or molded or whatever into the case. They don't really line up with the actual speaker holes (at least in mine). But I have tried with and without the case, and I cannot tell any difference in the sound, so it doesn't seem to be a big deal. It isn't to me, anyway. But it will be to someone, which is really the only reason I mention it.
The clear polycarbonate gets smudged up with fingerprints in no time, I wipe mine prerry frequently.
The combination of polycarbonate and strategically placed TPU seems pretty sturdy. I feel like my phone is adequately protected against day to day hazards. The case feels solid, complete and protective. The placement of the TPU seems designed to protect well against average corner drops or flat drops onto the front or back.
In conclusion, if you want a phone case that protects you from everyday hazards, and showcases as it encases, this is a good one to comsider. It is not at all expensive, and seems to offer protection that is definitely a cut above most "budget" cases I have seen. I have mentioned a couple of things that may give some people misgivings about this product (smooth plastic back, misaligned speaker holes), but for me neither of these things is a deal breaker, or even a significant concern. Your mileage may vary, etc. I like this case quite a bit.
Product arrived in a timely manner. Packaging was plain, I'm assuming it was non-retail. There were no markings or branding of any kind. No instructions, either. Not that they were really needed I guess, but I would assume that a retail purchase would be packaged, and not arrive in a plain padded envelope.
The case by itself looks, well, clear. Mine is clear with opaque rubber (TPU, Poetic calls it). I guess a model with black TPU is available. I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the case, because I'm not, but it is kind of unremarkable to look at. And I don't think that's a bad thing. After all, this case is designed to show off the phone, not just to show off. And that is apparent when it's actually on the phone. It hugs the shape of the device and doesn't compete for your attention.
The case is made of rigid plastic. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of hard cases, as I feel they can be rough on phones. But, the note 5 has an aluminum frame instead of the Standard issue Samsung chromed plastic. And there is clearish rubber around the frame as well as the lip that goes over the screen. It is along the sides as well. That made me feel better about it being a rigid plastic.
The case is one piece that pops in firmly but easily enough. Let me tell you, this baby is snug! And I mean that in a good way. Takes a little doing to get it out once it's in (again, I hope the retail packaging has instructions, in case there's some "trick" to it). But this thing really hugs the phone tightly. Solid fit. There is a very thin lip over and around the merest edge of the screen which holds the case on. It's a pretty impressive design, because the case basically clips onto the aluminum frame, leaving the entirety of the screen exposed. But there is no fear of the phone popping out of this case.
There is a slight lip that keeps the screem from coming in contact with the table when placed face down. A slight lip, but it is there, even with a glass screen protector on my phone.
It's made of clear polycarbonate with a clearish TPU on the corners, around the screen and in two raised rails running the long way down the back. It is comfortable in the hand, allowing the holder to feel the contours of the phone without adding bulk.
Along the sides, there are upraised ridges for grip. Which is good, because the smooth polycarbonate could feel a bit slippy if not for the TPU rails on the back, rubber around the lip of the case and ridges on the sides. This case has a good, reasonably grippy feel. Those who do not like the feel of smooth plastic against their palm may not dig it, but it feels pretty good to me. .
The buttons are perfectly lined up, and very very clicky. One cool thing about the volume buttons: instead of being one big rocker style button for VOL up/down (many cases "join" the two buttons), the Poetic Affinity case keeps them separated just as the phone was designed. It looks sharp and deliberate, and provides some useful tactile feedback.
The TPU around the frame and the rails along the back ensure that your phone will stay put wherever you set it, which is nice.
The ports are almost all lined up perfectly (more on that in a sec). The SPen port seems wide open, which is pretty common for cases of this type. The bottom speaker, instead of being a cutout, is 8 holes drilled or molded or whatever into the case. They don't really line up with the actual speaker holes (at least in mine). But I have tried with and without the case, and I cannot tell any difference in the sound, so it doesn't seem to be a big deal. It isn't to me, anyway. But it will be to someone, which is really the only reason I mention it.
The clear polycarbonate gets smudged up with fingerprints in no time, I wipe mine prerry frequently.
The combination of polycarbonate and strategically placed TPU seems pretty sturdy. I feel like my phone is adequately protected against day to day hazards. The case feels solid, complete and protective. The placement of the TPU seems designed to protect well against average corner drops or flat drops onto the front or back.
In conclusion, if you want a phone case that protects you from everyday hazards, and showcases as it encases, this is a good one to comsider. It is not at all expensive, and seems to offer protection that is definitely a cut above most "budget" cases I have seen. I have mentioned a couple of things that may give some people misgivings about this product (smooth plastic back, misaligned speaker holes), but for me neither of these things is a deal breaker, or even a significant concern. Your mileage may vary, etc. I like this case quite a bit.
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