Now that you’ve had your iPhone 4 for some time now, you’re probably itching for a new case. Apple’s free case program might have been enough for you, but if you were a bit disappointed by the Apple Bumper, Incase has a number of options available that may better fit your needs. In this roundup, I’ll take a look at their Snap and Slider cases.
Snap Case
The Snap Case ($34.95) is a very simple and thin clear plastic case that comes in two colors: clear and smoke (a semi-clear black). It covers both the sides and the back of the iPhone 4. It “snaps” on to the iPhone 4 and holds on for dear life. This case is almost like a film of protection, only thicker. This easily prevents scratches to the backside of the iPhone 4 and functions as the necessary placebo for your antennae worries.
The only real feature of the Incase Snap case (other than the obvious scratch protection) is a thin black ring around the camera hole on the back side. This is said to prevent any glare from a reflection of a flash. I don’t use a flash very often, but I suppose it’s nice to not find your pictures looking funny because of a case.
One word of caution; if you were planning on using this case with a screen protector covered (front and back) iPhone 4, think again. You’ll have to remove the side and back films to allow this case to fit. That’s how tight of a fit it is. That’s great news for most users, though, because Incase really designed this case to exactly fit the iPhone 4. Good job.
The Snap case would be a nice case if it weren’t for the fact that it just doesn’t feel or look right. It looks incomplete. The clear version nearly destroys the style of the iPhone 4. I didn’t get a chance to play with the smoke version, but it might have faired better. Why? The clear version often presses up against the back of the iPhone 4 causing it to look funny. You know the look, as if water was trapped between the case and the iPhone. But the case does do what it intends to; it fits the iPhone 4 amazingly well and protect against bumps and scratches. It just doesn’t drop any jaws in the process, which makes it relatively forgettable in my mind.
Incase Slider Case
The Incase Slider Case ($34.95) is much better thought out. It, like the Snap case, covers the back and sides, but it also frames the front of the iPhone 4. It comes in two parts; you slide your iPhone 4 into the larger piece, and then slide on the bottom portion. Not only is this a good way of attaching the case securely, it’s a clever way of building in docking support. If you want to dock your iPhone 4, all you have to do is remove the bottom portion of the slider.
Like the Snap case, the Slider also has the black ring surrounding the camera hole, so no flash worries. Again, cases are not usually rich on features, but there is one here I’d like to point out. The frame of the Slider case actually offers some screen protection. No, it won’t block projectiles, but it will keep the screen from touching a flat surface if you set your iPhone 4 face down. For me, that’s enough. I’ve about had it with the bubbles that are an inevitability with screen protectors, so this solution is a happy medium between functionality and protection.
The only real downside to the Slider case is that you’ll have to take your iPhone out of it every now and again to clean the edges. Dirt likes to collect along the edge of the frame. It’s not really a design flaw, just a reality of edges. Also, like the Snap case, there are no screen protectors allowed here. Not even on the screen, because they’ll pull up as you insert the iPhone into the case. You’re probably better off without it, anyway.
Overall, the Incase Slider is currently my favorite iPhone 4 case. It’s thin, it protects against scratches, and it keeps the screen from touching flat surfaces. All buttons and ports are easily accessible, and I actually quite like the feel of the plastic of which this is made. The Incase Slider is the best iPhone 4 case I’ve used. Simple as that.
the Incase Slider cases have always been awesome for me and my iPod touches. With my second and third gen touch though I was able to use a screen protector on the front of the touch without any interference to or from the slider case. Maybe I was just lucky with the screen protector brand I used.