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Element's iPhone 4 Vapor Case goes Pro

Element Case has announced its newest iPhone 4 case, the Vapor Pro, which will be released first in a collector's edition that retails for a whopping $149.99.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
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David Carnoy
2 min read

This 'first run' collector's edition of the Vapor Pro costs $149.99. Element Case

We wrote last year about how Element's swanky $79.99 Vapor Case was becoming something of a vanity case for iPhone 4 owners. That said, while the case looked sleek, some users complained it was less than perfect and experienced reception issues when using it. Element claims to have fixed those issues, and has now added a new, improved, redesigned Vapor Pro iPhone 4 case that's being released first in a special collectors' edition that costs a whopping $149.99.

What makes it worth $149.99? We're not sure, but we're told it's made out of expensive materials and some parts are hand-tooled. Read these marketing bullet points from the company to get a sense of its value:

  • Wider access ports on top and bottom for compatibility with a wide range of headphones, earbuds, and third party charging cables.

  • A special, aerospace polymer section built over the antenna contact points eliminates "death-grip" issues and improves Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G reception (note: we haven't tested the case yet, so we don't know if this is true).

  • A unique, diagonally attached design with bolts now positioned at opposite corners of the phone.

  • A "beautiful," perforated SIM card slot with accents on the broad side opposite silence and volume controls. (Note: who knew a perforated SIM card slot could be beautiful?)

  • Unique titanium alloy finishes.

  • A special hex key tool for removal and installation that can now be carried on your key ring for easy accessibility. (Woo-hoo.)

Element says this limited "first run" collectors' edition includes a zippered carrying case and that aforementioned keyring installation tool. Subsequent models for the Verizon iPhone, more colors, and other back plates will be released in the coming weeks.

Who wants one? Or rather, who can afford one?