I’ve wondered for quite some time now on which angle I should write this review on and I’ve finally decided on this: it’s the best iPhone 5 case you could get in the market right now. It’s not some kind of hyperbole or exaggeration, but rather, the truth based on the number of different cases I’ve tested over the past month or two. If there is a phone case that deserves the “Best Case In The Market” title, it’s none other than this one. Plain and simple. Now, let’s take a look at why.
The case comes with, as usual from SwitchEasy, a host of accessories, especially given it’s rather affordable pricing. Right out from the start, you could see that SwitchEasy actually paid a whole lot of attention to detail on the packaging. The plastic retail material the Tones case comes with matches the exact shades of the real case itself, and while although not essential, it’s really nice to see. The angle in which customers may view the phone is also titled, proving to customers that this is indeed a really thin case - very much suited for the extremely thin (anorexic, even) profile and form factor of the iPhone 5. As most of you guys know, this case provides a 360 degree protection for the iPhone after one of the two high quality screen shields SwitchEasy provides are installed. By high quality, I mean they even rival the famous Steinheil screen shields you would get from SGP. It’s just that good: there’s no rainbowing issue, no finicky surface and many of the other problems you get when you pick a cheap shield up. It’s just great. Next, we’ve got duo-shot hybrid construction, which means that it’s made out of two tones, like the name suggested. The main material used is actually a nicely and smoothly sandblasted plastic while for added drop protection, the top and bottom of the case is made out of rubber - a great shock absorber. Because the hard plastic on the back of the phone is sandblasted until it is really refined, this also makes the case scratch resistance - you can now slide your phone across the table without worrying whether the back of phone or case will hold up, because it will. Gone is the wealth of information SwitchEasy includes in their retail packaging, but rather, opting for the rather transparent case, which I very much prefer. Along with the case, you get two screen shields which I’ve talked about, a SwitchEasy branded squeegee, a microfiber cleaning cloth and a dock connector and headphone port protector. For this price, SwitchEasy is providing something not many manufacturers are able to: a one-shop experience. As with many cases in the market right now, you’d usually have to buy the case itself, and then some screen protector and accessories you desire separately. With the SwitchEasy Tones, it all comes included, proving to be of fantastic value. On to the cover itself, everything other than the headphone port, lightning connector and mute/silence switch is covered, providing excellent protection against dust and lint. I’m happy to report that all of the buttons that were covered still retains most of the tactile feedback Apple worked so hard to perfect. Fortunately, because the case itself is pretty thin, the mute switch is not all that recessed, which means that you should be able to easily access it. Again, another huge plus. Next, SwitchEasy wanted to protect the speaker grills on the bottom of the case. However, if they decide to block the entire speaker grill, it’s going to distort the sound emitted and therefore, they decided to punctuate their on wholes, providing a doubt function: protection while still maintaining the great sound. Smart idea. Once again, due to the thin profile, the headphone port is in no way recessed and you should be able to fit any headphone jack you’re using in pretty comfortably, unless you’re working with heavy duty headphone or speakers, as in the case of a studio set up. The two tones design really sets apart this case from the crowd - which the colours are still of the same kind, it’s of different shades. Simple, but beautiful. On the back of the camera cut out, you would notice that there is a black marked outline across the shape of the outline, presumably to prevent any flashback issues when taking pictures in the dark. So far, during my one and a half week of testing, pictures came out perfect and there is no issue whatsoever, unlike some of the other problems that plagues thicker cases. On the right hand side of the case, we’ve got a really discreet SwitchEasy logo, which wasn’t something that was too obvious and attention-grabbing as it was with the SwitchEasy Lux. That’s definitely an improvement.
All in all, is this case a worthy successor to the highly famed and praised SwitchEasy Eclipse? I’d say so. It’s highly affordable, of good value proposition and beautifully gorgeous. If you’re the kind who usually buys a case when buying a phone, start off with the SwitchEasy Tones. You won’t regret it, I promise.
SCORE: 10/10
Huge thanks to Melinda from SwitchEasy for sending this out for review.
Due to some site issue, I wasn't able to host the pictures I would love to here. Please do visit the link down below if you wish to see them in high resolution as well as a comparison with the previous generation SwitchEasy Eclipse.
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Michael Andrew
