Reviews and Articles

Just because Apple never made colored iPhone parts doesn’t mean you can’t find good ones if you know what you’re looking for. If you have an  iPhone 4  and you want to swap out the standard Apple black or white backplate for something more colorful — like red or blue — it can be a challenge to find the best, high quality parts. Backplate swaps especially are an easy  DIY  project, but you want to pay careful attention to the supplier, the materials they’re using, the specific model of iPhone 4 you’re ordering for (AT&T/GSM is different than Verizon/Sprint/CDMA), and that you have all the tools you need for the job. Only order iPhone 4 parts from a reputable supplier Make sure the back is made of glass, not plastic As tempting as it can be to order colored parts on eBay or Amazon because of the low price tag, keep in mind that it’ll cost you more to replace your iPhone 4 if faulty parts cause something to go wrong. Spending a couple extra bucks fo...

Carbon fiber’s popularity in iPhone cases may be attributed to the material’s toughness and low density. After all, part of the appeal of the iPhone is that it’s so slim, so a lightweight protective material is all the more attractive. Check out these three luxury iPhone cases and you’ll see why they’re some of the most expensive iPhone cases in the world. Case-mate iPhone 3G/3GS Carbon Fiber Leather Case $49.99 This luxury iPhone case is made with a rare leather—mainly used in high-end aftermarket cars—covering an impact resistant molded shell. The exclusive case is available only in black and includes a screen protector. Case-mate iPhone 3G/3GS Carbon Fiber Leather Case/Holster Combo $79.99 Made with the same rare leather as their slightly-less-premium case above, this is Case-mate’s finest iPhone case. In fact, it’s available only for a limited time. Once their supply is gone, that’s it. The case also comes with full face screen protection and a holster made of the sa...

Why not spend some money to protect your precious iPhone? These luxury iPhone cases are made from carbon fiber, Tuscan leather, mahogany, ostrich skin, alligator skin and even gold embellished with diamonds and have prices ranging from $180 to over $100,000. 10. Ultra Case Luxury Edition Royal Crown – $179.99 The enormous, heart-shaped artificial crystal affixed to the back is this case’s claim to cost. It also features a stunning array of Swarovski crystals topped with a jeweled crown that will let everyone around you know who’s in charge. This case isn’t for anyone who values a slim case, however, as the decorations make the encased phone at least half again as deep as the phone itself. 9. SGP Ott-Paint Ultra Thin Limited Edition Gariz Case – $249.99 This case, created jointly by Gariz Design and United SGP Corporation, is beautifully painted with Ott, a special chemical paint that is not only flame retardant and heat resistant but also waterproof, mothproof, antisepti...

Just got a new iPhone? Congratulations! Now it’s time to decide if you need a little something extra to go along with it — a case to protect your investment, Bluetooth for wireless phone calls or music, headsets for wired, batteries and chargers to get you powered, and cables to keep you connected. There are lots to choose from, enough to personalize your iPhone just the way you want, but if you’re having trouble deciding, we asked TiPb’s editorial staff to pick some of their favorites. Check them out, after the jump! Cases Cases come in all shapes and sizes, from the full-on armor of Matt’s favorite, the  Otterbox Defender  to the barely-there  BodyGuardz skin . If leather is your thing, check out Jeremy’s pick, the  Sena Elega Pouch , or if your prefer silicon like Leanna, try the  iSkin SoloFX . And if you want to combine a charger into your case, James still loves him his  mophie Juice Pack air . Bluetooth If you just want a Bluetoo...