This is actually my first case that I had to purchase separate from what sometimes comes with a phone. My last phone, a Blackberry Curve, came with a leatherette pouch and the phone before that, a Samsung Palm PDA phone, even came wtih a leather belt clip case.

Before I purchased my first true smart phone, I noticed that several friends I knew had smart phones with cracked displays. They all told me the same story, that they did not have a case and they accidentally dropped their phone on a hard surface. Thus I was determined not to have this happen to me.

I researched cases online and one that I felt had the most positive reviews was this OtterBox brand. They have several lines providing various degrees of protection and style. I thought this Commuter Series provided the right balance. It does not make the phone appear much larger or thicker than it normally is, yet provides me the confidence that should I drop my phone, it most likely will survive intact.

The case is composed of two parts. A silicone layer which is surrounded by a hi-impact polycarbonate shell that wraps around and covers most of the back and left and right sides of the phone. What I find neat is that the control buttons on the side and top protrude a little and thus make them easier to press.

I bought a basic black case but i know they come in different colors. I suppose that the more popular your phone, the more choices you have. The case basically fits like a glove and becomes one with the phone. It doesn't look or feel like an "add on."

There is a tradeoff with silicone and polycarbonate cases. Silicone cases are like soft grippy rubber and they tend to stick to clothing material, making it sometimes difficult to remove from pockets. Polycarbonate is hard plastic and they are sometimes too slippery in the hand. The polycarbonate on the OtterBox is finely textured, which resembles wood grain. In combination with the silicone buttons, it provides a nice balance in being pretty secure in the hand and also sliding in and out of a pocket with relative ease.

The fit and finish is something I really admire. I looks like something that was designed and produced by the original phone manufacturer. The only tell-tale sign is the brand name handsomely embossed into the back hard surface of the case.

I haven't dropped my phone yet so I cannot personally attest to its protective ability. Yet other people have written that the OtterBox did protect their phone. I feel like it is just something a prudent person should have when using a phone with a large exposed display.

The only negative thing I can think of is the relatively higher cost of the case. My LG Optimus V only cost $125 so the case represented a fifth of the cost of the phone. There are some silicone cases that cost less than $5. Yet I am sure I wouldn't be as happy as I am with the OtterBox.

What was funny is that I recently went to a party and the conversation turned to someone's iPhone and how they wished they had an OtterBox case since it was reknowned for protection. I remarked that I had an OtterBox and everyone wanted to see what it looked like.

Lastly, the case came with a self-adhesive screen protector. I already had one in use so I did not get around to using this one yet.

Overall I am very pleased with this purchase.

Recommended: Yes