Accessory Reviews: Droidette Sleeve & Invisible Shield
I recently purchased the ZAGG Invisible Shield from the WomenWithDroids Accessory Store and a Droidette Sleeve from our exclusive Droidette Shop. I used them all weekend on an out-of-town trip so they would get a lot of use and I could write a thorough review.
I waited for the Sleeve to arrive before installing the Invisible Shield, because the Invisible Shield is thin and protects from scratches, but doesn’t provide any buffer when the phone is dropped like my previous chunky plastic case did, so I wanted to use it with the Sleeve. The Invisible Shield took about a half hour to apply, because there are more than 15 little pieces of protective plastic that you apply to each little surface of your phone to protect from scratches and other minor damage!
Close-Up of the Invisible Shield on my Droid.
You normally can’t see the little pieces of dust/fuzz at all, they’re just highlighted by the flash in the photo. The phone just has a semi-glossy “skin”. You can see 4 segments of it in the picture.
You use the provided spray liquid on your fingers and on the surface of the plastic so it will apply smoothly and without fingerprints – it worked just fine for me, though it took a little patience to line the pieces up just right. The Invisible Shield really does cover almost the entire surface of the phone, and gives it a slightly rubbery feel which I like since it’s not as slippery and easier to hold onto. It also doesn’t interfere with the phone sliding mechanism in any way.
I like how the phone looks and feels without the bulky case, too – the Droid is sleek and powerful-looking! I do wish the corners were a bit more protected and I am worried about dropping it when it’s out of the sleeve (How come my camera has a wristband but my phone, which I use as a camera, doesn’t? That worried me when taking photos over a cliff edge on the trip!). However, if a key brushes up against the screen in my purse, it won’t damage it now!
I had an unprotected screen for a long time because the screen protector Verizon sold me interfered with my ability to use the touchscreen, especially pulling down the notification menu. It frustrated me so much! I’m just lucky nothing scratched it while it was exposed! Now the Invisible Shield is protecting it, and once the plastic “cured” and flattened out, I have had no problems with the touchscreen.
Now for the Droidette Sleeve: it is SO cute and you can tell it was made with care. (And no, I didn’t plan for it to match my shirt in the photo!) It is durable enough for my high level of usage, but soft. All weekend I took it in and out of my purse, in and out of my sister’s backpack, in and out of my truck’s cupholder, and it held up beautifully. I got compliments on it and also knew that my phone wouldn’t be destroyed if I dropped it. It is also snug enough that the Droid won’t just slip out – I have to pull it out – which is great since I don’t have to think about holding it upright or gripping it a certain way, the phone just stays in snugly.
A little story: I had a near-phone-disaster during my weekend travel. When I got to the hotel, I smelled fingernail polish, and I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. It turns out I had tossed a nail polish bottle into my purse while packing and forgot it was there – I think it cracked in the heat when my purse was in the car, because nail polish had leaked onto everything in there – except my new Droidette case! (whew!) So the case was safe, but it made me realize that even if it had gotten on the case, at least it wouldn’t have gotten on the phone! That’s what the case is for, right? I’m so glad my Droid is better-protected now! Also, the camera lens is now covered when my phone is in my purse or pocket – it was exposed by my other snap-on case.
The only downside of the Invisible-Shield/Droidette Sleeve combination is that after taking the phone in and out of the case constantly, some little strings of felt got under the edge of the Shield on one side of my phone and caused it to peel up and stick to the felt each time I put it in. I have a feeling this is partly because I put the phone in the sleeve just after applying the Invisible Shield before it had time to “cure” (which takes a day or two), so the edges were able to peel up, but this might happen over time with the Shield anyway.
So, I’m going to try to craft a little plastic insert to go inside sleeve to keep the phone from rubbing against the felt every time I slide it in or out, and that should prevent this issue. The Invisible Shield piece can be cleaned and re-stuck, so I may be able to fix it, let it cure again, and use it without having to make an insert. Other than that, I haven’t had any other problems with the Sleeve/Shield combination.
In summary, I highly recommend you get a Droidette Sleeve for your phone if you don’t already have a soft case, and I also highly recommend that you get the ZAGG Invisible Shield, even if you only get the screen-protector-only version. I should have gotten this a long time ago to protect my screen while my phone was in the other snap-on case. Protect your investment! Don’t wait until you have a scratch or crack to think about protecting your phone!
How do you protect your phone? Tell us in the comments!
I can’t wait to get my sleeve in the mail! I opted for the traditional green Android with the little key hook and whatnot, but they are all adorable (and functional!).
I finally had it with the Invisible Shield after about a week trial run the other day. I feel like its texture made scrolling feel a little weird/less responsive, but I seem to be in the minority about that.
Cool, let us know how you like it! Also, so others know, you can order the Droidette case with custom colors, too!
I have heard one other person not liking the texture of the Invisible Shield, but I really like it and haven’t had any issues with using the screen!
P.S. I like your blog and just retweeted your nintendo post!
Hey thanks! I like your site too, of course! Man, I’m so glad the Evo just opened my eyes to Android. I’ve been on a nerd high for like 2 weeks now. I mean, I’m usually on a nerd high, but this is an Android-fueled nerd high.
Shit, I shoulda ordered a Droidette in custom colors! Maybe I’ll get another one some day and they can be buddies or date or something.
haha 😀
I had a bad ordering experience with zagg and it scared me off so I never re-placed my order. I’m hoping the screen protector goes on sale at a retail store soon (and that I find the patience too apply it).
Thanks for the informative review. Still hoping to win one of those cute sleeves since I can’t afford one right now.
Aw, that’s too bad. I ordered mine during their Memorial Day sale and got it quickly with no problems!
I have a droid case by the same Etsy seller in red with a white android and I love it! It fits my phone perfectly and keeps it safe from all of the stuff tumbling around in my tote bag! My only regret is not getting one with the flap cover on it, but I will get one of those for my birthday!
[…] good gift. It is a great way to protect a phone from scratches without adding bulk. See our review here. Find a ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD for your […]
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