Hot off the boat this month is a range of iPhone 3G/3GS cases we’ve not seen in this country before. Brought into New Zealand by Playtech, the Shield brand of cases arrive just in time to quell the fears of all those new iPhone 3GS owners fretting about scratching their beloved toy.

Made of durable hard plastic, the case snaps onto the iPhone quickly and easily and the fit is perfectly snug — not once during our testing did the Shield look like moving, let alone fall off.

The texture of the case is matt and provides plenty of grip while the design is svelte enough not to detract from the sleek form factor of the iPhone itself — something many other cases fail to do. Openings are provided for the camera lens, the volume controls and the top and bottom of the iPhone are full accessible. There’s even a hole that shows off your Apple logo.

The only downside to the compact design is that the front edge of the case is lower than the surface of the screen, meaning the screen is the first thing to come in contact with the floor or desk when placed (or dropped) screen-side down. However, many iPhone cases we’ve tried that have raised edges can actually interfere with operation of the touchscreen, so in our books the trade-off is worth it.

Available in eight colours including a clear plastic finish, the Shield costs $48. If you’re buying an iPhone from Playtech at the same time, they’ll sell you one for $29. Well worth it.

9/10