There are a lot of case options available for the iPhone 4, an it can be difficult to decide which to choose. Today, I’ll present to you OtterBox’s newest case: The Impact Series For iPhone 4.
Overview
OtterBox has always been known for its legendary protective cases, offering toughness and great protection. Their latest entry, the Reflex series, departs from tradition on some level, being thinner, lighter, and incorporating a two-part design. Here, we take a look at the initial pros and cons.
Pros
- Easy to add and remove the iPhone.
- Fits the iPhone very securely.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Extremely good traction – difficult to drop.
- Great protection without a lot of thickness.
- Small and light.
- Environmentally safe materials, eco-friendly packaging.
- Slides in and out of a pocket without catching.
- Raised lip around the face of the phone helps protect against screen injury.
Cons
- Tight case design can cause screen protector to peel away.
- Dirt can easily get caught in the case and scratch your device.
What’s In The Box
The packaging is minimal. and made of biodegradable materials. Inside, there is only the case, a cardstock insert, and a screen protection kit. The minimalism of the packaging is in agreement with the minimal nature of the case itself.
Design
The Reflex case features only a two-part design, versus the 3-4 pieces in most OtterBoxes. This is done for a specific reason, however. First, the case comes apart very quickly for removal of the phone, and second, it acts in a unique way as a shock absorption device. The case is also thinner and lighter than most other OtterBox cases, without compromising protection
The case is attractive and functional, and although it does add a bit of thickness and heft to the iPhone, I find it rather minimal. The Reflex is designed with a TPU plastic shell laced with impact absorbing rubber that takes a permanently damaging hit at the corners of the case and turns it into a momentary annoyance of a dropped phone. The cases were designed with the crumple zones that absorb the brunt of an impact at the corners – similar to how an airbag works in your car.
Protection
This case can take a beating, thanks to its awesome ability to cushion your iPhone in a similar way that a car protects you. Basically, the case absorbs all of the shock, much like a helmet or a car bumper. Check out the video below for more details on this.
Conclusion
The OtterBox Reflex Series case is a solid balance between protection and pocketability. It does what it claims to do, and it does it well. The design is both unique and effective. I grant the OtterBox iPhone 4 Reflex Series Case a 4 out of 5.
The Reflex case retails for $44.95 from OtterBox, and is available in 4 different colors. For more information, or to purchase, check out the OtterBox Onine Store.
