For Mac devotees, the only choice for a Smart Phone is the sleek iPhone. But your cool Smart Phone looks a lot less smart covered in a spider web of broken glass after a couple, or just one solid, drops on an unforgiving sidewalk. For most, a $600 piece of glass that keeps you connected to the world is a pretty major investment worth protecting. So before yours gets run over by a car in the street (yes, that really happened to mine, it was heart breaking, both the front tire and back tire squashing my beloved, unprotected white iPhone 4s before my horrified eyes) invest in a little piece of mind. All cases are not created equal, some are pretty much all style no safety, and others will keep your iPhone safe even if stepped on by an elephant. Whatever your personal style demands, there’s a case for that.
FOR THE TRENDSETTER
Form, function, and style all come together in Speck’s CandyShell Grip iPhone cover. Combining a hard shell case with neon, rubberized grips and integrated “thumb-bumps” the CandyShell has bells and whistles aplenty in a notice-me case that protects your phone with a patented (!) two-layer case that easily snaps onto the back. The CandyShell is available for all iPhone 4 and 5 models in various color combinations. ($34.95)
FOR THE RUGGED OUTDOORSMAN
For the man on-the-go whose phone sees a lot of action, or for the extremely clumsy butterfingers, Gumdrop offers their Drop Tech Series of cases. Rugged and durable, Gumdrop declares the Drop Tech to be one of the toughest cases available. This monster truck of a phone case provides full protection against breakage with its hard plastic case, reinforced rubber bumpers, and tough screen cover. The Drop Tech is available for all iPhone 4 and 5 models. ($44.95)
FOR THE MINIMALIST
For some, the big drawback to most iPhone cases is that they’re too bulky and destroy the sleek design of the phone. The Linear case by Spigen is the perfect, minimalist answer to that criticism. The case consists of three separate, tough polycarbonate plastic pieces that snap together around your phone. The metallic finish components are completely customizable, offering an unlimited number of mix and match color combinations, or keep it monochromatic. Add the optional Ultra Crystal Screen Protector for optimal protection. The Linear is available for all 4 and 5 iPhone models. ($27.99)
FOR THE CLASSIC PREPPY
If you prefer a more tactile touch of old world style on your tech, look no further than Killspencer’s hand made, leather and wood, card carrier case for iPhone. Made to order in Killspencer’s Los Angeles workshop in luxurious combinations like camel-pebbled leather with macassar ebony or chocolate-pebbled leather with rosewood, this handsome case has an integrated card carrier that fits up to 4 cards. Although Killspencer makes other cases for iPhone 4’s, this case is only available for iPhone 5 and 5s. ($69.00)
FOR THE IRONIC
Clever design meets handmade leather bound style meets functionality in Twelve South’s BookBook for iPhone All-In-One Vintage Case + Wallet. The BookBook is a miniature leather bound book for your iPhone, protecting it in high style and disguising it as a little tome in your pocket. The inside flap has pockets for your ID and credit cards, as well as a stash for cash, eliminating the need for a wallet. The cheeky design makes you look a little less tech-obsessed and brings new meaning to the word phonebook. BookBook is available for all iPhone 4 and 5 models. ($59.99)
