Review: MirrorCase for iPhone 4/4S

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

There are various innovative smartphone cases that work with apps to give users alternative ways to use their devices. MirrorCase for the iPhone 4/4S is a perfect example of that combination, which adds some versatility to how we can take photos and videos on that device.

The iPhone's camera is famous for being one of the most popular ever on any device. More and more people are shooting pictures with the iPhone than ever before, this was acknowledged by Apple in its latest iPhone ad.

There are times, however, when being obvious about shooting pictures or video or holding the back of your phone in front of your face isn't appropriate. That is, instances like lectures or when you want to be stealthy.

The MirrorCase design utilizes a mirror to reflect back any image that is in front of the iPhone while holding your device horizontally. The idea is that you look like you are simply reading your phone while you can actually be taking pictures or shooting HD video. The only thing that might give you away is the bulbous case.

The case itself is a lightweight slider case with a large protrusion at the top that houses the mirror. 

When using the MirrorCase you can capture moments like never before and be part of the action instead of stuck behind your iPhone. Easily snap photos in a relaxed position, or simply place the phone on a flat surface to join in the recording.

Combined with the MirrorCase App, all of your photos and video are saved directly to the iPhone's camera roll for easy uploading, viewing, and playback whenever you're ready.

Unlike other options that require you to take your iPhone out of a case leaving it exposed, the MirrorCase protects both the phone and the mirror mechanism in a plastic shell with rubber bumpers for shock absorption. The case is also coated with a soft touch finish for comfortable grip and control.

MirrorCase has the additional advantage of propping up you iPhone on a desk and it can also be used as a shoulder or neck rest if you'd rather not use the handsfree option. It also comes in handy when using any of the popular flashlight apps that use the phone's built-in LED flash as a light source.

I tested the MirrorCase and the app on an iPhone 4S and found that it performed as expected. Pictures were generally just as good as if I had taken them without the case, I didn't have any issues with reflections or dust impacting the captures. The app itself is simple to use but you do need to make it your default image capture app since using the stock camera or any of the other apps won't work. This means that if you want to Instagram a photo, you need to use the MirrorCase App, shoot the image, save it to Camera Roll and then import it to Instagram to apply filters and share.

Another feature of the MirrorCase App is the Privacy Screen. Simply swipe your finger across the screen and the image you selected will appear in place of the current view with the user interface still accessible, swipe back to see the live view of the image on your screen. The fact that this is an included feature shows that MirrorCase can be used on the sly, to capture images and video unnoticed and if someone tries to check out what you're doing, you can pretend you're looking up weather information.

Sneaky. I don't know how I feel about this. Privacy is a big issue and if you're already among the paranoid, then this might raise some concern.

There's also the fact that while the MirrorCase protects the iPhone, it impedes any chance of carrying it in your pocket.

That said, it is an innovative case and one that is popular enough that they will be making one for the iPhone 5 and the iPad as well.

MirrorCase costs $45 and you can get more information about it here.