Introductions Aside
Scroll below the squiggle break to skip the back story.
I hope you've been enjoying your new iPhones as much as I have. In the last two days, I have so appreciated all the buying advice I've taken from the forum -- mostly what NOT to buy -- that I felt compelled to take these pictures and register just to say thanks. Despite being a veritable tech junkie, I've never been a forum guy, so forgive me if my thread unravels with verbosity, or if I use an emoticon you don't like.
I understand all the hullabaloo about screen protectors, and phone protection in general, I really do. But if you love your phone as much as I do, and consider its retail price and contract more than slight financial burdens, you probably don't see protecting it as optional. So, you're looking for the best way to secure your phone, or maybe just make it a little more "i" -- or "u" as the case may be. <---- iPun
But seriously folks, as far as this iPhoner is concerned, we have a winner, at LEAST in the case.
If you are checking your local AT&T store for these accessories, they are in generic AT&T packaging, labeled, "Incipio Soft Shell," and "Screen Protector 3-Pack," respectively.
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Material
I picked up the Incipio NGP Matte at my local AT&T store on launch day. When I got home, I removed the packaging and experimentally tried to gouge the inside of the case with my thumbnail. I couldn't even mark it! I was thoroughly impressed.
The NGP stands for "Next Generation Polymer". Maybe they thought it sounded cooler than Thermo Poly Urethane, but this is actually the same TPU material you'll find on most semi-rigid shell cases. Without the slickness and sheen associated with TPU, though, the "Next Generation" claim is slightly bolstered by the awesome matte finish. It really does have a look and feel all its own, which is growing on me. There are one or two slightly glossy SEAMS on the case that don't seem to belong there. These are the only things even the OCD'est of perfectionists could point out to call the case's build quality any less than aesthetically flawless. To the very tip of your finger, the case feels texturally somewhere between paper and rubber. It's tough to describe, but easy to hold on to.
Fit
Next, I would say the fit is about 90% perfect. I do not mean I'm 90% satisfied with it. I mean it's 90% flawless. Because this one piece case has to bend over the corners of the iPhone, a tiny bit of play is required by design. Incipio either got lucky with how well they applied the dimensions they had, or they built this case around an actual iPhone 4. (Don't say "No duh". Many of the cases available this first week were manufactured based on rumored or approximate dimensions.)
With the NGP Matte, though, Incipio has built that mandatory amount of flex into the best possible place. The top (as in headphone/power button top) and bottom (as in 30 pin bottom) feel rock solid, and fit like a glove. Also, when you've applied the case, you can pinch it and feel that the flat back of the iPhone is laying flush in the case. Still with me? When you grip the case firmly on the sides -- but toward the back -- there is still not a millimeter of play. They've built it into the very front (as in screen front) of the case's bezel, as if the TPU flares just slightly up and out. This "design choice" -- what else would one call it -- is PERFECT for screen protector use.
Screen Protectors
Just today, I got my hands on a 3 pack of Casemate screen protectors at AT&T. They were my Wally World standby for the 3G, and I was happy to find them in stock. The protectors do scratch easily (I replace mine every 2-3 months), but they are pretty cheap, and, most importantly on this phone, crystal clear. Note: They are in generic AT&T packaging. I cannot speak for the quality of the similarly packaged "mirrored" or "anti-glare" protectors, so proceed with caution. Rest assured any fuzziness in this photo is due to my amateur photography skills and not the shield.
I am not without gripes for these new Casemate protectors, however. Remember when I said that many cases were manufactured to rumored dimensions? It appears these launch week Casemate screenies are likewise plagued. I'm also very skilled at applying these; I could install them so perfectly on the 3G they were almost unnoticeable. Same brand, presumably same model. Today, despite my best efforts (and one wasted film), this was simply not possible.
I sincerely hope Casemate addresses/has addressed the fit issue, as when Wally sells these for $7.99, they're a great (local) option for me.
Wrapping Up
The case does not attract fuzzies in the pocket. Speaking of pockets, it slides in and out way nicer than grippy silicone. I've also dropped my phone once already on hardwood from about waist level. I was handing it off nonchalantly, and it hit the floor with just a neat little "thud," 100% unscathed. Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think. I'm completely satisfied, save for the crappy cutouts in the protector. Sorry for the wordy writing -- it's in my nature to over-explain things, especially things I've put this much thought and time into. To reiterate my thanks, though, I read so many great threads on the forum this week, I figured the more someone can learn from my post, the better. Cheers!
- Andrew
Scroll below the squiggle break to skip the back story.
I hope you've been enjoying your new iPhones as much as I have. In the last two days, I have so appreciated all the buying advice I've taken from the forum -- mostly what NOT to buy -- that I felt compelled to take these pictures and register just to say thanks. Despite being a veritable tech junkie, I've never been a forum guy, so forgive me if my thread unravels with verbosity, or if I use an emoticon you don't like.
I understand all the hullabaloo about screen protectors, and phone protection in general, I really do. But if you love your phone as much as I do, and consider its retail price and contract more than slight financial burdens, you probably don't see protecting it as optional. So, you're looking for the best way to secure your phone, or maybe just make it a little more "i" -- or "u" as the case may be. <---- iPun
But seriously folks, as far as this iPhoner is concerned, we have a winner, at LEAST in the case.If you are checking your local AT&T store for these accessories, they are in generic AT&T packaging, labeled, "Incipio Soft Shell," and "Screen Protector 3-Pack," respectively.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Material
I picked up the Incipio NGP Matte at my local AT&T store on launch day. When I got home, I removed the packaging and experimentally tried to gouge the inside of the case with my thumbnail. I couldn't even mark it! I was thoroughly impressed.
The NGP stands for "Next Generation Polymer". Maybe they thought it sounded cooler than Thermo Poly Urethane, but this is actually the same TPU material you'll find on most semi-rigid shell cases. Without the slickness and sheen associated with TPU, though, the "Next Generation" claim is slightly bolstered by the awesome matte finish. It really does have a look and feel all its own, which is growing on me. There are one or two slightly glossy SEAMS on the case that don't seem to belong there. These are the only things even the OCD'est of perfectionists could point out to call the case's build quality any less than aesthetically flawless. To the very tip of your finger, the case feels texturally somewhere between paper and rubber. It's tough to describe, but easy to hold on to.
Fit
Next, I would say the fit is about 90% perfect. I do not mean I'm 90% satisfied with it. I mean it's 90% flawless. Because this one piece case has to bend over the corners of the iPhone, a tiny bit of play is required by design. Incipio either got lucky with how well they applied the dimensions they had, or they built this case around an actual iPhone 4. (Don't say "No duh". Many of the cases available this first week were manufactured based on rumored or approximate dimensions.)
With the NGP Matte, though, Incipio has built that mandatory amount of flex into the best possible place. The top (as in headphone/power button top) and bottom (as in 30 pin bottom) feel rock solid, and fit like a glove. Also, when you've applied the case, you can pinch it and feel that the flat back of the iPhone is laying flush in the case. Still with me? When you grip the case firmly on the sides -- but toward the back -- there is still not a millimeter of play. They've built it into the very front (as in screen front) of the case's bezel, as if the TPU flares just slightly up and out. This "design choice" -- what else would one call it -- is PERFECT for screen protector use.
Screen Protectors
Just today, I got my hands on a 3 pack of Casemate screen protectors at AT&T. They were my Wally World standby for the 3G, and I was happy to find them in stock. The protectors do scratch easily (I replace mine every 2-3 months), but they are pretty cheap, and, most importantly on this phone, crystal clear. Note: They are in generic AT&T packaging. I cannot speak for the quality of the similarly packaged "mirrored" or "anti-glare" protectors, so proceed with caution. Rest assured any fuzziness in this photo is due to my amateur photography skills and not the shield.
I am not without gripes for these new Casemate protectors, however. Remember when I said that many cases were manufactured to rumored dimensions? It appears these launch week Casemate screenies are likewise plagued. I'm also very skilled at applying these; I could install them so perfectly on the 3G they were almost unnoticeable. Same brand, presumably same model. Today, despite my best efforts (and one wasted film), this was simply not possible.
I sincerely hope Casemate addresses/has addressed the fit issue, as when Wally sells these for $7.99, they're a great (local) option for me.
Wrapping Up
The case does not attract fuzzies in the pocket. Speaking of pockets, it slides in and out way nicer than grippy silicone. I've also dropped my phone once already on hardwood from about waist level. I was handing it off nonchalantly, and it hit the floor with just a neat little "thud," 100% unscathed. Take a look at the pics and let me know what you think. I'm completely satisfied, save for the crappy cutouts in the protector. Sorry for the wordy writing -- it's in my nature to over-explain things, especially things I've put this much thought and time into. To reiterate my thanks, though, I read so many great threads on the forum this week, I figured the more someone can learn from my post, the better. Cheers!
- Andrew
