Accessorize Mobile » Reviews

Review: Ballistic Hard Core (HC) Case for iPhone 4/4S

Accessorize Mobile Team — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:45:14 +0000

In the past we’ve taken a look at some of the most protective cases for the iPhone 4/4S. For the past few weeks I’ve been testing Ballistic’s Hard Core (HC) Series case for the iPhone 4S. The Hard Core Series brings together five layers of solid protection, including a durable plastic holster, and optional rugged silicon skin to wrap over the hard shell. First off let me say that Ballistic has done an amazing job of piecing together the multiple layers, and creating such a strong ruggedized case. Ballistic’s Hard Core Series is designed from shock absorbent polymer and impact resistant polycarbonate, meaning it can take a big beating and absorb the shock very well.

Lets talk about the overall fit of the case. Putting on the case is easy as it just snaps together. Taking off the case is more of a challenge, you need to pry the case off starting at the top and working around to all the clips. This can be good or bad, depending on how much you remove your case. Normally I change my iPhone cases daily, however I found myself using the Ballistic Hard Core a lot more, not because I couldn’t take it off easily, but because its stylish and very protective. I dropped my iPhone a couple times (by accident of course) from about 4 to 5 feet onto pavement, and the case absorbed all shock, and the iPhone was perfect inside. I should point out that all these drops took place without the extra 5th layer of protection, the silicon skin that wraps over the case.

Speaking of the optional silicon skin, lets talk about that. The silicon skin is an awesome idea for anyone who works in rough and tough environments. While everyone may not need it, it is a great add-on for those who beat up their devices on a regular basis. I didn’t find myself using it too much, as most of the time my iPhone was shoved into a pocket, and not holstered. The optional silicon skin wraps over the back and sides of the Hard Core case and will even securely clip into the side holster if wanted.

I have to point out the side grips of this case. Ballistic has done something very simple but ingenius with their Hard Core Series case. The sides are actually designed to be gripped in your hand, making it easier to hold onto using one hand. Like other Ballistic cases, the HC Series also rocks the Ballistic Corners to absorb even more impact when dropped on the corners — You might even notice the detail put into this case by Ballistic with their logo on each corner.

This case is not waterproof, but it does offer water resistant meshing over the speakers, as well plugged headphone and dock connector ports to ensure dirt, dust, and water do not get in. Even the volume buttons and mute switch are covered to ensure your device stays protected.

Final thoughts on the Hard Core (HC) Series for the iPhone 4. I am very impressed with the case, and will continue to use it over the next little while. When comparing this case to the competition, the closest comparison in terms of protection would be the OtterBox Defender Series, but the Ballistic Hard Core case just seems more compact. I wouldn’t be able to pick one or the other, I would suggest you check out both and decide for yourself. I will say I am giving this particular case a solid five stars (out of 5) as I have no strong complaints about it. As always if you have any questions about this case feel free to post a comment below.

Pros:

Case fits very snug and secure
Awesome side grips that fit well in hand
Color options are decent
Optional extra protection included and not required
Water resistant mesh over speakers

Cons:

Plastic holster feels kind of cheap, but works
Removing the case can be a challenge

Accessorize Mobile Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Where to Buy:

The Ballistic Hard Core Series for the iPhone 4 is currently available in 5 color options, including all black, red/black, grey/black, black/hot pink, and white/black (as seen in this review). These cases retail for $49.99 USD each at Ballistic’s online store.

Gallery:

Review: Case-Mate Pop! with Stand for iPhone 4/4S

Accessorize Mobile Team — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:06:47 +0000

The first time we checked out the Pop! case from Case-Mate, I knew it would be a huge success. A while ago, Case-Mate unveiled a couple new additions to their Pop! family of cases for the iPhone 4/4S. For the past week or so I have been testing out the new Pop! with Stand for my 4S and while I never thought I would find a use for the kickstand, I have. The kickstand that pops out of the back of the case is designed to put your iPhone at an optimal viewing angle for multimedia or video chatting. While I don’t watch a lot of media on my iPhone, I found the Pop! with Stand with perfect for FaceTime and Skype video chats.

Pop with Stand (left) and Original Pop (right)

If you’ve ever owned a Pop! case before then you know they aren’t too bulky, have rubber grips on the side and front of the case, and make your device feel super protected. The new Pop! with Stand is very similar, although you get a little more thickness than a normal Pop! case. The Pop! with Stand is designed for all iPhone 4 and 4S models, and provides access to all ports and buttons easily.

One (very small) compliant about this case is how large the camera hole is on this case. While the iPhone 4S does require a bigger camera hole, due to the stronger flash, the Pop! case camera hole loves to collect dust.

Finally lets talk about the side rubberized grips. In short they’re great! I’m the kind of person who carries my iPhone around in my hand, and I found this case provides great grip in the hand. Now with that being said, because I carry the phone around a lot, I do drop it from time to time. The Pop! case provides lot of protection from bumps and drops. I tested dropping my iPhone from about a 6-foot drop on a concreate floor, the case took it like a champ, with no issue or damage.

In closing, the Pop! with Stand is a very stylish case that provides lots of protection for your iPhone. All ports on this case provide easy access to volume toggle, headphone jack, and dock connector to charge or sync. The Pop cases from Case-Mate are available in tons of awesome color combinations or straight. The case we reviewed is the cool grey/citron color combination and can be found on Case-Mate’s website. As always if you have questions about this particular case, post a comment below and we will answer them!

Pros

Co-molded fit with hard shell and ruber
Stylish and provides grip
Awesome color selection
Kickstand actually comes in handy

Cons

Rubber around front of case can wear after time
Camera hole collects dirt/dust

Accessorize Mobile Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Case-Mate currently offers the Pop! with Stand for the iPhone 4/4S in 10 colors, including a couple very cool limited edition colors, like the white/lime green as seen above. You can check out all the available colors or order the case directly from Case-Mate.com for $40.

Visit Case-Mate to check out the Pop! with Stand for iPhone 4/4S

Hands-on Gallery

Review: Case-Mate Tough Case for BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

Accessorize Mobile Team — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:39:04 +0000

When it comes to cases I’ve used pretty much everything, but this one in particular stands out. The Case-Mate Tough Case is a hybrid case which provides a silicon layer to wrap the device, then a hard plastic shell to snap over top of the silicon. The end result is a very nicely protected BlackBerry. Case-Mate currently offers the Tough Case for the Bold 9900 in several colors, including black/black, black/pink, and black/light blue. We reviewed the black/light blue combo and it easily became one of my favorite cases for the Bold 99xx.

I rock the Tough Case on my Bold 9900 pretty much every day for a couple reasons, one I love the fit, two it stylish, and three its protective, simple as that. Like previous Tough Cases I’ve used they fit perfect and certainly give the other brands a run for their money. Speaking of money, if you were curious about the price of this particular case, Case-Mate retails the Bold 9900/9930 Tough Case for only $35 on their website.

When we review a case people always ask about the size, and it’s a pretty valid question, so let’s answer this for you. When you think of slim cases you think of the Barely There Series from Case-Mate, and I can say the Tough Case is definitely not slim. Because it’s tough body is designed from two layers (a silicon skin and hard plastic shell) it makes you device bigger, but it feels safe enough to drop and bump the device around. One thing that really stands out for me about the Tough Case is the back of the plastic casing. It’s got this great rubberized feeling grip on the back, which is handy if you carry your phone around in your hand.

Final Thoughts:

It’s pretty clear that the Case-Mate Tough Case is a winner. It provides just the right amount of protection for your BlackBerry Bold, plus adds some style and even color options. All of this in a decent price point of $35 makes the Tough Case an easy choice. You can follow the link below to check out the case at Case-Mate.

Accessorize Mobile Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

Perfect fit on the device
Color options available
Rubberized grip backing

Cons:

No screen protector included with case

Check out the Case-Mate Tough Case for the Bold 9900/9930 at Case-Mate

Gallery:

Review: Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard by Hip Street

Susan — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:10:46 +0000

I know that having a BlackBerry PlayBook, my only obstacle is typing on a touchscreen device. The Canadian company Hip Street has a universal Bluetooth keyboard that works with both the BlackBerry PlayBook and iPad 1 and 2. I had to check it out for myself.

The Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard by Hip Street has a price tag of $47.99. It has a few clean features, so I’ll include those for you.

Features:

Bluetooth 2.0 keyboard with 49 keys
Great for typing, texting and simple to use
Rechargeable battery
Colour LED status indicator lights
Charging time: 3-4 hours
Working range: 10 m (32 ft)

Hip Street has their online address and phone number for Customer and Technical Support included in the brochure that comes with the device.

For system requirements, the following are compatible:

BlackBerry PlayBook
Apple iPad/iPhone with iOS 4.0 and up
Windows Mobile OS
Google Android OS
Nokia Symbian S60 OS
Computers with Windows/Mac or Linux OS
Other similar devices with Bluetooth

The package arrived, and I couldn’t wait to unbox it and check it out. The package came with the keyboard (115*60*9.6 mm), user manual, and a usb cable. I always charge a device to a full charge prior to pairing them. One feature I found interesting is that it has Multimedia keys for Play/Pause, volume up/Down, Forward and Rewind.

Pairing was easy once the device was charged. There are three important things to take note of. The charging LED light, the pair/connect LED light, and the pair/connect button. Next to the charging port sits the on/off switch. You switch it to on, turn your tablet Bluetooth to on, press the pair/connect button and ready for you to search with your Tablet for a Bluetooth device. When you find the keyboard, click to pair. It will show you the pairing code, which you type into your keyboard and click enter and there you go!

I love the size of the keyboard, it’s very similar to having a keyboard just a tad wider than my BlackBerry device. Once I started using it, I had no problem using it. The keyboard is simple, comfortable to keep in your hands to type, and also has a decent battery life in it.

Cons: It takes a little to get used to the mini keyboard since I’m more used to having a full size keyboard to type on, but once you get used to it, it’s easier to use. It’s similar to typing on your BlackBerry device, only a tad larger.

Pros: The portability because of size is very nice. It’s easy to take with you on the go and use it anywhere. It’s a great gift idea as well.

You can find the Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard by Hip Street at Hip Street’s website here

You can also find the Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard by Hip Street at Amazon here

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Review: Ballistic Shell Gel Case for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

Susan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:26:02 +0000

We all have heard of the latest Built for BlackBerry Ballistic cases for the BlackBerry PlayBook and we’re all too familiar with the Otterbox. Ballistic has cases for the BlackBerry, so for this review we’re going to take a look at the 9930 Ballistic case.

I was very curious when my case arrived. There are three colors available for the 9930. Black, Black/Red, and Black/Gray. I had ordered the Black/Red case and when it came, I was impressed that it came in a case that resembled a book. It opens like a book. Information on the case rest on the front and back of the package. Opening the package, I found the warranty on the inside spine, and the directions of how to apply the case on the inside back of the package. There’s another neat feature I really like: the bar code on the back, which I scanned with my BlackBerry PlayBook, and it brought up the Ballistic website which let me know the case is authentic and has more information about it on there.

The case comes in two parts. The black silicone with thick corners and the red hard polycarbonate shell make up the case. The features that are advertised for this case are:

Advanced three layers of protection
Layer 1 – Soft silicone equipped with Ballistic Corners™
Layer 2 – Tough impact resistant polycarbonate shell
Layer 3 – Ballistic shock absorbent polymer
Pocket-able protection
Equipped with a lay-on-table-feature (laying the case face down will keep the screen and the keyboard safe inside and raised from a flat surface)

So let’s check out the case. The hard polycarbonate is both stylish and raised where the camera and flash are. The silicone case is nice, the top and bottom are thicker and have a “bumper” feel to it. The silicone case goes on easily. The thick edging feels very durable and sits protectively over the corners. The hard polycarbonate fits on top, and just needs a little bit of working with to get it fit snug.

Cons: I’d like to see the case have some built-in plugs for the ports to protect them from dust and things of that nature. I’d also like to see a screen protector included. I use my Skinomi on my BlackBerry, but having a screen protector included just gives that finishing touch.

Pros: The case is priced nicely, goes into a pocket or pocketbook easily, looks stylish, and is easy to install on your phone. It does protect from the occasional drop like a champ. It reminds me of being somewhere between an Otterbox Defender and Commuter, but without a holster, port plugs, or screen protector.

All in all, it’s a great case. It’s not too bulky, has a nice feel to it, and looks like a top of the line case. The materials don’t feel cheap or flimsy, and feels like it’s ready to prepare your phone for battle.

The case comes in the Black, Black/Red, and Black/Gray case and sells for $34.99.

You can purchase your Ballistic case from the Ballistic website here.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This review is written by Susan from BlackBerrySync.com. Susan is a senior editor with BBSync, and has decided to share her thoughts of the Ballistic SG for the Bold 9900 with Accessorize Mobile readers.

Review: Case-Mate Brushed Aluminum Barely There Series for BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

Accessorize Mobile Team — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:43:17 +0000

In the past we’ve taken a look at a ton of Case-Mate cases, but none quite as impressive as this one. This is the Barely There Brushed Aluminum Series for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 smartphones. This case highlights the beautiful design of the Bold 99xx combing the thin and protective Barely There Series case, with real brush aluminum finish on the back. Case-Mate offers this the metal finish in your choice of black or silver finish. I’ve been rocking the silver finish case on my Bold for a couple weeks now, and let me just say it’s one of my favorite cases from Case-Mate to date.

Case-Mate has really out done themselves again with the quality of the case and the fit. This case wraps around your BlackBerry Bold Touch covering the sides and back, leaving only the top and bottom exposed. While this case would protect your device much more than not having one, it might not be ideal for those who are very rough on their devices. Because the Barely There cases are very slim there isn’t much there to absorb the shock of being dropped. With that being said I have already dropped my device once in this case, and it’s perfectly fine.

Pros:

Brushed Aluminum looks amazing
Keeps device very slim

Cons:

Doesn’t cover top or bottom
Lip around edges sticks out slightly
No screen protector included in packaging

Where to Buy:

You can pick up the Case-Mate Brushed Aluminum Barely There Series for the BlackBerry Bold 99xx and the iPhone 4/4S from Case-Mate for $40.

Final Thoughts:

There isn’t really much more for me to say about this case, I love it. It’s slim and has a beautiful brushed aluminum finish, which doesn’t feel like its going to peel off. Overall I would recommend this case to anyone looking for something stylish and “barely there”. While it may not offer as much protection as some other bulky cases, the Barely There Series is a great mix of protection, compact size, and extremely light weight.

Gallery:

Review: Skinomi Techskin For the BlackBerry PlayBook

Susan — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:44:24 +0000

Skinomi Techskin promises to protect your wireless devices with a clear screen protector and even colored skins to save your device from wear and tear. I had to see what the Skinomi screen protector is like. The quality is worth the investment. Check it out…A description of the Techskin is as follows:

TechSkin is the best solution for maximum scratch protection for your device. It is the toughest scratch protection film in the world made of the same material used to protect luxury cars, military aircrafts and NASA space shuttles. TechSkin has the ability to resist some of the highest level of abrasion combined with “self healing” capabilities

Features of the Techskin are:

The clearest film on the market
The toughest protection film on the market
The ultimate scratch-resistant film for your gadgets and devices
Adds protection to your gadgets and devices without bulky cases
Keeps the device manufacturers’ original sleek design
Grip-improving ridges assure smooth feel while making the device easier to grip and hold.
Easy to install film cuts that maximize coverage while minimizing customer’s efforts.
The clear “Protection for Perfection.”
Lifetime replacement warranty

While similar to the popular ZAGG Invisible Shields, there’s another difference off the bat which is price and shipping. Skinomi offers free shipping to the US and Canada, where ZAGG is free shipping with orders of $29.98 or more to 48 US states. I chose black carbon fiber to see how it would look.

When I ordered my Skinomi, it didn’t take long at all to come in. The price of the carbon fiber skin protector with a screen protector was only $29.95 with free shipping, compared to that of ZAGG which is $54.98. For $24.95 you can get the full clear Skin Protector compared to ZAGG’s $29.99. The box comes included with instructions, screen protector, liquid applicator, skin, and an installation card to squeeze out air bubbles and water. There’s also a card to let you know there’s a lifetime warranty on the skin!

Skinomi Preparation Tools (Be sure to have these on hand) for Skins:

Skinomi box
Lint free cloth
Scissors
Hair dryer

After removing the contents of the box, I cleaned my BlackBerry PlayBook, cut the box open for the instructions, and began reading the instructions which are easy. Clean your device, wash your hands, and have a lint free cloth available. Turn off the device and remove the battery if possible. Identify the screen protector and find where it will align with the screen of your device, spray your fingers and the top sidesof the screen protector, and peel off after making sure that the front is wet. Now align the screen protector lining it from the top or bottom, or side, but carefully lay it down. If you make a mistake or misalign, just lift up and wet and realign to avoid the screen protector getting pulled out of shape. While you’re lining up your screen protector and laying it out, use the installation card to help squeeze out the excess water. Use the lint free cloth to help absorb the excess water. The installation is very easy. Take your time and don’t worry, it’s going to look great so long as you make sure you’re in a dust and lint free environment.

I found this screen protector to be the easiest one I’ve ever attempted to install. The directions do state to let it dry a few hours or overnight. Any streaks or slight imperfections will disappear within a few days. Now the skin. The hairblower will assist you in installation. This part is liquid free. In this part I unstick the skin and align with the device, making sure the camera is open and aligned with the skin. Slowly lay it flat, smoothing out air bubbles from the top to bottom. Take care to stick the sides to the device, and smooth accordingly. Now turn on the hairblower to a medium setting and carefully heat the device, all while smoothing it out. The heat will help the skin to stick and as it cools adhere tightly. I am very impressed with the skin for keeping my device protected. The screen protector looks like liquid glass which is nice and shiny.

Also included with your order is a 25% off coupon for other purchases. After a few hours or overnight you can turn your device back on and after 24 hours the screen protector is nice and invisible except for the feel. It doesn’t interfere with the sensitivity of the touch screen, but it does have a different feel to it. If you want just the screen protector, Skinomi has those available for only $16.95. With the lifetime warranty, you need only one for the device, as long as you install correctly. What Skinomi prides themselves on besides customer service is that their skins do not have the orange peel look so it’s your device sealed in protection with no change to the look except a glossy screen.

The pros to this skin is the pliable material and how easy it is to install. It’s made easy for you. The skin is easy, and the screen is easy so long as you take your time.

The only con I could find with this skin is that I didn’t know about Skinomi sooner. If you’re serious about protecting your device, and want a screen that’s going to do it at a reasonable cost, then your search is over. The materials are top of the line, customer service is amazing, as they don’t wait to return your questions. Every detail is as close to perfect as they can get. After seeing the results of the Skinomi Techskin, I had to order one for each of my wireless devices, including my BlackBerry. The skins are available for several wireless devices, so it’s not just for BlackBerry, but other manufacturers as well. Overall rating: 10/10.

Here’s the video for installation as well, which you’ll find helpful.

You can purchase the Skinomi Techskins and Screen Protectors from Skinomi here

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Quick Review: OtterBox Reflex Series for iPhone 4

Accessorize Mobile Team — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:44:12 +0000

I thought we would take a few minutes to show off OtterBox’s newest series of cases, the Reflex Series, which launched earlier this year. The OtterBox Reflex Series is currently available for the Apple iPhone 4 and BlackBerry Curve 8520/8530 and Curve 3G smartphones. The Reflex Series is an adaptive two piece case that is compact and lightweight, it is infused with hard plastic and rubber corners to absorb shock. The corners are inspired by the crumple zone of a car, which take the impact of a drop and then bounces back to life.

The OtterBox Reflex Series’ two piece design allows easy removal of the bottom half to connect your iPhone on a dock. The Reflex Series has a very secure and snug fit, this is both good and bad. The case provides a very snug fit for your device, however if you have a custom screen protector, like the ZAGG Invisible Shield for example, you won’t be able to use it with this case. With that being said, the Reflex Series case does include a fitted screen protector for your iPhone, which is thin enough to work with the case.

Overall I would say that this case is an interesting step for OtterBox. While the Reflex Series some great color options and fits very securely on your device, I am not on convinced that this would be my first choice of a case. I wasn’t a fan that I couldn’t use a premium screen protector, as I normally have a high quality screen protector on my devices. But if you are not a fan of screen protectors or just don’t see the need for one, then by all means check out this case. Like other OtterBox cases, the Reflex series fits perfect. The Crumble Zone corners are an awesome idea. The case is definitely interesting. I am curious to see if OtterBox launches this particular style case for newer smartphones.

Oh and in case you were wondering. The Reflex Series carries a one-year warranty which can be dealt with from OtterBox.com.

Availability

OtterBox Reflex Series for iPhone 4 – Available in four colors (black/black, black/pink, green/black, and blue/black) for $44.95 each.
OtterBox Reflex Series for BlackBerry Curve – Available in two colors (black/black and black/pink) for $44.95 each.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Gallery of the OtterBox Reflex Series

Review: Ballistic Tough Jacket Case for BlackBerry PlayBook

Accessorize Mobile Team — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:37:17 +0000

From the moment you cover your BlackBerry PlayBook with Ballistic’s new Tough Jacket case, you will feel protected. Ballistic is becoming a very well known name in the protective case market by bringing style and protective to a whole new level. Today we are taking a look at Ballistic’s new Tough Jacket case for the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. Previously we showed you the OtterBox Defender Series, which offers rugged protection for your PlayBook tablet.

At first glance you will notice the unique design of the Tough Jacket case. It’s form fitted and designed from tough silicon, then wrapped in a hard plastic (and very fitted) shell that covers the back and sides of your tablet. Included with this case is a protective shell that can cover your PlayBook’s display when not in use, and also acts as a handy stand to watch media or browse with ease. All four corners of the Tough Jacket case are equipped with Ballistic Corners, which are designed to take the most impact from bumps and drops.

The Ballistic Tough Jacket is designed from three advanced layers:

Layer 1 – Inner silicone layer absorbs shock
Layer 2 – Impact resistant hard plastic protects the BlackBerry PlayBook
Layer 3 – Shock Absorbent polymer layer

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t use this case every single day. While the Tough Jacket does provide me with a ton of protection for my BlackBerry PlayBook for when I need it. This case isn’t by any means compact and those who do not like bulky cases should look at other options. The Tough Jacket has been designed with two things in mind, Style and Protection.

While the $70 price tag on the Tough Jacket case might scare some, it is right up there with its main competition, the Defender Series from OtterBox. The Ballistic PlayBook Tough Jacket is available in two colour options (black/black and black/red) and can be purchased from goballisticcase.com and many electronics retailers.

The first time I laid eyes on Ballistic products I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after reviewing the Tough Jacket case for the PlayBook, you can really see the quality they work into their products. This case is by far one of the most fitted and snug fit cases I have ever reviewed on my PlayBook. I have no worries about my tablet if it gets dropped when in this case. As I said above, this case may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for extreme protection and/or have a habit of breaking things then check out the Ballistic Tough Jacket. You won’t be disappointed. Check out our gallery below to get a little more hands on with this product…

Ballistic Tough Jacket for BlackBerry PlayBook

Our Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Where to Buy: GoBallisticCase.com

Price: $69.99 USD

OtterBox Commuter Series vs. Defender Series for HTC Inspire 4G/Desire HD

Accessorize Mobile Team — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:05:55 +0000

OtterBox Commuter and Defender Series

The HTC Inspire 4G and Desire HD is pretty much the same device with different names across the world. It’s a powerful Android smartphone that sports a huge 4.3” touch display. We took some time to check out OtterBox’s lineup of cases for the new Inspire/Desire HD from HTC. OtterBox is offering two of their most popular cases, the Commuter Series and Defender Series. The Commuter Series is the smaller and more compact case of the two, which appeals to the majority of the consumer market. The Defender Series case is the more protective, slightly more bulkier, rougher, tougher style case. The bonus about the Defender series is that you can clip it to your side with the included plastic belt clip.

The OtterBox Commuter Series for HTC Inspire 4G/Desire HD

As I said above, the Commuter Series is the case you would wear if you’re looking for protection, but don’t want a ton of extra bulk to go along with it. Included with each Commuter Series case is a self-adhesive screen protection, which you can stick to your devices display to ensure it doesn’t get scratched. The Commuter Series consists of two layers – the first a silicon skin, which wraps your devices sides and back, and then the silicon skin gets covered with a hard plastic shell, which pretty covers your device. This may sound like a lot of bulk, but there really isn’t that much there. Like any OtterBox case we’ve looked at before you will notice that the case is perfectly fitted for your HTC Inspire/Desire HD, and includes a silicon flip to cover the charger port from dirt and dust.

The OtterBox Defender Series for HTC Inspire 4G/Desire HD

Ah the Defender Series. This case is designed for those who are extremely rough on their devices. This case isn’t exactly what you would call compact by any means. This three-layered case will wrap your device to ensure maximum protection. The protection begins with a hard plastic shell that clips around your device. This shell includes a built-in screen protection to ensure dirt, dust and grim doesn’t get on your display. Next is the fitted silicon layer that wraps around the Defender shell and fits in every little hole to ensure if you drop the device, it will be protected. Another top reason why people love the Defender Series is the great belt clip holster, which the case will snap into. The holster can swivel around securely and as a bonus can act as a mount to watch media on the giant 4.3” display.

More on OtterBox

It’s no secret that I firmly believe you get what you pay for. In the past we’ve taken a look at entry-level accessories and then top branded accessories like OtterBox. So lets take a look at pricing for these two cases. The Commuter Series is the lighter of the two, and that means it will be more cost effective. The Commuter Series will run you $34.95 USD. The Defender Series from OtterBox is the most protective case from the company, and includes the slightly higher price tag of $49.95 USD. Each OtterBox case includes a great 1-year warranty, in which you can contact OtterBox at any time for a warranty replacement.

Which would I pick?

I always get asked if I had to pick one case to use on a daily basis what would it be. This is a very hard decision for me, as I change devices so frequently. In terms of cases for the HTC Inspire 4G/Desire HD, I would have to go with the Commuter Series and here’s why… I’m not rough on my devices (most of the time). Even though this device is already massive (thanks to the 4.3” display) I would say the Commuter Series offers the best amount of protection, without the extra bulk. I was very impressed with how the Commuter Series fit the device, and how it just felt right. Now don’t get me wrong, if I was doing a job that I knew my device would be in danger (like construction) then I would recommend the Defender Series case for sure. I guess what I’m trying to say is, it depends on how rough on devices you are.

Where to Buy

You can purchase either of these OtterBox cases from OtterBox.com for $34.95 or $49.95 USD.

Questions?

Finally do you have questions about these cases? Feel free to post a comment below and we’ll do our best to answer them.