Written by: Jason Kresge, Photos by: Joanna M. Kresge
Typically, product reviews for smart phone cases relate only for that specific phone, however some companies adapt their one product across numerous devices – the Incipio Silicrylic is one such product. Today we’ll be looking at the Incipio Silicrylic on three devices; the HTC Droid Incredible, the iPhone 3G, and the iPhone 4.
The Incipio Silicrylic is a two-part case – the inner layer is a durable silicone, while the outer layer is a plastic shell. In theory, this gives you the benefits of each style of case. The silicone offers better shock absorption, but the plastic cases offer better looks (due to being molded to any design), and a better fit in the pocket due to not gripping the cloth. The Incipio Silicrylic, and other cases like it, such as the Seidio Active, manage this balance very well. You truly do get the better shock absorption from the inner silicone layer, and the better pocketability of the plastic shell from the outer layer. We’ve also seen from companies like Speck that an outer shell can be made to look attractive with the Candy Shell line as an example. However, you do lose some utility, as the Incipio Edge line is a two-piece where the bottom third slides off to allow for docking when needed. You can’t get this functionality on a two-material case.
So, how does the Incipio Silicrylic stack up as a case? It is durable, very durable. Even though the silicone feels thin and flimsy compared to other silicone cases, and the plastic shell is an ultra thin skeleton, both parts seem to last. My wife has used the Silicrylic on her iPhone 3G since 2008. The case’s reliability caused her to buy again for her iPhone 4, as well as caused me to consider it for my HTC Droid Incredible. The one knock that we both have is that the plastic case has a matte layer that can chip. Unlike the peeling of the Seidio Active, however, this is only noticeable under close inspection.
We put the Incipio Silicrylic through rigorous testing.
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