We round up the best iPhone 4 cases on the market so you can protect your phone and fix your reception at the same time.
The iPhone 4 has become the new best friend of case manufacturers. Its controversial antenna problems have made getting a case almost essential for anyone who experiences signal loss due to the so-called “Death Grip.” Despite all the outrage over the faulty antenna, there is a pretty simple solution to the problem: Slap a case on it. A case will prevent the hand from touching the antenna and attenuating signal to alleviate the reception issues, and will also protect the phone’s delicate glass at the same time. Apple recently announced that it will be providing free cases for anyone who wants them, but at this point, the only case we know they’ll offer is the bumper. Below, we’ve rounded up the best cases to be released so far for the iPhone 4. We’ll continue to update this as more cases are announced.
Incipio Silicrylic$29.99
Incipio’s two part Silicrylic case features a hard polycarbonate plastic exterior, seamlessly attached to a shock absorbing silicone core. The Silicrylic offers protection for all sides of the phone and features form-fitting button protection and cutouts where needed. The case comes in five colors, and includes a screen film protector, cleaning cloth, and applicator card.
Grove’s Bamboo iPhone 4 Artist Series$89.00
We loved
Grove’s cases for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, so there’s no reason to think their new iPhone 4 cases will disappoint, especially now that they’ve lowered the price by $10. If you’re looking for a one-of-a kind case that makes a statement, then Grove’s handcrafted bamboo cases should top your list. While Grove offers plain bamboo cases for $69, we suggest dishing out the extra $20 and customizing your case with a design of your own, or selecting one from the artist series.
Rhino DuraForm Case$9.95
For those of you who just want something cheap and simple, Rhino’s DuraForm case might fit the bill. It offers more protection then Apple’s bumpers, at a third of the price. The cases are made from a tough rubber that features a textured exterior similar to rhino skin. The DuraForm case offers no button protection, but does offer cutouts for button and ports. It comes in four colors: Winter White, Scarlet Red, Mocha Brown, and Jet Black.
SwitchEasy Nude$19.99
If you love the style of the iPhone 4, but still want some protection, SwitchEasy’s ultra thin Nude case is worth a look. The Nude gets its name from its remarkable 1mm-thin dimensions and its clean exterior. SwitchEasy offers the case in eight colors, but the Ultra Clear and Ultra Black are the only see-through options that still showcase the phone’s design, while the other colors are opaque.
Apple iPhone BumpersFree ($29 for extra or replacement)
For $30 dollars, we questioned whether or not we should include Apple’s only official case, but since they will soon be free, the ridiculous price is no longer an argument. Its charm comes from the fact that it doesn’t cover much of the phone, yet offers enough protection to the sides and buttons to warrant its use. It’s almost like Apple designed this case from the start as a band aid to the reception problem, with the side protection as a bonus. Unlike many other cases, it also offers metal protectors for the volume and power buttons, and comes in a ton of colors.
