One of the dilemmas users of Apple products often find themselves in is how to effectively protect a product while retaining most of its aesthetics. Take for example the Macbook Pro. Lovely aluminum finish, but also very prone to oxidation issues on the wrist area. Is putting a Marware wrist rug worth the sacrifice of the laptop’s aesthetic? How ’bout an overall laptop hardcase? Only if it’s clear perhaps

This concern extends to just about any cool-looking gadget, and I found myself facing the same dilemma with regards to my iPhone. I ended up ordering an Agent18 Eco Shield, and I have to say, it’s one of the most balanced cases out there.

I say balanced because each and every case approach will have to compromise somewhere. Let me try to give a quick rundown on the different types of “protection available”

Film/adhesive

PROS: Normally, the cheapest, and the best choice aesthetic-wise, you still have the same thickness, and you obviously can see the phone in all it’s glory. No added bulk. CONS: Probably only deals with scratches… doesn’t really handle drops very well. As much as you take care of your phone, you will drop it at some point.

Silicone cases

PROS: Minimal added bulk. Look nice when new. CONS: Given enough time, they stretch, and are rendered useless. Hard to put in and out of your pockets (because of the rubbery feel).

Leather/specialty cases

PROS: Stylish to some extent… if you’re going to add bulk, might as well do it in style. CONS: The models usually are the pinnacle of added bulk. Multi-step access to your device (opening flaps, etc.)

Crystal cases

PROS: These are basically hardcases, but I separated them because they’re the only ones that can retain the “look” of the phones. Easy to store and take from pockets. CONS: Added bulk, and in some cases, unless the phone is absolutely secure (meaning not moving inside the case) it can scratch your phone.

I was supposed to get a clear crystal case as well, but going through the reviews, the plastic case rubs at the chrome plating around the iPhone and scratches it.

Hard cases

PROS: Maximum protection. CONS: Maximum bulk.

That’s not entirely accurate. I guess the more the protection (especially when factoring dropping stuff) the more bulk it entails.

What now?

Obviously the way to approach this is to find a balance. What I really needed was a case that doesn’t warp in shape (eliminating silicone), could withstand a fall without denting anything (eliminating clear film) and wasn’t too thick (eliminating any specialty case)

So I decided a hardcase was for me. ‘Twas an easy enough decision to end up with; now the hard part – find a hardcase which didn’t add so much bulk.

Agent18 to the rescue! Here’s the “bulk” it adds:

Impressive is it not? How about the thickness?

Surprisingl, it’s still thinner than an XDA Atom without any protection!

Now here’s the iPhone inserted into the case.

That’s pretty darn sexy if you ask me.

This is probably he only drawback I can see. While I’m sure they consider this a “feature” (to be able to dock the phone while in the case) the “padding” is virtually non-existent at the bottom… the speaker and mic are flush (or even a bit protruding). You can imagine that dropping this thing bottom first can be quite an unnerving experience. Especially for me, since I don’t like using docks in the first place (I just use the standard iPod cables)

Other than that, the pictures below show how much “slack” you really have. So dropping the phone at any angle (save the bottom) will hit the case and not the phone.

There’s even enough “room” for the screen. So even if it falls flat on it’s face, it’ll hit the case, not the screen… unless there was a protruding object in the floor.

Overall, this is a very well thought-out case. It’s hard, amply padded, not bulky, and sexy. Only thing lacking in it was to actually include a free screen protector (which you don’t really need, but I’m getting one either way). That and the whole “dockable” feature it has.