Bumper does offer protection.

[ijen0311]

I dropped my i4 on Saturday from standing height, onto a tile floor. It smacked hard and landed screen up. I was terrified to pick it up, but sure enough, it's totally fine. My bumper has a little stain (that won't come off) where it must have hit the ground, and then landed on the bumper edge instead of directly on the glass back.

Just wanted to share for people wondering if the bumper absorbs impact. It did in this situation.

 

[iMetalG5]

i've posted this before but...

co-worker dropped i4 in parking lot w/bumper no screen shield. shows tiny nick in glass on the back with some tiny pitting (meaning really small nicks in a shotgun pattern)

friend dropped his i4 in the driveway w/bumper no screen shield. front glass has a nick and hairline scratches.

wife's i4 shows a tiny nick in the front glass and a few hairline scratches. no bumper or screen shield, just Speck PixelSkin case. Not dropped but "thrown into purse".