I don't own one but my brother does...and I don't know what it is but the glowing edges when one of the assigned contacts calls is mesmerizing (the flowy glowy thingy). Don't know why anyone on their right minds would put this phone screen down on any surface (risking scratches), but still.
I haven't seen any minimalist cases, but the one from Samsung seems to be pretty good and bare-bones, while still looking decent.
The one thing I don't like about it is, ironically, the edges. The reflection there is just too noticeable for me. My brother doesn't seem to mind, but I do. It's like an 'in your face' kinda thing.