EXOvault exo2 aluminum iPhone case

EXovault makes metal iPhone cases in Brooklyn, New York. If that statement doesn’t grab your attention then you might as well stop reading right now.
With the majority of iPhone cases being made of hard plastics or grippy rubber materials, metals cases are something you don’t see every day. Metal, or other more exotic materials, might seem like an odd choice for an iPhone case, but when you consider that this is a $600 device that is spending just about every waking hour either on your person or a few feet away from you, it makes sense that some people might want to upgrade from the standard materials.
The exo2 case for the iPhone 3G and 3GS is available in either brass or aluminum. It’s a slightly modified version of EXOvault’s original exo case, which was available in brass, aluminum, or (for a short time) titanium. The exo’s metal venting at the bottom of the rear (so the case would not block the phone’s antennae) has been replaced with a rosewood insert. The combination of metal and wood means the ex02 has sort of a steampunk feel to it (especially if you opt for the brass) but clean lines and a few color options keep the case looking contemporary.
The exo2 uses a 2-piece design that features aluminum that has been CNC’d to perfectly fit the iPhone 3G/3GS. The aluminum itself is anodized with a brushed surface while the interior of the rear half has a vinyl sticker, which was probably put there to make the fit more snug and prevent the aluminum from scratching the iPhone’s plastic case. The rosewood insert fits precisely into the aluminum, with the two meeting at a fluted joint. The seam here can be felt, but the tolerances are very tight.
The two halves of the case are held together with four allen screws. With these tightened down the phone does not wiggle in the case at all and there are no gaps between the two halves. All the controls, jacks, ports, and sensors are available with the case on.

[Note: The iPhone was cracked before using the exo2]
The case’s design is very well done, but it’s not without its downsides. The most obvious of these is that the case cannot be removed without an allen wrench, something that most people don’t carry around with them. If you only put your phone in a case when you go to the gym or for a bike ride then the exo2 is going to require some patience. The use of metal as the case material has some inherent problems as well, including the blocky shape of the phone. So on the plus side your phone can now stand on its bottom or side, but it will be tougher to fit in tight pockets. It also loses any ergonomic shape the phone once had–the ex02 is a 119 x 65 x 14.6mm box.
Day-to-day the ex02 holds up really well. At under 50 grams the case is quite light, so while it adds size to the iPhone the additional weight is minimum. The brass version is considerably heavier. I did not mind the rectangular nature of the exo2 while holding it or talking, but all the right angles doesn’t exactly give it the most comfortable shape. The good news is that there are no sharp edges so there aren’t any uncomfortable sides or corners poking you. The phone’s reception was not affected by the metal case and I still had full access to all the ports as well as to the volume and silencer, though were were slightly obstructed.

Anodized aluminum is an ideal material for a phone case. It’s light and strong, and it looks great. This is what got me interested, and kept me interested, in EXOvault’s products. Titanium could be even better–it’s a strong, light material with excellent corrosion resistance, plus it looks great with a satin or brushed finish. That said it’s expensive and hard to work with, so it’s not an option any more. People that like a little bit more heft to their phones and that want to build up a patina over time should consider the brass, but the aluminum will be the best fit for most users.
Two quick things to point out before wrapping up. The first is that I did not drop test the case. It should be fine thanks to the sturdy aluminum and the strength of the iPhone beneath it, but there is no soft material to dampen the shock to the device. Aside from protection from a crushing force, there isn’t anything that makes me think that aluminum is a better choice than anything else out there. Secondly, my girlfriend was absolutely not a fan of the case. I only point this out to make it clear that the exo2 isn’t for everyone–my guess is that it will be a big hit with readers of this site, but you might get some weird looks when you pull it out on the street.
At $95 the ex02 isn’t an insignificant purchase. It’s still a small part of the overall cost of a replacement iPhone and it’s built to last, but you can spend a lot less and still adequately protect your device. If you want a well made metal iPhone or iPod touch case, EXOvault is the way to go. The exo2 addresses the issues with the original product, drops in a piece of hardwood, and delivers one of the nicest iPhone accessories on the market.