The Scosche Kickback g4 for the iPhone 4/4S is a shell case with a flip-out kickstand

Scosche's $35 Kickback g4 for the iPhone 4/4S grew on me after a while. At first I found the built-in kickstand to be gimmicky, but after testing I was caught off guard by how much I enjoyed using it.

Scosche calls the Kickback g4 a hybrid because it's both a case and a stand. A kickstand flips out to prop up your iPhone in landscape orientation, but cannot support your iPhone upright in portrait orientation. It comes in three color schemes—gray trim on white, black trim on black, and light gray trim on dark gray. The Kickback g4’s polycarbonate plastic exterior is both smooth and sturdy, and it doesn't add a lot of weight or bulk to your iPhone.

Many factors give this case a smart design, starting with the rubber trim that wraps around the leading edge of the case, surrounding the face of the touchscreen. This allows you to set the case facedown onto any flat surface without worrying about scratching the front of your phone. This same rubber trim is accented on the four corners of the back of the case, preventing your iPhone from freely sliding around when you place it down. Additionally, the interior of the case is coated in impact-resistant rubber.

Scosche accurately describes the Kickback g4 as a case with an open design—every exterior port is uncovered and accessible. The headphone jack and noise canceling top microphone are open, along with a sizable section of the side of the iPhone case exposing the volume buttons and the Ring/Silent switch. Nearly the entire bottom of the case is open, aside from the area just past the corners, which are protected by the polycarbonate shell and rubberized trim. The Sleep/Wake button sits under a pre-formed rubber overlay.

Originally, I didn’t think I would like using the kickstand, but my kids were excited to watch videos on my iPhone without having to hold the phone in their hands. As for me, I used the kickstand at least once a day—it's also great for sharing FaceTime calls without worrying about holding your iPhone steady.

I was pleasantly surprised how well the fusion of a plastic shell case covered in a rubberized trim eventually won me over.

[Rob Renk is a displaced Chicago Bears fan currently living in the Orlando area. When not obsessing about everything Apple, he can usually be found out on a boat monitoring Florida's natural resources.]