Apple on Friday discharge its costless iPhone 4 case programme in the form of an iPhone app . If you own an iPhone 4 , you may practice Apple ’s new iPhone app to select a free case from Incase , Belkin , Griffin , or Speck — but which one to choose ? We ’re run on getting some review units , but for now , here ’s a straightaway overview of each of the typeface to help you make a conclusion .
I have a few quick banknote before we lead off , though . After survey the manufacturer sites ( we ’re work on get actual review units ) , it looks like these cases offer by and large the same designs with some insidious departure and manufacturer style and quality distinctions . None of them offer quick - accession for dock your iPhone 4 , like Incase’sSlider Casedoes ; you will have to fill in take out the case when — or if — you require to expend a Dock . They also do not include separate screen defender stickers or build - in , multi - touch - friendly display protection ; they ’re all open - faced .
Some of them plow and protect the iPhone 4 ’s superpower and mass button with their own pressure - through button , and some expose Apple ’s release through elementary cutouts . That ’s a trade - off of protection and a little bulk versus a svelte design , but it ’s deserving note in compositor’s case you choose one over the other .
Belkin Shield Micra for iPhone 4
But without further ado , let ’s take a flavour at Apple ’s free iPhone 4 case lineup .
Apple
TheiPhone 4 Bumper($30 , black ) arguably dance on the definitive line of being a “ case , ” as it literally is a bumper for the iPhone . It ’s a fitted band of plastic — no front and no back — that wrap up around the exterior of the iPhone 4 , covering the stainless steel antennas and offer press - through push button for power and volume . It does , however , declare oneself a millimeter or two of headroom to lift the iPhone 4 ’s deoxyephedrine side off of a flat surface . If you ’re looking for a minimal level of protection against vesture - and - split , a elbow room to mitigate the potential for signal fading , or just a path to differentiate your iPhone 4 from your meaning other ’s , this is a good option .
Griffin Reveal Etch for iPhone 4
Belkin Shield Micra for iPhone 4Belkin
TheShield Micra for iPhone 4(price unavailable , percipient ) is a clear charge card case from a popular accoutrement Lord . Belkin says it ’s an ultra - lean , lightweight font , and it offers press - through push aegis for superpower and intensity controls . It looks to have a shiny , rounded finish throughout , so it should be quite favorable to slipping in and out of pocket .
Griffin
Speck Fitted Case for iPhone 4, Black Tartan
Griffin claims that itsMotif for iPhone 4($20 , Diamonds / Smoke ) uses a scuff- and binge - tolerant material that is stiffer than its silicon FlexGrip cases , but more compromising than hard polycarbonate cases like the Reveal Etch ( below ) . It ’s not quite a clear-cut typeface — it ’s semitransparent with a smoky tint , a diamond design on the back for style , and individual cutout for the power and book push button .
Griffin Reveal Etch for iPhone 4TheReveal Etch for iPhone 4($30 , Black / Black Graphite ) sounds like it ’s Griffin ’s take on combining the Bumper figure with a full - body pillowcase . It has a polycarbonate back with a diagonal etch conception for style and caoutchouc side all around for a soupcon of travelling bag - favorable grain . Power and bulk buttons are protect with pressing - through opposite number .
encase
Speck PixelSkin HD for iPhone 4
We do not yet have a lot of information on theIncaseSnap Case for iPhone 4 ( cost unavailable , Smoke , Clear ) , but if you ’ve never heard of the company , you’re able to often find its products in Apple retail stores , as it makes timber accessory and carrying cases mostly for Apple train . The Snap Case sounds like it has a two - piece design — one as a physique around the front , one to protect the back — as oppose to Incase’sSlider Casewhich , as the name suggests , require you to slide the iPhone in and out of its sleeve - like figure . I wager that the snap case uses cutouts for the iPhone 4 ’s buttons , which probably allows its overall blueprint to be a slight thinner .
Speck
Speck Fitted Case for iPhone 4 , Black TartanTheFitted Case($30 , Black Tartan ) is a hard - shield font with a distinctive flatness cloth grain on the back . My married woman really owned the late version of this for her iPhone 3GS . It ’s a good case — it snapped quite tightly around her 3GS , and the matted fabric style in the back is a unique touch . Speck engage cutout to expose the iPhone ’s buttons , which mean the font is probably passably thin and take form fitting .
Speck PixelSkin HD for iPhone 4ThePixelSkin HD($30 ) case takes a texturized approach , wrapping the iPhone 4 in grippable plastic and an iconic pixelated motif on the back . Instead of cutout for the magnate and book button , the PixelSkin HD screening and protect them with what I believe are rubberized printing press - through buttons build into the causa . This will add a millimeter or two of overall sizing to the case , but then your buttons will obtain less wear - and - tear and collect less grime .
