Which free iPhone case should we get?

September 14, 2010 1:08 PM

As a new iPhone owner, my wife can choose from one of seven different free cases, but she has no idea which one to pick. Any advice? Which case do you use, and are you happy with it? (Obviously the best thing would be to stop by the Apple store and try them all out, but she's not sure she's going to have the chance to do that before the free case period runs out.)
posted by yankeefog to computers & internet (24 answers total)

I got the Incase Snap Clear Case, and I like it fine. It's not as intrusive as the bumper was. I also found that the bumper collected quite a bit of dirt and grime.
posted by litnerd at 1:11 PM on September 14, 2010

These links might help:

Apple iPhone 4 Case Program - Here Are The Best + Worst Picks (Updated!)

TUAW Braintrust: Choosing an iPhone 4 case

The look of free: iPhone 4 cases offered by Apple
posted by meowzilla at 1:14 PM on September 14, 2010

I picked the bumper from Apple and sort of regret it.

It feels OK in the hand, but I stopped using it because it seemed to prevent a full seating of my two charging plugs (one from Apple, one from Griffin). I can usually make it seat eventually, but was uncomfortable exerting that much pressure on the damn thing. The rubber doesn't seem to compress all that much and I was afraid I was going to bust either the charger plug or the phone's port.

Since I didn't seem to have any issues with dropped calls to begin with, I went for the free case just for the hell of it and don't feel too burnt about not really using it.
posted by jquinby at 1:15 PM on September 14, 2010

I have the incase in smoke and I really like it. Easy on/off, fits perfectly you can barely tell it has a case on it.

My husband has one of the cases with a design on the back and neither of us think it looks great. YMMV.
posted by cestmoi15 at 1:16 PM on September 14, 2010

I use the Belkin Shield Micra case, and it looks and works great. My fiance purchased the Incase Snap Case, and it looks almost identical to mine.
posted by two lights above the sea at 1:17 PM on September 14, 2010

I just got my free Speck PixelSkin HD iPhone 4 case a few days ago and I really like it. It hardly ads any bulk to the phone. There is grip, but not too much that it makes taking the phone out of my pocket difficult as previous rubber cases. I also really like the rubber button covers for the power and volume buttons. I had a previous hardshell case with cut outs around the buttons. The recesses made it difficult to press the buttons. The holes for the camera, sync, speakers and mute button are dead on. The sides of the case overlap the face by about 1/8" and are beveled inwards. It's a snug fit. I would actually purchase this case again if anything happened to the freebie.
posted by studentbaker at 1:23 PM on September 14, 2010

I picked the bumper from Apple and sort of regret it.

It feels OK in the hand, but I stopped using it because it seemed to prevent a full seating of my two charging plugs (one from Apple, one from Griffin).

That can be a problem with the bumper and the older, longer 30-pin connectors (looks like this). The new style of very short connector (looks like this) should fit without issue.
posted by jedicus at 1:31 PM on September 14, 2010

I went for the perforated incase snap in black but it hasn't arrived yet so I can't tell you how it is. Actually, I bought a different case (not one offered for free) which I'm pretty happy with so I doubt I'll even use the free one, but I went and ordered the free one anyways because, what the heck, free stuff.
posted by juv3nal at 2:02 PM on September 14, 2010

I opted for the bumper and I'm this close to ditching it. You can't use older chargers (as mentioned above), nor can you use normal headphones. I figured that it'd work better than it does, given that it was the first ever case made by Apple.

Also, I haven't noticed much of a reception difference with/without the case.
posted by togdon at 2:04 PM on September 14, 2010 [1 favorite]

I've never been happy with iPhone cases over the years but got a bumper since uncle Steve was giving them away. Although I prefer unsheathed and don't have dropped calls, I do like the bumper keeping the phone off of surfaces that might scratch it. And it feels less slippery in my hand when carrying it. The only time I take it off is during long Flight Control or Angry Birds sessions when I want access to every pixel.
posted by birdherder at 2:32 PM on September 14, 2010

I bought the Belkin Shield Micra the day I got my iPhone 4, it is ok. Kinda messes with the flash a bit and the microphone hole isn't big enough. Also the color went from super clear to yellowish clear in about a two months of use.

I finally got Griffin’s Reveal Etch and it works well. It looks good, all the holes are big enough for standard plugins and it doesn't seem to mess with the flash. It hasn't discolored like the Shield Micra either.
posted by Brent Parker at 2:32 PM on September 14, 2010

Also, the shield micra makes it harder press the buttons than other cases I've had - mostly neoprene.
posted by Brent Parker at 2:34 PM on September 14, 2010

Another Speck PixelSkin HD iPhone 4 case user. Just got it this weekend (not soon enough to keep me from cracking the back though... ugg). It's a stiff case, has a nice grip/feel to it. I feel like I'm much less likely to drop the phone now that it's on. Had some coworkers comment on it today.
posted by sbutler at 3:02 PM on September 14, 2010

Ohh, and the raised buttons on the Speck PixelSkin HD iPhone 4 case were a little stiff at first, but have been loosening up.
posted by sbutler at 3:04 PM on September 14, 2010

Just FYI, I think "the free case period" doesn't run out on September 30th. I think as long as the purchase date is prior to 9/30 you have 30 days to claim the free case.

"For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, 2010, you must apply no later than August 22, 2010; otherwise, you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for this program, you must purchase your iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010."

http://www.apple.com/iphone/case-program/
posted by eatcake at 3:05 PM on September 14, 2010

Since nobody else has, I'll chime in with a vote for the Speck Fitted Case - Black Tartan. It adds minimal bulk to the phone (the phone with case is pretty much the same size as my former 3G was 'naked'), fits tightly, and I view the open button access as a feature. I've had no problems plugging in third-party headphones, and it worked fine with the speaker dock I have.
posted by namewithoutwords at 3:23 PM on September 14, 2010

Here's a previous post with the same question. My answer, long story short: The Griffin Etch is pretty nice and your wife will likely be very happy with it.
posted by puritycontrol at 3:47 PM on September 14, 2010

I finally just received my case (which supposedly shipped well over a month ago) today. I picked the InCase Snap Case in smoke, and I'm a fan already. And I don't even LIKE to have cases on my phone. I only relented and put a case on my old 3G after I dropped it 3 feet onto concrete.

The InCase Snap Case is very unobtrusive & thin, leaves all ports and switches completely free (which I prefer), and has a smooth matte texture that's easy to grip. Texture is really important to me: I don't care for hard plastic (slippery) or cases that are actually "too" grippy such that they're hard to slip in and out of my back pocket, so bear that in mind per your wife's own preferences.

Here's the link to the case in question: http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/snap-case-cl59654
posted by tigerbelly at 4:46 PM on September 14, 2010

I have Apple's bumper and I really like it. I like that the back of the phone is exposed. I just think it looks great. I also like that the rubber is textured on the top and bottom edges but slick all the way around the sides. This keeps the phone from sliding on flat (or not-so-flat) surfaces. I once watched a previous phone walk off a slightly slanted surface because it was set to vibrate and I got a call. I didn't reach it in time :(

Even thought I'm happy with my bumper, I bought a Default Case because they're temporarily giving them away for a penny (plus $3.99 shipping) as a way to generate word of mouth for a new product.
posted by 2oh1 at 4:58 PM on September 14, 2010

I'll chime in with a 2nd for the Speck Fitted Case - Black Tartan. My wife and i both have them for our phones. The normal Apple connectors fit fine. I'm going to sand/trim a little out of them to fit our car chargers in. Headphone port is nice and big, haven't had a problem with it. I also view the open access to the volume & ringer switch as a feature.

It doesn't had much bulk, and isn't nearly as slippery feeling as my wife's Bumper was. My only complaint is that the rubber-ish edge makes it hard to slip in/out of your pocket without holding down the pocket with your other hand - if that makes sense.
posted by ish__ at 5:17 PM on September 14, 2010

I've got the Speck Black Tartan. The back is kind of cloth and a thread has already come loose from the edge. Very crappy.
posted by CwgrlUp at 7:06 PM on September 14, 2010

I have the basic black bumper, and I like it a lot. One of my coworkers offered to trade me my bumper for his military-style case (I say 'military style' because it looked like something the Army would issue soldiers). It has a nice solid feel to it, and it's comfortable to grip.
posted by Telpethoron at 9:37 PM on September 14, 2010

Got the Incase snap in clear and I really like it. It's very minimalist, allows good access to all the ports and buttons, and doesn't harm the looks of the phone all that badly. (I'd like it better if they didn't add their name to the side, but it's a minor gripe.)
posted by Doctor Suarez at 10:05 PM on September 14, 2010

Thanks, everybody!

And, puritycontrol: I'm embarrassed to say that this is the second question in a row that I've asked, only to discover it's a repeat. I obviously need to work on my search skills; I have no idea how I missed that previous one. Sorry about that!
posted by yankeefog at 4:06 AM on September 17, 2010