Krusell's Luna Mobile Undercover case only protects the back of the iPhone 4

07.08.2012
Krusell, a mobile accessory brand based in Sweden, makes a stylish alternative to your typical, bulky iPhone 4 case: the $27 . With a lightweight polycarbonate shell and man-made leather backing, this could be the case for you if your lifestyle demands fashion over maximum iPhone protection.

The Luna is easy to put on your iPhone and comes in a variety of colors, including dark brown, light brown with tan, black, red, or sand. This case is for the iPhone 4 only; it doesn't quite fit the iPhone 4S.

Although the shell is a little too lightweight from my taste, the design provides adequate protection for the back of the iPhone. The case keeps the corners of your iPhone covered in the same polycarbonate exterior, which is a plus; When dropped, most damage seems to be inflicted on my iPhone's corners (at least for me), so I rarely consider buying a case that doesn't protect the fragile corners of my iPhone.

The most interesting aspect of the Luna is the attention to detail on the back cover plate. Sure, the shell itself is pretty standard, but the man-made leather covering and detailed stitching is a nice touch. The only thing I would leave out is the raised plastic logo; it sits on top of the faux-leather surface like a blemish. Perhaps a subtler brand representation, like a burned-in engraving, would be more inviting. As it stands, the raised logo will keep your iPhone from sitting completely flat on any surface.

As with many shell cases, the top and bottom edges of the iPhone are completely accessible. This includes the headphone jack and noise-canceling microphone on the top, and the speaker, microphone, and 30-pin dock connector on the bottom. The benefit here is that there is no need to be concerned with whether or not your dock-cradle accessories will be compatible, as all of them will fit. The side of the Luna has pre-cut openings for the volume buttons and the Ring/Silent switch.

Even though I enjoyed the attention to detail demonstrated with the leather and stitching, I was disappointed by the raised logo and lightweight feel of the case. It's true that the polycarbonate shell will provide very basic day-to-day protection. However, the major focus of the Luna Mobile Undercover is looks, and for some, that's enough.