Hands-on: Thin Fit and Crystal Shell HTC 10 cases from Spigen [Video]

Last week, Spigen sent over a few cases for the recently released HTC 10. That was great news for me, as I’ve been extremely hesitant to use the device as my daily driver without some sort of protection.

If the HTC 10 wasn’t so pretty and well designed it wouldn’t matter, but it’s a beautiful smartphone that I wish to keep in tip-top shape. As such, I was more than happy to take Spigen’s offerings for a test drive. Take a look at our hands-on video to see the cases in action.

In all, Spigen sent over three cases, two Thin Fit cases, and a clear Crystal Shell case. All three cases provide protection from bumps and nicks, but the Crystal Shell case with its air cushions on each corner, is a bit more substantial.

The Thin Fit cases, which were provided in a gunmetal and a mint color, are extremely lightweight and low profile. I definitely prefer the look and feel of the Thin Fit cases over the Crystal Shell case, but much of that will boil down to personal preference.

The Thin Fit cases, despite their extremely low profile, do a good job of protecting the corners of the HTC 10, and provide a lip so that you can rest your phone face down without having the screen come into contact with the surface of a table.

Video hands-on

The Thin Fit case features cutouts for the HTC 10’s buttons, while the Crystal Shell case provides full coverage, even for buttons. Both cases feature protection for the HTC 10’s extra-wide chamfered edges on the sides, but the Crystal Shell provides coverage for the top and bottom edges as well.

I particularly appreciate how the surface of the Slim Fit case is tacky to better facilitate grip on the somewhat slippery body of the HTC 10. Some of you may not like this, though, as it makes it a little more difficult to remove the phone when it’s in your pocket.

To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the mint or clear colors, but I think the gunmetal color looks nice. The gunmetal color features subtle flakes in the design that make it shine when light hits it in a certain way. It’s not ostentatious or anything, but it does add a little life to an otherwise straightforward design.

I’ve seen some complaints that the design of the Slim Fit case is uncomfortable due to sharp edges. The case may help to accentuate these edges a bit, but during my hands-on time I didn’t see it as a major issue.

If you’re looking for the most protection, then you should definitely take a look at the Crystal Shell case ($24.99). It provides better protection in the corners and edges at the expense of the form factor. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something super thin and lightweight (and cheaper), you’ll want to consider the Thin Fit case ($10.99).