This is the Spigen SGP Neo Hybrid case for the Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGS4). Spigen has made a name for itself designing and manufacturing great accessories for many flagship phones and other mobile products. The Neo Hybrid reviewed here is one of the many cases available for the SGS4.
I don’t usually use a case for my phones. My last two smartphones did not have any cases. The SGS4 is not fragile than them. Rather, I thought some of these well made cases could not only protect the phone, but also add functionality or make the phone look better. Samsung’s official Flip Cover and S-View Flip Cover are some such examples.
The Neo Hybrid fits the SGS4 very well. In fact, it is such a good fit that removing the cover proved to be not so trivial. The SGS4 looks really great in it. In fact, if I may say so, it sort of looks like a cross between an iPhone 4/4S/5 and the old Samsung Galaxy S II.
A nice thing about the Neo Hybrid is that the rubber bumper raises the rear camera and the front display a little off the surface when you place the phone flat down on the back or front respectively. You don’t have to worry about scratching either the rear camera window or the front display when you sent the phone down on a flat surface.
The Neo Hybrid looks great on the SGS4, but it does make the phone feel noticeably bigger. That’s because it really makes the phone bigger, at least particularly in the width and height (69.8mm to 74.5mm width, and 136.6mm to 140mm height). The phone is still easy to grip, and it’s a lot more secure than holding the phone without any case, but if you have small hands, you may find this increased size inconvenient and affect your ability to use the phone with one hand.
The rubberised back and textured metal band attract no fingerprints, so the case always looks clean.
I was surprised to find a gap or hole in the top right corner of the case. I’m guessing it’s there to let the phone’s antenna work better. For some reaason, none of Spigen’s photos show this gap, or at least make it clear that it is there.
Although the gap doesn’t really affect the function of the case, and it doesn’t really affect the look of the case, it would have been nice to know about it in advance. Otherwise, like me, you might be momentarily shocked to discover this hole in the case.
The Neo Hybrid case also comes with a Steinheil Ultra Crystal Film, a microfiber cloth, and 3 pieces of “Jelly Bean Buttons”. The buttons are for you to stick on the SGS4’s home button, and as you can see in the photo above, you get three pieces, one each in orange, black and white. I don’t fancy these buttons, so I just left them aside.
The Steinheil screen protector is of average decent quality. It does attract fingerprints, and doesn’t clean off as easily as the SGS4’s own screen. It is a clear gloss finish, so it is just as reflective as the original SGS4 screen.
Conclusion
This is a great looking case to go with the SGS4. It’s a little pricey though.
Pros:
- Fits the SGS4 very well
- Looks great
- Raised lip protects front display and rear camera
Cons:
- Rather large for small hands
- Not easy to remove
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