Element Case Solace Chroma iPhone 5/5s Case Is Gorgeous, Refined, and Under $100

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I never imagined something could knock my Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops case off its perch as “my favorite case”, but when the Element Case Solace Chroma for iPhone 5S arrived for review, that is exactly what happened. The $99.95 case came, I put it on my phone and… I had a new favorite. Yeah, it is that nice.

I honestly thought about writing this review with just a few words typed over and over again. Had I done that it would have looked something like this.

I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case. I love this case.

I realize that is of little help if you are looking for a new case for your iPhone 5S and need help making a decision, so here’s a video look at the Element Case Solace Chroma iPhone 5S case.

Element Case describes their creation this way-

The ultra-sleek Solace case for the iPhone 5/5s utilizes a durable polycarbonate chassis with a soft touch finish for a comfortable and secure grip. The color-matched top and bottom crowns, as well as the control buttons, are precision CNC machined from T6061 aircraft grade aluminum for strength and light weight. Solace is a protective case with an alluring design.

I just love the clean look the Solace Chroma offers. There is great corner protection, total side protection and more.

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No, you won’t get any lay-on-the-table protection, but if you are concerned with that there is a simple solution — don’t put your iPhone face down on the table. [Or you could install a screen protector – Judie]

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Because the Element Case Solace Chroma consists of just three pieces — a solid back and sides piece and two end caps — as opposed to my Element Case Sector 5 Black Ops case which was five pieces (two sides, top and bottom cap and a back plate) — the Solace Chroma has clean lines and looks a bit more refined than its cousin. The Element Case name and logo is embossed into the back and adds a bit of visual interest. The cutout for the camera, microphone and flashes is just large enough to allow everything to work properly. How I hate when the cutout is twice the size it needs to be.

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The sleep/awake button is covered, but it stands out thanks to the use of a button inlay set into the aluminum cap.

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The side of the Element Case Solace Chroma iPhone 5/5s Case has a cutout so you can access the mute toggle, two machined volume buttons set into the polycarbonate body and a soft, two-part insert that adds to the look and feel of the case. Such cutouts are necessary for cases made of metal in order to avoid antenna attenuation, but this case is mostly polycarbonate so I suspect this is more for aesthetics than anything else.

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Features:

  • Slim ergonomic design
  • CNC machined aluminum crowns for lightweight protection
  • High impact polycarbonate chassis with soft touch coating for a smooth grip
  • Speed Wrench included
  • Designed in California

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This look at the bottom of the case says everything that needs to be said about the Element Case Solace Chroma iPhone 5/5s Case. It is rugged yet refined, protective yet minimal and 100% awesome. The design will limit the ability to use some cables and accessories. This isn’t a huge deal but I have run into this more than once so it is definitely something worth keeping in mind.

The Element Case Solace Chroma iPhone 5/5s Case is available in five colors, and it is one of the best-looking and most refined cases I have ever seen. More jewelry than case, the Solace Chroma wowed me from the minute I first pulled it from the box, and has become my favorite iPhone 5S case. No, you won’t get lay-on-the-table protection, and some cables and accessories may not work with it, but if you can get past those two issues I suspect you will love this case as much as I do.

Learn more and order yours here.

MSRP: $99.95

What I Like: Gorgeous; Refined; Offers excellent scratch protection and some bump and drop protection; Available in five colors

What Needs Improvement: Some cables and accessories may not work; No lay-on-the-table protection; No “extras” worthy of note included;

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.