We are always on the quest for the best cases for our phones here and while we do have a staple of case brads we normally turn to, it’s always nice trying something new. That’s why we’re testing out ZAGG’s line of cases for the Samsung Galaxy S-series, specifically the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Ultra. ZAGG brands these as Gear4. We’ll be checking out the GEAR4 Denali, the Havana, and the Copenhagen, which is also available now for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra as well as the latest iPhone models.
GEAR4 HAVANA
The ZAGG GEAR 4 Havana is the least expensive case of the bunch. It is a lightweight, slim profile case that is both flexible and strong. Most of the case is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) which is why it’s flexible but utilizes something they call D3O at the top, bottom, and orders of the case. D3O is a pliable, flexible material that hardens on impact, dissipates shock, and protects your device. We all know that these areas are where the phones are most susceptible to damage when dropped. The GEAR4 Havana also includes RepelFlex, an antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria and guards against degradation from microorganisms.
In terms of look, the case features a transparent look with a smoke finish and is ribbed on the back for extra grip. The GEAR4 logo is embossed next to the camera hump while a “Protected by D3O” text is located at the bottom of the case. The portions that have D3O are colored black. It’s a pretty good-looking case and is very slim and form-fitting. The case is good for about 10 ft of drop protection.
The ZAGG GEAR4 Havana retails for $29.99 and is available for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
GEAR4 COPENHAGEN
The ZAGG GEAR4 Copenhagen is next up on the list and this one is a lot more restrained in terms of style. It is also a slim profile case that is lightweight. This case apparently is made of D3O Bio material which is plant-based and made with 52% renewable resources. The case also features RepelFlex antimicrobial treatment and inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria and guards against degradation from microorganisms.
Thie case only comes in black and while you can’t really tell by just glancing at it, it is highly textured. IT has textured lines all over the case which provide a good amount of grip and a more tactile feel. It is a fairly good-looking case if you want something minimal that doesn’t draw a lot of attention. Now even though this case is slim, it does offer up to 13 ft of drop protection thanks to the D3O technology.
The ZAGG GEAR4 Copenhagen retails for $39.99 and is available for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
GEAR4 DENALI
Lastly, we have the ZAGG GEAR4 Denali which is their most protective case. Unlike the other two cases, this one is mostly hard, made of a polycarbonate shell. It does have a no-slip grip coating on it as well as a textured backplate. The texturing is pretty interesting and consists mostly of interconnecting lines. The Denali also features a whole layer of D3O on the inside of the case which is much more than the previous two. There’s also RepelFlex antimicrobial treatment that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria and guards against degradation from microorganisms.
In terms of look, this is my favorite of the three. I like the way that it fits, the sleekness of the case, the textured pattern on the back, and the orange-colored accents. I also like that this is a hardshell case which I feel more comfortable with than a soft, flexible one. This case however only comes in black. Being ZAGG’s most protective case, it is good for 16 ft of drop protection.
The ZAGG GEAR4 Denali retails for $49.99 and is available for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My favorite of the three has to be the ZAGG Denali though mainly due to its use of a hard shell and that it is much more rigid than the other cases. If you want the ultimate in protection from ZAGG, the Denali is where you’ll find it. However, the others aren’t bad either as they offer a slimmer design and still feature D3O technology and an antimicrobial coating. Regardless of which one of these you choose, ZAGG has a solid line of cases here with prices ranging from $29.99 to $49.99.
