Filed under: Accessories, iPhone, iPod touch, Road Tested
Road Tested: Otterbox's serious iPhone case
I bought my 4GB iPhone way back on June 29th, 2007, release day for the US. Upon removing it from its box, all shiny and smooth, I thought, "I need a case for this thing." I'm what you call scratch-phobic. But then I saw the rigorous torture test that PCWorld subjected their unit to, and was persuaded to go commando. Here it is nearly two years later and my iPhone's display still looks great. There's a single nick next to the earpiece but other than that it looks fantastic. The back is another story.
I have two kids aged 4 years and 6 years. Occasionally, I'll hand over the iPhone to keep them entertained. For instance, at the end of a day of boring errands when their patience is at an end, I'll whip out a little Wheels On The Bus [App Store link] or Pocket God. As any parent of young kids will tell you, one of the things they love to do is drop stuff.
My iPhone has seen the floor of the mall, Dunkin Donuts and my Saturn Vue. It's been in sand and sun. In other words, it needs protection. I picked up an Otterbox.
Gallery: Otterbox iPhone Case
If you've ever shopped for an iPhone case (or an iPod case for that matter), you know that everyone and their brother makes one. I even see them in the supermarket. With so many options it's difficult to tell the useful from the junk. After a month of real-world use, I can say that the Otterbox Defender is an example of the former.
First, what it's not. This isn't a sticky, gummy film or decal that's going to leave gunk all over the place. It's not a neoprene sleeve that's difficult to apply and remove. There's no silly logo that's going to embarrass you during a meeting.
Nor is it for everyone. The Otterbox Defender is for the active user who is likely to drop their iPhone, due to strenuous activity like biking, running, climbing or parenting. The case is very rugged and sturdy. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Pros
Out of the box there are three pieces: Front, rear and the silicon skin. Assembly is simple: Pry the plastic pieces apart, slip the iPhone inside and press to snap. From there, just slip the skin in place.
All of the little bits line up perfectly (almost*) The headphone jack, hold button, home button and dock connector port are accessible. I was worried that the screen's responsiveness would be impaired, but that wasn't the case. It behaved exactly as if it were naked, though the feel was different.
The real test would be to see if it's as tough as it looks. I went out into the parking lot and dropped it from waist height (I'm 6 feet tall). No problem. Next from shoulder height. It didn't even blink. It bounced, but didn't blink. Finally, I handed it over to my kids. While the added bulk was most noticeable in the hands of a toddler (anyone who's held a Newton 2100 has a point of reference), it isn't meant for a toddler, so that's OK. The kids dropped it, pounded on it (iChalky gets them especially wound up) and even spilled half of a juice box (don't ask me how many ounces) onto it. The case took all of it and the iPhone kept on ticking.
Cons
*First and foremost, the mute button is inaccessable with this case in place. In fact, there's a notch of hard plastic directly over it, so no amount of forceful pressing will get it to flip. That's an unfortunate oversight.
Of course, it adds some bulk. I didn't mind at all, but some will. I'd rather have the peace of mind that the phone is secure than quabble about a few ounces. Lastly, it doesn't slip in and out of a pocket with the near friction-free glide of a naked iPhone. It's no problem with bulky jacket pockets, but requires two hands (one to extract the phone, one to hold the pocket in place) with jeans.
Finally, you can't use the dock with the case installed, but it's no problem to simply connect the cable.
TUAW Buying Advice
If you're in the market for a hot pink Hello Kitty case to show off at the next PTA meeting, the Otterbox isn't for you. If, like me, you want real protection that doesn't interfere with function (except for the mute button for some reason), consider the Otterbox ($49.95US). It's very tough, looks cool in a military hardware kind of way and stood up to the punishment of two rug rats.
Sometimes, even I can't do that.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
zissischris said 2:07PM on 4-20-2009
"If, like me, you want real protection that doesn't interfere with funciton"
I'd consider the inability to use the mute switch as interfering with function.
(I'd also spell function correctly)
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Matt said 8:18PM on 4-20-2009
This was only an oversight on the case for the original iPhone. The case for the 3G iphone has access to the mute button.
8CoreWhore said 3:38PM on 4-20-2009
The case in this review in the 1st gen... the newer case has a rubber flap for the mute button. I own one and LOVE it.
Fred said 2:11PM on 4-20-2009
I've had an Otterbox for quite a while now. I like it. It works very well. My gen 1 iPhone looks almost new. It should be noted that they make the 1st gen Defender in pink for you Hello Kitty, PTA types.
May I also add that this review is like 18 months late?
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dave said 2:20PM on 4-20-2009
Why is it 18 months late?
Fred said 2:50PM on 4-20-2009
because usually items get reviewed when they are new.
marc said 11:30AM on 4-26-2009
I have not even seen one of these let alone read a review for it and i cruise alot of sites looking for new cases. So to me it was NEWS wearthy...And also dude its TUAW they are always late to the party. :)
Aaron said 2:13PM on 4-20-2009
so, it can take a few drops and it looks professional? there are a lot of cases that do that. How does it stand up to more rigorous tests? How water-resistant is it really?
Come on...
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dave said 2:20PM on 4-20-2009
Aaron,
I updated the post to address your questions. Thanks.
Dave
Aaron said 2:23PM on 4-20-2009
No, thank you, Dave.
8CoreWhore said 3:43PM on 4-20-2009
I've had mine on in the provided belt carrier (also very rugged) in intermittent rain and the phone inside stayed dried. There are more detailed video reviews on youtube. BTW, it's from a small company of cool guys and gals in Fort Collins, Colorado. The case is rain resistant, but not water-proof.
jax sedrin said 2:36PM on 4-20-2009
"First and foremost, the mute button is inaccessable with this case in place. In fact, there's a notch of hard plastic directly over it, so no amount of forceful pressing will get it to flip."
Are you sure you can't just lift up the notch of hard plastic to access the mute button? My coworker has an Otterbox and that's how his works...
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Ryan Meyers said 2:46PM on 4-20-2009
We sell and support this Otterbox case, so I wanted to clarify something.
"First and foremost, the mute button is inaccessable with this case in place. In fact, there's a notch of hard plastic directly over it, so no amount of forceful pressing will get it to flip. That's an unfortunate oversight."
Jax Sedrin touched on this a little bit. The iPhone 3G version of the case does in fact have a cut out for the mute button - his friend appears to have the 3G version. Other improvements to the case and clip have been made too. So those shopping for an iPhone 3G phone need not worry about the mute button being covered. :)
Thanks and glad you enjoy the case otherwise!
Ryan Meyers
RadTech
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Jim B said 2:46PM on 4-20-2009
Had an otterbox for a few months now. Work in a dusty, sometimes oily and often both factory floor fixing machinery. My iphone is perfectly protected all day long. 2 yr old and 6 yr old regularly play with apps, throw on the floor, cover with jam and other sticky fingers. My iphone remains spotless inside the case. The only (of many) so called protective cases I would unreservedly recommend.
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Max said 2:47PM on 4-20-2009
According to the video at their web site, you can indeed use the mute button. It's protected by a silicone flap plug like the headphone jack and dock port.
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Rob E. said 2:48PM on 4-20-2009
I have the iPod Touch (1G) version of this case and agree that it seems very sturdy and very well made. I have no mute button, so almost every aspect of the iPod is accessible when it's in the case. I only have two issues: The bottom dock connector is only mostly accessible. This is true on most cases. It's a balance between complete coverage and complete accessibility. OtterBox makes a decent compromise, and I can sync/charge my iPod fine, but some accessories do not work well with the case on. Which brings me to my 2nd issue: taking it off and putting it on is not a fast job. That's usually fine, especially since it's the only case I have, but combined with the fact that can't use it in the case with some accessories, it can be a pain. I go for weeks without taking it out of the case, but I would take it out more and use it in more situations if it were easier. With my 5G iPod I have two cases: A hinged, metal case with decent headphone and syncing port access, and an OtterBox shell that's waterproof and provides only pass through headphone access. Because they're both hinged, it's very easy to swap between them, and I would generally use the metal case if I wanted access to the bottom port and use the OtterBox if I was in a situation where water protection was more important. It worked great for me, and if I could find a good, hinged case for my iPod touch that provided decent port access and protection, I'd pick up that and the OtterBox Armor case and switch between them. But if you're just going to have one case, I love the OtterBox Defender.
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jcwacky said 2:50PM on 4-20-2009
Yes, according the official OtterBox instruction video for this case (www.otterbox.com/iphone3g-video) there is a flap which lets you access the silence switch.
The video shows how to use the case in quite some detail, anyone considering this case should watch it.
Just a shame there doesn't appear to be a bike mount for this case or I wouldn't hesitate to get one.
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8CoreWhore said 3:48PM on 4-20-2009
I AGREE! Come on Otterbox! Make a bike mount that uses the current clip thingy's plus a little more protection. The phone has a bike computer and GPS app but I need a mount! That mount would drive sales of the case! Dooool!
Seth said 4:19PM on 4-20-2009
If you can't make the belt clip it's got work on a bicycle, you simply aren't trying hard enough.
Justin said 2:57PM on 4-20-2009
While the pocket friction seems like a real deterrent for me, I may get one just to put on my iPhone when I use it for geocaching. Some of the conditions it ends up in/near when I'm out after a cache make me nervous.
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