OtterBox Commuter Series™ 3G/3GS review

The OtterBox Defender is the largest bulkiest most uncompromising protective case out there. For those who want to be able to hand their precious iPhone over to a child are always at risk of getting a scratchy slobbery phone back. Most people find the Defender to be a bit too much, but still want to have a complete protective solution. Thankfully the quirky little cousin of the Defender might be the perfect option. The OtterBox Commuter combines excellent coverall protection without sacrificing functionality.

The Commuter is based on three pieces of protection just like the Defender. The first is the included screen protector film. It seems to be a standard screen protector that sticks to the screen by self-adherence. It is quite easy to install with the included cleaning cloth and hard piece for removing air bubbles.
A silicone inner shell covers the back and sides of the phone. It has got a plug for the headphone socket protecting it against slobber and rain. Volume controls and silent/hold are also covered by the silicone, and they still function really well. The volume controls stick out quite a bit, and it is easy to accidentally lower or raise volume when the iPhone is carried in a pocket. A small flap covers the power connector at the bottom. It folds into the slot, and after several weeks of wear and tear there is no sign of the silicone being stretched or damaged.

The third layer of protection is an outer polycarbonate shell that holds the silicone firmly in place. It covers most of the back, and some of the sides. It helps the silicone from tearing and scratching. Openings for the camera and Apple logo are found on the back. I find it cool to have the logo visible, and as it has both silicone and polycarbonate around it protection isn’t compromised.

The Commuter Series™ gives added grip when playing games by the friction added by the silicone edges. It is also easy to find your way around the phone because of the different materials used. It doesn’t add more than 22 grams/0.75 oz of weight. My wife has been trying the Commuter after having had the Defender on the iPhone for six months. She has yet to find anything wrong with it except the volume controls cover. Without hesitation she hands her phone to the kids, and neither the 1-year old nor the 2-year old have managed to do any damage to either the phone or the case. The silicone doesn’t even show where the 1-year old has tried to chew on it with small pointy teeth.

Summary

Pros
A complete protective solution.
Light weight.
Great for gaming.
Cool vibrant colours.

Cons
The silicone covering the volume controls stick out quite a bit.
Not dockable.
No belt clip available.

The OtterBox Commuter Series™ is a great hybrid case giving great protection without losing functionality. It comes in some really cool colours that don’t fade. Definitely recommended to anyone looking for protection while keeping the iPhone slim.