When I bought my phone, I also bought a Lifeproof FRE case. I had told the salesman that I needed something that could stand up to a lot of abuse (because I’m a klutz), and I also wanted something waterproof (because I’m a klutz and I will drop things in unexpected places). He said this was the gold standard, so I got it.
Truthfully, I’ve been fairly happy with it. However, recently the “lip” that lets you snap closed the charging port cover has broken off, so the flap doesn’t stay closed, so the case is no longer waterproof. This is not necessarily a big deal; I don’t intend to go swimming with it, after all, but it’s irritating since that was one of the things I wanted. Also, the flap, well, flaps. And gets caught on stuff. I’m worried that it’ll get caught on something, get ripped off, and damage the rest of the case.
So I’m looking for recommendations on a new case. I’m doing research, of course, but more information is always good. One of the pieces or research I turned up was that this model of the case appears to be prone to the breakage I have; there are lots of reports on Amazon about it.
At the moment I’m leaning towards the Otterbox Defender. The flaps over the earphone and charging ports look sturdier than the ones on the Lifeproof, but I am still trying to work out if it’s waterproof or not.
(As I said, I don’t intend to go swimming with it. I’m just worried about dropping it in a toilet or a sink or a tub or in puddles.)
I have an S5 with a an Otterbox Commuter and have had good protection. I just got an S7 and have ordered an S7 Commuter case on the premise it will be equivalent.
The S7 is supposed to be water resistant to a high degree without an external case so I’m not thinking the somewhat clunky condom like Defender enclosure is really all that necessary.
The only thing the Commuter will not protect against is a face first fall onto something very hard like gravel. Otherwise I’ve dropped and bounced this S5 phone so many times it’s beyond count with no damage so far. Re “breakage” I look at cases as disposable wear items not have replaced the Commuter once in two years so I expect about a year or so of service out of a case. There’s just so many times even high quality plastic can be flexed. Plus a case gets beat up looking after a year of so of bouncing around (mine do anyway) so I don’t mind getting a new one.
Same for me. I upgraded to the S7 4 or 5 months back. I also use tempered glass screen protectors with the Commuter case. I’m pretty abusive with my phone and work in a field where getting wet is part of the job. The phone lives in my back pocket except when I’m climbing into pits, then it hangs out in my tool bag. I’ve tried more durable protectors and didn’t much like the bulkiness.
I break a couple of the screen protectors a year and the hard plastic on the case breaks and gets replaced every few years. Phones do fine.
