URBAN ARMOR GEAR[UAG Samsung Galaxy S5 Feather-Light Composite [Ice] Military Drop Tested Phone Case

This review is for the UAG Ice case for the Samsung Galaxy S5. I recommend this case based on its styling, phone drop and scratch protection, and slim form factor.Pros:- The case is tested for drop protection and appears to be well designed for this purpose.- The case is slim and made of a single piece of material for easy installation. It is slimmer than the Otterbox Commuter/Symmetry cases and easier to install or remove.- This case works with a wireless charging receiver pad.- With the case installed, there is no obstruction of the flash, camera, speaker on the back, or other ports.- The volume buttons and the power button and easily accessible (not as defined as on prior UAG cases).- This case provides better grip on the phone without too much added bulk.- The styling is nice, such that with the Ice case you are able to see the back cover of the phone and the metal color of the frame on the phone as well.Cons:- The part of the case that covers between the home button/fingerprint scanner and the charging port is not secure and appears to lack durability. This piece of material also makes it difficult to use both the fingerprint scanner and difficult to access the charging port without effort. Conversely, the Otterbox Commuter/Symmetry cases do not have a piece of material covering this area. Note that after approximately 45 days of use, this case has become slightly loose fitting near this bottom button area and the adjacent right corner (this was not experienced with prior Urban Armor Gear cases).- The volume rocker and power buttons are not as pronounced as with prior UAG cases. This is a personal preference and is a design change that is not really bothersome. The buttons are still preferred to those on the Otterbox cases.- The retail price of this case and newer UAG cases in general is much higher than previously, making it too expensive for a case if not on sale.Overall, this case provides added drop and scratch protection for your phone, has good styling and buttons, and provides better grip for your Galaxy S5 without adding too much bulk.

When I unpacked it (man that thing was sealed up tight) I was a bit surprised to find out this was clear! In the picture it looks silver/aluminum-ish. But, it actually grew on me because it complements the color of my S5 nicely! It is aesthetically pleasing. Well one minor annoyance (esp for the clear one) are the fake torque screws making it look a bit cheap. The UAG doesn't stand out too much against my charcoal phone.Now for usefulness this thing is rugged! I'm clumsy (there I admit it) and I drop my phone at least once a day. The 72 hours I had to wait with my $500+ unprotected S5 where stressful to say the least! Fortunately for me I managed to not drop it once (yay me). The case is rated Military spec which means it can take a beating. While I've not given it a literal beating a metaphorical one absolutely I'm sure it can take it! One afternoon I was driving the golf cart and didn't realize it was on the seat and it tumbled off bouncing down the side walk. Another day I was pointing to a friend (I talk with my hands) and the phone just went flying out of my hand a good 4' off the ground. Then there is the typical clumsy 2' drops on the carpet at work. After, the golf cart incident I don't ever have that dreaded feeling that one has when they drop their oh so expensive unprotected phone!Now for functionality man does this thing shine there! As you know on the S5 the buttons are pretty flush to the phone and can be hard to get to on occasion. With the UAG they are still flush but has great tactility. I can find the buttons without looking and don't have to push very hard for them to work. Every hole lines up perfectly and it is just as easy (or should I say hard) to flip out the waterproof charge port plug. Any wired headset will fit as well and the case is not so thick as to block the NFC.Up next is fit.man does this thing fit like a glove well a glove doesn't even fit as snug as this thing does! Which means your precious is not going to just flip out of your case and into the toilet (ahem it wasn't me). But, this may be a caveat to some who like to change their cases like their underwear; it is a chore to get the thing back out! For me I find it as a plus (read above). Since it is a "slim" case one may wonder how well it protects the screen. The lip of the case is a little less than 1/8" above which doesn't sound like much but that is good protection if you drop your phone on it's face (well if it hit's a rock you are SOL).My case did come with a screen protector and honestly I have not put it on yet. I have been deciding on whether I want to get one of those glass ones.All in all this is a great case at the price point of around $20. I bought it straight from UAG (there are way to many counterfeits on Amazon) and you may find one cheaper but it probably won't be the real deal. Which could be a costly mistake when it really counts!

Very light, fits very well, feels good in the hand, buttons work well and add a "snap" feel to the stock buttons, cut outs are OK: cut out around the microUSB plug make it somewhat more difficult to remove the cover but it still can be done. Good ridge of raised material to protect around the screen . Fits with a glass screen protector in place.The 'Ice" style case appears to be different from other versions. It does NOT have an "impact resistant soft core" as described. Looking at the photo every thing that is clear is hard (as in difficult even to bend) while the only cushioning comes from the minimal use of the softer black TPU material around the edges. May be OK on the ends and sides but virtually nothing on the back. The corners are suspect too. The curved sides of the S5 are held in place with struts of this black material filling in the space formed by the squared off edges of the case; it's unclear whether or not the phone is actually suspended by these struts. It appears that on other versions of the case the the black TPU material supports the phone on the side along its entire length. IMO, and from reading reviews of those using this case and getting cracked screens, there is not enough cushioning material to sufficiently protect from impact in the Ice version of this case to protect in case of even a minor fall.