For LG Nexus 4 Owners: Ballistic Case for $20.95 shipped (Best Protection; Retails for $35)
 

Hello, I hope you are doing well.

I know thousands of Slickdeals members recently purchased the Google LG Nexus 4 phone, and many people are still hunting for a case. After hours of research, I have personally determined that the best protective case currently available is the Ballistic Shell Gel (OtterBox and Lifeproof have no plans to make cases for this phone).

This case comes in either black/black color or black/pink color. The official Ballistic website offers this case for $34.95 plus shipping (source [goballisticcase.com]), and the black/black ran out of stock within hours of being available.

Fortunately, TheCellGuru.com offers this case for just $18.96 (here [thecellguru.com]), and shipping prices start at $1.99, making the final price $20.95.

Direct link to black/black case [thecellguru.com]
Direct link to black/pink case [thecellguru.com]


Seller Ratings
-TheCellGuru has a rating of 9.71 out of 10, based on 771 reviews, according to ResellerRatings.com (source [resellerratings.com]).
-TheCellGuru also has a rating of 99.2% based on 7860 buyers, according to eBay (source [ebay.com]).


Enjoy!
Tofu Vic

This post can and should be edited by users like you :)
 

Thinner 13mm Tough Case $5 Nexus 4 Black Hybrid Armor Cover Case [amazon.com]
This $20 Ballistic Case is a super thick 22mm.

This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

BLACK/BLACK IS OOS

Also available from their eBay store:

Black/Black [ebay.com] (thecellguru) OOS
Black/Black [ebay.com] (ctc_gifts) $20.60


(Here's another eBay seller selling it for a similar price: Link [ebay.com] They only look to have 15 more in stock.)

Black/Pink [ebay.com] (thecellguru) OOS
Black/Pink [ebay.com] (ctc_gifts) $20.60

Great! TU

Thanks for putting in the time & focus to obtain this result :bounce:-
As we know tons of options abound...

I agree, case looks pretty good, w/out adding much bulk, good price 2

would the pink be too metro ?? :shake:

good deal especially for those who have butter fingers

Glad I can help. Since December 2012, I've spent at least eight hours reading about different cases, looking through at least 200 reviews for dozens of different cases. I've personally determined that this one offers the best protection without being too bulky.

The pink looks decent - it's completely up to you how you feel about it; some of it may depend on your choice of clothing and fashion.

Tofu Vic

Too bad amazon doesnt carry it. I have some gcs to use

Having a heck of a time deciding if I want to get one of these or stick with the ringke slim case. The slim case doesn't offer much more than scratch protection (maybe some falls, but not all) but it looks so much nicer than the bombproof cases, and adds almost nothing to the size and weight. On the other hand, the cost of the squaretrade warranty no longer makes sense (used to be $35 AC and $50/claim, now even with the best coupons it's $80+ and $100/claim), so I'm in the cold if something happens to this glass-encased destruction magnet.

Decisions...

Im in the same boat as you. I actually just ordered that slim ringke today. Ive always used thin tpu cases without a problem but my shiny new glass phone is suppose to be delivered today and im getting paranoid, lol

You just made it an even tougher choice by ordering that case. This Ringke case is pretty amazing; I don't like cases in general but this one actually adds a tiny bit of character, while adding less than half a mm... It's definitely the best cellphone case I've ever used. (OK, full disclosure is that I'm actually returning the one I got because it's got some flex near the volume rocker; in the reviews most people who had this issue got a replacement that fit better so my final judgement is reserved). I have friends that swear by their otterboxes, but I just can't help thinking that it ruins the user experience (buttons are harder to press; and ends up looking like the inside of your pockets after it starts collecting dust and lint...

i have the diztronic case and its the best!

looks quite bulky

Here's another option [ebay.com]if cost is a big concern


Review [youtube.com]

I personally bought one of these [ebay.com] for under $4 and have been using it ever since I got my Nexus 4 (about 3 weeks after it released). It's decent protection, but it looks good and adds barely any weight/bulk to the phone.

I just received my Ringke slim as well. Kind of hard to justify putting such a nice looking device in an Abrams tank of a case.

I managed to only drop my One S once, I'll try and keep it up.

TU to you OP anyways

I've been waiting for this one. And the black/black is out of stock at Ballistic website and even with their 20% discount code (ALL4LOVE), with $7.95 shipping, it's still expensive.

Hopefully, this isn't some defective first batch version....

Thanks OP!

Just to add to the confusion and further derail the thread, I ordered this Mercury Slim Fit Flexible TPU Case [amazon.com] for my Nexus 4 this morning. I thought it looked a lot like the Ringke case but offered the protection of the Driztronic while costing just over $8.

I've heard some wonderful things about the Ringke Slim case. They may not offer the best protection, but they look nice while protecting the phone from scratches and such.

My girlfriend doesn't like cases on her phones (I bought her a Nexus 4 as a gift), so I'm trying to decide on a slim case for her. I had initially considered just going with SquareTrade and not get a case at all, but the initial ~$80 plus $99 for the claim itself doesn't seem worth it.

I am highly considering the Rearth Ringke Fusion case for my girlfriend - it's a pity that it has yet to be released and there's no estimate release date. It looks awesome though! https://www.rearthusa.com/google-...usion-case

Tofu Vic

I contacted the seller and he stated that these are the exact same ones that Ballistic is selling for on their official Website. TheCellGuru buys in bulk for low prices and are able to sell these for lower-than-retail prices. This is my first purchase with this merchant, but their online ratings are superb.

Tofu Vic

I ordered this [ebay.com] one for $2.89 incl shipping from US, I hope it works well

There are multiple manufacturers that have made the "S-line" Nexus 4 cases. Some are highly-rated, while others are horrible and have been known to break and damage the phone with even a light drop. I recommend reading customer reviews on Amazon before placing an order for one of these cases. If you want to buy through eBay to save money, find a good manufacturer through Amazon first.

Hope this helps,
Tofu Vic

why is otterbox slacking i dont want this junk!

I ended up with the i-Blason [amazon.com]. $10 with free prime shipping. 4.3 out of 5 with over 100 reviews. Most of the complaints were around wirelessly charging or the fact it doesn't have a kickstand.

It's really tough getting a case for this phone. It's beautiful and if you care about looks then you want the most minimal case possible. On the other hand, it's fragile and so incredibly slippery. This seemed like a decent compromise case that was priced right.

As oemlera pointed out Square Trade is virtually worthless on the Nexus 4. Your best bet is to avoid the warranty and just take very good care of your phone.

Good deal though on this case. Just a little bulkier than what I wanted.

Wish it came with a belt clip !

For future N4 purchasers...the rumor du jour is that Walmart will soon start carrying the 16gb model. Walmart offers reasonably priced insurance that covers cracked screens. For example, 2 years of coverage for the N7 at Walmart is $28.

We enhance and extend the manufacturer's warranty.*

Our Product Care Plan provides more coverage than the manufacturer's warranty, such as failures due to:

Accidental Damage from Handling, such as spills, drops and cracked screens
Power surges
Defects in materials and workmanship
Mechanical or electrical failures, including those due to normal wear and tear
Internal heat, dust and humidity

This plan provides 2 years of coverage from the date of purchase.

I barely ever go to Walmart - probably once every two years - so I'm not very familiar with them. For that warranty, will they cover phones not purchased at their stores?

Thanks,
Tofu Vic

No.

http://wmt.protection-plans.com/c...Type=terms

Doubt it. Squaretrade is probably your best bet.

that is one UGLY case

agreed

I can vouch for the quality of these S-Line cases for the Nexus 4 as well as the seller for this case. I actually bought three of these cases: a black, a blue, and a red. :) I use the blue and my wife uses the red (for our Nexus 4's) and the black is a spare.

I ordered http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/...02_s00_i00 off amazon and its a very good case fits tightly on my N4 has not loosen up yet very good price and case

I bought the Pink.

It is nice.

Wow, really ugly case, takes all the sex appeal away. If you have to have something, I'd suggest the OEM bumper.

I completely understand that this is a bit bulkier than most people would like, which is why I decided to add "Best Protection" to the title (most people understand that cases that protect well are a bit bulkier than other cases).

I'm waiting for the Rearth Ringke Fusion case to be released so I can pick one up for my girlfriend. That's probably the best looking case, in my opinion, that offers some protection.

Tofu Vic

I bought a very similar one on ebay for the same price, and while it's nice, i'm worried that it won't really provide any protection if I drop it. I went ahead and bit on OP's deal, I spent too much money on this phone to not protect it well. :D

Decisions...[/QUOTE]
Just get both =). I have a slim case (ringke style) as well as a TPU case. Usually I have the slim case on, but if i'm going snowboarding, or out to the bars, etc, I'll put on the tpu case.

For half the price, these 2 are great with the Nexus 4 and also have great reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Exact-Armor...roduct_top

http://www.amazon.com/Ionic-GUARD...roduct_top

Thanks for the link on that Ringku Fusion. Im definitely getting that case when it comes out. Very nice how it showcases the N4's back cover!

I'm a fan of diztronic but I just took the case off my N4 and put the official bumper on it. While it doesn't feel naked, it's a bit closer to it.

Thanks for posting those. I had considered both of them early on in my research, but I think they're pretty ugly. They seem to be rather decent in terms of protection though.

Tofu Vic

I had this case on my Nexus S. It offers a good deals of protection, but it attracts a lot of lint. It's also very bulky.

I much preferred the Trident Aegis I used on my GS2. I've got a cheap, slim case coming for my N4. Holding out in hopes that Trident puts out a case.

Great find, regardless.

What is the outermost layer made of? That textured bit on the back- is it soft and rubbery? I ask because I want a case that isn't going to make it a huge pain to put/remove the phone from my pockets.

It's hard plastic wrapped around thick silicone. The plastic backing has a rubberized coating. You can push your fingernail into it.

It wasn't as bad as the otterbox defender was. But, the corners are angled in at the screen. That's what grabs the inside of your pocket. It's also what offers you second to none drop protection.

Updated wiki. Black/Black is OOS. Black/Pink still available from their site, as well as eBay store.

If anyone desperately needs it, it's available on amazon for $32.50. Not a slick deal but there you go.

Black [amazon.com]or Pink [amazon.com]

this is one [amazon.com] that i just looked at too. the back is kinda frosty. i agree the rinke fusion is one that i would go with myself- but dunno how long i can wait. had my nexus 4 for 2 months now and saw a couple small scratched on the back and one below the front camera- never had any protection on it. but have been super carefull and never dropped it. The scratches are from just putting in my pocket or table- never next to keys or anything sharp though.

The exact armor looks good for protection but is fugly for sure

It looks like this just ran out of stock at TheCellGuru.com, but the official Website now has these in stock again for $34.99 here [goballisticcase.com]. Use 20% off coupon code ALL4LOVE to make it slightly cheaper, though still not as cheap as the original deal I posted.

Hope this helps,
Tofu Vic

It seems that the page for the case has now been updated with a $24.99 MSRP, with a pre-order special of $13.99, and will be available direct, and from Amazon, on February 15.

Rearth USA [rearthusa.com]
Amazon [amazon.com]

Thanks for the update. I placed my pre-order through Amazon about an hour ago. I hope this case works out for my girlfriend's Nexus 4!

Tofu Vic

Don't know if you created a thread for it, but I created one, just to separate the discussion.

LINK

I did not and I support your thread posting. I gave you thumbs up over there.

Tofu Vic

lol even though its out of stock.. the sale price is now... $999.50!

dangit - looks like they oversold - just got this email last night

"We have temporarily sold out of the "Lg E960/nexus 4 Agf Ballistic Sg Series Case - Black And Black". The estimated ship date on your order is 2/21/2013. We apologize for the delay and will get your items out to you as quickly as possible."

Nah! Who want so much of protection for a phone. I am yet to figure out the psychology behind the casing and protection.

The case is in stock now at thecellguru

[QUOTE=ShobanaS;57755462]The case is in stock now at thecellguru[/QUOTE

hopefully they ship mine soon then!

This case is also on amazon, sold by iTech Accessories for $16.95 + $4.49 shipping = $21.44. A little more than thecellguru if you are more interested in buying it on amazon.

It's actually cheaper than even the OPs price from an ebay seller called "ctc_gifts". I have updated the wiki with the links and price ($20.60 + FS)