Ordering Nexus 4: Case or Bumper?

[Doom4life]

So after going back and forth between buying a Surface Pro, Nexus 7 or Nexus 10, I've decided it's not the best time to buy either of them at the moment (as the Surface Pro will hopefully get Haswell towards the end of the year and the new Nexus 7 is rumored to be released in a few months) and instead buy a Nexus 4.

When I got my Galaxy Nexus in May of 2012, it was more of a forced upgrade as my carrier offered me to resign a new contract in lieu of repairing my HTC Incredible S for a fourth time (long story). I was excited to switch to the Nexus experience but it was a bit bittersweet as I new I was at the point in the year where new phones were only a few months out. So I bought the Galaxy Nexus with the intent to sell it and get the new Nexus phone when it came out.

Well that never happened as the GNex was a good phone, save for a few annoyances (not a huge fan of the AMOLED screen, quiet rear speaker and weaker WiFi compared to my old HTC). However, after elevating what the best choice is to spend my money, I honestly think the Nexus 4 would be a good choice.

However, I need some advice as to a bumper or case. I never thought of the OEM bumper until I had the phone in the cart. How is it? I saw a post or two about it damaging the chrome bezel (scratches and scuffs), is this a common occurrence? Any hard or silicon/plastic combo cases? I've seen some that have kickstands but they look way too bulky. I'd also prefer to enjoy the back design of the Nexus 4 as well

 

[CoMoNexus]

Here are the two that I use:

Rakuten.com - Evecase Heavy Duty Hybrid Case with Stand - Black (Silicone) / Black (PC) for Google LG Nexus 4/E960 -- This is a hard case within a silicone case. Both stick out from the screen about an 1/8 inch, which should protect it if it lands face down on a hard surface. The kickstand is okay but would be more useful if it held the N4 in landscape mode.

Rakuten.com - Poetic Slimbook Leather Case for Google Nexus 4 -- This is worth considering if you want a case that enables you to leave your wallet at home. The catch is that if you put in more than three cards, the magnetic flap won't stay shut.

 

[sropedia]

this seems to be what you're looking for, it's the best of both worlds, decent protection while still letting you see the back of the phone

Amazon.com: [Black] Google Nexus 4 Ringke [Fusion] The Best Selling Premium Hybrid Hard Case [Eco Package]: Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[greydarrah]

I've yet to see a single thread about someone breaking their phone while it was in a case.

 

[CoMoNexus]

I've yet to see a single thread about someone breaking their phone while it was in a case.

The other day, I forgot that I'd put it in my back pocket until I sat down. But it was fine, thanks to the Poetic Slimbook.

 

[chrispher86]

http://www.seidioonline.com/lg-nexus-4-convert-case-holster-black-p/bd4-hkr4lgn4.htm

It's a little expensive but well worth it

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[mr_nobody]

this seems to be what you're looking for, it's the best of both worlds, decent protection while still letting you see the back of the phone

Amazon.com: [Black] Google Nexus 4 Ringke [Fusion] The Best Selling Premium Hybrid Hard Case [Eco Package]: Cell Phones & Accessories

I bought this case on the recommendation of another forum member here and love it! It also shows off the phone's back. This post should be in the accessories forum though.

 

[superbird]

this seems to be what you're looking for, it's the best of both worlds, decent protection while still letting you see the back of the phone

Amazon.com: [Black] Google Nexus 4 Ringke [Fusion] The Best Selling Premium Hybrid Hard Case [Eco Package]: Cell Phones & Accessories

This s what I use also. Sold protection without adding bulk.

 

[ring o fire]

I bought this case and I would suggest it!

this seems to be what you're looking for, it's the best of both worlds, decent protection while still letting you see the back of the phone

Amazon.com: [Black] Google Nexus 4 Ringke [Fusion] The Best Selling Premium Hybrid Hard Case [Eco Package]: Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[rserda]

I love the "naked" Nexus 4 feel and look, but I was leery of scratching the back of the phone.. since it's NOT Gorilla Glass..
I went initially with the Nexus Bumper.. it looks clean and as if it's actually part of the phone.. but after several days of using it, it felt like it made the phone too wide and the notch on the bottom of the bumper for the micro usb port kept digging into my hand at the pinkie/palm joint.. annoying as heck!
I ended up trying the INCIPIO feather ultra thin cover. I love this thing.. it snaps on to the phone with minimal edge so as not to cover up the radiused front glass... (which, btw, is very sexy about this phone!) and is very light.. has a great feel to it and still allows conductivity on the Nexus Wireless Charger.. and actually STICKS to the charger with no problems or sliding off like the bare glass does if it's NOT totally clean and hand-grease free!! Got it on Amazon for $20... awesome cover for back glass protection!

LG Google Nexus 4 feather Ultra Thin Snap-On Case

 

[CoMoNexus]

I was leery of scratching the back of the phone.. since it's NOT Gorilla Glass.

I wondered about that but never could find an answer in the official specs. I have two cases, which I use when I go out. But I still have the factory film on the back for when the N4 is naked at home.

 

[RumoredNow]

+1 for Ringke Fusion.

Love the way it feels in the hand and the buttons work great. It really captures the "naked" appeal of the N4 while adding protection.

 

[Doom4life]

Thanks for all of the advice. I spent countless hours this past weekend going over the cases.

I did like the Ringke case, however the turnoff for me was if a screen protector was used it create the water effect on the back.

I was originally going to stick with the just the Google bumper but I wanted a bit more protection especially for the back. Its not that I am clumsy, but I'd rather avoid an impact to the back when I'm out and about.

So I decided to stick to the hybrid cases (is silicon with a plastic shell) similar to the Otterbix Commuter that In use for my GNex. I heard some cases and even the official Google Bumper has caused scratches on the bezel and I wanted to avoid this (and my GNex is still pristine after a year of abuse.

I considiered the Ballistic and the Ionic case but damn, they looked bulky and rediculous (much like how I felt with the Otter box Defender).

I almost settled on the Seidio Active until I found a few posts mentioning how it wasn't "pocket friendly" and the rubber top and bottom sometimes stretched.

So it was back to square one until I found the Acase. It was pretty cheap but there are some comments about a bad smell from the silicon and the hard letter shell staining.

So I pulled the trigger and ordered the Seidio Active in red. Looking forward to the change in color as my last two Commuter cases for my previous phones were all black.

 

[sropedia]

I actually ordered this case by mybat which I had never heard of, but it had good reviews and was fantastically cheap, so I ordered the black and white one. Its actually a really fantastic case, not to bulky but with great protection and a great soft touch feel on the back. I definitely recommend it

MyBat LGE960HPCFSSOI009NP Hybrid Fusion Protective Case for LG Nexus 4 E960 - 1 Pack - Retail Packaging - Black/White
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AX9IBOA...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU2800859

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