Ozaki iCoat Backbone – Slim and Sexy

Star Rating: 7.5/10

The Ozaki range of products is one that I’m starting to take a lot more notice of in recent times as I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing a few of their products now. I’m glad to say that the iCoat Backbone can now join the list of positive reviews.

The iCoat Backbone is a single layer case with a silicon edge and a solid polycarbonate back plate. The sexy part is that the rear of the case is coated with an additional layer of shiny faux wood that looks like a cross-section of a tree trunk, showing all the beautiful whorls of growth rings. Very pretty but obviously much better protection than a slice of wood!

In addition to the aesthetic appeal it has a more practical feature built in as well – a pull out stand that allows you to prop your phone up on a flat surface in landscape orientation to watch videos etc. Personally I didn’t use this feature a lot but I have a sneaking suspicion that’s because I watch videos on my iPad. For those who don’t have that luxury the built in stand is going to be a real bonus, particularly when sharing the screen with friends who are watching too.

The iCoat has port holes in all the right places and a very responsive button layer over the power switch. I note that the instructions tell you that you may wish to remove the case when using the camera for night photography but I tested it with a number of night time photos and never had a problem.

One of the things that surprised me about this case is that despite its incredibly slimline design (it almost feels like you don’t have a case on compared to what I’m used to with my Capsule Rebel) it still offers a relatively good degree of protection for such a basic case. Not that I’m going to drop it off a 5 story building or anything, but if I were to drop my phone when out and about I think there’s a good chance that it would come away unscathed, particularly as the silicon edge overlaps the front screen preventing scratches when it’s face down.

Pros

The iCoat definitely gets points for sexy. It’s a really good looking case that is gender neutral and gently understated.

I’ll also give it points for the stand. It’s a convenient little feature that doesn’t get in the way when not in use or add any major bulk to the case. It feels very solid and quickly and easily clips in or out.

Cons

Personally I do prefer a slightly higher level of protection from a case but I am keen to stress that I would still be OK dropping my phone with this case on. I wouldn’t however like to see it come into contact with much dirt/dust or any water.

The only other point to make is that the glossy faux wood back plate does start to show wear quite quickly. If you’re like me and often have it sliding around on a desk or other flat surface you’ll notice this even sooner.

In summary this case has a nice balance between aesthetics and practical protection and would suit both guys and gals. If you’re looking for style with a level of basic protection and/or use your phone to view videos and slideshows a lot, this is definitely the case for you.