EXOvault EXO8 case is a true work of art
Here at T.i.A. we do a lot of case reviews mainly from the popular mass produced case companies, they are for the most part low quality, plastic cases. This is a review of the EXOvault brand ofiPhone case. EXOvault is a name you may not of heard of before, but if you want to be in a class of the elite when it comes to a case for your iPhone, then I suggest you get familiar with them. The cases are designed and created in Brooklyn, New York by artist Amelia Biewald and Jonathan Schipper. They make a point to express that they’re interested in producing a low-volume, high-quality product that will not lose it’s intensity and uniqueness.
We reviewed the EXO8 model of the EXOvault lineup, it is created from a solid piece of billet aluminum giving it a square ultra modern look. The EXO8 is an eye catching case, people constantly mistake it for another type of phone because the EXO8 actually changes the look of the iPhone 4 rather than just looking like a protective case.
The front of the case has a perfect cutout for the screen, and two cutouts that perfectly allow normal function for the proximity sensor, speaker and front facing camera. I found that when swiping the screen from page to page and moving apps around, the screen cutout did not get in the way, it was real smooth as if there was no case on at all.
The back of the case is a solid piece of aluminum smooth to the touch, the camera and flash is neatly left exposed. I had no issues with the quality of pictures with and without the flash when the iPhone was in the case. The whole assembly is also ridiculously light, adding nearly nothing to the weight of the iPhone.
The top of the EXO8 is open to allow for access to most aftermarket headphones, the bottom of the case is cut out proportionally allowing for most styles of charging cables. You will not be able to use the standard dock for the iPhone when in the EXO8 case but removing the iPhone 4 is simple and painless.
The side of the case is completely open on both sides, allowing for easy access to the volume controls, mute switch and sim card if you needed to access it. Even with the sides of the case open the “death grip” associated with the iPhone 4 was not an issue. It is designed in such a way that there is just enough case to prevent the hands from making full contact with the antenna.
The hinge work is great, nice and smooth, you won’t even feel like it is a hinge style case until you have to remove it, it is very solid. The EXO8 is a magnetic locking mechanism that is extremely effective. During our testing of the EXO8 the case never opened unexpectedly, the magnets are VERY strong.
The inside of the EXO8 is smooth and lined with a material that prevents any metal on metal or metal on glass, the case is well thought out and designed with a tremendous attention to detail.
We tested the EXO8 with the white iPhone 4 and an anti-glare screen protector installed, the fit was perfect with absolutely no complaints.
The quality of the EXO8 case is superb, the fit and finish and attention to detail is second to none. The only issue we had with the case was a reduction in signal strength. This was only a problem when I was in a low signal area, it would drop a two bar 3G signal to one bar and a one bar 3G signal to edge and “searching”. In a full strength area there was no issue at all. 90% of the time i’m in a full signal area so the case worked perfect for me, but for those of you barely getting a signal or have spotty coverage, you may notice reception problems.
While my case was the raw aluminum style, they do also make the EXO8 in black, gray, bronze or brass; the last of which will run you a tad more than the standard $115.
Be sure to check out EXOvault’s entire lineup on their website here