The answer – GelaSkins.

What are GelaSkins?

GelaSkins are very thin protective covers that are made specifically for your iPhone.  They are made from a strong vinyl that can be removed from your phone without leaving any messy residue behind and are currently for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Gelaskins for iPhone

The artwork for the GelaSkins comes from over 100 artists including contemporary designs by Keith Haring and Nanami Cowdroy as well as some of the more traditional works by Van Gogh and Monet. As well as making your iPhone look good, GelaSkins protect your phone. They cover all of the back of your phone and will stop it from getting scuffed and scratched during everyday use.

Gelaskins cover all of the back of your iPhone

I’ve always been a fan of the iPhone 3G InvisibleSHIELD Full Body protector as it they it doesn’t add extra bulk to the iPhone and as it’s see through it your phone still looks like an iPhone, but when I saw the GelaSkins I was torn between the two. The InvisibleSHIELD covers more of the phone, but can be fiddly and time consuming to fit, where as the GelaSkins add a bit of personality to the phone and can be fitted in less time with less hassle.

Fitting the GelaSkin

Fitting the GelaSkin is quick and easy. Unlike the InvisibleSHIELD that requires you to spray your phone with a solution to help it stick to your phone, you just peel it from the backing card and carefully place it on your phone. One of my biggest pet hates when fitting this type of accessory is dealing with any air bubbles under the surface. GelaSkins avoid this problem as they have a slight honeycombed texture that prevents air bubbles from forming during installation.

Before you start fitting your GelaSkin it’s important to make sure that the back of your phone is clean and free from dust as this could spoil the look of your GelaSkin.

1. Carefully remove the skin from the backing paper, taking care not to stretch or crease it.

Remove GelaSkin from the backing card

2. Carefully remove the circular cut out for the iPhone Camera lens.

Remove camera cut out

3. This step is probably the most important as if you don’t get it right it you’ll have problems. You need to align the camera cut out with the chrome ring around the camera lens. The hole is precision cut and is the same size as the chrome ring. When it’s positioned correctly you shouldn’t really be able to see any of your phone’s back cover through it.

Align with the back of your phone

4. Once the camera is aligned you can smooth the rest of the skin onto your phone. The skin is designed to prevent air bubbles, but I’d still use the side of your finger to smooth out any bubbles as you press the skin onto your phone. Once the back is in place, press the sides onto your phone carefully, making sure that you don’t get any creases.

Smooth the back and sides

5. The curved back of the phone might cause the skin to have some small creases around the camera lens and the corners. These should easily disappear by pressing on them with your thumb. If they don’t go straight away don’t worry, as the skin tightens on your phone these will fade.

Check for creases around the camera and corners

That’s it! All done. If you want the matching wallpaper for your phone, you can download and install the GelaSkins iPhone App (iTunes link). You’ll then be able to browse their entire catalogue and download the corresponding wallpaper direct to your iPhone.

As GelaSkins only cover the back of your phone you might want to invest in a d3o iBand Case and an iPhone Screen Protector -  especially if you’re prone to dropping your iPhone.  The d30 iBand is a protective case that covers the edges of your phone, but still leaves the front and back on show.

iBand d3o leaves the skin on show, but protects the edges of your phone

GelaSkins are currently available for the Apple iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS and our sister site, Gearzap.com, offers a range of laptop and netbook GelaSkins.

The iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS are still the most desirable touch screen handsets available and despite all their competition the iPhone is still seen as the ‘must have’ phone. If you’ve already got one, then you’re going to want to keep it safe from knocks, drops and scrapes. A case is the best way to do this, but with such a wide range of cases, skins, crystal cases and silicone cases available choosing the right one can be quite tough, so I’ve been through all of the cases that we sell and here are our top 10 cases for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

1. Piel Frama Case for iPhone 3G & 3GS

This case is easily our most popular Leather Case for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.  It is hand made from premium leather and designed specifically for the iPhone.  As well as protecting your phone, the Piel Frama case has storage space for Bank/Credit cards and cut outs that allow you to use your headphones and charger while your iPhone is in the case. A detachable belt clip lets you chose between carrying it in you pocket/bag and your belt. Piel Frama also produce a Windscreen holder that can hold your iPhone securely in the car without having to remove it from the case.

Piel Frama Case for iPhone 3GS

2. iPhone 3GS Cleaning Sleeve

This is a universal carry pouch that has been designed specifically for touchscreen devices. It has a soft microfibre lining that cleans away smudges and fingerprints every time you put your iPhone in or take it out. Your headphone socket remains accessible so you can still listen to your music while its in the pouch. The Phone Cleaning Sleeve is available in Pink, Black, Purple and Brown. The design of the Pouch is plain on one side and chequered on the other.

iPhone Cleaning Sleeve

3. Alu-Leather Case for iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS

Alu-Leather cases are made from high quality leather and aircraft grade aluminium to provide a tough case that looks great.  The case is specifically made for the Apple iPhone and has cut outs on the back for the camera. The fold down cover on the case has space for 2 bank cards, and has an inner layer of aluminium to protect your screen against impact and crush damage. No other leather case can offer this much protection for your screen.

Alu-Leather Case for iPhone 3GS

4. iPhone 3GS & iPhone 3G Orbit Flex Case by Krusell

Krusell make some great cases, and the Orbit Flex range is one of their most popular.  They are designed specifically for touchscreen phones and allow quick and easy access to your phone with out adding any unneccesary bulk.  They have a soft touch lining that helps keep your screen clean while its in the case. All Krusell cases work with the Multidapt range of clips and mounts so you can find the right mounting option for your phone.

Krusell Orbit Flex for iPhone 3GS

5. SwitchEasy Capsule Rebel Case for iPhone 3GS & iPhone 3G

The SwitchEasy Rebel Case is available in a range of colours and consists of 2 parts, a tough silicon skin to prevent scratches and a polycarbonate ‘exoskeleton’ that protects your phone agains knocks and scrapes.  Included with each of the Rebel cases are 2 screen protectors, a stand that supports your phone in landscape mode for watching videos, and adapter for the Apple Universal Dock that lets you sync & charge without removing the case, a rubber dock connector cover and a cleaning cloth.  The Rebel Case was highly recommended in a recent review by iLounge.

SwitchEasy Rebel Case for iPhone 3G

6. Bugatti Leather Case for iPhone 3G & 3GS

Bugatti make a range of stylish leather pouches, most of them are universal and will work with most phones.  This one though is made specifically for the iPhone.  It’s a strong, rigid leather case that you slide your phone into. The top of the case remains open and cut outs on the sides make it easy to grip your phone and remove it.  The Bugatti logo is embossed on the rear of the cover, so showing off your designer case won’t be a problem.  The case doesn’t cover the screen though, so if you want to protect it, you’ll need to invest in an iPhone 3G screen protector or an InvisibleSHIELD.

Bugatti case for iPhone 3GS

7. InvisibleSHIELD for iPhone 3G & 3GS

Technically this isn’t a case but it’s not just a Screen Protector either. Not only does the tough protective film cover the screen of the iPhone, it also covers the back. Installation takes a little bit longer than a normal screen protector, but the end result is well worth it.  It covers almost all of your phone and will withstand the toughest of scrapes.  The InvisibleSHIELD has a matte finish with a non slip feel to it. It is great at repelling fingerprints and reducing reflections and most importantly doesn’t affect the sensitivity of the touch screen. As the InvisibleShield doesn’t add any extra bulk to the iPhone, you can use in in conjuction with most iPhone Cases and Skins.

InvisibleSHIELD for iPhone

8. iPhone 3G & 3GS FlexiShield Skins

The back cover and chrome bezel of your iPhone might start to scratch or get damaged if they’re not looked after.  FlexiShield Skins for the iPhone are thicker and tougher than standard Silicone Cases and will certainly give your iPhone more bounce if you drop it!  It has a non slip feel to it and covers all of the back of the handset, leaving the camera free for you to take your photos.  It doesn’t cover the screen though, so you’ll need to invest in an iPhone 3G screen protector if you want to prevent your screen from getting scratched.

FlexiShield Skins for iPhone 3GS

9. OtterBox Defender for iPhone 3G

One of the new features of the iPhone 3GS was a built in Compass, great if you enjoy outdoors activities such as camping, hiking etc.  If you do enjoy these kinds of activities and want to take your iPhone with you, then you’ll need a case that will keep your phone protected in some pretty harsh environments, and that’s exactly what the OtterBox cases do.  They are a triple layered case that will withstand serious knocks.  They consist of a clear membrane to protect your screen, a high impact polycarbonate shell that wraps around the iPhone, and surrounding this is a strong silicone skin that absorbs bumps and shocks. This is one of the toughest cases available for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

OtterBox Defender for iPhone 3GS

10. iPhone 3G ToughGuard Shells

ToughGuard Shells are similar to Crystal Cases, but they are much more robust. Rather than being made from clear plastic, they are made from a more flexible, energy absorbing polycarbonate. This means that the case is unlikely to break or shatter if you drop your phone and will divert impact damage away from your iPhone. ToughGuard Shells don’t cover the screen, so I’d recommend using an iPhone 3G screen protector with it. These shells are a secure fit to your phone and are more suited to people who want to put a case on their phone and leave it on permanently.

ToughGuard for iPhone 3GS

If you’ve not seen the case here that’s right for you, take a look at our full range of iPhone 3G Cases, or leave us a comment below telling us what you want in the way of a case!