Monday, December 20, 2010

Otterbox Defender for IPhone4: All-In-One Bulky Protective Case But Worth The Price.

The Background:

My wife and I recently picked up a matching set of iPhone 4's and because I was a veteran "screen breaker" of my old iPhone 3G, I figured I would either buy insurance at $8-10 per month, or pay a bit extra for a top quality case that could protect my phone. I chose the latter and 2 months later, I am not looking back.

 



Types of iPhone Cases:

First of all, with regards to iPhones in particular, there are 4 basic types of cases:

  • Bumpers - the cheap rubber ring that surrounds the outer edge
     of the iphone while leaving the front and back open to all the
     disasters that are magnetically attracted to all iPhones.
     This is the type that Apple temporarily offered for "free" to quell
     an angry mob that was suffering from the antenna design flaw
     built into the iPhone 4. If you didn't get the freebie, then you have
     to cough up about $4 on ebay (plus shipping...usually $44.95 or
     some ridiculous amount that ebay Nazis charge)

  • Silicone Case - this is generally an inexpensive "wrapper" that  
     surrounds your iphone around the back and edges but leaves the
     front open to any disasters that might befall your over priced
     iPhone. you can use a thin annoying film-plastic sticker over
     your screen if you are a glutton for punishment and crud on your
     screen. I have tried these "film screen protectors" and the only
     thing they protected my iPhone from was actual use by its owner.
     dust, cold, heat, breath, will cause this film to become a barrier
     between your touch and the touch screen. Nevertheless, some
     people use this film crud and swear by it. This Silicone style can
     be picked up for about $8.

  • Hard Shell Case - this is definitely the "next step" of cases and
     offers slender hard shell protection around the back and edges
     and is raised a bit above the front rim of the iPhone which allows
     minimal protection against dropping the iPhone. This is the type I
     had for my old 3g before buying the Otterbox Defender for the 4.
     This can be used with a thin annoying plastic film to give a "thin
     annoying" level of protection to your screen but I still don't
     recommend this type. A hard shell case usually runs about $15 or
     so, I got mine at cellphoneshop.com or something like that.
     shipping was free, price was fair, legit dealer, no problems there.

  • All-In-One Case - This is the best of all worlds. Generally is a 3
     or 4 part case that involves in internal plastic case that securely
     wraps the phone and has a plastic "window" that protects the
     iPhone glass and allows for touch operation directly through the
     plastic and this snap on case is covered by a grippable "silicone"
     wrapper/bumper that allows for holding the Phone and offering
     water resistance and an additional layer for phone and case
     longevity.
     These cases are like plastic tanks that protect your iPhone: Big,  
     Bulky, and Pricey, and if you've broken your iphone screen a
     couple times like I have, those things stop mattering as much.   
     This style of case will generally run from $30-50 depending on
     what kind of shopper hound you may be.There are only about 3
     makers of "All-In-One" cases:
     Ballistic, Logitech, and the one I am reviewing - Otterbox.

The Look and Feel:

The Otterbox Defender Case for iPhone 4 is definitely the skinniest pig in the litter of fatso cases. The new Defender case has been slimmed down to better match the contour of the squarish iPhone4 yet the outer silicone is textured to allow for a good grip. I like that the Otterbox has a coating on the outside of the touch screen protective window that protects it from static, oil slicks (eww), and bubbles while still permitting full functionality of the touch screen.

Access:

The Otterbox Defender allows for easy, protected access to all major ports: headphone on top, sync/charge cable on bottom, and the silence switch on left side. Otterbox has improved the Defender line by removing that annoying plastic film (all plastic film is annoying by the way) that used to cover the camera holes on the old 3g versions of the Otterbox. They now just have a beveled/recessed hole for the lens and for the flash which now gives us clear wonderful pictures without weird light aberrations. Good job Otterbox.

Installation:


Here is where the negative mark comes in. Yes I want protection, yes I'm glad it completely covers the phone. No, I do not want to take more time to open the phone case than it takes to prepare a Doctoral Thesis on the mating habits of the amoeba! MAN! They make this totally un-user friendly when it comes to popping this thing apart, putting in your phone, and plopping it all back together.

Basically, it requires peeling the tight silicone off the snap ridges on the top and sides and then popping the interior plastic case apart and then lining your iPhone in the front half just right and then aligning that front half with the phone into the snap slots of the back part and then the silicone goes back around the outside. God help you if you need to take your phone out of the case in a hurry. Its not going to happen at first.

Be prepared to watch a couple Youtube vids like I did to figure it out. Apparently its hard for those weirdos too because every video cuts away right at the point that you have to pry the plastic case apart to insert your phone. Anyhow, this is the only negative I found besides the price. In defense of the Otterbox, once you've mastered the install it becomes easier to take the iPhone in and out each time.

Protection:

The outside silicone absorbs shock from drops, the interior plastic case further absorbs shock and keeps the phone secure, because of the plastic operating window, broken or scratched screens are a thing of the past.

There is a soft felt lining on the interior that serves to gently protect your over priced iPhone from the inside against case scratchings etc.

However, please note, this case does not protect the iPhone 4 from owner stupidity. It does not protect from theft and: The Otterbox Defender for iPhone 4 is NOT, repeat 'not' waterproof, but rather, is water resistant. So dropping the iphone in the toilet while in the Otterbox case will not save the iPhone. However,  if you have to speak on your phone while holding it in the rain or if you are using your phone in the sweltering Sun of Las Vegas and your palm is sweating profusely (again, ew), the Otterbox will keep your iphone relatively dry and safe. The majority of risk with an iPhone is damage by droppage or squashage etc and the Otterbox is awesome to protect your there.

Whats in the box?

You will get a fully secured Otterbox case fully built in one piece that you will have to learn how to take apart like a rubix cube. You will now get a holster which can be used to attach your iPhone 4 to your belt like you were some kind of techie Clint Eastwood. AND, this holster doubles as a stand for "hands free" viewing of movies, etc OR, as a decent stand to use your overpriced iPhone as an overpriced

"web cam" on your desk.

Price and Availability:

The Otterbox Defender for iPhone 4 lists for $34.95 on the Otterbox site but I've seen it at Amazon for around $25. We got ours from a place called "recellular" where it was basically an open box or store demo and we got it for about $15. I do consider the $34.95 a bit pricey for this case, however, the alternative is paying for a new $125 screen replacement or $8-10 per month for insurance. I'll pay the $30 and zip it. Its a value for what this case provides
Pros: Protection, Access, Usability, Look and Feel
Cons: Complicated installation and Price
The Bottom Line:
Of the "all-in-one" plastic bulky tank cases, the Otterbox leads the pack. Great protection, horribly difficult to install, but worth the price.

Overall Product Rating:
Product Rating: 4.0  Above Average

Recommended:
Yes