Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 - accessory review

Talon Hard Shell Case adds some color and fun to your iPhone 4 for under $10!

If you don't like the mostly drab black and bumpers and cases Apple is giving away, the Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 is a great way to add a little color and fun for under $10. It isn't anything fancy -- you can't throw your phone into a wall and expect it not to break (I would never try that anyways) -- but when it comes down to a nice colorful case without shelling out over $30, this is it.

Read on for more detail!

The overall appearance of the Talon Hard Case is pretty slick. It's clean and simple. It doesn't stick to the inside of your pocket or add too much bulk to your phone. But on the flip side, since it doesn't have much grip, it may make you more susceptible to drop your phone or for it to simply slip out of your hand. Mine almost did at work the other day. This is where a compromise between silicon and hard cases are nice. They add grip but not enough to where you have to have someone help you rip your phone from the inside of your pocket.

Another nice thing about the Talon Hard Case is the fact that it comes completely around the top of the phone (refer to pictures). I like this because if you set your phone face down, or Steve Jobs forbid it, drop your phone face down, it's less likely you'll do damage. Just setting it down, you'll be just fine.  This case also allows easy access to all ports and controls on the phone without a fuss, which is nice.  I know some cases are a little too thick or narrow and I've had a few where when I'd go to charge my phone, the charger would fall out easily because it wouldn't go in all the way.  This isn't the case with the Talon, the charger fits in the port nicely.

The only thing I've noticed about this case that I really don't care for is how difficult it is to pull it off. The easiest way I've found was to put wedge a fingernail in between the top left corner of the case, once you get that loose, work your finger carefully to the right on the top of the phone, then you should be able to pull it off. I always have a tendency to do this over a bed or soft surface so if your phone comes flying out of the case, you don't damage it. I made the mistake of removing a Speck hard shell case over our granite kitchen floor once. I was extremely lucky my trusty 3GS sustained no damage when it tumbled from the case, but I can't say the same about my heart, as I'm pretty sure it stopped for a brief second.

Overall, if you're waiting for the perfect case, or just can't decide where to put your money at but want something to put your mind at ease, it's a $10 bill well spent. Talon Hard Shell Case for iPhone 4 are available in 3 colors (based on stock and availability of course); pink, blue, black, and purple and you can pick them up now in the TiPb iPhone 4 accessory store.

If you've already picked this up, let us know your thoughts as well!

(As a side note, a day after writing this, I dropped my iPhone 4, with my Talon Hard Shell case on it. Not on carpet my friends, but on a granite kitchen floor.  I was attempting to let both the dogs out, had the little one in my hands while trying to grab the big dog's collar, all while opening the door.  Well the iPhone 4 got dropped.  It made a pretty loud smash on the floor. I was terrified to take the case off.  Well, once I worked up the courage, I was pleased to see there was not even the tiniest blemish on my phone.  For $10, that's a deal!)

Pros

  • Creates an edge around the screen to protect the screen from damage
  • Cheap -- under $10!
  • Comes in several colors
  • Stays on well and doesn't lose form
  • Doesn't add bulk and fits in a pocket easily
  • Easy access to all ports and controls on the phone

Cons

  • Unusually hard to get back off the phone
  • A little "too" slippery, a little grip would have been nice

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Allyson Kazmucha

iMore senior editor from 2011 to 2015.