The Otterbox Commuter Case for the iPhone 4 is executive level protection - the complete package. (Mostly) everything was thought of. Protection is available for the back, sides, headphone jack, dock port, screen and everything in between. Careful consideration was taken into the types of protection needed. Hard protection to prevent hard scrapes and to give the phone shape. Soft protection to absorb hard impacts. Let’s be clear. The Otterbox Commuter Case is a tank.

The case comes in two pieces, a rubber piece that directly wraps the phone and a hard piece that pulls it all together. Application is simple. Wrap the silicone part around your iPhone, then snap the hard plastic part on. It doesn’t feel like they two will stay, but rest assured, they won’t come apart. Both peices seem flimsy and weak seperated, they make a wonderful combo when put together.

As for a personal anecdote. I was moving while testing out this case. After most of my stuff had been moved out, I hid my phone under a towel since the doors would be wide open, I was paranoid that someone would steal my phone. Of course, one of the people helping me move needed that towel and snatched it (not knowing), whipping my phone clear across the room. I’m happy to report that there was absolutely no damage. Since this is my personal handset, I would have been very wary of doing a “drop test,” but I’m glad I got to put this case through it’s paces.

As previously stated, there is added protection for the dock port and headphone jack in the form of these sorta silicone stoppers. These slide in without an issue and I don’t think there’s any particular worry that they will come out. Oh, unlike Apple’s Bumper, other dock cables will fit.

Being totally honest, I wasn’t a big fan of Otterbox Cases (and similar-level protection cases) for previous iPhones. Bulk was a major issue for me. The new rectangular-no-longer-curvy-marshmellow shaped design. Even though the Commuter is fairly sizeable, the flat nature of the new iPhone totally disguises it. You know it’s huge, but “it’s not at the same time.” It’s kind of hard to convey. Added size to your beautiful iPhone 4 should go completely unnoticed. In fact, it seems kind of welcome.

I have three negatives. First, the silicone material attracts dust and grime (which is pretty evident in the photos). It’s pretty easy to clean up though. Second is the exposed Apple logo. I realize that uh, that’s kind of a dividing issue. I’d rather protect it (and keep the design a little less messy) than be a parading my “Apple fanboyism” or whatever. Finally, like any case that offers, well, protection, typing on the edges of the phone is annoying. My analogy is that “I’m typing into a bucket.” This is is a common problem with cases and not one most people should be concerned about.

If you’re at all a person that cares about a utilitarian case that gets the job done and doesn’t comprimise your phone’s saftey, I can’t recommend the Otterbox Commuter Case enough. Otterbox is known for making the most secure cases and this one is no exception.