Heeding the sleek design aesthetic of its Galaxy S III smartphone, Samsung has designed a streamlined cover to complement it.
The case, the Protective Flip Cover, preserves the slim form of the phone because its hard, glossy back replaces the phone's standard battery cover. The cover adds only three millimeters of bulk to the phone, and it slides in and out of your pocket with ease.
But despite its name, the cover provides little in the way of actual protection. The front flips closed to shield the screen from smudges and scratches, but that will offer small solace if you accidentally drop the phone and it breaks. There's no padding on the back and no cushion on the corners, so handle with care.
The real intention of the cover is to allow users to customize their device with ease. If you grow tired of the color of your Galaxy S III, just pop off the cover and snap on a new one. Covers are available in seven col ors for $40 each. For the holidays, Samsung is promoting bundles of four colors for $100 apiece.
The sharp, modern look of the case does turn a lot of heads. When I showed it off in the office, several of my colleagues were impressed, some because of its sleekness and others because of its interchangeability. But as they fondled the phone, I found myself wishing it had a little extra protection.
