Review: Griffin Elan Form hard leather case for iPhone 3G
About
Griffin has released a range of new protective cases for the iPhone 3G, including the Elan Form collection which is available in pink or black.
The case, which comes in two sections and slides together, locking at the back, features a hard, polycarbonate inner shell covered with top-grain leather, and comes with a clear plastic screen protector and a premium cleaning cloth.
Any case is going to add some size and weight to the iPhone, but if you need serious protection, then a hard case will arguably offer better protection if the phone is dropped or items scratch against it.
Review
As with most cases, it offers full access to all ports and controls, so isn't waterproof or dustproof. The EasyDock design means if you want to sync or dock it with anything other than the provided USB cable, you simply have to slide the lower, smaller section of the case off. When using the USB cable, you don't even have to do that.
The plastic screen protector does what it's expected to do - protects the iPhone's glass screen from scratches without impeding its use. However, it doesn't feel as nice as the glass screen, and I felt occasionally that it caused the iPhone to miss more subtle screen taps. In other words, I found I often had to be more deliberate with my finger presses.
The plastic seems to pick up smears even more quickly than the glass does, and is harder to clean. Additionally, because the protector isn't fixed to the screen, and has holes for the earpiece and home button, it's possible for small bits of dirt and dust to get trapped underneath, which requires the removal of the plastic and cleaning of the glass.
On the plus side, though, you could use the case without the screen protector, which might be useful if you already have an adhesive screen protection (such as the InvisibleShield), or you don't want to use one at all.
The case feels fairly nice in the hand, depending on whether you like feel. If anything, though, it feels less secure in the palm of the hand than the iPhone 3G's own plastic back does. It is easy to grip at the sides, though.
The case hugs the iPhone fairly well, with barely any movement when in use. Because it adds a few millimetres width on each side, the volume and mute buttons on the left are slightly harder to access with the thumb, as I would have accessed them in the past. Not a major issue, though. The power / lock button seems easier to access, and the camera's lens is not obscured at all.
Verdict
Overall, a case which gives confidence that the iPhone is protected. Perhaps not as thin or light as some other cases, but certainly practical.
UPDATE: Be very careful when using this case! Since first reviewing the case, which I still think is good in principle, I have scratched the back of my iPhone's case, and the inside of the protective case, because a piece of grit must have found its way in through the gap at the top, where the headphone socket and lock button is -- consequently scratching both when taking the top section of the case off.
Now, I have to keep the case on as the iPhone is damaged! Not hugely impressed with this.
Price
Available for around £20 ($29.99).
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