iPhone and BlackBerry case round-up

Want to protect your prized iPhone or BlackBerry from the wear and tear of everyday use? Then check out these four super-stylish cases…

Case-mate Vroom
$14.99
The Vroom, from Case Mate, is a variation on the traditional silicon-stlye case, fitting tightly to the contours of the device adding protection but minimal additional bulk. Vroom offers a more unique style, however, through its tyre tread pattern. Although not made from actual tyre rubber – it’s got a very soft finish – it does add proper resistance against impact while ensuring all buttons on the iPhone or iPod Touch on which it is installed are easy to reach. Vroom comes with a full face screen protector which, as is often the case, was a little difficult to attach without the intrusion of fingerprints and dust.
Verdict: 8

Case-mate Smart Skin
$19.99
What’s interesting about the Smart Skin approach to protection is that while it does have cut-out sections for the various ports on devices, it has none for the buttons. Instead the silicone casing covers the buttons, but laser-etched key legends enable the backlight to shine through. We tested this on the BlackBerry Storm and it worked perfectly well – the four buttons beneath the screen were still accessible. On a BlackBerry Bold, where the entire keyboard remains covered, it might be more of a challenge. But Smart Skin feels like one of the most well manufactured silicon cases we’ve used, so we’d bet on it being a success.
Verdict: 9

Golla Music Bag
£8
Golla’s Music Bags are not specifically designed for smartphones, so you won’t be able to make calls with your device cased, but are sized perfectly to be able to house a wide selection of mobile gadgets whether it be phone, MP3 player or even compact camera. They are available in a wide range of colours and materials, including a more conservative but still extremely appealing grey corduroy version. They come with a belt loop and hefty belt clip (removable) as well as a neck strap, and have additional pockets front and back (the rear one is zipped) that are ideal for storing extra memory cards or even loose change. A flexible treat.
Verdict: 9

Incipio Feather
from £15.95
‘Feather’ is the keyword of the Incipio Feather. Made from an ultra-light Polymer it adds less than one millimetre to the thickness of your device but is also tough enough to provide proper protection against drops. Feather clips to the back of the phone leaving the screen and buttons accessible but prone, so two screen protectors are included in the package. The cases come in a range of colours, including white and black as well as brighter options, and look good, although we did find the soft touch plastic to be a little slippery in the hand.
Verdict: 7

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