INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
This is the best looking case I have ever seen. The brushed aluminum on the back, with the
machined aluminum outline, is eye-catching and unique. A trim piece around the outside that matches
the colored aluminum back is a nice touch.
The general design of this case fits into the “slim” category: the sides
hug the case while leaving the top and bottom open. I couldn’t wait to get it out of the box and
on my iPhone 5.
RESILIENT
The phone fits extremely well into this case; a lip on the
sides come just slightly around the face to hold it in place. The sides of the case come just around each
corner to provide protection and additional fit. The open ends provide no interference with
your media connections making this case ideal if you like to use docking peripherals,
or if you own the Lightning adapter.
The aforementioned trim piece on the left and right edge is
actually rubberized and slightly protruding from the edge. This makes for an excellent grip and
feel. There is a small opening for the
toggle switch which required the use of my fingernail to get at it. This is typical of cases like this, and I
personally don’t think it is big deal.
I admit that when I first saw this I was concerned that the
aluminum back pieces would end up nicked and scarred from regular use. Impressively, after several weeks of use and
one unintentional drop, the case looks almost brand new with no scoring on the
aluminum.
For you camera-philes out there I noticed iSkin’s website
statement about the opening around the camera having “anti-glare ring” for
flash photography. I had chalked this up
to finish, so I decided to give it a try by shooting a photo without (left) and
with (right) the case. I did notice that
without the case the photo looked a little more washed-out. This is an unscientific attempt from an
amateur, but I would say their claim holds up.
![]() |
Picture taken with no case on iPhone |
![]() |
Picture taken with iSkin Aura on iPhone |
Only one minor thing with the case, and it is by no means a
deal-breaker. The volume buttons are
integrated with the rubberized trim, but I don’t think they make solid contact
with the buttons on the phone; when you press them you have to use an unusual
amount of pressure for them to react.
Using the edge of your finger, rather than the flat of your fingerprint,
makes this easier. Upon inspection there
are little round protrusions on the underside of the buttons. These probably could have been a little
bigger, or made out of something more rigid to get better responsiveness.
BOTTOM LINE
This is one of many cases that iSkin sells. With this one you can’t go wrong. It has to be one of the best looking cases on
the market without sacrificing functionality.
I have never had anyone grab my phone away from me to check out the case
until I put this one on, and I have two friends who bought them the next
day. Do yourself a favor: go to
iSkin.com and pick one.