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In the Android community, we’re generally known for customizing our devices to better suit our individual tastes and style. While this is typically done through the use of themes or 3rd party apps, what about when it comes to the outside of your device? Well, if you have the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, you may be inclined to know that the official Samsung battery covers are now live on Samsung’s online store.
Whether you needed a shiny new replacement cover (already?), or simply wanted to mix and match covers on your new Note 2, Samsung’s official covers can be purchased for a fairly reasonable $20. If the Verizon logo on the back feels like an eyesore (only compounds that branded home button) — tough noogies. You wont be able to find replacement battery covers for any other version of the Note 2 from Samsung, not even the international version. I called up Samsung to find out how I could get an unbranded battery cover for my Note 2, and they simply said it’s not possible. Lame.
Of course, you can always snag an official Galaxy Note 2 Flip Cover for a much higher $40. A little too rich for my blood, these covers offer a fair amount of protection, while showing off your device in bright new colors. You can save money by buying a 4-pack in the colors shown above — pink/yellow/green/white or blue/orange/black/white — for a cool $100.
One of the best parts about owning a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (or even the S3) is because almost every major carrier in the world offers the device with no variance in design, accessories for the Note 2 are plentiful. But I have to warn you — colorful battery covers can be found on the cheap from sites like eBay or Amazon, and while those come in a variety of materials and finishes, they do not come with an embedded NFC chip. Might not be a big deal if you don’t use “S Beam” or Google Wallet, but I wanted to give you a heads up.
Can’t use Wallet either way on the Sprint Note 2. That’s about the only thing I miss about the S3.
A non-OEM battery cover w/NFC will be available soon enough.
In the meantime, I wonder how much trouble (if feasible or possible) it would be to remove the NFC chip & place it in a non-NFC battery cover?
I’m pretty sure it self destructs if tampered with. O_o
No doubt! VZW will expand the use of this technology for attempts @ unlocking bootloader, etc….. & the NFC will be known as “Not to be F***ed w/by Customer” chip………
How come they didn’t put the NFC chip inside the battery instead putting it on the cover.
So they could F people trying to buy cheap aftermarket covers on E-Bay, Amazon etc.
In all seriousness, there probably is a performance reason for embedding it ij the cover versus the battery, but I would never rule out financial motivation too. I just assumed the S3-style NFC chip in the battery was going to be Samsung’s standard design going forward.
I still have a hard time understanding why NFC chips are built into batteries instead of the same chip as Wifi/Bluetooth/LTE/NFC all in one chip.
I just have a hard time understanding why NFC would be integrated into a battery?!?!?!?
The NFC technology works at a relatively low frequency and longer wavelength. For this reason, the chip must be larger than conventional radios. So only batteries and cases can be fitted with a large antenna.
The official flip covers can be had for $24.99 on Samsung site with a code that been floating around
The official flip cover is only $30 at Tigerdirect. instead of $40.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2951268&SRCCODE=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc_o=-ddCjC1bELltzywCjC-d2CjCdwwp&AffiliateID=.cZBy0mtsY8-fVmXYDMzY9kSFPljteA0Ig