Customer Reviews

elago S4 Slim-Fit Case for iPhone 4 with Logo Protection Film (SF Black, Fits AT&T and Verizon iPhone)

5 star:		(167)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I'm always on the quest for the perfect phone case that will protect my phone from the occasional drop in the parking lot, while also keeping with the style of the iPhone 4. On my iPhone 3G I had the Shield case (very similar to this one) and loved it. I currently have Speck Fitted case (Apple Freebie), but was looking for something a bit thinner and more stylish.

From the stock pictures, you cannot tell if this case comes up around the sides to protect the face of the phone (they do not; see my additional pictures). It also does not protect the top or bottom (not a big deal to me; these are metal). I'll try the case out for a few days, but I see myself going back to the Speck Fitted due to it's full frontal protection. I've dropped my phone from waist height several times and never had any damage in the Speck case (case did pop open, but phone didn't come out).

On my iPhone 3G I had the Shield case (very similar to this one) and loved it. It didn't come up to the glass, but then again I wasn't as concerned with screen damage on the 3G due to the metal bezel running around the phone. The iPhone 4 provides no such edge protection except a thin piece of plastic before you get to the glass. Because of this, I'll be sticking with my old Speck Fitted case.

Cons:
- lack of front glass protection, and top and bottom protection (not to mention lack of stock photos to provide potential customers this info).
- sorry excuse for the logo protection (a piece of packing tape looks much better).

Pros:
- If you're not worried about front protection or feel that your skin or screen guard will protect you, then this is a great slim phone. It adds very little additional width.
- No flash splash back

This fits the Verizon iphone perfectly.
It's very thin, it barely adds any bulk to the phone at all.
Will it protect your phone if you drop it from a considerable distance? Probably not, but it will prevent nicks and scratches from having the phone in your handbag or pocket or from dropping it from not too high up.
What I love the most about it is that it's more matte than the phone. I often hold the phone between my shoulder and face, and before I got this case the phone would always slide off. The matte finish keeps that from happening. It also keeps it from sliding off of smooth surfaces as easily.
I also got the pink version of this case, but I don't like it much because it's shiny, not matte.

I am not a big fan of protective phone cases in general. However soon after purchasing my iPhone 4, I realized that a case would become a necessity. After a little research I decided to order the elago S4 Slim Fit Case in Piano Black and one in White. My only regret is not ordering more color options. This is by far the best case I have ever owned for any mobile device. I love it! It is super thin and sleek to the point that you forget you have a case on your phone. I highly recommend this product!

Let me say up front that as far as slim cases go, this is the best I've seen, and I'm a very fussy gadget/case person. It arrived today and I am blown away. It is made of quality material, yet is totally form fitting and maintains the aesthetics of the phone. I was using an Otterbox Defender case which provides solid protection, but I couldn't take the bulk anymore and having my phone turned into a brick. Here's the deal:

PROS:

1. Made of quality polycarbonate material, not cheap plastic.

2. Fits my Verizon iphone 4 PERFECTLY. It looks amazing and sleek, to the point where it seems like there's no case on the phone.

3. Extremely stylish. The black color looks great and blends in beautifully.

4. Snaps on easily.

5. Has a nice soft feel and glides easily in and out of my pocket. I've had it on me all day and the claims that it does not collect lint are accurate.

CONS:

There's really only one: NOT MUCH PROTECTION.

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING: This is a minimalist case and will not offer much help against damage from drops. Do not get this case if protection is what you want. Using this case means you're willing to sacrifice solid protection for extreme style and sleekness. In my view, this case will prevent cursory scratches and dings to the back and sides of the phone, but will not help with drops (even minor ones). I respectfully disagree with others who claim this case will help with basic drops. If you drop the phone with this case, you're screwed unless it lands just the right way. Also, there's no screen protection. The sides are flush with the screen (the case doesn't protrude up in front like a bumper case). I am using mine without any plastic screen protector because the screen is SO nice as is. Those screen protectors look great at first, but then they start to peel or bubble and look awful. I am a good phone person and am willing to risk protection to enjoy the beauty of the screen as is, but the choice is yours.

Bottom line: This is one of the best slim cases on the market from what I've seen. Stylish, sleek, well made, and fits perfectly. Let me emphasize again that using this case means you're willing to risk solid phone protection, but enjoy the benefits of style and sleekness.

Please be sure to know what you are getting before you buy this. If you do your research, and you're informed, you'll love this case. If you're the type that wants to set your iPhone on it's screen face down (a behavior I've never understood)... this isn't the case for you.

This case fits like a glove, is super thin and appears to be extremely durable. I love the matte/soft touch finish, it adds excellent grip while keeping the phone thin and light... perfect for us pocket carriers.

This is my 4th case (Uncommon, Case Mate, and Speck were the other 3) in the year that I have owned my phone and it's first that I feel completely happy with.

If anything changes, I'll post an update.

The case has a great texture and feel overall. Not too tacky but not glossy - it slides in and out of denim and other pant/pocket material just fine. It doesn't scuff up or hold marks like a few other cases I've had. It fits into a sport band fine without taking the case off which I really like.

The main issues I have is the the edge only comes up flush with the screen on the front. While resting facedown(which I try to never do), the phone actually will sit on the screeen. Also, the top and bottom are quite open, leaving vulnerabilities for scratches, say, if you left your phone floating in a purse or pocket with keys. Additionally, if dropped from basically any distance the case won't do much for protecting against the screen breaking.

Overall, I was looking for a super low profile case with good texture - I knew what I was buying. This is exactly that.

OVERALL: 4/5

THE GOOD:
This case greatly compensates for the iPhone 4's overly smooth and ungrippable sides, while retaining a RELATIVELY slim profile.

Overall, it is a great product with ergonomics (and Teflon!) you'd expect to see from Apple itself, save for one or two faults, and I would buy from Elago again. However, I'd take a very careful look at their design before doing so.

THE NOT-SO-BAD:
"Relatively slim" Because the rear plate is still about 0.5-1 mm away from the perfect thickness, I would personally say. HOWEVER, it is the slimmest case I have come across, as close to perfect as I have seen. (Whether this is bad or good depends on your preferences!)

THE BAD (Please read):
I took away one star because of there is no notch cut out in the casing for the power/lock button, resulting in the case coming too close to the power/lock button. This completely alters the feel of pressing the power/lock button, causing it to feel like something is obstructing your finger.

If you need to have an uninterrupted feel while using your buttons, as if there were no case at all, PLEASE take this fault into consideration. Bear in mind that this is happening with the power button, whilst the silent mode and volume buttons have a -perfect- amount of clearance to feel like you're pressing them "naked".

I'm very particular about comfort, and this protrusion of the casing into the button pressing space is EXTREMELY annoying. I have every intention of cutting or sanding out a notch on my own.

PS: Don't take my strongly worded fault explaination the wrong way. I'm just compulsive! It's still a 4/5 in my book.

On the quest for the perfect case?

This may or may NOT be the right case for you.

I have this case and let me ask you a few questions before you purchase your case.

Do you want something lightweight?
Do you want something that is barely noticeable?
Do you want something that will just protect the back and parts of the side?

If you answered yes to all of the above then this case is for you.

I personally stopped using it because it didn't offer enough protection for me. I am a bit paranoid and mishandle my phone at times. I went with something with more padding, however, I notice considerable bulk using cases such as the Speck ones. If I could trust myself, I would definitely go back to using this case, hence, I haven't returned this case because of it's quality and and price. It serves it's purpose and it's exactly as described.

I am very pleased with the elago S4 Slim-Fit Case for the iPhone 4. The case is slim as promised and isn't difficult to get on and off. It is exactly what I wanted. The bottom of the case is designed so that it will fit on a docking station, a huge plus for me.

I generally hate phone cases because they ruin the aesthetics and slimness of the phone itself. This is a case even I can love. It provides the protection I need, namely being able to set the phone down on a surface and not worry about scratches, and barely adds anything else. I also love the soft texture, it feels great in the hand. Now if only I could keep it on and set it in the dock...