Print Cases--we needed them to shield our iPhone 4s and our iPads from the inevitable crash and burn they could suffer after months of hardcore usage. Not only that, but with all the movies you're making with your new iPhone 4, there's bound to be a time when you drop it onto the floor, just to see that gorgeous Retina Display shatter into a million little pieces. Or, at least, force you to high tail it to the Apple Store for a replacement unit.
Anyway, there's really nothing more unpleasant than receiving an unwanted scuff on your iPhone or iPad. For that reason, we're testing and using a ton of cases so that you don't have to in our new bi-weekly column, Best Case Scenario. We'll pick up cases from various vendors for both the iPad and iPhone 4, as well as screen protectors, sleeves, and whatever else "protects" your device and tell you if it's worth the hassle and the price. Why should your iOS device take a fall if it doesn't have to?
This lightweight, clear case is truly suited to protect your iPhone 4's backend from common nicks and scratches, and the occasional free fall. It also comes with a "flash ring" around the camera lens that helps prevent glare interference when the iPhone 4 is in the case, but we didn't notice much of a difference in quality after we snapped a photo. Regardless, this case is great for the pocket dwelling iPhone 4, and it doesn't add any bulk either. ($34.95)
We love the feel of this hard shell, matte case. It's durable, easy to slide on, and doesn't add on any extra weight to the already rock solid phone. Our only issue is that it was difficult to use with a screen protector and not have the protector get caught in the slider's "tracks." But the case has a removable bottom end, which is great for mounting the phone on old school iPod docks. For added coolness, you can also mix and match colors. ($34.95)
For the vain who use their iPhone 4's retina screen display as a mirror, there is a better solution. This mirror screen protector lives up to its namesake, and from a certain angle, it sort of shields what's going on with your home screen. Our only caveat with this screen protector is that it's hard to put on a slider case on top of it, so we couldn't get both the mirror and the back-end protection. However, it did the job of protecting the display from scratches, and aided in making sure our hair was in tip top shape. ($14.99)
If you'd rather keep your phone in a little pouch, we like this fashionable Golla case. It's thin enough to keep in a mid-sized purse or laptop bag and it's got heavy duty velcro that will keep the dust and particles away from your mobile device. There's even an inner pouch that can fit a coiled up iPhone 4 charger cable or earbuds, and a carabiner that can attach the pouch to belt loops, bags, or your key ring. ($14.95)
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