Macenstein

Given how many iPhone case manufacturers there are out there, I guess it’s not too surprising that I hadn’t heard of Seidio until a few of their iPhone 6 and 6 plus cases showed up here at the lab for review, but I must say I am impressed, particularly with their Surface cases. But let’s take them one at a time…

SURFACE

Available in 2 models (and for both the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus), the Surface ($34.95) and Surface Combo ($49.95) are not cheap, but they have thus far proven to be quite durable, and look brand new after over 3 weeks of use, which is more than I can say about other cases. The the only difference between the two models is the Combo comes with a best clip holster, which as many of you know, I am not a fan, so it’s nice you can order the no-clip model and save a few bucks. (And speaking of bucks, for some reason the holster for the iPhone 6 model costs $5 MORE than the holster for the iPhone 6 Plus version… go figure. Another reason to hate belt clips).

Available in eight colors (but oddly, not white) the Surface is a 2-piece case with a slide-in design, meaning the top and bottom pieces lock with a seem about 3-quarters down the back. All buttons and ports are accessible, but also exposed, so this is really a case designed to keep your iPhone from getting scratched, more than protecting it from a fall while rock climbing or from sand at the beach. But for an every day slim case it excels at what it does. The soft-touch material Seidio uses in its cases feels great, and it not overly slippery despite being smooth. It’s just thick enough to keep the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus’ camera lens from hitting the table when laid flat. And there is a very nice (and not-cheap feeling for once) fold out kickstand for use when in landscape view. The stand has a magnetic latch to keep the stand flat when not in use, and it works well. I have actually found myself using the kickstand a few times and like the design of it, although for some reason I always wanted it to open the OTHER way, so the iPhone’s home button would have been on the LEFT side when in landscape view. I’m not sure there IS a right way to hold the iPhone though, so I can’t fault them, but that’s just the way my charging cables seem to be positioned on my desk.

There is no screen protection included, other than the case DOES raise the screen off the surface of a desktop. Other than that, it’s a case, and not too much else to say other than the usual “I wish it were $10 cheaper” that can be said about most cases. The Surface is my current “daily case” for my iPhone 6 Plus, and will remain so until a worthy contender attempts to dethrone it.

Price: $34.95 (no holster model) $49.95 (holster for iPhone 6 Plus) $54.95 (for holster model iPhone 6)
Pros: Slim, built-in kickstand, feels great in the hand
Cons: A little pricey, VERY pricey for the holster model, no screen protection

DILEX

I only received a Dilex for the iPhone 6, but there is a 6 Plus version which seems to be slightly different, as it has a circular cut-out for the Apple logo on the rear. The iPhone 6 version does not, and I prefer that personally. I like the Dilex slightly less than the Surface, and I’m not entirely sure why. The Dilex is also a two-piece case, however this is the more common “rubber case that snaps into a harder shell” design. The harder shell is also made from the soft-touch material, and the rubber inside has a hexagonal pattern stamped into it, designed to help cushion the iPhone in case of a fall. Over all this case is thin, and I’m not sure it provides any more drop protection than the Surface, although there are 2 indentations on the back that might provide a bit more grip than the all smooth Surface. Aside from those indentations, the main difference between the Surface and Dilex is the later has its buttons covered in the rubber portion of the case, so only the Mute switch, and bottom ports/speaker are exposed. The Dilex has the same magnetic kickstand as the Surface, and is available in the same 8 colors. There is also no screen protection here.

The Dilex also comes in a model with a holster ($54.95), and without ($34.95), and I think Seidio needs to find another holster supplier, because that’s a big price hike on an already somewhat pricey thin case for a piece of plastic.

Price: $34.95 (no holster model) $54.95 (for holster model)
Pros: Slim, built-in kickstand
Cons: Pricey, VERY pricey for the holster model, no screen protection