Rugged Cases

 

Now we’re going to move into the more rugged cases for the HTC One, these offer a lot of protection for the phone fur sure.

Again I’m going in ordering from lowest price to highest.

 

The first rugged case I have costs about $20, and I’ve never heard of this company but the case pleasantly surprised me in it’s quality and function especially for the price.

ArmourDillo Hybrid Protective Case

Protect your HTC One with this black ArmourDillo Case, comprised of an inner TPU case and an outer impact resistant exoskeleton.

Two layered case protects from bumps, scrapes and drops
This Armour case has been designed for those with an active lifestyle. It provides great shock and impact absorption thanks to its lightweight TPU polymer with a precisely positioned hard skeleton for added protection. The design of the exoskeleton extends out to protect vulnerable parts of your device such as the corners and sides.

PLEASE NOTE: This case provides a firm fit so for easy installation please separate the pieces and install the flexible TPU case before adding the exoskeleton.

Includes an impact resistant polycarbonate exoskeleton
The ArmourDillo case features a tough exoskeleton which covers the back and vulnerable corners of your phone from damage. They are made from an impact resistant, polycarbonate plastic shell which will protect your phone from accidental damage. Keeping it looking as good as it did when you bought it.

Textured grid finishing improves grip and comfort
Complementing the protective properties of the polycarbonate shell is a textured finish which not only helps to improve grip when holding the handset but also makes it more comfortable in the palm of your hand.

Portable flip-out stand for landscape viewing
The hard attachable exoskeleton doesn’t just add strength to the silicone shell but features an ergonomically designed stand that pulls out to give the perfect viewing angle for videos and pictures. The stand then simply clicks back into place and lays completely flat so there is zero bulk added to the case.

Cut-outs for the main ports and features of the phones
This case has been designed specifically for the HTC One and has cut-outs for the main ports and features of the phones such as the camera with flash. The power and volume buttons are covered but remain functional whilst encased to give unbeatable protection.

Price: $19.99

Product Link: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/armourdillo-hybrid-protective-case-for-htc-one-black-p38662.htm
Review Link: http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/armourdillo-hybrid-protective-case-for-htc-one-review/

 

Like a lot of the less expensive cases, this one has just a plastic bag for packaging.

 

 

The inside of the case is smooth and soft as it’s rubber. Actually the case is two different things, the inside is a TPU polymer and the outside is a polycarbonate plastic shell. The back is bumpy and thick rubber to provide protection from bumps and drops.

 

 

The ArmourDillo case comes in two parts actually, you can use the case with or without the back section. The case without the back section does have padding around it to protect the phone inside.

 

 

To get your phone in the case you can just fit in in there, but you’ll need to fight with it a bit as it is tight. You’ll also need to take it apart first to get the phone inside.

 

 

The exoskeleton just clips onto the case, but it takes a bit of fighting, much more than without the phone in the case. Even with the back on you can still access everything on the phone quickly and easily. The case has a nice labeled volume rocker on it. No you can’t access the microSIM card slot with this case.

 

 

This case even has a handy built-in kickstand for you.

 

 

The HTC One is a great phone and it needs to be protected and that should be done by a good case. The ArmourDillo case will offer a very decent amount of protection for the HTC One, it’s thick and should protect from bumps and most likely even drops. The case is built so it wraps around the front of the phone protecting the screen and phone edges as well. The ArmourDillo case comes in two parts and it can be used with or without the polycarbonate back. The back does make it a bit thicker, but it adds to the protective qualities of the case and it has a built-in stand.

The case doesn’t offer any sort of covering for the microUSB or audio ports which is something that if it did have the case would be pretty much perfect. As is though the case is awesome, especially for the price, I really expected a case of this quality to cost more than it does.

The HTC One phone is a very thin phone and the ArmourDillo Hybrid case does add quite a bit of bulk and some people may not appreciate that. I look at it as that bulk is protection, so do you want a thin phone that could break easily if you drop it or do you want a little more bulk and a phone that has a excellent chance of surviving a fall?

All in all the ArmourDillo case is an excellent choice to protect the HTC One.

Score would have to be a 9 out of 10 and I’d have to recommend this one as well if you’re looking for inexpensive and rugged.

 

 

Pros:

+Lots of protection

+Two part case

+Inexpensive

+Built-in stand

Cons:

-Doesn’t cover ports

-Rather thick

 

 

The next cases is another from a company I’ve never heard of, but it’s a top quality case for sure with a price of about $34.

Trident Aegis Case

The Aegis case features an inner-layer of shock-absorbing silicone with a green outer-layer of hardened polycarbonate, designed to fit the HTC One perfectly.

In mythology, Aegis describes armor which can withstand a lightening bolt from Zeus himself. Though we wouldn’t recommend trying this out, you can be sure that the Aegis case will provide your HTC One with a layer of protection which can withstand bumps, scratches and dirt, keeping your HTC One looking newer for longer.

Give your phone protection without the bulk

The Trident Aegis case for the HTC One offers the best of both worlds; excellent protection whilst keeping the case as slim as possible.

Hybrid material construction for bump and shock protection
The exposed silicone corners dissipate impact away from the device for additional bump and shock protection and the hardened polycarbonate plastic shell not only resists impact damage but allows the case to easily slide into your pocket or purse. All buttons are fully functional through the case and the audio jack and USB port are accessible through silicone plugs.

Trident logo on back of case
The slightly raised Trident logo on the back of this cases also serves as a grip for when you are using your phone on a desk or table. Ensuring it doesn’t slide around and looking good at the same time.

All ports and features are fully accessible

The Trident Aegis allows access to all the buttons on the phone through the built in rubber buttons and has cut outs for the flash, camera, loud speaker, microphone and noise cancelling microphone.

Includes a screen protector
For the ultimate protector this case comes complete with a Trident screen protector, applicator and cleaning cloth. Ensuring your screen will never get marked or scratched.

Price: $33.99

Mfg Link: http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-products/htc-one-m7/aegis-case-htc-one-m7.aspx
Product Link: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/trident-aegis-case-for-htc-one-green-p39271.htm
Review Link: http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/trident-aegis-case-for-htc-one-review/

 

The packaging for this case is fairly simple but yet sturdy to protect the case inside.

 

 

The case is actually two parts a soft rubber or silicone inner lining and then the hard plastic or polycarbonate. The back of the case is slightly textured for grip. The Trident logo in on the inner case but sticks out through the plastic back, this is made so you can set it down and it won’t slide. The rubber of the logo provides a grip on the surface. Not pictured, but this case does come with a screen protector. The case I have is green but there are other colors available.

 

 

The case comes in two parts as I mentioned, but here it is apart. The inner rubber section has a tire tread like pattern in it for protection of the back of the phone.

 

 

Getting the inner part onto the HTC One is easily, just push and pull really to do it, the is rubber so it stretches right over the phone easily. This case has cover for the audio and microUSB ports of the phone.

 

 

The next step is to get the plastic section onto the phone. This is bit more involved as it rather stiff and you must make sure to pull the microUSB and audio port covers through the outer case while you’re putting it on.T he camera and flash section of the phone is very wide open. The power button on the HTC One is also an IR Blaster or infrared transmitter so you can control your TV and other components. The Trident Aegis case open very wide as not to interfere with it. The case is also raised around the button so you can feel where the button is easily.

 

I’ve reviewed many HTC One cases lately and this is one of the best, it’s easily comparable to an OtterBox case.

The quality of the Trident Aegis case is very much comparable to OtterBox in construction and protection along with features. OtterBox was and still is one of my favorite companies for cases for my devices, but it’s nice to see another company selling something similar, competition is good.

So really, I couldn’t find anything at all wrong with the Trident Aegis case, it’s offers excellent protection from shocks from drops and bumps. The case is very well made and looks great while not adding much bulk to the HTC One.

If you’re looking for a rugged yet thin style case for the HTC One the only choices you’ll have really that I can see are trident and OtterBox. What you pick will depend on the style you prefer, both cases are equally well made and offer great protection.

The Trident Aegis case comes with covers for the audio jack and microUSB port, something that is a great feature that not many other cases have. Trident also included a screen protector, so all you have to do is buy the case and your phone will be well protected surely.

The Trident Aegis case is truly one of the best cases I’ve come across for the HTC One…

Scoring for this case would be a 10 out of 10 and a recommended as well.

 

Pros:
+Comes with screen protector
+Dual layer design for maximum protection
+Simple installation
+Covers over audio and microUSB ports
+Screen on back to protect the rear microphone from dust and dirt

Cons:
-None really

 

 

Moving up the price scale we have one or actually two from a well known company with a price of about $42.

 

OtterBox Commuter Series Case

As the protective case partner of the made for HTC devices, we worked closely with HTC to design the ultimate case for the HTC One — resulting in a lineup of cases with precise form, fit and function that complements every innovative feature of this device. The Commuter Series HTC One case is one result of this collaboration. You can thank us later.

Unlike many cases out there, the Commuter Series case for the HTC One is more than a good-looking, fashionable case. The Commuter Series is slim, sleek and attractive, but it is also extremely protective. With a slick exterior made of a hard polycarbonate plastic shell that allows your HTC One to slide easily in and out of your pocket and an inner silicone layer that acts like a cushion to absorb shock and impact, the two-layer Commuter Series case for the HTC One is made for on-the-go, always-on use. Staying protected — and connected — never looked this good.

Features:
– Exterior shell is slick enough to easily slide in your pockets
– All buttons and sensors are fully functional through the case
– Silicone plugs provide access to all ports
– All microphones are fully exposed for call clarity
– Case allows for the use of camera and flash
– The Commuter Series case for the HTC One provides added protection against drops, shocks and dust intrusion but is NOT protective against water.

Material:
– Clear, self-adhering screen protector prevents scratches
– Silicone inner layer absorbs bumps and shocks
– Polycarbonate outer shell protects the device from impact

Price: $41.53 / 32.10 EUR

Manufacturer Link: http://www.otterbox.com/HTC-One-Commuter-Series-case/htc4-one,default,pd.html?start=4&cgid=htc-one-cases
Review Link (black color): http:/www.technogog.com/review/review-of-otterbox-commuter-series-case-for-htc-one/
Review Link:(glacier color): http://mobilitydigest.com/mobility-digest-review-otterbox-commuter-series-case-for-htc-one/

 

If you want rugged cases you go to Otterbox. I have two of the Otterbox Commuter Series of cases, plain black and then the Glacier color which is white and gray. The packaging is nice, a plastic box basically.

 

 

My favorite of the two, and the one I’m using right now is the Glacier color so that’s what I’ll show you here. Not pictures but this case does come with a screen protector.

Here’s both cases for you:

 

 

The Commuter case comes in two parts, the rubber soft inner case and the hard outer case.

 

 

The case is in two parts as I mentioned, you first put the rubber case on the phone. The first part of the case just slips on, it’s rubber so it bends and conforms to the phone easily. The case has a nice large opening on the back for the camera and flash along with a hole for the secondary microphone.  The case also has a nice large opening around the power button. The HTC One has the ability to control your TV and other infrared devices because the power button is actually a infrared transmitter. The case is open and does not block the transmitter or your ability to easily turn the phone on and off. The Commuter case also has a rubber cover over the audio port to make sure dust and dirt stays out. The bottom of the HTC One if where you’ll find the microUSB port and the main microphone. The case also has a cover for the microUSB port to keep dust and dirt out just like the audio port.

  

 

The second part of the case is the plastic out shell and it just snaps on, it’s a bit hard to get on that the rubber part but it’s not difficult. The one part I should mention is that you need to pull the audio and microUSB covers through the hard plastic back cover. The outer shell is beveled outward around the camera to make sure it doesn’t interfere with your pictures or the flash.

 

 

Honestly it’s a toss up for between the Trident Aegis case and the Otterbox Commuter, both are excellent cases which are thin but yet rugged and offer a lot of protection.

When you need the best protection possible, Otterbox is the case you want for your phone.

The Commuter Series case for the HTC One is made of two parts, a soft rubber inner case and the hard outer shell, both of which when combined provide a high level protection for the HTC One against bumps, drops, dust and the rigors of daily life.

Otterbox was nice enough to include a clear screen protector for the HTC One, so that combined with the case offers full protection for the phone.

Many cases are just slip on or wrap around and they seem to do a decent job, but Otterbox is one of the only cases I’ve come across that protects the audio and microUSB port from dust and dirt.

The Otterbox Commuter Series case offers excellent protection, what you’ve come to expect from Otterbox, plain and simple.

This is by far the best case I’ve come across for the HTC One, my phone will be staying in it for some time to come for sure.

 

For the Glacier case specifically:

I really like this case, it has become my overall favorite and I have many cases for the HTC One and overall this is the best of the bunch. Protection aside, I love the color scheme on this case it very much accents and compliments the original color of the HTC One. Sure a black case is nice and in fact I have the Otterbox Commuter in black as well but I prefer this one as the HTC One is gray and white in color so this case really matches the HTC One. If you don’t  care for black of the gray/white combo they do have several other color choices available.

The Commuter Series case from OtterBox offers the best of everything, it’s got great looks and of course it offers a level of protection that’s unmatched by any other case out there.

The price of the Otterbox Commuter case might be considered expensive by some, but the old adage you get what you pay for applies here as this is a top quality case. You do have the remember the HTC One is the flagship HTC Android phone so it’s rather expensive in itself so why not get a top quality case for it. For me this case is worth every penny.

If you’re looking for the best protection for your HTC One then Otterbox has got a case for you.

 

Both cases would have to get a 10 out of 10 score and a recommendation.

 

 

 

Pros:
+Excellent protection
+Seals audio and microUSB ports from dust
+Case is still thin and not overly bulky but yet protect phone
+Includes screen protector
+Well made case

Cons:
-None really