Please help me find a clear plastic case for a 2G classic iPhone.

February 11, 2009 6:40 PM

Could you locate a new, clear plastic case for the classic 2G iPhone that does not have belt-clip or kick-stand for purchase?

Looking high and low for this item. I bought the 3G iPhone a while back, and gave my 8GB 2G "classic" iPhone to my wife. I never bought a case for it and she's dropped it several times already. She only wants clear plastic without anything attached to it (kick-stand, belt-clip, etc.). Must be clear, and not "smoky". Also prefer one piece, rather than two pieces that clip together, if possible. I've searched and come up empty. Wondering if anyone out there knows of a source that is trying to sell them and would like to send one our way. Absolutely prefer new. You may also respond to email at [e-mail]

posted by UnclePlayground to shopping (6 comments total)

I don't know much about iPhone cases, but this site has the best search/shop features that Ive seen and this case looks like it might fit your bill. Your wife wants a hard case, yes?
posted by jessamyn at 7:03 PM on February 11

Hard, clear plastic case, yes. Not silicone or rubber, etc.
posted by UnclePlayground at 7:34 PM on February 11

It's not easy to tell from the website, but I suspect this case might have an optional (and thus removable) belt-clip thing. I have the G3 version of the case (which is much simpler) and it's great.
posted by you're a kitty! at 8:19 PM on February 11

Contour iSee, the 3G version of which should be available at whatever local Apple store or whatever. (you'll probably have to get the original one direct or from Amazon.) it has rubber bits for the buttons and whatnot you can leave out. it is hard plastic and clear otherwise.

the Showcase is similar and one piece (with a door to insert the phone) but has rubber bits over hard plastic on the sides.

the Showcase is what I used on my EDGE iPhone and recommended to many others, and the iSee is what I used on my 3G until I got the HardShell (which is rubberized a bit - I prefer grip over clear, and really I preferred Showcase over everything else, but it took forever to get them).
posted by mrg at 8:25 PM on February 11

I will tell you that finding a 2G case is much more difficult these days. Fortunately, one of the three 2G compatible hard cases left at the Apple store I visited was the Agent18 clear hard case. It doesn't meet all of your requirements exactly, but it may be the closest you'll find for the 2G these days.

Upside:
-No clip or stand
-Hard plastic (and very very durable - my 3 year old and 9 year old haven't been able to crack it)
-Almost clear (a very light haze to it - I'll try to take a picture of it if you want, MeFi mail me)
-Adds very little thickness to the iPhone. It is actually smaller than my fancy Vaja leather case that fell apart within a year. Wish I'd had this one from the start.

Downside:
-Two pieces that clip together, though I'm not sure how you'd get a one-piece hard case, it wouldn't go on the phone if you couldn't open it. These two pieces do not come apart unless you specifically try, and even then it takes a bit of work.
-Doesn't fit in the 2G dock. It does come with one of the dock "converter" trays, but unfortunately that converter is for an old school iPod dock, and not the iPhone dock.

Like I said, I found it at an Apple store, and it was $30 there, it is on sale for $20 on the Agent18 website.
posted by shinynewnick at 8:36 AM on February 12

Ended up buying the Seidio, Jessamyn. Thanks for the referral!
posted by UnclePlayground at 1:03 PM on February 13