Griffin Survivor Case for iPhone 4 review

Most phone cases protect your handset from the odd knock or scratch, but the Survivor takes things to the extreme. It meets UK military standards for drop, vibration, rain and wind conditions and should protect your iPhone 4 in just about any environment – even if you drop it six feet onto concrete.

Getting an iPhone into and out of the case isn’t quick, so it’s really only for people who really need extra protection, say building site workers. Flaps cover all ports and buttons – great for those occasions you get stuck in a dust storm or avalanche – but you’ll have to flip them open to use the camera or connect a pair of headphones. You won’t be able to dock your phone in the case, either.

A useful detachable belt clip doubles as a stand and an integral screen protector ensures the iPhone’s glass screen doesn’t get scratched. If black is too boring for you, the case is also available in white, olive green and pink. Although we haven’t tested them, there are also Survivor cases for the iPod Touch 4th Gen and iPad 2 which have the same design and protection.

We wouldn’t recommend buying the Survivor for your iPhone if you’re simply obsessive about keeping it pristine – it’s too impractical for everyday use. However, if you take your phone into extreme environments on a regular basis, it’s a seriously worthwhile investment.