iPhone 4 - what case to get?

[il d00d]

So, I have a new job which has improved my life in two ways: first, I no longer work for crazy people.  Second, I have broken free of the tyranny of the Blackberry.  I am in the promised land as far as company phones go - verily, I rock an iPhone4.  Huzzah for me.

The thing is sexy, so I am tempted to let it go commando for a while, but I should probably get a bumper or full case.  What do y'all recommend?  I really like this skin*, but I have doubts as to how well it will actually protect it from a fall, scratches, etc. From what I read, the screen is most likely to break, but I would like to hear about your drops and spills and how your extremely cool phone fared.

I have looked at a lot of bumpers that either make buttons hard to access or don't protect the screen or do not cater to my highly sophisticated taste in metal doo-dads.  A lot of them cost a lot more than several grams of billet aluminum in any shape or configuration should.  This may be one of those scenarios - cool, cheap, good quality, pick any two.  What has/hasn't worked for you?  Your input, please...

[slowpoke13]

I've got the iPhone3. The Otterbox case has taken me across Africa. Through sand, storms, salt air, rain, and anything else I could throw at it. I finally bought a 2nd case after 2+ years of abuse. And that was only because the little rubber 16pin cover finally tore. I got one for my dad and he's had his for 2+ years. They are bulky and can be a pain to deal with in pockets and such. It won't fit in a bunch of aftermarket dock connectors or aftermarket 16pin cables. But, a company makes a small extension and another company makes a RAM mount specifically for the otterbox case.

Overall, the inconvenience of the size and bulkiness doesn't compare to the abuse I've put it through.

I've heard the Griffin case is very protective as well. But, it's bulkier than the Otterbox.

[Kopfjäger]

www.elementcase.com

[Scooter Montgomery]

I just found out its going to cost me $200 to replace my iphone4 because the headset speaker doesn't work. On the phone I had replaced 4 months ago because the camera broke. I'm not a happy iphone owner right now. I have a speck case which is really nice though.

[duccarlos]

You can't go wrong with the Otterbox. My wife ran over her phone and not a scratch. It's indestructible.

[stopintime]

Any of these splash proof? Moisture proof? (bike touring, alpine skiing)

[slowpoke13]

Otterbox defender case is. As are the griffin cases. I don't know about the rest.

[Kopfjäger]

I just found out its going to cost me $200 to replace my iphone4 because the headset speaker doesn't work. On the phone I had replaced 4 months ago because the camera broke. I'm not a happy iphone owner right now. I have a speck case which is really nice though.

Your phone insurance didn't cover that?

[Slide Panda]

In Case
http://goincase.com/
- Makes a lot of cases. Reviewed well, can take a hit - I have a 'slider' model on my 3Gs that's protected it well from the pavement a few times.

ID America
http://id-case.com/
- One design in particular looks great
http://id-case.com/products-page/all/gasket-brushed-aluminum-case1/
Not sure how really practical it is... but looks great.

And Element Case
http://www.elementcase.com/iPhone-4-s/61.htm
- Got some great looking ones. Of course the best lookers cost near as much as the phone (on discount)...

[pennyrobber]

Don't know about protection but if I had an IPhone, I would definitely get this one.

[bevel]

I run my iPhone 4 naked with just a screen protector (the matte finish "HD" protector they sell in 3-packs at the Apple store). I just throw mine into a Ziplock when there's a chance of rain while I'm out riding and call it a day.

My 3G had a Zagg Skin on the back and screen protector on the front. Worked great for about 6 months and then started lifting and peeling, protected from scratches and light drops just fine.

On the 4s, the Zagg Skins just never stick well to the glass on either side. When my wife put one on hers it was sliding and peeling within a day.

I just got my wife a Lifeproof (http://www.lifeproof.com/lifeproof-store/apple-cases/iphone-4) case for her iPhone 4 (she has a tendency to introduce it to water, and I hate introducing $200 to Apple for a refurb).

Its rated for 2m depths, sand, snow, mud, and "everything life throws at you". It does add a little bulk to the phone, but any solid case is going to do that.

[r_ciao]

I'm one of those dorks that will wear it on the belt only when I'm suited up.  Got my iPhone 4 from the Verizon store where they sold a bundled kit that included a protective case that slides into a holster.  The cool thing about the case is that it includes a kickstand that will hold the phone in either the horizontal or vertical position.  This is great for watching movies on plane rides b/c I don't have to hold it in my hands.

My bro got a carbon fiber case that looks really cool.  He bought it online for about $40.  Carbon Fiber + DMFers = totally cool.  Might want to consider that kind of case.

Ciao!

[JEFF_H]

The one with the bottle opener, natch



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLYwPX1o1fE&feature=player_embedded#!

[slowpoke13]

This is the first I've heard of the lifeproof. I like it. I think I'll get that when I upgrade to the iPhone4. Not as bulky as the otterbox. But, more waterproof.

[bevel]

The Lifeproof cases take a little getting used to. The clear part that covers the screen is a lot thicker than usual screen protectors, and doesn't hamper me typing (I'm a thumb typer), but has been slowing my wife down (index finger typer).

It does have gaskets and waterproof "vents" around all the important parts - speakers on the bottom and the ear piece, but judging by the 2m water resistance, they're not expect to take too much pressure.

The white case has made my wife's black iPhone look almost exactly like my white case, just a little larger.