This article will let you know if the Otterbox case is right for you. We'll look at who would benefit from choosing one, and who might want to pass up.
There are many brands and price points of phone cases to choose from, and OtterBox is one of several brands that often comes up when discussing overall sturdiness and durability.
OtterBox specializes in the physical protection of electronics—mainly smartphones and tablets, but also covers some wearables. It also produces a variety of cases in several different series, allowing users to choose between ultra-durable, durable but smaller, and more aesthetically pleasing (but still protective). For the purposes of this article, we’ll be focusing specifically on the OtterBox iPhone case.
You may want to purchase an OtterBox iPhone case if you:
- Regularly take your iPhone to places where it can be damaged
- Found that other cases didn’t keep pocket lint and debris from getting into iPhone ports
- Just want more (sometimes several layers) of protection for your iPhone
- Want to charge wirelessly while keeping the case open?
OtterBox iPhone cases may not be suitable if you:
- There is an iPhone case that you are satisfied with
- Don’t feel the need to protect your phone so thoroughly
- Using iPhone 8 or older
- Not willing to spend $30 to $70 on an iPhone case
Something to keep in mind with OtterBox is that the company offers several different lines of case types to choose from that offer different levels of protection. So, for example, if you find much of the Defender series too intrusive, you might have better luck with the Commuter or Symmetry series.
If you frequently find that your iPhone is at risk of falling out of your pocket, off a table, or in other dangers, OtterBox's cases might be a good option.
The Defender range in particular has three layers of protection, and some cases also have built-in screen protectors. The Defender Pro also uses antimicrobial materials in the glass for added protection against germs.
The downside to the Defender line is that it adds to the physical size of the phone, which may be troublesome for some.
Different OtterBox lines offer varying degrees of protection, with Defender claiming the most, while Symmetry sacrifices some (but not all) durability for good looks. In fact, any OtterBox case will protect your phone from literal bumps and proverbial scrapes—it's just that certain protections are more successful at preventing more serious impacts.
Many cases across OtterBox series support MagSafe charging. If this is an important feature to you, it's important to check carefully before purchasing. The MagSafe case offers the same level of protection as the OtterBox, but also allows you to charge your iPhone wirelessly without removing it from the case.
Many OtterBox cases are waterproof, but the Frê series is particularly waterproof. Many Frê cases combine the brand's typical durability with MagSafe compatibility, as well as protection against complete submersion in water. However, waterproofing requires a very strong seal, which means the Frê case can be a bit fiddly to install or remove.
Sometimes you may not need or want something as intense as OtterBox. Like when:
You'll likely have no trouble finding an OtterBox case for your iPhone, but if you haven't upgraded in a few years, you may have to look elsewhere. Any device older than iPhone X or iPhone SE does not have an OtterBox option.
For older devices, OtterBox's protection may also be unnecessary because it's not as valuable. In any case, it's hard to justify this level of protection for something that may be disappearing soon.
For some, carrying an iPhone without a case and screen protector can be intimidating, but the debate remains as to why they're not always necessary.
For one thing, each new iPhone model tends to be more durable than the last one, and therefore more resistant to drops. Additionally, cases can sometimes cause overheating, which can lead to reduced charging performance, display issues, slow app performance, and more.
Not everyone is willing or feels the need to pay $30 or more for a phone case. Purchasing cases and screen protectors will cost your new iPhone even more than its base price.
You might not be able to justify buying something that you view as more of a mandatory candy coating than a necessary physical layer of insurance. It's effective, and perhaps wise, to ditch that in favor of a phone case that protects your phone from small drops without spending too much money.
In addition to protecting against impact damage, phone cases are often a form of self-expression.
While OtterBox does sell cases in a variety of styles and colors, you might just not like the look of any of them. It doesn't matter! While OtterBox is a trusted brand when it comes to smartphone cases, it's not the only one. You can choose other brands such as Spigen or LifeProof, which may have a look you like better.
