Pixel 2 XL Cases: Spigen Liquid Crystal vs. Ringke Crystal Clear

[PowrDroid]

I like clear, transparent, minimalist cases. I think I've dropped my phones twice in the last ten years, so I'm not looking for drop protection, I'm looking for a better grip on the phone, looking to reduce the slipperiness of the phone.

I've had my Spigen Liquid Crystal case for my Pixel 2 XL for about 13 months now. It's getting yellow. I hate that when that happens. How yellow? See photos.

I figured I'd try another brand and see how it performs. I selected the Ringke Crystal Clear case.

I removed my phone from the Spigen case and while I was holding the Spigen in one hand and the Ringke in the other, I thought I noticed the Spigen seemed thicker. Visual inspection of the corners on both units seemed to confirm the Spigen was thicker. I weighed each case on a digital scale and, yep, the Spigen was heavier.

Spigen = 39 grams
Ringke = 29 grams

Another thing I noticed was a completely unnecessary opening in the bottom left corner of the Ringke case. There is absolutely nothing behind the case on the Pixel 2 XL that would benefit from this opening or cutout. Unfortunately I believe it will make a nice lint-catching trap. We'll see.

In this photo you can see the amount of yellowing the Spigen case acquired after a little over a year of use. I presume exposure to sunlight would have made it worse. Good thing my phone is usually in my pocket. Also I live in Minnesota so the sun is sometimes absent.




Here is a photo showing the cutout in the Ringke case. Click to enlarge.




Here is a photo taken from the Ringke website for the Ringke case showing the cutout as seen with case installed on a Pixel 2 XL.



If anyone has any questions or comments, fire away.

 

[hallux]

When I got my phone last year I actually bought one of each of these cases (they're cheap). I tried the Ringke and wasn't thrilled with it, I liked the feel of the Spigen MUCH more, to the point that I bought a second for the inevitable yellowing (which is starting on my first one after a year).

 

[Ben_70]

I've had both the Spigen which turned yellow after a few months and the Ringke clear hybrid which had the edges turn yellow (where it is TPU). The solution to the problem for me was the Ringke hybrid with dark grey edges (shown in the last photo of the 1st post). The hybrid has a clear plastic back which does not yellow so you can still see the panda design.
That little cutout at the bottom side of the Ringke I believe is supposed to be for a wrist strap.

 

[NMCynthia]

I bought a Speck clear case for my white P2 at Christmas 2017. It's still crystal clear. It saved my phone last summer when I accidentally drove over it with my riding lawnmower. Lint does get in the hole for the phone charger, but it's no big deal to take the case off every couple of months or so to wipe down the phone and case with an alcohol wipe. It is rather slippery, though. I have one of those finger rings on the back of the case, which I love (I have arthritis, and it just helps).

 

[GSDer]

It saved my phone last summer when I accidentally drove over it with my riding lawnmower.

You had the mower in 'cutting' mode at the time you drove over it?

 

[Ben_70]

I bought a Speck clear case for my white P2 at Christmas 2017. It's still crystal clear. It saved my phone last summer when I accidentally drove over it with my riding lawnmower. Lint does get in the hole for the phone charger, but it's no big deal to take the case off every couple of months or so to wipe down the phone and case with an alcohol wipe. It is rather slippery, though. I have one of those finger rings on the back of the case, which I love (I have arthritis, and it just helps).

You don't find the power & volume buttons very hard to press with this case? I tried it out and hated it for this reason. It's also really bulky.

 

[PowrDroid]

That little cutout at the bottom side of the Ringke I believe is supposed to be for a wrist strap.

Yeah, maybe if dental floss was the material used for the strap.

 

[J Dubbs]

I'm using a Spigen ultra hybrid clear case and I love it, it has amazing button feel and fit, looks amazing with no yellowing after about 5 and a half months, and gives great drop protection and grip without making the phone feel overly bulky. It feels extremely high quality compared to some other brands I've tried.

I also picked up a smoked version of the Ringke clear case because I read they hide the yellowing better while still showing off the phone, but I haven't used it yet.

 

[usedtolovephones]

My ringke smoke gives a blue hue in sunlight. Which I'm not sure I like that much.

 

[B. Diddy]

Nice comparison! I also agree with Ben_70 -- that cutout is for a wrist strap/lanyard.

 

[Eric The Duke]

Yeah, maybe if dental floss was the material used for the strap.

Wrist straps are usually made in 2 parts. A thinner material that goes through the hole on the case and a thicker material that actually goes around your wrist.

 

[PowrDroid]

Nice comparison! I also agree with Ben_70 -- that cutout is for a wrist strap/lanyard.

Can't be. It's way too small.

 

[dennis246]

I have the Ringke Clear Smoke Case for my Black Pixel 2. Now over a year old and still looks like new. The Clear-Smoke design allows for seeing every detail on the phone but the small addition of "smoke" keeps the case looking like new. Highly recommend the Ringke Clear-Smoke Case.

 

[B. Diddy]

Can't be. It's way too small.

I thought it was something like this: https://helpguide.sony.net/dsc/1620/v1/en/contents/TP0000586708.html


EDIT: Here you go, this is confirmation: http://www.ringke.com/site/brand.php?id=20&item=557

 

[PowrDroid]

I thought it was something like this: https://helpguide.sony.net/dsc/1620/v1/en/contents/TP0000586708.html


EDIT: Here you go, this is confirmation: Ringke.com

It's a "finger lanyard".