Best iPhone 4 and 4S cases

We round up the best iPhone 4 and 4S cases on the market so you can protect your phone and give it some extra style at the same time.

The iPhone 4S announcement may have been a disappointment to just about every tech blogger and analyst out there, but with 4 million iPhones purchased in the first three days, consumers don’t seem to be put off by the redundant iPhone 4 design or the lack of 4G. One of the benefits of the new phone’s design (which is the exact same outside as the iPhone 4) is that all cases and other accessories will fit the new phone just as well as they fit the old one. Just in case you just purchased the new 4S, or the discounted 4, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite cases that will now fit both models. The aluminum and glass design of the phone makes it look great, but disaster can strike if you drop it on a hard surface without a case. To prevent that from happening, you should slap a case on your new phone stat, whether you like to keep things minimal or want the best protection money can buy. 

Incase Perforated Slider Case ($35)

We like this case for both its form and function. The slider case design from Incase comes in two pieces that slide together to provide 360-degree edge protection for your iPhone. That design is a giant step up in protection from the typical snap-on cases, which leave some areas exposed. We also like the minimalist perforated look, which comes in white or black and makes the case extremely slim and lightweight.

Griffin Reveal ($25) 

This minimalist case is one of the best we’ve seen at maintaining the already-stunning looks of the iPhone 4 and 4S. The phone is beautiful itself, and some of us don’t want to cover it up with silicone or bright colors. This smart case combines a clear polycarbonate back with a slim rubber bumper that protects the sides of the phone and has a raised edge to protect the front screen. The combination of materials means that your iPhone gets to show through, but you’ll still always have a good grip. The case comes in either white or black, making it the perfect minimalist companion for your iPhone. 

Grove Artist Series Case ($99)

For those who like to show off their creative side, Grove offers a beautiful handmade bamboo case that can be customized with almost any design. The case has a two-piece slider design for solid protection and a new black bezel that keeps the front of your phone clean-looking but still protected from falls. Pick between two wood colors and upload your own design or choose from a selection of creations by other artists.

Griffin Elan Form Graphite ($25)

We like this case for its sleek design and solid protection. The two-piece case features a patterned synthetic material (that looks a bit like carbon fiber) that is then lined with an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell that snaps onto your iPhone easily and securely. The case is slim and form-fitting, but the raised edge keeps your screen protected and the case gives solid, hard-wearing protection all-around. This case is available in black, white, grey, blue, or pink. 

Lifeproof Case ($70)

In an amazing feat of protection, the Lifeproof case will keep your iPhone 4 safe from water, dirt, dust, snow, ice, and shock. Usually ultra-protective cases are more bulk than they are worth, but this case only adds an extra 1.5mm to your phone. The fully-sealed case was designed to military specifications and even allows users to take their iPhone 4 underwater to 6.6 feet. An optional adapter for waterproof headphones means you can literally take your phone anywhere.

id America Skyline ($25)

We like the cool perforated design of this case as well as its simplicity. This case has a very simple full-protection design, like many silicone cases have. What makes this case different (other than the cool design) is that it’s made from specially-stiffened thermoplastic polyurethanes that give it a Rigid-Flex feel. This means that the case is thin and snug-fitting like a hard case, but has the flexibility of a silicone case, which makes it easy to take on and off. The case is available in black, white, or pink.

Case-Mate Egg Case ($25)

This simple silicone case uses tiny raised points, like an egg crate, to offer better fall protection and a textured feel. The case covers all edges of your iPhone but offers access to all the important ports and button protection as well. The fun case comes in black and clear, as well as bright blue and red.

Incase Bird’s Nest Snap Case ($35)

This case is perfect for the artistic type who takes good care of their phone. It offers less overall protection than many of the other cases, but makes up for it with an ultra-lightweight design and an abstract ‘woven’ look. The hard-shell case has a snap-on design that gives full access to all iPhone ports and buttons. The front of the case has a very slight raised edge to provide some front screen protection. We also love the unique color, which would look great on a white or black iPhone. 

monCarbone Hovercoat Carbon Fiber Case ($50)

This case is perfect for those who want scratch-resistant protection, but still want to keep their iPhone 4 as slim and sleek as possible. This case is made with real carbon fiber, which makes it extremely thin and lightweight. The Hovercoat weighs in at only 8 grams and adds a mere 0.6mm to the iPhone 4. Because it has a snap-on design, this case won’t provide the 360-degree protection of other cases, but it’s a great pick for users who aren’t prone to dropping their phone all the time. The case is available in a glossy finish or a stealth matte version.

id America Dry Ice ($20)

This case is another option for those minimalist iPhone-lovers who like to show off the phone as much as possible while still using a case. The Dry Ice case is made from strengthened polycarbonate with a soft silicone coating that makes the clear case less slippery. The two-piece front-to-back construction makes the case perfectly snug on your phone, but if you like to change your cases often, beware: this thing is not easy to get off.