Just got a 4s, my first iPhone. Wondering how I’m going to tote it.
Those case/wallet combos sound like a good idea, but they all seem to offer way too little storage space for anything more than a license and a card or two.
mmm
A case/wallet combo would not work for me because I use my phone for way more than calling and texting, and anything I’d have to fumble with in order to use the camera or whatever would drive me nuts.
I have a BodyGlove case that is in two pieces. The bottom part (about 1/4 of the case) pulls off so you can use a docking cradle. Some cradles will work with some cases. No case will work with the Apple docking cradle.
The docking port is complete accessible through the case, so you can use a docking cable without removing the bottom, BTW. It’s only cradles that are problematic.
The case works well for me. I’ve dropped my phone more times than I care to admit and it has protected it without fail.
I have a CaseCrown brand that I got via eBay for around $10, and have been happy with it. Protective without being terribly large, and the rubber material has just the right amount of friction without sticking to my pocket.
I have a case featuring my own photo that I made at Gelaskins, called the Hard Case. I love the photo and the case is very sturdy.
I bought my GF the Griffin Survivor case for her iPhone. She tends to destroy all of her electronics one way or another, so I wanted to give her iPhone the best chance at survival. It’s pricey ($50), but worth it if you’re worried about your device taking abuse.
Otter Defender for me on my HTC Incredible. They also make it for the iPhone.
May not be what you are after if you want to have storage in it. But, formyself it’s a very good solid product. It does enlarge the phone more than your basic case, but it makes it easier to hold onto. And since I use the belt clip, that’s not an issue. It really protects the phone well.
If you actually use the phone on your camera this won’t work but I love the bookbook case. I’m tempted to find a leather punch to put a hole in it for the camera and resolve all of my case issues.
I am totally happy with my iPhone case/holster - namely, my left pants pocket.
If I wanted to carry around a big, ugly plastic thing, I’d have bought an Android phone.
I use this holster and it works great. The case component is pretty minimalistic - it just snaps on, it gives the back a grippable texture, and the edges stick out just enough to take the impact of the top/bottom/front in case you drop it.
The whole unit slides into the holster any way you want - with just enough tension that it won’t move on its own, but not too hard to remove - no need to unsnap or unlock anything, just slide it out.
The belt clip also rotates 180 degrees so you can wear it with the phone horizontally which I prefer, and it doubles as a kickstand for watching video.
Cheap, too - $12 with free shipping from amazon.
I have the bookbook. I like it a lot. You have too make a bigger hole than you think for the camera. It’s very nice looking, and has replace my wallet. I currently have:
-iphone
-bank card
-credit card
-driver’s license
-cash
-pen (actually, the innards of a space pen)
All in the bookbook case. This is pretty much all I need, most of the time.
I have to third 12South’s BookBook case. The transparent license slot has a cut-out for your thumb so you can push out your license easily (wish more wallets thought of that). The other two pockets on mine have stretched to hold my debit card, two credit cards, auto and health insurance cards, law school ID, and any business cards that happen along.
The cash pocket doesn’t quite fit a US bill though, even if folded in half (could be annoying if you like crisp bills).
I use the Otterbox Defender with belt clip.
Pros:[ol]
[li]Really protects the phone. I dropped it in water once, quickly snatched it out, and the phone suffered no damage. I have dropped it on floors and pavements with no damage.[/li][li]Allows all phone functions without alteration.[/li][li]Appears to be a well-designed, well-made case.[/li][/ol]
Cons:[ol]
[li]Expensive ($49 retail)[/li][li]Bulky[/li][li]Probably won’t work with any cradles(I haven’t tried).[/li][li]Belt clip is considered dorky by some[/li][li]Doesn’t serve as a wallet susbstitute.[/li][/ol]
Another Otterbox here. I’ve tried several kinds before; they all broke or fell apart within a few months. I’ve had the Otterbox for over a year now and it doesn’t have a scratch on it. I could probably throw my phone against a wall and it wouldn’t break.
I’ve been through a number of cases after not having one and ruining a phone.
- Belkin Grip Ergo silicone rubbery case: too loose at mid-phone, too sticky in a rubber kind of way.
- a custom laser-etched bamboo case from Grove. I had great fun perfecting the design and the case was exquisitly crafted but between my fumble fingers self and my two daughters I had to retire it within a couple months. What was I thinking?
- an Incase slider: not bad but it was kind of bare bones and really didn’t do anything for me.
- an Element ion 4: my current case. I really like it. It’s hard rubber with extra on the corners, fits snugly, so far so good.
- an otterbox that my sister got me for my birthday. More bulk than I’m comfortable with but I’ll give it a try someday.
Otter Box here. It’s awesome because I’m prone to continually dropping expensive things. It’s got the belt clip but I never use that, I just slide it into my pocket but have to rearrange the rubber counting sometimes when I pull it out. When my SO got his iPhone, he got one too.
One note, I have the iPhone 4s and bought the Otterbox for the iPhone4 really, really cheap ($8 as opposed to $50). The one thing that isn’t exact is the mute switch on the side is slightly off. I am okay with saving $42 for such a minor inconvenience that is totally surmountable (I can still flick it on and off with my pinky finger).
Otterbox Commuter for iPhone 4S. this one, in particular. It’s sturdy without being bulky and looks cool, too. Just don’t get the case for the 4, it uses a much flimsier plastic.
Um, a photo that I took, not a photo of me. :rolleyes:
I recommend the DayDeal site as often as I can. I swear I don’t work for them, I have simply been a customer for many years and their selection is fantastic. There are over 1,000 4S products to choose from, and they’re adding more all the time. They have a YouTube channel showing many of the cases if you’re wondering how some of them work, even if the demo is for a different phone, you get the idea (like the many 3-piece cases). Free shipping and great prices, great customer service.
I’ve got mine in an otter box. A bit bulky, but I knew the iPhone would not survive me without it. About a week after I got the otter box, it came out of my pocket on the bike path at about 25 mph (downhill) and bounced along the pavement for however far it took to stop. The otter box had a couple small divots, but the phone inside was fine. It has also saved it from a couple of other mishaps I forget the details of. Slightly bulky is the only downside.
I have something very similar to this, except the back is purple. The construction is essentially the same, though, and it’s by the same maker. I don’t tend to be very hard on my electronics, and it provides enough protection. I’ve dropped it onto tile and concrete before–the case will pop open, but it takes the impact, and all I have to do is snap it back together. And holding on to it’s a bit easier with the fabric on the back. It’s also a very slim case, so it doesn’t add a lot of bulk to the phone (which was the problem I had with things like the Otter Box). I like it a lot.