Best heavy-duty and grippy case for GSM Nexus?

[magus57]

Particularly one that can fit the OEM extended battery (which, speaking of, where's the best/cheapest place to get it)?

I'm used to just going for Otterbox, but the one for the Nexus looks ugly and like a complete lint/dirt magnet (the notification light cut-out part particularly). I already have a thin/light case on the way, which I got before I realized how small my hands are and how cautious I am about not dropping to phone due to a lack of grip when using one-handed - and it's already dropped once and left a tiny scratch on the back...and I've never dropped my phone before getting a Nexus.

So...recommendations? I read about Ballistic and Aegis cases a bit but aren't familiar with them at all. Seidio cases look nice, but no idea what kind of protection they offer. Anything with a plain black base is preferable, color accents would be nice (including pink if it's not too gaudy) - anything with a light base (white especially) is out.

 

[resynx]

I think the Trident Kraken is the most protective case out there. It's not very grippy b/c of the plastic being on the outside though. And it has a kickstand

 

[magus57]

I think the Trident Kraken is the most protective case out there. It's not very grippy b/c of the plastic being on the outside though. And it has a kickstand

It looks grippy and rubbery from pictures, it's just a hard/smooth plastic on the outside? It looks nice otherwise, thanks. And is the kickstand plastic or metal?

 

[ro_explorer]

I bought an Otterbox Defender series for Galaxy Nexus. It is fitting both the standard and the stock extended battery. It is the only case that has a tough protective material for the display also. Of course, it is stealing a little of the clarity, but it is a fair trade for the toughness that is providing.

 

[magus57]

I bought an Otterbox Defender series for Galaxy Nexus. It is fitting both the standard and the stock extended battery. It is the only case that has a tough protective material for the display also. Of course, it is stealing a little of the clarity, but it is a fair trade for the toughness that is providing.

How's the material on the back? I had two Otterbox Commuter cases and found the back to be way too slippery/smooth (it was fine since the phones were small enough to grip easily). And is it possible to remove the screen protector? I already have a good matte screen protector on.

At the moment I'm kinda leaning toward the Trident Kraken for basically being a two-part case and being kinda nice-looking too.

 

[ro_explorer]

The material on the back is a VERY grippy silicone. No plastic on the outside.
It is possible to remove the screen protector (I've seen other people doing it) but why in the world would you like to do it?

I bough the case to take the phone out on my mountain biking rides where I really need a tough screen protector not for the scratches but for the rocks .
I also have a XO screen protector on the display, for regular use.
I'm not using the tough case daily .. it is transforming the phone in the life signs detector used by the Earth crew in Stargate Atlantins

---------- Post added at 09:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

I just recompiled what you wrote ... the otterbox IS two part case .. a polycarbonate case (which has the screen protector) which is fitting in a silicone enclosure ... and you also get a polycarbonate holster for the whole assembly

 

[mgs991099a]

Try out the Seidio Convert case. I use it while at work and it is a pretty nice case!

http://www.seidioonline.com/samsung-galaxy-nexus-convert-case-holster-black-p/bd4-hkr4ssgnl.htm
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

 

[la7lou7a]

I've got the Ballistic. Seriously, it's awesome. I don't fear dropping it and it gives much more protection than the commuter. Says it was designed for the non gsm version, but my gsm with stock battery work perfect, so I guess with the extended it will also work. Very good grip on the back, seriously with the shell and silicon I don'T even think about the grip I sometimes just want to drop it lol. Corners = win.

Also, It looks manly. Fits in pocket, corners sometimes make it harder to pull out/in if you're sitting.

I would try the Seidio convert only if I decide to buy the extended. Looks beastly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE_Z31IIByw

 

[magus57]

I don't care for the screen protector built-in the Defender since I already have a matte screen protector that diminishes the screen quality (and having a clear/glossy protector on top of it would also defeat the purpose of the anti-glare and silky feeling of the matte protector), and while I'm sold in the protection, I'm not sold on the looks of the front (the area around the LED is a bit much if you ask me, and seems like it'd make it difficult to see the LED at certain angles).

The belt clip/holster on any case (Defender included) are useless to me, but a kickstand (that doesn't require a belt clip) is very nice...and as a result I'm kinda stuck between the Seidio Active with kickstand (for price) and Trident Kraken (for looks and being two-part; being able to get different-colored bases for cheap is a huge plus).

Any other suggestions with kickstands would be nice, and I do appreciate the other input/suggestions; while I'm certainly not against multiple cases, I only have money for one and want it to last at least a month.

And yeah, "manly" looks aren't exactly a pro for me =P

 

[npalmy]

I bought the Defender in pink so could use the extended battery, and I wanted something rugged. My husband got the Trident Kraken. His looks nicer but he complains that it is too slippery. Not sure if there is a perfect case out there

 

[CodeMonkey]

Particularly one that can fit the OEM extended battery (which, speaking of, where's the best/cheapest place to get it)?

Got mine from a Korean seller on eBay (think it was shim shop or similar - had good seller ratings). Took a while to arrive but its the real deal.
SGS Hybrid and Zenus cases are fine with the bigger battery, but not very heavy duty.

 

[poormansupra]

Trident kraken is by far the most protective and will fit both stock and extended battery. It's not as grippy as the defender but it's by far better quality and the kickstand can be taken out and other accessories like gps mount, bike mount, desk mount, and tripod can be used with the case

 

[ebagdirtbike]

I said screw buying a case for my nexus, when I can buy a complete rear housing and battery door for $20 on eBay. When the housing gets scuffed up replace it.