by Al Sacco

7 Great iPhone 4 Cases: Protect Your Smartphone…Before It’s Too Late!

News
Nov 24, 2010
iPhoneMobileSmall and Medium Business

CIO.com's Al Sacco turned to the Twitterverse in search of the best lightweight and unobtrusive, yet protective iPhone 4 cases. Here are seven Apple-smartphone cases that fit the bill.

iPhone 4 users listen up: That shiny new iPhone in your pocket is sleek, beautiful and technologically advanced—but it’s also more delicate than any other Apple smartphone. In fact, iPhone 4 displays crack 82 percent more often than iPhone 3GS screens, according to iPhone warranty provider, SquareTrade.

iPhone 4 owner, I am not. But I asked my thousand or so gadget-geek Twitter followers for their favorite, lightweight yet effective iPhone 4 cases, and the following seven options came out atop the list.

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Incase Snap Case for iPhone 4

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The super lightweight Incase Snap for iPhone 4 is the case mostly highly recommended by my Twitter followers. It’s easy to put on and remove, offers access to all the appropriate iPhone 4 buttons and ports, and it’s available for $34.95, in three color-options: clear; smoke; and white.

Buy online via GoIncase.com.

Speck CandyShell for iPhone 4 Case

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Available in more than 10 color options, including two festive 2010 holiday designs, the one-piece CandyShell for iPhone 4 case is composed of a thin, exterior hard-shell with soft rubber lining, bezel and button covers. Prices range $29.99 to $34.99, depending on your design choice.

Buy online via SpeckProducts.com.

iFrogz iPhone 4 Luxe Original Case

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The two-piece iFrogz iPhone 4 Luxe Original case comes in at least six different colors, including black, blue, iron and teal, and its exterior features a “metallic facade” that’s velvety-smooth to the touch. The $29.99-case offers unobstructed access to all iPhone 4 ports, inputs, and sensors.

Purchase online via iFrogz.com.

Speck Fitted for iPhone 4 Case

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The $29.99 Fitted for iPhone 4 Case is probably the most fashionable case in this roundup, due largely to its 11 available colors and patterns. The form-fit two-piece case is wrapped in a fabric of your choice to grab eyes while protecting your precious gadget. And though it’s not exactly simple to remove, it does offer easy access to all necessary iPhone 4 ports.

Buy online via SpeckProducts.com.

Sena Magnet Flipper

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At $52.00, Sena’s Magnet Flipper for iPhone 4 case is the most expensive product in this post, but it’s also the most unique. The Magnet Flipper comes in more than a dozen color- and leather-finish-options, and a magnet inside the outer “flap” helps keep it closed when not in use. The case also features a removable belt clip.

Purchase online via SenaCases.com.

OtterBox iPhone 4 Commuter Series Case

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OtterBox products aren’t always pretty, but you’d be hard put to find cases that better protect your mobile devices. This is true of the company’s $34.95 iPhone 4 Commuter Series Case, which is probably the bulkiest, yet most protective case featured here. It comes only in black, but offers three layers of protection, including a screen protector.

Order online via OtterBox.com.

Incase Slider for iPhone 4

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Incase’s $34.95 Slider for iPhone 4 is made of lightweight hard-plastic on the outside, with rubber rails inside for shock absorption in addition to impact protection. It’s available in black and white, offers unobstructed access to iPhone 4 ports, and the two-piece Incase Slider comes apart for easy charging via iPhone dock.

Buy online via GoIncase.com.