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With the iPhone 4 reaching the mid point of it's expected lifespan as the current must-have Apple smart phone (the iPhone 5 rumors are already well in full swing), many owners are looking at their black glass and aluminum device and wondering about dressing it up a bit. They'll undoubtedly be joined by a wave of new Verizon adopters come February. Most of the mass produced cases out there simply don't do it for me. Sure, I strapped on one of the freebies when Apple 'fessed up to that little antenna issue, but I find most plastic and rubber numbers seriously detract from the device's visual appeal. And yes, to me that visual appeal is important. Functionality is the primary consideration, but I like a visually attractive device too. I've been playing around with two options for dressing up an iPhone 4 using natural materials and a handcrafted, artisan approach: a replacement iPhone back in wood from material6 and an iPhone case in bamboo from Grove.
iPhone 4 Replacement Back From Material6
I'll say flat out that I love the look of the wood iPhone 4 Replacement Back from Tucker, Georgia-based Material6. My review unit was in South American Rosewood, a dark material with distinct grain that makes for a striking contrast against the glass and aluminum of the iPhone. The grain is slightly raised, adding a warmth and texture to the phone.
There are two key factors that will determine if this is the upgrade for you, assuming you're interested in the look.
The first is that word "replacement." It's not a skin, this is a replacement for your iPhone's back and replacing a component means removing the original. The procedure is quite straightforward -just two screws to remove, then a quick swap- but I'm pretty sure it does technically void your warranty. No innards are disturbed so it would be easy to replace the original back with no-one being the wiser if your iPhone had to be returned for some reason. It was about a two minute procedure and you'd really have to try pretty hard to physically damage your iPhone. The only issue I ran into was the included screwdriver wasn't the best (I ended up using my own); when I mentioned this to Material6, it turned out that they are sourcing a different supplier, so that is likely addressed by now. Camera functionality was not impacted at all (the company says it's using OEM Apple parts in the lens cover area) and I found no degradation in any functionality such as WiFi performance after replacing the back.
The second issue is that this is largely a cosmetic upgrade. It does address the issue where iPhone back panels (which are made of glass) were reportedly prone to shattering or cracking, but this product truly is targeted at the user who wants a unique and elegant new look to their device. It will be slightly more durable after installation, at least in terms of back panel damage, but if you are looking for the protection of a case, this isn't it. There is also no bumper to prevent the "grip of death." Sure, you could swap out the back and then put your iPhone in a case, but that pretty much defeats the purpose of the upgrade…
If you make it past these two points, then you are not going to be disappointed. I thought the iPhone 4 was a looker in its original form, but with this replacement back it's stunning. The iPhone looks like a piece of industrial art. Care is straightforward -natural oils from your hand and the occasional wiping with a tee-shirt are all that are recommended. Speaking of natural oils, as an added bonus, fingerprints are eliminated as an issue -at least on the back of the iPhone. My only complaint -which really is nitpicking- is that if I want to switch up the look (ie., Rosewood in the winter and something lighter in the summer), I have to go through the swapping procedure again, or buy a second iPhone.
The iPhone 4 Replacement Back from Material6 is currently available for $89.00 in South American Rosewood, Lacewood and White Ash Burl -the offerings are changed up monthly, so if you don't see a look that works for you right now, check back in a few weeks.
Bamboo iPhone 4 Case From Grove
Based in Portland, Oregon, Grove designs and produces all of their products on site, and they're big on bamboo. The Grove iPhone 4 cases are largely handmade, making them the perfect choice for someone looking for both craftsmanship and environmental cred when searching for an alternative to mass produced iPhone cases.
The Grove iPhone 4 case arrived in packaging that reminded me of a cross between Apple (for minimalist precision) and a piece of art. In a nice touch, the case is nestled within the block of bamboo it was cut from, with a note that the scrap makes a nice photo frame (it does, you just need a piece of glass). I almost hated to wreck the effect by pulling the case out of its packaging.
If you have a slider style iPhone 4 case, the Grove version will be quite familiar. A two-piecer, you slide your iPhone in, then slide the second piece on to encase the device. The main difference between this and other slider cases (besides the obvious) is that the two halves of the case don't lock together. They're held in place by friction. There's a felt bumper inside and the case, while tight, is easy to remove and does not damage or mar the iPhone's finish. I was a little concerned about the case loosening up with use but despite the fact that I've been toting my iPhone around outdoors (in Canada where it's a tad cold this time of year), then back inside, giving it every opportunity to flex with temperature and humidity changes, there's been no issue.
The Grove case feels smooth in hand and adds warmth to the iPhone. It's available as a plain case (in amber or natural bamboo oiled finish), and there is also the option to have a case laser engraved with one of several dozen artist prints. You can even upload your own artwork. Grove sent me one of their "Tree" design cases and it is amazingly detailed. A back bezel over the iPhone's glass is a recent addition that makes the case look a little more sleek than previous iterations. There are bevelled cutouts for controls and ports (it looks to be compatible with the slightly shifted Verizon iPhone 4 mute switch, but Grove is holding off on confirming until they get their hands on one), but the thickness of the bamboo means that some accessories aren't going to work. This might require headphone adapters and removing the bottom of the case for use with some docks, although the iPhone4 connector is accommodated.
The Speck case I received from Apple suffered horribly from flash flare, but although they make no claims to be any better than other hard cases at preventing this issue with flash photography, I didn't observe any issue with taking night flash photos with the Grove case. And while Grove also makes no claims about addressing antennae issues, I found that the the case worked just as well as any other I've used at preventing the "grip of death." In terms of protective capability (it is a case after all), I think the company sums it up best: "think of it as a helmet." In other words, it offers protection, but if you're the clumsy type who frequently drops their iPhone, or need a water resistant solution, the Grove case probably isn't the best option out there.
So, is the Grove case for you? If you like the look and feel of handcrafted bamboo/wood or want a customized piece of art in your hand, then it makes for a compelling choice. I love the feel of the iPhone in my hand with this case -it's tactile and adds a bit of heft without accompanying weight. The downside comes with accessories and ports. The previous gen Apple USB cable I use as a back-up recharging cable is too big to fit the docking port cutout and the case also prevents docking on my B&W Zeppelin and JBL Radial speaker docks. It's a simple matter of sliding off the bottom of the case with these two, but if you use a dock frequently with your iPhone4, the added thickness and depth of the port cutouts is something to be aware of.
Prices for a plain bamboo iPhone 4 case start at $69.00. The artist series is $89.00 (although as of last night, they were being promoted for $69 as a one week special). If you like the look of Grove's iPhone cases, you might want to check out their limited edition, engraved Bamboo art pieces for hanging on the wall. Oh, and their gift card is pretty cool looking too and comes with a flat pack Grove Birds ornament.
Wrap Up
Whether you're looking for light duty protection, a way to reduce the risk of the back glass panel scratching or cracking, adding some warmth to your iPhone's look or simply searching for a way to stand out from the millions of other iPhone 4 users, either of these products could satisfy your needs, so long as you understand their limitations. What doesn't come out in testing the products is the care that both of these companies put into their offerings and the obvious pride in craftsmanship they display. I've reviewed many products over the years, and I've never had e-mail threads so long as the ones with Grove and Material6. I highly recommend you check them out.
Disclosure: GeekDad received review units from Material6 and Grove.
