Like millions of others around the world, I chose to upgrade to the iPhone 5 a few weeks ago and until recently it sat uncased.
Unlike the iPhone 4 to 4S upgrade, the iPhone has a different body so that caused a delay in the release of cases and accessories from third party vendors. Apple didn’t release the specs of the new phone until the actual announcement. Literally within seconds of the iPhone 5 announcement my inbox was flooded with emails from companies announcing their new cases, and since then the cases have been popping up on my doorstep almost daily, which gives me a lot to choose from.
Here’s a roundup of some of the many cases available now.
FIRST CLASS
The first one out of the gate and into my hands was from Scosche and among their choices was the rawHIDE. It’s made with a polycarbonate shell and has a genuine leather exterior. Just as with every other case, you get full access to the screen, volume control and the Lightning port.
Details: www.Scosche.com; $24 black only
FREQUENT DROPPERS
As I’ve written previously, Otterbox makes some great products and their efforts with the iPhone 5 continue their tradition of protecting high-priced portable gadgets. You can’t go wrong in choosing between Otterbox’s Defender or Commuter Series iPhone 5 cases.
The Commuter is a two-piece design with a silicone skin-tight shell that fits perfectly into a high-impact polycarbonate shell and comes with a self-adhesive screen protector.
With Defender series you get everything you need to either carry the phone in your pocket or bag and also at your hip with a belt-clip holster that swivels both north/south and east/west, depending on your preference.
A polycarbonate shell has a built-in screen protector and then is surrounded by an impact-absorbing silicone.
Details: www.Otterbox.com; $25 for the Commuter or $35 for the Defender
CASE MEETS WALLET
Lots of companies have tried to incorporate a small wallet into their cases, but the best I’ve seen so far is the Wallet Case from Targus. Without adding any bulk, the back opens to reveal a patent pending compartment where you can store a credit card and driver’s license or just a few business cards.
It’s made with a faux leather exterior and is available in black, French blue and merlot.
Details: www.Targus.com; $25
MULTI-TASKING
Macally’s Folio Stand Case (Slimcover5B) is my favorite, at least for this week. It also incorporates faux leather into the outer design and has a soft microfiber interior, which protects it from scuffs and scratches when the case is closed. When your phone is not in use, the case closes like a book, protecting it both front and back.
Patent pending plastic clips keep the phone locked in place even when you fold the case in half to transform it into a hands-free horizontal viewing stand.
Details: www.macally.com; $25.99, available in black, red/white or black/white
GO SPORTY
Another to consider is the X-Doria Dash, a polycarbonate shell with a perforated fabric exterior, giving it an attractive look.
Details: www.x-doria.com; $34.99 in choices of black, gray, orange, burgundy or dark gray
BRIGHT IDEA
The innovative lifestyle company iLuv seemed to be out with more of a selection than anyone.
Its Pulse case is cool looking with raised lines that go around the sides and back. They not only give you an interesting design, they also act as shock-absorbing.
Your phone sits inside a flexible rubber shell, which makes it easy to get your phone in and out. It comes in vibrant color combinations of yellow/gray, blue/purple, black/white and pink/white.
Details: www.iLuv.com; $34.99
SCREEN PROTECTION
If cases aren’t enough to keep your phone protected, then give the Wrapsol screen protector a try. The installation was simple and is applied solution-free. It’s fitted to be installed with cases on to prevent the protector from peeling back at the edges.
After I installed it there were a few bubbles, but after a day or so they all worked themselves off of the screen.
This keeps it scratch-free and the touch screen works exactly as it would without the protection.
Details: www.Wrapsol.com; $29.95
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