Agent 18 is a group “nerdy engineers” that are dedicated to digital device protection. They offer cases and other protection for iPods, iPhones, Zunes, PSPs, DS lites, and even Bags. Today I’m going to take a look at two of their offerings, the iPhone Shield and the planet-friendly EcoShield, also for iPhone.
There is a lot to like about these cases right from the start. The packaging is visually nice, but even more importantly…it’s easy to open. I can’t tell you how much I hate getting cases, cables, and just about anything else that comes in clear plastic, and having to whip out a pair of surgical scissors to cut through the packaging.
The Agent 18 packaging features a perforated area on the back of the packaging that you can simply slip you fingernail (or what have you) into and pop right off. No scissors need.
The cases themselves just slide right onto your iPhone. The first thing you’ll notice if you compare the two is that the EcoShield is a bit thinner than the iPhone Shield. When I first pulled these out of the package, I though the EcoShield was going to be flimsier than its clear plastic counter part.
After I had them both on, though, they both feel very solid on the iPhone. The iPhone Shield is slightly thicker than the EcoShield, and it is noticeable in your hands. Since I don’t normally have a case on my iPhone if I’m going to adopt one, I want it to be as thin as possible, while still offering protection.
While the EcoShield is thinner, the iPhone Shield is definitely going to provide extra protection from drops and falls. The iPhone Shield also does a better job of locking together than the EcoShield. The EcoShield stays on just fine during use, but if you want to remove it, you simply have to pull on both sides of it and it comes right off. The iPhone Shield requires a little more squeezing, which gives it a more secure feeling.
Knowing how much we Apple fans like to show off the company logo, the back of the iPhone Shield exposes the Apple logo so that the world can be sure that you’re holding a real iPhone, and not some crazy knock-off.
The EcoShield, on the other hand, is a solid back that has a picture of a tree pressed in where you would normally see the Apple logo. I assume this is because not cutting that hole in the case is more eco-friendly.
Bottom Line
After having recently dropped my iPhone in a parking lot, I can see how a case could be helpful in protecting the slickness of your iPhone – but for a case to be useful it’s going to have to compliment your iPhone, and not get in the way.
Both the iPhone Shield and the EcoShield from Agent 18 do this very well.
I prefer the EcoShield because it is slightly thinner, and it just feels a little less bulky when you’re holding it. The iPhone Shield, however, will most likely provide slightly better protection from drops and falls because of that shock absorbing thick(er)ness.
I highly recommend both of these iPhone cases. They are priced at $24.95, and you can find them at Target, Apple Stores, or online.
5 thoughts on “Review – iPhone Shield and EcoShield iPhone Cases from Agent 18”
Ouch you dropped it on concrete :S Thats my biggest fear with my iPod. Only downside for me is if it lands and slides on it’s back its going to be scratch city, population: me.
Have you continued to use one of these cases since this review was written? I ask because I have read some customer feedback on other sites that indicated the cases leave scratch marks on the back of the phone. Has this been your experience? Also, did you try docking the phone while in the cases? The packaging for each case indicate that they are dockable. Are they?
I work in a store that sells these products and would like to give accurate information to customers who ask about them. Since I don’t have an iPhone myself I can’t test them for myself. Thanks!
Yes it does scratch the back of the phone… Real bummer.I liked it up untill this happened.