Review: HTC EVO Platinum Series case with holster (Seidio Innocase II Surface Combo)
Best Buy's Platinum Series HTC EVO 4G case with holster is the rebranded version of Seidio's more expensive Innocase II Surface Combo. It is assumed to be one of the better play-through hard cases for the EVO and is therefore also one of the most expensive.
Is it worth its asking price? Read my full review to find out.
Packaging
The Platinum Series case is packaged very nicely in a clear tube with removable ends made of thick plastic. Inside the tube is a blister pack containing the Pt-branded Innocase II Surface and holster.
Design & Quality
The two-piece case is fashioned out of soft-coated plastic lined with a suede-like felt.
The plastic is sturdy but the edges have a fair amount of give to them when squeezed. The pieces look better in pictures than in person, in my opinion; my first impression was actually one of disappointment, as I expected better quality.
The case isn't badly made by any means, but I was still let down when I took it out of the package. All of the cutouts are smooth and the finish feels nice, but I expected the plastic to be thicker and strong enough not to "bend" when put under light stress. I don't think it could ever break with the EVO inside it, yet I wouldn't be surprised if it could be cracked on its own.
Holster
I can't believe that Seidio sells this holster for $29.95! The good news is that it's much thicker and stronger than the case. Of course considering that it's designed to withstand everyday wear and tear from being worn on a belt, better quality isn't surprising.
Fit
The Innocase/Platinum Series case fits the HTC EVO perfectly. The two pieces slide and lock into place very securely; if not for the visible seam (which I don't like), it could probably be mistaken for a one-piece silicone skin.
Everything on the EVO is completely accessible through the generously sized cutouts, which are perfectly aligned and well balanced.
One of things I don't really like about the way the phone fits into the case, however, is how recessed it makes the already thin/flat hardware buttons. It takes some extra feeling around when blindly operating the EVO because the buttons don't stick out anymore.
Holster
The encased EVO fits into the holster backward so the screen is always protected. I don't own a belt and have never worn a belt clip, so I was actually surprised that the phone didn't face outward. It makes sense why it wouldn't but my belt-clip inexperience had me thinking it was really weird at first.
The large clip at the top is strong yet easy enough to lift so the phone is still accessible without much effort.
Conclusion
I have no doubt that the HTC EVO 4G Platinum Series case with holster (Seidio Innocase II Surface Combo) will be one of the most popular play-through cases for the EVO. It looks good, fits well, and partially protects the phone from accidental bumps and small drops. The holster adds value and makes it more versatile, especially since removing it doesn't affect the case.
On the other hand, the visible seam is an acquired taste, the hardware controls become very recessed, and the quality of the plastic isn't exactly consistent with the case's asking price.
The Platinum Series case with holster is available now from Best Buy for around $35. The Seidio Innocase II Surface Combo retails for $49.95 but can be purchased for $39 on Amazon
. If you like the case but don't want/need the holster, the Seidio Innocase II Surface retails for $29.95 and can be purchased for $23 on Amazon.
