OtterBox was one of the first iPhone case manufacturers to come out with a product -- the Defender Series -- that could handle some really rough treatment. Now OtterBox is taking the lead in iPhone protection with the new OtterBox Armor Series, which is available for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4S (US$99.95).
The new case series not only builds on the crush and drop protection provided by the Defender Series, but also adds waterproofing. The Armor Series is designed to withstand being in up to 6.6 feet of water for 30 minutes, handling drops from 10 feet, and being crushed by a 2 ton weight. That's perfect for those situations where you drop your iPhone 5 from where you're riding on top of a rhinoceros and she proceeds to step on it and hold it underwater for a half hour...
We don't believe it's designed to protect your precious from the impact of a meteorite, but for just about everything else, the Armor Series is going to help. Here's a closeup look at the Armor Series case for iPhone 5.
Design
As you'd expect from an iPhone case with these credentials, the Armor Series isn't exactly svelte. It weighs in at 4.1 ounces, has a thickness of about .75", a width of about 2.9", and a height of about 5.5". Compare that with a naked iPhone 5, which is only .3" thick and has dimensions of 2.31" x 4.87" and a weight of 3.95 ounces.
But if you want protection, you've got it. Everything is sealed into the case, which comes in black and gray with a shock-absorbent lining of neon green, arctic blue, or electric orange. The arctic blue model has a white bezel surrounding the phone display, perfect for framing a white iPhone 5.
On the right side of the case are two zinc alloy metal latches that hold the case halves together securely. To install the iPhone 5 into the case, you flip those latches open and take the back of the case off. Pop the iPhone in, slap the back on, re-do the latches and you're ready to abuse the case ... but not your iPhone.