The Case For Rugged Cases

Phone cases have come a long way – and we’re not talking about leather holsters of yesteryear. Just in the past few years, cases have become an important side industry in mobile communication. With the advent of touchscreens and glass-encased phones, dropping them no longer means a dent in the corner, it usually means a unusable phone. To compensate, cases have gotten stronger, thinner, and more resilient to stand up to bumps and scrapes. We put some new ruggedized cases to the test: we got mean, and a little bit abusive by throwing, drowning, and smashing them without mercy.

We only have one Android case in our roundup of five cases because there are hardly any ruggedized Android cases on the market. Android phones come in so many shapes and sizes that the market for this type of case is smaller, and not as lucrative. While the iPhone market has a huge number of people using the exact same-sized device, Android case manufacturers face a trickier job.

Otterbox Defender

Basic Info: Otterbox Defender

Otter Defender Series, iPhone4

Price:

The Otterbox is a nice-looking three-part case with a high-impact polycarbonate outer shell. Screen protector. Impact-absorbing silicone. Port and button covers.

Clip is heavy and thick, and phone can face either in or out of it.

Ballistic HC

Ballistic HC, iPhone 4

Price:

General description:

Advanced four-layer protection, with optional outer layer for “ultimate protection.” Integrated screen protector and holster. Thicker than a couple of the others, but that could be because it actually has four layers – a hard inner case/screen protector, a softer silicone shell to absorb shock, and a clip-on super-tough attachment.

When clipped in, the phone face is actually towards your body, which is different from others where you have the option to face in or out.

Griffin Survivor

Griffin Survivor, iPhone 4

Price: $26.95

The Griffin Survivor case is something to be admired in termsof toughness – it meets or exceeds US Military standard 810F. It’s a 4-layer case, with sealed ports help block against sand and dust. A rigid internal frame minimizes shock/drop damage. Silicone cladding absorbs vibration, integral display shield helps deflect wind-blown rain. Clip is just a clip and not a whole other shell – it detatches easily. The outer thick shell is harder silicone, inner shell is rigid two-part snapper with a screen protector.

Speck Toughskin, iPhone 3

Speck ToughSkin, iPhone 3

Price: $34.95

Rubberized and texturized design for maximum protection and grip. Thicker corners for added insulation from bumps and scrapes. Detachable holster so phone can face in or out. Includes removable screen protector. Case is a three-part deal, rigid inner layer surrounded by a silicone flexible layer, and then a hard plastic case.

Source: www.tomsguide.com