Nexus 4 Poetic Slimbook Review

Amazon Link- Poetic Slimbook

The Good

• All ports are easily accessible
• Magnetic Clasp
• A TPU within a cover
• Protection is adequate
• The case is well made and stitchings are tight
• Could insert credit cards and money but adding too much stuff won't work

The Bad

• The back of the case isn't magnetic so folding the cover back is uncomfortable
• The case is pretty thick
• You can't access the volume rockers when the case is closed
• Doesn't lay flat
• Only available in black

Final Verdict

The Poetic Slimbook is a nice value for $10.95, but far from the best case available.  The thickness of this case is an issue for me, but may not be for others.  If one is looking for a book style case, this might be one of your best options.  The Poetic Slimbook receives a 3.5/5 star review.

Nexus 4 Poetic Hardback Review

Design

The Poetic Harback is a poorly designed case.  While it does offer a folio feature, the oddly manufactured case clearly lacks in simple everyday situations.  As shown in the video review, the camera and speaker slots are flip flopped, resulting in the user switching the side the case is inserted.  The folio feature is definitely a plus; however, the rest of the features are certainly lacking.  

Protection

The Poetic Hardback definitely doesn't give protection like a rugged case, but it does look like there could be issues with the phone falling out due to the claws holding the phone being quite small.  The top cover is adequately padded giving the case some extra protection.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Poetic Hardback doesn't deliver in the two major criteria.  Because the case is poorly made and there are so many design errors, the Poetic Hardback receives a final grade of 2/5 stars.

Nexus 4 Poetic Borderline Bumper Review

$9.95- Poetic Borderline

Design

This bumper gives you a slim minimalistic look.  On the edge of the bumper you see a somewhat partly glossy finish and matte grey edges.  All ports are easily accessible and the buttons are easy to push in.  The bumper goes just over the back of the Nexus 4, but leaves most of the back exposed.    

Protection

The main purpose of the Poetic Borderline is to show off the beautiful back of the Nexus 4 at the expense of protection.  The bumper as a whole gives one a much grippier phone and should ultimately result in less drops.  The bumper has a lip that goes just over the screen; if one's Nexus 4 does fall face first, then the lip should somewhat reduce the impact of the fall.

Final Verdict

The Poetic Borderline is a high quality bumper and a great value for the price.  At $9.95, this case is a steal.  The case is available in six cool colors: Black/Gray, Blue/Gray, Green/Gray, Purple/Gray, Red/Gray, and Yellow/Gray.  If one is interested in a slim profile bumper that gives minimal protection, this is the bumper for you.  

Make Your Nexus 4 Like Mine: Dec. Edition

Links:
AOKP
Wallpapers
LMT Launchers

Steps

1. AOKP Nightly 12/17 http://goo.gl/EnktO
1. Toggles
1. 4 per row
2. Clock
1. Center
2. Small PM
3. Battery
1. Circle Mod
4. Power Menu
1. Show Nav Bar Toggle
5. Lockscreen
1. Battery %
6. Rom Control
1. Custom carrier label
2. Kill all button
3. 180 rotation
2. Nova Launcher
1. Desktop
1. Three Home Screens
2. 6 by 4 desktop grid
3. No search bar
4. Card stack scroll effect
5. Infinite scroll
6. Don’t label icons
2. Drawer
1. 50% transparency
3. Dock
1. Don’t show divider
2. Don’t show scroll indicator
3. Infinite scroll
4. Look & Feel
1. Icon theme: Vapor Spectrum

3. Wallpaper-http://goo.gl/GkCuq , there are also a couple others with the Nexus X, as well as some other cool ones too.
4. Icon Pack- Vapor Spectrum
5. LMT Launcher- Go to XDA Link http://goo.gl/b4Ra3 and install
1. Watch video tutorial

How To Change The Softkeys On The Nexus 4

XDA Link- http://goo.gl/16spr

Directions:

1. Root Your Nexus 4
2. Make A Nandroid Backup
3. Install Metamorph, Busybox
4. Turn On USB Debugging
5. Open Metamorph
6. Go to XDA Link and download the zip of your choice
7. Move your file from the downloads section to AndroidThemes
8. Open Metamorph
9. Unzip file
10. Apply all
11. Reboot!
12. Congrats you have just changed the softkeys on your Nexus 4!

Nexus 4 Dock Review

THE GOOD

• This dock gives you all the basic features.  Simple installation, and the charging feature works like a charm.
• This dock keeps all of your cords and plugs in one place, so you shouldn’t be worried about knocking it over.  This dock works great for at home, at work, and you can even use it as a stand on an airplane.  And for the price, you could easily get a couple!
• One of my favorite features is that this dock can be placed in both landscape and portrait mode, so you can easily get the best media viewing angle.    
• The dot on the bottom right hand corner of the dock is great because it automatically lights up that way you can easily ensure your Nexus 4 is charging
• Finally, this dock looks great!  It gives you a nice premium finish and definitely feels like it’s worth more than $13 dollars.

THE BAD

• The speakers on the back of the dock don’t work as well as external audio output.  
• The dock isn’t compatible with cases, not even the 1mm thin Diztronic Hardshell.

THE UGLY

• There is no ugly because this dock was made by Samsung and just so happens to work with the Nexus 4

FINAL VERDICT
For under $15 and with free prime shipping, this dock is an absolute beast.  This dock keeps everything you need in a neat and orderly fashion.  If you need a simple charger and stand for your Nexus 4, this is the dock for you.  Be sure to check it out on Amazon for $13 and remember to like if you enjoyed the video and remember to subscribe for more.

Nexus 4 Diztronic Hardshell Review

Nexus 4 Diztronic Hardshell Case Review



$9.99- Amazon Link
$9.99- Diztronic Link

Design

5/5

First of all, this case is EXTREMELY thin. It's only 1mm thin, making it 25% thinner than the original TPU case. The back has a non glossy Diztronic logo on it and a slot cut open for the camera and speakers. It is a bit slippery, but won't catch lint on it or attract finger prints. Unlike other shell cases, this one isn't hard to take in and out. However, you definitely want to take it out periodically to make sure debris doesn't get caught in it and scratch the case. The edges of the case just barely go over the screen making a bit of a "lip". The lip is barely there and you may be able to fit a screen protector on it. The buttons are left exposed on the case making pressing the power button and volume rockers very easy. 


Protection

4/5

This case does a decent job at protecting the phone while still keeping a thin profile. The top and bottom of the case are left somewhat vulnerable, yet I understand how it would be tough to cover that part while making the case a "hardshell". Keep in mind this case is only 1mm thick, so I'm grading the protection based on the case's target audience. 


Final Verdict

4.5/5

This may be the thinnest case to ever hit the market. At $9.95 you get a lot of bang for your buck; this is a high quality case made with premium materials. You can tell Diztronic took the time to make sure they got everything right. This case is so thin you won't even notice it while still giving you some protection.

Nexus 4 Diztronic TPU Case Review

Nexus 4 Diztronic TPU Case Review

$12.50- Diztronic Matte Black TPU
$12.50- Diztronic Matte Smoke TPU


Design

5/5

The back of the case has a nice glossy tough black cover.  The bottom of the case has a good looking shiny Diztronic logo on it and a slot cut open for the camera and speakers.  The edges are made of a gelly type of material that makes the case easy to go in, but tougher to take out.  This is a plus in my book because it makes the phone seem like it melts into the case.  The edges of the case go over the screen making a bit of a "lip".  This could be an issue if you use a screen protector, but don't quote me on it.  The buttons can be pressed very easily and they aren't stiff at all.  The buttons are the most easy to press out of any case I have ever used.


Protection

5/5

This case protects all aspects of the phone while still keeping a thin and light profile.  The "lip" on the front of the case will definitely help to reduce the impact on the phone if dropped face first.


Final Verdict

5/5

This is probably the best case I've used so far for the Nexus 4.  At $12.99 you get a high quality case made with premium materials.  You can tell Diztronic took the time to make sure they got everything right.  This case gives you maximum protection, looks, and feel while keeping your beloved Nexus 4 protected.