iLoungeiLounge
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn RSS
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn RSS
    iLoungeiLounge
    • News
      • Apple
        • AirPlay
        • iCloud
        • iTunes
        • HealthKit
        • HomeKit
        • HomePod
        • iOS 13
        • Apple Pay
        • Apple TV
        • Siri
      • AirPods Pro
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • Rumors
      • Humor
      • Technology
        • CES
      • Articles
      • Web Stories
    • iPhone
      • iPhone Accessories
    • iPad
    • iPod
      • iPod Accessories
    • Apple Watch
      • Apple Watch Accessories
    • Mac
      • MacBook Air
      • MacBook Pro
    • Reviews
      • App Reviews
    • How-to
      • Ask iLounge
    • Daily Deals
    iLoungeiLounge

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    By Jeremy HorwitzMay 14, 2021 4:51 pm UTC

    Famed industrial designer Dieter Rams’ philosophy of good design was expressed in 10 principles, notably ending with the statement that “good design is as little design as possible,” that products should not be burdened with non-essential elements. Apple has substantially embraced Rams’ principles in creating devices such as the iPhone, leaving only one chronic issue across its products — durability. That Apple’s beautiful metal and glass devices can shatter after accidental drops distinguishes them from rivals, creating a market for protective cases that will keep them safe. The best cases tend to follow Rams’ principles, as well, falling short when they’re overcomplicated. Itskins’ Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s ($60) is a prime example of how an otherwise appealing-enough design can become unappealing due to the addition of a “feature” that requires screws and a screwdriver every time you want to insert or remove your device.

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    While rubber and hard plastic have become the go-to materials for making co-molded iPhone cases, Nitro Forged instead combines a pliable TPU plastic frame with aluminum “crowns” at the top and bottom. The plastic base is always back, while the aluminum comes in black, silver, and gold colors that are close to Apple’s iPhone 5 and 5s tones, though the black and gold versions are not exactly the same. One sheet of screen film, a cleaning cloth, and a squeegee to remove air bubbles are all included in the package.

     

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    Unlike co-molded cases that remove the need for users to manually attach or detach case pieces, Nitro Forged’s materials weren’t physically bonded together during the manufacturing process. Instead, because the metal parts make the plastic too rigid to insert or remove your iPhone, you need to use an included screwdriver to remove either the top or bottom cap, undoing two screws in the process. Then you insert your iPhone, and then you need to screw the two screws back in place. Because they’re tiny, it’s very easy for a screw to pop out and get lost during this process — it happened to us during installation. Itskins includes four extra screws as a backup, which is thoughtful.

     

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    The problems with Nitro Forged largely come from the need for those screws. Not only is the case a pain to put on and take off, but the screws require both attachment point holes in the soft TPU plastic and enough surrounding material to support them. The material consequently winds up bulging like a bone at the iPhone 5/5s’s corners. Moreover, because the top and bottom of the case are additional hard layers beyond the soft plastic, they wind up noticeably reducing the sleep/wake button sensitivity and making the bottom ports a little less accommodating to oversized connectors. The former problem is more obvious and an annoyance relative to the latter.

     

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    All of the overcomplication has only one benefit, and that’s restoring some of the metallic lustre of the iPhone 5/5s to the exterior of a protective case. It does succeed at this goal, and without causing additional functionality problems. Sometimes, adding metal to the outside of an iPhone can result in diminished wireless performance, but during our testing, we didn’t see any reduction in wireless signal strength.

     

    Review: Itskins Nitro Forged for iPhone 5/5s

    Nitro Forged is a hard case to recommend. To the extent that you like Itskins’ design, and really want to add metal caps to the top and bottom of your iPhone 5/5s, it’s definitely an option. Regrettably, the option comes at the cost of unnecessary overcomplexity during installation and removal, and reduces button sensitivity to an extent that we wouldn’t want to deal with. Nitro Forged merits a C+ rating — it’s an okay, overpriced case made just a hint better by a metallic glint. You’ll likely be better off with other options, including Itskins’ earlier iPhone 5/5s cases, which look very similar and are more convenient to use at more reasonable price points.

    Our Rating

    C+
    Average

    Company and Price

    Company: Itskins

    Website: www.itskins.com

    Model: Nitro Forged

    Price: $60

    Compatible: iPhone 5/5s

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Jeremy Horwitz
    Jeremy Horwitz
    • Twitter

    Jeremy Horwitz was the Editor-in-Chief at iLounge. He has written over 5,000 articles and reviews for the website and is one of the most respected members of the Apple media. Horwitz has been following Apple since the release of the original iPod in 2001. He was one of the first reviewers to receive a pre-release unit of the device, and his review helped put iLounge on the map as a go-to source for Apple news.

    Latest News
    Turn Your iPad into a Mini Laptop with the Discounted Zagg Messenger Folio 2
    Apple Adds Original iPad Air and Thunderbolt Display to ‘Obsolete’ List
    Apple drops iPhone prices for China’s ‘618’ festival
    Apple TV+ Series ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ to debut October 13
    Airplane Mode: Its Purpose and Proper Use
    Smartify Your Home with the Discounted Meross Dual Outlet HomeKit Smart Plug
    2023 Swift Student Challenge Winners revealed
    Apple Music Classical launches on Android

    iLounge logo

    iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

    Contact Us: [email protected]

    Tel: +1302-208-9669

    iLounge, 2810 North Church Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 19802, United States.

    • Contact Us
    • Submit News
    • About Us
    • Forums
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
    iLounge © 2001 - 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.