Archive for category iPhone 3G Case Reviews

Review: Speck ToughSkin Case for iPhone 3G/3GS

Dec 11

Posted by Alan in iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | 1 Comment

Speck ToughSkin for iPhone 3G and 3GS

The Speck ToughSkin Case ($19) is a silicone rubber case for the iPhone 3G/3GS that offers some of the best protection we’ve seen in an iPhone case. It also provides superior grip thanks to its thick ridges. But it’s not without some tradeoffs. Where the case adds in the areas of protection and grip, it substracts in the areas of slimness and glossiness. Still, if you’re looking for a rugged protective iPhone case, the Speck ToughSkin is one of the better iPhone cases available.

Speck ToughSkin Case in Dock

The Tough Skin is made out of silicone rubber, our favorite material for protection, and is only available in black. Underneath the thick rubber outer casing is a thin, flat plastic frame that fits around the iPhone’s screen, serving as a kind of skeletal structure for the outer casing.
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Case Review: SwitchEasy RebelSerpent for iPhone 3G & 3GS

Nov 9

Posted by Alan in Cases, iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | 1 Comment

SwitchEasy RebelSerpent Case for iPhone 3G 3GS

SwitchEasy has quickly become a premiere case maker for the iPhone, and we found their RebelSerpent ($27) for the iPhone 3G/3GS to be another successful design for the company. It’s a two-part case made from a combination of a “soft” inner case that snugly fits around the iPhone with a hard polycarbonate spine that adds protection. It’s a rugged case that covers up Apple’s gloss-and-chrome design and replaces it with a monochromatic, masculine look. Overall, the case feels solid and well put together, if a bit heavy, in the hand. It’s a highly functional case with a few minor flaws, and we give it a rating of 9.3 out of 10, highly recommended.

SwitchEasy Rebel Serpent Case and Accessories

The RebelSerpent is composed of two separate pieces. The inner part is a a soft and snug-fitting plastic that SwitchEasy labels Adaptive Dynamic Soft Polymer (ADSP). Don’t be fooled by the fancy marketing term though, it’s really just a semi-soft but cheap-feeling plastic. This soft inner lining tightly grips the iPhone, preventing the case from slipping off while taking it out of pockets. The soft lining also prevents the hard part of the case from scratching the iPhone, a common problem with hard-shell cases.
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Review: Griffin Reveal Case for iPhone 3G & 3GS

Oct 9

Posted by Alan in iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | 3 Comments

Griffin Reveal Case

The Griffin Reveal ($25) is a hard plastic case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS that features a clear plastic back and a solid-colored rim. It’s an extremely thin and lightweight case that maintains the original look and feel of the iPhone more than any case we’ve seen so far. However, huge flaws in how the case handles the iPhone’s sleep and volume buttons as well as durability issues prevent us from recommending it. We rate it a 5.5 out of 10, not recommended.

Griffin Reveal On iPhone 3GS

Right out of the box, the Reveal did not start off on a good note. There was a hairline crack near the case’s camera hole as well as scratches on the clear plastic. The case didn’t appear to be repackaged, so we’re a bit at a loss what caused it to be shipped in this condition.
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Review of Case-Mate Vroom iPhone Case for 3G/3GS

Sep 19

Posted by Alan in iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | No Comments

Case-Mate Vroom iPhone Case for 3G and 3GS

At first glance, the Case-Mate Vroom ($10) for the iPhone 3G/3GS impressed us with its good-looking tire-tread pattern. The case’s rugged style completely covers the glossy exterior of the iPhone and should appeal to those going for a more subdued look. But once we actually put the case on the iPhone, we were extremely disappointed, as it gets most of the details wrong. The case’s biggest problem is that it fits much too loosely, causing it to slip off constantly. And the way it covers up the iPhone’s sleep and volume buttons is handled poorly. Overall, we rate the Case-Mate Vroom a below average score of 5.0 out of 10, not recommended.

In step with the car-tire theme, the Vroom is made of rubber, although not the same kind used on cars. The soft silicone rubber has an average thickness and offers moderate protection from drops. The tire-tread pattern covers the back of the case and moderately improves grip on the iPhone. It’s actually somewhat disappointing in the area of slippage–we’d expect more from a textured surface. Perhaps treads are for tires, and oily hands require a different type on non-slip texture.

Case-Mate Vroom Headphone Port

Most disappointing about the Vroom is its loose fit. Testing the case on my iPhone for a week, the iPhone partially slipped out of it several times a day. The corners and sides of the case would constantly peel back when taking it out of my pocket or even when handling it at an odd angle. We expected so much more from a veteran company like Case-Mate.

Another problem area is how the Vroom handles the sleep and volume buttons. Like most silicone cases, the Vroom completely covers up the buttons. It tries to simulate them with raised pieces of rubber. However, the Vroom’s buttons are so shallow as to be barely discernible by touch. They are also very awkward to press. Due to looseness of the case, pressing the buttons at awkward angles caused part of the case to slip off. This happened several times in my real-world testing. These buttons are very important to everyday iPhone use, and getting them wrong is a huge no-no.

Case-Mate Vroom iPhone 3G 3GS case Top View

In terms of the iPhone’s ports (headphone and docking), the case does a good job of leaving plenty of room for the cords to attach to the iPhone. The area around the ringer switch is a bit narrow, making the switch awkward to flip on and off for anyone with short fingernails. This a common problem we’ve seen on the majority of cases we’ve reviewed, and we’re waiting for someone to finally get it right.

The case comes with a few extras: two clear screen protectors as well as a small square cleaning cloth. The tiny tiny cleaning cloth seems to be a fad among case makers that we find annoying, as it’s almost to small to use. We generally do not recommend screen protectors, but if you do use them, it’s nice that the Vroom comes with two.

Case-Mate Vroom iPhone 3G 3GS Case

Conclusion

The Case-Mate’s tire tread pattern makes for a good-looking case, but that’s about all it’s got going for it. A loose fit caused the iPhone to slip out out its case several times a day in our real-life testing. It also bungles the handling of the sleep and volume buttons. From a veteran case maker, we’d expect more. We rate the case a 5.0 out of 10, not recommened.

Links:

Official site for Case-Mate Vroom

Amazon.com: Case-Mate Vroom for iPhone 3G/3GS $10

Review of SwitchEasy Colors (iPhone 3G and 3GS Case)

Aug 1

Posted by Alan in iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | 2 Comments

With so many poorly made silicone cases out there, it’s nice to come across one with some attention to detail. SwitchEasy Colors ($15) is a silicone case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS available in 10 colors. The case impressed us with its superb, curve-hugging fit and thorough surface coverage. Although not the most stylish case we’ve seen, its overall build quality is excellent–no loose corners, frayed edges from sloppy machine cutting, or dangling rubber threads. Despite a few quibbles with how it handles the home button and ringer switch, we found SwitchEasy Colors to be one of the best all-around cases for the iPhone and rate it a 9.0 out 10, highly recommended.

We found SwitchEasy Colors’ minimalistic form factor very much to our taste. The back of the case is a single color and has a smooth rubber texture. It covers the Apple logo and all of the exposed shiny chrome, taking away the iPhone’s gloss. The case’s smooth texture doesn’t do much to improve the iPhone’s slipperiness, but the soft silicone feels good in the hand.

We loved how the case handled the volume and sleep buttons. Some cases carve out openings around these problematic areas. But the openings are often made too small, making the buttons uncomfortable to use. SwitchEasy Colors takes the better approach of covering the buttons with little raised areas of silicone that simulate buttons. The buttons are very comfortable to use, with no sacrifice in performance.

SwitchEasy Colors for iPhone 3G and 3GS Back 4

The case comes with a few extras. Included are two protective screen shields, a plug for the headphone jack, a plug for the docking port, and a small square cleaning cloth. We didn’t find any of the extras particularly useful, as we don’t recommend using screen shields, the cloth is too small to get much use out of, and the plugs aren’t convenient for everyday usage.

SwitchEasy Colors Case Ringer and Volume

In terms of protection for accidental drops, the SwitchEasy Colors offers moderate shock absorption. It’s not a particularly thick case, but its slim form factor is nice for sliding in and out of pockets. We do like the thick rim that sticks up around the iPhone’s screen that should help prevent the screen from cracking when dropped .

SwitchEasy Colors for iPhone 3G and 3GS Top View 3

We do have two quibbles. The first is the home button. We didn’t like that it’s a different color from the rest of the case, or at least, we’d like the option for the same color. Also, we did not like the feel of the button. Its stiff plastic removes what little tactile feedback there is. While it functions well—meaning the same pressure with your finger gets the same results—there’s a dead feeling to pressing it that is disconcerting.

SwitchEasy Colors Sleep Button and Headphone Port

Our other quibble is a common one with silicone cases: poor access to the ringer switch. The area around the ringer switch is too small and makes it difficult to flip on and off. You must reach with your fingernail, which is uncomfortable. We’re still waiting for a case designer to figure out how to deal with this problem area.

SwitchEasy Colors Color Choices 2

Available in ten colors.

Conclusion

The SwitchEasy Colors case impressed us with its overall quality and attention to detail. The case hugs the curves of the iPhone just right, leaving the iPhone’s distinct shape in place while still offering superb coverage. We prefer silicone cases in general for their convenience (small form factor, easy to put on and remove, dirt resistant), and SwitchEasy Colors is one of the best in class. Despite a few minor quibbles, we found it one of the most well-designed cases we’ve come across and give it a high recommendation with a 9.0 out of 10 rating.

Links:

Official website for SwitchEasy Colors

Amazon.com: SwitchEasy Colors Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS

Review: Speck Fitted Tan Houndstooth Plaid Case for iPhone 3G/3GS

Jul 19

Posted by John Hawkes in iPhone 3G Accessories, iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | No Comments

Those looking for a stylish iPhone case might want to check out the Speck Fitted Tan Houndstooth Plaid case ($22), a good-looking two-piece hard shell for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. It’s a snap-together case made of two pieces of hard plastic covered in a nice houndstooth-style fabric. The case is somewhat bulky, yet only offers subpar protection for accidental drops. Overall, the case is more fashion than function. There is one particular design flaw around the iPhone’s sleep button that leads us to dock a few points and give the Speck a rating of 7.8 out of 10, recommended mainly for iPhone fashionistas.

The most striking aspect of the Speck Fitted case is its looks. Covering the hard-shell plastic is a heavy upholstery-like fabric with a fashionable tan houndstooth pattern that goes far in altering the iPhone’s sleek-modern-glossy style. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we found the case to have a general look of quality and sophistication.

The houndstooth fabric covering has the nice benefit of adding texture and grip to the iPhone, helping to prevent drops. A downside is that the fabric is susceptible to absorbing dirt and oils over time, leaving the case likely to wear out faster than silicone and plastic cases.

In terms of size, the case adds about two centimeters of bulk to the iPhone, which really didn’t affect it fitting into my jeans pocket. It is lightweight, so there was no discernible difference in weight.

The case has openings for all the iPhone’s major ports and buttons and is generally well-designed in this area with one major exception: the sleep button. The ridge of the case around the sleep button (probably the second most-used button on the iPhone) is set too close and makes it somewhat uncomfortable to press the button (but still functional).

The case underperforms when it comes to shock absorption, which is disappointing for its bulky hardshell case. Its major flaw is that way the case fits together. The two sections snap together easily, but this design lends itself to breaking apart when the iPhone is dropped. We can only recommend this case for scratch protection, not protection from falls.

Conclusion

The Speck Fitted Tan Houndstooth Plaid case’s standout features is its looks. It offers good scratch protection thanks to full coverage and decent accessibility to all the iPhone’s ports except the sleep button, which is uncomfortable to use with the case on. Overall, the Speck case is a solid choice for the fashion conscious.

Links:

Official website for Speck Fitted Cases

Amazon.com: Speck Fitted Tan Houndstooth Plaid Case ($22)

Review of CaseCrown Polycarbonate Slim Fit Case

Jul 2

Posted by Alan in iPhone 3G Accessories, iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Case Reviews, iPhone Cases | 1 Comment

For owners looking to add a little color to the iPhone, the CaseCrown Polycarbonate Slim-Fit case ($10) might be a good way to go. The CaseCrown is a thin, hard-shell case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS that comes in 5 colors. And the colors themselves are quite impressive–created from a premium paint that resembles that used on cars. The case is more for changing the looks of your iPhone than it is for protection, particularly in the shock absorption area. The CaseCrown is generally well-designed but not spectacular. We find it a decent value for its price point and assign it an overall rating 7.1 out of 10, recommended.


For those looking to protect your iPhone from falls, the CaseCrown is not an ideal choice. Its thin case does not deliver much shock absorption. It does offer some scratch protection to the back of the iPhone. The upside to having this smaller form factor is that there is almost no added weight or width to the iPhone, keeping it light and easy to slide in and out of your pocket.

The case is available in five colors: black, blue, green, red, and silver. We found the red case, in particular, to be an impressive shade, with a subtle dark tone. To produce the color, the polycarbonate material is covered with a premium paint job that has an appealing shiny metallic sheen, which goes well with the iPhone’s chrome detailing.

To apply the case, you snap the iPhone inside. The iPhone is held in place via long rails on the side and 4 gripping teeth in the corners. It’s a snug, secure fit–we had little worry of the iPhone ever accidentally slipping out. However, the tight fit also makes it hard to remove the iPhone from the case.

The CaseCrown leaves plenty of room around all ports for easy accessibility (docking port, headphone jack, etc). Our one complaint in this area is that the volume and ringer switch become slightly inset when the case is on and are therefore not as comfortable to operate.

Another quibble we have with the case is that its corners are rectangular teeth, separated by thin slots, that help grip the iPhone. While the teeth make sure the iPhone fits snug, they’re also a bit awkward in terms of the overall contour, and we envision snagging them on something in the future.

The iPhone itself is pretty drop friendly thanks to its slick casing. The CaseCrown’s polycarbonate material only offers a slight improvement in terms of slippage. It’s not quite as slippery as the iPhone’s glossy surface, but it’s smooth to the touch with little added grip.

Conclusion

The CaseCrown is an affordable way to give your iPhone some premium color without adding weight or bulk. It offers little protection in case you drop your iPhone, as there is virtually no shock absorption. We see the CaseCrown as perfect for value-driven customers looking to add color to the iPhone and keep it from everyday scratches. Rating: 7.1 out of 10, recommended.

Links:

Official website for CaseCrown Polycarbonate Slim-Fit cases

Amazon.com: CaseCrown PolyCarbonate Slim-Fit Case

Top 25 Cases for the iPhone 3G & 3GS (Best of iPhone)

Apr 14

Posted by Alan in Cases, iPhone 3G Case Reviews, iPhone 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Case Reviews, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Cases | 20 Comments

1. SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel & RebelSerpent Cases for iPhone 3G

The SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel ($25) and RebelSerpent ($27) cases offer solid protection and good looks in a style that mixes a silicon inner casing with a hard plastic outer casing. Included with the cases are two screen protectors, covers for headphone and dock ports, a cleaning cloth, a squeegee for applying the screen protector, and an a mini-stand for propping the iPhone up for video watching.

Helpful links:

Official SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel website

Official SwitchEasy RebelSerpent website

iLounge Rebel review

Art of the iPhone RebelSerpent review

Amazon.com: SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel

Amazon.com: SwitchEasy Rebel Serpent

2. OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 3G

The OtterBox Defender Series ($30) are rugged cases that offer excellent protection from the basic drops, spills, and scratches of everyday life. The case comes with an attachable belt clip that also doubles as a video stand for the iPhone.

Helpful links:

Official website for Otterbox Defender case.

iLounge.com review

Amazon.com: Otterbox Defender Semi-rugged case for iPhone 3G

3. Otterbx Hybrid Tough Case

The Otterbox Hybrid Tough Case ($25) offers two layers of protection, featuring a soft silicone inner layer reinforced with a hardshell outer layer. Overall, the case offers superb protection and excellent design that doesn’t get in the way of using the iPhone. The layers are available in several different colors, so you can mix and match.

Helpful links:

Official website for Ottherbox Hybrid Tough Case

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: Otterbox Hybrid Tough Case

4. SwitchEasy Colors for iPhone 3G

Switcheasy Colors

SwitchEasy Colors ($15) are slick, affordable cases, and one of the best basic all-around cases in terms of looks, fit, and protection. They have a sleek, form-fitting style, and come with two screen protectors, covers for the dock connector and headphone port, a cleaning cloth, and squeegee for applying the screen protector. Not bad for $15.

Helpful links:

Official SwitchEasy Colors website

iLounge review

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: SwitchEasy Colors

5. CaseCrown Polycarbonate Glider for iPhone 3G/3GS

The CaseCrown Polycarbonate Glider ($15) is a slim, well-designed, hard-shell slider case with a removable bottom for easy docking. The case has a soft, silicone-like surface that provides improved grip and a nice feel in the hand. Overall, the Glider is convenient, pocketable, maintains the iPhone’s svelteness at an affordable price with almost no design flaws. The case is available in black, white, pink, red, blue, and purple.

Helpful links:

Official website for CaseCrown Polycarbonate Glider

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: CaseCrown Polycarbonate Glider $15

6. OtterBox Impact

The OtterBox Impact ($14) is a silicone rubber case that adds additional shock absoprtion via an extra X-shaped layer of silicone that covers the iPhone’s impact points. Despite the extra padding, the case is still quite pocketable, although not as slim or lightweight as most silicone case. A drawback is that the case cannot be used with most iPhone docks with the exception of the wider-mouth Universal docks. The Impact is available in black or white and comes with a screen protector and cleaning cloth.

Helpful links:

Official website for the OtterBox Impact

Art of the iPhone review

iLounge review

Amazon.com: OtterBox Impact $14

7. OtterBox Commuter TL for iPhone 3G/3GS

The OtterBox Commuter TL case ($22) walks the line between the two worlds of protection and slimness. It’s a two-part case featuring an inner soft rubber layer and a plastic hard-shell outer layer. The silicone layer is left exposed along the edges of the iPhone for superior grip and comfort. Despite the two layers of protection, the Commuter TL is surprisingly thin and pocketable. The Commuter TL comes with a clear screen protector and is available in black, blue, green, red, white, and yellow.

Helpful links:

Official website for OtterBox Commuter TL

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: Otterbox Commuter TL $22

8. Trexta Leather Racing Series Case

The Trexta Leather Racing Series case ($30) for the iPhone 3G/3GS is a hard-shell case covered with stitched leather. The case is extremely stylish, decorated with racing stripes formed by separate pieces of stitched leather. In terms of protection, its thin shell is limited to basic protection from everyday scratches and bumps. The Trexta Racing Series cases are available in a variety of colors of racing stripes.

Helpful links:

Official Trexta Leather Racing Series case

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: Trexta Leather Racing Series $30

9. Speck ToughSkin

The Speck ToughSkin ($19) is a thick and rugged silicone case that offers superior protection from drops and falls. The case is thickest at the points of impact. The bottom half of the case peels back, allowing it to be used in any iPhone dock. The Toughskin comes with a separate belt clip that the iPhone can snap into.

Helpful links:

Official website of the Speck ToughSkin

iLounge review

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: ToughSkin case for iPhone 3G $19

10. Marware Sport Grip for iPhone 3G

The Marware Sport Grip ($15) is a clean-looking silicone rubber case that hugs the curves of the iPhone 3G and provides a better grip on the iPhone. Included with the case are a clear film screen protector and a cleaning cloth.

Helpful links:

Official website for Marware Sport Grip for iPhone 3G

iLounge.com review

Amazon.com: Marware Sport Grip

11. JAVOedge Cork Back Cover for iPhone 3G/3GS

The JAVOedge Cork Back Cover ($20) is an innovative rear case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS that crafts its unique look by affixing a layer of shredded cork to a hard-shell layer. The case offers better than usual protection from accidental drops and offers excellent access to all of the iPhone’s ports. But the main selling point is its love-it-or-hate-it style. Some downsides are that the cork does not offer uniform coverage—there are tiny gaps in the cork where the back of the iPhone peeps through. The case does not ship with any accessories.

Helpful links:

Official website for the JAVOedge Cork case

Art of the iPhone review

Amazon.com: JAVOedge Cork case $20

12. Griffin Clarifi Case with Built-in Close-Up Lens for iPhone 3G

The Griffin Clarifi Case ($25) is a “sliding” case, meaning the bottom half slides off allowing for worry free access to the dock port and speakerphone functionality. But its most distinguishing feature is a macro lens that, once slid in place, allows you to take clearer pictures of close-up objects (objects a few inches away). It also offers the best protection of any case for the iPhone’s camera lens, whose exposed location leaves it susceptible to scratches and fogging effects in pictures.

Helpful links:

Official website for the Griffin Clarifi

iLounge.com review

Amazon.com: Griffin Clarifi iPhone 3G Case

13. Griffin Nu Form Hard-Shell Case for iPhone 3G

The Griffin Nu Form ($15) is an affordable, all-plastic hard case. It’s a “slider” case, meaning the bottom half of the case slides off to allow for full access to the docking port as well as the speakerphone functionality. It comes with a clear plastic screen protector for the front as well as a black cleaning cloth.

Helpful Links:

Official website for the Griffin Nu Form

iLounge.com review

Amazon.com: Griffin Nu Form for iPhone 3G

14. Contour Design iSee for iPhone 3G

The Contour Design iSee ($25) is a clear, hard plastic case that keeps the iPhone’s curvaceous body visible. Why hide it when you can flaunt it? The case is made of two pieces that snap together, encasing the iPhone. It does not come with a front screen protector–a minus or plus depending on who you ask. The clear case is a solid compromise for those wanting protection but also liking the original appearance of the iPhone.

Helpful links:

Official website for the Contour Design iSee

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Contour Design iSee for iPhone 3G

15. Contour Design Hardskin for iPhone 3G

The Contour Design Hardskin ($22) is a hard-shell case that, similar to the Countour Design iSee, has two pieces which snap together to form the outer casing. The Hardskin’s curves match those of the iPhone 3G’s body, so there is no loss in the iPhone’s form factor when covering it. However, those who aren’t a fan of the iPhone 3G’s glossy finish may like the matte black color of the Hardskin.

Helpful links:

Official website for the Contour Design Hardskin

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Contour Design Hardskin for iPhone 3G $22

16. iFrogz Treadz Case for iPhone 3G

The iFrogz Treadz Case ($16) is an affordable rubber case with the love-it-or-hate-it styling of a car tire. The case comes with a clear film screen protector. Its minimalistic style keeps the price down, making it one of the more affordable yet unique cases available.

Helpful links:

Official website for the iFrogz Treadz Case

iLounge review

Amazon.com: iFrogz Treadz case for iPhone 3G

17. Core Cases Aluminum Slider Case for iPhone 3G

The Core Aluminum Slider Case ($30) is a rare metal case for the iPhone–rare because metal can interfere with the iPhone’s cell reception. The case is made from aluminum, which doesn’t block signals as bad as some metals do. However, some do report a slight hit on their reception, so if weak signals are a problem for you, this might not be your case. Still the Core Aluminum case is one of the better looking cases out there (especially in silver).

Helpful links:

Official website for the Core Aluminum Slider Case

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Core Aluminum Slider Case

18. SwitchEasy CapsuleNeo for iPhone 3G

If you’re going for pure looks, the SwitchEasy CapsuleNeo ($30) is one of the cooler cases available. The case is made of four parts: a soft rubber body, a hard plastic frame, a second hard plastic frame, and a clear screen protector. The parts combine to offer excellent protection for the iPhone 3G, but are somewhat a hassle to put together. The case also comes with an extra screen protector, an extra rubber case, a video stand, a Universal Dock Adapter, a squeegee, and a cleaning cloth.

Helpful links:

Official website for the SwitchEasy CapsuleNeo

iLounge review

Amazon.com: SwitchEasy CapsuleNeo

19. Marware Flexi-Shell for iPhone 3G

The Marware Flexi-Shell ($10) is a highly affordable soft-plastic case with a glossy smooth texture on the outside that is different from most silicone rubber cases. If you like the glossiness of the iPhone 3G but still want some protection for your hardware, the Flexi-Shell is a good choice. It comes with a clear film screen protector for the front of the iPhone. It’s also one of the cheapest cases in our top 20 list.

Helpful list:

Official website for the Marware Flexi-Shell

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Marware Flex-Shell for iPhone 3G

20. iSkin Solo for iPhone 3G

The iSkin Solo ($15-$20) is a soft case that is semi-translucent—meaning the body of the iPhone is visible beneath the case. The Solo offers medium protection and maintains the iPhone 3G’s curves and gloss due to the shiny soft plastic. The case comes with a clear film screen protector for the iPhone’s front.

Helpful links:

Official website for the iSkin Solo

iLounge review

Amazon.com: iSkin solo for iPhone 3G

21. Sena LeatherSkin for iPhone 3G

The Sena Leatherskin ($41) is a high-quality leather case with a design that imitates crocodile skin. It is a flip case, meaning you flip open the front of the case to gain access to the iPhone’s screen. The case comes with an optional belt clip and is available in 14 different colors.

Helpful links:

Official website for the Sena LeatherSkin

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Sena LeatherSkin case for iPhone 3G

22. Elago Slim Fit for iPhone 3G

The Elago Slim Fit ($10) is a highly affordable, thin, hard plastic case. Its matte black finish will appease those who dislike the iPhone 3G’s glossy finish. The case comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Helpful links:

Official website for Elago Slim Fit for iPhone 3G

Amazon.com: Elago Slim Fit

23. Incipio Feather for iPhone 3G

The Incipio Feather ($20) is a thin-shell hard case that won’t add much bulk to your iPhone while still protecting it from dirt and scratches. The case comes with a two clear screen protectors, a squeegee for applying the protector, and a cleaning cloth.

Helpful links:

Official website for the Incipio Feather for iPhone 3G

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Incipio Feather for iPhone 3G

24. Griffin Elan Form Hard-Shell Leather Case

The Griffin Elan ($25) combines plastic with a leather surface to create a good-looking case at an affordable price. The case is a sliding case, meaning the bottom half slides off, giving full access to the iPhone’s docking port as well as its speakerphone capabilities. The Elan comes with a non-adhesive rigid clear screen protector.

Helpful links:

Official website for the Griffin Elan

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Griffin Elan Leather Case for iPhone 3G

25. Artwizz SeeJacket Crystal for iPhone 3G

The Artwizz SeeJacket Crystal ($25) is a clear-shell case that offers unique front and back protection in a single case. The rigid case offers good protection while leaving plenty of room for access to the iPhone’s home and volume button and the headphone and dock ports.

Helpful links:

Official website for Artwizz SeeJacket Crystal

iLounge review

Amazon.com: Artwizz SeeJacket Crystal