By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
There's an apparently endless selection of cases for the iPhone 5 and it isn't easy for new products to truly stand out. The Acase Citta is a featherweight slide-in case for the iPhone 5 that does a great job at protecting without adding much weight while adding good grip and allowing easy access to all buttons and ports.
The Citta features a unique side slide-in design that perfectly contours the iPhone 5, safely cradling and protecting it without adding bulk. Its sleek design features an interlocking diamond textured back that provides visual depth while increasing grip. While it is made of polycarbonate composite, it feels quite sturdy and molds perfectl with the iPhone 5's shape.
The Citta measures only 1.63mm thick and can be easily installed by sliding the phone into position. Once in place, its combination of metallic fiber and polycarbonate material protects the iPhone 5 against everyday dangers, including bumps, drops and scratches.
The iPhone 5 is an object of beauty that's finely crafted and designed to be enjoyed without a case. But the harsh reality is that day-to-day use of any device will wear on specific parts. In the case of the iPhone 5, it is the delicately machined chamfered edges that usually chip and get frayed.
The Acase Citta slide-in case protects these chamfers by covering them completely. I also like how it provides a ridge around the iPhone 5's screen which give additional protection by distancing the display from any surface you put it down on.
The cut-out design, which allows you to slip the iPhone in from the side, is trully innovative. Most cases require some flexing around and nudging before you can pop or snap the iPhone in securely. Not so with the Acase Citta which allows you to just slip in your iPhone and it fits perfectly and snugly.
The design and functionality of the Acase Citta slide-in case works particularly well for the iPhone 5 since it is rectangular and has not protrusions. I hope Acase makes similar cases for the BlackBerry Z10, the HTC One and the LG Optimus G, all of which have a similar monolithic design.
Before the Acase Citta, I relied on snap on cases for the iPhone since these were light and managed to proctect the device. The Acase Citta is better because it covers more of the iPhone 5's corners, front and back while adding very little weight. Design and quality of construction are well executed overall.
In terms of texture, I like the grip provided by the Acase Citta and they also have a very attractive selection of colours that are unusual and rather elegant.
Acase Citta comes in black, blue, dark blue, pink and silver; and is now available at Amazon and http://www.apluscase.com.tw/ for $24.99.
Rating: 5 out of 5