Anyone who watched Chuck last season couldn’t help but see their weekly flashes of Sarah’s iPhone in its clear case, and when I got my iPhone, clear cases had been so firmly (yet subliminally) implanted in my brain that it seemed only natural to want to give one a try. Granted, I have never been a fan of crystal cases, mainly because I have never had a device that I thought would look good in one; the iPhone however, does…and it became a sort of mission to find the perfect clear case - if such a case existed.

In this review I am going to take a good hard look at not one, but four clear Apple iPhone cases, namely: the SCOSCHE Hard Case and Skin, the Seidio Slim Hybrid Hard Case, the Griffin iClear, and the GizMac Titan Clear. Each one has it’s own pluses and minuses, each one offers crystal clear protection, but only one had the unexpected opportunity to truly impress me. I should mention right now that I have heard the horror stories of the iPhone’s case possibly being scratched when it’s inside a plastic case, but I never worried about it and I didn’t notice it happening. Worse things can happen (and have happened) to my iPhone than light scratches; I can live with it.

In that now infamous package of iPhone accessories sent by Vincent from the MY iTablet Store, I found the SCOSCHE Hard Case and Skin, the Seidio Slim Hybrid Hard Case, and the Griffin iClear; the GizMac Titan Clear was sent directly from the manufacturer.

Lets start with the least expensive and work our way up the line…

The Griffin iClear

Of the three that Vincent sent, this one was the first that I tried. Bear in mind that I received the box on December 21, so I only had the case a few days before disaster struck…more on that in a minute.

Included in the iClear box are the two halves of the clear case, a microfiber cloth, and a screen protector which only covers the main portion of the iPhone’s screen - and by that I mean the viewing screen - not the entire surface. This seemed chintzy, but I wasn’t too worried about it because I had already installed a full-coverage Smartphone Experts Screen Protector. The gray microfiber cloth was pretty sweet, though.

I’ll jump right in by saying that this is the case which when coupled with the Smartphone Experts Screen Protectors saved my iPhone from an almost certain Christmas Day death. I was outside grilling steaks and lobster, using both hands and my iPhone was on my shoulder. Yes, I know they make headsets for that, but I wasn’t wearing one. Anyway, that’s why the iClear looks a bit beat up in these photos - when they were taken it had already survived a 5.5′ fall onto concrete! When it landed, the case popped in two, and my iPhone lay cradled in the bottom half. The SIM compartment had opened, and I needed to pop the card back in - but otherwise my iPhone was virtually unscathed - except for a couple of small scratches on the case…probably from when it bounced.

So I can testify that this mid-weight plastic case is tough, and it will more than protect your iPhone if it is accidentally dropped - which will hopefully never happen to you. There are openings and slots for all of the iPhone’s buttons and ports, and overall it is a very easy to use and well thought out case.

The iClear adds very little bulk to the iPhone, measuring approximately 4.5″ long x 2.6″ wide x 0.61″ thick, it can still easily slide into a front pocket if that’s where you like to carry your phone.

You’ll notice that there are slots on either side of the iClear’s back…

…which are for the detachable stand / belt-clip.

A sliding button on the clip allows it to lock into place as a viewing stand, or to be locked as a clip for up to a 1.5″ belt.

While I found the clip was more than adequate as a stand…

…I didn’t think it was secure enough or strong enough to use as a true belt clip…

…which is why I would probably never wear the case on the included armband, much less while doing my daily 30.

As a clear case, I found the Griffin iClear to be great protection and obviously I owe it for saving my iPhone. However, I think that if a screen protector is going to be included it should cover the entire screen, and if a belt-clip is going to be included, it should be something I would trust. Otherwise, I have no complaints about the iClear, and if I were handing out grades (A being Excellent and D being FAIL - just like in school), it would get a B- bumped up to a B because the price is so great, but then knocked back down to a B because the clip is so iffy.

The Griffin iClear is available from the MY iTablet store and other retailers.
MSRP: $19.95
What I Like: Excellent value on a medium-weight clear case; protected my iPhone from a 5.5′ drop onto concrete; includes a handy microfiber cloth
What Needs Improvement: The included screen protector is too short to cover the whole screen; the belt-clip is untrustworthy

The Seidio Slim Hybrid Hard Case

I have to tell you that this case was probably the most disappointing. While it’s true that it adds nearly nothing to the iPhone’s size, it just felt cheap and cheesy. Nothing was included in the cellophane package but the case, and when I tell you the price I think you’ll agree that it’s a bit ambitious.

According to the sales info, the Seidio case “is only 1mm in thickness so it will protect your Apple iPhone from everyday bumps and mishaps without weighing your phone down. This innovative case has a crystal clear front and a rubberized back for a no-slip grip.” Okay, I did like the thinness of the case, but when I was using it I couldn’t help but wonder if it would have survived the 5.5′ drop as the iClear had. I would have to say probably not. The rubberized back coating is a nice touch however, because it probably would have helped keep my iPhone from falling in the first place.

Installed, the case measures 4.6″ long x 2.5″ wide x 0.55″ thick, so sure - it’s thinner by a few hundredths of an inch…but that’s about it.

There is no option for a belt clip, so this is definitely a pocket case. Once again, there are properly placed cutouts so that you can access all of the iPhone’s ports and buttons.

I would have liked the Seidio a lot better had it been about half its price or if it had included screen protection. As is, the best selling point is that rubbery, grippy back side. If I was assigning letter grades, this one would get a C, knocked down to a D because the price is nutty.

The Seidio Slim Hybrid Hard Case is available from the MY iTablet store and other retailers.
MSRP: $29.95
What I Like: Rubber coated backside helps you keep a better grip, and may keep it from sliding; very thin
What Needs Improvement: Seems way overpriced when compared to other offerings

The SCOSCHE Hard Case and Skin

Now look - for the same price as the Seidio, you can get all of these goodies; I can tell you right now which set would get my cash if I had to choose. Included in the SCOSCHE package was a full screen protector with a heavier-weight clear plastic case and a rubber skin for days when you don’t want to use the plastic case.

The first thing that jumped out at me when looking at the SCOSCHE was the way there were four rubber feet on both the front and back of the case - which should help remove any fears of your iPhone sliding off of something when placed, which I thought was pretty cool.

This is a slightly thicker case, with heavier plastic, and it measures 4.5″ tall x 2.6″ wide x 0.62 installed. It’s still slim enough to carry in a pocket, but the rubber bumpers may cause it to drag a little bit.

The included rubber skin is great for those who like these…

…I have an admitted aversion to them, however; they remind me of doll skin, and I find them kind of creepy. But don’t let that stop you.

I think that the SCOSCHE Hard Case could definitely protect my iPhone in a drop, and for the price I think it is an excellent value. When my iPhone was in it, it felt protected. I also liked that there was an included rubber skin, even if I don’t particularly care for those. This one’s letter grade is a B+, bumped to an A because it includes so many great accessories and at a very reasonable price.

The SCOSCHE Hard Case and Skin is available from the MY iTablet store and other retailers.
MSRP: $29.95
What I Like: Includes a full screen protector; case is thicker and protective; clear case has rubber feet on each side to prevent slipping; includes a rubber skin case
What Needs Improvement: Nothing, it’s a great case and a good deal

The GizMac Titan Clear Case & Holster

If you like to wear your iPhone on your belt, then I am sure you’ll agree that so many of the clips on clear cases are not as robust or as secure as one might like. This particular case takes care of that issue is a way that people who don’t like wearing their phones on their belt will appreciate - it includes a separate, heavy duty holster.

But that’s not all: included in the Titan Clear’s box are the clear case, a holster, a full size screen protector, a microfiber cloth, and a squeegee for removing any air bubbles during installation.

This was the thickest, and probably the most protective clear case I reviewed: it measures 4.7″ tall x 2.6″ wide x 0.63″ thick.

The holster is very thick molded plastic with a stiff plastic clip which can handle up to a 2″belt.

On the back of the case is a built-in kickstand…

…which allows the iPhone to be placed vertically…

…or horizontally. When the stand is not needed, it folds neatly into the back of the case and is very unobtrusive.

If I had to pick one feature that I like best about this case, it would be that it allows the most screen to show of any that I reviewed. Notice how the case borders the entire iPhone face? I like how it doesn’t have cutouts for the ear speaker or the home button - everything just looks open and easily accessible.

When the Titan Clear is slipped into the holster it can face either way, so if you want maximum screen protection you can just aim the iPhone at the holster. If you want easy access, you can face it outward.

The belt-clip has a 90 degree swivel, so it can hold the iPhone in the wearer’s belt either vertically…

…or horizontally.

This case feels like the epitome of plastic protection; I really don’t see how any other could top it. When I first received the Titan Clear, and experienced its quality, I honestly expected it to be quite a bit more expensive. It is easily the most feature-laden of the cases I received, the best built, and yes - the thickest which may bother some. With the extra thickness comes security, however. When my iPhone was in the case, it felt nearly indestructible; I have no doubt that it would easily protect my iPhone during a fall.

The only feature that I thought might possibly be missing from the Titan Clear was some sort of rubber guard or other anti-slip agent; but that is only because I got spoiled by the SCOSCHE. My grade for the GizMac Titan Clear is an A, bumped up to an A+ because of the included accessories and the heavy-duty holster.

The GizMac Titan Clear Case & Holster is available from the manufacturer and other retailers.
MSRP: $34.99 as tested, $24.99 without the holster
What I Like: Case feels indestructible: offers full access to the iPhone’s entire screen surface; built-in kickstand; heavy duty belt-clip holster; option to purchase without the holster
What Needs Improvement: Possibly the addition of an anti-slip pad or two on the back of the case - but that is certainly not a deal-breaker