by Denise Marie Anton

Created on: September 21, 2010

If you own a smart phone, MP3 player, or other mobile device, you've probably been tempted by the wide range of cases and skins on the market. There are two basic reasons for buying these accessories: to protect your expensive purchase from scratches, dents or breakage; and to enhance its appearance with a colorful, eye-catching cover.

If you own an iPhone 4, there's a third reason why you should keep your device well-dressed: the so-called "death-grip" antenna issue. Because Apple moved the antenna to the metal rim of the iPhone 4, touching the rim with your hand can interfere with the phone's signal. A case or skin that covers the edge of the phone can help solve the problem.

So whether you want to protect your iPhone 4 from scratches or worse, show a bit of fashion flair, or just cover that annoying rim, here are some cases and skins to consider.

The tough ones:

OtterBox iPhone 4 Defender Series Case ($49.95)

If you're going to be subjecting your iPhone 4 to more than the usual amount of wear and tear, you may want to consider OtterBox. The Defender Series is the toughest of their tough iPhone 4 cases. It protects your phone against nearly all things that go bump in the night (or day). It's not waterproof, so you won't want to drop your phone in the lake-but the textured silicone exterior and redesigned holster should help you keep a grip.

BodyGuardz Apple iPhone 4 Protectors (full body, $24.95; back and side, $16.95)

A BodyGuardz protector is not a case but a transparent film that protects your iPhone from scratches. It also makes the surface less slippery, reducing the risk of dropping the phone. The full-body and back-and-side versions also help remedy the iPhone 4 antenna issue, according to iPhoneLife reviewers David Averbach and Todd Bernhard, who tested an iPhone 4 for signal strength before and after applying BodyGuardz.

The pretty ones:

Hard Candy Cases Bubble Chrome iPhone 4 Case ($34.95)

If bling is your thing, this sliding case from Hard Candy definitely fills the bill. Customer reviews suggest it may be less durable than some other cases, but if looks are a priority, you may want to check it out. The Bubble Chrome case comes in three traffic-stopping metallic colors: chrome, black, and gold.

Grove's Bamboo iPhone 4 Case (plain, $69.00; customized or Artist Series, $89.00)

If earth-friendly serenity is more your style than flashy eye candy, a beautiful bamboo iPhone 4 case from Grove's may be just what you're looking for. It's easy to see why

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