Image via CASEMATE[/caption]Purveyors of accessories for the iPhone5 are redefining the industry with refreshing new case designs which (they hope) will satisfy an increasingly discriminating market. This time around, the focus is on how to protect the investment that goes into every purchase of the hot new device. Of course, nobody wants to cover their sexy iPhone5 in a drab utilitarian case, so the challenge so far is creating a product that's tough-as-nails and handsomely slim to boot.Ever-increasing standards in protection and form factor require manufacturers to reach a whole new level of creativity. That is, if they want to keep abreast of the front runners at least. And with more creativity comes a greater selection for consumers, as evidenced by the wide variety of iPhone 5 cases available at many of the major online retailers, like Newegg.
As usual, accessory giant Otterbox is at the vanguard of its niche with the release of the new Defender series of heavy-duty protective cases for the iPhone 5. A triple layer of protection awaits the device when it slips into a Defender: robust polycarbonate shell enveloped in anti-shock silicone padding, with a built-in screen cover out front. When your lifestyle demands that your iPhone 5 be able to take a beating, you won't go wrong having your device armored in the Otterbox Defender.
Those looking for a compromise between price and protection (or feel that the Defender is a tad too bulky for their tastes), there is the iPhone 5 Otterbox Commuter. Slimmer than the Defender, it eschews the poly-carbonate and makes do with just the rubber to cover your device, framed in hard plastic around the edges. The screen cover stayed, though. Still, the Commuter being an Otterbox product would definitely mean that it's no pushover: the plastic-and-rubber cover exudes an obvious toughness not found in similar cases outside the Otter-box line of accessories.
A contender for the best tough case is the Every1 series from Ballistic. The case collapses into a plastic-and-rubber back tray where the iPhone5 nests in and a matching front cover with the standard clear screen protector. The plastic material is edged in rubber for that extra bit of shock protection. The fit is snug; perhaps even too snug, with users probably finding that it needs some tricky pushing and thumbing to get the iPhone5 out of the Every one. Of course, this is not a bad thing at all: it just means that the danger of the device falling off from the case is minimal. Add to that is the fact that the front and rear covers integrate together nicely, and the result is a beautifully-designed case. Once assembled, it's light and slim, with nice contours. There's also a nifty stand that can be popped out from the back tray, should the user wish to prop up the gadget on a flat surface.
Another contender to the throne can be found in the Griffin Survivor. Of the four, the Survivor is the most rugged in appearance; unfortunately, its design aesthetics also makes it the bulkiest-looking. In terms of protection, it has the loftiest aspirations of all, with promises of "military-grade" shielding from the elements besides the standard shock and fall protection. The exterior is completely made out of rubber. Raised surfaces and a honeycomb texture design out back somewhat give it the look of a rubber shoe. Inside the Survivor, your iPhone5's pretensions of genteel sleekness all but disappear. Perhaps this is a small price to pay for the amount of protection you'll get with the Griffin Survivor. But then again, maybe not.
The demand for foolproof protection for iPhones denotes the value that consumers place upon Apple's popular phone series, but there seems to be a substantial trade-off in terms of protection versus bulk. While in most cases extreme protection isn't really a necessity, it helps to know that your iPhone5 is safe from the unexpected with these ultra-protective cases.
Guest Author Bio:
Courtney Lee is an online writer, blogger, self-proclaimed gaming nerd, and tech enthusiast. She is currently self-employed and oftentimes finds herself bargain hunting for the best deals from online retailers.
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