Database Users

Physical Body Build Quality (silver) -- Easily Scratched

I just noticed a few scratches that I'll have to live with.. Maybe I'll have to buy a case now (thought going naked would have been fine)
I know there are plenty of topic on this, but most cover actual defects.
Btw, just wanted to say that I LOVE this device. No way I'm returning. Not even this unit! Can't! Spent soo much time customizing it, and even the benchmarks are slightly above average
Anyway... My problem right now is the chamfered edges and the bottom speaker grill.
The silver One is susceptible to the same amount of scratches as the Black One, albeit they won't be as prominent on the silver variant.
The unit I'm talking about is actually a replacement. The first One I owned had defects, but even for the short time I had it, it somehow managed to build a few dents and scuffs on the chamfered edge up at the top speaker grill.
This time, the problem's on the bottom! I have a few scuffs on the bottom chamfered edge... It's been 4 days in my possession, and already is growing hits and dings. Now here's the interesting part.. As a university student, school's out and the phone has pretty much left the house only once! Other days it laid either in my hand, on my pocket, or on the floor right by my bed.
I looked at it and thought that maybe I can polish them when they get worse.. But things took a turn for the worse right away!! As I was examining the scuffs on the edge, I came across a hairline scratch that extended from the bottom of the lower speaker grill to the top (of the speaker grill) -- almost like a crack -- a hairline crack. Looks as if a pencil lightly went over it.
I've attached photos for your viewing pleasure, but as minor as they appear, note that it's only been about 4 days!! I'm wondering what'll come out of it over an extended period of use.. Guess I can live with whatever has happened to date though =]
*please note that the images aren't too good a representation of the actual damage to the device. It's slightly worse in person -- the abundance of light blurs the scratches a bit.
Arghhh the photos have since showed less of the damage as I had to resize the images to 640* 425 (instead of 4288 * 2848 )
To me, it's just like a dead pixel. You can't tell it's there in normal use, but once you find it, it'll haunt you for a while. At one point you won't care.. But when you see it again, you'll start kicking yourself.
I've been babying my phone, but I think it's time for me to go up onto Amazon and buy myself a good case. *flies to look at the Accessories forum*
Any of you folks keeping your phone naked experience any unexplained scuffs and nicks on your edges? Scratches on your speaker grill?
You guys think that we'd be able to -- at some point -- replace the speaker grills with OEM parts? I'm sure people will come across much worse problems...

No matter what device, what manufacture or what materials the device is made out of, if you don't use a case, this will happen and worst. Your scratches are barely visible. I had to zoom in the picture to see them.
I don't have the device yet but I already have 3 cases for it and a pack of screen protectors. The official flip case and 2 tpu s line cases, one black and one clear.
Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using xda premium

I agree. I guess it's just that I'm bummed it happened so soon!
I'll learn to live with this. I don;t think I'm ready for a case just yet. The cases I've seen so far don't look too good and add way too much bulk. The slimmer ones don't cover the top and bottom chamfered edges...
I'll keep looking. I do have full body screen protection, except it only covers the screen itself and the rear of the device. Speaker grills (understandably) are left to be in the open

Did you check the phone over when you got it? Just asking as I've seen a one or two with some nicks and scratches out of the box I'm guessing it happened when polishing the chamfered edge.

Man, how do you use your phone to manage to put these scratches and dents.
I have had the phone since last Friday with daily use and no scratches, I just put a skinomi clear film in the back to protect against scratches and dents, the front is naked, looks beautiful, you don't even notice the film is there
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

I have films on the back and front of the device myself!
I honestly do not know where these came from. It's been on my desk or on the floor by my bed. Hasn't left the house -- maybe just once..
Anyway I attached another saddening photo. This was taken with my old Atrix.
I'm thinking that this may have been a result of missing the charging port and accidentally sliding the micro usb plug into the front of the phone while I was half asleep...
Anyway, I'm sitting here and there's much greater things to worry about. It could have been much worse... A random scratch on the screen or a deeper nick...
Besides, the bottom speaker grill is a separate piece and if it continues to get scratched up and continues to bother me, I'll just see if i can get it replaced..
Hope I actually move on. This is the same feeling as when I found a dent on my $700 guitar.. I got over that. So ill probably get high over this
Aha I'm wondering what it'll feel like when I find a small scratch on my first new car -_-... Boy will I be a mess!
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

Aluminum is a soft metal, unlike titanium or other harder metals. They chose aluminum because it is light weight.

So do you think black is more durable? I'm going to buy One today so I might considering buying black instead if thats the case.

Btw usually stratches goes away when wiped properly. At least do on my black One S. Dents, however, stays forever.

muayyadf1 said:
Aluminum is a soft metal, unlike titanium or other harder metals. They chose aluminum because it is light weight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. But I'm hoping that maybe next year they make the switch to a harder metal like steel... The OPPO Find 5 allegedly has a steel frame construction. Sure it's heavy, but if they get the right look, whatever! Durability should be of more importance than weight..
Now if it does weigh too much, maybe implement the steel construction only around certain areas...
I'm aware this will pull up costs, but the device would be that much better!
Dharkan said:
So do you think black is more durable? I'm going to buy One today so I might considering buying black instead if thats the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's another thread about scuffs on the black edition. Maybe I've got too far... You can't see this if you're not looking for them, but to me they'll always be there.
I've seen multiple accounts of folks on here see through their black paint into the aluminum underneath.. You'd want to avoid that.. So I don't regret having the silver edition.
They both scratch the same amount, but the black shows more..
Good luck and I hope you enjoy your One just as much as I am!
Choose the device that also to you more! If you like the stealthy black, but that! But if you do, go for the Poetic Atmosphere case.. Looks pretty nice on the black variant.. The silver one.. Not so much.
Still going to look for a case, but it isn't my priority.. I'd rather keep the phone naked and enjoy the cool feel everyone I touch it in the morning!
Dharkan said:
Btw usually stratches goes away when wiped properly. At least do on my black One S. Dents, however, stays forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've wipes this, took a moist set of wipes below the actual holes, but nothing. There is a scratch, not a surface scratch, it's slightly deeper.
100% sure this ain't going away.. But i haven't lost all hope! As this phone e grows in popularity, some ebay sellers will manage to get their hands on some grills and they should be replaced rather easily since they're in there only via an adhesive. Would have been more ticked off if it was on the screen, on the chamfered edge off of the back, or even on the back itself..
Here's hoping the grills are replaceable and I can do something about it in maybe 6 months!
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

I had mine with no case for almost 1 week and not a single scratch
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app

No idea what to say. I'm keeping it naked. Maybe this was from the factory.. I don't see how you can get a scratch from the bottom to the top of a grill without taking your phone out much...
Maybe I didn't notice this before, but i still am worried about the durability of the device. If pocketnow reports bad durability, then I've got no option but to go with a case. Right now i dont even know where these came from.. No sand in my room, no hard metals that would easily scratch anodized aluminum..
It really IS a mystery...
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

yes the part which worries me the most is the possibility of hardshell covers actuall doing damage as you attempt to place them
this is why HTC's own double flip / dip are actually a lot softer to install
this exactly why im sticking to slim transparent rubber covers

hamdir said:
yes the part which worries me the most is the possibility of hardshell covers actuall doing damage as you attempt to place them
this is why HTC's own double flip / dip are actually a lot softer to install
this exactly why im sticking to slim transparent rubber covers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it! When I bought snap on cases for my Atrix, the plastic around the phone was soo scuffed it actually looks nasty without a case. Definitely not making that mistake again!
I don't think tpu or hardshell plastic cases can really damage the aluminum bezel as aluminum is harder..
But it's still something I worry about and a case like the one you linked to is just perfect.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

WolfDale7 said:
Tell me about it! When I bought snap on cases for my Atrix, the plastic around the phone was soo scuffed it actually looks nasty without a case. Definitely not making that mistake again!
I don't think tpu or hardshell plastic cases can really damage the aluminum bezel as aluminum is harder..
But it's still something I worry about and a case like the one you linked to is just perfect.
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not the aluminum i'm worried about

hamdir said:
it's not the aluminum i'm worried about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Crap. Overlooked that!
Wow..
Kay so time to look for a similar case to the one you've got
I want to keep the beauty of the HTC One visible while still protecting it from further scratches...
Everything over on the accessories forum doesn't really cut it go me :/...
I'll go to this mall that pretty much just sells phone cases and phones. Hopefully I find a store that has what I want for a reasonable price
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

WolfDale7 said:
I agree. I guess it's just that I'm bummed it happened so soon!
I'll learn to live with this. I don;t think I'm ready for a case just yet. The cases I've seen so far don't look too good and add way too much bulk. The slimmer ones don't cover the top and bottom chamfered edges...
I'll keep looking. I do have full body screen protection, except it only covers the screen itself and the rear of the device. Speaker grills (understandably) are left to be in the open
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably the thinnest, plastic case around. does not add bulk like otter cases do. you should check it out...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Platinu...&st=platinum series case htc one m7&cp=1&lp=1
Also, it's aluminum. Whoever thinks aluminum, a softer metal, won't scratch, is lying to themselves.

hamdir said:
yes the part which worries me the most is the possibility of hardshell covers actuall doing damage as you attempt to place them
this is why HTC's own double flip / dip are actually a lot softer to install
this exactly why im sticking to slim transparent rubber covers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel you but the cheap TPU's will scratch phones too. Only cases I have found to never ever scratch a phone are Otterbox has a combo silicone tpu which is very soft and nonabrasive unlike normal tpu. Capdase Aluminum cases they are soft touch silicone on the inside will never ever scratch. And last my old friend Incipio their double layer cases have a soft touch silicone also that will not scratch the phone.

nullkill said:
I feel you but the cheap TPU's will scratch phones too. Only cases I have found to never ever scratch a phone are Otterbox has a combo silicone tpu which is very soft and nonabrasive unlike normal tpu. Capdase Aluminum cases they are soft touch silicone on the inside will never ever scratch. And last my old friend Incipio their double layer cases have a soft touch silicone also that will not scratch the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how will a rubbery cover scratch it? you mean if it falls?

hamdir said:
how will a rubbery cover scratch it? you mean if it falls?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No TPU is not rubbery its more like flexible hard plastic. If the case fits well the TPU material will scratch the phone from taking it off putting it back too much. If anything get in between the phone and the case game over it's almost worse than naked. It's sold as rubber like or soft but I have 20 different TPU cases and all are the same crap. Otterbox and the others I mentioned use silicone which is like a soft rubber. TPU is a cheap is injected crappy material that is why you will find cases as low as $5 or lower.

Painted bezel / Zero-gap: Like? Dislike? Scrape it off?

The Moto X has an interesting glass front. The glass actually covers the entire face and "wraps" around the sides of the phone to the equator of the entire phone. This was commonly referred to as the "zero-gap" or "magic-glass" technology when I was first reading about the phone.
The bezel that we have appears to be painted onto the glass itself. Especially for people like me with the white face, the painted bezel effect really shows off a rather unsightly vertical gap between the painted bezel and the surface of the digitizer, which rests about .5 mm under the glass itself.
I wonder what the glass looks like under the painted bezel. If it was scraped off, do you think it would just be smooth glass enveloping the front of the phone? If so, I wonder why Motorola felt the need to paint the bezel on. That painted bezel looks really cheap to me.

I read rumors that it was wrap around glass but I really don't believe that to be the case - when tapping on it with a metal object, the "wrap around" area sounds distinctly plastic and on the top, you can actually see a distinct area where the plastic is taller than the glass that meets it.
It would be a lot more expensive to create a wrap-around glass piece than it would be to simply do some good plastic forming create tight bezels. I don't think it's glass at all - it's just plastic that's assembled with the glass to some tight tolerances.
Look here:
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KidY6tB4P22vESDH.huge
Looks/sounds/feels like plastic to me.

binary visions said:
I read rumors that it was wrap around glass but I really don't believe that to be the case - when tapping on it with a metal object, the "wrap around" area sounds distinctly plastic and on the top, you can actually see a distinct area where the plastic is taller than the glass that meets it.
It would be a lot more expensive to create a wrap-around glass piece than it would be to simply do some good plastic forming create tight bezels. I don't think it's glass at all - it's just plastic that's assembled with the glass to some tight tolerances.
Look here:
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KidY6tB4P22vESDH.huge
Looks/sounds/feels like plastic to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree. While the teardown picture shows what appears to be plastic, there appears to be an additional layer of something covering the outer rim. Check the bottom right (and even bottom left) corner(s) shown in the picture. In the alternative, the "wrapped" portion of the glass simply doesn't go as far as the equator.
I'm virtually certain there is some "wrapping" going on, largely due to the fact that I'm dealing with a white face. I will stake my life on the fact that there is no horizontal meeting between the glass and the bezel (on the flat portion of the face). I can actually see under the painted bezel and see no leading edge of plastic. The glass just goes until I can't see any further. I agree with you that it sounds like plastic when tapped with metal (I just tested it myself), but that can be easily explained by the mere fact that it is painted with some plastic-like substance.
Finally, I think your statement that the bezel is raised only supports the idea that the bezel is painted atop the surface of the glass. If it weren't, you could theoretically have it be level with the glass, though not necessarily. I really wish someone's teardown would show a close picture of the glass.

its not painted glass or wrap around glass. its a plastic bezel. i know becasue i can lift mine up with my fingernail

I have a white front too. At first I was too a bit angry about that shadow where glass touches the plastic/color, but I learned to live with it I don't really think it is just color. Maybe it's some really thin plastic bezel on top of the glass, but certainly not color. Try to look at some crashtests of Moto X. If you look at damaged bezel, you can see it's not just color but something more solid

eyc said:
I agree with you that it sounds like plastic when tapped with metal (I just tested it myself), but that can be easily explained by the mere fact that it is painted with some plastic-like substance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it wouldn't. Painting a glass surface with plastic doesn't make it resonate like plastic. Especially not at the thin layers we're talking about.
Finally, I think your statement that the bezel is raised only supports the idea that the bezel is painted atop the surface of the glass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To raise that tiny little piece of bevel on the top and bottom of the phone, and do all of this wrapping, would be very expensive since it would be pretty sophisticated forming, and from an engineering standpoint, it's a bad idea.
I'd lay money on it being plastic. Easy test, though - go ahead and scrape off your paint and we'll see. I'm not going to do it on mine, though, since it's plastic and will look like hell after that

murso74 said:
its not painted glass or wrap around glass. its a plastic bezel. i know becasue i can lift mine up with my fingernail
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, then. I stand corrected. What do you see when you lift it up? Does the glass extend a tad past the plastic bezel? I guess the plastic bezel is just really thin and tapers off into paper-thinness at the very edge where you see the glass.

eyc said:
Well, then. I stand corrected. What do you see when you lift it up? Does the glass extend a tad past the plastic bezel? I guess the plastic bezel is just really thin and tapers off into paper-thinness at the very edge where you see the glass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly I can't really tell... Seems like plastic. I can slip my thumb nail between the side glasss and the plastic bezel, but I don't really want to pull to hard. I've been meaning to call moto about a replacement
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

This was one of their marketing things at launch it's zero gap where they "fused" the plastic bezel to the glass for that zero gap feel. The problem is that the bezel doesn't come all the way to the edge of the display so it does create an odd line. This is far more obvious on white than black on black it can only really been seen in direct sunlight.
"Motorola’s unique materials story continues on the front with a fused glass-plastic layer. The front glass and touch panel are fused into the plastic lip which rings the top side of the Moto X. They’re not separate parts, but literally fused together into one. Motorola is very proud of this feature since it results in one unbroken surface instead of the usual pressure-fit plastic ring affair with a raised section or gap."
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7235/moto-x-review

It's plastic. I'm actually quite surprised it's being debated.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Inner metal bezel scratched and huge gap

I just got my note 4 from t-mobile shipped yesterday oct 13. The pictures shows it all. Not only do i have a gap that is only at the top and right side of the phone (which i can live with), the top right hand corner shows that the inner bezel scratched possible from applying that screen. I can live with the gap but not those scratches as the white phone bezel make it more noticeable. Sucks to get the runt of the new note 4s...

i wouldn't call that a "huge" gap, you can probably just slip a piece of paper in, but not anything thicker, same info posted by androidauthority and unbox therapy. how did you scratch it with a SP anyway? glass SP?

It just seems like the paint that used on the metal came off in those spots. As for the gap, it's no bigger than any other note 4, but I do agree that dust and other particles will get stuck in there over time.

same small gap on my phone but then it disappeared after i put on a case. Even without the case it doesn't really bother me that much because i didn't even notice it

You can scratch it if your removing bubbles

I don't think you have a gap issue at all. I'd be a ticked about the scratches though.

Those aren't scratches. Those are the antennas

joe11784 said:
Those aren't scratches. Those are the antennas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
trust me those are scratches from the paint peeling off the metal. Probably for poor installation.
This phone also had very loose volume rocker buttons.
Also the gap is way bigger than any of the 4 phones that shipped. ( had a total of 6 so...)
Ended up returning this one and one with a dead pixel/dust ball under the screen.
Got my two replacements from t-mobile. all is good.

Oh my bad. I was looking at the last picture you uploaded where it shows the cut out at the top left of the phone

Stay clear of Ghost Armor

Dear god what a frigging fiasco. Not only does every speck of dust adhere to the back of the screen protector, despite the application solution, but said dust particles seem to ave seriously deformed the plastic, so now the screen protector has zits.
Moving on to the entirely insufficient carbon fiber skin, there's not enough pieces to cover the sides, and the back piece is cut too small, always leaves a couple of millimeters of glass visible around the edge.
Moral:do NOT buy for the Xperia Z3!
I'm overnighting a new Skinomi setup....

npaladin2000 said:
Dear god what a frigging fiasco. Not only does every speck of dust adhere to the back of the screen protector, despite the application solution, but said dust particles seem to ave seriously deformed the plastic, so now the screen protector has zits.
Moving on to the entirely insufficient carbon fiber skin, there's not enough pieces to cover the sides, and the back piece is cut too small, always leaves a couple of millimeters of glass visible around the edge.
Moral:do NOT buy for the Xperia Z3!
I'm overnighting a new Skinomi setup....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats your opinion.
I have it as just a screen protector and it is fine. Much better than other protectors because with a case on it, it doesn't lift the screen protector edges.
The only issue I have with it is the screen oils up bad from fingerprints, easily fixed with one or two wipes over fabric

I guess this is an opinion too?

All that shows is you suck at applying screen protectors... lol.
You're supposed to install screen protectors in a dust free environment. Try turning the hot water on in the shower and waiting ~10 minutes, then try to install it.

Clearly you don't know very much.
Ghost Armor is the absolute worst of the wet-applied screen protectors. The whole idea behind wet-applied ones is so that the fluid captures the dust so it can be squeegied out from underneath the screen protector. Ghost Armor's adhesive, however, seems to grab onto every speck of dust it can find (apparently it's also got a static attraction component) and literally will not let go. Not even tape pulls it off, you have to soak it down and then scrape it off with a fingernail...at which point more dust gets pulled in and adheres. Any dust. Even in a humid bathroom. Horrible design.
Skinomi, Zagg, ArmorSuit, all of them work wonderfully in the same environment and under the same conditions. Ghost Armor? They can't even measure phone dimensions or create properly cut and sized skin pieces, so I guess asking them to create a proper wet-applied TPU screen protector is too much to ask.

npaladin2000 said:
Clearly you don't know very much.
Ghost Armor is the absolute worst of the wet-applied screen protectors. The whole idea behind wet-applied ones is so that the fluid captures the dust so it can be squeegied out from underneath the screen protector. Ghost Armor's adhesive, however, seems to grab onto every speck of dust it can find (apparently it's also got a static attraction component) and literally will not let go. Not even tape pulls it off, you have to soak it down and then scrape it off with a fingernail...at which point more dust gets pulled in and adheres. Any dust. Even in a humid bathroom. Horrible design.
Skinomi, Zagg, ArmorSuit, all of them work wonderfully in the same environment and under the same conditions. Ghost Armor? They can't even measure phone dimensions or create properly cut and sized skin pieces, so I guess asking them to create a proper wet-applied TPU screen protector is too much to ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used Ghost Armor many times, but have quit using wet-applied protectors in favor of glass protectors. (If I use one at all)
I guess your dust is more dusty than my dust.

I installed cheap mumbi display protectors on the front and back when i got the phone. Both without a single spot of dust or air under them. I don't even want to install my screen protector made of glass, as i then have to pull of the perfect installed normal protector.
Before installation, i had to wipe the screen several times as there was always new dust on it, i did not apply them wet or in my bathroom. Absolutely no problems, so i don't understand how there can be so much dust under the protector if anyone knows what he's doing.

Again, I can get any brand on completely dust-free, except for these things. Ergo, something is wrong with these things.

npaladin2000 said:
Again, I can get any brand on completely dust-free, except for these things. Ergo, something is wrong with these things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's completely possible you had a bad install...
Perhaps they use a better adhesive. I've never had any problem installing Ghost Armor, or any other "brand" screen protector.

xxquicksh0txx said:
Perhaps they use a better adhesive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe so. I think I read at one point that their protectors could optionally be installed dry, so maybe they're designed that way. But better isn't necessarily good. And I notice their instructions specify a wet install now.
Incidentally I just tried scraping off the dust and reapplying the thing. Only this time in my relatively dust free datacenter. And guess what? It managed to find some dust from somewhere. Damn, they should compete with Swiffer.
Anyway my emergency Skinomi will be here on Thursday. In the meantime this screen is driving me nuts though.
Sent from my Sony Xperia Z3 using Tapatalk.

npaladin2000 said:
Again, I can get any brand on completely dust-free, except for these things. Ergo, something is wrong with these things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I have used it on four phones, and not a single spec of dust on any of them if you prepare your surface correctly, I normally keep the phone screen facing the ground to stop dust settling on it, then apply holding the phone sideways as to keep as smallest surface area exposed to falling dust

Help me choose case

I am looking at a few designs but not sure which ones offer the best protection. Some of my lists are:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01HHAPIZC/ref=twister_B01MG8YWJ8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/152202213435?var=451393076924
Was even looking at flip cases
https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B01EHP3STS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.ca/KaiTeLin-Asus-Zenfone-ZE552KL-Case/dp/B01KU3NZ58
Altough the problem with flip cases I might have is that once open, they protrude beyond the width of the phone, since the hinge is lined with the back side. So it makes it awkward to hold.
So do you guys have any opinions or experiences with any of these? Are you recommending any other? I'm inclined to get the Nillkin. Looks very similar to the Ringke case, but at almost a 1/3 of the price. My main objective with the cases would be very good corner protection, since if dropped, phones tend to land on the corners and a rised enough lip that it will prevent scratches on the screen when placed face down or scratches on the camera, since it does protrude outwards, when placed on it's back. Only problem with non flip cases is that the screen tends to get scratched as you keep the phone in the pocket.
As a reference, I had the Ionic Guardian case for my Nexus 4 and it protected the device really well. Loved the extra material at corners.
https://www.amazon.ca/Ionic-GUARDIAN-Armor-Nexus-Black/dp/B00A06Z41E

http://www.lazada.co.id/calandiva-s...transaction_id=102652ab51bc113472d447cebc3f52
This case offers really good protection with extra inner fins inside act as shock absorber, even protruding camera is nicely covered. The thing is it tends to get yellowish after some time. If you somehow manage to get the grey one nearby your location, it'll be a decent choice.

I first went with Nillkin sparkle flip cover https://www.nillkin-case.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4911 . It is functional, the Asus Cover app works fine, it offers decent protection for back and sides but it doesn't cover the upper and lower sides leaving them vulnerable. The material on the back is hard plastic. It is very hard to remove the phone from the case and it even scratched the paint on the upper left corner while doing so. The reasons I abandoned it is because it's not very comfortable to use, you can't hang a call while flip is closed, it's too sparkly in some lighting conditions. The black one is actually a shade of gray and It gets all kinds of marks on it without actually being scratched. The flip is too rigid and it tends to close automatically or refuse to close depending on what you did last. The materials look cheap and it can't even be described as "leather imitation". The leather version looks better though. I still keep it for the sake of diversity but now I'm using http://nillkin.org/smartphones-acce...ssories/nillkin-asus-zenfone-3-ze520kl-nature . It's far more practical and also offers decent protection without making the phone look a lot bulkier. I also installed a Nillkin tempered glass screen protector and I guess that's all the protection I need without sacrificing the aesthetics too much.