Carved Satellite Series iPhone Cases Shine with Natural Beauty
The Satellite Series from Carved showcases natural wood knots and burls swirled with resin. The resulting pieces resemble satellite views of the earth. These cases are not painted or printed with their designs. Carved takes leftover pieces of wood that are too gnarled to use in their solid wood designs and repurposes them into something new. They combine the wood bits with different colors of resin to make the case solid, stable, protective, and just plain cool.
The Satellite Series cases are available in a rainbow array of colors, and three different case styles. The Traveler Case is what I chose, because it is the most protective. It has a black rubber bumper that goes all the way around the phone and has a lip over the surface of the screen. The Satellite Series cases are also available in Matte Black Slim or or Clear Slim styles, which are not as protective but have a slimmer profile.
The Facts
What I Liked
This case wowed me right out of the box. It’s just gorgeous, and it’s not like any other case I’ve seen. I chose the Arlena case, where the wood has been dyed purple, and the resin is blue and plum. There are currently 28 different colors and styles from which to choose, so there is bound to be something for everyone. It does look like it could be a picture of someplace on Earth, photographed from space.
I like the Traveler style case. It’s a bit of a trade-off, while the Slim cases are indeed thinner and less obtrusive, the Traveler is more likely to protect the iPhone in the event of fall. There are button covers on the Sleep/Wake and volume buttons, and precision cut-outs for each of the ports, speakers, and the camera. The edges are textured for a more secure grip. The case is easy to take on and off due to the flexibility of the rubber bumper. The fit and finish are flawless.
What I Didn't Like
Over time, the case does develop some wear and tear. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks and have picked up some small, shallow scratches. It feels more like patina than damage, but it is something worth noting. While I appreciate the protectiveness of the black rubber bumper, it does detract slightly from the satellite design. The price may be prohibitive for some people. This is not what I’d call a bargain case.
Bottom Line
If you’re in the market for an iPhone case that is utterly unique and special, the Carved Satellite Series is worth checking out. The Carved products are high quality, beautiful, and made in the USA. If the satellite look or the black rubber bumper is not your cup of tea, it’s still worth taking a look at Carved for your iPhone accessory needs. The Satellite Series cases are available for any iPhone from the iPhone 5 to the current models for $54 on the Carved website.