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SwitchEasy NUDE iPhone 3GS case - 1st day impressions.

I HATE bulky iPhone and iPod cases. I always have and always will. Why cover a wonderfully engineered device like the iPhone, making it as bulky as devices from 5 to 8 years ago?! Yes the iPhone can scratch so you only have a few options to protect it without making it bulky.

I bought this “NUDE” case to replace the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD iPhone back protector I had been using on my iPhone 3GS since I got it. I’ve been using invisibleSHIELDs for years now and while their skins work great, they just tend to start peeling-off after 5 months to a year depending on use… In ZAGG’s defense, they do have a great lifetime warranty that covers peeling, it just gets annoying having to replace them every few months.

Pros: I really do like that the NUDE is only slightly thicker than a protective film like the invisibleSHIELD (maybe as thick as 2 invisibleSHIELDs) but doesn’t have any adhesive or way to peel-off from normal use. It’s very sharp looking and covers at least as much of the iPhone as the invisibleSHIELD. It also still fits great in my Incase Folio case I wear on my belt (I’ve got enough in my pockets already).

Cons: The top and volume buttons are a slightly harder to press (no really an issue). The NUDE shows fingerprints as or worse than a naked iPhone, however it does wipe clean easily. It’s also a little more slippery feeling than the invisibleSHIELD so it might be slightly more easily dropped. It also seems as though the NUDE will scratch a bit with normal use. On close inspection I already see a few hairline scratches after just a day of use.

The NUDE also comes with 2 film screen protectors. I have not yet swapped-out the invisibleSHIELD I have been using, so I can’t yet comment on the quality. However they do seem very similar to the screen protector I’ve had on my PSP for years now without any peeling or damage.

Update 2010-05-25:

5 days in the NUDE case is holding-up well. Only annoyance is the noticeable fingerprints and oils, but as I mentioned it wipes clean easy enough. A slightly textured/matte version of this case might actually be a cool idea.

I’ve had one of the included screen protectors on my iPhone for a few days now and I’m quite happy with it. I really like the smoothness that the invisibleSHIELD lacks, it gives the screen a brighter and cleaner image and better feel for touch. Oils and fingerprints are less noticeable, and wipe off easily. It’s also quite easy to apply too because it’s a stiff film that doesn’t really bend or trap bubbles.

I did however scratch the screen protector a bit while putting it on with the included cardboard “squeegee” for removing bubbles… I’d suggest just using the polishing cloth under your fingernails to remove bubbles. It also had a sticker tab attached to show what side is witch and a way to handle the screen protector without touching the adhesive, while useful it was a pain to remove and left behind some sticky residue that needed to be removed with rubbing alcohol.

It is already showing some hairline scratches when the screen is off and in the right light, but I don’t think normal wear will cause any unsightly scratches. It’s also nice that there is an extra included for when the first screen protector wears-out.