Top Three Best iPhone 5 Cases

The iPhone 5 has finally arrived! As expected, Apple’s new iPhone 5 has hit the market causing a major buying frenzy and a boon for retailers in an otherwise slow economy. The iPhone 5 is sleeker and lighter than the 4/4S and Apple has also updated the chipset, stating that it is twice as fast as its predecessor. But the differences don’t stop there. The good folks at Apple have been working hard to make sure the apps that come with the new smart phone are worthy of all the hype.

The iPhone 5 also features a large 4 inch LED screen with an amazing resolution of 1136 X 640 pixels and is scratch resistant. In addition to the 4G capability, this version boasts superfast Wi-Fi and I now officially the slimmest smart phone on the market. Unfortunately, this means you won’t be able to use your existing iPhone 4 case for your latest upgrade. No need to worry, though, because there are some good cases available to help protect your investment.

Here are my picks for the best iPhone 5 cases currently available:

OtterBox continues to be the leader when it comes to smart phone protection and the new Defender Series for the iPhone 5 is a winner. The Defender case offers three layers of protection and it is very easy to install. The fact that the screen protector fits flush to the screen also makes it a breeze to manipulate the touch screen functions. All buttons and ports are completely protected, yet easily available for use with absolutely no fuss. Really, the only concern with this case is its size. The new iPhone 5 is the thinnest smart phone out there, but the Defender case does add bulk which makes it difficult to carry in a pocket. The case does come with a belt clip, though, which should work in most situations. All-in-all, I believe it is a small price to pay for the excellent protection you can expect to receive from the OtterBox Defender iPhone 5 case.

If you are concerned about the flap over the iPhone 5’s easily marred black finish, then the STM Bags Opera case is just what you need. Face it, the new iPhone 5’s super sleek design means it’s going to hit the floor sooner or later. STM has designed a case that will protect your smart phone from injury when this eventually happens to you. It offers a very snug fit and has a solid feel to it. The texture of the body makes it easy to hold on to and avoid accidental drops. The bags is also not as bulky as the OtterBox Defender and can easily be stored in a pocket for convenience. All ports and controls function well and are protected from dust and debris which could shorten the lifespan of your device. The STM Bags Opera iPhone 5 case is not quite as sturdy as the OtterBox Defender, but it is fully capable of providing excellent protection to your new iPhone.

The third best iPhone 5 case on the list is also one of the cheapest, but don’t let the price fool you. This case definitely exceeded my expectations. It actually form fits to the iPhone 5 better than any other case I’ve looked at. I was skeptical of the company’s 100% fit guarantee, but was pleasantly surprised to find it true. The case does lack the protective rubber coating of the top two cases, but the polycarbonate frame is sturdy enough to withstand the usual drops. The hard plastic bumper should do an adequate job of protection while maintaining the sleek elegance of the iPhone itself. The cutouts for all of the ports match up extremely well, but they are not covered to prevent dirt and debris from getting inside. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this case for outdoor use. Other than that, the Photive Hybrid iPhone 5 Bumper case is a great choice for casual or office use.

As the iPhone 5 makes its way throughout mainstream America and the rest of the world, the variety of quality cases should continue to increase. I have been disappointed in the lack of true waterproof cases for the iPhone over the years and it seems like the iPhone 5 is no exception, so far. For now, I would go with one of the three best iPhone 5 cases reviewed here. You don’t want to risk your expensive investment to something as easily preventable as a fall, dirt or debris right after purchasing it. It’s like purchasing insurance without the additional monthly payments!