One of the things I love about the iPhone ecosystem is the multitude of choices in the marketplace for cases, skins, and other items to change the look of the device.  The iPhone accessory market is no doubt one of the largest for any device.  A couple of months ago, I changed my phone to match a white look with skins from Lucky Labs, iCarbons, and the SGP Ultra Thin Air case.  

Today, I am going back to black with a new combination.   This time, it's (once again) a nice case from SGP called the Linear EX in silver and red.  The Linear EX has been on the market for the iPhone 4 and 4s for some time now.  It's basically a take on the Apple bumper but with more options.  I chose the Mix-and-Match series which allows you pair different color top and bottom pieces to create the look you want.  The satin silver and red appealed to me so I went with that combo.  The Linear EX is also offered in styles with a back plate cover as well.  Speaking of the back plate, I chose to go with a skin.  My buddy Darren showed me the Ghost Armor matte black skin on his iPhone and I instantly knew I wanted it on my phone.  The matte back is great for resisting fingerprints and gives a classy sheen to the back of the phone.  I combined the Ghost Armor with the Linear EX and the results are below.  

Once again, I keep thinking, "is this the last color/case combo that I will have until the release of the next iPhone?"  Hmmm, maybe.  Or maybe not.  With that being said, I really like this look and feel and as always when I change the look of my phone, it always feels a little like a new device. Until the next time, that is. 

SGP Linear EX Mix and Match Case - $19.99

Ghost Armor Matte Skin for iPhone 4/4S - $19.99

Yeah I am fickle.  I don't always use a case on my iPhone 4s but when I do, I want the least bulky option available.  I have always been a fan of SGP (now SPIGEN) cases and have usually been very happy with their case quality and asthetics.  On a whim I decided to shed some of my side iCarbon skins and go with a new SGP Ultra Thin Air(UTA).  The case has always been a favorite of mine offering some amount of protection and very little bulk.  It just feels good in the hand and gives the razor edge 4/4s form factor a bit of a curved and more comfortable feel.  Another great feature of the UTA is the volume cutouts on the left side of the case.  The cutouts for each volume button are rounded and resessed such that your finger (usually your thumb), feels comfortable pressing each button.  Nice touch, no pun intended.  

I purchased the white pastel version that looks great with my front iCarbon skin.  The pastel version is a glossy plastic that does not feel overly slippery or uncomfortable to hold.  As with my past experiences with the UTA cases, the fit is very tight with no creaking.  I have decided to keep my back skin on to keep the white on white look thru the UTA's back cutout.  Even with the back skin on, the UTA fits just fine.

As with most of the thin, snap-on type cases on the market, the UTA offers no real protection on the top and bottom of the case.  But to be totally honest, it would take a severe drop directly on either the top or bottom to damage your outer band.  The UTA does have a small lip that extends over the phone on the bottom, top, and sides to prevent contact from being made.  The lip on the sides of the phone give the case a lay-on-the-table design so you don't have to worry about putting the phone screen side down on a table.   

Overall, the SGP Ultra Thin Air offers mimimal protection in a great form factor. That's exactly what I want in a case and as such, is the reason why I continue to purchase them for my iPhone 4s.

The Ultra Thin Air is $21.99. You can find it and other great cases at the SPIGEN SGP store. 

Link

To be totally honest, I have been a black iPhone kind-of-guy since getting my first iPhone 3g.  I prefer black on my iDevices (my wife has a white iPad 2), but I finally succumed to the white phone craze (well not totally).  To satisfy my "white" craze I went ahead and ordered a white full body skin for my iPhone 4s from The Lucky Labs.   Unfortunately when the package arrived this evening, it only contained the back skin (pictured below).  One quick call to customer service rectified the situation as the front piece will be shipped out tommorrow.  While it's a little disappointing, it is good to see that The Lucky Labs customer service was quick to resolve the issue and make good on their mistake.  

I think I am really going to like the full body skin as opposed to the white iPhone proper for the contrasting white-on-black look.  The black outline and home button give the phone (IMHO) a nice, classy look.

Update:  While on vacation, I came across a Ghost Armor booth in a Ft. Lauderdale mall. Being the impatient chap that I am, I decided to purchase the front white carbon stickers that The Lucky Labs did not originally ship. I applied the Ghost Armor stickers and have completed the front and back look that I originally wanted.  When I returned from vacation, the Lucky Labs stickers came in the mail.  Now I have a spare set of stickers.  Oh well.