In today’s line of smart phones, iPhone 4 and 4S are considered to be top of the line. However, they are not the toughest out there. In fact, the iPhone is a wee bit more fragile compared to other smart phones.

When the iPhone 4 was released, Apples stores all over the US were swarmed with buyers eager to experience the revolutionary technology called Gorilla Glass. This glass covers the front side of the iPhone 4/4S and is said to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic, making the phone more resistant to wear and tear. But several experiments have been done to contest these claims. The results of these experiments concluded that, on the average, the iPhone will shut down on the second drop, acquire scratches on the third, and the glass will shatter on the fourth. (McEntegart, 2010)

Photo Source: http://www.puremobile.com/insiderblog/will-the-iphone-4s-be-a-bestseller
 

Of course, Apple remained credible in terms of hardware and software performance and overall mobile user experience. In terms of the ruggedness of the materials they use, however, they are yet to impress a lot of critiques. The wisest thing to do in this situation is to play it safe.

Expensive gadgets like the iPhone 4/4S need protection as they are exposed to threats of bumps, shocks, and drops at any circumstance. The Otterbox Defender Series case can provide the right amount of ruggedness the iPhone 4S needs. This heavy-duty case has several protective layers that help the phone tough out rough treatment or environments. The inner layer is a polycarbonate shell with a front-and-back snap shot design. The screen protector is already attached to the front cover, eliminating the common bubble problems users have with other screen protectors. A circular clear screen covers the cutout for the Apple logo at the back case, while a silicone skin hugs the first case layer. The slightly rough surface of the silicone allows users to have a stronger grip on the phone.

Intelligent small-scale engineering

The Defender Series has additional features that raise the bar of intelligent small-scale engineering. On top of the list is the removable belt clip included in the Defender package. It covers almost the entire back portion, serving as a case for the case. The wide clip allows users to rotate the phone 360 degrees. On this note, it would be best to attach the phone to a belt or to a bag strap since it would be too bulky to be placed inside a pocket, unless the pants are significantly loose.

Otterbox incorporated other smart details for this series. The Defender has openings for the bottom speaker and microphone, and for the top noise-cancelling microphone to preserve good quality calls. The front facing camera, rear camera, and flash are also left open to preserve the iPhone’s photo performance. The volume, mute, and sleep/wake buttons are protected with silicone coverings that give the users a rubbery feeling whenever they press these keys. Meanwhile, the 30-pin port on the bottom of the phone is covered with silicone which can be flapped open to allow convenient docking. The ruggedness of the Defender can protect your iPhone 4S and 4 against shocks, bumps, lint, dusts, and other impacts. It is not water resistant but it can withstand splashes, spills, and rain so long as the water does not penetrate the tiny openings.

As far as conventional style is concerned, the Otterbox Defender Series is not a fashion statement. It is best for those of you who use their iPhones in rugged or dangerous terrains. Ultimately, it will provide any user’s iPhone a greater chance to survive bad falls or other damaging elements.