So I'm changing the original focus of this thread... slightly. I was on a mission to find a case that didn't look terrible and screw up usability of the buttons, but since I've been accumulating them since I started this, now I'll be providing reviews of the cases I have thus far.
Recommendation: 3/10 - Good-looking, but dysfunctional. Avoid this case at all costs.
Recommendation: 7/10 - Zero protective quality, but it's thin and functional. I can recommend this.
Recommendation: 8/10 - Not ultra-thin, but it does the job well. I can recommend this.
Recommendation: 9/10 - Thick, but surprisingly good for the price. I can recommend this.
I'll be updating as I get new cases.
This would be the first case I purchased... and oh, what a horrible place to start. It's a shame this case didn't go well, because I like the way it looks the best. It's not too thick, it's decently protective, and doesn't detract from the natural beauty of the Lumia 830... unfortunately it does one major thing wrong that's a huge dealbreaker for me - it eliminates the tactile feedback from buttons entirely. The Lumia 830 already has comparatively thinner buttons than something like the Lumia 520 or 1020, so case designers have to be very mindful of how the case affects the buttons. The creators of this case did not think this through. Power buttons, the volume rocker and - quite possibly the most offensive - the camera button all feel absolutely HORRID with this case on the phone.
Recommendation: 3/10 - Good-looking, but dysfunctional. Avoid this case at all costs.
No inherent problems with this case. It's mildly protective and adds very little bulk. When I'm wearing any kind of formals, this is the case I use to keep the phone feather-light so it doesn't protrude when in my pockets. Won't do much for the corners of the device, but it at least knows how to stay out of the way when it comes to accessing your buttons.
Recommendation: 7/10 - Zero protective quality, but it's thin and functional. I can recommend this.
This case does a lot right that the Terrapin did wrong, but at the same time it's significantly bulkier. They advertise this as an ultra-slim case but slim is the furthest from what I'd describe this as. It's not bulky to the level of an Aegis Trident or Ballistic Case, but it will add some heft to the device. Can't say I'm a fan of the two-tone design, but that's my own personal preference. The biggest thing is that this actually IMPROVES the usability of the power button, volume rocker and camera launch button. I give them a lot of props for that, and this is the case that's been used the most thus far.
Recommendation: 8/10 - Not ultra-thin, but it does the job well. I can recommend this.
This case has one major asset: it has GREAT protection value. If you're looking for something akin to the industry-leading Ballistic HCs, this would be the case to go for. I've tried this piece of crap, and this hideous button-ruining monstrosity (both of which I actually returned) before finding this case. It will make your thin, light Lumia 830 into a thick, heavy beast... but all the same it's about the most attractive industrial protection I've found thus far. It's also much like the TUDIA TPU case in the sense that it actually makes the super-thin Lumia 830 buttons feel better than they originally do.
Recommendation: 9/10 - Thick, but surprisingly good for the price. I can recommend this.
I'll be updating as I get new cases.
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