Case-Mate Barely There case?

[dooksuks]

I have zero trouble using the power button. It's actually easier than hitting it with the Innocase II on due to the button not actually being surrounded by the case.

 

[bubbatex]

I have zero trouble using the power button. It's actually easier than hitting it with the Innocase II on due to the button not actually being surrounded by the case.

Thanks - but someone on another forum was complaining about the "lip" getting in the way. But the picts above do not make it look that way.

 

[azkevman]

I received my 'barely there' case today. Super fast shipping. Ordered it on Monday around 11:15 am, and it was delivered at 10:30 am today. That is less than 48 hours from back east to Phoenix...and for free. Just can't beat that.

The material quality is excellent. It truly does not add any additional bulk to the phone, and still slips easily into the OEM HTC leather case. The protection of the camera lens is perfect, and I think every case should use this slightly raised design to protect the lens.

Looking at the device sitting on a table you really can not even tell there is a case on it. It is really that slim. It is truly 'barely there'.

This case however will have some drawbacks. The most obvious one is that this case will provide only basic protection, such as scratch protection. It most likely will provide very little protection if the device was to be dropped on a hard surface. However anyone ordering this case should have known that upfront as it is easy to assume that from the pictures and description on Case-Mate's website.

Another concern I have is that while the case is not a loose fit, there does seem to be some play to it that I am keeping an eye on. Basically holding the phone in one hand and pressing slightly down on either side of the screen I can feel the phone compressing into the case and then back out upon release.I expected a better fit in terms of this. I also notice that the right side of my phone seems to sit deeper in the case than the left, which corresponds to there being more play when I press on the left side of the phone.

Even with the issues above, this is still one of the best cases I have tried for the EVO so far.

It should also be noted that the case in no way inhibits the use of any of the buttons on the EVO. Also because of the back cover protection you will lose the design aspect of seeing the red aluminum ring around the camera lens, as well as having the HTC logo visible, which will be common losses with most cases.

I also believe that due to the slim profile of the case, that it will not cause any issues with OEM docks/cradles, but we will have to wait and see on that.

Overall I am very pleased with this case, and imagine it will be the case I stick with for quite some time.

 

[pedromartinez1983]

Grabbed my fiancee's point and shoot.. not great pics, but all I could do with it.

what kind of material is on the inside of the case ? Is it plastic

 

[azkevman]

what kind of material is on the inside of the case ? Is it plastic

Yes, the entire case has that matte rubberized feel to it, inside and out.

 

[aweedman]

Decent

I've been through the Sprint Silicon Gel Case and the Body Glove Case. This one is my favorite out of the three.

The only issue I have is the ridge around the side where it meets the back side is a little annoying. Where that ridge hits the bottom of the case around to the other side happens to be where I hold my pinkie finger. It's pretty sharp and uncomfortable. I guess I need to learn how to hold my phone differently, like the iPhone.

I do like the "nipple" around the camera lens. I managed to scratch up the lens pretty good for the week or two between cases. This is the best design that I've seen so far. In fact, I think that HTC should have built the phone back like this in the first place. Then, no case would be needed. I know Apple's going through a lot of grief right now (which they deserve) but you have to think that if Apple designers had submitted mock ups of the camera like the Evo, someone there would have the common sense to realize that it's not a good idea.

 

[eagle63]

Just got this case today. Seems good so far, but I do have a question for others who have it: how the F do you get the included screen protector to apply without getting bubbles everywhere? Are all self-adhesive protectors like this, or is this one just crappy?

 

[eagle63]

Just got this case today. Seems good so far, but I do have a question for others who have it: how the F do you get the included screen protector to apply without getting bubbles everywhere? Are all self-adhesive protectors like this, or is this one just crappy?

Ok, I think I discovered the problem. The screen protector comes with a "shield" that protects each side. The directions tell you to first remove the 1st shield (which is labeled with a sticker), apply the protector, and then finally remove the 2nd shield. When I removed the 2nd shield, I noticed that the sticky side was up. In other words, I applied it upside down! However, this was because they mislabeled the 2 shields. I called case-mate and they promptly agreed to mail me a new one.

I tried reinstalling the shield with the correct (sticky) side down, but it was kinda too late - lots of fingerprints at that point, and it had lost some stickiness.

 

[Nate#AC]

I ended up ordering the Barely There case. After a few days I'm very happy with it compared to my HTC Silicon Gel case. It's so much more pocket friendly and really does feel like you're using it bare.

The included screen protector is of nice quality also, but as some others have discovered installation can be a bit tricky. If you screw up and get dust underneath when applying, simply lift up and dab scotch tape underneath to remove any dust. Also, when you remove the last sticker, if you end up just tearing the sticker off leaving the gunk behind like I did -- relax because that sticker was attached to another protective layer which you can remove.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

For those looking for a bit more protection, this case looks interesting:

Hybrid flexi skin for HTC EVO 4G breaks up case monotony

Certainly not as thin as the barely there case, but it looks reasonable, and does appear to protect the camera lens.

 

[Shawheim]

that looks nice

 

[mogirlnfl]

I ordered the CM Barely There case today... I can't wait to get it! I had purchased the Rocketfish black gel case from BB last week when I got my phone and can't stand it. I attempted to use it twice and it only lasted for an hour or two each time. Hitting the power button as often as we have to became annoying with that case. How long did you have to wait for the case to arrive?

 

[gadgetluva]

The only one I can think of that *might* fit those requirements is this:

HTC Evo 4G Rubberized Shield Snap On Hard Case Black

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like it might have a small lip. It's only $7 so it might be worth a try

That looks like the one I got off of eBay, it does lift the screen up slightly.

 

[Nate#AC]

I ordered the CM Barely There case today... I can't wait to get it! I had purchased the Rocketfish black gel case from BB last week when I got my phone and can't stand it. I attempted to use it twice and it only lasted for an hour or two each time. Hitting the power button as often as we have to became annoying with that case. How long did you have to wait for the case to arrive?

I ordered mine on a Wednesday, it was shipped the same day using the free USPS First Class option, and it arrived on that Saturday.

 

[StraightWisdom]

I like the CM for a little bit extra camera lens protection.. but I have a few of the ebay ones that are similar to the CM and they're great. They were cheaper and had more color options.

The ones from ebay do have a little lip on the edge of it, so if you were to lay the phone screen down, it wouldn't be touching the surface.

Also, while laying it on a clean flat surface, there is clearance so the lens wont be harmed. I know this because I laid it flat on it's back and used a LED flash light to shine it underneath the case and you can see that there is little clearance and the lens is ok.

 

[lembowski]

The cheap ones from ebay also leave a paint residue on the EVO after using for awhile. I have a few red faint lines on the back of my phone from the ebay one. My Barely There is of much better quality, and doesn't do that.

 

[srfcrzy]

The cheap ones from ebay also leave a paint residue on the EVO after using for awhile. I have a few red faint lines on the back of my phone from the ebay one.

I got this when I tried a hot pink one off ebay that looks a lot like the CM barely there. I decided to take it off cuz I couldn't fit my EVO in my slim, leather slip case and was like wtf?

Other than the obvious higher quality material and lens opening, any other difference between these two? Like, is the CM Barely There any slimmer or sleaker? It's hard to imagine it being more slim fitting.

Am considering the CM now...

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

The case mate fits awesome and still fits in the HTC Messenger case, but it's a snug fit for sure.

 

[dagone12]

The cheap ones from ebay also leave a paint residue on the EVO after using for awhile. I have a few red faint lines on the back of my phone from the ebay one. My Barely There is of much better quality, and doesn't do that.

same here...

I also tried the TPU route but those cases sometimes catch dirt in them and scratch the phone a bit.

 

[dcfella]

I got this case over the weekend. It's a great fit and retains the slim feel of the phone. I had a TPU case but it seems so much bulkier compared to the casemate.

This case won't offer as much protection, but I think it'll do fine against scratches and minor drops. The screen protector it comes with is nice too. I tried the Zagg and free stealthguaurdz, and this one is MUCH better. not really noticible in look, and feels like glass still when you use it.