Spigen SGP Slim Armor case for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Infinity White)

The Spigen SGP Slim Armor case for Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I am not going to talk about the technology used in the making of this case, or post any links. If you google this up, you will find that it costs $20 to $25 on Amazon.

Not going to do any "unboxing" videos. Here is the Classic White Samsung Galaxy Note 3 in the Infinity White SGP Slim Armor. Also not that the lip is actually quite pronounced - around 0.5mm to 1mm, which translate to very good protection should you phone fall face down onto flat surfaces. 

I have to admit that it might look better in other colors such as glossy red, blue or black. All the colors have catchy names like Crimson Red but whatever, they are all glossy. The only one that is not glossy finished is the "Metal Slate" - which is sort of like a brushed aluminium finishing. That is the one that I really want but it seems like Spigen is really having issues getting the stocks out and I am certainly not going to let my phone wander around naked longer than I have to.

Back to the glossy Infinity White, it might look better if the phone is black, the clashing of colors here (I know there is only 2 in this context) is kind of... tacky.

It does look cool on the rear though.

This case also fixes the issue of the camera jutting out, by you know, making the phone thicker than the camera module.

No complaints with the cut out on the stylus slot. Notice the small raised lip connected to the cut out for the stylus - those are on all four edges, which elevates the phone off the table so that the hard, glossy polycarbonate piece does not get scratched.

Other cut outs are fine as well, with plenty of room for the USB 3.0 "micro"USB port.

Cut outs on top for the 3.5mm audio jack, noise cancellation mic, IR blaster aaaand a random cut out for the top right edge of the phone. Because they can. 

Buttons are really tactile, but that's also because Samsung actually made the buttons really pronounced on the phone itself.

A shot of the empty casing which innards are wrapped around the Galaxy Note 3.

The raised lip around the screen is tall enough that I am certain it will protect the screen should the phone falls face down onto any flat surfaces. It is pretty obvious that the casing is of high quality from the pictures above. The soft touch TPU casing is amazing to the palm/fingers. I would not object to a casing made entirely of that.

However, Spigen added a polycarbonate to stiffen up the case which I really love. It makes the phone feels much more solid. It adds much needed heft and thickness to the phone which really makes it feel more premium than the naked phone. I know Samsungs have always feel cheap, but the Note 3, with its textured back is actually pretty decent. This casing however, takes the phone to a whole new level.

The only down side to that glossy surface is that it is a oil/smudge/fingerprint magnet. It might not be that obvious on the glossy white, but I figure it might be an issue with other colors.

Let's wrap up with a pros and cons list:

Pros

- Nice soft touch TPU case.

- Stiff polycarbonate snap on lends the phone a really premium feel.

- Much cheaper at $20 from Amazon or RM110 from Colorheart on Lowyat forums, compared to cases like the Otterbox series but still feels that it can take a few drops and bumps.

- Elevated on the rear to protect the polycarbonate snap on from scratches when sitting on a table.

- Adds much needed heft and thickness to the phone - eliminating the floating sensation navigating this phone, especially with one hand.

Cons

- Glossy polycarbonate case feels oily after a while and needs a wipe down every now and then. It also feels like it will scratch, and scratches might show quite obviously.

- Very little availability in Malaysia - you won't see it in shops for quite some time.

- Might be a little too heavy for some - feels like it doubles the weight of the phone.