Which Case is Best for the iPhone and iPod Touch
A Review of the Top Six Cases Designed to Protect
Sep 1, 2009
To protect or not to protect, that is the question iPhone and iPod Touch owners ask themselves shortly after buying their dream gadget. Should they leave it unclothed so they can admire its sleek, slim lines or should they wrap it up in some sort of rubberised case that will keep it safe and secure until it's time to upgrade?
It's a question that only the individual can answer. If a fortune has been spent on buying the iPhone on a 'pay as you' go contract it would be wise to consider some form of protection. Even if it has been bought as part of a contract there may be no insurance, so a case will be worth considering. Here are the best solutions for protecting the hardware and all those music tracks and apps.
iPhone and iPod Touch Cases
Several factors need to be considered before buying a case. First is: how easy is it to get on and off? It may need to be removed once a month for cleaning, or simply to change it for another case. Will putting the case on and taking it off on such a regular basis actually end up scratch the iPod Touch or iPhone? Does the case need to be splash proof to prevent water getting into the device? Is it made from a durable material? This will be important if the iPhone will be used on the same contract for three or four years.
iPhone Cases
Here are the best cases for the iPhone currently on the market:
SwitchEasy Colours for iPhone 3G/S
Silicone cases don't get any better than this. Available in a wide variety of colours, with a contrasting home button protector to add interest, the Colours case costs around $15 and comes with two screen protectors, a small plastic squeegee to help apply it, a small cleaning cloth, earphone socket protector, charging socket protector and dock connector. The screen protectors aren't the easiest to apply as they use a thin film of pre-applied adhesive rather than static to remain attached, but bubbles are reasonably easy to squeeze out.
SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel for iPhone 3G/S
A break from the norm, the Rebel employs the familiar silicone shell but adds a hardened plastic backbone that snaps into piece securely. In addition there are the same two screen protectors and other goodies as supplied with the Colours case (above), although the case seems to encroach more onto the screen of the device, so the screen protector needs to be positioned accurately to avoid it being lifted by the tight-fitting spine's 'claws'. Expect to pay around $30.
Otterbox Defender for iPhone 3G/S
Rain showers spell doom for iPhones, so this ruggedized case from Otterbox could be a wise investment, even at $50. The phone fits into a hardened shell which in turn sits within a rubberised shell, and most orifices are waterproofed as a result - although it should be noted that the case will not prevent water intrusion if it's submerged. All of the iPhones functions operate as usual when it is in the case, but universal docks cannot be used. Also available for the iPod Touch ($30).
iPod Touch Cases
Here are the best cases for the iPod Touch currently on the market:
Griffin iClear for iPod Touch
There are several see-through cases available for both the iPhone and iPod Touch, but this one for the latter beats them all. The back of the case is frosted and the front is clear, which makes for a nice combination. The $20 iClear does a great job of covering much of the iPod, so there's little chance of dust getting in. It also comes with a screen protector, which does a good job once past the usual tricky installation. The shell of this case is impact resistant and it can be left attached to the iPod when it needs to be connected to a dock.
DLO Video Shell for iPod Touch
As the name suggests, this clear hard plastic case employs a small plastic stand at the rear which lets the use stand the iPod on its side and use it to view video clips or films. As usual, this case comes with a screen protector (just the one this time), which is applied before the case (which comes in two halves) is snapped on to the iPod (front first, then the rear). The iPod doesn't rattle about inside once sealed. Protection is excellent - there's even a cover over the Home button and the price is good value at around $20.
DLO Jam Jacket
Not everyone wants to gaze upon their iPod Touch through a clear case - some people put protection above everything else. Those folks should choose the $20 DLO Jam Jacket, which is a black and rubberised. The front looks plain and simple but the rear features a clip that can be used to organise headphone cabling. The Multiclip can't be removed and adds to the overall width of the case, so try before buying.
Conclusion
Hundreds of cases are marketed as being the only one ever needed to protect an iPhone or iPod, but the truth is that only a few are capable of doing the job satisfactorily over an extended period. If in doubt, make sure the case comes with a good warranty and retain the original packaging in the event it needs to be returned.
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