The iPhone 4 is a device that warrants the use of a case more than any other smartphone. Despite the excellent build quality, the front and back feel fragile and cry out for protection. It is a beautiful looking phone and the last thing you want to do to your £500+ investment is scratch it and ruin the looks that add to the overall experience. The other problem is that protecting it with a case can disguise the looks completely so what to do?

PDair has two solutions which caught my eye and so I decided to give each one a try to see which I preferred.  First up is the Soft Gel Plastic Case which I got in the clear variety (grey, red, orange, green and yellow also available). At only $9 it is one of the cheaper iPhone 4 cases on the market, but the material is far from cheap. It feels like a silicone case, but it much harder and thus offers more protection than most. I am not sure how it is made, but it manages to offer a flexible form which clings to the iPhone like no other case. It is made to measure to the nearest millimetre and actually takes a bit of persuasion to get in place. Once attached, however, it is on for as long as you want it to be. The material offers a grippy feel which also feels as though it is attached to the iPhone on every corner.

If you want a case that shows off the fact you own an iPhone 4 and which will offer superior protection this is the one to get. At only $9 it also represents excellent value for money and, in my opinion, is better than the hard plastic crystal cases which can tend to scratch too easily.

Next up is the Luxury Silicone Case which comes in at $18. There are many, many silicone cases on the market at this time and the vast majority have a smooth finish which does not set them apart from the competition. The Luxury model has a completely different patterned finish which is subtle, yet enough to show that it is not merely another silicone case. All of the buttons are easily accessible and the Apple logo is allowed to shine through at the back courtesy of a circular opening. It does cover up the back of the phone, but like the soft gel case it offers a grip that should ensure you don’t drop your phone.

Most silicone cases also attract dust quite easily, but so far I have not seen one spec on my case and this is an advantage in itself. The less dust you get on a case, the less you will get on your phone. At $18 I would consider it value for money due to the quality materials used, but some extras are included. First up is a stand which attaches to the back of the case and lets you stand up your iPhone when it is not in use. Obviously it is difficult to charge the phone in this position, but if you want to leave it on your desk or read an eBook without holding the phone it is a nice extra to have. There is also a lanyard attachment which looks slightly strange at first. I wouldn’t carry a lanyard on a phone personally, but there is a screen cleaner built into it which works brilliantly. This attachment is now carried with me to work each day and helps to reduce dust and dirt which can lead to scratches on the screen, no matter how well built Apple says it is.

I actually prefer this case of the two which surprised me because I tend to like clear cases more. Both are very good value, but for me the Luxury Silicone solution offers good protection with some extra style which is what an iPhone 4 case should do.

My iPhone 4 cost me £570 which is equivalent to $888. The Soft Gel Case is equivalent to paying an extra 1% to add protection and the Luxury Silicone Case equates to an extra 2% on the overall cost. The iPhone 4 requires a case more than most mobile phones and so you may as well get one that is value for money and which adds some style to the experience. Either of these will do that.

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Luxury Silicone Case $18

Soft Gel Plastic Case $9