OtterBox is the main name when it comes to heavy duty protection. I seldom update my reviews, but in the case of the OtterBox Reflex I am making an exception. The people over at OtterBox asked me kindly, and thought I might have missed something. In my original review back in April I complained about the case not snapping together as it is supposed to. So how does it fare in my second opinion?
Both me, and my wife has been using the OtterBox Reflex for more than a month. Both of us are really pleased with it, and it works really well for everyday protection. One thing is different from my review back in April, and that is the fact that I use a white iPhone 4, and my wife uses a black iPhone 4 with a screen protector attached. The fact that the white phone is fatter, and the black with the screen protector is thicker means that the Reflex stays on tightly no matter if it snaps in place or not.
To me it is one of the better cases out there for protection, as the inner hollow compartments means that the impact never reaches the phone. The case is also great at providing grip. Finally it looks really cool, especially in the bright pink and blue.
If you use a white iPhone 4 or a black with screen or back protector this is a marvellous case. If you have a naked black iPhone 4 the lack of proper snap will be a nuisance, as the case will feel wobbly. If you have a white iPhone 4 with a screen or back cover the Reflex will not fit. There are many ifs I know, but considering how great this case is in the right setting it is important to get it under the right circumstances. I recommend it fully for the thicker scenarios.
Final Rating
Original review still valid for the naked black iPhone 4 found below:
Their Defender can be used when hiking, and the Commuter is great for everyday usage. They don`t design many new cases for each device so the news of the Reflex got me really interested. It is the first slider case I have seen from OtterBox. Slider cases are hard to design, as they have to hold together while at the same time being easy to disassemble. Most slider cases have been disappointing in my opinion, but after having a great experience with the iChair I had high hopes for the OtterBox Reflex.
The Reflex is a two-piece slider made for maximum protection while keeping a slim profile. The hard case is built to replicate the way a crumple zone of a car responds to impact. On the back, and inside there are rubberized zones providing grip. In many ways this feels, and looks like a great case. There is one humongous flaw to the design, and that is the fact that it falls apart during everyday usage. The two pieces are supposed to snap together, but no matter how I try they won`t. There is a video showing the simple assembly, and I doubt that even that Reflex shown is holding together. Inserting the charge cable while holding the case will push the bottom half off.
When extracting the Reflex from a tight pocket either the top half stays in the pocket, or I only get the lower half in my hand with iPhone and top half left in the pocket. Trying to play a game with another person using the Reflex is a game of risk. It is far too easy to pull off one of the pieces, and then the phone falls to the ground.
Overall the case gives a really loose impression, and I can wiggle the pieces easily with one hand showing that they are not held together properly. It doesn`t matter that the rubberized zones on the back gives an improved grip if the entire case feels wobbly. I don`t want to stand there holding a piece of rubberized plastic if my iPhone 4 flies across the room. It is supposed to stay inside the case to be protected.
For impact protection the case is excellent if the iPhone stays in it. I have tried it a couple of times, and the case actually bounces slightly. I think it is a real shame that OtterBox went for a slider construction, as the case has some great characteristics completely ruined by the design choice. It could have been moulded like Speck CandyShell or used the two piece design of the Commuter instead.
The Reflex series has some great properties such as being light, dockable, cool looking and non-intrusive. The fact that it feels flimsy due to the slider pieces not locking together properly makes it hard to recommend. It is however recommended to those that need a combination of a dockable case, and great protection.
Final Rating
Reflex Series at OtterBox.com $44.95
