iPhone 5 Cases WAY Overpriced?

[blairh]

When it comes to value, most cases are an enormous rip off. The profit margins these case companies make are astounding. Especially the popular companies like Case Mate and Incase.

I suggest you handle a case in your hand and try to determine how much it really cost the company before deciding if you truly want to purchase it. Most cases that cover the back and sides of the iPhone only and are made of hard plastic are incredibly cheap to produce. Ditto silicone cases. It blows my mind that companies get away with this. ($30 for the iPhone 4 bumpers? Insanity.)

What happens is that people are desperate to protect their iPhone's, and truth be told something like $30 isn't a huge purchase for most consumers, so they don't really sweat it. But yes, in general, iPhone cases are a complete rip off. I strongly suggest cheap alternatives that provide good protection and are a fraction of the cost. Ones from Monoprice and the like.

 

[jk4lebron23]

Because you pay 150 bucks (initially 100 to even have it) in actuality to go "naked"

But you're pretty much covered for everything and even in a case your phone can get jacked up so i would rather pay that and not worry about cases and stuff.

It made better sense in my head.

Plus i have a 64gb so the applecare+ puts my mind at ease

 

[nfl46]

I got this bumper case by Cellairis - very good, just as good as the Apple bumper cases...

https://www.cellairis.com/product/c...e-bumper-case-for-apple-iphone-5-orange-black

Thanks. Buying this one now. I wanted a bumper.

 

[J.L.Photography]

I bought a simple black soft case from rocketfish for $22 @ best buy

 

[dgstan]

The cheapest case I ever bought was for my new iPhone5.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=11213&cs_id=1083111&p_id=9772&seq=1&format=2

It's actually quite nice. I originally bought it as a temp case until I could find something better, but I'm gonna keep it indefinitely.

 

[hachiman]

http://www.amazon.com/KaysCase-iPho...&qid=1348873876&sr=8-7&keywords=iphone+5+case

This one is the one I have for my white ip5. I love it. Some nice pictures taken by customers shows what it's really like. I love the frosted back. It's at a reasonable price.

 

[YungMoola94]

Somebody please tell me how the f$@# people use the otterbox defender???

The case is like a brick.

Makes the beautiful iphone 5 look like piece of s$@t

 

[JCfromTB]

Not all cases are overpriced. I picked up an Otter Box Commuter at the Sprint store when my phone came in. It was lke $29.99 and I got 20% off because I purchased it while upgrading my device. I think that's a reasonable price for a case. Better than paying a deductable or for a new phone if you drop it.

----------

Somebody please tell me how the f$@# people use the otterbox defender???

That case is seriously out of control. Unless you're bringing your iPhone to Syria, I'm not sure why you need such a ridiculous case!

 

[diddy808]

Free Zoogue case

All you have to pay for is shipping.

I did get a speck candyshell grip too, only because I do not like having a phone without the case.

 

[Jane333]

Free Zoogue case

All you have to pay for is shipping.

I did get a speck candyshell grip too, only because I do not like having a phone without the case.

I ordered two of these however, my iphone arrived on wednesday but the cases did not. I emailed Zoogue and was told delivery was not for 3 to 6 weeks! The website now states this, but not when I placed my order. So, I ordered an i-Blason clear case from Amazon which was delivered free in two days. I am really liking this case because it is as minimalistic as possible. I am not sure if it will get really scratched up or how much protection it offers, but we will see.

 

[HowardSmith]

I'm appalled. I am one of those guys who upgraded from iPhone 4. When I had my i4, a good full body case cost $25.

Got my iPhone earlier this week and went to check out cases. This crappy "shell" case which doesn't even protect the front of the iPhone 5 cost $38. What a load of crap. And if you want a decent holster case (which I would never use), they cost a whopping $50.

Don't even get me started on screen protectors. The only one in AT&T cost $40. Almost lost my marbles.

Been searching online for some cheap cases but every company and their mother wants to scam the living hell out of you.

Has anyone given into these ridiculous prices? ANY alternative online sites that sell cheap?

I am sure some of you are gonna jump at me for being cheap and would take any chance possible to defend the apple market so ill tell you this: I've had a ****** day, don't need to hear you pointlessly defend some $3 cases made in China.

What do you expect. It is called Free Enterprise and has always happened when a new iDevice is introduced. Most MFGs have not got their cases for the 5 out yet so the one that do get the big bucks.

If you phone is black, you better wrap it in something.

 

[appswipe]

I traded in 2 iPhone 4S's when I upgraded.

Wifes iPhone - Invisible shields, Cases etc
$354 - Like New Condition

My iPhone - No case, No shield
$335 - Good Condition

So she spent about $50 in "protecting" her phone and housed some heavy paranoia about damaging it but in the end she only got $20 more trade in value than me.

 

[gemnilocs]

there are some expensive cases out there...with my 4, I went through several different ones but I tried to buy them from Verizon so that I could use my accessories discount. I bought a mophie juice pack and I think that was money well spent because not only did it give me extra battery life, it also has protected the phone.

 

[tl01]

Got my Poetic case on amazon for like $6. And it arrived in two days even without prime shipping.

 

[mallom]

Got it from Amazon Prime. It feels awesome!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0097EUVVI/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00


Im waiting on this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009B1031U/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

 

[matttye]

My case was £5.99 including delivery (~$9.66)

 

[avaloncourt]

You just have to make things happen.

I managed to get an otterbox defender from Otterbox's website on overnight shipping for $27.99. I love the blue color, too. Just need to wait for my phone on Monday.

I bought the Defender as well from the Verizon store for just slightly less. I'm lucky that I have a Verizon 25% accessory discount that is part of my FAN discount.

The iPhone 5 case selection isn't fully up to speed yet and they are awfully expensive. That took some of the bite out of the cost.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

I find that the "cheap ones" were made by guesses and leaked specs.

The $30-50 cases are from the big names like Otterbox, Speck, Griffen etc. These companies are trusted by Apple... so they likely had official specifications from Apple a while ago. My Speck Candyshell case cost $40 but it feels absolutely snug and really high quality. The $4 bumper from eBay is very loose fitting and cheaply made.

 

[Rocko1]

This is cheap and AMAZING.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/b00...ls_o01_s00_i00

Meh. Cheap TPU and headphone hole is too small. Next.

 

[PBz]

I worked on the att accessory team for years & the margins are great (for them). Carriers finally caught on that while giving up margins on devices you can make it up with accessories. The iPhone exploded this market. Was sick how many people bought just Apple headphones or screen protectors.

FWIW I used to always use screen protectors but haven't for 6 months now with my 4. With some basic care no scratches. Hell, my wife is brutal with her 4S & no scratches.

 

[darngooddesign]

I bought a case on eBay for $6. Free shipping too. Cases are only expensive if you are too lazy to shop around.

 

[bushman4]

Buy something cheap for now. More and More cases hitting the market each day. Prices will go down. Its not so much the price as the Qualty of the case which is important. The quality cases should start to come out soon
Keep in mind that these hard plastic cases often are unpadded and unfinished on the inside and will scrape your phone also. Always better to see what tyour buying than just buying on line, at least with this particular item.

 

[mcdj]

I'm appalled. I am one of those guys who upgraded from iPhone 4. When I had my i4, a good full body case cost $25.

Got my iPhone earlier this week and went to check out cases. This crappy "shell" case which doesn't even protect the front of the iPhone 5 cost $38. What a load of crap. And if you want a decent holster case (which I would never use), they cost a whopping $50.

Don't even get me started on screen protectors. The only one in AT&T cost $40. Almost lost my marbles.

Been searching online for some cheap cases but every company and their mother wants to scam the living hell out of you.

Has anyone given into these ridiculous prices? ANY alternative online sites that sell cheap?

I am sure some of you are gonna jump at me for being cheap and would take any chance possible to defend the apple market so ill tell you this: I've had a ****** day, don't need to hear you pointlessly defend some $3 cases made in China.

If you can't find the proper forum to post about for cases, what are the odds you can find a reasonably priced case?

 

[_Refurbished_]

Using this when the aluminum "scuffs":
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/37...uper-black-touch-up-pen-flat?cm_vc=OBv1707229

Using this when my screen scratches or breaks (iPhone 5 version):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-Screen-...519?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c667e2aaf

$35 (if I even need it), no case, go naked . So easy, an Android fan can do it: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-5-Teardown/10525/1

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

Otterbox Defender is $49 and it's protecting a $650 to $1000 phone so it's worth it