Hey guys, I have been doing a lot of research on the best case for my iPhone 3GS (white 16gb)... first iphone... first cell phone for all that matters
For temporary reasons I got the griffin elfan (leather - non chrome edition), and let me tell you guys that though this case has a nice feeling in the hand with the leather and though it has a nice form fitting design, in terms of protecting the phone from scratches, it might not succeed. The inner lining of the case is all plastic, and if grit/dust was to get in there while the phone is in use (probably not that hard to get in from the cutouts for the camera/dock), and I was to take the case off, I have a feeling that it will definitely scratch the phone. Plus when sliding the case in and out, the chrome slides against the plastic inside, that also doesnt seem very safe. Hence, my first case's impressions aren't so great. For this reason, I am turned off from slider type cases.
Speaking of slider type cases, others I have research (but not used) are the: Innocase II, Incase Slider, and the iFrogz luxe. All of these cases have the problem of sliding the chrome against the plastic.
1) Innocase II seems great, I really like the idea of having the felt inside of the case, that will definitely protect the case. But my gripe with this one is that it has a friggen whole in the back to show the apple logo...sigh, that going to get scratch if not protected, which would mean I would have to put on some sort of film on it... which I don't want to do.
2) Incase slider, again similar idea to grifin elfan, though this has rubber inner lining to make the case easier to slide in and out, but I dont think its going the protect the inner curvature of the phone when in the case, because again dust can cause scratching.
3) iFrogz Luxe's case also has the nice felt inside, but this doesn't cover the chrome entirely, and from the looks of it, the plastic sits up against the chrome when in the case, which is likely to case lines on the phone over prolonged usage of the case.
Silicone cases:
All have the problem of getting loose over time. Some that I have researched: iSkin solo, iSkin revo2, incase protective cover, switcheasy colours
1) solo - good looking case, very shiny though, likely to slip out of hand. It gets smudged easily though. Also, over time becomes loose, and the area above the dock connector is flimsy, and is likely to break.
2) revo2 - great case for drop protection. the case actually bounces when dropped. However, i dont like the idea of having covers over the hearing area of the phone and around the home button, as dust is likely to get under those flaps easily. The plastic screen cover, good idea, but in terms of practicality in everyday use, it just seems like a hassle. Also, somewhat of a lint catcher. I like that they contain headphone + dock cover (isn't cut precisely, its slanted)
3) protective cover - similar to solo, but not shiny, so doesn't smudge in the back.
4) colours - jellybean cover for button doesnt look that great. Again bottom flap will get dust under it.
Now I really like the ideal of having softer inner lining against the phone, and somewhat harder lining against the outside. That made me consider, the speck candyshell, switcheasy rebel and neo, and incipio SILICRYLIC. But these are likely to add more bulk that the other two categorical cases above. But, hey I want a case that protects from drops and prevents scratches, and I will be willing to live with a little more bulk on the phones.
1) CandyShell - hear great things about it. Problems: hard to get in and out. Cracking occurs near the corners where hard plastic is fused to rubber. Also hard part above dock connector would be easy to snap accidentally (though it seem it would be more resistant to break compared to silicone only cases). Also does show some chrome, but the chrome is held by the softer inner lining, so it seems as though it wont be too much of a problem. Since the case is hard from the outside, it shows scuffs and scratches easily. But I am sure if dealt with case, the case's issue with cutting at different areas can be minimized.
2) Rebel - also great case with different a different look. The only problems I see with this is that the spine would scratch easily (but not that expensive to replace with different colours). Quality control of their product doesnt seem that great, some users have reported manufacturing defects, spine not fitting properly, etc. I really like that they include dock cover (but for some reason they dont include head phone cover with this one, but they do with the neo). Rubber areas on the side, between the spine's snapping area, seem to be lucid. Also the area above the dock apparently shows some sagging overtime.
3) Neo - attractive case. The super thin silicone included seems like a hassle to deal with when putting on. The clip that goes over the dock cover has a seam going through it, and is weak. It is probably very easy to snap it when putting it on.
4) SILICRYLIC - seems nice. But the flaps in the front are not very sexy. Dust can get underneath. Bottom part seems flaps, and is maybe likely to show sagging over time. Silicone is thick enough for protecting (from the looks of it) and the frosted acrylic piece gives it a since touch. Overall though, this case seems to be the most bulky-ist (if thats a word).
Now that my take on a few cases, which one is the best?? I am still trying to decide. I would like to get into reviewing cases, so If any companies are out there and want me to look at their products, I will be happy to look at it/do up a video (heh though I have never done one before). Even if someone wants me to give more thought on the cases mentioned above, and wants to send me a case to review, I will be willing to do it. (just PM me) Again these reviews were based on what I have learned from the web/impression from videos/pictures of the cases.
What do you guys think would be the BEST case to go with?
Edit:
Also looked at the incase frame case - Looks decent. Now its not soft in the back, but it looks nice. Not sure how flappy the sides would be, and if they would get loose over time. I have heard the rubber gets dirty quickly and is hard to clean. Also, the colour choices are too vibrant from some people (like me).
For temporary reasons I got the griffin elfan (leather - non chrome edition), and let me tell you guys that though this case has a nice feeling in the hand with the leather and though it has a nice form fitting design, in terms of protecting the phone from scratches, it might not succeed. The inner lining of the case is all plastic, and if grit/dust was to get in there while the phone is in use (probably not that hard to get in from the cutouts for the camera/dock), and I was to take the case off, I have a feeling that it will definitely scratch the phone. Plus when sliding the case in and out, the chrome slides against the plastic inside, that also doesnt seem very safe. Hence, my first case's impressions aren't so great. For this reason, I am turned off from slider type cases.
Speaking of slider type cases, others I have research (but not used) are the: Innocase II, Incase Slider, and the iFrogz luxe. All of these cases have the problem of sliding the chrome against the plastic.
1) Innocase II seems great, I really like the idea of having the felt inside of the case, that will definitely protect the case. But my gripe with this one is that it has a friggen whole in the back to show the apple logo...sigh, that going to get scratch if not protected, which would mean I would have to put on some sort of film on it... which I don't want to do.
2) Incase slider, again similar idea to grifin elfan, though this has rubber inner lining to make the case easier to slide in and out, but I dont think its going the protect the inner curvature of the phone when in the case, because again dust can cause scratching.
3) iFrogz Luxe's case also has the nice felt inside, but this doesn't cover the chrome entirely, and from the looks of it, the plastic sits up against the chrome when in the case, which is likely to case lines on the phone over prolonged usage of the case.
Silicone cases:
All have the problem of getting loose over time. Some that I have researched: iSkin solo, iSkin revo2, incase protective cover, switcheasy colours
1) solo - good looking case, very shiny though, likely to slip out of hand. It gets smudged easily though. Also, over time becomes loose, and the area above the dock connector is flimsy, and is likely to break.
2) revo2 - great case for drop protection. the case actually bounces when dropped. However, i dont like the idea of having covers over the hearing area of the phone and around the home button, as dust is likely to get under those flaps easily. The plastic screen cover, good idea, but in terms of practicality in everyday use, it just seems like a hassle. Also, somewhat of a lint catcher. I like that they contain headphone + dock cover (isn't cut precisely, its slanted)
3) protective cover - similar to solo, but not shiny, so doesn't smudge in the back.
4) colours - jellybean cover for button doesnt look that great. Again bottom flap will get dust under it.
Now I really like the ideal of having softer inner lining against the phone, and somewhat harder lining against the outside. That made me consider, the speck candyshell, switcheasy rebel and neo, and incipio SILICRYLIC. But these are likely to add more bulk that the other two categorical cases above. But, hey I want a case that protects from drops and prevents scratches, and I will be willing to live with a little more bulk on the phones.
1) CandyShell - hear great things about it. Problems: hard to get in and out. Cracking occurs near the corners where hard plastic is fused to rubber. Also hard part above dock connector would be easy to snap accidentally (though it seem it would be more resistant to break compared to silicone only cases). Also does show some chrome, but the chrome is held by the softer inner lining, so it seems as though it wont be too much of a problem. Since the case is hard from the outside, it shows scuffs and scratches easily. But I am sure if dealt with case, the case's issue with cutting at different areas can be minimized.
2) Rebel - also great case with different a different look. The only problems I see with this is that the spine would scratch easily (but not that expensive to replace with different colours). Quality control of their product doesnt seem that great, some users have reported manufacturing defects, spine not fitting properly, etc. I really like that they include dock cover (but for some reason they dont include head phone cover with this one, but they do with the neo). Rubber areas on the side, between the spine's snapping area, seem to be lucid. Also the area above the dock apparently shows some sagging overtime.
3) Neo - attractive case. The super thin silicone included seems like a hassle to deal with when putting on. The clip that goes over the dock cover has a seam going through it, and is weak. It is probably very easy to snap it when putting it on.
4) SILICRYLIC - seems nice. But the flaps in the front are not very sexy. Dust can get underneath. Bottom part seems flaps, and is maybe likely to show sagging over time. Silicone is thick enough for protecting (from the looks of it) and the frosted acrylic piece gives it a since touch. Overall though, this case seems to be the most bulky-ist (if thats a word).
Now that my take on a few cases, which one is the best?? I am still trying to decide. I would like to get into reviewing cases, so If any companies are out there and want me to look at their products, I will be happy to look at it/do up a video (heh though I have never done one before). Even if someone wants me to give more thought on the cases mentioned above, and wants to send me a case to review, I will be willing to do it. (just PM me) Again these reviews were based on what I have learned from the web/impression from videos/pictures of the cases.
What do you guys think would be the BEST case to go with?
Edit:
Also looked at the incase frame case - Looks decent. Now its not soft in the back, but it looks nice. Not sure how flappy the sides would be, and if they would get loose over time. I have heard the rubber gets dirty quickly and is hard to clean. Also, the colour choices are too vibrant from some people (like me).
