$29.99
I have to say that I hesitated to use this case. I purchased it about 2 weeks after I got my iPhone at an Apple store while exchanging my AC adapter and picking up a few other accessories - I do like silicone-type cases in general since they tend to offer good overall protection from minor bumps, small drops, and scratches. However, I read reports on a few forums (EverythingiCafe and MacRumors) by users stating that the bezels of their iPhones suffered many scratches from using this case. The problem is that the front edges of this case rest right on the bezel, and any grit that makes its way under the case will just be rubbed against it repeatedly with use. But I thought I'd give it a try anyway - sometimes doing reviews for fun comes at a cost. ;)
Fit & Access
The case, when new, fit the iPhone like a glove. I have it in black (it's also available in a variety of other colors now) and it has a very minimalist look with only a topgraphic pattern etched into the rubber. It feels very nice in the hand, providing good grip to an otherwise slippery phone. Of course, this makes it a little harder to slip the iPhone into your pocket. But, I do feel a little more secure about putting my iPhone on a table - I know it won't slide around and possibly get scratched on the back.
It adds little bulk overall, which is nice - the last thing I want is a case that ruins the slim design of the iPhone. It has an opening on the back for the camera lens. And there are also cut-outs for the headphone port on top, the mute switch on the side, and the dock connector on the bottom. The sleep/wake and volume buttons are covered, but rubber over these buttons is raised so you can still feel where they are and use them. The case only extends over the chrome bezel on the front, leaving the entire screen uncovered. I have a Brando screen protector (previously reviewed here) on my iPhone, and really wouldn't consider using a skin case like this without some sort of protection for the screen.
To be a bit of a perfectionist, the cut-outs aren't centered over their respective openings as much as I'd expect from a $30 case. I'm guessing the material for this case cost somewhere in the range of $.10, if that . For that kind of mark-up, I pretty much expect perfection.
The rubber of this case is much more firm than other similar cases I've used. It's not at all tacky and doesn't pick up much lint at all. The downside is that this case isn't very flexible - you should be careful taking the iPhone out and putting it back into this case. In fact, since starting this review a few weeks ago and using the Incase Protective Cover regularly, I found that it stretched out quite a bit to the point where the rubber no longer covered the bezel at the top and bottom - definitely not good, and horribly disappointing for a $30 case, in my opinion. I filled out warranty claim on Incase's website and promptly received an RMA to return the case, as well as a shipping notice informing me that a new one was on its way to me. Here are a few pictures of that first case after a few weeks worth of use:
The new case arrived quickly, and it looks slightly different than the first one. First, it no longer has the "founded 1997" lettering imprinted on the back of the case under the name logo, or on the inside of the case where the logo is also printed Second, the rubber actually does feel a little different - a little more flexible and a tad bit more tacky, but not enough to pick up lint. I think I'd read somewhere that someone who had been in touch with Incase about the Protective Cover after buying one on or near iDay reported that Incase had said they had a "bad batch of rubber" from which the first run of cases was made, resulting in the undesired stretching so quickly. Given the textural difference between my first case and the replacement, that sounds like a plausible explanation. I took a few pictures of the 2 cases side by side to show the differences described (old one is on the left, new one is on the right).
The replacement case fits pretty well, but there's a minor gap at the bottom of the case where it sags a little away from the dock connector and bezel. I'm thinking of taking my hair dryer to it to see if I can mold a bit better in this area. ;) This second iteration has the exact same cut-outs as the first generation version I had. The cut-out for the camera is still not centered perfectly over the lens. The seam from the mold is visible, but it isn't a major eyesore. I'm still disappointed that it costs $30 and in its 2nd iteration, isn't a perfect fit. They must have iPhones to model with by now, right?
Summary
I have had good experience with Incase products in the past (I had a MoyaPak for my 12" PowerBook and currently have a Sling Case for my MacBook), but I am very disappointed with the iPhone Protective Cover given the price. Had this case cost $10, I probably wouldn't feel this way, but paying $30 for a case that needed to be replaced after just a few weeks of use, and seeing the 2nd generation version with a less than perfect fit is a damn shame. As I described, I like the feel of the case and the level of protection it offers for the iPhone without being bulky or obtrusive, but it's simply not worth the money.
Incase Protective Cover for iPhone
$29.99