The Shellster ShellCase by Amzer is an inexpensive but solid snap-on case and holster for the HTC One X, HTC One S, HTC EVO LTE, and Samsung Galaxy S 3. Both the case and the holster have steep, pronounced horizontal ridges that add a ton of grip, though the edge of the case is simple and smooth. The holster’s clip doubles as a kickstand and works great in both landscape and portrait orientation. Best of all, the combo is really affordable at $14.95.
Style
Between the matte finish and the deep grooves, the Shellster case feels great in the hand. The materials don’t feel particularly tough after popping off the case, however; it’s got a fair amount of give that had me wondering if it would stay in one piece after a significant impact. The HTC One X and EVO LTE versions of the case are only available in black, but the Samsung Galaxy S 3 model has red and white alternatives, if you’re looking for something a little flashier. Personally, I'm fine with the straight black, even with a white device.
Function
Out of the last couple of holsters I’ve tried that have attempted to do the same clip/kickstand combo, the Amzer Shellster ShellCase has managed to do it the best. Not only does it lock and balance perfectly well in both portrait and landscape, but the phone slips into the holster face-out too, which is kind of an important detail for case and holster combos trying to pull off this trick. Everyone once in awhile the brace behind the clip would pop out, but for the most part it stayed where it needed to. Besides that, the holster is lacking a top clip of any kind, which means with a few good shakes, my device could come loose. Over time, I expect the wear on the case would make it even more prone to slippage.
As with any snap-on case, you aren’t going to get much more than scratch protection on the rear of the device; it doesn’t come with a screen protector, nevermind offering any kind of impact protection at the top or bottom. At least the holster’s soft felt interior is big enough to cover the entire front face of the device. At least the charge/sync contacts are still accessible, along with the the speaker, camera, and microUSB slot.
Pros
- Excellent price
- Functional clip kickstand
Cons
- No top clip for holster
Bottom line
For such an inexpensive case and holster combo, I was really impressed with the kickstand mechanism on the clip. The groove design on case provides a whole lot of grip, but unfortunately the holster, lacking a top securing mechanism, is a bit of a liability. As with any snap-on case, you aren't going to get a lot of impact protection, but combined with a screen protector, you should have decent coverage without adding a lot of bulk to your device.
If you’re interested in picking one up, the Amzer Shellster ShellCase is available on ShopAndroid for $14.95.
Technostalgia: A series about the Golden Age of mobile tech
Join us for a look back at the best (and worst) of Android and Google over the years in our series Technostalgia.
These are the best Android phones you can buy right now
There are so many great Android phones to buy, so it can be tough to know which one to buy. These are the best of the best at each price point.
Microsoft doesn't need to justify the existence of the Surface Duo
Some people, including our Andrew Martonik, think Microsoft shouldn't get the benefit of the doubt with the Surface Duo. This guest editorial from SomeGadgetGuy's Juan Carlos Bagnell disagrees.
With a phone as beautiful as the LG Velvet, you'll want to get a great case
It can be tough to find a great case for a new phone, especially for a phone with a unique and wonderful design like the LG Velvet. But thankfully, there are a lot of solid case choices out there and these are our favorites to keep your LG Velvet safe from when "life happens".
