The lightest iPhone 4 case is definitely the Hovercoat from monCarbone. It weights in at 8 grams, and that is a weight increase of only 5.8% paired with your iPhone 4. The case alone is feather light in my hand, and I am quite perplexed that any material can cover so much estate at such low mass.
monCarbone is all about carbon fiber. They make just about anything out of the material: wallets, pet bowls and money clips to name a few. Needless to say they understand, and master the material. That is evident in the super tight fit of the Hovercoat. Once on the phone it melts into one, and it is hard to tell whether it is a integral part of the phone or not.
For protection the Hovercoat is limited to back, and side protection. There is no protection at all for the sides around the screen, and no screen protection at all. The protection it offers for the back is strong, and it can withstand quite hard impact without cracking.
The grip is slightly improved when compared to the naked phone, but not comparable to silicone or rubberized hard shells. There is added friction either making it just as prone as the naked phone to fall off uneven polished surfaces.
I am not too familiar with carbon fiber, but I understand that this is a feat of both production skill and design. The back of the case features a holographic effect that varies as you move the phone around. The case looks expensive, and that is a good thing as it is really expensive. At $59.99 it is definitely the most expensive hard shell iPhone 4 case I have encountered. The price is worth considering to those not wanting a case at all, as this case is more or less invisible. It does add back protection, and a small amount of grip.
To me the level of protection is too limited in the Hovercoat, and I would have liked it to extend further on the sides, and making a small lip around the screen. It is a special luxurious feeling using the case though that comes from the fact that it weighs in at 8 grams, and looks like a million bucks.
Final Rating
Hovercoat at monCarbone.com $59.99. Available in two finishes: Glossy and Matte.
