Hello everyone! I've done a few reviews around here as of late and i hope to be doing a few more! Here's the first review (that I can find anyway) of the Agent 18 ClearShield for iPhone 4! Cost of case: $29.95
Full unboxing video and review is posted here in 720p:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhgbdybU1MQ
Wanna learn how to get 50% off on this case? Read to the bottom of the review!
I've been a huge fan of the iPhone sliders over the years. I've used dozens of iPhone cases over the past few years and I always seem to go back to the slider case. Incase has the market pretty much cornered for sliders, but other companies like Rebel Scholar and even Griffin Technology have been selling equal quality, if not better cases. Agent 18 is no stranger to the slider case. The EcoShield is one of the best selling cases for the iPhone 3G/3GS, in part because of it's wide retail availability at almost all retail Apple stores.
I was never a huge fan of the EcoShield, mainly because I disliked the rubbery side grips. I also wasn't crazy with their color selection: black, white or blue. When the ClearShield slider case was announced, I was excited to see Agent 18 get back into the market of a clear slider case, something they haven't produced since the original iPhone.
Review:
My first impression of the case is a cautious one. The case is not clear at all, despite being called the ClearShield; it's a frosted clear color. While I don't think I was necessarily deceived, I think Agent 18 needs to make the word "frosted" a bit more prominent on the main order page or even in the default picture of the frosted color. If you choose the "Features" tab on the case website, you'll then find the colors listed at the bottom. The case comes in 'frosted clear' and 'vibrant pink' for you pink types out there. I'll get into the details about the color a little later.
After removing the case from the 100% recycled paper tray (bonus points for that!) I get a little more nervous after feeling the case. It felt a little cheap to me, like a child's toy. I think that feeling was partly due to the 'frosted' nature of the case which gave it a course texture, much different then the clear plastic Ivyskin Reception Case or the Incase Snap Case. On the other hand, the frosted texture completely eliminates fingerprints which the previous mentioned cases all have issue with. To me, this feature was more important then the initial "cheap plastic" thought I had. The feeling of the case is very similar to several "anti-glare" screen protectors on the market.
Speaking of screen protectors, I have some good news! The Agent18 ClearShield works with screen protectors! I have the SGP Oleophobic screen protector on the phone and the case slid right on over it. Initially there was some bubbling at the top but after pushing the case up, the phone slid right under the lip screen protector and all. The same method worked for the bottom piece as well. (Note: You can see my struggle and eventual success with my screen protector in the video review posted above)
I have to say that after installation I was much more impressed with the frosted plastic. It felt sturdy and fit like a glove. I would say that the Incase Slider's felt a tiny bit more firm when installed, but the difference was really too small for me to give it another thought.
I know this has been brought up before on other case threads, but yes this case does wrap around the front of the iPhone allowing you to lay the phone on the table without it touching the glass. This adds extra drop protection as well since all the corners of the iPhone are fully covered by the case.
Flash: I haven't done extensive testing on this, but after shooting a few photos / videos with the case on, I haven't noticed any washed out photos.
One of the neat things that Agent18 did was put a small groove around the power button to make it easier to press. It's sort of like a little cutout that tells your finger that you're in the right spot. (take that as you will... 😉 )
There is a large cutout for the headphones that should accommodate most headphone jacks. It's even wide enough to expose the noise-canceling mic next to the headphone jack. The dock connector area is also fairly large. I don't think you'll have any problems using an after market sync cable.
The case doesn't come without a few issues, however. There seems to be a cutout on the inside of the rear of the case. I assume this was for some sort of rail piece like the old Incase Slider's use, but nothing was installed. The cutouts looks like cracks when looking at the back, especially is you hold it at the right angle. Also when held at a certain angle, you can see a rainbow-like effect on the plastic. I'm not sure what this is but I thought I's bring it up anyway. (picture of rainbow below) Finally, the little metal "stand" that they include is useless. The case doesn't fit in the stand properly so it just rests on one of the joints in the metal making the phone unstable. Incase seems to have an infinitely better stand. Although these are small issues indeed, this wouldn't be a review without mentioning both sides of the coin.
Overall I'm very impressed with this case. I had my doubts when I first opened it, but I was much happier with it after it was installed. I use a leather belt clip in addition to my cases, and this one fits nice and perfect with the Marware CEO Premiere for iPhone 3GS. I plan on keeping this one around for a while, at least until Incase starts making some metallic/glossy slider cases!
How to save 50% off this case:
Use my referral code! Just kidding. Actually, Agent18 has an awesome Case Buy Back program. The gist of it is this: you purchase your case form Agent18 and during checkout you select the case buyback option. When you get your order, you'll get a prepaid return envelope to send your case back to Agent18. Once they receive your old case they will credit you 50% of the purchase price of the case. Not bad! Your older case has to be made by one of their approved vendors. For more information on that program, go here:
http://www.agent18.com/library/2010/07/10.aspx
And now for some PICTURES!
Full unboxing video and review is posted here in 720p:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhgbdybU1MQ
Wanna learn how to get 50% off on this case? Read to the bottom of the review!
I've been a huge fan of the iPhone sliders over the years. I've used dozens of iPhone cases over the past few years and I always seem to go back to the slider case. Incase has the market pretty much cornered for sliders, but other companies like Rebel Scholar and even Griffin Technology have been selling equal quality, if not better cases. Agent 18 is no stranger to the slider case. The EcoShield is one of the best selling cases for the iPhone 3G/3GS, in part because of it's wide retail availability at almost all retail Apple stores.
I was never a huge fan of the EcoShield, mainly because I disliked the rubbery side grips. I also wasn't crazy with their color selection: black, white or blue. When the ClearShield slider case was announced, I was excited to see Agent 18 get back into the market of a clear slider case, something they haven't produced since the original iPhone.
Review:
My first impression of the case is a cautious one. The case is not clear at all, despite being called the ClearShield; it's a frosted clear color. While I don't think I was necessarily deceived, I think Agent 18 needs to make the word "frosted" a bit more prominent on the main order page or even in the default picture of the frosted color. If you choose the "Features" tab on the case website, you'll then find the colors listed at the bottom. The case comes in 'frosted clear' and 'vibrant pink' for you pink types out there. I'll get into the details about the color a little later.
After removing the case from the 100% recycled paper tray (bonus points for that!) I get a little more nervous after feeling the case. It felt a little cheap to me, like a child's toy. I think that feeling was partly due to the 'frosted' nature of the case which gave it a course texture, much different then the clear plastic Ivyskin Reception Case or the Incase Snap Case. On the other hand, the frosted texture completely eliminates fingerprints which the previous mentioned cases all have issue with. To me, this feature was more important then the initial "cheap plastic" thought I had. The feeling of the case is very similar to several "anti-glare" screen protectors on the market.
Speaking of screen protectors, I have some good news! The Agent18 ClearShield works with screen protectors! I have the SGP Oleophobic screen protector on the phone and the case slid right on over it. Initially there was some bubbling at the top but after pushing the case up, the phone slid right under the lip screen protector and all. The same method worked for the bottom piece as well. (Note: You can see my struggle and eventual success with my screen protector in the video review posted above)
I have to say that after installation I was much more impressed with the frosted plastic. It felt sturdy and fit like a glove. I would say that the Incase Slider's felt a tiny bit more firm when installed, but the difference was really too small for me to give it another thought.
I know this has been brought up before on other case threads, but yes this case does wrap around the front of the iPhone allowing you to lay the phone on the table without it touching the glass. This adds extra drop protection as well since all the corners of the iPhone are fully covered by the case.
Flash: I haven't done extensive testing on this, but after shooting a few photos / videos with the case on, I haven't noticed any washed out photos.
One of the neat things that Agent18 did was put a small groove around the power button to make it easier to press. It's sort of like a little cutout that tells your finger that you're in the right spot. (take that as you will... 😉 )
There is a large cutout for the headphones that should accommodate most headphone jacks. It's even wide enough to expose the noise-canceling mic next to the headphone jack. The dock connector area is also fairly large. I don't think you'll have any problems using an after market sync cable.
The case doesn't come without a few issues, however. There seems to be a cutout on the inside of the rear of the case. I assume this was for some sort of rail piece like the old Incase Slider's use, but nothing was installed. The cutouts looks like cracks when looking at the back, especially is you hold it at the right angle. Also when held at a certain angle, you can see a rainbow-like effect on the plastic. I'm not sure what this is but I thought I's bring it up anyway. (picture of rainbow below) Finally, the little metal "stand" that they include is useless. The case doesn't fit in the stand properly so it just rests on one of the joints in the metal making the phone unstable. Incase seems to have an infinitely better stand. Although these are small issues indeed, this wouldn't be a review without mentioning both sides of the coin.
Overall I'm very impressed with this case. I had my doubts when I first opened it, but I was much happier with it after it was installed. I use a leather belt clip in addition to my cases, and this one fits nice and perfect with the Marware CEO Premiere for iPhone 3GS. I plan on keeping this one around for a while, at least until Incase starts making some metallic/glossy slider cases!
How to save 50% off this case:
Use my referral code! Just kidding. Actually, Agent18 has an awesome Case Buy Back program. The gist of it is this: you purchase your case form Agent18 and during checkout you select the case buyback option. When you get your order, you'll get a prepaid return envelope to send your case back to Agent18. Once they receive your old case they will credit you 50% of the purchase price of the case. Not bad! Your older case has to be made by one of their approved vendors. For more information on that program, go here:
http://www.agent18.com/library/2010/07/10.aspx
And now for some PICTURES!
