Review: NuGuard KX iPhone 4/4s/5 Case
An iPhone will be dropped-
They aren’t cheap and with the glass front/back of the iPhone 4/4s, the body of the phone is notorious for cracking easily when dropped.
A case is the classic solution for this problem. They range from bumper cases, aluminum cases, plastic and so on. The goal is to find one that looks good, provides protection, and doesn’t add bulkiness or weight to the phone.
Newer Technology Inc. and OWC have launched the NuGuard KX- a military grade iPhone 5, 4/4s case that fulfills all three of our goals.
The NuGuard KX case is available in 8 different colors: Roulette Red, Darkness, Midnight, Eagle Shield, Trooper, Buzz, Rose and Nubar Forest.
We got the dark blue Midnight edition for our iPhone 4s.
Protection
The NuGuard KX, which retails for $35, is made of “X-Orbing gel” that was specifically designed to absorb and evenly distribute kinetic energy.
X-Orbing gel was tested to be “Quanta Labs certified to withstand Shock Test Method of the MIL-STD-810G U.S. Military Standard.”
The testers dropped an iPhone from 20 feet high, along with many other tests. Multiple videos are on the product page. These test results simply mean piece of mind for any owner.
X-Orbing Gel is demonstrated by Quanta below:
Here are some basic specs for the case:
For iPhone 5
-
2.6″ wide
-
5.15″ tall
-
.48″ thick
-
1.10oz
For iPhone 4/4S
-
2.6″ wide
-
4.8″ tall
-
.55″ thick
-
1.10oz
Both:
- Fast and simple install takes only seconds
- Easy access to all ports and buttons
- Cross hatch texture design offers secure hand grip, yet easy pocket/purse removal
- Backed by a best-in-class full replacement Lifetime Warranty
- No Risk, No Hassle 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.
Look and Feel
The case itself weighs next to nothing at 1.10oz but still feels very sturdy. The gel body of the case is flexible enough to make the install simple but it also feels like a hard and reliable rubber.
The inside of the case is a type of microfiber lining perfect for holding the iPhone.
The case is only .55” inches thick.
This is a one piece case designed to withstand abuse. Most cases scratch, attract dirt, or require heft and bulkiness to achieve this amount of protection yet the KX avoids these faults.
Our one gripe with most cases extending above the actual screen is dirt gathering around where the case meets the screen. This is common and the only solution with other cases is to expose your screen.
Our case color stood out nicely, and was a nice change from the usual black cases. The 8 colors offered ensure anyone can find a suitable colored case.
The cases material kept its promise of easy handling. It was easy to hold without fearing it would slip, and it does well on most surfaces.
We can even say the physical buttons are easier to use with this case holding the phone. The ports weren’t to covered or had flaps to unfold, instead the case was tightly designed around them leaving just the right amount of room for access.
With OWC and Newer Technology you know what you are getting out of the box. The 30-day money back guarantee is a welcome addition as buying cases online runs the risk of getting a cheap “made in China” rip-off of popular brands.
We personally ran into this problem where cases are advertised to contain certain materials and ended up with a flimsy substitute.
The one thing we wish Newer Technology would have included is a screen protector as most cases include one now.
Overall the KX is lightweight without losing protection and still maintains style. The color options are gorgeous and our midnight case looks very sleek.
The case was designed with a perfect mix of durability, usability, and looks.
NuGuard KX is a perfect case for your iPhone 4 and above and it easily gets our ABT editor’s choice award.
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