My birthday is just a week and a day away and I’ve asked for an iPhone. I know everyone is still geeking out over the iPhone 5, so you’re thinking “cool, one more post about that.” But you guys, this is my first smartphone ever. Somehow I’ve managed to survive as a blogger with an un-smart phone that I’ve had since 2008. So this is kind of a big deal.
Since I don’t have the phone in my hot little hand yet, the only thing I can do is pick out what case I want to stick it in! Even though the iPhone 5 only came out a little while ago, there are still tons of choices!
Classic: Harper Gray | Alex Yeske | Kate Spade || Fun: Case Mate | Paper Fashion | Kate Spade
Functional: Otterbox | Case Mate | Speck
The real question is should I go with a standard pattern that is very “me,” go with something a little different that I might not normally pick, or should I go with something that isn’t anything fancy to look at but will protect my phone if something bad were to happen to it. It’s hard for me to go with one of the simpler ones because there are so many cool options out there, but at the same time, I will drop this phone at some point. I can’t decide!
Tell me: have you used any of these cases before? Did you love or regret your purchase? I’m a total newb, so I want to hear your stories! If you ran over your phone and it survived our you barely touched it and it broke, I wanna know!
And special thanks to everyone who helped me put this board together! Check out their awesome sites!
Long Distance Loving (another great round-up!) | Seventeenth and Irving | Simple Surber | Pembina Valley Marketing
I don’t think you had any on here, but stay away from the silicone Kate Spade cases. I’ve had two and the designs are cute and they’re great at first, I prefer silicone because it creates more friction and less falls, but the KS ones gradually loosen and become just slightly too big, so the phone moves around a little bit. It still keeps the phone safe, but can get annoying.
I am still resisting the smartphone push for now! Because my blog is just a “free time” thing, I can manage. If I had one though, I would go for a protective case. I have had some friends go for the pretty cases, shatter the glass back of their iPhone and THEN get a hard case. Haha. I’ve heard great things about the Otter Box! You can be bold with your colour choice because it’s so easy to change it up if you get sick of it. Hope it helps! Good luck.
Otterbox hollaaaaa. I broke all my other pretty cases. Like 4 of them. And while they are way better looking, a lot of them provide little to no protection for the front of the phone, which is kinda the best part.
Haha, I remember that time we were turned around in DC and I learned you didn’t have a smartphone – you made some joke about being the only blogger in the world without one + at that point I knew we’d be friends ;) I have an iPhone 4 and I love my Otterbox case. It’s protected it through everything, which for me, is saying a lot! Lots of times I wish I had gone with a pretty case though…I’m excited to see what you choose :) And even more excited for you to get on Instagram!! xoxo
ME TOO! I think I had a dream last night about having an iPhone and finally getting to be on Instagram! That’s definitely what I’m looking forward to the most.
I didn’t have a cell phone (let alone a smartphone) until my 31st birthday. Now I am attached to the thing, and I’m not sure which is worse. I have a Droid X2, and the cases for it aren’t nearly as lovely as those you have listed.
P.S. I’m happy you removed the ‘read more’ link in the reader settings. Not that my opinion matters, but I wanted to thank you anyway. ;)
Yay! No problem- I just realized that I’m not even taking sponsors right now, so who cares about pageviews if it’s going to scare people away? I’m still going to put page breaks in posts with more than one image so that it doesn’t take up the whole home page, but hopefully that’s still better than before :)
I have a hard Kate Spade cover for my phone and almost two years later, it has protected my phone so well! Yes there are some cracks and very small pieces missing but that’s from dropping it – and as long as my phone is ok, that’s all that matters! I highly recommend them!
I’ve watched a couple of drop tests for the iPhone 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M5q5TRuAsY), and it looks like it’s going to be quite a bit tougher than its predecessor. I have the otterbox on my 4S, and love it, but it would be nice to have a fun case sometimes.
Thanks for the video link- that’s good to hear!
Now that the iPhone 4 is free, I’m hoping to get one soon. I think what I am looking forward to the most is Instagram. (: Get the pink fun one! My sister gets cute ones that have a little extra material so that if she does drop it, it lands on the case, not the phone.
I would stay away from silicone cases – they do stretch, no matter what brand you get. Even the nice, expensive ones. I like the harder cases because I do feel like they protect my phone more. I swap between the tortoise one you have above, and a DIY tough case from Case-Mate (like the green one you have, but in my own pattern I uploaded). The tough case offers quite a bit more protection for the front of the screen. I’m not a chronic dropper, but the few times I have, I know it’s saved my phone!
That sounds like it would be the PERFECT option! It doesn’t look like Case Mate is letting you customize Tough cases right now- maybe they will later?
I think they’ll probably add the “tough” option in a couple of weeks. The “barely there” case is their most popular, and they focus on rolling those out first. I’m sure it will be available soon! By the way, most of the designed cases you find on Etsy, etc. use their service to print them!
I love these! I still have my 4s and I’m still in the market for a new case. I have an otterbox and the silicone outside stretched after 4 months. But it’s worth it since it’s protected my phone from breaking after dropping it so many times. whoops!
I actually just got an iPhone 4 about two weeks ago. I had a Droid before then since December, but that was my first smart phone! I just got a silicone case from the Verizon store to protect it while I’m searching for a really good one. I can’t wait to hear what you decide on! I’m looking at getting a Lilly Pulitzer one with my sorority’s pattern on it :)
Soul sister!! I only got my iPhone 2 months ago, and before that, I, no lies, had an ancient flip phone that was 7 years old! It could barely text. I felt like the only person on the planet without a smart phone. So you are going to looooove having all of the shiny gadgets and extras that come with a smart phone, and iPhone! I adore mine to pieces now. Best thing I’ve ever owned. <3
I went with a very minimal case… it's simple and transparent so the loveliness of the iPhone itself shows through. That's what I wanted. But if I ever got another case, I LOVE the Kate Spade polka dot ones. I almost went for one but alas, shipping to Canada is astronomical. Woe.
My best advice is invest in a really high quality screen protector. I was hesitant at first ($30 for a sticker?!), but I know now that I would have done some serious damage to my screen without it now even though I've been VERY careful with it.
Woohoo! I’m seriously so excited. And good to know- I hadn’t even thought about those stickers!
I have an iPhone 4 and will probably wait to upgrade to the 5 in January when I’m up for renewal/upgrade, but yay for new phones! I think you’ll love it.
My faves from your list: the Alex Yeske case + the tortoiseshell case. And that fun pink and gold tiled one is awesome too!
As for cases I’ve used, I would say that iPhones are hardier than they look. I go for slimmer cases over the big chunky Otterboxes. The Kate Spade cases are pretty good, though be careful if you drop them; they protect your phone but they do tend to crack.
I’m on team classic. Loving all of them though!
I personally love the cases from Switcheasy (http://www.switcheasy.com). They are rugged and stylish!
Thanks Rachel, I LOVE that mint one! Does yours have the edge that goes a little bit over the front? I couldn’t tell if it did that from the pictures :)
I jumped on the smartphone bandwagon in June and let me tell you, they’re addicting! Before my iPhone, I would barely touch my phone. Now, I’m on it all the time.
I love all the classic cases, but I think my favorite is the middle fun one!
You are going to love your phone! Keep in mind that the leather cases are very durable but can be a bit slippery. The silicone ones have more grip to them but tend to get worn more quickly…
I have an iphone 4s and I’m about to upgrade, the one thing I’ll say is I do all my photos on it, I use it for apps all the time. I ADORE mine. I have heaps of different colours of covers loads of novelty ones and basic ones. I’ve dropped my phone repeatedly and thankfully its been ok. Honestly they change your life, they’re just amazing. I’m such a tech lover now. The apps I have that make my life so easy and my photos look way better are well worth it :)
Nip onto ebay and etsy and you’ll get lots of really cool covers. There are heaps of awesome ones out there! Enjoy your new phone!
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http://www.inanityandthegirl.com
I was using a cute monogrammed case from Marley Lilly for awhile. Although it was cute it did nothing to protect my phone and after the slightest drop the screen shattered. I’d say go with the protective cases (that are cute and functional) and you won’t have to worry about breaking your new smartphone. I use a blue phantom case now and I love it.
Good to know, thanks Shannon! :)
I love my iPhone!! I just preordered the iPhone 5. I couldn’t help myself :) I’ve tried a lot of different cases. Otterbox cases really are awesome. They definitely protect your phone well, but they do make it super bulky, if that matters to you at all. I really like Speck brand cases too! That’s what I think I might start off with for the 5.
Yeah, my college roommate recommended that brand to me- it looks pretty good!
I didn’t have a smart phone until until this past jan/feb when I got the 4S…. be prepared to get addicted! I definitely have to remind myself to “disconnect” once in a while…