I stepped away from phone cases for a while, but two new ones from one of the top brands got my attention again.
OtterBox recently introduced the new cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5, 5c and 5s phones.
The first is the Commuter Series Wallet case. This is an update from OtterBox’s popular Commuter phone case, which combines a silicone interior with a hard-shell exterior. The new Commuter Wallet case does the same, but with a twist. I tested the iPhone version.
The hard-shell case has a little drawer on the back of it that slides downward, revealing a space for credit cards, cash or a driver’s license. Users can get one or two cards into the space, depending on thickness. A driver’s license and credit card seem to fit fine.
The Wallet case’s rubber interior fits around the phone and covers the buttons, although it leaves holes for the mute switch, microphone, speaker and camera. A little flap of silicone covers the iPhone docking port and charging port on the Galaxy. I like that, because it protects a phone’s interior from dust.
What I don’t like is the very bottom of this rubber interior. There is a thin piece of rubber that goes across the bottom and is supposed to provide a seal between the outer hard shell and the front, bottom edge of the phone. The strip somehow got stretched a bit, making it impossible to deal with. It wouldn’t stay in place, and there were times when it would fall over the dock port, making it difficult to get the dock connector in place to charge.
The drawer on the back of the Wallet stayed in place fairly well. However, I did have an occasion or two where I handled the case in a way that caused me to accidentally slide the drawer open. If the case is vertical, the drawer’s contents can fall out. That was rare, however, and a user should be able to know right away if the drawer pops open when it shouldn’t. For the most part, the drawer did its job well.
If OtterBox would get rid of that little strip of rubber at the bottom, this case would be ideal. The drawer provides a convenient way to carry a driver’s license or credit card. Its sturdy outer shell andsoft rubber interior provide plenty of protection, and the drawer doesn’t add so much bulk that it becomes difficult to hold or use the phone.
The next case is the new Preserver series for Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5, 5c and 5s. Again, I tested an iPhone model.
The Preserver is a new line for OtterBox, but it’s very similar in appearance to its Defender series. It has the same rugged exterior and cushioned interior.
The Preserver is made of two parts. The back has a foam cushion to protect the phone and the front portion has rubber seals that keep water and dust from getting to the phone. The flat back snaps into place to close thecase. While it can be difficult to snap it together, it seals well. It’s also difficult to get it back off. The best method is to use a coin to pry apart the top corner, as the case’s instructions suggest. The case also includes a lanyard that can be adjusted, so users can keep the phone secure if they swim with it.
Yes, you can swim with this one - it’s waterproof, or so it claims. It supposedly can withstand up to 6 feet or soin depth and half an hour in the water.
Naturally, I had to put it to the test. I did my famous paper towel test, where the paper towel substitutes for the phone (it’s a lot cheaper to replace). I submerged the case in blue-tinted water for about 40 minutes the first time and a little less than that the second.
At first, I thought I detected a bit of moisture on a corner of the paper towel after the first test. But then I realized it actually came from the case just outside the rubber seal. Just to be sure, I ran the test again. The paper towel remained dry, but close examination showed water did get through the shell-and-silicone exterior. However, the rubber seal inside kept it from reaching the phone area. In other words, it did its job nicely.
That said, as with any case, it’s a good idea to test its seals before putting the phone in it. The OtterBox instructions suggest this as well.
The only issue I found with the Preserver is using a charging cord. The cord I used isn’t an official Apple one, but a spare cord purchased from a third party. The connector is slightly larger than the standard Apple cord. Unfortunately, the Preserver is made to fit the Apple cord only, so I couldn’t charge the phone with my spare cord. That created a big problem away from home, which is when I use the spare cord.
I’ve often been impressed by OtterBox’s products, and the new lines continue to do the name justice. They definitely made it worth a brief return to phone cases.
Melissa L. Jones can be reached via email at mljones72@me.com.
Where it’s @
The OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet requires an iPhone 5, 5C or 5S or a Samsung Galaxy S4. The case retails for $44.95. The Preserver series also comes in iPhone 5, 5C, 5S or Galaxy S4 and retails for $89.95. More information is available at otterbox. com
Business, Pages 23 on 10/28/2013