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Most of the time, a drop is onto a fairly flat surface. IF the iPhone hits on an edge, the case supposedly cushions the edges, since it covers the edges, with both rigid plastic, and elastic rubber.

To my utter horror, I dropped my iPhone 4 onto a tiled floor yesterday. Thankfully it had a bumper on it, so there was no damage whatsoever. I'm already convinced of the bumper's worthiness!!! (And I think it looks good, too.)
 
Some people don't want this to happen when they drop their iPhone 4:

Screen%20shot%202010-06-29%20at%207.17.01%20AM.png



w00master

Carelessness!

As for screen protectors / shields, they are tough enough to last several years – unless you treat your phone like this one in the image was treated. Then, when it is no longer looking the way you want, it can be removed and another shield installed.

I bought several silicone bumper cases from / through Amazon for less than $5 (total). I am not using one with myTouch 3G phone because it makes it difficult to slip into and out of my pocket.
 
Carelessness!

As for screen protectors / shields, they are tough enough to last several years – unless you treat your phone like this one in the image was treated. Then, when it is no longer looking the way you want, it can be removed and another shield installed.

I bought several silicone bumper cases from / through Amazon for less than $5 (total). I am not using one with myTouch 3G phone because it makes it difficult to slip into and out of my pocket.

True, I just rather avoid the hassle of exchanging/getting a new one/etc. It's why I deal with a case.

Also, I find the iPhones to be slippery (or at least the illusion of slipperiness), so I always opt for a case that has texture/rubber/etc. so it feels like it won't slip out of my hand. It's all about personal security. LOL.

I can understand those who prefer to go with a "naked iPhone." I just know me. I know that things slip out of my hand very easily. I just rather deal with the semi-ugliness of a case rather than the hassle of getting my blessed iPhone 4 fixed.

w00master
 
The Ballistic sure is industrial (or extreme sports) looking. It’s a bit too severe aesthetically for me, but I can certainly see some people needing such a case.

I got the Apple bumper when I got the phone. Aesthetically I like it, and I’ve never had reception issues. I’m sure it’s not a high impact case, but I’ve never been known to throw my phone around. But it is a chore to hold onto for a call for more than a few minutes…especially during 70 degree dew points. I just wish the sides were grippier/rubberier. I like the idea of the gripping ridges on the sides of the Ballistic, but again not so extreme.
 
Bumpers

Listen people, you'd really have to be an idiot of the first order to pay $30 + tax for one of those Apple 'bumpers' which cost fifteen cents to make--IF. Instead, check out the great selection of cases on eBay which are FAR better than the bumpers, and can be had for $1.99--$7.99, no tax and free shipping. Don't be a sucker and buy a bumper from Apple! It's an EXTREME rip-off!
 
The iPhone looks great just like it is!

People have been salivating over how great the iPhone looks and they've been lusting after one for ages and when they finally get their hands on one, they're going to cover it up and hide that beautiful Apple design?

Do you people also walk around with helmets and knee-pad protectors? You never know when something might happen.
 
The iPhone looks great just like it is!

People have been salivating over how great the iPhone looks and they've been lusting after one for ages and when they finally get their hands on one, they're going to cover it up and hide that beautiful Apple design?

Do you people also walk around with helmets and knee-pad protectors? You never know when something might happen.

Some people (like me) would rather avoid the potential hassle of going to an Apple Store after dropping and breaking their iPhone.

Is it that hard to understand?

w00master
 
I've had lot's of Otterbox products over the years (for cameras and other devices going way back), including the Defender case for my 3G and 3GS. I like the look of the Otterbox vs this Ballistic case, however, I'm disappointed that Otterbox has again insisted on putting a window in the back to show the Apple logo. For this reason alone I may seriously consider this Ballistic case. I'll wait for some of the reports...

I thought I was the only Otterbox owner who didn't feel a need to constantly display my Apple logo through a superfluous polycarbonate window.



Listen people, you'd really have to be an idiot of the first order to pay $30 + tax for one of those Apple 'bumpers' which cost fifteen cents to make--IF. Instead, check out the great selection of cases on eBay which are FAR better than the bumpers, and can be had for $1.99--$7.99, no tax and free shipping. Don't be a sucker and buy a bumper from Apple! It's an EXTREME rip-off!

First post - - welcome plants of the world!
 
The iPhone looks great just like it is!

People have been salivating over how great the iPhone looks and they've been lusting after one for ages and when they finally get their hands on one, they're going to cover it up and hide that beautiful Apple design?

Sure the phone looks great as it is, but it is seriously slippery to hold onto, more prone to accidental damage, and let's not forget the reception design flaw.

The Apple bumper may be a rip-off, but its design is so minimalist and integrated with the phone, that if someone didn’t know any better they wouldn’t think it was a case but the phone itself. Like I said above, I just wish it were grippier. I also wish they came in clear/transparent.
 
I thought I was the only Otterbox owner who didn't feel a need to constantly display my Apple logo through a superfluous polycarbonate window.

I've checked out the 3 soon-to-come cases. Assuming you will be purchasing one of the three, which one would you get, and why? Is there really that much of a difference between the $49.99 one vs the $19.99 to justify a $30 gap? (I've never had an Otterbox case, btw.)
 
I preordered the Grove bamboo case. When I get it I'll do a review on youtube, not because I am nerd (although I am), but because I can't seem to find ANY review ANYWHERE and I think a review would be useful. I think its a very small company thats about to get huge orders because they were on Giz and now on MacRumors...My preorder turnaround time is like 4-6 weeks! If you want one I would order now! You only put 20 bucks down and you get a coupon code, so its not like you are in for 90 bucks.

I looked pretty closely before preordering. The maker is really into detail, the cases look nice and should function well. There was some difficulty accessing some buttons with the 3Gs bu hes trying to fix that. They also look pretty skinny, accommodate cables, and I would be very surprised if headphones had difficulty plugging in. If you dig around you can see they have gone through a lot of prototypes and testing. I think the 4G with the bamboo case is slightly thinner than the 3Gs with the case on. Dont know about width though.

The only bummer is I recently found out that these are not really made for "protection"...so we will see how good they are. I am buying mine mostly to correct the reception issue and deal with the occasional fall, going in a bag, pocket with keys, the beach etc etc. I don't abuse my phones, but I do USE them, so we will see.

Also if you go to the beach/lake a ziploc bag protects iphones from everything and you can use it through the bag. Pretty good solution for a few cents.

I also want to add that I am a very anti-case person, but the shattering of the back and the reception problem have basically convinced me to get one. My friends phone WAS fine with calls, but hes had it for days now and he says it drops calls all the time and gets no reception in his pocket.
 
Just now shipping? I've had my Bumper since Saturday.


edit: Wrapsol for front/back protection + Apple Bumper for side protection = Best combo out there!

cimg1271g.jpg
 
Just to be clear, as an Apple shareholder, I actually do encourage people to spend $30 + tax on a bumper, but for myself I've bought 3 cases (to change the look from time to time) for the new 4g on eBay, and paid less than $10, and they work great. The sides and back are protected, and the front has a slight raised "lip" to protect the screen in case it drops. :)
 
Okay. The SAME people who marvel at the refined sleekness of a MacBook Pro wrap their iPhone 4 in cheap, thick, ugly rubber?

Panasonic ToughBook

Double standard much?
 

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Got my bumper yesterday and it's just terrible, it's a poor product, has tons of play on the sides, doesn't work with the dock.. ugh, I was hoping it would fit tightly seeing as it's an Apple official product, boy was I wrong..

I hope no one buys this thing, although a ton already have, vote with your wallet, this thing is crappy, I'm returning mine.

if there is any sort of "play" on the sides, then check the edges of the case and flick it out with your nail(s)

at first mine had a ton of "play" but then i realized the edges were folded underneath themselves and once i fixed it, it got a lot better
 
i only really see 3 things wrong with the bumper case

1) i dont feel like it protects the phone all that much
2) it's hard to get to the vibrate/mute button for me
3) i wish it would expose the volume keys instead of using its own buttons
 
it's amazing how you could take such a nice looking phone and turn it so ugly with a case. i never used a case on my 3gs. the rear was plastic so it scratched, but the front never scratched because it's ****ing GLASS

the only point of a case is to prevent it from breaking when it drops... otherwise those screen protectors and anything else you stick onto the phone are a joke

The screen scratched on my 3GS, and somebody at work Scratched his iphone 4. just on the bottom of the LCD.

I dont think its the glass that scratches, just the oleophobic coating. and on the IPhone 4, this coating is on the back and front.

Which is stupid because whats the point in having un scratchable glass but the coating scratches.
 
Just using a simple iPod sock if needed and my 3G looks like brand new.
+1
been doing this with my original iPhone since day one. i'm fine with my iPod sock... protecting my (then) $400 phone.

bumpers collect dust, stick inside your pocket, and invert your pocket whenever you pull it out. until apple figures out the antenna problem - i'm holding onto the 2G. i will not use a bumper when i can use a sock!
 
White Bumper LOOKS Good! on Black iPhone4

Thanks for the pics of White Bumper really looks Good on Black iPhone 4. And the back side of iPhone 4 looks so good, why cover it up! Bumper does the job, yet leaves the elogance in tact.:)
 
Hmmmm!

All along Apple knew about the antenna problem with iPhone 4. To be ahead of the game they have the advantage of making the case first for their own product. Now that people deperately needs a quick fix for their signal problem they have to buy the bumper. When they reached the sales they wanted firmware update kicks-in to fix the problem. I think this is BS and Apple will pay the consequence of this kind of practice.
 
Okay. The SAME people who marvel at the refined sleekness of a MacBook Pro wrap their iPhone 4 in cheap, thick, ugly rubber?

Panasonic ToughBook

Double standard much?

The difference? I don't carry my notebook everywhere I go. So, the chances of my iPhone breaking is a whole lot higher than my notebook.

Again... why can't people like you get it through your head? It's not YOUR iPhone, it's ours that we are casing up. I'd rather NOT go through the hassle of taking it back to Apple to get it fixed when I can EASILY keep it in a case.

Why is this such a tough idea to grasp? If YOU don't want a case, then FINE, don't get a case. I want a case b/c I know how I am with devices. I'd rather keep them unbroken and move on with my life.

w00master
 
Listen people, you'd really have to be an idiot of the first order to pay $30 + tax for one of those Apple 'bumpers' which cost fifteen cents to make--IF. Instead, check out the great selection of cases on eBay which are FAR better than the bumpers, and can be had for $1.99--$7.99, no tax and free shipping. Don't be a sucker and buy a bumper from Apple! It's an EXTREME rip-off!

You think it costs fifteen cents to make small precisely shaped/engraved metal buttons?
 
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