If you are committed to the Windows 10 Mobile space and are looking for one of the most beautiful phones around the Alcatel Idol 4S is your best bet.
Like many modern phones, however, it is an all metal and glass beauty. That also means it's slippery as all heck and prone to drops, or sliding off the couch.
In dropping my Idol 4S once and getting some chips, I made sure not to do it again. The Suensan "ultra-thin" case is just $8, and it is well worth it. Here is my quick review of why I think you should get one.
Design – Clean, thin, and thought out
I have a few of these "ultra-thin" shell cases for various phones including OnePlus 3T, iPhone 7 Plus, and Galaxy S7. Even my Elite x3 uses an HP-branded case. They are easily my preferred design for a few reasons.
Alcatel Idol 4S with Windows 10 Mobile review
The Suensan shell has a soft-touch rubber and matte look. To install, you just click the phone into it. There is space to add a magnetic badge for car mounts as well.
The right side has nearly full exposure for the volume keys and camera button. Unlike some designs that have special cuts out the Suensan is a bit more natural with a large elongated space for the keys. That makes it easy to find those buttons and – just as importantly – to press them without any structural hindrance from the case.
Likewise, for the top and bottom, where the case protection is focused on the corners. The case wraps slightly around the sides giving just enough of a lip to protect the screen when placed down. This lip design also means you can now put the Idol 4S display-down and not have it slide off hard surfaces – a very common occurrence with the rounded display.
It's about the fingerprint reader
The top reason I like the Suensan case – and similar designs – is for the fingerprint reader cutout. The Idol 4S's fingerprint reader is small and very flush with the back of the device. This design by Alcatel makes it troublesome to find the fingerprint reader when pulling the phone out of your pocket.
The Suensan case, however, has a very nice cutout for the reader making it so much easier to find blindly.
Besides the obvious protection, the Suensan offers this improved functionality of the fingerprint reader is a top reason to consider this case. It just makes using the Idol 4S so much better.
Improved grip
Another benefit of this light shell case is the improved grip. The Idol 4S is a very slippery phone. It's thin, is made of metal and glass, and it has a very slightly curved display.
With the Suensan shell on it, I can grip the phone much easier and feel confident when typing on it as well.
The uptick is the case is so thin that combined with the ample cutouts it does not depreciate the quality look and feel of the Idol 4S. Wrapping your phone in a thick silicone case defeats the purpose of an elegant design, and luckily this shell does not do that.
Fingerprint magnet
The only downside I have found with the Suensan case for the Idol 4S is the matte finish. While it looks great, it is prone to smudges and picking up hand grease. Sure, it's easy enough to wipe down, but I think a glossy design would prevent such a side effect.
Nonetheless, the other benefits – extra grip, mild protection, and ease of the fingerprint reader – are well worth the tradeoff.
Conclusion - For $8 this is a steal
The Suensan case for the Idol 4S is what I was looking for in a protective shell. It's thin and doesn't detract from the gorgeous look of the phone at all. I get added security knowing that my phone is now protected from mild drops and everyday bangs, plus turning it on with the fingerprint reader is just so much better.
Best of all, the case is just $8, and it comes in a variety of colors besides black including blue, clear, gold, and red. In hindsight, I think I would have ordered the clear version.
In fact, there is a combo package of the black and clear cases for $11.98 instead of paying $7.98 each.
If, like me, you love these thin shell cases then grab the Suensan. Not only will you protect your investment it will make using the phone daily much better.
