5 Ways To Personalize Your iPhone

It seems like every second person on the planet carries an iPhone today...so really, having one for yourself doesn't feel quite as luxurious anymore...fear not though, these 5 fun products will allow you to truly customize your iPhone to your wants

1) Uncommon

Uncommon’s clip-on “Deflector” cases for the iPhone 4 (or “Capsule” case for earlier models) will add some glossy protection to your phone and can be customized by uploading your own photos or artwork.

You have to sign up to upload your own images, but once you do that, the online design process is easy, with simple options to re-size and rotate until you are happy with the final product.

Once you’re satisfied you can either save the design for a later date or go straight ahead and order — the cost per case is $34.95, so arguably not a huge premium for something that is unique to you.

2) ColorWare

ColorWare has made quite a name for itself by giving consumer electronics a rainbow-hued makeover. The service covers gadgetry with a high-gloss, scratch-resistant polymer-based coating that instantly adds a serious splash of color to your phone.

After you’ve designed your color scheme via the online design center, you can send in your iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS to get the ColorWare treatment.

ColorWare offers a variety of colors, and rather than just one block color, you have the option to make the frame, button and even the SIM card tray different shades.

The only drawbacks are that you’ll be without your phone for as long as the process takes (currently around three weeks) and the cost — it’s $250 for the iPhone 4, which makes the $15 extra to get your earbuds done too look like great value.

  

3) GelaSkins

If you don’t want the bulk of a case, but would still like to pimp your iPhone (4 or earlier models) the affordable answer is a GelaSkin. The removable sticky cover won’t offer as much protection as a case, but will stop scratches and keep your phone looking stylish too.

You can turn your own photo, illustration or artwork into a custom GelaSkin using the site’s online service. Simply upload your image, tweak how it appears and fork out $14.95.


In addition to the skin, the price includes the option to create an iPhone wallpaper from the image and add personalized text. GelaSkins will then e-mail the file to you as the order is shipped.

4) inblue

Etsy seller inblue offers lovely hand-sewn and hand-printed leather iPhone cases that she will customize with initials, a name or even a short quote to make a case perfect for you.

If this is up your alley, then check out Etsy to browse the designs available and then make your special requests for the text or design.

Pricing starts at $13, so it’s a great option for an unusual case that won’t break the bank.

5) Case-Mate
 
Case-Mate offers a similar service to Uncommon (or vice versa!) with a customizable hard shell called the “Tough Case” for the iPhone 4, as well as earlier models.

With no need to sign up, Case-Mate’s online design studio is a breeze. You just need to upload the picture you want to illustrate your casing, then use the zoom, scale and rotate tools to get it exactly right on the iPhone 4 mock-up and hit the buy button.

After paying the $39.99 for the case, you’ll be eagerly awaiting your unique phone protection to arrive in the mail.

So would you be willing to invest in any of these cases or do you feel they are not worth it? Do let us know in comments below