One of the first accessories that I purchase for any smart phone that I’ve ever owned is a case to protect my new investment. I’ve mentioned before that choosing a case for your phone is very similar to the process of choosing the phone itself. A large part of the decision is based on your lifestyle and how you use your device.
OtterBox makes some of the most rugged cell phone cases on the market, though they sometimes sacrifice in the portability/usability department. The OtterBox Commuter Series case makes a reasonable compromise between protection and usability.
Design/Features
The OtterBox Commuter Series offers a laundry list of features that provide several layers of protection for your Tilt2. The case comes in three parts. First of all is a standard screen protector that protects the display from scuffs and scratches. The case itself features two sides that snap onto either side of your Tilt 2. This design allows you to still use the sliding and tilting features of your phone. All of the hardware buttons (excluding those on the front face) are covered with heavy duty rubber, greatly reducing the potential for dust and debris to get trapped in the buttons.
My one complaint about the design of the Commuter case is the fact that the power button is much harder to press with the case on. All of the buttons are harder to use, but the power button is an order of magnitude more difficult (though anyone who as accidently turned off their screen while trying to type might find this a good thing).
Usability
The Commuter case does add quite a bit of depth to the Tilt 2. This will be a deal breaker for some, though I didn’t find it to be so much of a problem that it was unusable. The best part about the Commuter case is the fact that you can use the device any way you would under normal circumstances while still having the protection of a case. The keyboard slides out just as it would without being inside a case, and the screen is not obstructed in any way.
Conclusion
OtterBox makes some of the most rugged cases on the market. The Commuter series balances the level of protection with usability perfectly. While quality is never a concern with an OtterBox product, price can be. At $34.95, this is one of the more expensive cases available; though in my opinion, this case is well worth the cost.
