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Snow Lizard XTREME 8+ iPhone case review

As Apple releases new products, case manufactures rush to add protection and fashion. Some add charging. I was recently sent a case that not only allows plugging into a charger but also has solar cells to charge your phone! It’s called the SLXtreme 8+ (because it’s from a company called Snow Lizard and is for the iPhone 8 Plus). I was sent a unit in Black to try with my new 8 Plus. It also comes in a Mossy Oak camo pattern.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

The Xtreme 8+ is a case, screen protector, and charger all in one. The case requires a totally naked phone but fits like a glove. You clamp the bottom on, which contains a Lightning connector and a link to the solar PV cells on the back of the case. There are clear covers for the full screen and a thinner cover over the home button which also allows the phone to read TouchID. There is also a large sealed clear aperture on the back which protects the rear camera and flash unit.

Hardware specs

  • Solar powered: Features a built-in trickle charger to keep your battery replenished. The solar indicator helps you position the case for best solar power Collection.
  • Integrated battery: built-in 5000 mAh battery boosts your phone’s power up to 185%, adding 16 hours of Talk time or 12 hours of app activity.
  • Waterproof: fully submergible to 6.6ft (2Ml for L hour). IP-68 Ingress protection rating. Water, mud, dust, snow, ice and sweat proof.
  • Rugged: handles drops up to 6.6ft (2Ml military Spec 810G certified). Newly rubberized grips provide protection against drops, bumps, spills or hammer misses. Screen protector prevents scratches.
  • Packaging reusable as an IP67 watertight, crushproof and dustproof dry box.
  • Compatibility: this SLXtreme case can be used to protect your iPhone 7Plus or iPhone 8Plus.

What’s in the box?

The packaging itself in a reusable, IP67 waterproof box. Inside it are the XTREME SL 8+, a USB A to microUSB cable, a 17” (doubled) lanyard loop with a detachable leash, an extra “O”-ring for the seal, and an instructional card.

Design and features

The Snow Lizard Xtreme is a 7.5” x 3.75” x 0.875” sealed case of hard PVC plastic. There are ridges down both long edges for gripping. On the face is a full-view clear touch-through screen cover that allows full view and control of the iPhone screen. There is a thinner membrane over the home button that allows TouchID to function (at least when it’s not underwater, according to the literature.) The bottom has a stopper-sealed USB port and a membrane-covered speaker/mic opening. There are passthrough controllers for every function except the ringer mute. The phone fits in snugly since the screen needs to touch the front for the touch-through to work. No skin or screen protector can be on it when in this case.

On the back, there is a solar panel about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus’ screen fit flush. At the bottom, there is a rubberized on-off switch for the charger, and 4 blue LED battery capacity indicators. The microUSB connector (which has a waterproof plug) will first charge the phone through the case, then charge the battery.

When it came, I put the iPhone 8 Plus in straight-away, and was really blown away that the TouchID worked without any hesitation. It actually didn’t register with me at first, because I just turned on the phone in the usual way. (And isn’t that just the best way for tech to be implemented? It just does what you expect, NBD.)

Sound through the speakerphone or playing from Spotify is not quite as loud as the naked device or what it would be in the leather Apple case I usually use, but it was plenty loud. I noticed no delays or problems using Bluetooth devices through it.

There is a loop in the plastic on the lower right side for the lanyard to connect with. Be aware that this is a 16.25-ounce package, and that thin ribbon may be tough on your neck, but it’s pretty durable. There is a split-ring loop at the end that you could use for your company ID. It would allow you to unclip your phone and leave your lanyard/ID in place, should you need to set the phone down or connect it to a charging source.

What I Like

  • Smooth, precise fittings
  • Solar charger and battery work together with USB for full charging options
  • Mic, Speaker, and TouchID pass-throughs work very well.

What needs to be improved

  • Can’t think of a thing.

Final thoughts

There are few folks, in my opinion, who really need a full protective case like this, but there are loads of folks who use one anyway. My younger daughter is one – she’s rarely on a bike, kayaking, or doing anything more dangerous for her phone than walking to work in the rain. Yet she has a full-tilt Defender case, “just in case.” This one, however, with the solar and battery option, may be better than her current case.

If you need a “weekend” case for your hiking, biking, kayaking or just picnicking by the river, this would be one to strongly consider. If you’re in construction and away from power outlets, the solar charging is going to keep you charged up all day without having to worry that your phone is sitting on the hood of your truck while you’re 30 feet down a hill taking survey measurements when that sudden shower soaks everything.

Price: $129.99 on company store, slightly less on Amazon
Where to buy: Company website or their Amazon store
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Snow Lizard.

The post Snow Lizard XTREME 8+ iPhone case review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Snow Lizard XTREME 8+ iPhone case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Spigen’s new iPhone X cases celebrate two classic Apple products from the past

Call me crazy but I love the overabundance of iPhone cases available today. And Spigen is the latest company to catch my eye. They have launched a new case lineup via an Indiegogo project. Spigen went all retro and designed two new cases inspired by Apple’s iconic iMac G3 (Classic C1) and the first iPhone (Classic One).

Back to the future

The Classic C1 limited edition case celebrates the 20th anniversary of the iconic iMac G3. It uses the same original candy-colors (Bondi Blue, Sage, Ruby, Snow, and Graphite) and translucent body design that made the G3 so iconic.

The C1 offers dual-layer protection in a 3-component design. A silver inner shell made of soft material that the iPhone fits into and an outer shell made of two pieces of translucent plastic that snap onto the iPhone.

Aside from the colors, there are a couple more unique touches in the design of the case. The inside of the case features a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the original iMac and the phrase “hello(again).  The back of the inner layer features chip and battery designs, with a cutout that lets the Apple iPhone logo show through. Because it’s see-through, the outer shell allows you to see the inner layer design just like on the iMac G3.

With the Classic One Spigen takes us all the way back to Steve Job’s very first iPhone. Its simple silver and black design transform your iPhone X into the original iPhone that we first saw back in 2007.

Unlike the C1 the Classic One is just a single layer design.

Both cases are constructed using a durable polycarbonate outer shell and shock-absorbing thermoplastic polyurethane inside. Spigen also incorporated their signature shock-reducing mechanism, Air Cushion Technology, that strategically protects all four corners of the iPhone X.

You can get both cases in a Classic Edition bundle for $35 exclusively on Indiegogo. Or you can also purchase the C1 by itself for $25. Both prices are only good for another month when the campaign is due to expire.

Spigen plans to begin shipping out the cases to backers in June.

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Spigen’s new iPhone X cases celebrate two classic Apple products from the past originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 16, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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Twelve South SurfacePad iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus case review

As we mentioned in a recent news post, the SurfacePad for iPhone is a thin, minimal leather cover for your iPhone 7/8, iPhone 7/8 Plus, or iPhone X.  It protects the front and back of your phone from pocket hazards and from getting surface scratches from tables and countertops.  Twelve South was kind enough to offer a SurfacePad to The Gadgeteer for review, and I was selected to put the cover for the iPhone 8 Plus/7 Plus to the test.

Hardware specs

  • Ultra-thin, full-grain leather cover
  • Applies like a screen protector, with an adhesive pad instead of a shell case
  • Hands free viewing & display stand
  • 2 card slots to streamline your everyday carry
  • Qi charging compatible for iPhone 8
  • Thickness: .07 inches (2 mm)
  • Weight: 1.6 ounces (45.3 g)

Design and features

I received the SurfacePad for iPhone 7 Plus.  I requested and received the deep teal color.  The case is very well made, with even, self-colored topstitching.  The phone’s screen is completely covered;  a cutout on the back leaves the back camera, flash, and microphone uncovered.  The double-row topstitching on the back acts as a hinge for using the SurfacePad as a horizontal stand for the iPhone.

Setup

There really isn’t a lot of “setup” involved, but you should make sure that the back of your phone is clean and dust-free for best adherence of the sticky pad.  Luckily, the adhesive that holds the case in place is removable, repositionable, and reusable, because it took me a couple of tries to get the phone centered and affixed to the case just as I wanted it.  There’s a video at Twelve South to show you how it’s done.

Performance

There are two slip pockets for IDs or cards that aren’t filed in your iPhone’s Wallet app.  You can see more of how the back is attached so it can be folded into a horizontal stand, which we’ll see later.

The front of the case is embossed with the Twelve South logo.  The interior of the front cover is branded with the SurfacePad name, and the Twelve South logo is under the adhesive pad flap.

You can see the interior edge with the silence slider and the volume buttons.  The leather is soft enough that you can operate the volume buttons through the closed case.  You’ll be able to adjust your playback volume while listening to music, or you could even trigger the camera release through the case if you don’t need to see the screen while you’re taking photos.

When I was taking photos with the back camera, I let the front cover hang down and I held it like a camera grip in my left hand while I operated the on-screen camera release “button” with my right.

You can see that some of the metal side is left uncovered by the leather hinge.

Even when closed, you can see that the entire side with the power button is left uncovered.  This of course makes it easy to access the power button, even when the case is closed.

The metal of the top and bottom is also left uncovered, which leaves a lot of metal open to scratching, but it also means you can hear the speakers and use the charging cable unimpeded.

The leather hinge is flexible enough that you can fold the case completely to the back to hold and use the phone one-handed.  I found it comfortable enough to hold for a couple hours on a call.

The case was also useful as a horizontal stand.  It was nicely stable in this position.  I could even tap on the screen while it was standing like this without fear of it tipping over.

What I like

  • Attractive leather case that protects the screen as well as the back
  • Front cover folds to the back for one-handed holding and use
  • Can be used as a horizontal stand
  • Room for two cards if you like to use your phone case as a minimal wallet
  • If your phone allows it, the cover is Qi-compatible for wireless charging
  • Adhesive pad adheres strongly to the back of the phone, and it can be removed without residue

What needs to be improved

  • Not really a needed change, but be aware that folding the front cover back will block the back camera

Final thoughts

The Twelve South SurfacePad is a beautiful, protective cover for the Apple iPhone 7 Plus.  It protects my screen in my purse, it serves as a horizontal stand, and it looks good doing it.
Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Twelve South and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Twelve South

The post Twelve South SurfacePad iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus case review appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Twelve South SurfacePad iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 2, 2018 at 1:32 pm.

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You’ll never drop your iPhone with the Adidas Grip case

You’ve probably seen lots of people who have those round pop up holders on the back of their phones called Popsockets. They come in all sorts of designs and are designed to stick to the back of the phone so you can put the pop out knob between two fingers of your hand. But how about a phone case that has a secure holding feature already built in like the Adidas Grip case for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X?

The Grip case has an anti-slip grip band that’s built into the back of the snap on case that lets you keep your phone in your hand while you run, and offers a stand function that allows you to watch workout videos more easily.

The case is made of a tough polycarbonate back with TPU bumpers that offer protection from everyday wear and tear. You can buy an Adidas Grip for $30 from adidas.com. Run out and get one now.

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You’ll never drop your iPhone with the Adidas Grip case originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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OtterBox goes to war with Avengers Infinity War iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S9 cases

The Avengers: Infinity War movie opens today and OtterBox wants to make sure your phone gets the superhero protection it deserves with their new line of Symmetry Series and Defender Series cases that feature some of your favorite Marvel heroes and a villain too.

The Iron Man case features a design that glows in the dark and if you prefer bad guys, the Thanos case has a cool glossy 3D effect. Other cases include designs for Captain America, the Black Panther, and more.

The cases are designed to protect your iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone from everyday wear and tear as well as drops.

The OtterBox Symmetry Series and Defender Series Avengers: Infinity War cases are now available at otterbox.com for iPhone 8 and iPhone 7, $44.95; iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus, $54.95; iPhone X, $54.95; Galaxy S9, $44.95; and Galaxy S9+, $54.95.

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OtterBox goes to war with Avengers Infinity War iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S9 cases originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 27, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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