For today’s review we will be looking at an iPhone 5 case from a company called Tech21 whose product focus is impact protection for your mobile devices. They use a technology called Impactology, which is supposed to evenly disperse the energy from an impact. A material called D3O is the secret to their products is actually used by the military for its impact protection on the battlefield.

We will be looking at the Impact Snap with Cover Case for the iPhone 5. This is a minimalistic hardshell case with a leather front cover that protects the phone’s front screen while giving the case a more sophisticated appearance.

 

 

The product arrives in clear plastic box with the case visualized within. On the back is an image of the case along with a description of its features. A QR code links to the Tech21 website.

 

Opening the package we find just the case itself. Tech21 offers the Impact Snap with Cover Case in four colors – black, blue, purple and white. For our review we will be looking at the blue version.

The case is composed of a polycarbonate back that houses the iPhone 5. The inner portion of the case has two orange rubbery panels to secure the iPhone 5 in place and a honeycomb pattern in the center. Whether this is a structural implementation or just for design that is unknown.

 

 

Looking at the outer portion of this section we see off the left-hand side an attached leather flip cover. The case is open on three sides allowing access to the dock connector, speakers and headphone jack on the bottom, the volume and mute switch on the left-hand side and the power button on top. The right-hand side of the iPhone 5 is protected by the case.

On the back is an opening for the camera and flash along with the Tech21 Impactology logo embossed on the bottom.

The front of the cover is smooth leather with stitching on the periphery that is the same color as the case and cover. The inside cover is a velvety material with the D3O logo on the bottom.

Overall the Impact Snap with Cover case is a very low profile case for the iPhone 5. It only adds a slight amount of bulk to the phone’s form factor.

 

 

 

Specifications and Features

Impact Snap with Cover

Blue – iPhone 5

The Impact Snap with Cover for iPhone 5 is the ultimate impact protection case, integrated with D3O® and 100% Impactology approved thanks to our obsessive research and development.

With its minimalistic, yet revolutionary, hard shell polycarbonate casing, the Impact Snap with Cover simply clips on to the back of your iPhone 5 to provide high-impact protection. Meanwhile, an additional, leather flip cover protects the phone’s front screen. Access to all ports and function buttons are retained when the Impact Snap with Cover is securely attached to your phone.

What is impactology?

Originally devised in response to increasing customer demand, few have gone further than Tech21 in turning impact protection into a science. Our technology is testimony to the innovative scientific thinking and inspirational commitment that informs everything we do.
Impactology is a defining seal of approval, so you’ll know that when surrounded by one of our cases your mobile device, tablet or laptop has the highest standard of impact protection available.
Technological advances are never achieved by copying your competitors. Impactology makes a difference because Tech21 is the only brand dedicated enough to turn protection into more than just a veneer.

How does it work?

Impactology combines advanced science and pioneering innovation to deliver a unique, new level of protection for mobile devices, tablets and laptops. However, you don’t need to be a mad scientist with a PhD to see exactly how effective it can be.
It’s all about the molecules inside the revolutionary D3O Impact Material. In everyday use, the molecules flow freely, but upon shock or impact they lock together – absorbing the impact force and spreading the shock evenly across the surface of the material. That means your device stays in one piece, no matter how hard the impact!
What makes Impactology unique is the secret ingredient D3O Impact Material used within our designs. It’s composed of a non-Newtonian polymer with an intelligent molecular structure. So clever in fact, that it has been adopted worldwide by the military for its power in impact protection on the battlefield.
We call it IMPACTOLOGY …the science in protection.

Why do you need it?

A day without your mobile phone, tablet or laptop can have a dramatic effect on your life, business and livelihood!
Impactology was born through our passion to evolve with the ever-changing needs of our customers, who demand the best protection for their mobile electronic devices.
Only Impactology gives you this unique level of advanced protection. It’s the culmination of years of research, development and testing that, frankly, borders on the obsessive. We continually strive to find fault by stress testing, analyzing and looking for new ways to advance the levels of protection.
Through our dedication and passion, you’ll discover that the mobile electronics that add value to your day are always in safe hands with Impactology.

Price: $49.99

 

 

 

Installation of the iPhone 5 involves inserting the right edge of the iPhone 5 into the case and then pressing down. The four corners of the Impact Snap with Cover should lock onto the iPhone 5.

To remove the iPhone 5 simply lift the top left and bottom left corners of the case off the iPhone 5.

Once housed within the Impact Snap with Cover, the iPhone is securely in place while providing access to all of the buttons and controls.

 

The flip cover rests over the phone’s screen until you’re ready to use it. This cover flips all the way back keeping it out of the way when you are actively working with your iPhone 5.

There is plenty of room around the camera on the back of the case.

 

While the design of the case is elegant, I couldn’t help being reminded of an old school calculator when the cover was closed, while others may look at it as a small notebook.

In terms of protection, the Impact Snap with Cover provides plenty of coverage as all sides of the iPhone 5 are protected especially when the case is closed.

Having a cover also keeps prying eyes away from your phone when private texts or messages pop up on the screen. Also as a Smart Cover user on my iPad, I’ve becpme spoiled with the instant on and off features of that cover, unfortunately this case does not offer that feature, in fact no iPhone 5 cover cases do.

The polycarbonate back feels solid and looks like it can take a fair amount of punishment. The leather cover on the other hand is more prone to getting scuff and damaged, but the point of a case is to protect its contents, which is what the Impact Snap with Cover does.

Conclusion

The Impact Snap with Cover from Tech21 is an excellent compromise between style and protection. The case is low profile enough that your iPhone 5 still feels like a phone and not a large brick like some other cases.

I generally do not like iPhone cases with covers as I find they usually get in the way. However, the Impact Snap with Cover does an excellent job of making the cover feel unobtrusive.

If you are looking for a well-designed and solidly constructed iPhone 5 case then the Impact Snap with Cover is a pretty good option.

 

 

Pros:
+Good protection
+Protects screen
+Offers additional privacy

Cons:
-Cover does not lock down

Grades:
Overall
Design / Aesthetic
Value / Price
Performance / Usage

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