[Desire Accessories] LBTaylor1984:
Well i've had the case for 2 weeks now so I feel I can give you guys an honest review of the case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSCkAmij7P0

Construction.

The case is two parts, as i'm sure you've already read, however I want to draw your attention to both parts with regards to manufacturing, and design.

The internal hard case is a two part snap fit,

it features a lens protector which is substantial, and seems fit for purpose, there isn't any distortion i can see, and the plastic seems solid. The screen protector built into this case seems of high quality, but does cause colour refraction of the screen (the effects of a oily screen) this isn't terrible and I suffered the same using a Invisishield screen protector, but it's worth noting. I don't like the fact that the buttons on the front of the phone are cut out, the amount of lint and hair i get through the holes is unbearable to myself, and this leads to the next problem.

There are 6 snap fit clips around the body which on first fit are ridiciously tight. this is good and bad. If you never take the case off then it is sure to survive any impact, however if your like me and the dirt annoys you under the screen protector you'll be taking it off all the time. Now once you break that virgin seal the clips never hold as tight, this isn't to say it no longer grips, just it's not tight so now the two part plastic creaks and squeeks if squeezed together, the movement isn't huge but again I like things to be solid, and this case isn't.

Now the Silicon case goes on the outside, unlike the Case Mate - Tough.

I see this as a better idea than the hardcase on the outside, however Otterbox have slipped up a little in my opinion. There is a raised lip on the outside edge which the silicon case slips over to secure it. they've made one on the top, two long ones each side, and to hooks on the bottom. But not on the corners, this is where it's needed most because of the lack of lip you'll find that when you catch the rubber on your clothes hand, an object it will pull away from the plastic part. I'm constantly having to push the rubber back into the lip and massage the corners so they meet the body better.

Impact protection.

Purely by chance the other week my desire went down an iron staircase on a building site. Not good but a perfect test for the case.

Well tbh my phone picked up a bit of speed and dented a plasterboard wall on stopping. I was pretty sure I was in for a new phone, but to my honest surprise the case did it's job. The phone is in perfect nick, the case itself is ok too.

Conclusion.

Well the case is big and bulky, it makes the phone slightly larger than a iPhone 3GS with case attached, which by todays standards is a brick, it's not asthetically pleasing to those with an eye for detail because of the squeeks, the loose outer rubber cover, and the screen proctector creating colour reflex, and obvious holes (the mk2 doesn't have the holes i'm told) it's not really a looker. But thats not what this case is about, if you need a case to protect your phone on busy building sites, or even if you a cluts dropping it all the time then this is the case of choice. I think if Otterbox revisit this case, perhaps add the lip all the way round to hook the rubber over, use a clearer screen protector, perhaps using a snap fit lip upposed to 6 clips then this would appeal to the people looking for a stylish protection solution. I believe this case is the best solution for protection, but looses alot of ground based on looks.

Protection: *****

Design: ***½

Style: **

Price: ***

Overal: ***½

If you have any questions, please ask away :)