I thought about adding this post to the merged iPhone X case thread, but I don't want to hijack that. At least this way people who want to ignore my post won't have to scroll past it in that thread or the responses from people who are sick of reading about my requirements. My needs are overly restrictive, completely cover up the beautiful phone, don't make sense, I should give up on having a phone - I get it. Move along.
For the rest of you who are interested in helping me find a case that meets my stringent requirements and perhaps get you to consider options that you hadn't considered before, please read on.
Here we go...
Requirements: dustproof, sweatproof, with an integrated screen protector that covers the ENTIRE display including the notch, and also it has to have a removable belt holster with a clip/stand. Bluetooth isn't allowed due to the possibility of electronic interference, but also security as well as anti-distraction policy, so the case will have to allow a quality mic and speaker experience.
Environment: heat, dust/dirt, sweat, extreme activity.
I started the search by looking at my gold standard, the Otterbox Defender. I've used these going back to my iPhone 4s. Wonderful cases that hit all the right notes at the time of purchase. Until the iPhone X came out. Now they no longer offer screen protectors. Maybe because they failed at the screen protector on my current 6s? After cleaning it, I found it no longer sealed to the display. There is a slight air gap. When I pulled the case off recently for a cleaning, I found grit marks all around the speaker cutout.
So that'll be a no on the Defender X.
I found the Ghostek Nautical - which is completely waterproof and dustproof, yet does not include a belt clip. After repeated emails to Ghostek customer "service", I received a barely intelligible response from someone who told me to order their Ghostek universal belt clip from Amazon - they don't even offer it on their own company site. Apparently because the thing is so ungainly its embarrassing. Seriously, it looks like half of a hockey puck.
Another strike against Nautical is the case protects you from not just dust and water but also from call quality. The case makes it hard to hear conversations and to be heard. I could use my AirPods off duty, but not while I'm working.
Therefore, Ghostek is out.
Searching DDG for "iphone x case with belt clip" brought me to the Vena vArmor. I think it looks pretty good, in an extreme "deleted prop from Aliens" way. Belt clip is included. I like the raised edge on the surround. However, no integrated screen protector, so this thing isn't water and dust resistant. Getting a standalone screen protector doesn't seal the case body to the phone the way an integrated protector works.
Vena is out.
Further searches led me to the Duranium by Trianium. This one might do it. Shockproof, full body and face protection with an integrated screen protector. But the reviews are less than stellar. Some say the screen protector has an air gap, the clip is hard to use, and this thing doesn't stop dust from getting in and wrecking the phone body.
Trianium aint it then.
I then found the Zizo Bolt. This is a really interesting-looking case with fantastic drop protection. It has the belt clip I'm looking for, but oddly that clip doesn't kick out - instead, there is a separate kickstand built into the back of the case, so to use the case as a stand you have to pull it out of the belt clip. I never, ever take my Otterbox Defender-equipped iPhone 6s out of its belt clip. I always take the entire assembly off my belt when I take/make calls, or sit down to read something on a web site. The belt clip shell then protects the rear camera. I guess there are people who remove their phones from the clip when they use them, I'm not one of them.
The Bolt doesn't have an integrated screen protector. Instead they include a "free" glass protector. Nice, but thats not going to prevent dust from getting around the case and into the phone body. Still, its a very cool looking case offered in a variety of colors. If I was in a slightly less demanding workspace, perhaps a saw mill or a football field, maybe I'd consider it. As things are for me now, this won't work.
So the search continues. If anyone here has any suggestions on a rugged, dustproof case that can withstand sweat, impacts and drops, I'd like to hear about it. TIA.
For the rest of you who are interested in helping me find a case that meets my stringent requirements and perhaps get you to consider options that you hadn't considered before, please read on.
Here we go...
Requirements: dustproof, sweatproof, with an integrated screen protector that covers the ENTIRE display including the notch, and also it has to have a removable belt holster with a clip/stand. Bluetooth isn't allowed due to the possibility of electronic interference, but also security as well as anti-distraction policy, so the case will have to allow a quality mic and speaker experience.
Environment: heat, dust/dirt, sweat, extreme activity.
I started the search by looking at my gold standard, the Otterbox Defender. I've used these going back to my iPhone 4s. Wonderful cases that hit all the right notes at the time of purchase. Until the iPhone X came out. Now they no longer offer screen protectors. Maybe because they failed at the screen protector on my current 6s? After cleaning it, I found it no longer sealed to the display. There is a slight air gap. When I pulled the case off recently for a cleaning, I found grit marks all around the speaker cutout.
So that'll be a no on the Defender X.
I found the Ghostek Nautical - which is completely waterproof and dustproof, yet does not include a belt clip. After repeated emails to Ghostek customer "service", I received a barely intelligible response from someone who told me to order their Ghostek universal belt clip from Amazon - they don't even offer it on their own company site. Apparently because the thing is so ungainly its embarrassing. Seriously, it looks like half of a hockey puck.
Another strike against Nautical is the case protects you from not just dust and water but also from call quality. The case makes it hard to hear conversations and to be heard. I could use my AirPods off duty, but not while I'm working.
Therefore, Ghostek is out.
Searching DDG for "iphone x case with belt clip" brought me to the Vena vArmor. I think it looks pretty good, in an extreme "deleted prop from Aliens" way. Belt clip is included. I like the raised edge on the surround. However, no integrated screen protector, so this thing isn't water and dust resistant. Getting a standalone screen protector doesn't seal the case body to the phone the way an integrated protector works.
Vena is out.
Further searches led me to the Duranium by Trianium. This one might do it. Shockproof, full body and face protection with an integrated screen protector. But the reviews are less than stellar. Some say the screen protector has an air gap, the clip is hard to use, and this thing doesn't stop dust from getting in and wrecking the phone body.
Trianium aint it then.
I then found the Zizo Bolt. This is a really interesting-looking case with fantastic drop protection. It has the belt clip I'm looking for, but oddly that clip doesn't kick out - instead, there is a separate kickstand built into the back of the case, so to use the case as a stand you have to pull it out of the belt clip. I never, ever take my Otterbox Defender-equipped iPhone 6s out of its belt clip. I always take the entire assembly off my belt when I take/make calls, or sit down to read something on a web site. The belt clip shell then protects the rear camera. I guess there are people who remove their phones from the clip when they use them, I'm not one of them.
The Bolt doesn't have an integrated screen protector. Instead they include a "free" glass protector. Nice, but thats not going to prevent dust from getting around the case and into the phone body. Still, its a very cool looking case offered in a variety of colors. If I was in a slightly less demanding workspace, perhaps a saw mill or a football field, maybe I'd consider it. As things are for me now, this won't work.
So the search continues. If anyone here has any suggestions on a rugged, dustproof case that can withstand sweat, impacts and drops, I'd like to hear about it. TIA.
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