Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
The Snap Case does n’t add much bulk or conceal the iPhone ’s good looks . It ’s also an appealing option if you be after to use your iPhone with third - party accouterment , and the included stand is a nice incentive . But the face is quite tricky and does n’t offer a lot of protective covering .
Incase’sSnap Case for iPhone 4is a crystalline , pliant shell that , likeBelkin ’s Shield Micra , protects the iPhone 4 ’s corners , back , and left and good sides . Most of the top and bottom edges of the headphone are give away to avoid close up access to the ports and openings on those surface . On the left side , openings for the Ring / soundless switch and the iPhone ’s volume buttons make these control easy to get at and operate . likewise , an hatchway for the iPhone ’s tv camera crystalline lens and LED flash , on the back of the causa , is gravid enough for both to work right .
As with the other casing Apple has chosen for the iPhone 4 Case Program , the Snap Case cover up the spot in the lower - left corner of the phone where two of its international antennas meet . If you ’ve experienced reception problems due to guard the speech sound in such a way that your hand bridges those antennas , the Snap Case should alleviate that specific reception issue .
While exceptionally thin and lightweight , this is n’t an exceptionally protective face — its rigid - plastic material does n’t offer much electrical shock protection . And like the other liberal - case - program offer , the Snap Case leaves the iPhone 4 ’s screen completely exposed . However , the left and correct side of the eccentric broaden just far enough past the iPhone ’s front aerofoil that if you lay out your iPhone face - down on a desk or table , dust and malicious gossip on that Earth’s surface wo n’t come in contact with the blind .
Most iPhone character do n’t allow you to localize your encased iPhone 4 in a dock - provenience accessory without a third - party adapter such as SendStation’sDock Extenderor CableJive’sDock Extender Cable . However , in plus to the Snap Case leave the bottom edge of the iPhone mostly exposed , there ’s very little “ lip ” around that bottom edge . The mean that the Snap Case is quite accepting , if you will , of dock cradles — I found the Snap Case let me utilize my iPhone 4 in more dock - cradle accessories than any other innocent - case - programme suit .
In fact , this bottom edge is one of only a few small-scale plan detail that tell the Snap Case from Belkin ’s most selfsame Shield Micra . The back of the Shield Micra wrap up slightly around the top and bottom of the iPhone , and in my examination , this small lip partly block large miniplugs and a few bulky third - party wharfage - connection cables . The lip also keeps some dock - cradle accessories from making a whole connection with the iPhone ’s sorrel - connecter port . The Snap Case does n’t have these issues , although it does result the top and bottom edges of your earphone slimly less protected .
Another minor difference is that Incase has sum up an “ integrate spotlight reduction closed chain ” around the opening for the iPhone ’s rear camera and scud . This black - plastic band is theorise to keep the case ’s charge plate from adversely affecting picture and videos taken using the tv camera , but I did n’t point out any differences between medium created with my iPhone in the Snap Case compared to medium create while my iPhone was in any other free - case - program case .
Also , while the absolved plastic of the Shield Micra and the Snap Case seem similar , they ’re not quite the same . The Shield Micra ’s charge plate is smooth enough to be a minute tricky , and it scratches fairly easily . The Snap Case ’s credit card is even smoother — if you have Butterfingers Syndrome , this believably is n’t the case for you — but is perceptibly less susceptible to scratches .
But perhaps the most compelling reason to choose the Snap Case is that Incase include a small , shaping stand that can keep your iPhone — in landscape painting orientation — at either of two angles for hand - destitute viewing of videos and photos .
