Review: Double Dip hard case for the HTC One

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

With the HTC One being made readily available in Canada, many users are going to want to opt for a good case that will protect this flagship smartphone's aluminum exterior from drops or bumps. I was surprised and disappointed to find that very few big box and mobile accessory stores carry cases for the HTC One and the ones that they carry are pretty average yet overpriced.  Thankfully HTC designs and makes its own cases.

Purchased through Amazon.ca via Case123.com, the HTC Double Dip hard case is designed by HTC for the HTC One and costs $39.00, a bit steep, but you know you're getting something that's specific for your handset. I received the case within two days, which is pretty quick.

Made from rigid polycarbonate with UV coating, the Double Dip hard case is a three piece case. The middle portion, which is made in light gray coloured soft-touch hard plastic covers most of the HTC One's shiny rear and has perfectly cut holes for the ultrapixel camera and the LED flash. This part slides in smoothly and feels as precision built as the HTC One itself.

Top and bottom portions interlock perfectly with the middle section. This all fits perfectly and sort of emulates the zero-gap build of the HTC One itself. The colours of the top and bottom portions, bright red and dark gray to be exact, add a playful flavour that's rare to find in many cases or accessories which are either too conservative or too loud. 

The case looks great on the HTC One, it also feels fantastic. The surface is smooth yet grippier than the bare aluminum exterior of the phone and  all the ports (microUSB, headphone jack, power (IR Blaster)) are easily accessible.  The volume rocker button is completely covered so you can expect another layer and some stiffness when pressing these but it is easy to get used to.

With the Double Dip hard case, the HTC One is slightly heavier but still feels remarkably well balanced and the details and level of construction of the case are completely in tune with the device. The same precision drilled speaker holes are present for the dual frontal speakers. What's good about the case is that it completely protects the corners, rear, top and bottom of the HTC One from scuffs or dents and adds a bit of a buffer to protect the display as well should you put the phone down screen first.

Everyone says the HTC One is a beautiful smartphone, it is one of the few smartphones released in the past few years that doesn't look iterative but actually looks like it is from the future. That said, many owners of any smartphone that's mostly a large multi-touch display will want to invest in protection.

The HTC Double Dip hard case is a good compromise since it is a solid polycarbonate hard case that looks like it can take impact, but it is also thin and light and it doesn't detract too much from the HTC One's design and dimensions. 

It is rare that a smartphone maker will create or design a desirable case to complement their devices, many look and feel like accessories we have seen before. HTC is showing how their product design extends to the ecosystem and how their penchant for creating quality smartphones translates to making quality accessories available as well.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5