Review - Nillkin Ultra Slim Case for the Nokia Lumia1520

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

I’ve taken a look at quite a few cases for the massive Nokia Lumia 1520, but a new one available from Nillkin has won my heart. Running for $10 and coming in white, brown, black or red, the case is not only a good value but has some great features to make it a worthy slim case for you giant Lumia 1520.

Check out the video review and some high resolution photos to see why this case is a great choice for your Nokia.

The Nillkin has, in my opinion, three advantages over other “ultra slim” cases:

  1. Value – At $10, it won’t dent your wallet
  2. Camera protection – The Nillkin features a nice raised ridge to protect the front lens element
  3. Textured back – Instead of smooth plastic or soft touch, the Nillkin opts for a textured back, offering satisfactory grip

I also like the red color, though white would be great too to blend in with the Lumia 1520’s matte white finish.

This case gets all the little things right. Camera protection, decent cutouts for buttons and a textured back that makes holding the (sometimes) awkward Lumia 1520 more manageable. Offer it for $10 (or two for $9) with free shipping and this case is a no brainer. Shipping did take a while, since it came from overseas, but in the end it was worth it.

Previously, I liked the Incipio Feather case the most, despite it being overpriced. The Nillkin though gives value and a top design. While this isn’t a rugged case, between making the Lumia 1520 easier to hold, the color options and the textured back, the Nillkin should give you modest protection from low level drops, bangs or scratches.

You can pick up the Nillkin Ultra Slim Case from various outlets online, though I ordered from DX-Box.

Missed my other Lumia 1520 case reviews? Check them out here.

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

57 Comments
  • That case looks so fun to touch. 
  • It does have that tickle sensation when you rub it...the case, wait, I'm going to stop...
  • I saw what you did there...
  • Holiday Spirit...lol
  • Really good case, but I wouldn't advise getting white one, mine is dirty after a week and doesn't clean that easy
  • I've had Nillkin cases for other phones and yeah the white will discolor and will not stay nice and white no matter how you clean it after you use it for a while.
  • damn i was about to buy the white one.  thanks for the heads up!  
  • Cheers for the tip. Is it easy to pop the case off?
    I have a ProClip mount in my car (for my previous phone) and I'm intending to buy the passive holder for the 1520 which would only accomodate the phone without the case.
  • Did the sendation when you rubed it raise your expectations?
  • Only if you got it right.
  • How soft is this case❔. Is it like hard plastic, or TPU❔
  • This case looks nice. If it had wireless charging capabilities it would be awesome.
  • Yeah. I love the texture. Grippy too.
  • Lol that's funny
  • Dan stop doing reviews with the 1520, everytime I see the screen with the 3 columns ... sigh. Maybe when the 32 gb version is out for AT&T I will get it.
  • Negrielectronics has the international version. They are having issues shipping to APO at the moment so I have to wait a bit. When I do get it, I will probably give my Lumia 920 (waiting for Nokia to fix it) to the misses.
  • QQ
  • Dan did you get the wireless charging body yet?
  • Nope. Not yet. No worries, will cover that when it comes in/I set it up.
  • Will QI wireless charging plates be available for the at&t 1520❔
  • I'm thinking about getting a black one for my White Lumia. I bought a cheap $5 case and it turned a nasty yellow within 2weeks. Looking for a better quality slim case now.
  • Yeah don't get white one, mine is dirty already
  • That case looks good! Would love one for the 625!
  • I ordered this one http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575095911&t... in brown color. It looks excellent with black phones. I had Nillkin case for my HTC 8X, also bought it for 920, but for last one it dosn't fit good. Hope for 1520 it will be better without gaps on sides.
  • I don't get the idea with getting hard cases. it doesn't protect your phones during drops, covers the beautiful back of the phone, adds thickness, and sometimes makes buttons harder to reach, yet so many people loves these nillkin cases... enlightenment please. Happy Holidays everyone. Happy New Year!!!!
  • But they do protect your phone from light drops
  • Is the case just over the screen can't see it in pictures
  • As a member of this community and someone who found out about the Nillkin brand last November I feel I should apologise for not tipping you guys about them sooner. They hands down make the best "elegant" case for all phones period in my opinion. Still rocking the brown Gentleman's Case for my Lumia 920 Edit: Last YEAR November I should have said. As in 2012
  • I use nillkin cases on all my devices. Consistent quality across the whole range, and their flip cases are fantastic.
  • Yeah, it's a shame that most Chinese companies have horrible marketing and PR, they should be a huge name by now.
  • +1
  • That's lovely
  • can i use the wireless charger with this case?
  • Yes❕
  • hi. I have the red real leather flipcase from Tetded. It really is quite lovely and probably worth a review.
  • Brown.  For those who want to mistake their phone for a first-generation Zune?
  • Nillkin is my new favorite case designer. I have one for my 1020 and it's pretty awesome.
  • These ship from China and it takes a month to receive them. The chinese must have a really shitty postal service.
  •   Is that right? One for $10, two for $9?
  • How does the actually material of the phone hold up? Besides the white getting yellowish after awhile. Does it stay intact after a while of use? I'm planning on getting the black one and if its really 2 for 9,I'll be getting the red and black
  • If it's anything like my white 920, it'll hold up quite well.  Mine is still clean and every bit as white as it was when new.
  • Guys i wanna buy L1520 but i have heard it has poor video recording.I wanna know how bad it is and can this be fiexed by software update..
  • I discovered Nillkin when looking at a case for my 920 - bought 3 cases and a qi charger from them since - great cases and great value
  • Does Qi-Charging work with the nillkin case though? anyone knows? 
  • I'll pay damn good money for an otterbox or something similar for this darn phone. Why won't they take my money???
  • I had a black Nillkin Ultra Slim case for my old Nokia Lumia 625 and it really felt durable, but dust do go inside the case so you'll have to clean it at least one every month. I also got one for my 1520 and didn't bought a flip cover so I can use it with my waterproof transparent pouch wherein it would be difficult to hold with a flip cover inside.
  • Can you confirm whether Qi-Wireless-Charging works on 1520 with this nillkin case on?
  • I bought a nillkin case for my L620, and I love it!
  • That case looks good! Would love one for the 920
  • The nilkin one for the 1020 is awesome too.
  • +1 for the 1020 case. It's amazing.
  • I want that one for the 1020 looks awesome
  • Incipio's site shows a "coming soon" NGP case for $19.99, made of Fkex²O material with purple, turquoise, black & mercury colors with a translucent option to show the phone's colors.
  • Nillkin is the best case maker IMO. I have it for both my 620 and my 1020. It has great protection yet it isn't bulky, it's tough, and on the 1020 case it has a sheath for the camera pod which I LOVE but dont see much on other makers' 1020 cases.
  • Is this case still awesome?  Just ordered it all the way from China.
  • Yes, its one of the best now, afaik.
  • I Ordered one from DX-Box as you mentioned Daniel on the 19th feb 2015, however, i have not yet recieved it. Dont know wht to do next.