There are a lot of cases out there for the iPhone 3G. Some are stylish, some functional, others appeal to different age groups, some are minimalistic while others big and bulky. There isn’t one perfect case for all of us, and that’s a good thing. This individuality has allowed an influx of case manufacturers to come to market with a variety of choices. Those of of who can’t decide on just one case are able to own wide array of “outfits” for our phone.
One thing is undeniable though. No case out there offers the amount of protection that the Otterbox Defender series case provides. Protection isn’t a necessity to all us. Some don’t fret over a scratch on their phone or a crack here and there. Others are cautious when it comes to their phone, wrapping it in skins or cases, trying to preserve that new look. It’s a little like “new car smell.” You want your device to look the way it did when you first held it, forever.
In my line of work, a certain amount of protection is a requirement. Not just for my phone but for everything I wear and carry. I often tell people that I take my phone into places where most people don’t usually dream about. Well unless they’re having a nightmare.
See, I’m a firefighter. And while I use my phone in some of the same places that most everyone else does, on the train, at home, in the car etc., I’m most often using it somewhere like this.
The Otterbox Defender series case offers me peace of mind. I know I can clip my phone to my belt, or load it into my pocket, and it’s going to be protected from whatever pitfalls the fireground throws at me.
The case features three levels of protection. “First a thin, clear membrane covers your Touch Screen to help prevent scratches and dings.” Those of you familiar with the CaseMate Naked Case will recognize this feature. “Second is a hard, strong, Polycarbonate skeleton that surrounds your device.” It’s like a super-duper hard shell plastic case that snaps together. “Wrapped around all of this is a Silicone skin that absorbs bump and shock.” A heavy duty holster with a ratcheting belt clip is also included with the case.
Install of the case isn’t difficult, and it fits the phone like a glove. You first snap the hard shell pieces around the phone and then stretch the Silicon membrane over it to cover. No creaks or loose parts once it’s all locked together. The hard shell pieces snap together and are clipped close at three points of contact. The Silicone skin has little nubs that actually lock it into the hard plastic shell part. And once inserted in the holster the case isn’t coming out, unless you want it to.
By now you’re probably thinking “can I even use the phone while it’s underneath all these levels of protection?” The simple answer is yes. Using the phone while it’s in the case is surprisingly easy. All of the buttons still have some level of tactical feedback. I haven’t once gone to press one and not had it respond. The membrane over the screen still allows for all the taps and swipes the iPhone requires, even with an additional screen protector installed on the phone itself. The only thing you can’t do with the case is use a dock. Only the sync/charge cable will do. There’s just too much protection at the bottom for the dock to fit inside.
So maybe you’re the type of person who drops your phone often. Or do you sometimes catch your puppy when he’s decided to make your iPhone his new chew toy? Does your toddler like the play with your phone more than his or her toys? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or you simply want to insure your phone looks as new as the day you bought it, years from now, you might just want to check out the Otterbox Defender series case.
The Otterbox Defender Case is available directly from the manufacturer in a variety of colors.
MSRP: $49.95
What I Like: Total protection from all life throws at me.
What Needs Improvement: I wish I could somehow use the case in a dock. Screen shield is a fingerprint magnet.