ion 4 or candyshell?

[ValentinoV]

hi i am looking for a shock absorbent case for when i accidentally drop my 4s. Does anyone know the difference between either? does the ion 4 offer the same amount of protection ### the candyshell? thanks in advance!

[hexoid]

I'm afraid I can't help, but I really wish someone would make an iphone-shaped shock-measuring-thingie or some other way to empirically test cases for shock absorption. 'Cos otherwise we're left with reading the companies own description of it's case:

"ION 4, the most shock resistant case in our line, is constructed of an ultra-high impact resistant TPU polymer."
I don't doubt that the TPU would resist impact. That's like saying aluminum is impact resistant, and my car is made of aluminum= ergo car is impact resistant? But they're forgetting that it's the contents of the car that's important, and the way to protect this isn't necessarily with crazy advanced materials, but rather with how the materials are structured to absorb and divert the impact AROUND the precious cargo. Same goes for iphone cases.

"Corners of the ION case are reinforced for a firmer grip and added protection in case of a drop."
again, does this divert the impact? or does it just look nice?

"The inlaid back plate is aerospace grade carbon fiber with a matte finish that is strong and feather light."
This is my favorite part. Again, is the case structured in such a way that lets this amazing AEROSPACE carbon fiber take the force of impact? Or are they just throwing around impressive words?

"This case is quickly removable for docking your iPhone."
Lol, also known as "doesn't work with docks"


Of course, I haven't used this case, so I really cannot pretend to know anything about it, I'm just picking apart their product description. Speck just has a little "impact absorption" image on the Candyshell description page, which again doesn't say much except that the case sorta looks like it should absorb impact. I've seen a pretty impressive drop test of the candyshell on youtube, but it was for the 3g version and that rounder shape seems like it would be better for that anyway.

Having used a Candyshell case for a year, I'd say it does protect pretty well, but it is a teeny bit slippery which also makes it a bit more prone to being dropped in the first place.

In short, I don't think there's really a way to know for sure, you're just gonna have to make a gut decision. Also consider the depth of the lay-on-the-table lip. Makes a big difference when dropping your phone on a rough-ish surface like on the sidewalk. No matter how much impact the corners can take it wont help you if it falls screen-first onto some grit.

Also consider otterbox, or the speck mightyvault, incipio destroyer.. just off the top of my head there are plenty more "rugged" cases, but of course they do ad bulk.

[dknowle]

Don't know about those cases, but other heavy duty cases are the Griffin Survivor (which meats military specks). Ballistic also makes a shock resistant case.