The Apple iPhone 3G is probably one of the most accessorized mobile phones in recent history sparking anywhere from an army of fart apps to allegedly “iPhone 3G ready” headphones. Both of which are pretty much useless. One area which isn’t useless is a case to protect your precious iPhone 3G, allowing it to survive the minimum 2 year jail term to your service provider (3 years if you live in Canada).
Since there are so many options out there on the marketplace, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. When I put out a call to companies for samples, I literally had to say “NO! STOP! NO MORE!”. Clearly this is a category where companies make a ton of money off iPhone users and the competition to get you into one of their cases is fierce. Today, Mophie, Proporta, iLuv, ZAGG, Griffin, Scosche and Otterbox will be competing for those hard earned dollars.
In my weeks of testing I found out quite a bit about all the cases we’ve rounded up for this…err…round up. I’ve made notes on things like which ones looked like crap after a while and which ones fit like crap. I also noted which ones were particularly hard to take off and on that note, which ones were hardest to put on. All of this was done in the hopes of helping you find that perfect iPhone 3G case an steering you away from those god awful leather holsters and flip cases. Let’s giddy up and get on with this round up!
ZAGG’s InvisibleSHIELD for the iPhone 3G
The folks at ZAGG have been covering up people’s gadgets and gizmos for a few years. Their precision cut coverings tout abrasion resistance, durabiliy, and allows you to parade your iPhone around without covering it up with a “bulky case”. That’s why ZAGG has literally sold millions of these to Apple iPhone users.
I’ve included this product first in this round up because using it means that none of the other cases will work due to the semi-permanence of this product. That’s also why I saved my evaluation of the product for last because putting it on would make it impossible to test any of the other cases.
Installation of the invisible shield product is probably the most infuriating of all the cases we’ve taken a look at. All you need to do the job is included which includes a special spray solution, a squeegee, and the precision cut plastic film which is less than 0.2mm thick. It does require a good deal of preparation and patience to properly apply the product.
After positioning the pieces in place, you need to leave it alone so that the spray and bubbles can work themselves out for a minimum of 12 – 24 hrs. I actually screwed up putting on one of the smaller pieces, causing it to peel when I didn’t listen to their instructions about letting it set. Expect your iPhone to be out of commission for at least a day if you want the installation to last.
Once fully installed, the InvisibleSHIELD does indeed maintain the look of the iPhone 3G as it is pretty much invisible. Owners who have experienced the “slipper fish” feel of device will like the added grip the product provides to the body of the iPhone 3G and it will do an excellent job of preventing the back of the phone from scratching into ugliness. The only thing that it doesn’t do for you is protect your precious iPhone 3G against drops. Hopefully, the fact that it no longer slides out of your hand will prevent a few more of those unthinkable drop scenarios.
I did find the screen cover a very minor impediment to the capacitive touch screen’s function, but it also offers some degree of anti-glare. The fact that the InvisibleSHIELD is so thin makes it still able to work with all of your iPhone docks and other similar accessories without removal and the pieces are cut to allow uninterrupted access to the buttons, headphone jack and the dock and speakers.
The full coverage kit I installed covers both the front and the back for $24.95 US, however ZAGG does offer a back only option for $18.95 US or just the screen for $14.95 US. Each kit is backed by a lifetime warranty so it could very well be the last non-case you buy for your iPhone 3G until Steve Jobs decrees that it is no longer worthy.
Proporta Dual Skin Silicone Case for iPhone 3G
UK company Proporta sells a full line of cases and covers for all sorts of mobile phones and other gadgets. From your Dad’s leather holster and flip cover, to gadget bags like the one featured in our recent cellphone accessory guide, you can tell these blokes really live and breath mobile accessories.
For this round up, they actually sent over two cases. The first of which is their Dual Skin Silicone Case that features a two piece design that gives the case a two tone color scheme and a grippy texture. This dual layer also serves as a bit of extra protection for your iPhone 3G in case of a drop, but don’t expect it to save you. It might lessen the blow though.
Installing the case was easy peasy. It just slips over top of the case and that’s all she wrote and reverse to remove. However, I did notice that while pulling the case over the phone, it did have this tendency to peel away from itself due to the dual layer design. I also noticed the same thing when pulling it out of my pocket as the silicon would stick momentarily, dislodging the case.
Although the grip was good once in your hand, day to day use really did a number on the two halves, making them look like two separate halves as the corners started to lift near the button on the bottom. Protection though was good and the dual layer, though adding some bulk, should help with some sudden impact. Of course, the real glass screen is still a target for termination.
All the ports from headphone, to camera to dock connector were all properly exposed though I did find it silly that the mute button was completely covered up. You can make it work if you try real hard, but I found more often than not I would need to peel the case off to access it.
The case comes in the white/clear as shown or a black/charcoal color scheme and retails for $18.51 US.
iLuv Perfect Fit (iCC71) Silicone Case for the iPhone 3G
The folks at iLuv are all over Apple and we’ve had a chance to review and see quite a number of iLuv products. Their “luv” for producing iPod cases and accessories made it logical for them to jump into the iPhone arena. They sent us two cases from their new “Perfect Fit” series starting with their silicone case.
The iLuv Perfect Fit Silicon Case for the iPhone 3G slips on over your handset easily and provides a nice snug fit that doesn’t move around much, whether pulling it out of your pocket or fumbling for your favourite app. Although it won’t provide as much protection as the Proporta Silicone Case, it does provide a much more precise fit which I find very appealing. The case does come off as easily as it goes on as well, allowing you to use all your iPhone dock products easily. They even made the color transparent enough to show off the Apple logo.
All of the buttons are properly exposed including the camera, speaker, dock connector and the mute button which was erroneously covered up by the Proporta version. The switches that were covered, like the volume, main button and power button can easily be activated through the thin covering. What I didn’t get though was why iLuv decided to cut the speaker holes the way they did. There’s nothing behind the two left and right holes! However, I quickly forgive this remembering that they included a free anti-glare screen card with the case. The case also has dimpled ridges along the side to aid in its grippiness.
The iLuv Perfect Fit (iCC71) Silicone Case is quite the bargain at $12.99 US and comes in white as shown and a black version too.
Scosche KickBACK Case for the iPhone 3G
The Scosche KickBACK case is a unique entry to this round up due to its dual personality. On one hand, it functions as your regular run of the mill clear polycarbonate case. On the other hand, it doubles as a stand, allowing you to view your movies and video podcasts without having to hold it up to your face all the time. The stand tucks in when not in use. Silicon feet on the front and back of the case also keep it from sliding around whether you place your iPhone down on the screen or on its backside.
Installation of the case is fairly straightforward and is accomplished by simply pressing down on the two halves till they snap together. The case also comes with a second non kickstand back piece in case you never want to use the stand piece. I can’t really see why you wouldn’t. A thin screen protector is also included and applies seperately from the two main pieces. You can even customize the silicon feet with included black and pink ones. A special tool is also included in case you want to remove the case to switch back pieces for instance or if you want to use your iPhone dock.
Fit and finish of the case was good and all the ports were easily accessed after installation. I didn’t realize how handy those silicon feet were until I started to see just how much of an incline I could place the iPhone on till it started sliding. It works well for quick dashboard trips in the car when all your cupholders are taken.
I wondered why Scosche included the second back piece and then as I was playing with the kick stand, I noticed just how vulnerable it would be if someone where to knock it off a surface while in use. It would probably snap off. Luckily, a non kick stand back is also included for those types of emergencies. Speaking of the stand, it really doesn’t like standing up on smooth surfaces. The case does stand up though to scratches thanks to those silicon feet suspending it off surfaces.
The Scosche KickBACK case comes in three colors: Clear (as shown), Black, and Pink. Retail price is $29.99 US.
Mophie Hard Case Plus for iPhone 3G
Mophie makes a ton of iPhone 3G accessories. In fact, we recently reviewed their Mophie JuicePack for the iPhone 3G which is one of the most unique power products for the iPhone to date. Mophie also makes cases for the iPhone and their Hard Case Plus is one of them featuring a polycarbonate construction with an integrated screen protector.
Like the Scosche KickBACK, the installation is fairly straight forward and simply involves alligning the two pieces and snapping them together. Removing the case isn’t so easy as the fit is not only extremely tight and precise, but as a result, it’s hard to get a good start to pry it off. It can be done with patience though, but I don’t think this is a case you want to take on and off a whole lot.
Once the case is on, it sort of feels like it belongs. With the integrated screen protector hugging the original screen tightly, touch performance isn’t degraded by a noticeably amount. Even the cut outs for the main button and speaker are cut with extreme precision and line up properly, just like the other holes for the other buttons and ports. The case also keeps the sim slot locked down so that no one is mucking with your phone without removing the case.
The only downsides are the fact that the back starts to collect swirl marks very quickly and although you can’t see it in the first picture, it is indeed covered with them. I guess better the case than the phone. It also reintroduces that slippery fish feel because the case provides no grip whatsoever.
At $29.95 US, it isn’t a cheapie case by any means, however based on the fit and finish it isn’t cheap there. However, if you use any sort of dock, I wouldn’t pick this case due to the tedious nature of the disassembly. You should pretty much leave it on till it (or the phone) dies.
Proporta Crystal Case With Soft Feel Base for the iPhone 3G
So Proporta didn’t do such a great job with their Dual Silicone Case. That’s OK because they sent us two cases.
Proporta’s Crystal Case features a back piece that is covered in a soft feel plastic that gives it some added grip and didn’t seem to develop the ugly swirl marks that the previous Mophie Hard Case Plus did when subjected to the rigors of daily use. This case once again requires just a simple snap together fit that was easy to manage.
Removal of the case was quite a bit easier than the previous Mophie case due to the somewhat slacker fit and finish and it helped that a cut out was made in the bottom corner near the dock connector so that you could get a quarter in there.
The control and port cutouts for this case were done fairly well, exposing just enough of the phone to use them properly. The only weirdness I found, which was something I also found odd about the iLuv Silicone case, was the position of the speaker cut outout. The speaker is in the middle folks. Not way the hell to the side.
You can find this case over at the Proporta store for a reasonable $18.95 US.
iLuv Clear Hard Case (iCC74) for the iPhone 3G
The last clear hard case in our round up is from iLuv. We know their silicone case provides a fairly precise fit but what about their hard cases?
The iLuv Clear Hard Case doesn’t disappoint in precision fit. In fact, somehow they’ve managed to marry precision withe easy on and easy off unlike the Mophie which is a bitch to get off and the Proporta which goes on and off easily, but feels slightly sloppy. The cut outs are all precisely cut and even the speaker lines up properly (unlike on the Proporta case).
However, like the Mophie Hard Case, the iLuv did start get swirl marks as soon as I put it into day to day use. You can’t see it in the picture above, but I assure you, the back is covered in tiny swirl marks that thankfully are on the case and not on the iPhone itself.
The case also comes with its own screen protector that you can apply separately much like the Scosche KickBACK. However, the one for the iLuv takes it a notch up by being a glare free version just like the one that came with the iLuv Silicone case. The only apparent downside to this case is the lack of grip. Though not as slippery as a bare iPhone 3G, it defnitely doesn’t have anything to help, except for being on the phone when it hits the floor and hopefully taking the impact.
You can find the iLuv iCC74 Hard Case for around $24.99 US.
Griffin Technology Clarifi Case for the iPhone 3G
There is no denying that the iPhone 3G’s camera is less than a stunner. It’s even less thrilling when you’re trying to take close up shots. That’s why Griffin Technology went to work and created a case that not only protects the iPhone 3G, but also improves the function of the camera on the macro side. They call this product the Clarifi Case.
In addition to the macro slider lens, the Clarifi is also one of the easiest cases to put on and take off. In fact, you really don’t have to take it off at all because the bottom of the case slides off allowing you to use any of your docking products without removing the entire case. They call this their “EasyDock” feature but I call it one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” ideas.
Even with its easy slide on/slid off nature, the Clarifi does manage to provide precise cut outs for all the ports and buttons. A rubberized texture on the case also provides additional grip that is lacking from the bare iPhone 3G. Did I mention that it even comes with a screen protector and a premium cleaning cloth? Very nice!
The Griffin Technology Clarifi case retails for $34.95 US.
Griffin Technology Elan Form Chrome Case for the iPhone 3G
The Mophie Hard Case Plus was built to be very much like part of the iPhone with a very precise fit, but it still looked like a slab. So what Griffin Technology did was take their EasyDock technology which is also part of the Clarifi Case, and matched it up with some real leather and chrome accents. Together, this turns into the classy looking Elan Form Chrome case for the iPhone 3G.
The Elan Form Chrome takes a bit of the best of all the other cases in this round up so far. It has nice grip thanks to the leather, but doesn’t suffer from the stuck to you feel like some of the silicon cases. It’s easy to put on and take off which isn’t really necessary because the EasyDock feature allows full access to its connector by simply sliding off the bottom piece.
Finally, the fit and finish and the chrome accents make it easily one of the most attractive cases in this round up. It really suits the iPhone 3G well and like the Clarifi, all the ports and buttons are totally unobstructed. It was also one of the cases that looks the least like crap after being out and about for a couple weeks. Leather just seems to get better the more you beat on it. Like the Clarifi, the plastic case provides some good impact resistance though you might not want to punt it like a football or drop it screen first onto something sharp.
To top things off, the Elan Form Chrome comes with a screen protector and a cleaning cloth and you can have all of this for $34.99 US. It isn’t cheap, but so far, it’s the only case in this round up that I wouldn’t question the price of due to all the above factors.
Otterbox Defender Series Case for the iPhone 3G
The Otterbox Defender for the iPhone 3G is the toughest case in this round up. It features three layers of protection which includes a grippy outer silicone skin that is layered over a hard polycarbonate shell. Finally, the screen is covered with a membrane that maintains the capacitive touch capabilities while preventing scratches and abrasions to the fragile glass screen. There are even little filter pieces built inside the case that protect the speaker and the mic from dust and debris. All of the ports also have covers that keep the elements out.
Installation of the case isn’t difficult at all, but is a multi-step process that includes putting on the shell, then putting on the silicone cover top of that. However, I guess they’ve had enough confusion that an instructional video was necessary. Removal is equally as easy and is only second to the Griffin cases and far easier than any of the other cases in this round up.
The only thing that was rather annoying that despite all my preparation and cleaning, the protective screen cover ended up creating this series of bubbles on the screen. This is similar to the Mophie Hard Case, but I didn’t have the same issue with that product. It didn’t affect usability of the touch screen, but it’s rather ugly. I guess the only thing uglier would be a busted iPhone 3G and knowing that you’re only months into your three year contract. It did seem to get better if I worked at, using a plastic card to push the bubbles away. The case also increases the distance to the screen, giving it just a few more millimeters of protection in case of a tumble.
The Otterbox Defender comes with a holster and belt clip that clips in with the screen facing you. This further prevents any accidents that might happen to that fragile glass screen. It also displays that Apple logo proudly to the rest of your construction crew so don’t be surprised if they’re waiting for you by your truck after work one of these days.
The holster does double as a stand ala the Scosche KickBACK. Just put the iPhone in facing out and rotate the clip to the angle of view that works for you. This case (next to the Griffin Elan Form Chrome) looked pretty much the same as it did on day one even after a couple weeks of use and it took a few tumbles too.
The Otterbox Defender for the iPhone 3G is the most expensive case by far at $49.95 US, but it also offers the most protection (or contract insurance) of any of the cases in this round up. It’s also available in white.
Results of the Round Up…
I spent a lot of time going through each one of these cases, putting them on and taking them off, and subjecting them to daily use. Some cases started to look abused like the Mophie Hard Case Plus and iLuv Clear Case, while others like the Proporta Dual Silicone just looked kind of iffy out of the box. Some looked great from day one to day twenty like the Griffin Elan Form Chrome and the Otterbox Defender while others just keep you from using anyone elses case like the InvisibleSHIELD. After all is said and done, I do have my favorites.
Out of all the cases here, I felt that there were three real standouts in this round up. For starters, if you’re actually going to take your iPhone 3G outdoors or on the worksite, the Otterbox Defender is hard not to recommend because it’s just a beast of a case. Even if you aren’t going outside, if you leave your phone in that case, you’ll survive your whole contract with a phone that looks brand new. My next choice is the complete opposite of the Otterbox which is the ZAGG InvisibleSHIELD. If you like the way the iPhone looks and you’re not a phone abuser, the InvisibleSHIELD for the iPhone 3G offers the best combination of abrasion resistance and looks for all you Apple industrial design snobs out there.
Overall, the case that gets my nod of approval for anytime general use has to be the Griffin Elan Form Chrome. It’s a really classy case with a good level of protection. It is also easy to remove and replace and really just looks like it belongs when it comes to fit and finish. It was also one of the few cases that didn’t look like crap after a couple weeks of use. In fact, I think it actually looks better a little beat up.
Do you have a favorite iPhone 3G case that we missed? Tell us what it is and why you like it at the comment link below. For more pictures of all the cases in this round up, head on over to the last page for the photo gallery.
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The Great Futurelooks iPhone 3G Case Round Up Photo Gallery
