Case-Mate Tough vs. Tough Xtreme? iP5 (Xtreme review and pictures)

[drae]

I just got my iphone 5 32GB last week and after several purchases I'm still on the hunt for the right case. My last iPhone was a 3G, with an Incase slider on it that protected the phone decently against the many drops it endured, somehow.

My biggest priorities for a case are:
1. drop protection
2. minimal bulk (Otterbox Armor and Defender cases were too bulky for me)
3. a simple aesthetic, monochrome but not just black/gray (I hate the bright contrasting colors, and this seems to be the current trend in cases)

I don't much care about scratches or open port access. I got talked into trying out the new Otterbox Armor, but after trucking it around for a day I came to my senses and realized it was a bit overkill for my needs, and not to mention HUGE!

I bought the Speck Candyshell from the Apple store tonight, but I am not loving it - too slippery and the Grip version is ugly as sin, plus I came across a used Candyshell Grip on ebay and the rubber grips were mangled and half torn off, not a pretty glimpse into the future for that case.

I've settled on the Case-Mate Tough or Tough Xtreme as they look to offer the type of protection I'm after without the bulk of other brands. Are there any major obvious differences between the two models, protection-wise? How much thicker is the Tough Xtreme case than the Tough? Than the Otterbox Defender?

I haven't found much in terms of reviews for the Tough Xtreme, but I figure it's worth asking here.

Thanks in advance

 

[mscann]

I can't compare the two, but I just got the xtreme a couple weeks ago. Look on amazon for the case/holster combo. For the price I paid its worth trying.

I like the case alot, great protection and doesnt feel as bulky as an otterbox or something like that. Feels good in hand, good grip etc

 

[drae]

Thanks for the input, I wasn't planning on getting the holster but I guess it would be nice to have when being active.

 

[koigirl]

Got one of these (Tough Extreme) yesterday for beach use and like it way better than husband's Otterbox Defender. Very responsive screen and less bulky. Just ordered him a black one with belt clip as he has to have a heavy-duty case for everyday work.

 

[mscann]

Thanks for the input, I wasn't planning on getting the holster but I guess it would be nice to have when being active.

When I got mine the holster/case combo was much cheaper than just the case itself

 

[drae]

Update: I went ahead and ordered the blue CM Tough Xtreme and just got it yesterday. I love it in every way except for one: the built-in screen protector has terrible glare, especially when I'm outdoors. I am debating prying off the screen protector from the faceplate and putting a static anti-glare film on the phone, but that also takes away an element of the sealed protection, so I'm not sure, might just have to get used to it. The touch response is great though. Even though the home button is covered, you can feel it click which wasn't the case with the Ottorbox Armor. Another thing that could be an issue after some months of wear is that the rubber outer layer might get stretched out if the phone is taken in and out of the case a few times, I took mine out once and when I put it back there is a slight dip in the outer layer above the lightning port.

I also found a CM tough case at a mall kiosk, and it was expectedly slimmer than the xtreme. If I didn't like the covered ports and home button on the Xtreme, I'd probably just go with the Tough.

Also for anyone considering the blue Xtreme, the color is lighter than I expected it to be, it's more of a cornflower blue than an ocean blue. Also I thought the textured rim was going to be a harder material because the stock images makes it look shiny, but it is a dull, durable rubber texture like the back of the case.

Pictures! (sorry they are a bit blurry)

 

[manchali]

Just an FYI that many Office Depot stores carry 3-4 different Case-Mate cases in their store including the Tough Extreme. One would not think so based on their website searches, but I've seen them in 4 of them in my metro area. They were not near the other cases but on end caps by themselves in a box. They carried the Tough Extreme in blue, green, pink, and black. I was considering that case before I ended up buying the new iSkin Fuze. So I thought I'd share in case anyone else wanted to try and see how they are in real life. They also had the Tough and Barely There to compare to. Look for black boxes with silver trim.

 

[dahauss]

Does anyone know were to get the black/black iphone 4S version with the belt clip? out of stock everywhere..