We recently put our Galaxy S7 edge review out and despite the device solidly built, we found the glass at the back and front susceptible to breakages. In short, the cases are a must if you drop your phones frequently. This time, we’ll be taking a look at three cases, out of which, two are designed by Samsung and one from Otterbox.
Let’s start with the Galaxy S7 edge LED View Cover.
Design:
At first glance, this cover can be easily mistaken for a simple flip cover but its main selling point is hidden beneath the face, i.e. an LED display. As far as built quality goes, the cover is decently built. It has soft faux-leather-like material with the sides made out of clear plastic that covers the side of the phones, only revealing the power button and the loudspeaker, microUSB port and 3.5mm audio jack. The volume rocker buttons are covered by the case and is denoted by the signs.
Performance:
Using the cover is really easy. Put in the Galaxy S7 edge in the cover and the phone instantly detects it as an LED View Cover. I’m not sure how it does, but I suspect it has to be due to the NFC, which Samsung claims the cover has it.
Let’s delve into the cover’s USP aka LED display a little more. The best part about the cover is that it does not require any charging to use the LED display. The display shows off time, which only gets activated if you close the cover or press the power button. I would have loved if the cover showed time at all times when you had Always On activated but disappointingly, that’s not the case.
Nevertheless, the display is also capable of showing other information like incoming calls, missed calls, ongoing call duration, alarm, charging status and even allows some actions by swiping on the LED display.
For instance, you can accept or reject calls, turn off the alarm and timer.
The biggest drawback I feel is the phone does not show the numbers of incoming calls. It shows a generic phone icon suggesting of an incoming call that you can accept or reject or you can set can up to 20 icons to saved contacts so that you know a particular contact has called.
The cover also comes with an inner pocket that allows to keep some cash or card handy.
And if working with wireless charger is your number one priority, I’m happy to tell you that the phone with the cover on works flawlessly without any issues.
Verdict:
While I didn’t drop the phone during my use of the case but it certainly seems the case is sturdy enough to protect the phone. However, the LED display functionality is what will help Samsung to sell the cover and despite some limitations, the cover is easy-to-use.
Clear View Cover
This case by Samsung focuses on function more than protection. The Clear View cover, as the name implies, covers the display and the back to give some sort of protection but also gives a clear view to the screen.
Design:
The front and back are made out of plastic with the back covered with black to match the phone’s colour and the front with a translucent black plastic. The edges are protected by clear plastic and exposes rest of the buttons and ports.
Performance:
Installing the case is again, an easy job. Just push the phone into the case and the phone will automatically detect that it’s inside the Clear View cover. Clear View overrides the Always On setting and activates its own limited interface that shows the time. Unlike the LED cover, Clear View is able to show the number as well as contact details of an incoming call. Moreover and even allows to accept or reject without having to lift the lid. Another Clear View case function is the ability to control music but it only works with Samsung’s stock music player.
As far as build quality goes, the case seems okay but does not feel at par with the LED View cover. The lid is flimsy and lifts quite frequently, even when you don’t want it to move. Perhaps, some sort of magnetic lock would have made sense.
Verdict:
It’s a clear case that gives control over some features of the phone but does not seem to be as sturdily built as the LED View cover.
Otterbox Symmetry Sleek Protection
Otterbox has been producing some rugged cases over the years and they’ve come up with newer ones for Galaxy S7 edge as well. We take a look at the Symmetry series that offers the required protection but does not compromise on the looks. Well, almost.
Design:
The design of the case is akin to other Otterbox cases. However, instead of separating the plastic and silicone case, this one fuses both together so you can easily install the case without requiring to properly adjust the plastic and the silicone.
The sides are protected by silicone that helps to absorb the shock from accidental drops and gives good grip on the phone while the exterior boasts hardened matte plastic.
Performance:
The case works as intended and few things that I particularly liked about it is that it is certified with the ‘Designed for Samsung’ tag that adheres to the specifications laid out by Samsung and secondly, it’s certified by Otterbox’s own Drop+ Protection. You can learn more about the protection here or check the video below but in short, the Otterbox case along with the phone passes through 24+ tests in 238+ testing hours to earn that certification. Another thing I liked is the fact that the case allows me to use the edge features like edge feed and night clock, unlike Samsung’s official covers.
And finally, does it pass the wireless charging test? Yes, it does and works without any issues.
Verdict:
If protection is your only motive, this case won’t disappoint.
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