9 replies to this topic

[PaulOBrien]

Today a much-sought-after genuine Nexus 4 bumper arrived at the MoDaCo office. Coincidentally, a GENx Nexus 4 bumper from MobileFun did too. But, there's something surprising about them...

...they're IDENTICAL!

Now, the genuine bumper is a wonderful thing with a great fit and nice finish, but it really is impossible to get hold of. It seems as though the GENx version is a great alternative!

It is available from MobileFun in Black, Pink, Blue, Green, Orange or White, priced at £19.99. Slightly more expensive than the official item but with a lot more predictable availability.

Check out the images below to see for yourself how 'similar' they are and head on over to MobileFun to pick up your Nexus 4 case.

[Thanks @lennyuk for bringing these to my attention!]

Click here to view the item

[Zarch1972]

Do they add much bulk to the phone? I love the slim nakedness of my N4.

[PaulOBrien]

Not a lot...

P

[Zarch1972]

mmmmmmm, thanks Paul, might consider one.

Dropped it once already and hugely surprised that it survived the impact with the wooden floor.

[PaulOBrien]

Lucky!!!

P

[Brembo109]

Cool. Already able to buy a bumper in Germany. Thanks Paul for your review. I waiting for this QI Charger to arrive (http://url9.de/yZo) so i´m fully equiped with bumper and wireless charger :-D

[PaulOBrien]

Nice!

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[EddyOS]

Got the 'OEM' colour GENx bumper and have to say I'm happy with it. Nice snug fit and makes the buttons actually work better than without it. Love how it came in the 'original' packaging - seems these replicas have no shame!

[SilentBob]

I insisted on having some kind of case on my N4 before I would take it out of the house. I admit, the glass back has made me very nervous. I initially bought a "official" replica by Shenit for £12.95...
http://www.amazon.co...duct/B00AUDSY0K

I have not seen a genuine official bumper case in person, but this copy does seem to look just like it. It retains a very stylish look, and the buttons are fantastic. However, I still found myself feeling very nervous handling the phone day to day. The black plastic part of the bumper only protruded back and front by a tiny amount, and I felt that this wasn't enough to protect the phone when I place it down or if I were to drop it. Also, the black plastic part wasn't soft enough for me. I would have preferred if it were made of a softer silicone material, as this may have given me more confidence that it would provide some drop protection. As it was, I felt that the only protection offered by this would be that it would prevent the edges of the phone from getting scratched.

Obviously I do not know how this compares to the official bumper or the GENx one above. Do those protrude enough to protect the screen and back? Is it made of a softer material that might absorb some of the shock from dropping the phone?

Since buying that bumper, another case came along that seemed like it would offer much better drop protection for the phone...
http://www.amazon.co...duct/B00A06Z41E

I have bought this (@ £13.70 including shipping) and whilst it isn't the best looking case in the world, it certainly does look better in the flesh, I have much more peace of mind that the phone will be better protected and I find it actually feels good in the hand too. It doesn't feel half as bulky as it looks like it would. For now, this is what I am sticking to and the bumper is staying on the shelf.

Whilst I really do like the design of the phone and it is indeed a shame to cover it up, the design certainly wasn't the factor that made me buy the Nexus 4. As such I don't feel I am doing it a great injustice by covering it. I am simply protecting my investment.

[PaulOBrien]

That Shenit does basically look the same too.

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