ArmadilloTekVanguard Compatible with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Case, Military Grade Full-Body Rugged with Built-in Kickstand [Screenless Version] (Black)

I had been using UAG (Urban Armor Gear) cases for my last couple of phones. I like them. My wife has also been using one to protect her mint condition Samsung Note 9 for about 6 years and she drops that phone a lot. However, when I recently upgraded from a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus to the S21 Ultra 5G, I paused before buying another UAG case. The main reason honestly was price. I didn't want to spend another $60-$65 on a phone case, even if it does have nice little accents like leather and stainless screws on the back.So I did some research and found various ratings of the most protective phone cases. After all, even if I was going to look for a better value in a case, I was not about to skimp on protection on a new flagship Samsung.I came across ArmadilloTek in several lists. I was somewhat skeptical that their cases were available from $15 to $22 yet claimed protection as good as an OtterBox Defender. But multiple reviews sung the praises of this small company in Texas and its cases. So I figured, I'll give them a try and for $18, at least I won't be out much money if the experiment fails. So I bought the Vanguard in black.When I received the case, I was very pleasantly surprised by the build quality. First off, the outer shell is thick and built like a tank. The separate inner case, which is more flexible, fit extremely tight to the phone. Overall, the tolerances were really good. This thing fits like a glove. It was even slightly difficult to get it on the phone but this was a function of conforming so well to the phone's dimensions in addition to the fairly rigid case materials. Prior to install, I applied a good quality screen protector as well as a camera lens protector. These items did not interfere with the case at all. Once on the phone, this ArmadilloTek case fit like a glove, with perfect alignment to the buttons, ports, and other openings. The flap over the USB-C port works well and actually seems better than the one on the OtterBox.My S21 Ultra is extremely well protected in this case. I haven't tried any intentional drops but I am sure that this case, by it's sheer hardness and density of the outer shell, absorption of the inner shell, and 3mm raised lip all around the phone screen surface (a more prominent lip than I've seen on any other case), would absolutely afford a high level of protection. The marketing material claims it exceeds military standards and can survive at least a 21 foot drop and that would not surprise me.In the hand, the case has a good grip with ribbing on the side edges. The back is somewhat more slick (as opposed to rubbery) but I don't find that has any effect on grip. I've never felt like the phone might slip out of my hand in this case. Also, the built in kick-stand works well, especially on a very large phone like the S21 Ultra.About the only potential negative about this case is that it does add some bulk compared to the UAG Monarch and similar cases I've owned previously. However, even the vaunted UAG does not consist of separate layers and honestly I am not even sure it would provide equivalent protection (especially as the lip on the UAG is not nearly as pronounced). Still, you do need to accept that the ArmadilloTek Vanguard will add some bulk to your phone. For a phone like mine that is already large, it definitely becomes an armored phablet with the Vanguard. But if like me, you need or want serious protection for your expensive phone, you will feel safer with this case than just about anything on the market. An OtterBox Defender may be on par but is substantially more expensive and I'm not even sure it would beat this case head to head in sheer armor. (Also, this case has more of a military/tactical vibe compared to the OtterBox, which always said "tech nerd" to me).I can't speak to the wireless charging capability that the case claims, as I have not been using wireless charging with my phone.This will now be my go-to case for future phones when I want serious rugged protection. At this price, it's a heck of a value too.I think that this company ought to come up with a line of similar cases with the same protection and add a few "luxury" accents (like leather or titanium)....I would buy one!

I really like how sturdy this case feels after the installation. The edges of the screen are protected as the case sits higher than the screen and in a scenario that the phone falls flat on its face and nothing pokes the middle of screen, the phone will be fine. The kickstand is fantastic before it breaks (best one compared to any case that I've tried).The outer plastic is bulky but I haven't experienced any problems with it. The thin plastic skeleton and the kickstand keep breaking in the same spots. The corner of the thin inner plastic keeps breaking and the kickstand rails keep chipping off.The customer service was great though. I had my case replaced once for free and that broke in the same places within two months.

This is my second case from this seller. The durability for the price can't be beat and the only reason I had to buy another one was because my first one broke on the corner of the inside part after hitting pavement for the umpteenth time. I had it for about a year before my clumsiness did it in.

I like the stand that folds out

Very happy with my phone case for my samsung S21 ultra. This the case I've been looking for. I'm glad that I picked this one, I don't have to worry about my phone anymore just incase I dropped it.😊

Update 6/17/2021: I dropped the phone a week ago about 4 feet onto a hard marble floor. It cracked the hard front frame at the corner, but the phone was protected undamaged. The outer shell remained undamaged. I contacted ArmadilloTek and they are sending me a replacement frame free of charge.Original Review:I tried out both cases for the Samsung S21 Ultra and in the end prefer the ArmadilloTek.1. The quality and drop protection of both cases are excellent, however ArmadilloTek case has a better raised screen edge lip that gives important additional screen protection. The SUPCASE is more flush with the screen at the sides so it is slightly more functional for the edge bar feature, but is also more at risk for edge screen damage. I do not use the edge bar (I find it annoying), and highly prefer a more robust protection of the screen edges. I have dropped a phone at the exact angle against a protruding metal object which cracked the screen at the edge before. The AmardilloTek raised screen edge will prevent that better than SUPCASE.2. The rubber feels a little softer on the SUPCASE, but is not an important factor. Both have appropriate grip marks on the sides. Both have smooth back plates (slippery).3. The side button rubber texturing IS MUCH better on the ArmadilloTek. The buttons are much easier to find by touch with the ArmadilloTek because they protrude out slightly more and each button has it's own distinct rubber covering. On the SUPCASE, the volume buttons coverings meld into each other. Because the overall length of power button is similar to the overall length of the melded two volume buttons, I often found myself hitting volume down instead of power button.4. Kickstand on the SUPCASE definitely appears more durable, although it doesn't always sit flush as easily when tucked in (I have to be more mindful to push it in a little harder so it's flush). I had my last ArmadilloTek kickstand semi fail after 1 year (on my S10+), although it was still semi usable without the ability to lock in place when extended (did lock in place when tucked away). The SUPCASE kickstand comes out closer to the bottom of the phone and allows a more upright portrait view that is better for neck strain when viewing in this orientation. However, it doesn't feel stable and you can easily knock it over while interacting with the screen or some desk vibration (for some reason the kickstand footprint is slightly curved which lends to decreased stability... WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT??). The ArmadilloTek kickstand protrudes out more near the middle, so has a more stable stand position that allows interaction of the screen without falling over, but you strain your neck a little more due to the lower angle in portrait mode. In landscape mode, the ArmadilloTek is a more stable for interaction due again to the more middle positioning of the kickstand, and the viewing angles are the same in landscape mode compared to SUPCASE. ArmadilloTek REALLY NEEDS to improve the kickstand mechanism as the connection points are very thin and are obviously prone to failure. I would plan to have the ArmadilloTek kickstand to fail with the current design in a few months and definitely before 2 years if you use it regularly. You can still use the kick stand mostly normally in portrait and landscape mode when the locking mechanism fails.5. SUPCASE red is way more appealing and true red. ArmadilloTek red is a salmon-pink/red. SUPCASE color is much better.In the end I much preferred the screen edge protection of the ArmadilloTek over SUPCASE as the decisive factor.

If you want the best protection for your phone, it's a must! The kickstand is easy to use.

This case is durable for my samsung s21. I like the fact is has a mini stand. I have dropped my phone so many times and nothing has broken yet.

I have had many armoured cases for my phones but this is by far the best. Its tough easy to hold and the stand at the back slides out smoothly and the locking bar clicks in effortlessly. It also seems more stable than similar ones I have had which became slack and unusable. Well made and would highly recommend it to protect your phone.

I really like the case. Better grip than what I had on the Unicorn Beetle and the lip protection is all around. This works with my 3rd party screen protector and has enough space to take glass protectors. Its accidentally fallen a couple times and survived. The case is sturdy and can sometimes be a bit hard to take out the phone.There is an issue with the inner case sticking out causing it to be (maybe 1mm) over the outer case in which may cause issues when dropped (the inner case breaking). Read below if your ordering from Canada and want a replacement. Be aware, if you buy this from Canada or outside of the States. Their warranty is only good in the states. If you want a warranty replacement to Canada, you'll need to pay $18 USD which is the shipping cost. I'm tempted to pay for it but some people may not like this.

The case seems very durable. It does make the phone look and feel rather bulky but I guess thats expected from a Military grade case. Overall I'm extremely pleased with the way it looks, feels and with the protection it provides however the only downside to the case is that I can no longer use a magnetic phone holder in my car as the bulk of the case does not allow the magnetic to get a strong hold.