Otterbox sent us one of their new Impact iPhone 3G cases to test. If you’re not familiar with OtterBox, they produce a line of rugged cases that fit iPods, iPhone (original and 3G), BlackBerry’s, Palm, HP, and more. The cases are virtually indestructible and provide protection to your smartphone in areas where it might otherwise be susceptible to damage from jostling around. The Impact Series of cases is a slightly thinner design. Is this a good case for everyday use?

Prior to testing this case I’d been using an Agent 18 Clearshield that I bought in New York at the Fifth Avenue Apple store. The case offered protection but had two minor flaws. First, the Agent 18 case requires some prying to remove. Second, I found the Agent 18 case to be a bit uncomfortable to hold.

So I was eager to try the Impact Case from OtterBox since it’s made entirely from a softer black rubber.

In my testing of over a week, I was concerned about a few things that I’ve experienced with other rubber cases:

1. Smell – I’ve had some cases where the black rubber just smells terrible.

2. Whether the rubber picks up lint or other “stuff” that has somehow attracted to all my prior black rubber cases.

First thing you should know is that the case comes in both black and white colors.

Here’s what I found in a week’s use:

No issues with smell. There’s no funny rubber smell with this case. I guess that should be a given but with other brands of cases there’s sometimes a funny scent that leaves your hands smelling like you work in a petroleum refinery. Not a hint of odor here.

No issues with lint (or other debris) attracting itself to the rubber case. I used the case for the entire time in my pocket (jeans, coat, sweatshirt). No visible debris attached itself to the rubber case (again, a problem I’ve noticed previously with other cheaper cases).

Some of the unexpected benefits I found of this case:

I was able to place the iPhone 3G in the case on my car seat without it sliding around each time I took a corner. There’s nothing I hate more than watching my $299 phone slide across the seat and onto the floor when I make a turn in the car. With the iPhone Impact that NEVER happened.

The case is more comfortable to grip than the prior all plastic one that I was using. I like that the phone sits firmly in my hands when I use it and that it stays put on the car seat when I lay it down.

There’s very little extra bulk added by the case. As you can see here in this side profile, the phone remains relatively slim despite the added protection of the case.

There are cutouts for the sync cable, on/off volume as well as headphone cord. Covered are the volume controls and power button which you can easily control through the soft rubber case.

The back of the case has cutouts for the camera and the Apple logo.

Overall this case is comfortable and I love that it provides an extra degree of “grippy-ness” whether in your hand or on the car seat next to you. Inserting and removing the case is easy. A great choice for times when you don’t need the protection of one of OtterBox’s beefier cases.

Link: OtterBox iPhone 3G Impact Case – $19.95

What I Liked:
- Provides a great level of grip
- Thin yet feels as if it offers a great deal of protection
- Easy to insert/remove iPhone 3g

What Could Be Improved:
- More color selection for those seeking a change from black or white