Review: OtterBox Cases

OtterBox has become a well-known brand for creating cases for iPhones, Android phones and more than ten other device and manufacturers. With most smartphones costing over $300 it is wise to protect your investment.
As more phones add glass and plastics to their designs it becomes increasingly important to cover corners and screens. Since Gorilla Glass and similar type protective glass is not standard on all phones, a well placed scratch or crack can render a phone useless. By using a protective case you are likely to extend the life and usefulness of your phone.

In researching cases you realize that hardly any of them make many claims to the level of added protection you will receive by buying their product. It is difficult to determine what percentage of users that buy protective cases actually benefit from them. However, if you drop your phone once and have it land on the screen or corner it will have paid for itself. Screen repairs on some of the newer hi res screens and larger screens can cost half of the price of the phone. If a $30 case can stop a $150 screen from scratching or cracking the investment is worth it.

The downside to adding a case is the weight and size it can add to an otherwise thin phone. As manufacturers are creating larger flat phones a case can quickly add bulk. Some cases are just protective sleeves, others are full body cases. Many users prefer not to cover the screens with scratch resistant films because they reduce the responsiveness or cause annoying glare in bright light.

OtterBox cases come in four different models addressing all of these points. The Defender series is more of a full body case. They incorporate a clear membrane screen protection as part of the case to reduce dust and dirt as well as scratches and dings. The corners are also padded for better shock protection. The Commuter series is the next step down from the Defender. It has a silicon case that goes around the outside and back of the phone. A hard molded shell covers the back, sides and ends of the phone but does not have a screen protector built in. Instead, the Commuter comes with a stick on screen protector. The Impact series does not include the hard outer shell that the Commuter does but this reduces the weight and size while still protecting the outer edges of the phone. It also includes the stick on screen protector. Finally, the Reflex series is a two piece case with crumple zone type corners. The case is designed to absorb a drop by crumpling in a reflex zone when an impact occurs.

With the four choices OtterBox offers you are likely to find a case that fits your phone and suits your needs. For the Galaxy Nexus, OtterBox offers a Defender and Commuter case. The Commuter case tested came in the box with the silicon case, the hard outer shell that slips over the case, a screen protector with squeegee and a cloth to clean the screen. The installation of the case and protective outer shell is simple. Putting on a protective screen film is never easy to do without getting fingerprints or dust on the film. Cleaning the screen completely before applying the film has to be done to ensure that the screen is clear. On OtterBox's website there is an installation instructional video to show how to install the film properly. Their product also has tabs to help reduce fingerprints and smudges.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus OtterBox

The case for the Galaxy Nexus allows enough room to fit the phone with the OEM 2100mAh extended battery. Since the case is only slightly larger than the standard battery the OtterBox slips on without any problem. The case feels snug and stays in place even as you slide it in and out of pant pockets. However, the silicon cover does seem to attract lint and dust. The covers for the power and headphone jacks snap in place easily but do not pull out in normal handling. The covers should protect the ports from getting dirt and dust in them if they are closed since they fit so well. On the other hand, the Samsung Vibrant Commuter case headphone port did not stay in as well. Each model will vary depending on the design of the phone and cases.

Overall, the OtterBox cases are a wise investment for the consumer that wants to keep their phone looking like new. The Defender series and Reflex series are ideal for people that are very rough on their phones or need extra protection. The Commuter and Impact series are lighter versions of the cases with great corner and back plate protection. OtterBox even offers waterproof cases for some phones. With a case for so many phones and styles to match your needs you should consider OtterBox case as an essential accessory purchase.