When Patrick first wrote about the Xylo Touch-Thru (T2) case a few weeks ago I was intrigued.
While I have used (and liked) a number of cases that place a soft membrane over the screen of the iPhone, this case claimed to place a solid layer of protection over the screen while continuing to allow full access to, and use of, the touch screen.
I wondered if it really worked.
Did it live up to the hype?
For a full review and a chance to win one of your own read on…
California-based Ivyskin has produced a case that works as advertised. It completely surrounds the iPhone, including the screen, with a hard shell while maintaining all the touch-functionality of the wonder-phone.
The iPhone Xylo comes in Original clear, Reflect Chrome, Raz-Red, Jet-Black, Royal-Blue and Modena-Yellow.
The company describes their product in this way–
Xylo Touch-Thru© (T2) case by ivyskin is the first of its kind to provide a hard screen shell over the iPhone. This German designed material is second to none on the market today! Enables you to navigate the iPhone’s screen with the hard scratch resistant shield. ivyskin has designed and manufactured the all new T2 case© from scratch by using the latest technology available in crystal case manufacturing. Another breakthrough from a company that always thinks outside the box. Surface Xylo Wave (SXW)© technology passes ultrasonic waves that pass over the touch screen panel and transfer them to the iPhone’s screen without any interferences. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. This change in the ultrasonic waves registers the position of the touch event and sends this information to the iPhone’s screen for processing.
The cases come nicely packaged. Included with the case is a small wipe. This is important since the case looks and works best if the iPhone’s screen is perfectly clean when placed into the case.
I must admit that I was skeptical about the whole “touch-through the hard shell” concept. When I first unboxed the cases I became even more skeptical. Having used crystal cases with a number of my prior phones my experience was that they looked great at first but were scratched garbage within weeks or even days. I’m happy to report that I’ve been using (and intentionally abusing) one of the review cases for over a week and there isn’t a mark on it. It is one TOUGH case!
The case comes in two parts that easily come apart when you want them to but fit together tightly the rest of the time. I can imagine that this might loosen over time but I have not experienced that at all. The iPhone slips easily into the front part of the case and the back piece slides on and locks securely in place without a problem.
I had previously been using the Incase Slider Case. I loved its sleek, form-fitting design that provides protection without sacrificing the iPhone’s look and feel. The only problems with it are that it does not provide any protection for the screen and it results in the screen having a slight recessed feel since the case created a “ridge” around it in order to hold it in place. Don’t get me wrong, I love the case and was happily using it when the Ivyskin cases arrived for review.
Once I started using the Xylo T2, however, I was sold on it and it has become my case of choice.
It too surrounds the iPhone with protection while not sacrificing the phone’s sleek look and feel. The cutouts for the speaker, mic and controls are perfectly placed and the screen doesn’t feel recessed. There is a tiny ridge around the face of the case where the screen-protecting material and the body meet but it is far less pronounced than the one on the Slidercase.
The most remarkable thing about the Xylo Touch-Thru Case, however, is that it also protects the screen AND the screen continues to work as if there were nothing over it. The first time you use it almost think it is a magic trick or some pixie-dust has been sprinkled on your iPhone. It shouldn’t work… but it does. In fact, my iPhone has a “permanent” screen protector on it and IT STILL WORKED through that additional layer!!
I should note one down-side, however. While the iPhone can be charged and synched while in the case, it cannot be cradled unless you remove it from the case. It is not difficult to do but if you do plan on cradling the phone on a regular basis be prepared for this slight inconvenience.
In all, I really like this case. It offers 360 degree protection in a light, nice-feeling case that allows you to use the iPhone as if there were no case on it at all. In fact, I like it enough that I plan on getting one of these for my 3G iPhone once I upgrade. (Hopefully in the next few weeks!)
Pros-
Good looking
Full protection
Sleek
Well Made
Durable
Phone ports and switches line up perfect.
Touch-Thru Screen Protection Really Works
Cons-
Cannot Cradle While In The Case
Not Inexpensive For A Case
The cases retail for $34.99 – $39.99 and can be ordered directly from Ivyskin or other retailers.
You an also get one by tuning in to JustAnotheriPhoneChat this Monday night at 11pm Eastern time. That’s right– we’ll be giving a iPhone Xylo T2 Red-Raz Case live!
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