Vodafone Smart 4 Max case

[topmonkey]

Does anyone know where I can buy a case for the Vodafone Smart 4 Max? I asked through live chat and they said it's not available online but I can get one in-store. After another 20min on live chat I managed to extract the phone number for my local Vodafone store. So I rang them today and was told that they hadn't even heard of the phone let alone have a case for it!

Getting a wee bit frustrated now.:smileyfrustrated:

Thanks,

M.

[hrym]

Cases for new devices take a while to hit the market and, sometimes, you just have to go for a generic one.  The makers will usually wait to see now popular it is before launching.   That said, I've just been loking for one for an HTC One M9 (which is hardly going to be a drag on the market) and the choice is quite limited at the moment. (And all because my M8 one won't fit, HTC having moved the power key!  :smileysad:)

[topmonkey]

Doesn't seem to make sense to me. Vodafone could have got a few extra quid out of me had the case been available to buy with the phone!

Struggling to find any universal cases as the Smart 4 Max is quite a big phablet!

[Ben_H]

Hi @topmonkey 

While they're not available today, we are planning on extending our accessory range later in the year.

This will be for more than just the Vodafone Smart 4 Max too. 

As it's quite a new device, specialist accessories aren't in the retail stores at the moment either.

Cheers,

Ben

[topmonkey]

Hi @Ben_H,

When you say later in the year, how far in the future are we talking? If I pay £200 for a phone I'm going to want to protect it now. It makes no sense to release a case months after the phone is released.

If it's not going to be within the next few weeks then you have missed the boat with me I'm afraid.

For anyone else looking for a case for the phone, I managed to find this which should fit hopefully: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/redneck-genuine-leather-universal-smartphone-pouch-xxxl-black-p50211.htm

This is what I will be getting if an official case does not transpire soon.

[Retired-Laura]

Hi @topmonkey

We don’t have a date as to when these will be available.

Keep checking the link Ben’s given.

Thanks,

Laura

[topmonkey]

That's disappointing.

As I can't wait indefinitely, I ordered the aforementioned case from MobileFun. Unfortunately the product description is incorrect on their website and when I received it today it didn't fit my phone.

Any other suggestions welcome.

[hrym]

The only alternative is a bit less than satisfactory, but would be a slip-in case, which would at least provide some protection.  Also keep an eye on eBay (if you aren't already :smileywink:).  The aftermarket catches up pretty quickly, though Vodafone devices aren't quite as mass-market as some, of course.

[topmonkey]

Looks to me like Vodafine have given up on the Smart 4 Max - now reduced by £85 (!!) and the phone is only about 3 months old! Seems unlikely they will be producing accessories for this phone now.

I am also upset that Vodafone told me that when I bought this phone for £200 last month it was a special offer price as it was new. So that was obviously a lie as the price never went up before it plummeted.

I understand that things get reduced as they get outdated but 3 months is hardly outdated!

[hrym]

Other devices in the Smart range came down in price quite quickly.  I suspect it comes down to the state of the market and the price of what are considered to be competing devices.

As for accessories, always keep an eye on eBay as they usually appear there first.   Wider-market devices are more likely to be catered for, of course.