Please see post #27 for an update about this case
I have had my OtterBox Defender for my iPhone 5 a couple days now and I thought I would give you all an overview of the latest OtterBox has to offer.
Let me start off by saying, it is a shame to cover such a beautiful, sexy phone. It is not something I do with light consideration. I work in a warehouse environment and I need rugged protection, especially in regards to drop protection.
I am quite familiar with OtterBox; I have used them on all of my previous devices. There have been some shortcomings with them in the past, but no issues that have not kept my phone protected.
One thing that I can tell that was improved was the silicone outer cover. It feels much more rigid than before. I know one issue I had with previous OtterBox cases was the fact that the silicone would just “give up” over time. The silicone with those cases was much softer.
Just for those who like numerical data, I have compiled information on the silicone itself. It weights approximately 1.0/1.1 ounces. It is .151” thick on the corners and .075” thick on the back.
Now the plastic hard shell seems to lock up tighter than before. There are more points at which the case snaps together. My hope with this is that it will allow very little dust if any in the case.
The data on the case I compiled is as follows. Total weight is approximately 1.5 ounces and the thickness is .550”.
OtterBox lists the weight of the case at 4.0 ounces, but my data shows a number far different with a total weight of approximately 2.5 ounces.
The plugs for the ports are quite thick and also lock in very nicely. It is almost a struggle to get them out of place. This should help reduce the amount of dust that gets in the case as well. They work nicely with the OEM headphones and lightning cable as far as accessibility.
The covers for the volume up/down and sleep/wake button work perfectly in my opinion. Minimal effort is required for the buttons to perform their specific task. This goes for the home button. However I do have an issue with the home button cutout in general.
There is a quite a defined cutout if you will for the home button. It sweeps up in a half circle direction. I think this is great for dust reduction, but my thumb keeps bumping it when I am typing in my lock code or texting in general. I just have not adjusted to it being there yet; I hope I do soon though. It is not a big issue, more of a nuisance right now. I am just not used to that being there.
I have taken pictures with flash, up close and far away and have experienced no “wash out” issues of any kind. They left a generous cutout for the back camera, however I am concerned how that will affect dust build up over time.
I have tested Siri and voice commands with the case on and it is been flawless. Siri still gives sassy replies! The same goes for the speaker and alerts – I hear them perfectly.
Operation of the screen has been extremely fluid. If there is a loss in performance or execution, I cannot notice it. I have experienced some rainbowing with the built in protector. I do not notice it when the screen is active, but I can see if when the phone is in sleep mode. I am not using a screen protector on the phone and there is no dust (that I could see) on the screen when I put the phone on. This only happens every once in awhile, but it has happened. I do know that I did not have this issue with the iPhone 4 OtterBox Defender case.
Overall I am pleased with the purchase of this case. There are some minor issues that will hopefully work themselves out in time. In the meantime I have peace of mind that my phone is well protected from all of the non-water formed elements.
I will update this review after I have had the case on longer, but I thought I might give all of you readers some insight as to what this case have to offers. I think great strides have been made overall and is a great choice when you want superior protection at the sub $50 level.
In the interest of everyone, I am not in anyway affiliated with OtterBox and I actually paid for the case. I will include a copy of my receipt in the pictures as well.
I have had my OtterBox Defender for my iPhone 5 a couple days now and I thought I would give you all an overview of the latest OtterBox has to offer.
Let me start off by saying, it is a shame to cover such a beautiful, sexy phone. It is not something I do with light consideration. I work in a warehouse environment and I need rugged protection, especially in regards to drop protection.
I am quite familiar with OtterBox; I have used them on all of my previous devices. There have been some shortcomings with them in the past, but no issues that have not kept my phone protected.
One thing that I can tell that was improved was the silicone outer cover. It feels much more rigid than before. I know one issue I had with previous OtterBox cases was the fact that the silicone would just “give up” over time. The silicone with those cases was much softer.
Just for those who like numerical data, I have compiled information on the silicone itself. It weights approximately 1.0/1.1 ounces. It is .151” thick on the corners and .075” thick on the back.
Now the plastic hard shell seems to lock up tighter than before. There are more points at which the case snaps together. My hope with this is that it will allow very little dust if any in the case.
The data on the case I compiled is as follows. Total weight is approximately 1.5 ounces and the thickness is .550”.
OtterBox lists the weight of the case at 4.0 ounces, but my data shows a number far different with a total weight of approximately 2.5 ounces.
The plugs for the ports are quite thick and also lock in very nicely. It is almost a struggle to get them out of place. This should help reduce the amount of dust that gets in the case as well. They work nicely with the OEM headphones and lightning cable as far as accessibility.
The covers for the volume up/down and sleep/wake button work perfectly in my opinion. Minimal effort is required for the buttons to perform their specific task. This goes for the home button. However I do have an issue with the home button cutout in general.
There is a quite a defined cutout if you will for the home button. It sweeps up in a half circle direction. I think this is great for dust reduction, but my thumb keeps bumping it when I am typing in my lock code or texting in general. I just have not adjusted to it being there yet; I hope I do soon though. It is not a big issue, more of a nuisance right now. I am just not used to that being there.
I have taken pictures with flash, up close and far away and have experienced no “wash out” issues of any kind. They left a generous cutout for the back camera, however I am concerned how that will affect dust build up over time.
I have tested Siri and voice commands with the case on and it is been flawless. Siri still gives sassy replies! The same goes for the speaker and alerts – I hear them perfectly.
Operation of the screen has been extremely fluid. If there is a loss in performance or execution, I cannot notice it. I have experienced some rainbowing with the built in protector. I do not notice it when the screen is active, but I can see if when the phone is in sleep mode. I am not using a screen protector on the phone and there is no dust (that I could see) on the screen when I put the phone on. This only happens every once in awhile, but it has happened. I do know that I did not have this issue with the iPhone 4 OtterBox Defender case.
Overall I am pleased with the purchase of this case. There are some minor issues that will hopefully work themselves out in time. In the meantime I have peace of mind that my phone is well protected from all of the non-water formed elements.
I will update this review after I have had the case on longer, but I thought I might give all of you readers some insight as to what this case have to offers. I think great strides have been made overall and is a great choice when you want superior protection at the sub $50 level.
In the interest of everyone, I am not in anyway affiliated with OtterBox and I actually paid for the case. I will include a copy of my receipt in the pictures as well.
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