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Seido Surface case for Galaxy Nexus review

By on January 21, 2012 at 12:50pm in Mobile News, Various Accessories


The Seido Surface is one of the first cases available for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and it’s a pretty simple affair. Made from high-grade machine-cut plastic, it comes in two pieces and snaps together for minimal bulk.

It allows access to all the major Galaxy Nexus ports, including the second microphone and back speaker, and offers enough space around the volume and power buttons to as to be unobtrusive.

Before the Surface I had on a rubber OEM slip-on case, and the difference between the two in both feel and build quality is definitely noticeable. The bottom portion of the Surface has a felt lining to keep the GNex from sliding around, while the top portion snaps on very accurately: the two pieces are only misaligned by half a millimetre or so.

Holding the Galaxy Nexus feels much better with the case: the matte finish is effective against slips and drops, and the only adds a couple millimetres to the overall bezel. Once snapped in place the two sides are extremely secure: it takes quite a bit of effort to remove them, which will aid the device tremendously in the case it is dropped.

Occasionally, when putting pressure on the seam between the two pieces of the case, usually when holding it to my ear, the plastic will creak and pivot slightly. This is a reality of multi-part phone cases, and something you’ll either grow used to or not. After a couple times I barely noticed it.

The only other reservation I would have about purchasing the Seido Surface is that it’s fairly bare-bones; besides the logo on the back, it adds nothing to the overall design or function of the device. At its core, the Surface is about form and function over design, and that’s why it will likely stay on my Nexus — let the beautiful screen and slim design do the majority of the work on its own.

The Seido Surface can be purchased from their website for $29.95 US, or from your local retailer. It is also compatible with Seido’s Surface Holster ($29.95) and as a Combo for $49.95.

Related posts:

  1. OtterBox Storm2 9550 Impact Series Case Review
  2. More pics surface of Google’s “Nexus One”
  3. Galaxy Nexus Review Part 1: Hardware Overview (Video)
  4. Virgin looking for 5 Galaxy Nexus “Tester Team” members, will give you a free Galaxy Nexus

Discussion

23 comments for “Seido Surface case for Galaxy Nexus review”

  1. Will this work also with the extended battery + battery cover? I tried the SGP Neo Hybrid but no dice. Still using my Incipio case.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by EmperumanV | January 21, 2012, 12:54 pm
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  2. should have done a drop test.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Oydevil | January 21, 2012, 12:55 pm
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  3. Nice, I really like Seidio cases

    I’ve had the Seidio Active case and Otterbox Commuter for my Sammy Captivate and gotta say the Seidio was much much better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    Posted by GA | January 21, 2012, 12:56 pm
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  4. you should try out the Otterbox Commuter case and make a review on it! I have one for my GN and it is amazing!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1

    Posted by Beso | January 21, 2012, 1:25 pm
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  5. @emperuman where did you buy that extended battery and case. Is it the Verizon one just cuz i heard that doesn’t work with the gsm Gnex

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by jake | January 21, 2012, 1:35 pm
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    • I bought a 2000 mAh on Ebay all the way from Korea. It’s made specifically for the GSM model and feels so much better. The 2000 mAh battery fits so well it was likely the battery meant for the phone. I guess they get wanted to make it a little thinner. I’d recommend that anyone with a Galaxy Nexus get this battery.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

      Posted by daveloft | January 21, 2012, 1:48 pm

  6. Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 24

    Posted by Someguy | January 21, 2012, 1:47 pm
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  7. it may be worthwhile showing us what the two individual pieces look like when they are not attached

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Julian | January 21, 2012, 1:59 pm
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  8. hey does anyone own a seidio surface case, cause I need help taking mine off, its literally impossible

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Mike | January 21, 2012, 4:43 pm
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  9. You guys should check out the ‘Barelythere Case” by Casemate..it’s available at Bestbuy and it is way nicer than this one!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2

    Posted by ELNY | January 21, 2012, 5:13 pm
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  10. I got an incipio feather case. Great material but I don’t even use it anymore. This phone is a tank.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by rich | January 21, 2012, 5:59 pm
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  11. I have this case and it’s great, had the same kind on my OG Droid for 2 years and it held up great. Only complaint is that the cut out for the 3 dots that connect to the dock is on the wrong side. I’ll probably never get a dock, but it annoys me a little.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    Posted by HaK | January 21, 2012, 6:54 pm
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  12. I need a case for my Galaxy Nexus. Thanks to those who’ve posted other suggestions. Several good options, hard to choose from just looking at pics though. I need to find a BestBuy around here or a Future Shop so I can see some in person. Haven’t come across any yet

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Jem | January 21, 2012, 7:19 pm
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  13. I have the Case Mate Tough and I’m a pretty big fan of it. It’s pretty similar to the Otterbox Commuter but the texture of the abs plastic is kind of rubberised so it has a bit more grip in it. It’s available at The Source online for $29.99 right now but if you can’t wait like me I got it at a Virgin kiosk in Toronto for $34.99.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Jon | January 21, 2012, 9:23 pm
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  14. Hmm no thanks, I despise cases on my phones. The only thing I will do is a pouch/belt pouch. Love to show off the design of my Galsexy Nexus (grabbing one Monday!).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1

    Posted by MrMarvelous | January 22, 2012, 12:34 am
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  15. Rearth Ringke Slim is the best slim case for the Galaxy Nexus GSM version!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Roger | January 22, 2012, 11:58 am
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  16. I just got my Sena UltraSlim leather case. It’s great if you are looking for a sleeve. Like MrMarvelous I don’t like cases and I’ve dropped my GN with no ill effects o_O

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by cass_m | January 22, 2012, 5:18 pm
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    • dmneio niya sa akin paano palabasin ang blade ng cutter at kung paano i-lock ang doorknob na parang nabuhay na something something for dummies. nakakatawa siya actually, bukod sa nakakainsulto. hahaha.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Natasha | February 23, 2012, 4:27 pm

  17. I know a case is very important for a smartphone but it makes such a beautiful phone look so dull.

    They need to come out with scratch resistant phones.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    Posted by MARS | January 22, 2012, 5:50 pm
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  18. Otterbox defender FTW

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2

    Posted by lol | January 22, 2012, 10:35 pm
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  19. Nice review.
    What are the differences between the Seido’s SURFACE and the ACTIVE cases?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Phenomenon | January 23, 2012, 10:17 am
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  20. Reathe USA makes a slim case for the Galaxy Nexus. Look it up, seems leaps and bounds slimmer than the other cases. It adds less than 1 mm to the total thickness in any direction.

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    Posted by Marc | January 23, 2012, 4:41 pm
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