As you may already know, I'm testing out an iPhone 4 right now instead of my BlackBerry.
I think I'm going to keep it, but since it's a much more delicate device by comparison, I've been dreading the need to buy one of the overpriced “iPhone cases” that are on the market from both first and third-party manufacturers. — Companies are making an absolute fortune off of this design-licensed molded plastic! Prices average $20 USD to $30 USD or more for a lightweight shield with a “soft-touch” coating. 😒
At first, I purchased a green “bumper case” from Apple for fun ($29 USD of fun, that is 😑), but was pretty disappointed at the frustrating design flaw with recessed ports that it reintroduced from the original iPhone. To plug the phone into any sort of third-party connector with a slightly different shape or depth, the case must be removed. — So, not only was this case discolored by my jeans within days, but it had stretched to not really fit the phone anymore from removing and reinstalling it a few times! Yikes. 🤬
Since I'm jumping in-and-out of Zipcars and can't replace the cable in each and every car in advance with an Apple one (should they have even been compatible in the first place), this was an obvious “no-go.” — This case only supports Apple-sized dock and headphone connectors, and nothing else! 😱
So, I instead ordered a black “Incipio Feather Case” from Amazon, and just returned the bumper case to the store. — The feather case is super minimal, doesn't block the ports, and while not bulky… it still offers some modest drop protection. I wish it didn't have the Incipio logo on it as prominently, but since the case is a dark color, it doesn't show much.
Also recommended: cheap iPhone car chargers are like $5 USD on Amazon! — BlackBerry stuff is even cheaper, but can you believe that AT&T Stores sell the equivalent of these for like $30 USD or more? 🤔
… I guess it makes you wonder what Apple's profit-margin on the “bumpers” must be. 😅