I recently upgraded to the iPhone 6s after my 5c succumbed to the all-too-common screen shatter (it was my fault for temporarily removing my case). So when I purchased my new Apple device, I decided it would be foolish to ignore the danger of my sweaty, cumbersome hands.
Still scarred from the destruction of my beloved iPhone 5c, I opted to invest in an iPhone 6s case by the highly-regarded LifeProof. While my LifeProof NÜÜD model was practically indestructible, its bulky protective housing was unattractive and proved to be challenging to handle with just one hand. When the opportunity to test out a more compact case arrived, I jumped at the chance.
Enter the Nodus Shell case for the iPhone 6s. I won’t lie -- the first temptation to review this case arose from its stunning, sleek appearance, not its functionality. The Nodus Shell is crafted in the U.K. from premium vegetable tanned Italian leather and comes in three colors: yellow, ebony black or chestnut brown. The first two do fine, but the latter looks like an accessory James Bond would equip, and I was tired of rocking a standard black case.
Even after a month of use, the Nodus Shell still smells of rich mahogany with a hint of new brogues. The surface also remains smooth, and my palm still glides across it (which is not always good). Overall, there’s a real sense of luxury here. You certainly get what you pay for (about $70), and it’s nice that Nodus doesn’t brand their cases with obnoxious markings other than a faded Octopus logo. Even then, the odd creature’s presence feels elegant and endearing.
But the Nodus Shell exterior isn’t completely flawless. The slim, polycarbonate core certainly reduces the breadth of your phone, but also leaves a feeling of vulnerability. I wasn’t convinced it’d be safe to toss my phone to the ground. But it survived falls on more than one occasion, including a tumbling collision with my nightstand. The impact from that accident was enough to slice an inch-long laceration into the side of the case. The incision is not too noticeable -- it sort-of molded back together over time -- but it’s shaken my confidence when I ponder the effects of a more serious impact.
Just like other forms of leather, the Nodus Shell is susceptible to wear and tear. There are prominent scratches on the back of my case. I’m still deciding whether or not I like this. It does add character, but it also adds concerns over the durability of the Nodus Shell. It covers the iPhone’s three side buttons - sleep/wake and volume -- but the slender design means they don’t really protrude so they’re difficult to click. The ring/silent switch is well-protected, but can be troublesome to flip if you have large hands, like me.
Despite the delicate leather finish, the Nodus Shell does a great job protecting my iPhone thanks to its six-sided protection which prevents the screen from coming into contact with the ground. My phone remained unharmed after a face down drop. As long as the Nodus Shell itself doesn’t break, your phone should remain shatter-proof.
The Nodus Shell’s open cutout for the iPhone’s camera and ports also work perfectly fine. It doesn’t seem to affect picture quality, WiFi or bluetooth, and I’m especially a fan of keeping the speakers completely uncovered. My LifeProof case was so guarded that sound quality was distorted at the cost of total security. The Nodus Shell believes both are possible.
An extra bonus feature of the Nodus Shell is the addition of a magnetic “micro dock.” The small, square N52 magnets are allegedly the “strongest in the world,” and Nodus guarantees that its shielding technology prevents the magnetic field from disrupting your iPhones apps and features. Let me just be honest and say that I have never actually used the micro dock outside of trial attempts during the month my iPhone has worn the Nodus Shell. It worked well enough, and if you have a need for the feature then it should deliver.
On the whole, the Nodus Shell is a solid case worthy of everyday use. It’s extremely stylish and, just like a nice watch, is bound to earn a few envious stares and compliments. There might be a few questions to be asked regarding its price and durability, but the investment should be well worth it so long as you’re not the type to drop a phone ten times a day.
