“Now this is a case.”

That’s the first thought I had when I put the Commuter case over the Nexus One. Yes, this was after using a ridiculously ugly, and flimsy, silicone skin on the device for a few weeks, but still, it’s not often that a case improves the look of a device. And I truly think that this case does that. There are a couple caveats that I’ll touch on later, but ultimately, if you’re looking for a good case for the (now discontinued) Nexus One, look no further.

Design

The Commuter case doesn’t have a lot of frills. Like all others from the same line, this case comes in three parts: the silicone inner layer, the hard shell outer layer, and a slide-on screen protector for the 3.7″ AMOLED screen. Like a glove, the silicone case slides over the thin device, and in fact looks quite nice without even the outer shell on top. It emphasizes the volume rocker quite a lot, like a big ear sticking out of a narrow face, but ultimately that’s because the hard case increases the width of the device a little bit. The volume rocker actually works much better than it does sans case, as it is quite hard to use on the stock device, especially from within a pocket. The rubber is springy and always hits the target, which is exactly what it should be.

Along the top, the silicone provides snug covers for the 3.5mm headphone jack and the offers a nice rubber nub for the on/off button, which, like the volume rocker, is a bit difficult to press down without a case. On the botton, the silicone covers the microUSB port, which is my only real criticism of the case. The rubber fits inside the port so well that it is often difficult to remove, and when removed, it is usually impossible to insert the cable without holding the slit open with your other hand. I’d prefer the cover not be there at all, but since the silicone is cut from a single piece of rubber, its inclusion makes sense from a design perspective.

The hard shell provides protection for the back and sides of the device, and there is a hole where the volume rocker slips out. Beautiful design aside, the case leaves the form slender and usable. The screen is fully accessible and the device is extremely well protected. Because the device is not thick to begin with, the added centimetre or so of girth does not injure the clean looks. And, honestly, I prefer the black of the silicone/hard shell combo to the boring grey of the stock device.

Usability

The Commuter case leaves the device pretty much unfettered. It slips in and out of a pocket due to the plastic outer layer, and has performed admirably protecting the device from several drops. I have noticed, however, that the snug fit of the hard shell leaves little room for your thumbs to rest on the side of the device, and when typing, can make it difficult for a user with big digits like myself to reach the outer letters of the on-screen keyboard. This is not usually an issue, but hampers the ability to touch type on the Nexus One.

The screen protector is of good quality, and shouldn’t hurt colour reproduction or contract levels. Just be careful to prevent any air bubbles from forming when applying it, as it is a thicker, plasticky material that is prone to pretty serious air capture. If you are scared of scratching the screen, I would recommend skipping the included screen protector and instead purchasing one from BestSkinsEver.com or zagg.com. They are made of far more durable protection, and are fairly inexpensive.

Conclusion

Nothing much else needs to be said about this. Whereas I was hesitant to recommend the Commuter case for the BlackBerry Bold 9700 because of its added weight and bulk, the version for the Nexus One is a different animal altogether. Though I haven’t tried the other high-end cases from companies like Seido, I would be surprised if they are able to improve much on the design and quality.

Purchase the Otterbox Commuter case for the Nexus One at their website, or at participating retail stores.

Highly Recommended.


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