Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Looking for a case, not too bulky, very minimalist?

musika

musika

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 2, 2010
1,285
459
New York
Before you attack me, I've been all over the forums for days but I still can't find what I'm looking for.

I love the Speck CandyShell for protection, but it's a little too bulky and has the dreaded flaking problem.

Stuff like the Feather and the Incase Snap I can't stand because the top and bottom aren't covered.

What I'd really, really love is a case that has the great features of the Apple Bumper (Metal Buttons, fully covered sides), but with a back or more protection.

There must be something I'm missing, but so far 3GS cases seemed a lot easier to find when I had one.

Someone help! I'm currently using a Bumper on somedays, Pixelskin on other days. I can't seem to find what I am looking for.
 
desmay slight

desmay_1.jpg
 
I love my Desmay, but it is minimalist in every sense of the word. If you want scratch protection and prefer plastic to vinyl skins, this is the way to go.

:edit: I'm very confused by the above image....a 4S on T-Mobile? Factory unlocked?
 
I admittedly do not have this case...but it is one of the two (the other being the "colors" case by the same company) I had boiled it down to for myself. My priorities were the same as yours...I wanted something with button covers to make using the buttons easier, and back protection.

So I can't personally recommend it but can only say that if the cheap bumper I hadn't found on ebay or wherever it was, wasn't working out, I'd be buying this case. I ended up with a bumper I found for $7 (2 of them, actually) and bought a Lucky Labs white sticker thingie to protect the back.

I wil likely still end up ordering one of these before it's all said and done because I really like how they look.
 
This is also what I'm still looking for!

So far I've found:

- TPU cases (transparent) will turn yellow sooner or later
- Thin hard plastic cases always have the top and bottom exposed (except Desmay, but I'd just install a skin and it looks better)
- Switcheasy Nudes have the top and bottom covered but they are glossy as hell. Will be covered in a million scratches in no time.
- Alumunium bumpers reduce signal

This leaves plastic bumpers and I'm waiting for my SGP Neo Hybrid 2 EX.
 
musika said:
Decided to stick with the Apple Bumper (+ shields). I'm loving it :)
Click to expand...

how do you feel the apple bumper would hold up in a drop? I've been known to run with my phone in my hoodie pocket (front pockeet) and it fall out mid-stride. How well does apple bumper seem to hold up to the inevidible drop?
 
Leonard1818 said:
how do you feel the apple bumper would hold up in a drop? I've been known to run with my phone in my hoodie pocket (front pockeet) and it fall out mid-stride. How well does apple bumper seem to hold up to the inevidible drop?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty careful with my stuff, so I'll probably be fine. After my iPhone 2G, I'll never keep my phone in my front hoodie pocket again! If you can avoid those obviously dangerous things, then it should hold up fine. It's not the MOST protective at all, however, the sides being protected really will help distribute the force & shock through the silicone, instead of into the phone. Basically, be careful, and it should do it's job. Accidents happen, but it absolutely feels like it will help.

AppleCare+ helps too :)
 
musika said:
I'm pretty careful with my stuff, so I'll probably be fine. After my iPhone 2G, I'll never keep my phone in my front hoodie pocket again! If you can avoid those obviously dangerous things, then it should hold up fine. It's not the MOST protective at all, however, the sides being protected really will help distribute the force & shock through the silicone, instead of into the phone. Basically, be careful, and it should do it's job. Accidents happen, but it absolutely feels like it will help.

AppleCare+ helps too :)
Click to expand...

I try so hard to be careful however in the last year I'd say I've dropped my phone about 4 or 5 times on a hard surface (non-carpet).

I'm still trying to decide what direction to go in with the whole case thing. There are so many options and so many brands it gets very confusing!!
 
The case is hard plastic so it does scratch up but I have a white iphone so you don't see it. I don't have problems taking it off though. You do have to take your time taking it off or you will break or bend it but I haven't had that problem either. The flash seems to be ok so far, can't say for sure because I haven't had the need to use my camera much. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Drunken Master said:
A lot of people on Amazon say these cases scratch easily, reflect the flash and are hard to take off...is that true?
Click to expand...
 
I saw a video on youtube, a kid dropped the iPhone 4 in a bumper from 6 feet in height and it survived only with dings to the bumper. He finally was able to break it by dropping it from a two stories height. Curiously the whole thing was sponsored by a phone insurance company so I expected it was going to break on the first fall.
 
charlesdayton said:
I saw a video on youtube, a kid dropped the iPhone 4 in a bumper from 6 feet in height and it survived only with dings to the bumper. He finally was able to break it by dropping it from a two stories height. Curiously the whole thing was sponsored by a phone insurance company so I expected it was going to break on the first fall.
Click to expand...

Watched the same thing last night! :)
 
This one looks like the desmay slight...but it is a hardshell slider type case with a felt lining to protect your glass back and rubberized coating. Love it. Skech/casemate. It is my go to case when thinness is required.
 

Attachments

  • Skech-Hard-rubber-red-iphone4-details.jpg
    Skech-Hard-rubber-red-iphone4-details.jpg
    60.3 KB · Views: 260
I love slim case. It is not bulky, but most of them can't protect the front of iphone
 
peapody said:
This one looks like the desmay slight...but it is a hardshell slider type case with a felt lining to protect your glass back and rubberized coating. Love it. Skech/casemate. It is my go to case when thinness is required.
Click to expand...

That one looks pretty good. Which one is it?
 
You might want to check out the Incase Hybrid Cover. It's a matte polymer, with a glossy bottom part that makes it look like a removable slider bottom, but is in fact a one piece case. I love mine (in black). Good protection, not too bulky, and not something you see every day.

hbrd_drkgryqrry02.jpg
 
peapody said:
Skech or casemate. Different companies but they make the same thing.

Here are some REALLY quick pics. Sorry for the quality..but you can see how thin the case is. Has everything I need and no gigantic bezel either.
Click to expand...

I found the Skech version - Hard rubber, but I can't seem to find it on the casemate website. The closest one is the Barely There but that's hard plastic. Do you happen to know what the Case Mate version is called?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back