Case Holy Grail found

I finally found the Holy Grail of cases for my phone. Innocase II Surface by Seidio, Houston , TX

seidioonline.com

For the iPhone 3G (and they make cases for other models too).

It combines the silicon rubber grip and feel on the back with the hardness of polycarbonate case, all in a very slim (slimmer than the Slider Incase) package.

Plus they have a very nice belt clip that holds the phone securely. Covers the front. Plus+ a leather belt pouch for extra protection that fits with the Innocase II in place!

Highly recommended.

 

What is nice is my new case has the look and feel of the black front/rear of the Nokia 6131. But it is really hard polycarbonate. I'll send some photos. It is very thin. Great grip, not like silicone at all. Made for the Treo too. Not much more $$ than a silicone case.

 

I normally just plopped it into my pants or shirt. But the clip is very nice for exercising and it also protects the front in a briefcase or bag. Of course I have a full screen protector on the front.

But the best is the slim (1mm) hard shell with that Nokia 6131 soft paint feel. They also sell a vertical or horizontal leather case too that fits it.

 

It was very easy to put on and unlike the Incase 'slider', it's profile doesn't bubble up the screen protector.

The design for each phone is different of course. The iPhone 3G and the Treo are the same; two pieces that slide together and latch. The G1 is more like the 1st gen iPhone,that snap on from the rear. It doesn't cover much of the G1 due to it's design profile.

Youtube videos show people unlatching the 3G and taking it off with ease, but the latch does slow the process down a bit. It is a feature to some extent, in that you don't want the halves to come apart if the phone is dropped.

Myself, I have not tried to take it apart, but I can see it requires depressing the latch and pulling apart. Given that it is an iPhone and I can't change the battery or use another SIM, the case is on to stay:O . But it is so slim and grips well, I intent to leave it on and just pop it into my pocket.

I don't think it would work well if you took it off every day or so.

 

I can report that the Innocase II does not pull any lint out of my pants pockets. It is not the same as my silicone back cover. More like soft paint.

 

We have three of them now, for our 3 iPhones. I was able to get my daughter's case to separate by pressing the tab on the back; the way it should work. The other two are quite difficult to take off (actually impossible); I need to use a broad, thin, instrument to depress the tab, and the pull the two halves apart.

So there is no way these are coming off on their own! The Slider was much easier to separate. No problems or even hints of a problem after one month.

I wear mine in my pants pocket or coat pocket. It's very secure! And picks up no lint at all. The Treo design looks similar to the iPhone.

I love the back and feel too. It's more 'velvety' then the 6131 back, but the same soft paint feel. We are all very happy with it. The women in my life just plopped it inside their purse (with the screen protector on front of course)

P.S. What color did you get? We have black and burgandy. I know the locking design changed since the first iphone. I think it is much better than before. That is why they call it the Innocase II

I also brought the clip case and the leather horizontal (one the fits with the innocase on). Don't use them much, but the clip case is great for running or exercising since the clip fits easily onto loose jogging clothes.

 

You're welcome Charlyee.

I leave my case on permanently, so that is not really a problem for me. But it seems better cushioned (on the back) and snug on the sides, so I think that the scratching problems the Slider gave iPhone users is not present with this case. Some of the reviews I've read support this. The Slider was bare plastic sliding onto the iPhone plastic case. The Innocase has a felt inside to protect that.

I've taken them off maybe twice each, and have not noticed anything. I can't predict what will happen if one removes it daily or so.

BTW, the Innocase is only slightly thinner than the Slider, but of the same material. A 'friend' had their Iphone in a Slider...and dropped it down 3 flights of stairs...bounce, bounce and bounce. No damage whatsoever. The Slider has a very slippery back to it, compared to the firm grim of the Innocase.

 

Re: UPDATE

UPDATE on the Innocase.

I've had my Innocase since February, and still love it. We have a total of 3 now (having 3 iPhones in the family).

However, on mine only, the bottom front lip started to show flaking of the soft paint rubbery material. Not unlike what happened on some wear areas of the Nokia 6131.

The odd thing is this location is not a high wear area for me. The back is more so (since I'm constantly handling that area or the corners). Also, the other two cases are just fine. Seems like a mgfr defect.

Since it was within the 3 month warranty period, I emailed c/s. They shipped out a new one promptly. The new one is fine, but a day or so later, under different lighting I noticed a few very small pinhole flakes on the side. As if the 'paint' was missed in that spot, the way one might have painting walls with a roller brush.

I have since become aware of another who bought one a year earlier, and almost the entire soft paint came off the back. She got a replacement (of a different case) from the store where it was purchased.

C/S asked for a photo of the new 'holes'. I'm waiting for word back. Personally, I barely see them,and given the protection and feel that the case gives, I'm happy to replace it as needed. Unlike the 6131, that can be done. Ahh, but when I hear about the new 3gen iPhone with this kind of backing, it makes me wonder!

I got a feeling that Innocase's chinese mgfr's needs some Q/C. In the meantime I still highly recommend the case for the protection, feel and looks.

Best,


P.S. Having had the case on for nearly 3 months, I obviously took it off to install the new one. No signs of marks or scratches on the metal or plastic back of the iPhone from the case at all.

 

Update: Scratches found

After 4 months of use with the Innocase, today I found light scratches/marks on the top and bottom metal bezel of my iPhone. It's covered up with the case on, so the debate is whether I accept the inherent protection of the case and not worry, or go back to the bare phone and a sleeve/pouch.

I sort of like the bare phone looks, but it is slippery. Of course, I may have an excuse to get a new 3G S now...

Anyhow, a warning to others. Thought you should know. Having the phone for 1 year now, a few scratches are okay.

 

My Innocase collects no lint and is ideal, however see my comments below. I may join you with the bare backed approached, but a leather pouch is a must to protect the plastic back and silver Apple logo. The logo comes off easily.

Enjoy your phone! I haven't gotten tired of mine yet! And it has been a year.

 

I was in the Apple store recently (well, it's getting to be an addiction).

I noticed that now the Slider cases have the same soft-paint backing as the InnoCases!!!

As for myself, I'm going naked these days, just using the Sena leather pouch and no screen protector with my new phone.

 

Welcome to WA! The iBot looks like a very fun device...even for someone who doesn't need it.

In my Innocase photos in this thread (above), the clip case that can be purchased for the Innocase might work for you. The clip is a very wide clothespin like clip, opening up to about an inch. It will clip on to many more things than a standard belt clip might. I've clipped it onto my briefcase strap, the pocket behind an airplane seat, etc. The spring is quite strong too. I think you might be able to find something to attach too on the ibot, if not a piece of clothing.

Alternatively, the bare iPhone slips into a shirt pocket pretty well. But it does slip out just as easily! The Sena ultra slim leather case adds some bulk, but does protect the case better. But I think the Innocase + clip might serve you better.

Good luck!

 

Whoops, sorry to hear that Charlyee. My wife's has been on for 5 months and she is pretty rough with it. It is still intact. Her finish remains good, while my first one had flaking.

For now, I'm going naked with the iPhone...that is the iPHone is naked. And use the Sena pouch that you recommended some time ago. Thanks for that! It was a good find.

 

I feel your pain