The Samsung Galaxy S7 is beautifully designed, but the edge-to-edge screen and glass on the back need to be protected. Spigen's Rugged Armor case provides adequate protection while maintaining a low-profile and avoiding too much added bulk.
We'll provide a hands-on review of the case's look and feel in your hand, the patented features Spigen built into the case, as well as the overall design and build so you can make an informed decision.
Style
Spigen did everything they could to keep the Rugged Armor slim and flexible, while maximizing its durability and resilience. Carbon fiber accents along both the top and bottom of the case look great, while providing much-needed texture when the phone is in your hand.
Made with industry-standard TPU materials, this one-piece case is flexible with precise cutouts that accommodate even third-party cables. The raised buttons are easy to find without looking and are responsive and reliable. All things considered, style-wise, this case provides a good layer of protection for your phone, while keeping the slim profile intact.
Features
The Spigen Rugged Armor cases are are certified military grade, having been drop-tested by a third-party. They feature Spigen's patented Air Cushion Technology, meaning if your phone falls and it lands on its corner — typically the worst case scenario for the S7 — the case provides a buffer to prevent the phone from taking the brunt of the impact.
On the inside of the case, you'll see a web of cut-in lines.They offer added impact absorption that disperses the initial shock throughout the entire case.
Design
The flexible one-piece design makes it easy to put on, but creates a potential issue along the bottom edge. We've found the phone can too-easily slip out from the bottom of the case with little required force, which makes us question how much protection would be provided if the phone falls screen-down, corner first — a nightmare scenario when you really need your case to do its job.
Despite that potential design flaw, the Rugged Armor otherwise has all the features you'd want in a case in this class, including raised bezels to provide a gap between your screen or camera when you put your phone down. And, with a thickness of around 2 millimeters, there's not too much added bulk to deal with.
The bottom line
If you find two-piece cases too cumbersome to put on and take off, then the Rugged Armor case should provide the flexibility and protection you desire.
However, if overall protection is what you're after, we'd have to recommend the Spigen Tough Armor case over the Rugged Armor, simply due to the added protection from the polycarbonate backing and the rigidness around the bottom screen bezel.
