When is otterbox armor

What is unique about the Armor is the way case is put on to your device; instead of snapping the two pieces on to each other, there are two heavy duty metal latches that seals the case.

While I am confident that the case will protect the iPhone from drops on concrete, I am uncertain that the case will stand up to water. This is simply due to the fact that the gap between the two pieces is too large. The Armor is more meant for people who have jobs that threaten the iPhone 5. This case is meant for someone such as a construction worker, not an IT specialist. While using the case for a few days, I encountered some major problems with the case itself, aside from the bulkiness.

First, like the Defender series, the Armor series has a cheap plastic screen protector. The Atlas offers a glass screen protector and I can definitely notice the difference between the two. Another problem I faced was the firmness of the home button; it was very hard to push. Another problem with the case is the space between the front and back piece. Dirt can easily get stuck in there; I was skeptical to do a water test with the iPhone inside because I thought water would enter inside.

Lastly, the camera cut out is a bit off and you can surely notice that Otterbox did a poor job in the alignment of the camera cut out in the Armor. The volume buttons and mute switch were not too hard to press. The new case series not only builds on the crush and drop protection provided by the Defender Series, but also adds waterproofing. The Armor Series is designed to withstand being in up to 6.

That's perfect for those situations where you drop your iPhone 5 from where you're riding on top of a rhinoceros and she proceeds to step on it and hold it underwater for a half hour We don't believe it's designed to protect your precious from the impact of a meteorite, but for just about everything else, the Armor Series is going to help.

Here's a closeup look at the Armor Series case for iPhone 5. As you'd expect from an iPhone case with these credentials, the Armor Series isn't exactly svelte. It weighs in at 4. Compare that with a naked iPhone 5, which is only. But if you want protection, you've got it.

Everything is sealed into the case, which comes in black and gray with a shock-absorbent lining of neon green, arctic blue, or electric orange. The arctic blue model has a white bezel surrounding the phone display, perfect for framing a white iPhone 5.

On the right side of the case are two zinc alloy metal latches that hold the case halves together securely. To install the iPhone 5 into the case, you flip those latches open and take the back of the case off.

Pop the iPhone in, slap the back on, re-do the latches and you're ready to abuse the case OtterBox recommends testing the Armor Series case in water for at least 30 minutes prior to placing an iPhone into the case.

They also -- like all manufacturers who make similar cases -- suggest that you "use caution when subjecting your device to extreme situations and rough treatment" and warn that "Users subject their devices to extreme circumstances at their own risk.

Switches and the home button on the iPhone 5 are covered with flexible pass-through equivalents, and the headphone port is covered by a thick plug.

Speakers are covered with an impermeable membrane, while speakers are covered with a mesh that lets sound out but no water or dust in. The Armor Series doesn't have a belt holster -- yet -- nor does it come in a larger variety of colors -- yet. OtterBox is probably testing the waters before committing to accessories and new colors.