Available from Brando
Price – $11.50
Pros – Adds a retractable stylus, neat solution and provides a little more protection than standard back cover.
Cons – Additional length. New design won’t fit Omnia cases or cradles.
I have owned my white 16gb Samsung Omnia for over 6 months which is an absolute record for me! In fact its nearer now to 7 months. The Omnia for me does everything I need to an acceptable standard. It has been customised beyond belief, countless custom rom’s flashed on it, even an early build of WM 6.5 ! I have used SPB Mobile Shell and M2D at some point, both of which are very glamorous to look at and use.
However, the one annoying fact about the Omnia is the lack of a stylus slot. Samsung believed it was cool to have a stylus attached via the lanyard loop. Not a good idea in my opinion. The stylus is needed for games in particular and the odd occasion where fingers are not suitable. Finally, a clever solution has arrived courtesy of Brando Shopping.
The Brando hard rubber case back replaces the existing Omnia back cover. To fit, remove the original back cover. Then lower horizontally the i900 button side into the case and gently push down the other side until it clicks into position. I tried various different ways of fitting this cover, but eventually found the above solution the best way. A set of instructions would have been handy.
The casing is a precise fit. Unlike the original back cover, the Brando Hard Back cover adds a little extra protection as it extends up the side of the case in places.
It is still possible to operate all the Omnia buttons. In fact I have found it easier to operate the buttons with the Brando hard back cover than without.
The first photo shows the original Samsung back cover next to the Omnia with Brando’s hard back cover fitted. It appears from the photo that the Brando’s cover adds a lot of extra bulk to the size. Actually it doesn’t. The length is longer by about 50mm and the width is only 2mm wider.
As I said before this hard back cover incorporates a stylus which is located bottom right corner of case. It is easy to pull out thanks to a some raised edges on the top of the stylus. The stylus is a retractable type and when fully extended is a reasonable size, albeit a little light. However, I have had no problems using this stylus so far.
The back cover feels like rubber, but is plastic. On the other side of the cover is cutouts for the lanyard and Samsung connector. The back has a cutout for the camera.
The Brando back cover case is available in Black, Red and White.
Summary
A clever solution. This is staying firmly fitted on my Omnia. If you need your stylus, then this is a great solution.
Verdict – 89%
Review by Gavin Fabiani-Laymond
Just received mine Excellent product.
Can a replacement stylus be purchased, Now I have one I do not want to be without
I dont know. Suggest you email Brando Shopping. Glad you like it.
Gavin
Yes, a replacement stylus is available on the brando website now. I really want to get this case, thanks for the review.
I received my Rubber Case, and found that even after having applied the full body Invisibleshield on my Omnia (which adds only little extra ‘bulk’, but makes the casing somewhat rougher than normal), the Omnia fits in the Back Hard Case with the original back cover.
In your review you mention that you removed the Omnia’s original back cover, but I really don’t think that’s necessary. Truth be told though: I guided the Omnia in the Case using my plastic credit card as a shoehorn, to pull the Back Case apart a little temporarily.
I however now wonder whether it’s easy to remove the device from the Back over, for instance if you want to replace the SIM card or SD card. However, I’ve no need for that so far.
Again, thanks for the review, Shaun.
I just got mine today (ordered 10 days ago) and I think it’s an excellent, quality product. I have to agree with Bouvrie about keeping the back panel on, though. Without it, the Omnia shifts when pressing a corner (E.g. near the front-facing camera lens) because it teetors on the back (5MP) camera metal protrusion.
It was more difficult to fit it in with the back panel on, but is far more snug.
Patrick. I reviewed product not Shaun:) . Gavin.
Oops! I only read the name at the top, my mistake. Thanks Gavin!
I purchased my cover about 5 months ago, the only problem I’ve had is the stylus was always a bit loose, and I finally lost. I’ve got a replacement now, and I still think it is a bit loose, but I have jammed some tape in the slot and this has helped a bit.