Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 review
The Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 adds some color, some texture, and some design tweaks to make one of the hottest cases of last year just that much hotter!
Design wise, the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case is just as the name describes -- barely there. It's about as close a fit and slim a case as the materials and laws of physics allow. The new colors, silver, black, pink, red, and gold are really nice looking, and as always all the ports and buttons are cut extra wide so you don't have to worry about your 3.5mm headset jack or dock connector fitting. I tried it on both a black and a white iPhone, both the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S, and it looked absolutely amazing on both.
Now because the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum is such a slim and fitting case, and while they say it's impact resistant -- and show a picture of a hammer hitting it to drive the point home! -- you're not getting the same level of protection as you would from a bigger, bulkier case. It will, however, stop any scratches, bumps, and light impact along the back and sides. It also doesn't protect the front, and there's no screen protector included, so if that's a concern you'll need to pick up a BodyGuardz, InvisibleShield, or similar product separately.
Also, you need to know what you're doing to remove it, especially if you're a girl and don't want to break a nail. I flipped it over and peeled the volume-control side off first, the popped my iPhone out. It took some practice to get good at, but if you plan on putting it on and leaving it on, you won't need to worry about it much.
Overall I really like the look and feel of the Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. I've always been a fan of Case-Mate's Barely There line, and their metallic finishes, and this one is no exception. If you're looking for something that's stylish and sophisticated, give the Case-Mate a try.
Giveaway
Would you like to win a Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 of your very own? Wait, why am I even asking? Of course you would! Just leave a comment below telling us why this would be the perfect case for you. We'll pick a winner, and you'll get a case!
Giveaway starts now and ends December 29, 2011 at 9pm PT. So what are you waiting for? Enter now!!
Senior Editor at iMore, psychotherapist, 2x Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, co-host of iPhone & iPad Live and ZEN and TECH.
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I don't know why there aren't more cass made of aluminum. But looks like Case-Mate has me covered, so to speak. I'd love to have one of these awesome cases!
I would love to win this. This would really make my iPhone 4S look totally cool!!!
Slim, sexy & sleek. Would love this case..thanks.
I have been searching for a stylish case, and this is it.
This would be the perfect case for me because I said so.
I would love to have a "weekender" case like this beautiful specimen of brushed aluminum. My Otterbox defender is a little bulky in my pocket for the weekend.
I love the clean look of brushed aluminum, my favourite texture!! Merry Christmas to everyone and hope I win!!
This would be perfect for me because I hate bulky cases but like to have some protection for my white 4S. And (bonus!) it comes in pink!
It would be the best Christmas gift for my white iPhone. I already bought a gift for my Macbook Pro and this would complete my Christmas gift list. Thanks TiPB! and Happy holidays!
In case Santa comes through (I'm on both lists this year), I'll need a slick new case for my iPhone4. Plus, I'm a big fan of aluminum. Thanks for the review, iGeorgia.
Cheers, Scottt
Would love a shot at winning this case.
I would love to win this case as I normally hate cases but this one looks cool!
Santa did not gave me anything this year ):
Why because ir's soo purrty of course.
I would love to win this case to make my sexy 4s look even sexier (just don't tell my wife
)
Almost looks better than no case at all, plus safer!
I want this case because I'm a fancy person with a fancy phone that needs a fancy case. Fancy!
It would be the perfect case for me because it would protect my phone in which has no case lol. Children had to get gifts 1st!
Would love one of these, since I am rocking no case, because I prefer the no case look, but the Barely There is actually one of the few designs I like for day to day cruising. If we get the choice, I prefer black or silver. Thanks for the opportunity TiPb, you guys rock as always. And thanks to Case-Mate for such an awesome product.
I've pretty much had it with bulky cases, but you do need something for at least some protection (why, oh, why didn't you make an aluminum back to the 4S, Apple?). This might hit a good compromise.
Would love it for my wife's iPhone. Her otterbox commuter broke. : (
Yeah, my commuter cracked. Otterbox is supposed to be sending me a new one since I've only had it a couple of months.
I love the look of the aluminum cases - so sleek and high tech and the color is so much richer than you get with plastic or silicone. Definitely would enjoy one of those.
Oh, pick me! These cases are awesome!
I so want one
this is an awesome case and i would like one in another color to add some variety.
Huge fan of the look, got to assume the aluminum case will be more scratch and nick resistant than the one I am sporting today (won't disparage the brand I rock now).
I should win because I have children and they hate my nice things.
I alternate between a Mophie JuicePack Air and nothing ... a slim case like this would be better than nothing.
Like the black and silver styles ...
I've been looking for the best slim iPhone case, and I've spent more than I wanted to already. I would love to try this case, it was one of the ones I was looking into getting.
Love the look!
I have this case in silver it looks great and it is indeed barely there. The one thing I would note is in my experience its actually not easy to take off at all but you do have easy access to all the ports so its not a big deal. Ultimately I preferred more of a matted case to prevent my phone from falling out of my pocket so I'm now rocking a Case Crown Glider Slim which I love.
Other than wanting a new case because mine just broke. Its aluminum. Its sleek, not going to have a brick when i put it in my pocket. Its overall just a great case.
I'd like one!
this would actually be a great case for my mother's new iP4S.
Looks like a nice slim case.
I would love this case because I love the aluminum look as well as the super slim and slick design.
I've had an alluminium Case-Mate case and gotta warn you guys, they are terrible - prone to bend, diminish wifi and cellular reception and tend to scratch the phone. Keep away, not worth it for even free.
Agreed. I use a $5 bumper (actually it was free thanks to TiPB) and front (no glare) and back (crystal) skins from powersupport. No bulk, lots of drop protection, and still looks good.
Happy Holidays
I'd love one. I would rather have a bare phone but i don't want to take tha chance with my new IPhone.
I need one because I waited and waited for a white iPhone 4 nd finally got the black. So now I need cases so I can pretend my iPhone is white underneath.
I've seen a lot of aluminum cases, haven't seen one like this. Plus created by a company that offers sleek and durable cases. Case-Mate Barely There Brushed Aluminum case would be perfect for my wife, since she is one of those people who tosses her phone from place to place lol
I'd like to get one to try.... Thx!
I love the thinness of the bare iPhone but I am already starting to see scratches popping up on the back of my device... this case in combination with my anti-glare screen protector would be absolutely perfect
I've been on the hunt for a good, attractive, minimal case to protect my new 4S. I believe this fits the bill! Thanks for the opportunity. d
I believe it would be the perfect case because I have one and it is awesome!!! I would like another one but in the red or any color.
Aluminum is so cool looking.
I've been searching high and low for a good quality case for my iPhone. It's about time that I find one that not only is sturdy but not an eye sore. My previous experiences with barely there cases is that they either crack under the strangest circumstances or they are an eye sore. But this barely there brushed aluminum case is not only sturdy but is one of the most appealing cases to the eye.
This would be great for my wife. Our puppy ate her Otterbox Defender. The iPhone survived, ultimately, but the case is a goner. That's an endorsement of Otterbox and a reminder to keep phones in safer places all at once.
I like barely there, it is what it claims to be.
Love the minimalist cases and this one is all aluminum. Wow. I'd like it in black.
Because I never win! All these years entering tipb giveaways I've come to expect not winning. Please Georgia change this awful pattern.
I have to say that brushed aluminum look is a thing of beauty. I would like something different from the usually rubber, plastic to try something different. I like that it gives a "barely there" feel. I'm liking the color also.
This would be the perrrrrrrrfect case for me since I'm getting an iPhone in a couple of days and I need a case to keep it safe and snug
This would make a great post-Christmas present for my wife.
I've been carrying my phone around in the original box to keep it protected. It's really stretching my pockets out, and sometimes I miss calls trying to get it out of the packaging before the ringing stops. One of these would be much better.
I just love the lOok of brushed aluminum.
I love the sleek look of the case. Also, I am case-less right now.
I usually keep my phone causeless but it needs some sort of protection.
Minimalistic style is what I'm looking for in a case.
This is a classy case. I would love it.
I'm just looking for a nice compact and form fitting case that leaves the options open for carrying out the day to day functions of work, rest and play without dealing with the bulking cases that impede the usage.
I would love to have this case. Not only would it benefit me it would you also. Everyone of my friends have iPhones and once they see mine they would surely order.
Indeed, this case looks classy. I would like one, please :] Preferably silver!
I'd love to get one of these!
I have no case for my phone and i am to broke on account of christmas yo buy one
I've been enjoying my iPhone naked but I guess it will look just as sexy wearing a Case-Mate Barely There.
I would love this case, my current one is the Griffen double case, but it hides the phone and I kinda hate it now that I have a white one.
I love the aluminum cases so it would be hard to decide if I would keep it or give it to my girlfriend.
My otter box is getting tired...
This would be a perfect case for me. I use a holster, and the bigger cases do not work.
This would be a great work-week case so I can still have some protection and be able to drop into my speaker dock, then I could switch back to the OtterBox Defender for the weekends!
I have a purple one that I love and have been eyeing the hot pink one. I love how this case does not add extra bulk to the phone.
Because I hate my current case and want a slimmer one and one that can dock for my speakers.
I've had my bulky otterbox for a year now on my iPhone 4, time to make a new years resolution and loose the weight!
I love the look of brushed aluminum, and it would be great to finally have a different case than my wife so I know which one to pick up when they are both on the table.
Nice nails.
I too like the look of brushed aluminum.
Wow it's So beautiful will surely change standard look of iphone to unique and awesome one.
Perfect for my wife, Small hands butterfingers McGee.
I would love to have this amazing case because it is just what I have been looking for. I have been searching for a case with the same qualities in all the countries I have visited till now and even at my home city but it was always a disappointing failure. I have worked so hard to buy my iPhone and I would really like it to be special and this case will do the trick and more.
Thanks
Free is good.
i like to use this new case
I would love this case because I have been looking for something different that doesn't add a lot of bulk to the phone.
Like to win one
because i'm accident prone
I'll give it a go!
I never had an Aluminum case, so i wanna give it a try
It's perfect for me cause I work outdoors on the railroad and that will help if it falls
this would actually be a perfect case for my wife. She doesnt like have bulk on her phone and its a great durable case (i used to own one on a 3gs). And since she loves her white iPhone4, i know she would love to keep it in great condition.
this is a perfect case for my phone cause, be the first to have this unique case in my crew of 40
I would love to have the red case! It is such a gorgeous color! And i need a pop of color!
It would be perfect for me because I LOVE pink!
I'd like to give it a shot!
I could use one of those, my bumper has about had it and my otterbox impact has outgrown my phone.
I used to have the Barely There for the 3GS (with the mirror like screen protector). It was awesome and I would love to have one for my new 4s! Thanks TIPB for doing this!
Gary P
I'm a big fan of barely there & like the look & feel of a minimal case!
I love cases without much bulk - i'd like to try one of these!
No bulky cases for me! I love cases that cover the back and sides only. I don't like hitting walls when I swipe!
I would love one!
I want this case because spent all my Christmas money on my fiancee and i don't want to drop my iPhone and break my back glass again
Perfect for me, because I don't like cases.
It's the case for me, because I don't like cases.