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iPhone case: What do I want?

rojo412

rojo412

Sit down, Danny...
Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2000
10,906
15,037
46
Cleveland, OH.
#1
So after MANY years with my completely outdated stupidphone, I decided to pull the trigger on an Apple iPhone 5C.

My stupidphone was rugged and I liked that. I'm clumsy, so the phone got dropped a lot. But after 5+ years, it still works great. So that's the kind of durability I'm after.

I've seen the OtterBOX phone cases and those look pretty decent. I can find them on eBay for about $25 shipped.

There's a company called "Lifeproof" that I see is quite durable-looking... as it should be for $65+! I don't know if I want to go that high, though.

Anyone have a suggestion as to what I should look for? I don't NEED fire/waterproof, but resistant, for sure.
If there's a halfway decent case that is less expensive, or a sweet case for less than the Lifeproof, I'd love to know what to look for. I'm new to this game, so I don't know jack.

Any help and recommendations are quite welcomed and thanks in advance.
 
#4
I'm not a fan of my Otterbox. Indestructable, yes, but the little rubbery outer seal started to gap at the edges less than 60 days after I bought it and subsequently isn't "water resistant." When I called them to see if I could get a replacement, they told me "it's what happens over time" and they declined to replace it.

Next phone case I get will be a Mophie Juice Pack. Not entirely indestructable, but the case holds a charge so you get more battery life on your phone.
 
#6
If you want a rugged protective case then the Otterbox Defender(Armour not for 5c) and Griffin Survivor are the most protective by a mile. They are almost indestructible but they are chunky and will cost you about $50. They aren't waterproof but somewhat water resistant. The Lifeproof cases aren't good in my opinion.

Although they are slimmer and lighter they are not as protective and you don't need the waterproofness anyway which fails eventually on them anyway. I wouldn't recommend buying from ebay especially if it looks too good to be true because of the amount of fakes.

If you really need the protection the Otterbox or Griffin is worth it. One fall in a bad case could completely break your phone. Not a risk I like to take.
 
#7
I have a case on my 5S simply so I can lay it down on my desk at work. Otherwise I'd have to be super gentle each time I put it down. If I had a 5C, I wouldn't want a case. As long as you keep it in a pocket with nothing else in it, you're good to go.

It really depends on what you need and how careful you are. I've had iphones for years and never once dropped it. I've kept them all without a case and never damanged them.

The lifeproof cases are a pain in the butt. They muffle your voice when you're on the phone and unless you go fishing often, I don't see the point.

Otterboxes are just bulky.
 
#11
any basic case will be enough protection. i drop my phone pretty regularly, have had the same iphone (4) for a few years now- it's still in mint condition.

my vote goes to a legit screen protector for $10 or whatever they cost, and a $10 or so cheap case just to protect from impact. i've had that setup all along and if i take both off my phone looks literally brand new.
 
#14
i have a batman open front case, because everybody in my family apparently thinks it's 86 and i like that sort of thing, it's not super armor like an otter, but i've dropped the phone a bunch and it hasn't broken, i didn't like the otter, because it was constantly getting lint and sand in between the clear screen protector and the touch screen
 
#15
rojo412 said:
I ended up getting the Otterbox on ebay. It was $24 shipped and they were $50 at the store, so I think that should work well for me.

Thanks for the advice, TB bredderen!
Click to expand...

Good choice, I use the Otterbox Commuter, had one on my iPhone 4 and have one on my iPhone 5. I can't tell you how many times I have bounced my phones off the pavement and never broke a screen.
 
#17
To use phone as brick:Otterbox
To use phone as brick but a lot grippier and feels good in the hand and all the ports are covered:griffin
For power:mophie or exopower (something like that)
For waterproof and all that good stuff:life proof or obex
My favorite for casual with a good feel and protects:a speck.... Yea brother thats my list
 
#19
HAHA! Nice.
I did see a slew of them at 5 Below (The $5 store), but didn't know if they fit the 5C... but a buddy with a 5S let me try his case and it did fit.

Had I known, I may not have gotten the otterbox... but it was only 5 cheap cases worth for that, so I'm not out much. And I get to be a sadist to my phone!
 
#20
I use Incase Slider cases... I've had them on every iPhone I've owned since my first 3G model. I've been nothing but happy with them.

As far as Mophie cases go... I use the external Mophie Juice Pack external battery, but not the case. The cases can be a bit bulky unless you wear baggy pants.
 

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