The people at ElementCASE continue to crank out some really stunningly designed accessories for some of our favorite gadgets. I recently reviewed their Joule iPad stand and today they are announcing the Vapor iPhone 4 case. Available in anodized Black/Black and Black/Pink with other colors coming soon, the Vapor is constructed from a solid CNC’d aluminum frame made from aircraft grade metals lined with a shock absorbent liner material. The case looks very sleek and adds less than 30 grams additional weight to the iPhone. Starting at $79.95 and $99.95 with a full carbon fiber backplate, they will begin shipping on 7/12 and are taking pre-orders now.
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Looks, GREAT…. however, as with the ipad stand.. outta of my range for “reasonable” pricing… I thought $30 was a tad much for the Bumper… this only legitimizes the bumper’s pricing.
if there were a “No Script” option, clean black, all around, i’d be interested, but a 40 dollar otterbox commuter may be more my demographic. awesome looking case though
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Wow, hard-core looking cases, to be sure! Sort of an “art techo” look. Like something you’d expect Darth Vader to pull out of his pocket at a Death Star board meeting to check his lunch plans.
I went to the ElementCASE site and looked at the 3G/3GS cases, and I wish they had a bit better images and descriptions of the features. I agree with Jack above, the price is quite prohibitive, and I’d need to seem more of the cases features before committing. For instance. It appears that the iPhone is fully encased, but I’m wondering how this compares to the degree of enclosure and protection with an Otterbox or Seidio Rugged. And how is the touchscreen protected and accessed? They mention a “flip lid”, but I am picturing some kind of Captain Kirk-era Star Trek communicator thing, which would detract from the overall effect for me; I’d prefer an integrated sheet of plastic or even glass.
Still, wicked cool looking cases, no doubt.
@Andy I guess you missed my review of their iPhone 3/3GS cases: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/19/element-case-iphone-custom-case-review/
How and where do I pre order one?
@Joel Visit ElementCASE from the website in the post 🙂 There’s a preorder link there.
Looks great, but it also looks like it covers up the noise-cancelling mic on the top of the phone.
>the Vapor is constructed from a solid CNC’d aluminum frame made from aircraft grade metals…’ As the new 4 has the antenna on the outer rim, will the case on the Vapor impede reception or enhance it?
@Michael It’s supposed to help…
What’s the point?
If it’s water and dustproof fine…if not…What’s uh, the deal?
@Guy 99% of iPhone cases are neither water or dustproof. The point is that people like to buy cases to protect their phones from scratching or to make them look different.
I am pretty sure this does not help the reception issues with the iP4.
Looks good though a bit pricey.
pre-ordered a Black/Red with carbon-fiber back….
It will be truly annoying if i receive this case before the canadian carriers decide to start shipping the iphone4 🙁
I have been told by ElementCASE you will be able to add your own engraving to there product later on down the line.
so might be better to wait till then.
This case looks cool but takes away all of your service. I went from 5 bars to 3 the moment I put it on and my speed test was 1880kbps download and 837 kbps upload with out the case. With the case is 976 kbps download and 86 kbps upload. Save your money.
Trevor you are the first to say something helpful. I think you’ve nailed it. it looks great but is opposite of the intended design.
Beautiful case, but waiting to read some REAL reviews. As it seems Trevor has been copy / pasting that review everywhere, and seems to be the ONLY one who got one??? I call BS.
It blocks my gps reception.
When case is on the map shows me to be 5 to 10 from my actual location.
Can’t really call it a case. I waited on a list for this “case”. It’s more of a bumper and yes, it looks cool as hell but, functionality with accessories sucks.
If you are not using Apple headphones or, headphones with extremely small mini-phone jack covers.
It is also a pain to get a wireless headphone module attached to the power input of the iphone 4 with this case on.
The only real protection from anything is the bumper itself and I’d be afraid to drop it because of the replacement cost.
Still… cool looking if nothing else.