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Will Otterbox/Life Proof cases be obsolete soon?

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ngocnguyen

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 3, 2012
88
0
All this talk and new development in nanocoating and water proofing mobile electronics....

Rustoleum has a two-part paint coating that has been shown waterproofing iPhones.

Liquipel

Underwater Audio

The new Sony Xperia smart phone is completely water and dust proof.

Samsung S4 is water proof

I'm sure the new iPhone will be.

Once all smart phones are water proofed, what lies in the future for Otterbox? Everyone knows they can't design an attractive case. What advantage will they have other than maybe providing additional water proofing and ruggedness? Any case you put on one of these water proof phones will pretty much do what Otterbox does...but will look better.

Otterbox/Lifeproof must've seen this coating technology coming...it's going to make them obsolete unless they really change their business model around. Probably a really good thing Lifeproof accepted the buy out.
 
S

scott99

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2007
714
51
ngocnguyen said:
All this talk and new development in nanocoating and water proofing mobile electronics....

Rustoleum has a two-part paint coating that has been shown waterproofing iPhones.

Liquipel

Underwater Audio

The new Sony Xperia smart phone is completely water and dust proof.

Samsung S4 is water proof

I'm sure the new iPhone will be.

Once all smart phones are water proofed, what lies in the future for Otterbox? Everyone knows they can't design an attractive case. What advantage will they have other than maybe providing additional water proofing and ruggedness? Any case you put on one of these water proof phones will pretty much do what Otterbox does...but will look better.

Otterbox/Lifeproof must've seen this coating technology coming...it's going to make them obsolete unless they really change their business model around. Probably a really good thing Lifeproof accepted the buy out.
Click to expand...

You would still need shockproofing and protection for the easily cracked iphone screen.
 
OneMike

OneMike

macrumors 603
Oct 19, 2005
5,814
1,795
I was thinking about this the other day briefly.

Prior to the first iPhone I had a treo 700wx and many nextels before that. I did spend a lot on belt clips/ swivel holsters.

Seidio spring-clip is still my favorite holster and lifeproof makes the best looking holster in my opinion. Too bad it only works with their case.

I think holsters and carriers will always be popular as phones seldom come with one, but as devices before more rugged. Cases won't be used as much.
 
N

ngocnguyen

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 3, 2012
88
0
scott99 said:
You would still need shockproofing and protection for the easily cracked iphone screen.
Click to expand...

right...no doubt about that...but now what is going to separate Otterbox from any other case other than levels of shock protection..their cases are still hideous. So many other cases can provide adequate shock protection AND be stylish.

----------
OneMike said:
I was thinking about this the other day briefly.

Prior to the first iPhone I had a treo 700wx and many nextels before that. I did spend a lot on belt clips/ swivel holsters.

Seidio spring-clip is still my favorite holster and lifeproof makes the best looking holster in my opinion. Too bad it only works with their case.

I think holsters and carriers will always be popular as phones seldom come with one, but as devices before more rugged. Cases won't be used as much.
Click to expand...


very interesting thought....even more minimalist with no case but an accessory such as holsters...maybe sleeves? (that's kinda cumbersome though and restricts getting to your phone when and incoming call comes)
 
S

scott99

macrumors 6502a
Oct 30, 2007
714
51
OneMike said:
I was thinking about this the other day briefly.

Prior to the first iPhone I had a treo 700wx and many nextels before that. I did spend a lot on belt clips/ swivel holsters.

Seidio spring-clip is still my favorite holster and lifeproof makes the best looking holster in my opinion. Too bad it only works with their case.

I think holsters and carriers will always be popular as phones seldom come with one, but as devices before more rugged. Cases won't be used as much.
Click to expand...

Mike,

I'm with ya, Seidio's holsters are the best. I had several Seidio cases for my prior iPhones (iPhone, iPhone 3G & iPhone 4), and the holsters were amazing. I even have the Seidio Obex case for my iPhone 5, and spent the extra $10 for the holster combo. IF I didn't have a problem with the Obex's call quality, I'd still be rockin that case and holster.
 
T

takeshi74

macrumors 601
Feb 9, 2011
4,974
68
ngocnguyen said:
right...no doubt about that...but now what is going to separate Otterbox from any other case other than levels of shock protection..their cases are still hideous. So many other cases can provide adequate shock protection AND be stylish.
Click to expand...
Adequate's subjective for one thing. Our guys that work in the field would consider an Otterbox's shock protection to be a minimum requirement. There will always be those that prioritize impact protection over all else. Don't just assume that your priorities are universal no matter what the topic.

ngocnguyen said:
I know..just my opinion...design and aesthetics can be subjective
Click to expand...
Not "can be". They are. And if it's just your opinion, don't use "everyone knows X".
 
afinch1992

afinch1992

macrumors 6502
Sep 13, 2012
396
16
Phoenix, AZ
As long as there are mobile phones being used, people will find ways to damage them and in turn place them in large, generic, but ultimately effective protective cases.

I don't care for them, but for some people their ratio of risk is too high to not use one
 
J

jmlee111

macrumors newbie
Aug 2, 2013
6
0
Otterbox and Lifeproof are great for mobile workforce who need a rugged solution.

Still looking forward to seeing more leather case selections for business profiessionals, great leather cases are hard to come by, especially ones that match well with suits and tie. Any suggestions?
 
R

rrcompton

macrumors member
Feb 17, 2008
36
0
Orlando
afinch1992 said:
wow. talk about false advertising!
Click to expand...

You aren't lying! I would be pi**ed if it was damaged by water and they didn't honor the warranty. So much for "whatever-proof". Guess you have to read the fine print in their warranty;

What is not covered?
"This Limited Warranty is conditioned upon proper use of the Product. This Limited Warranty does not cover:
(a) defects or damage resulting from accident, misuse, abnormal use, abnormal conditions, improper storage, exposure to liquid, moisture, dampness, sand or dirt"

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/s...d_mdl_cd=SGH-I537ZAAATT&prd_mdl_name=SGH-I537
 
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