Have you seen the video of an iPhone 6 Plus being bent? After hearing reports that the phone was getting bent in people’s pockets, Lew at Unbox Therapy made of video of him bending his iPhone 6 Plus. It’s pretty gruesome, and it made me start looking for more protective cases. Otterbox, known for their protective cases, of course will have the iPhone 6 Plus covered. They’ll have three models available.
- The Defender Series is a “triple-layer, ultra rugged case made to survive the bumps, drops, and scrapes you encounter on your adventures.” It has a built-in screen protector and a belt clip to keep your phone safely out of your front pocket. You’ll be able to customize the colors for the Defender. It will sell for $69.90.
- The Symmetry Series cases has “dual-material construction, which makes this one of the slimmest, most protective iPhone 6 Plus cases in its class.” It will provide tough protection from drops and shocks, and you can customize it with wraparound colors and graphics. It will sell for $49.95-54.95.
- The Commuter Series cases have “tight-fitting port and plug covers to keep grit and grime from building up in your jacks, ports, and inputs.” It comes with a stick-on screen cover. You can also customize this case. It will sell for $49.90.
Leave your email address at Otterbox to be notified when these iPhone 6 Plus cases are ready for purchase.
Check out Lew’s bending video here.
Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
I would be careful with this as the case will also add bulk to the phone causing it to be even tighter in your trousers. Best to wait for someone to take advantage of this issue and bring out cases specifically designed to deal with it before investing in an expensive case now. None of the Otterbox cases list protection against the bend flaw itself.
I have gad 2 iPhone 6 + and both were has in an Otterbox defender. Both bent and became totally useless. Thanks for nothing Apple & Otterbox.
No one apparently knew about the “bend flaw” until yesterday. And I don’t think Otterbox cases are going to bend. I wasn’t recommending these cases for front-pocket use anyway. I’m always nagging my husband and daughter about carrying their phones in their pockets anyway. I’m always buying my daughter little purses and bags and my husband belt holsters, but neither take the hint…
As a 2 year user of the Galaxy Note II. I can tell you that pocketing these phones will always be a difficult thing to do. Side holster is the way to go. I will gladly give up the ability to easily put it in my pocket for the high-res large screen.
Would not be seen dead with a holster. Way too geeky for me. I need a phone that will fit in my pocket. Current 5S not a problem. 6 Plus is too big for me so likely going the vanilla 6 route. I can onlyy imagine the bulk of a 6 Plus with an otter case…huge!
….or guys can stop wearing their sisters’ pants….
But they accent my butt so nicely!
Reminder that some of us have rather large waistlines (my bad, food is yummy) and putting the phone in a holster on our belts is not really an option.
Regarding the case – reviewers caution against using these phones without protection. They are slippery and can be damaged way too easily when dropped.
And so, …. I really do not understand/appreciate the fascination with larger and larger phones that no longer fit in your pocket (with or without a case). Just say’in. IMO, you end up with the worst of both worlds.
Haven’t used a purse in years. Personally, I like using my front jean pockets for my mobile phone and “Touch” (read that it’s a big no no to keep your phone in your back pocket). My devices are safe and I can easily get to it when a call comes through.
(Also am using the liquid wallet reviewed on this site). So, I am actually trying to reduce the size of all things carried on my person! Can’t believe the general “gadgettering” public insist manufactures enlarge these devices.
I have a fairly small flip phone and an iPod Touch*. The Touch works really well with email and fairly well for browsing. If I want to read a book or sit down with FlipBoard, or work on a spreadsheet, etc, I use my iPad. It’s pretty easy to place my iPad or Kindle Touch in my car so that I have access to the appropriate device wherever I go.
Regarding the bending iPhone 6 plus. Shame on Apple! (And I’m a long time Apple fan girl!)
R you telling me that no one thought to test the strength of these devices? That no one imagined these would go into someone’s pocket? Poleeze!
I do not think Apple will live down this major, major blunder for quite a while!
*Cannot justify paying for a Smart Phone as I really, really hate those cell phone companies.
Gary, if you do a search at Amazon or eBay, you can find a variety of small cross-body gear bags that you can wear across your chest bandolero style that are big enough to hold even the iPhone 6 Plus. I have a little bag from Baggallini that’s being delivered Friday that should work great for my 6 Plus (if mid-October ever gets here…).
Apple phones are not the only phones that bend. Cult of Mac has an article showing a bunch of phones that have bent. Metal bends when pressure is applied. It’s part of the physical properties of the material. Phones are expensive pieces of equipment, and most of them are not built to withstand extremes of any condition. Cram them into a tight space and apply pressure, and they’ll bend or break. If it’s true that having them in a back pocket is bad because of the pressure from sitting on them, it’s equally true that putting them in a front pocket is bad because of the pressure they can experience between the fabric of your pants and your leg when you sit.
It’s also bad to leave tablets and smart phones in cars where they will experience extreme temperatures – too much heat or cold can damage them.
I think some people need a certificate of common sense before they are allowed to buy the iPhone 6 Plus and other large phones/phablets. Anyone who would put one of these expensive and large phones in their back or front pockets and sit down deserves what they get if it bends. It’s thin, it’s big, it’s going to bend… get a clue.
@Julie can we make this just a requirement for oxygen?
Well, during the winter months, I wear vests and/or blazers. This does solve lots of problems for my devices. They fit easily into pockets held closed via velcro or zippers.
During the summer, I am challenged. Really have not found shorts or long pants with cargo pockets that look good on me. My “Touch” has a protective case, and it seems safe in my front pants pocket.
Once again, I continue to have problems with these gadgets getting larger and larger. I really do not like carrying gear bags.
@Julie, didn’t think front pant pockets were a dangerous. Still don’t think they are a problem for my 5th gen Touch. But, I do see your point regarding these larger smart phones. Time will tell … but on initial reading of reports, the iPhone 6+ does appear to be too fragile. Perhaps this is a problem shared by every phablett. Maybe as technologies improve it will be made stronger and retain thinness and light weight.
I have to Concur with Julie, “I think some people need a certificate of common sense before they are allowed to buy the iPhone 6 Plus…” The iPhone 6 plus’ size is perfect, but I wouldn’t consider it in my environment until a case like the Otter-Box Defender is available.
I’m not concerned about the bending issue, but wow, is this thing ever slippery.
Should have called the iPhone 6 Plus the eelPhone. Of course they shipped mine a month ahead of shipping the case I bought, and today it finally broke after dropping it for about the fifth time. I think I dropped my 4s once in 2 years. I guess Apple Care would rather buy me a $700 phone than ship a $30 case. Odd business thesis. Anybody know when Otterbox cases will be available?