Summer is in full swing, and—to paraphrase a tweet that crossed my timeline recently—the temperatures are so high in some places that they could be FM station frequencies. Summer, of course, also means outdoor activities, which mean extra risks for your beloved iPhone—from sand to water to the inevitable fall, hazards are lurking. Luckily, cases to keep your handset safe are plentiful, and your friends at Macworld are back with a roundup of new cases, just in time for your next trip.
Cellairis: The Shell Shock G Class (iPhone 4 and 4S; $40 to $50) is a special screen protector designed and built to withstand higher than normal pressures while allowing full pass-through touch capabilities. According to the company, the Shell Shock repels scratches and shattering from ordinary use, is fingerprint-repellant and bubble-free, and comes in both front-only or front-and-back configurations that can be used with or without a case. The Shell Shock G Class available in a multitude of colors, such as blue, grey, red, pink, purple, or green.
G-Form: The X-Protect (iPhone 4 and 4S; $40) combines a tough, rigid, outer shell with a soft inner core to provide shockproof protection for your iPhone. The case is made of a special set of materials, some proprietary to the company, that improve shock absorption by momentarily stiffening when they encounter a sudden force—such as the impact from a drop or unexpected bump—and then returning to their natural flexible state once the threat has passed. The X-Protect is available in yellow, black, ice, blue, gree, purple, red, orange, pink, or white.
iBackFlip Studios: The Hitch (iPhone 4 and 4S; $20) is a clever case that takes full advantage of the wonders of magnetism. In addition to protecting your iPhone from scratches and bumps, the back plate can be flipped onto itself to act as a stand for landscape viewing, and, because it’s fully magnetic, can even be used to mount your handset directly onto any ferro-metallic surface. And if that isn’t enough, the case even comes with a convenient mechanism for wrapping your headphone cable. The Hitch is available in red, black, or blue.
iSkin: The Fuze (iPhone 4 and 4S; $50 to $60) features a multi-layer construction that combines two different materials fused together to provide maximum protection. The case includes a cover to keep water and dirt away from your handset’s ports, and an integrated ring that helps reduce glare when taking photos with the flash. The Fuze comes in a regular edition, available in blue, pink, or grey, and in a special edition, which provides enhanced protection and features a brushed-metal front plate.
JVB: This company produces a wide range of screen protectors (iPhone 4 and 4S; prices unavailable) for Apple’s handsets, including models that provide privacy protection, keep the front and back of your device free of scratches, and, of course, add the occasional splash of color or special feature. Some of the models available include Hello Kitty-themed backings or three-dimensional holograms.
Otterbox: The Reflex Series (iPhone 4 and 4S; $35) features a two-piece construction that makes it easy to slip the case on for protection on the road, and off for a quick charge when you’re in the safety of your home or office. Special “reflex zones” in the corners flex and contract to quickly divert energy away from the iPhone’s sensitive areas in the event of a sudden shock (such as, say, when your phone has an unfortunate encounter with the pavement). The case is available in aqua, blue, pink, puce, or brown with black accents, as well as in solid black, grey, teal or plum.
Miniot: The Pouch (iPhone 4 and 4S; €59 to €69; review) is not what you might think: It will completely enclose your iPhone so that you can safely carry it around, but, instead of being made of a soft material like most other sleeves, the case is constructed entirely of solid wood. The case features a soft interior that keeps the phone from inadvertently falling out, while also helping the phone slide in and out easily—a task that the company says is easy to accomplish thanks to the notch carved on the side of the case. The Pouch is made in Holland out of solid blocks of wood obtained from well-managed forests and certified sources; it comes in several variations of zebrano, walnut, teak, mahogany, padouk, elm, oak, vherry, or wenge, each of which can be engraved with a design of your choice.
PhoneSuit: The Elite Battery Case (iPhone 4 and 4S; $80) combines a sleek, shockproof case with a 2,100mAh battery to double your iPhone’s power. The case protects both the front and back of the handset, and is only 17 millimeters thick despite incorporating an extra battery. Speaking of the latter, the company says the Elite features a special technology that can fully recharge your iPhone in about two hours. The Elite is available in black or white; both models include a five-LED gauge that indicates the battery’s charge level.
PurlSoHo: Ever dream of literally making your own case? With the Cross Stitch Case (iPhone 4 and 4S; $25), you can do just that with a little help from a centuries-old technique that makes decoration fun and easy. This case features a cross-stitch frame that you can fill in with any pattern of your choosing using a needle and thread. The frame comes in red, orange, lime green, or blue, and each package includes three lengths of thread (black, pink, and blue).
Spigen SGP: The Linear Clockwork (iPhone 4 and 4S; $28) is a snap-on case that features a beautiful clockwork-themed image silkscreened on the back plate. The design was developed to provide a three-dimensional look that highlights the beauty of dancing mechanical gears. The case, however, was built with protection in mind, and features a sturdy construction that keeps dents and scratches away from your device. The Linear Clockwork is available in either white or Champagne Gold, and it comes with a screen protector and microfiber cloth.
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