OtterBox Defender Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 in Black

In a head-to-head competition to find the best, we're starting a new feature on the Pure Mobile blog. In our accessories battles, we'll be pitting two similar accessories against one another and crowing a victor. This time, it's Samsung accessories in the ring, and two heavyweight Galaxy S3 carrying cases will be slugging it out

Both of our challengers this week are designed to be heavy-duty, ultra durable and protective Galaxy S3 phone cases. Built to take a fair amount of abuse, only one will emerge victorious. Let's get started!

Up first is  a contender that hardly needs an introduction – the OtterBox Defender Case for Galaxy S3. But will it defend its title? Well, things are looking good, as this multilayered, well-engineered accessory is certainly a heavy-hitter.

OtterBox Defender Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 in Black

WIth three protective layers, including high-impact polycarbonate and durable, shock-resisting silicone, as well as a screen protector, the Defender will keep your phone safe from bumps, shocks, drops, dust and scratches. But it's unlikely you'll ever drop it anyhow, since it comes with a convenient holster to keep it in place.

That's a lot of protection in an all-around solid carrying case, so it's no surprise the Defender is one of the leading accessories of its kind for the Galaxy S3. And it's going to be a hard one to beat.

Now onto the challenger, the PureGear Dualtek Case for Galaxy S3. Like the OtterBox Defender, the Dualtek is designed to withstand rough abuse, witha  durable, layered construction that combines strength, toughness and flex.

PureGear Dualtek Extreme Shock Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 in Black

Its 3M E.A.R. Corner Impact Protection controls shock by isolating vibrations, and its screen shield will keep your display safe from dings and scratches. This Galaxy S3 case is also quite slim and sleek, less bulky than the Defender, and provides superior grip that's comfortable in hand.

So who won?

As much as we like to root for the underdog, we'd have to give the champion's title to OtterBox in this case. Sometimes, the leader's just the leader for a reason, and though PureGear's Dulatek case provides a really great level of protection, the ultra-tough and durable thing is just OtterBox's forté. Well done, Defender case, well done!

An invite for Samsung's Galaxy S4 launch event March 14

We've been hearing rumblings and rumors about a new Galaxy phone from Samsung for months now. But nothing really solid has come of it, until now. Like right now. This morning, at Mobile World Congress, Samsung's mobile division chief J.K. Shin told Edaily that the Samsung Galaxy S4 will launch March 14.

Here's what he said:

"We introduced the Galaxy S3 in London last year, and this time we changed the venue (to New York)... as we were bombarded with requests from U.S. mobile carriers to unveil the Galaxy S4 in the country."

So it's official, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is coming in less than a month. However, Shin fell short of saying anything about its specs or design.

Still, at least we have the good old cell phone accessories industry to help us out in that department. Business Insider reported last week on some leaked pictures of what are supposedly Galaxy S4 carrying cases.

Leaked pics of Galaxy S4 cases may reveal what the latest Galaxy phone looks like before its big unveiling

If the pictures (and Mobile Fun, the site which first revealed them) can be trusted, the Galaxy S4 is shaping up to be a bigger than the Galaxy S3, with a 5 inch screen like that of the Galaxy Note.

Otherwise, notes SlashGear, "there’s the usual Samsung layout of a headphone jack up top, lock and volume keys on the side, and a charging/syncing port on the bottom, presumably microUSB. A hole for the microphone is alongside it."

Still, we can't totally rely on Mobile Fun, since, like the rest of us, they've yet to actually see the latest Galaxy in Samsung's lineup. But at least we won't have to wait too long, since the Galaxy S4's big reveal is less than a month away.

Related articles

• Samsung Galaxy S4: 14 March reveal in New York confirmed
• Samsung Galaxy S IV unveil confirmed for March 14 in NYC

We're beginning to see a growing trend in mobile devices. These days, more so than ever, device makers are offering up gadgets that don't squarely fit the mould of phone, tablet or PC. Phablets are but one example, and the recent Samsung ATIV Smart PC is another. As a result, mobile accessories makers are having to think outside the box, with cases, skins and other accessories that are just as unique as the devices themselves.

In the case of Sasung's ATIV Smart PC, writes Slash Gear "you’ve got a tablet that’s not meant to be as thin or mobile, instead concentrating on the idea that you’re going to be working with a backpack or a large carrying case to get this unit around, noting that it’s a large tablet first, and mobile second."

And today's mobile accessory of the week gets that spot on. With q hybrid design that blends a plextonium inner hard shell and outer silicone skin, it offers the protection you'd expect from any good tablet case.

But since it's designed for a device that's not necessarily very portable, or not mobile in the strictest sense, it also boasts design features that address that fact. For instance, an integrated padded hand strap on the back of the case makes it easy to view content, or to simply move your ATIV Smart PC from room to room, the way you would an ordinary tablet.

So far, Incipio's Capture Rugged Case is one of the best examples we've seen of an accessory that's as unique as the gadget it's designed for. Without a doubt, Samsung will continue its foray into phablets, large tablets and other devices that blur the lines of product category. And we can only hope that Incipio will be right there to offer up carrying cases and accessories for these new breeds of phones and tablets.

No, you don't have to feel bad about having just bought a new case for your Samsung Galaxy S III. In fact, go ahead and get all the accessories you want, because your trusty old S III should be around for some time yet.

Despite what the rumor mill would have you believe, the unveiling of the Galaxy S IV is not imminent. A couple of days ago, we reported that Samsung had released a teaser video, telling us to "get ready" because "the world awaits [...] something new" January 8 to 11, 2013.

Those are of course the dates for the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a huge annual event for the consumer electronics industry, where, in the past, big players in mobile have unveiled new devices and accessories.

Needless to say, Samsung's promise of new and exciting developments started a whole whack load of speculation as to whether or not we might see the smartphone maker unveil a successor to the Galaxy S III – the Galaxy S IV.

Aside from the fact that the teaser video cited the dates of a major event where smartphone makers, including Samsung, have traditionally introduced their new hardware, we actually know that the company is preparing a new handset.

But alas, CNET has confirmed that Samsung will mostly be pushing smart TVs at this year's CES, and that the company most certainly will not be unveiling the Galaxy S IV. So for the time being, owners of the year's best selling smartphone can sit back and enjoy their Galaxy S III, brand new case and all.

With its Premium Suite upgrade, Samsung brings multi-window multitasking to the or Galaxy S III

You may already have received the new Jelly Bean update for your Samsung Galaxy S III, but there may be something even better on the way for your smartphone, reports Slashgear.

Along with their Android software upgrade, Galaxy S III users in Poland, India, the UK, France, Sweden, Italy, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Algeria have also been introduced to something Samsung is calling Premium Suite. The upgrade brings some of Samsung's newer features, designed for the more recent Galaxy Note II, to the Galaxy S III.

That includes features like screen splitting, which allows you to use different apps in separate windows at the same time. Meanwhile, other new features of the Premium Suite upgrade fall in to the "contextual awareness," category, says Slashgear.

The most notable among those is the predictive "Page Buddy" feature, designed to intuit the appropriate response to your actions, like "launching the music player when headphones are plugged in," says Slashgear.

Though the Premium Suite upgrade has so far only been released to Galaxy S III users outside of the North American Continent, there's no reason to assume it won't be heading to the U.S. at some point soon, even if you've already received your Jelly Bean update.

Oh, and as a bit of an aside, Premium Suite is hardly the last trick Samsung's got up its sleeve for the near future. Rather, the company has already been teasing in pictures and video, telling us to "get ready" as "something new" is coming in 2013.

Still from a Samsung teaser video promising "something new" in 2013

The general opinion is that Samsung will reveal their big surprise at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). But though the event has traditionally been a venue for new product launches, Mobile Syrup warns us not the get too excited over the possibility of a new Galaxy device, as "we probably won’t see the Galaxy S IV announced at CES."

Still, as you can imagine, the rumor mill is already turning, big-time.

Samsung's latest "phablet," the Galaxy Note II, is currently only available in Titanium Grey and Marble White

We get it. Smartphones are kind of like cars when it comes to color. Most people aren't going to rush out and get a hot pink or chartreuse model when they can stick with a basic hue like black or silver. And accordingly, smartphone makers tend to play it safe with new devices, usually releasing them in a pretty sober spectrum.

But, just like cars, sometimes we want our cellphones to be a little more distinct and it seems Samsung gets that. The company launched a new line of nature-inspired colors for their Galaxy S III phone back in August, and SamMobile reported today that they'll be doing the same with their latest "phablet," the Galaxy Note II. At the moment the device is only available in Titanium Grey and Marble White.

Samsung's color variants for the Galaxy S III line (L to R): Sapphire Black, Garnet Red, Amber Brown, and Titanium Grey

So far, the Galaxy Note II's new color variants are just a rumor. SamMobile cites an "insider" who says the new device will start rolling out in new hues like Amber Brown, Topaz Blue and Ruby Wine as early as this December or the beginning of 2013.

And while we've already seen the color Samsung calls Amber Brown in their newest Galaxy S III models, the other rumored color names don't match up to anything we've seen from Samsung yet.

In any case, if you've been thinking about getting a Galaxy Note II but haven't done so yet, it might be worthwhile to wait until after the holidays, unless of course you're into basic black and minimalist white.

Image from Samsung's save the date for the October 24 kick-off to their Galaxy Note II world tour

Wait Samsung, don't tell us. You may have revealed the last "next big thing" back in October, but is the "next next big thing" a larger Galaxy Note device? According to the rumor mill of late, the answer is yes.

Within the same week that Samsung boasted of selling 3 million Galaxy Note II devices, a new DLNA certification (first reported on by SamMobile) shows that the company may already have some successors in the works.

The certification lists two new Samsung-made devices – GT-N5100 and the GT-N5110 – that SamMobile says are sized between 7 and 9 inches. And if you're in doubt as to the fact that the devices listed will in fact be Galaxy Note variants, AndroidGuy points out that the certifications for all “previous Note products start with GT-N.”

If there's any truth to SamMobile's report, it may be that Samsung is looking to fill the gap between their 5.5-inch and 10.1-inch Note models.

As, for why Samsung would want to release a 7-inch Galaxy Note when they've already got the 7.7-inch Galaxy Tab, it may just be that the company sees the Note line, with its stylus pens, as distinct from the rest of their mobile devices.

"Samsung clearly sees this market as separate from its mainstream phone line," writes Mobile Syrup, "and the two won’t necessarily cannibalize sales from either one."

This week kicked off with a bonanza of Nexus news from Google

Hurricane warnings mat have put an end to Google's plans for an October 29 event, but Android fans won't have been disappointed with what Googled offered up on Monday instead: a bonanza of news about their highly anticipated upcoming Nexus devices.

In lieu of an event unveiling, Google has simply made an announcement online, confirming what most of us have been suspecting for some time – A Samsung-made Nexus 10 tablet, and an LG-made Nexus 4 smartphone.

The rumors of an LG Nexus 4 smartphone have been confirmed by Google

The fact that the new gadgets couldn't be revealed live didn't seem to lessen the impact of the announcement, as major news organizations and leading tech sites jumped onto the Nexus news en masse.

Now, we're breaking down all the latest talk to give you the major points of this dual announcement.

Release dates and pricing:

Both the Nexus 10 tablet and Nexus 4 phone will be available as of November 13 in the U.S and Canada, as well as in several European countries and Japan for the Nexus 10.

Google's pricing the unlocked LG Nexus 4 at 8GB for $299, and 16GB for $349 or $199 through T-Mobile with a 2-year contract.

Specs and reviews:

There's already been a lot of positive reactions to the Nexus 10.

With a slightly more curved body than most of us had anticipated, the entirely Samsung-made tablet has a 10" display that Gizmodo's calling better than retina at 300 pixels per inch.

Inside, it boasts a a dual-core 1.7GHz Samsung Exynos processor, 2 GB of RAm, and is available in either 16 GB or 32 GB models.

Powered by Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), it's also got front and back cameras and front-facing stereo speakers.

The new Samsung Nexus 10 tablet

As for the new LG smartphone, the Nexus 4 also runs on Android 4.2 and, like the Nexus 10 tablet, has gotten good reviews, with Gizmodo claiming "it might be the best Android phone yet."

A collaboration between Google and LG, it bears a lot of resemblance to the LG Optimus G, but has a more rounded body, better software, and new features like PhotoSphere and Gesture typing.

Behind its 4.7", 320 ppi screen, it's got a quad-core 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2 GB of RAM, and comes in either 8 GB or 16 GB models.

A couple of other strong points are its 8 megapixel rear-facing camera, and the fact that it supports wireless charging.

If you're looking for detailed specs, TechCrunch has a pretty complete list for both devices here.

Meanwhile, we'd like to know what you think about Google's new Nexus devices. Are you planning to get one? Both? How do you think they live up to all the hype? Leave your opinion in the comments section.

Samsung has been promoting the "Next Big Thing", and this time it’s the Galaxy Note 2. The phone was launched yesterday at Samsung's Galaxy Note II World Tour 2012 press event. T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Verizon will all be carrying it. Just considering cost, timing and coverage, which service provider should get your business?

Here’s the lowdown on cost and timing:

Verizon
Pre-order date: Oct. 25
Available: Nov. 27
Price: $299.99 with a 2-year plan, $699.99 off-contract

AT&T
Pre-sale date: Oct. 25
Available: Nov. 9
Price: $299.99 with a 2-year plan, $649.99 off-contract

Sprint
Available: Now
Price: $299.99 with a 2-year plan, $699.99 off-contract

T-Mobile
Available: Now
Price: $369.99 with a 2-year plan, $699.99 off-contract

The Galaxy Note 2 has 4G LTE capability, and you don’t want it to go to waste. While Verizon beats all the competition for nationwide 4G LTE coverage (370+ markets), AT&T is rapidly expanding their 4G LTE network and is adding to their network all the time (approximately 65 markets.) Sprint basically covers Atlanta and big cities in Texas (15 markets) with their 4G LTE, the rest is 3G. T-Mobile doesn’t yet have 4G LTE connectivity, but they advertise their network as “4G”, which is really a supercharged 3G (HSPA+ 42) network.

For those buying an unlocked Galaxy Note 2, here’s a heads-up. The unlocked version isn’t compatible with CDMA carriers and LTE networks.

There’s no doubt that the Galaxy Note 2 is a fine smartphone. Its 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display is the big reason it’s being called a “phablet” – part phone, part tablet. In a nod to its tablet-ness, the Note 2 is the only smartphone that comes with a stylus that Samsung calls the” S Pen.” For those of us with big fingers or who are touchscreen accuracy-challenged, a stylus sure comes in handy.

Inside the Galaxy Note 2, you’ll find a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos processor, up to 16GB of storage space (with expansion up to 64GB), and 2GB of RAM. On the back is a high-quality 8MP camera with an LED flash, and on the front a 1.9MP camera for video calls. The camera can record video in 1080p, and has a 4x zoom. It’s rated for up to 15 hours of talk time and 12.5 days of standby time.

Blendtec is back with another "Will it Blend?" video, this time pitting the iPhone 5 against the Samsung Galaxy S III

Are you ready for a  ridiculous and nonsensical test which has no merit and which proves absolutely nothing?

Then, the iPhone 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S III blender test is for you!

While most of us are just trying to get our hands on one of the newest and best smartphones, Blendtec, a maker home and professional blenders is busy pulverizing them.

It's pretty much what it sounds like. With a few of these "Will it Blend?" YouTube videos under his belt already, Blendtec's Tom Dickinson asks the question again, pitting the "the latest," i.e. Apple's iPhone 5, vs. what Samsung "claims to be the greatest," the Galaxy S III.

The iPhone 5 may have a retina display, and the Galaxy S III may have a bigger screen, but which will withstand the blending?

Tom describes both smartphones, highlighting their most attractive features, and then unceremoniously chucks each into its own Blendtec Total blender.

While the iPhone 5 starts shattering pretty early on, the Galaxy S III holds in there for an impressive amount of time, but eventually meets its end in much the same way as the completely obliterated iPhone, in a pile of black powder.

In the end, as the blender lids are removed and toxic-looking black smoke wafts up, we're left having to agree with Tom, who concludes: "I think the real winner is the Blendtec Total blender."

The whole stunt kind of runs opposite to what we do at Pure Mobile. But even though we've got a mission to help people protect their devices, we can't help but get some sort of sick pleasure out of watching this total and utter destruction.

Though we'd have to agree with Blendtec's disclaimer: don't try this at home!