Slider cases have always been my favorite type of case for the iPhone. Silder cases are generally made up of two pieces. The phone slides into the two and they connect at some point, usually near the bottom. This allows the bottom piece to be easily removed so that your device can still be used with an accessory item requiring access to the dock connector, such as a cradle or external speaker.
Case-Mate is not new to the iPhone accessory market. They’re already established themselves as one of the leaders. Their version of the slider case, the Smooth, is one of their newest offerings.
Let’s take a look.
The Smooth is offered in four colors. Pink, Orange, Yellow and Black.
The packaging includes a crystal clear screen protector, installation card and a small cleaning cloth.
Like a traditional slider the case comes in two pieces that join together near the bottom. It uses three points of contact to do so. Two clips on the side and a notch at the back.
The notch on the back is cleverly disguised as a piece of the Case Mate logo.
Once installed the case provides a total “lay on the table” design. All of the iPhone’s chrome bezel is protected. You can therefore lay the phone face down if you wish to keep your screen from wandering eyes without worrying about the screen or bezel becoming damaged.
The top of the phone features a full cutout giving way to the power button, SIM Card slot and headset jack. I’m personally not a fan of this design and prefer individual cut outs for the power and headset areas. I don’t need access to my SIM Card slot and if I did I wouldn’t have a problem just taking my case off.
The same cut out is present of the bottom of the case which allows access to the phone’s dock connector.
There is also a cut out along the side for the volume rocker and vibrate switch.
For lack of a better descriptor, the Case-Mate Smooth feels smooth in the hand. It has a soft, matte texture that feels great. It offers the proper amount of grip without becoming a dust magnet.
It fits better than any slider case I’ve tried. Not too tight that you need to worry about it scratching your phone and not too loose that you feel as though it might come off.
The other thing it really has going for it is how it works with screen protectors. A common issue with slider style cases is that they cause screen protectors to bubble. Not the case with the Smooth. Since the sides of the Smooth cover all of the bezel and even a little bit of the non-viewable screen the phone’s screen protectors rests under the case and won’t be prone to bubbling.
The Case-Mate Smooth very close to being the perfect slider style case. My only complaints are the overly exposed top and the lack of color choices.
Other than that what you get is a great fitting, great feeling case that doesn’t add much bulk to your phone yet leaves it protected from the outside elements.
You can check out the Case-Mate Smooth here.
M.S.R.P. – $29.99
What I like – great feel, great fit.
What I don’t like – large top cut out, needs more color choices.
Wow! Great review, Larry! Case-Mate is a fantastic choice for iPhone cases. 🙂