Trying out the clear hybrid T, the case is great for the price especially the CC, maybe even a little better since the gasket is behind the button inside the case instead of outside like on the AS.. the glide on the ultra hybrid t feels smoother. However after a month of using the AS… every other case feels bulky now. Think I’m also settling on the AS as my main case for the year.
Yeah. It’s hard to find anything that’s the thinness of Apple’s silicone or leather (RIP) cases - especially now with the camera control. I got the hybrid T last week. I’ve been trying to figure out how I think it compares for thickness.
I also have a Beats, AS, and a Benks ArmorAir. I got the AS for a good deal with a coupon or I wouldn’t have bought it. I won’t be getting any other cases until a leather case comes along with a Camera Control capacitative cover.
Right now, I’d say the following thoughts on each one.
- Beats (Stone): I have the stone color, and it doesn’t show fingerprints too badly. The buttons are AWESOME. They are some of the best and responsive buttons I’ve ever had on a phone case. I like open bottom cases for swiping. The case is also very thin and form fitting. The grip is decent, mostly relying on the glossy finish to stick to your hand. When hands are dry, it’s not as grippy, which is the same as every case like this. If your hands get sweaty or greasy, it definitely transfers to the case. Again, it’s always this way with cases like this with hard PC shells. Camera Control obviously works excellently.
- Apple Silicone (Denim): Felt great out of the box. I’d say the coating, when new, feels better than it ever has on this case. Buttons are the same as always on Apple Silicone cases. Camera Control works excellently. I think it probably has the best form factor, weight and fit on the phone of all the cases I have. Unfortunately, it still has the same negatives as always. The coating wears off quickly and starts to feel tackier, stick to pockets worse, and feels grimy and slimy pretty quickly for me. It constantly shows oil and fingerprints. I truly wish they’d make the case with the exact same dimensions but with a different material like a more durable TPU.
- Benks ArmorAir: if you’ve ever used a thin, carbon fiber case, you know exactly how this feels. I also got a Pitaka first week I got my 16 Pro. This has no discernible difference in fit from that one. It has more coverage on the bottom and also has cutouts for the buttons that are less sharp because the bottom of the case slightly goes up around the edge of the phone. On the Pitaka, the bottom is flush with the bottom of the phone. The Benks gives more the feel of direct contact with the fiber; whereas, the Pitaka you feel more the coating on the fiber. Both show fingerprints eventually. The grip is pretty good, and it helps that the case is thin because it’s easier to hold the phone in one hand for me. I can see the MagSafe magnets through the case where they are slightly higher on the back, but they are pretty strong magnets. The Pitaka has slightly better quality of finish, but I prefer the button cutouts on the Benks. I got the Benks on PrimeDay for a bit over $30. That’s more what I want to pay for a case like this compared to over $60 for the Pitaka. I love how thin these cases are, and they do a great job at giving basic protection. [Edit] I should also add that, as usual, both the Pitaka and Benks are quite difficult to remove from the phone.
- Spigen Ultra Hybrid T (frost black): I got this on eBay quicker and for less than on Amazon. It’s very strange how Spigen has three different prices for this on their site, Amazon and eBay. The fit is very good, maybe a tiny bit thicker than the Apple Silicone. The sides are a tiny bit rubbery, and the back is very smooth feeling with almost no tackiness. It doesn’t pick up oils or fingerprints very much at all. That said, the back is a bit slippery. Camera Control works very well. As others have pointed out, your finger doesn’t catch around the button like it does on the Apple Silicone because of the material around it. The volume buttons are ever so slightly harder to press than the others. This will be my tougher case for riskier situations. I never use a case any bulkier than this. The Frost Black looks awesome on the black iPhone pro.
