Filed under: Accessories, Features, iPhone
iPhone accessory mini-review and gallery: Incase Protective Cover
When I purchase just about any electronic gadget these days, I usually factor in the cost of at least a $20-$30 case to buy right along with it. When I went to purchase my 8GB iPhone Friday night, I considered its price to be $630, not $599; there was no way I was walking out of the Apple Store without some way to protect my shiny new gadget, even if I had to get some kind of super-stretchy iPod case to hold me over. Thankfully, my Apple Store was ready to roll with a healthy dose of both in-house and 3rd party accessories, including some from one of my favorite accessory and case manufacturers: Incase (who just recently re-launched their website, finally). With a few different hard rubber and leather case options available, I settled on the $29.95 Incase Protective Cover in black, and here is a mini-review. For those who want the cliff notes: it's a great case that fits the iPhone like a glove, flawlessly providing access to all the phone's controls and ports. I definitely recommend it. Check out our gallery for images of the case in action.
To expand a little: this Incase Protective Case is designed really well, and once applied to your phone it hardly shifts in place, despite being slightly flexible, though hardened, rubber. This isn't like the silicon cases from iSkin - it's pretty rigid. One drawback of the case though is the lack of any clear protective cover for the iPhone's display. Considering that PC World has done a pretty good job of exploring how strong, durable and apparently un-scratch-able the iPhone's display is in this video, you might not have to worry about it. Another alternative for protecting your iPhone's display, at least for now, would be to leave on the clear plastic sticker; that's what I did, and my phone touch UI seems to function just fine. If you've already tossed out that sticker, a pack of Crystal Film from Power Support, also available in Apple Stores for $14.95, might do the trick. I picked up a pack of this stuff but I'm honestly wary of using it since I still have the original clear sticker on my iPhone. If anyone tries that film stuff out, please comment with your experience.
Getting back to the case though, it also adds a level of grip-ability to the phone's otherwise sleek and possibly too-slick exterior. For anyone concerned about dropping the phone during calls or carrying too many groceries in at once, this case should add all the grip you need. However, one unavoidable drawback to this case - and likely every case made for the iPhone - is that the dock won't be usable without removing the case. Anyone who has used just about any case on their iPod probably won't be surprised by this. You'll either have to deal with removing your Incase Protective Case each time you want to sit your iPhone in its dock, or simply stick with using the cable altogether.
Ultimately, I highly recommend the Incase Protective Case. It's another successful effort from an established Apple accessory maker that protects (almost) everything that needs it, while still offering unhindered access to the iPhone's exterior controls and ports. I give the $29.95 cases a 5/5 rating, and you can see more pictures and colors here, as well as the rest of Incase's iPhone lineup here.
Gallery: Incase Protective Cover for iPhone
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
schlomo said 4:12PM on 7-01-2007
I personally prefer a holster for the iPhone, as a lot of its character and desirability comes from the exterior design. I have a DLO leather horizontal holster I bought at the AT&T store with my iPhone that I LOVE!
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Slevin said 4:12PM on 7-01-2007
I actually had bought that exact case the other day, however I found that when repeatedly taking it out and reinserting it into the case makes the case stretch just so slightly. It was for this reason I took it back to the apple store this morning (gotta love the apple store open 24/7 always there when you need it) and replaced it with the incase leather holster.
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Cody Barbo said 4:18PM on 7-01-2007
I too bought this case and so far i love it. I have another friend who purchased a clear plastic case and he likes mine ten times better. The only drawback is the dock and the case don't work together but it isn't that big of a deal. I too also give this a 5/5 rating. Good luck to everyone else with their iPhones!
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Kitty said 4:21PM on 7-01-2007
I work for Apple Retail and I highly suggest Crystal Film for the iPhone. I have had great feedback on this product and use it myself. I wouldn't dream of having a beautiful screen like that and not protecting it. Time may show that it is not necessary but I would hate to take that chance.
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rkelp said 4:41PM on 7-01-2007
Got the same case in red, and am looking for the screen cover also.
Also using the iSkin lanyard for the phone.
Looking forward to some better canal headphones with a mic. V-Moda, maybe.
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Dripps said 4:44PM on 7-01-2007
I bought the crystal film set and installed it on our iphones immediately. You can't even tell it's there! I have decided NOT to use a case because I like the feeling and small form factor of the bare iPhone. I usually have it in my purse or a pocket. Besides, when I'm at my desk I'll have it in the cradle and I don't want to be pulling a case on and off. I used my Blackberry Pearl with just a screen protector and the shieldzone invisible shield and it still looks like new. If I didn't put it on myself I'd swear it wasn't there. Now I can sell it on ebay and no purchaser would ever be disappointed with it's like-new appearance. Naked iPhone for me!
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TheODogg said 4:48PM on 7-01-2007
I purchased this case as well and I really like it. The biggest draw back to this case is that you cannot put it into your craddle. I have several bases that I'd like to just plop the phone into and charge. The next case I purchase will have to be able to be set into the base without taking anything off. Any suggestions?
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Ray Valdez said 5:07PM on 7-01-2007
A company called Martin Fields produces the best clear overlays in the market. Seriously, they are the best.
They have been around a while and there are a lot of reviews out there that you can read about their product. I've been using them on PSPs and iPods for several years now and I have to say - they are clearer and "smoother" (no texture or distortion) than any or overlay product. They are, however, a little more expensive and run about 17 bucks for one, shipped.
They are worth it. I just ordered one for my iPhone yesterday and it was shipped this morning. I recommend getting one of these over the other crystal one's that are being sold. Don't just take my word for it, do some research, too. I figure for a device that I'm going to have for 2 years, I may as well protect the screen even if it is a tough SOB.
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Ray Valdez said 5:10PM on 7-01-2007
Oh and if you guys are looking for a sleeve (for protecting it while it's in a backpack or bag) I would recommend the ORION case by Incipio.
I just ordered one after researching minimalistic iphone cases. I hate bulk, but I hate putting an unprotected device in any bag even more.
They are very similar to the "free" sleeves that iPod videos and (at least the 1st gen) Nanos shipped with. Though they feature a rigid insert and I believe, leather construction. Amazon sells them for 10 bucks, though they retail for 20.
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Jason said 5:47PM on 7-01-2007
Be very careful with Incase iPod cases.
On the recommendation of an Apple Store employee, I purchased one for my 5G iPod. Within 2 days, my clickwheel had a gooey residue on it and my screen had a bunch of scratches. Prior to insertion in the case, both of those parts were completely clean (the iPod was about 3 or 4 days days old when I got the case).
I then took both pieces back to the Apple Store, fortunately the manager took care of the situation. I got a full refund on the case, and a *new* iPod, not a refurb out of the back.
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Jason said 5:56PM on 7-01-2007
I forgot to mention which sleeve it was. Sorry about that. It was the Incase "iPod Neoprene Sleeve". Search the online Apple Store for "incase neoprene" -- it's the first one on the list.
View all reviews, read "JC from Mount Laurel" if you'd like to read my review, though it's basically what I wrote above. You'll find some glowing reviews, but a huge amount of bad reviews, most of which state that the case scratched the heck out of the iPod, and many also reported the sticky residue.
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Shannin C said 5:57PM on 7-01-2007
sorry if you stated this already but does the phone still fit in the dock with the case on?
ive always wanted to get a dock for my iPod but never did because i didnt want to have the hassle of taking it on and off every time i want to dock it.
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Interstink said 6:01PM on 7-01-2007
Incase... In Case you wanted to make your iPhone look like iCRAP
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Bratling said 6:30PM on 7-01-2007
I ended up choosing between the Incase Protective Cover and the Speck ToughSkin. An Apple Store rep was kind enough to let me try putting the ToughSkin on my own iPhone. With the ToughSkin in place, I could literally drop my iPhone from a few inches onto a hard surface and it would just bounce! Very reassuring. But, it was very clunky looking, and certainly won't slide into a pocket easily.
The Apple Rep reassured me that the return policy was 14 days, open or not, if you don't like it, get a refund. So I decided to try the sleeker Incase rubber protector, and if after a week I don't think it's good enough, I'll take it back and get the ToughSkin.
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Michael Hodges said 6:44PM on 7-01-2007
"I went to purchase my 8GB iPhone Friday night, I considered its price to be $630, not $599"
yeah, that'd be taxes ;-) ...then figure another 30 for your case.
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Alex said 10:08PM on 7-01-2007
why bother. why cover up the beauty. you are only gona have it for 2 years anyways, might as well enjoy it rather than cover it up for the next person.
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pmd said 11:10PM on 7-01-2007
I purchased the InCase cover and Crystal Film & it's an awesome combo. The case cover the edges of the film that might be see without a case.
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Johnny said 12:38AM on 7-02-2007
The Belkin sleek is a great protector, its made of acrylic so you can see through it. You can still see the shiny apple logo in the back of your phone while protecting your new investment. Its smooth so you slip it in and out of your pocket. I only found it at the AT&T store for $24.99 ( worst buying experience), but that only place currently that has it.
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Luke said 10:31PM on 7-02-2007
I bought this case the day after I got my iPhone, there are two things I like about it, and two things that I don't:
What I don't like:
#1. It makes it hard to get in and out of my pocket. Annoying because when I pull it out I have to wadge my hand in carefully and slip it out, and my pocket usually comes inside-out anyway. Annoying! Thankfully I wear pretty baggy pants so it's not a problem -- if I wore tighter clothes it would be impossible to get out of the pocket.
#2. It makes the iPhone bulky and ... not look like an iPhone. It's slim and everything, but holding the iPhone by itself is such a true pleasure.
What I do like:
#1. It makes it hard to get out of my pocket. This means it's not going to fall on the ground in the movie theater (as my Treo was apt to do). It also means I'm not fiddling with the phone *as constantly* as I might be otherwise: which my friends and girlfriend appreciate.
#2. It makes it look not like an iPhone. Commuting on public transportation and walking around in urban areas, this makes me feel a *little* more comfortable -- because the phone looks more like some dumb Windows phone than the coveted iPhone.
---
So -- I'm giving it a chance for now.
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John said 11:51PM on 8-09-2007
I have one of these myself. It's a great case. However, over time I've noticed that the heat generated by the iPhone has caused the case to expand a bit in size and it gradually doesn't fit as snugly as it does when new. Other than that, it's great.
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