review: Incipio 1337
February 2, 2010
iPhone users have seen their share of full-on gaming “cases” with such large protruding handles that the result looks more like an xBox controller than an iPhone case – and while such products do enhance the iPhone gaming experience, they’re not exactly going to fit into your pocket. With its 1337, Incipio attempts to split the difference by building in a pair of backside grips that are large enough to matter but small enough that it still be used as a carrying case in a practical manner.
In my tests with the 1337 (and yes, those “tests” consisted primarily of playing games on my iPhone), I found that my meager gaming skills did seem to improve slightly. Perhaps more importantly was that I was able to play longer before my hands grew tired, thanks to a far more ergonomic grip than if I were playing with my iPhone in a flat-backed rubber case or no case at all.
As a case, the 1337 is nothing special, but it gets the job done: a choice of several colors, and the inclusion of a pair of screen protectors are the highlights. It fit in my pocket okay, even with its pair of backside protrusions, but if you wear tight pants you might not feel as enthusiastic about the prospects.
If I were sitting down for a serious iPhone gaming session, my weapon of choice in theory would still be Marware’s Game Grip or Tunewear’s Game Handle. But as neither of those has any hope of coming close to being portable, if I were choosing a product that could serve as a realistic carrying case and improve my gaming experience, Incipio’s 1337 would be my winner. It’s a compromise product, as is usually the case when one product is attempting to do the job of two, but it’s a well done compromise.
Learn more about Incipio 1337 at MyIncipio.com
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