Griffin Technology's Elan Form is a new hard-shell case for iPhone 3G. On the outside it's top-grain leather; on the inside it's durable polycarbonate. It's relatively slim as iPhone cases go; it doesn't add a lot of bulk to your iPhone, so it still fits easily in most pockets.

Its fit and finish are first-rate. The pebble-grain leather (also available with a brown front and pink back) is handsome; the seams line up precisely; and all of the the cutouts for switches, ports, and controls are elegantly beveled.

It's the first case I've tested with Griffin's new EasyDock design, which lets you slide the lower part of the case off so it's easier to use in devices with a dock.

It's a smart idea and I found it quite useful although the case itself is so slim that I was able to dock it in some of my devices without having to remove the piece. Still, it's a fine answer to a vexing issue with many other cases, and if you dock your iPhone, it may be the best reason to consider this case.

Speaking of vexing, while I liked this case quite a bit overall, I did find a couple of things that could be improved, at least in my humble opinion.

First, while the Web site says you'll receive a "static peel screen protector," mine came with a rigid plastic one instead. I'd have much preferred the static peel kind. The rigid one decreases screen sensitivity somewhat and allows dust to collects beneath it, which means I have to remove and clean it more often. That's not a huge problem or a dealbreaker, but I'd still have preferred the softer static peel type.

The second thing is that there's no belt clip nor a way to affix one if you wanted to. This is strictly a slip-it-in and slip-it-out of your pocket or bag type of case.

The Bottom Line

The Elan Form for iPhone 3G is slim and elegant. And if you use a device with a dock, the EasyDock design is sweet. I prefer a flexible static peel screen protector over the included rigid plastic one, but I can live with it. Although it may not provide as much shock protection as some rubber or silicone cases, it offers adequate protection against impact and good protection against scratches and abrasions.