LITTLE ROCK — Good, better, best.
The release of a new iPhone is usually trailed by a flood of new accessories, and Apple’s iPhone 5 is no exception. I’ve tested cases that offer style, substance or both.
Let’s start with the iLuv Gossamer. This case is for those who want to keep the back of the phone from getting scratched but who still want to show off the phone.
The Gossamer is about as basic as it gets. It’s a snap-on case made of a clear, hard plastic. If you want to brag, this is the case with which to do it. However, if you’re looking for great drop protection, you’ll have to keep looking. The Gossamer does little to protect against gravity. It also offers no protection for the ports or the screen. It will protect the back of the phone from scratches, but that’s about it.
Griffin Technology also offers a see-through case, but with a bit more substance. The Griffin Reveal also has a clear back, but the side is made of a soft rubber.
The rubber does a slightly better job of absorbing impacts, but it leaves all the ports wide open for dust accumulation. The clear plastic on the back got scratched as I pulled it from the packaging. But it does protect the back of the phone well. One thing I do like, the camera opening is lined in black. This keeps the flash from bouncing off the edges and creating a funky reflection in photos.
Griffin’s Protector is a big step up in the substance category. The Protector is an all silicone case with covers for the buttons, a black-rimmed opening for the camera and extra silicone at the corners to protect against dangerous corner impacts that can shatter the screen instantly. The soft silicone feels good in the hand, and textured areas on the sides make gripping the phone a sure thing. Raised edges on the front make it difficult to shatter the screen. The screen and ports are still vulnerable to dust and scratches, though.
Griffin’s KaZoo for iPhone 5 is a similar silicone shell shaped either as a monkey or an elephant. It’s a little bulky in the hand but not impossible to grip. The button covers on the elephant’s ears somehow reach the volume buttons underneath and work perfectly. But like the Protector, the ports and screen are exposed. Still, the KaZoo offers a decent amount of protection from drops, maybe even a bit more than the Protector because of the extra silicone in its unique shape.
The next step up comes from Otter Box. The new Commuter for iPhone 5 provides strong protection while still keeping a fairly thin profile.
The Commuter has a silicone liner that fits snugly around the phone. The liner has openings for the mute switch, cameras, microphone and speakers. It also leaves a hole for the Apple logo on the back (so you can still brag). However, it has tabs that fit over the dock port and headphone jack on the bottom, which protects them from dust. The liner is then covered with a hard plastic case that secures the liner and protects the phone from impacts and scratches.
The Commuter comes with a separate plastic screen protector that you have to stick onto the screen. Personally, I’m not a fan of these things. They get dirty after a while, and eventually they come off. Luckily, they can be replaced fairly easily.
Finally, if what you need is substance, Griffin and Otter Box square off with cases that provide the ultimate protection but still provide some style.
Otter Box’s new Defender case is the opposite of the Commuter. The liner is a hard plastic shell, although a soft pad on the back keeps the back of the phone from getting scratched. A silicone cover protects the hard shell and phone from impacts. A hole covered in clear plastic protects and shows off the Apple logo. Only the speakers, microphone and cameras are exposed. Tabs cover other ports and the mute switch, so dust can’t get in.
In the past, the plastic cover for the screen had issues with a “wet” look. That problem has been fixed with the new Defender. The screen looks perfect. The Defender also includes a redesigned belt holder that makes it easy to take the phone out and replace it.
Griffin’s Survivor is similar to the Defender, offering top protection for the phone with a combination hard plastic shell and thick silicone exterior. Unlike the Defender, the Survivor has extra silicone at the corners and silicone tabs cover everything except the speaker on the bottom, and even that is well protected with a tunnel of hard plastic. The Survivor is bulkier than the Defender, and the thin belt clip holder is less than impressive, but if you want the ultimate protection for your iPhone 5, this is the one to get. If you want great protection but still want to be able to grip the phone comfortably, the Defender is a better choice. Frankly, you can’t go wrong with either of these.
So if you need cases, you have lots of choices. The question you’ll have to ask is, do you prefer style or substance?
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
Where it’s @
The iLuv Gossamer retails for $14.99. More information is available at www.i-luv.com. The Griffin Technology Reveal retails for $19.99. The Protector retails for $19.99. The KaZoo retails for $24.99. The Survivor retails for $49.99. More information is available at www.griffintechnology.com. The Otter Box Commuter retails for $34.95, and the Defender retails for $49.95. More information is available at www.otterbox.com.
Business, Pages 23 on 10/08/2012