iPhone 6 and 6 Plus case/bumper options

[CZroe]

I still haven't been able to find a product like the SGP Skin Guard leather skin with logo-cut-out that I had for my iPhone 4 in 2011 (this thing).

Sure, it doesn't provide impact protection, but it worked great with the free Apple-brand bumper and provided scratch protection with a premium leather feel even better than the Galaxy Note 3 (my phone for the last year). It's thin and looks stock due to the logo cut-out. That same trick could be used to let me have a truly white or black iPhone 6 Plus, as opposed to Satin Silver, Space Gray, and Gold bodies offered from Apple. It would also neatly hide the antenna cut-outs everyone hates.

It wasn't only available in leather. SGP (now known as Spigen) also had carbon fiber. The closest thing I can find for iPhone 6 Plus is the carbon fiber "MilitarySheld" from ArmorSuit. It has the logo cut-out but it isn't designed to work with bumpers from what I can tell. I really want to see leather, so I just emailed them about it:

I recently purchased an iPhone 6 Plus. I was disappointed that I could not find a product similar to the SGP Skin Guard leather skin I had for the iPhone 4 back in 2010/2011. Unlike the Zagg LEATHERskins product my twin brother used, it was thin and the logo actually made it appear that the back of the phone was originally made of leather, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 I have enjoyed using for the last year. It also worked well with the official iPhone 4 bumper case from Apple.

SGP did sell carbon fiber versions with logo cut-outs very similar to what you sell now. They are now known as Spigen and they no longer sell leather skins or skins with logo cut-outs. You may have noticed that Samsung has been making fake leather backs on many of their devices for a "premium" feel, but this "premium" perception only works when the device appears to have been made that way (exposed logos, no added bulk, etc). I believe that they are on to something.

This is a market here I believe you could address. There are people who HATE the plastic antenna cut-outs but don't want to hide their phone in a case. There are others who want black, white, etc instead of gray, silver or gold. I believe you could even sell your products to people who use products from other companies if you designed a skin small enough to fit with their bumpers. With that, you could provide scratch protection (adhesive film), premium feel (leather), alternative color options (white/black), and a factory look (logo cut-out). Please consider such a product. Spigen does not include a compatible clear skin for the front or the back of their Neo Hybrid EX bumpers, which I believe is an oversight. Zagg, a company that built their brand on their "InvisibleShield" product line, includes a glass screen protector with their Orbit bumper case but still forgets to include a skin for the back. Just because I elected to use a bumper does not mean that I don't want scratch protection on the back!

I have a Spigen Neo Hybrid EX METAL bumper and one of your carbon fiber skins on the way though I would have much preferred black or black leather. I do not know if they will even fit together but I will cut the skin if I have to.

 

[CZroe]

I'm happy with my Neo Hybrid. I'd prefer the metal, but I don't like the logo cutout. Wish they had a version without that.

They do. It's called the Neo Hybrid EX METAL. It's a bumper case with the entire front and back exposed. Throw an InvisibleShield or something on there.

 

[zokudu]

Broke down and ordered an otter box commuter. I don't mind the increased bulk but this Spigen Slim Armor is just not working for me so I decided to go for a known quantity.

 

[purbeast0]

Broke down and ordered an otter box commuter. I don't mind the increased bulk but this Spigen Slim Armor is just not working for me so I decided to go for a known quantity.

please give feedback after you get that. my wife needs an otterbox cause her shit will break without one. reviews of the otterbox so far are not good though.

 

[Anonemous]

Just got my IP6 Spigen Thin Fit A (with a clear Logo window). Looks pretty nice but gonna be 2-4 weeks before I get my IP6.

 

[Ichinisan]

I'm waiting on the i6+ version of this case.

http://www.shophex.com/shop/cases/iphone-6/solo-wallet-for-iphone-6-black-leather

I can't really find a different wallet case I like and have been using the i5 version of this case for a couple of years.

What happens if you try to use Apple Pay NFC and the card reader keeps reading one of your RFID credit cards instead?

Also, I really don't like that case. It exposes the edges too much. There's never been any shortage of ugly "storage" type cases for other iPhones.

 

[bearxor]

What happens if you try to use Apple Pay NFC and the card reader keeps reading one of your RFID credit cards instead?

That's an excellent question and if I ever get a RFID credit card I'll let you know. But don't hold your breath for it because that's not likely to happen anytime soon.

Also, I really don't like that case. It exposes the edges too much. There's never been any shortage of ugly "storage" type cases for other iPhones.

I agree with you if you look at it from just a case standpoint. But look at it from a card case standpoint. Most card cases are folio style, meaning they flip open and the cards go inside. That was out for me, I dont want to deal with a flap when I'm trying to take a picture or something. The vast majority of other ones are "storage compartment" cases where there's a door on the back or a sliding tray to let you store things. Those are too thick. I have an otterbox commuter wallet and the thing is just killer, thickness-wise.

So when it comes to slim-line card cases, your choices are very limited. Some still try to protect too much and end up too thick and some try to be too minimal and don't protect enough. The Hex case was the best compromise. I especially wanted something that didn't over the bottom because then you end up breaking some accessory docks. I would prefer the case cover the top and buttons but I never found a slimline card case for the 5/5S that met that requirement.

When I first got my 5, I had a setup much like I do now, with a slimline case with a protective back and a card ninja. I'm still on the lookout for a good 6+ card case but it looks like everyone is going to keep offering what they've offered in the past which means I'll still likely be looking at the Hex case when it gets released.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I got my stabilizers in from Spigen, and they make quite the difference. The power button went from being near worthless to actually working... so far.

How did you get them to ship actuators? I like this Slim Armor case for the 6 but the power button especially needs some help in the design.

 

[zokudu]

How did you get them to ship actuators? I like this Slim Armor case for the 6 but the power button especially needs some help in the design.

The actuators are only for the Neo Hybrid cases which have a different type of buttons. The Slim Armor is SOL.

 

[stlcardinals]

I still haven't been able to find a product like the SGP Skin Guard leather skin with logo-cut-out that I had for my iPhone 4 in 2011 ...

Have you looked at Apple's leather case? That's what I picked up at Best Buy this past weekend. I got the black one and I'm very happy with it.

 

[Ichinisan]

Have you looked at Apple's leather case? That's what I picked up at Best Buy this past weekend. I got the black one and I'm very happy with it.

I totally would - if it protected the bottom of the phone

 

[Ichinisan]

That's an excellent question and if I ever get a RFID credit card I'll let you know. But don't hold your breath for it because that's not likely to happen anytime soon.

Most people don't realize they already have RFID cards in their wallets.

 

[smackababy]

Thinking about getting a case. Dropped my phone last night onto tile! Not a single scratch, bend, or dent. I know that was my one free drop though. The next will shatter it completely!

 

[Anonemous]

Anybody getting the curved tempered glass protector?

http://www.iloome.com/iPhone/b/6180892011

 

[zokudu]

please give feedback after you get that. my wife needs an otterbox cause her shit will break without one. reviews of the otterbox so far are not good though.

Sorry this took so long to respond. Got the case yesterday. I would have given my Spigen Slim Armor a 4/10 for the terrible buttons and flimsy feelings. I would give this Otterbox Commuter a solid 7/10. It feels a lot more solid than the Spigen did and doesn't seem to add any additional bulk compared to putting on the Spigen. The texture on the back feels nice, the Spigen had none and was very slippery. The Otterbox covers the curved edges of the front glass while the Spigen did not. I like that but YMMV. I haven't found a protector that covers those curved edges so I'm glad the new case does. The buttons are a joy to press with this case. Super easy and give a solid click which my Spigen never did.

Biggest gripes with it are that the outter plastic shell does not fit great around the TPU interior shell. The top part is not sized properly or something. There's gaps where some of the outer shell meets the inner shell. I'll add pictures when I get home and have a camera. The bottom part of the case also gets very close to the home button meaning you knock into it every time you reach for it. Not a huge deal. Oh and the headphone jack is partially exposed, as well as the apple logo on the back like all the reviews say.

 

[purbeast0]

^^ cool man thanks for the feedback, pics would be cool too if you get a chance. no hurry because she won't have hers for a couple weeks still.

 

[Imported]

Spigen Slim Armor CS came in finally from Amazon.. its garbage. The sliding back sucks. It's being returned.

 

[bearxor]

Anybody getting the curved tempered glass protector?

http://www.iloome.com/iPhone/b/6180892011

There's a big thread on MacRumors about this one.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1788641

 

[Anonemous]

There's a big thread on MacRumors about this one.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1788641

Yea was following that thread. Seems like the glass is not really edge-edge it uses some kinda silicone or filler material to fill in the gaps at the edges.

 

[CZroe]

Have you looked at Apple's leather case? That's what I picked up at Best Buy this past weekend. I got the black one and I'm very happy with it.

It doesn't protect the bottom and cost WAAAAY too much for inferior looks and protection. It's hard to miss, which is why I addressed it in the OP...

I'd like to see the case and bumper options you intend to use OTHER than those Apple has already shared with us....

 

[CZroe]

Yea was following that thread. Seems like the glass is not really edge-edge it uses some kinda silicone or filler material to fill in the gaps at the edges.

Apple DID patent the continuous design thing for "fusing" materials with different compositions. :hmm:

 

[purbeast0]

so bumping this thread now that it's been out for a little bit. i'm wondering what cases you guys have that are somewhat heavy duty. not QUITE like an otterbox, but one that kind of offers a decent amount of protection. my wife tosses her phone in her purse and i want it to be something that will hold up nicely in a purse so it won't get all dinged up, and in case she drops it it will hold up somewhat. the case i have on mine is definitely too lightweight for her, so i just wanted to get opinions from you guys who have had em for a while now.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I bought the Apple leather case. I really like it. Thinnest case ive ever had on a phone.

What color is your iPhone and what color case?

 

[Herr Kutz]

I have the bb insignia on mine. Light grey around the edges and a clear (matte) black.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia...case&cp=2&lp=4

 

[Spineshank]

What color is your iPhone and what color case?

I have the space grey with the black leather. So its black on black.