The first thing everybody does when they upgrade to a shiny new smartphone is find a case – you’ve got to keep your new gadget in pristine condition, everyone knows that.
If you’ve recently upgraded to, or even purchased outright, a new iPhone 4 or 4S, chances are you don’t want any scratches on that beautifully smooth glass front and back. If you’re anything like me, you might even be prone to fumbling and dropping your phone from time to time, so you’ll want to kit your iPhone out with something super-tough and protective.
You may want something stylish, something individual, or even something that combines your wallet with your phone case. There are thousands of different cases out there to suit every need, but which ones are the best? We’ve compiled a list of what we feel are the ultimate iPhone 4 and 4S cases available right now.
Moshi iGlaze XT – £20.99
Many cases will offer your iPhone brilliant protection, but unfortunately end up covering almost the entire phone. Chances are you want to show off your iPhone, so ideally you need something that both protects and gives everyone a good view of that shiny Apple logo. Moshi’s iGlaze XT does just that – a completely clear, hardened case that snaps onto the back of your phone. While offering scratch and impact protection, the iGlaze XT only adds a mere 0.8mm thickness to your iPhone’s super-slim body.
Griffin Survivor – £22.97
At the opposite end of the spectrum, we know there are users out there that want the ultimate in protection for their new phones. There are several “ultra-tough” iPhone cases out there, but Griffin’s Survivor case stands out thanks to its military-tough standards. It’ll survive 6-foot drops onto concrete, wind, rain, dust and vibration. All ports and buttons are sealed off for ultimate protection, the screen is protected, and while it’s a much chunkier case than the Moshi iGlaze XT, it’s infinitely tougher. It’s also got a built-in kickstand, perfect for watching movies hands-free. The Survivor is available in four colours – black, olive, white and pink.
Otterbox Commuter – £19.31
There are many cases out there that try to cater for the ‘stylish, unobtrusive, yet tough’ desire that many iPhone users want from a case, but we feel that Otterbox’s Commuter case combines all three perfectly. This case combines a flexible rubber cover with a plastic hard shell that slots over the top to make a very tough, impact-absorbing case for your iPhone. Despite there being effectively two cases on your phone, the Commuter doesn’t add a great deal of thickness and still looks great. You also get a self-sticking screen protector to give your iPhone all-round protection. You can pick up a Commuter case in a number of great-looking colour combinations.
Mophie Juice Pack Air – £33.98
If you’re upgrading to an iPhone 4 or 4S as your first smartphone, one of the first things you’ll notice is the drop in battery life. Charging your phone up daily can become a chore, but thankfully there are cases out there with built-in batteries that can boost your phone’s battery life. The best around is Mophie’s Juice Pack Air, which provides a tough shell, an additional 6-12 hours battery life and clever ports at the bottom which audibly enhance the iPhone’s own speakers. Considering there is a battery hidden within, the Juice Pack Air is remarkably thin. These come in matte black and red, or a glossy white finish.
ElementCASE Vapor PRO Black Ops Edition – £89.99
If money isn’t an object but style and individuality is, you need to consider this case. This case adds barely any thickness and just 22g in weight to your phone, but it features an aircraft-grade alloy frame, an aerospace-grade polymer insert to avoid the ‘Death Grip’ signal issue, and a suede sheet that covers the rear of the phone. This case is sure to set your iPhone apart from the rest, and we’re yet to find a case that looks this cool. There are many other versions of the Vapor Pro case available, this one is just our favourite out of the bunch.
Senna Ultraslim Pouch – £18.94
For those who want a bit of style when it comes to their phone case, there’s little argument: leather is king. Our favourite leather iPhone case is the Ultraslim pouch from Senna – a simple yet classy pouch for the iPhone 4 and 4S, available in brown, black, white and red leather for less than £20. While it doesn’t have a ton of features like the Griffin Survivor, the Ultraslim Pouch is simply crafted from the finest Italian leather, adds little to no weight and bulk to your phone, and features a soft velvet material inside to keep your phone smudge and scratch free.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.