Do I need a case and/or Screen protector for my NEW MAXX?

[PDX97229]

Westiemom pretty much answered the question. I have never tried the Incipio, but read plenty of reviews and comparisons to the Otterbox. If you dont want the bulk but want more protection consider the Incipio or one of the others Westiemom suggested. Read the reviews and decide for yourself.
Im not sure how easy it is to slip off the Qmadix, Speck or Incipio, but i know the Otterbox defender takes a little bit of time to take off. The Diztronic just pops off no problem, but i wouldnt rely on it to protect your glass if you drop the phone. I have now dropped mine with the Otterbox defender from 4+' a few times, twice on concrete, once on pavement and once off the counter onto ceramic tile with no problems. Guess i am rough on phones. I had my Droid X for over 3 years with just a TPU (Diztronic style) case and it got dropped a lot and i work in industrial environments and dropped it a few times and never had an issue. The Maxx is a different phone with the edge to edge glass and the bigger size screen etc. I probably would still be using the Diztronic, but after the debacle of dealing with the Insurance company for the new phone, i decided to go with the Otterbox. Would the Diztronic have made it through all of the drops since? Dont know and glad i didnt have to find out. Good luck with your choice.

Thanks for your response. I looked into the different cases mentioned and decided to go to the Verizon store so I could try them on the phone. I liked the looks on the Incipio, but the Speck was easier on/off because it isn't 2 pieces. It also protects the screen better if the phone falls face down, and has a better grip. Since it was 20% off on their website it was within the price of the Incipio by $1, so I ordered the Speck. If it wasn't for the comments on this forum I wouldn't have even looked at the Speck, so thanks to everyone who took the time to respond.

 

[Westiemom]

Do you have any suggestions for a screen protector? I have been looking at the Zagg Invisible Shield because of their reputation. The Verizon store offered me a non-glare 3 pack for the same price as the single Zagg. It got me thinking. The screen is very high gloss, and I remember from my old Palm days how difficult the screen was to read in bright light. Can you shed any light on the subject? (Pun intended)

I don't use a screen protector, never have. I hate how they look and feel so I can't offer any advice there. I know others can though.


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[doogald]

Do you have any suggestions for a screen protector? I have been looking at the Zagg Invisible Shield because of their reputation. The Verizon store offered me a non-glare 3 pack for the same price as the single Zagg. It got me thinking. The screen is very high gloss, and I remember from my old Palm days how difficult the screen was to read in bright light. Can you shed any light on the subject? (Pun intended)

If you are thinking Zagg, I would instead buy a Skinomi screen protector. It's the same wet apply, though I find that the solution that they ship allows you to move the protector into place better than the Zagg solution when it is wet. More importantly, the Skinomi fits perfectly, while I have read that the Zagg is what they call "case friendly", so it doesn't stretch all the way to the left and right edges of the display. That would drive me nuts.

 

[neurotoxiq]

I wouldn't mind adding a case to my maxx if I could find one that didn't add too much mass or depth to it. Unfortunately this hasn't been the case yet. The bumper case from Verizon is the best imo but still makes the phone way fatter than I would like. Screen protector is necessary is you store your phone in your pocket or use it a lot.

 

[neurotoxiq]

Also, don't get the qmadix case unless you want your phone to look like a vhs tape. Bought it from the ac shop and regretted it immediately.

 

[skatergirl]

I do not own the Incipio, but my husband had one on his previous phone and he loved it. But I'm not sure about the screen protection on the Dualpro, I am just familiar with the way the case is made in two layers. The Speck is also two layers but they are fused together (the soft silicone is fused to the hard outer shell) so it is just one piece that you pop your phone into. It has a very good lip around the screen so that you can lay your phone face down without worry. But I think the Incipio does too, but it might not be as high a lip.

As for corner protection I know that the Speck is excellent on the corners, but I think the Incipio is probably too. All-in-all both cases are excellent, so it boils down to which one you like the looks of better I think. I will say the only gripe I have with the Speck is that it doesn't come up over the "chin" of the Maxx or Ultra, and I really like a case that does that. But all the other attributes of the case are excellent.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either really. I think Skatergirl has the Incipio Dualpro so if she sees this maybe she can chime in on it some more. I also think you can find some of her posts about cases in the Maxx forum.

Oh, and thanks for the compliment to my doggy pic. That is actually a friend's little girl Westie. I have two boys who would be appalled if I dressed them up like that! Haha! But I always threaten to if they don't behave!

I do use the Incipio DualPro and I love it!!

 

[johnnyshinta]

I am one of those people that switch cases often. Can this hurt my maxx?

 

[Westiemom]

I am one of those people that switch cases often. Can this hurt my maxx?

No, don't see how it would. I have always changed cases a lot on my phones and it has never hurt. In fact, I think it is good to remove a case frequently and wipe your phone down. Dust and dirt can get trapped in the case and build up.

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[johnnyshinta]

No, don't see how it would. I have always changed cases a lot on my phones and it has never hurt. In fact, I think it is good to remove a case frequently and wipe your phone down. Dust and dirt can get trapped in the case and build up.

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Fair point on the dust and dirt. These things are just so expensive that I worry more than I need to.

 

[PDX97229]

If you are thinking Zagg, I would instead buy a Skinomi screen protector. It's the same wet apply, though I find that the solution that they ship allows you to move the protector into place better than the Zagg solution when it is wet. More importantly, the Skinomi fits perfectly, while I have read that the Zagg is what they call "case friendly", so it doesn't stretch all the way to the left and right edges of the display. That would drive me nuts.

OK, I'll look into it. Thanks

 

[PDX97229]

If you are thinking Zagg, I would instead buy a Skinomi screen protector. It's the same wet apply, though I find that the solution that they ship allows you to move the protector into place better than the Zagg solution when it is wet. More importantly, the Skinomi fits perfectly, while I have read that the Zagg is what they call "case friendly", so it doesn't stretch all the way to the left and right edges of the display. That would drive me nuts.

Actually Zagg has 2 versions for the same price. One is case friendly (doesn't go all the way to the edge), and the other one does go to the edge. After buying the Speck Candy Shell Grip case I wonder if an edge to edge screen protector would start to pull up at the corners from putting the case on. The good news is since the Maxx doesn't have a micro SD card or replaceable battery I can't think of any reason to take the case off, so I would only have to put it on once.

 

[PDX97229]

OK, so my new case is on & I have reviewed all the suggestions on this thread for a screen protector. I then did an extensive search of reviews for the protectors recommended. Two hours later my head is spinning. Every review for one brand includes a reference to one or more other brands. Sometimes the "other" brand is better, sometimes it isn't. Just when I thought I had figured it out I discovered several posts later that the poster I was relying on really didn't know what they were talking about, or they were raving about the product because all the others they had tried before were crap to begin with. Now I wonder if the dry apply ones are better because I won't risk getting liquid into my speaker, or the wet ones are better because you can adjust the positioning. This whole cell phone thing is enough to make me want to go back to bed & pull the covers up over my head. Grrr. The fact that I tend to be indecisive isn't helping things any either. Here is where I am on the subject now.

• Verizon: I can get 3 at my local store and they will put it on for me. They will also guarantee it. Cost. $14.9?
• Zagg Invisible Shield: They have a new(er) HD version that may not have that "balloon" feel as one poster put it. It comes is 2 sizes, 1 edge to edge, the other is cut slightly smaller to allow for a case. While I do have a case I think I would prefer the edge to edge. I'm sure this is a much better protector than the Verizon, but I will have to install it. Installation doesn't really worry me, but I am concerned about the liquid. Cost $14.99 For the poster who suggested the Skinomi instead, my research has led me to believe the Zagg is better in the end. You may not agree.
  

I will watch this thread for a few more days to check on comments to my latest post. Maybe then I will be able to pick one. If not, I will either throw a dart at the 2 choices to see where it lands, or go back to bed & pull the covers over my head.

 

[vzwuser76]

Sorry about replying so late, holiday issues. I generally stay away from anti glare protectors because of reports of changing the way the screen looks. I believe I read that on amoled screens it gives it kind of a rainbow effect.

I can't speak on the newer Zagg since I haven't looked at them since that one I tried on my Incredible. The wet apply also worries me a bit. IIRC, in the instructions for the previous Zagg I used, they wanted you to remove the battery when applying it, so it wouldn't possibly short out the battery, and there's no way of doing that with this phone. I believe you were also supposed to leave it cure for 24 hours, which doesn't work if it's the only phone you have. The only plus I can see with wet apply is that in some cases if you mess up the install, you remove it, spray it down again and reapply.

With the clear Verizon screen protectors, I have never had any issues with it changing the look of the screen, most times I don't notice it's there. The only issue I can think of, and this is probably the same without a protector, is having to wipe off oil from the screen. But on my flip phones I had to wipe them down every so often. The company Steinheill I believe had one that minimized fingerprints and oils, but they also charged an arm and a leg for it (almost double the cost of the standard clear ones). Either way they lately only appear to be making them for Apple and Samsung phones, with a couple random ones here and there, so I doubt they even have one for the Ultra & Maxx phones. If anything they'd make one for the Moto X, since it's available on all carriers.

IMHO, I'd go with the clear ones from Verizon. You get three, and they're willing to install and guarantee them (mine are self applied since I live 200 miles from the nearest corporate store). I've never had a scratch make it through, and I think it adds strength if dropped. But I do try to baby my phones, hate seeing nicks and scratches on them, and that helps the resale value also. Hope that helps.

 

[pappy53]

The Verizon protectors are fingerprint magnets, much more than any other one that I have ever used. I have always used Zagg HD for my past phones with outstanding results, but I haven't seen an HD version for the Maxx. I am now using a Skinomi, and it has been great so far, with minimal prints.

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[vzwuser76]

The Verizon protectors are fingerprint magnets, much more than any other one that I have ever used. I have always used Zagg HD for my past phones with outstanding results, but I haven't seen an HD version for the Maxx. I am now using a Skinomi, and it has been great so far, with minimal prints.

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I went and read on the skinomi protector, and everything sounds identical to the Zagg I had previously used, the same materials used to protect helicopter blades and so on. The install instructions are exactly the same as well, right down to recommending battery removal and a cure time of 12-24 hours if possible. I'd be curious to try it to see if it's still got that "finger across a balloon" feel when swiping that my Zagg had.

Yes the Verizon ones catch fingerprints, but so does going without a protector. So these ones from Zagg and Skinomi are reducing the oil and fingerprints? They must be using something similar to what Steinheill was using on theirs.

 

[Unobtanium]

OK, so my new case is on & I have reviewed all the suggestions on this thread for a screen protector. I then did an extensive search of reviews for the protectors recommended. Two hours later my head is spinning....

• Verizon: I can get 3 at my local store and they will put it on for me. They will also guarantee it. Cost. $14.9?
• Zagg Invisible Shield: ... Installation doesn't really worry me, but I am concerned about the liquid. Cost $14.99 For the poster who suggested the Skinomi instead, my research has led me to believe the Zagg is better in the end. You may not agree....
  

I will watch this thread for a few more days to check on comments to my latest post. Maybe then I will be able to pick one. If not, I will either throw a dart at the 2 choices to see where it lands, or go back to bed & pull the covers over my head.

On my HTC Thunderbolt, I started with the Verizon protectors. I instantly disliked them - they are fingerprint magnets and I could not keep them clean, they always seemed cloudy. I went with Zagg because (1) I could pick it up at retail, and (2) the retailer matched Zagg's on-line MSRP (they had it priced $5.00 more for some reason). The Zagg feels different under the fingers; to me it's a "better" feel , but that is VERY subjective. YMMV.

I have applied and used Zagg on my kid's iPod 4 and on my work iPhone. Back when I carried a Blackberry, my employer supplied an Otterbox, and so I have just been used to screen protectors for a long time. I have had no issues with the wet application on any device; other than the Thunderbolt, none have removable batteries. In addition to the instructions, I apply them with the phone on a "bed" of paper towels to help catch the liquid when you squeegee it out.

When I first got the Maxx, Zagg didn't have a screen protector yet, and I had also recently acquired a Sero 7 Tablet and a touch-screen laptop. Skinomi had protectors for all three available. I have found that the "cure time" is longer as the screens get larger. I applied the Maxx Skinomi at bed-time and the phone was usable the next morning, but it still took a little time for the initial "micro cloud" - the screen looks pixelated - to clear up. Probably about 24 hours.

It took about 48 hours to clear up on the tablet, and about 72 on the computer, thought there was a small spot that took longer. The one on the computer seems to be MUCH more of a dust magnet than the other two. Don't know why.

Having used both Zagg and Skinomi, I would say they are comparable products, with comparable warranty policies, though I am sure the two companies would disagree.

 

[sforsyth01]

I agree...Zagg and Skinomi are comparable products. I think the Skinomi is easier to put on and a little clearer. What made my decision is a Zagg is $15-$30 depending on where you get it and a Skinomi can be had on Amazon from between $2 and $8. Big savings there for a slightly better product.

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[PDX97229]

The Verizon protectors are fingerprint magnets, much more than any other one that I have ever used. I have always used Zagg HD for my past phones with outstanding results, but I haven't seen an HD version for the Maxx. I am now using a Skinomi, and it has been great so far, with minimal prints.

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How long have you been using the Skinomi? They currently have a 60% off coupon.

 

[PDX97229]

I agree...Zagg and Skinomi are comparable products. I think the Skinomi is easier to put on and a little clearer. What made my decision is a Zagg is $15-$30 depending on where you get it and a Skinomi can be had on Amazon from between $2 and $8. Big savings there for a slightly better product.

Posted via Android Central App

How long have you been using the Skinomi? If I purchase before Jan. 1 I can save 60%!

 

[pappy53]

How long have you been using the Skinomi? They currently have a 60% off coupon.

About a month. And I might add that it feels very smooth.

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