Recommend your iPhone 5 case

[swissair81]

My husband bought me a 5 as a surprise, and as excited as I am to have it, I'm sad that I have to give up my etch a sketch case. Suggest a new one for me?

[toby]

I am getting an Otterbox Commuter for mine. I have an Otterbox Defender for an iTouch, but that is more heavy-duty.

http://www.otterbox.com/new-iphone-5-commuter/new-iphone-5-commuter,default,pg.html

[codex57]

What's your main priorities for a case? Slimness? Protection? Fashion?

Are your kids destructive? Are you?

I ended up getting a Defender. Slightly slimmer than the one on the 4, but the rubber is a lot slicker so it doesn't attract lint or get stuck in pockets as much.

Yes, it makes the phone fat and heavy. However, the integrated screen protector is quite clear (unlike, say droptech, which I otherwise love). I worry that the rubber in some areas will get floppy on the Commuter. Plus, I feel like I'd have to get a screen protector making the cost about equal and it's not sealed like on the Defender.

[kboyle]

i have a Belkin case (http://www.belkin.com/us/F8W152-Belkin/p/P-F8W152?q=::devicePath:/Device/IPHONE/IPHONE5) from verizon that i got from Verizon that i'm using (and love) till the lifeproof case comes out. i just got an email from lifeproof last night saying they should be out soon!

[Beth24]

If you haven't found one yet I got this case and I really like it.

http://systm.com/shop/systm-chisel-for-iphone-5

[cono0507]

I've had this one for 2 weeks now and I'm happy with it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TVT3JQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
I've dropped the phone a few times already (I"m prone to this it seems) and no damage.

I had also bought an Otterbox Defender but I found it just way to big for day to day for me. It is a great case and I'm sure my phone will be well protected but I prefer mine to be more streamlined. I'm considering keeping it for when we go hiking and outdoors stuff but not sure I can justify the cost for that.

[hoodlims]

Bumping to see if anyone else has new recommendations or insights. I am also piggybacking onto this. I was all set on getting the Otterbox Defender, but am reading reviews that say it doesn't fit well. I need a high level of protection! Thoughts?

[LD92599]

waiting for lifeproof, i hope very soon!

[nupe]

I have the speck candyshell grip. I got it at the AT&T store. They offered me 25% off accessories when I bought my phone. I had a different style of the speck (also nonslippery but less grippy than the candyshell grip) for my 4 and is still going strong after 2 years! I wanted something low profile that would not slide on a table or out of a loose pocket. The case fits the phone well. Great color options. I love it!

http://m.speckproducts.com/candyshell-grip-for-iphone-5.html

[momtoonegirl]

I have 2 cases, an Otterbox Defender and an Incipio DualPro. I bought the defender initially, but found it too bulky for daily use. When a larger selection of cases became available, I bought the Incipio. I like the incipio in that it is a 2 layer design, similar to the Otterbox commuter, but slimmer.

If you have an active lifestyle or have a high risk of potentialy damaging the phone, I would recommend the Otterbox Defender. If you only need a protective but sturdy case without the bulk, I like the Incipio DualPro.

http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-Dual-PRO-iPhone-Packaging/dp/B0098FKKPI

[nfowife]

I have the defender and like it. I guess it's a bit bulky but to me it seems quite a bit more streamlined from the defender on my old 3GS. It fits perfectly and the silicone is much smoother and less "sticky" in terms of attracting lint. I have nothing but good things to say about my defender so far.

[codex57]

I'm reposting from another site I commented on:

The Otterbox Defender had that grippy silicone feel on the iPhone 4/4S case. Attracted a ton of dirt/lint too. For the iPhone 5, it's much much better. The rubber seems harder and smoother.

Still, I returned it. Somehow, it seemed to be proportionally thicker than the old ones. I kept hitting the case at the bottom when I type in my security code. Plus, the iPhone 5 is so amazingly thin and light, it really was a shame to cover it up so much.

I'm currently using a Switcheasy Colors case. Really liking it so far. Yes, it's a Silicone case, but this silicone is still pretty easy to slide out and doesn't really attract lint/dirt either. Not like that old Otterbox Defender.

Also, check out:
http://tech21.uk.com/index.php/Category/iphone_5_Cases
https://cellairis.com/cases/apple/iphone-5

The Lifeproof still isn't out for the iPhone 5 yet. I checked out the one for the 4 and was not impressed at all. Especially the screen protector in terms of clarity (the one for the Defender 5 is better). For what the Lifeproof costs, unless you absolutely need something waterproof, I'd get the Gumdrop Droptech case instead.

[Globetrotter]

I want basic protection (don't need otterbox) and a screen protector without too much bulk. Any ideas?

[codex57]

Really liking my Switcheasy. Comes with two screen protectors. I didn't like the Speck Candyshells. The way they fit, I worry they're gonna scratch the phone putting them on or taking them off.

[jse107]

I had the same dilemma and ulitimately got the Incipio Dual Pro and have been very happy with it. It is both soft/hard shell protection and isn't bulky like the Otterbox. Plus, the price was very reasonable. I got mine at Verizon.

[Globetrotter]

I had the same dilemma and ulitimately got the Incipio Dual Pro and have been very happy with it. It is both soft/hard shell protection and isn't bulky like the Otterbox. Plus, the price was very reasonable. I got mine at Verizon.


It's a little unclear on amazon, but does it come with a screen protector?

[KHF]

I bought a Case-Mate Glam case (http://www.case-mate.com/iPhone-5-Cases/Case-Mate-iPhone-5-Glam-Cases.asp) in silver for my phone. I am easy on phones, and don't usually drop them. I have an Otterbox Defender on my old 3GS that my DD uses as a Touch, but don't need that kind of protection on my phone. The Glam case is smooth, so it's easy to get in and out of my purse or my pocket. I also don't care for screen protectors, so I don't like the cases that have them built in.

If I have an accident, I have AppleCare+, so I'm covered in the event something does happen. In 3 years with my 3GS, I never dropped it to where it cracked.

[hoodlims]

I'm reposting from another site I commented on:

The Otterbox Defender had that grippy silicone feel on the iPhone 4/4S case. Attracted a ton of dirt/lint too. For the iPhone 5, it's much much better. The rubber seems harder and smoother.

Still, I returned it. Somehow, it seemed to be proportionally thicker than the old ones. I kept hitting the case at the bottom when I type in my security code. Plus, the iPhone 5 is so amazingly thin and light, it really was a shame to cover it up so much.

I'm currently using a Switcheasy Colors case. Really liking it so far. Yes, it's a Silicone case, but this silicone is still pretty easy to slide out and doesn't really attract lint/dirt either. Not like that old Otterbox Defender.

Also, check out:
http://tech21.uk.com/index.php/Category/iphone_5_Cases
https://cellairis.com/cases/apple/iphone-5

The Lifeproof still isn't out for the iPhone 5 yet. I checked out the one for the 4 and was not impressed at all. Especially the screen protector in terms of clarity (the one for the Defender 5 is better). For what the Lifeproof costs, unless you absolutely need something waterproof, I'd get the Gumdrop Droptech case instead.

Codex, do you have any personal experience with the Cellairis case? It seems otterbox-ish but I can't find any reviews. Is there a reason why you chose the Switcheasy over the 2 links you posted?

[tny915]

For basic protection, I have the Speck Fabshell.
http://www.speckproducts.com/iphone-case/iphone-5-cases/fabshell-for-iphone-5.html

It doesn't have a screen protector. I'm using this screen protector I bought separately and am very happy with it. It resists fingerprints and looks just as good as a naked screen.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008SGIRHQ/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00

[momtoonegirl]

It's a little unclear on amazon, but does it come with a screen protector?

I bought my Incipio dual-pro from Amazon, and it did come with a basic screen protector. Very easy to apply.

[Globetrotter]

I bought my Incipio dual-pro from Amazon, and it did come with a basic screen protector. Very easy to apply.


ok, I'll just get that one then! One decision out of the way :D

[codex57]

Codex, do you have any personal experience with the Cellairis case? It seems otterbox-ish but I can't find any reviews. Is there a reason why you chose the Switcheasy over the 2 links you posted?

Nope. I just posted ones I wanna try.

The reason I picked Switcheasy is cuz of DW. It has great online reviews, including Youtube. Plus, they ship fast to where I am (they're located roughly 100 miles away so it's like 2 day shipping max). DW was scouring for cases in a color scheme she liked. Switcheasy had it. She ordered it and we were pleasantly surprised that it was really nice. We normally don't like silicone cases, but this silicone material is smoother than normal and doesn't attract lint/dirt like most other ones. Plus it felt a bit thicker and the buttons work wonderfully. It also includes a lot of accessories that we liked.

Since it's only $20, I ordered one too. So far, it's been great so I haven't felt the need to try the others.

Cellairis attracts me because of the design. However, the Switcheasy has worked well enough that I don't see the point of paying another $30 or so for another case.

I'm particularly attracted to the Tech21, but it's not the easiest to get cuz it's a British company I believe. Should something happen to the Switcheasy, I'd prolly try that one. The videos of that material in action look amazing. Looks very drop proof, yet is way more stylish and less bulky than an Otterbox.

I'll give Lifeproof a look when they come out, but it's $80. The screen protector on the version for the 4 is... well, crap to be honest. Why have a retina display if you're gonna cover it up with something that bad? The overall material quality wasn't good either. Otterbox is way higher quality IMO. However, just like the Otterbox for the 5 has upgraded materials, I'm willing to see if Lifeproof upgrades the materials for their version 5. I do like the idea of waterproof altho based on online reviews, Lifeproof's quality control is pretty crappy. If you've ever opened up a few cases at stores, you'll see what I mean. They're pretty inconsistent, with rough edges on many cases. Some seem perfect, but a lot aren't. When you're one of the highest priced cases, you shouldn't have such varying quality.

[hoodlims]

Thank you. I did read a lot of positive reviews on the Switcheasy Tones and the SpeckCandy but ended up just getting the Otterbox Defender. I'm pretty abusive to my phones (I let the kids hold it) so I will give up aesthetics for durability. Will let you guys know how I like it.

[codex57]

I think you'll like it.

I originally got the Defender cuz with the 4, DD was super destructive with them. She's older now so I have noticed they're much gentler with them (well, she doesn't even use it much; I think she prefers the iPad when she wants to use something). Gonna risk it with the thinner case.