A modular iPhone case? The Otterbox uniVERSE actually works!
Otterbox uniVERSE Review – Otterbox makes a modular case. How useful is it?
The Otterbox uniVERSE going to be reviewing the Otterbox uniVerse. We’ll be blunt with you; the Otterbox uniVerse makes sense. At Mobile Reviews Eh!, we like the idea of modularity, but since we’re not entirely sold on modular phones so the next best thing is to be able to securely pimp out your phone through a case. And that’s what the Otterbox uniVerse allows you to do.
For our Otterbox uniVerse review, we’ve given this case a score of 4.3 Eh’s out of 5. On a case basis, the uniVERSE is slightly better than the average iPhone case but with all the potential modules to use with the case, its score should be a little higher.
There are a couple of minor downsides to uniVerse with the first one being the size of the case, the second involving the completely exposed bottom and the third is the cost. To get everything you want is going to cost a pretty penny. If you’re wondering what the Top 10 iPhone slim cases are, go here or if you’re looking for the “Best of the Best“, go here!
Design – A bulkier case that handles decently
The design of the Otterbox uniVERSE feels very familiar as it feels a little like the Otterbox Symmetry. The case is wider and thicker than most cases, and that’s due to the attachment point on the back of the case. The attachment point comes with a cover that you could use, but we weren’t bothered at all with the bare attachment point during our day-to-day usage.
The iPhone sits tightly in the uniVerse and holds up fairly well to general usage though a couple of drops on concrete will scuff up the hard plastic corners. The uniVERSE has a very rubbery front which greatly helps with usage, but the back is completely slick so that it will slide around. The Otterbox uniVERSE doesn’t come with a screen protector so it is definitely worth to get one that isn’t edge to edge because you’ll end up putting your iPhone face down a lot.
Attaching extras to the case is easily done by sliding the attachment point onto the accessory. With the armband, you’ll need to ensure that you press the uniVERSE all the way into the clip or else it is going to come off quite quickly. The attachment point for the uniVERSE works well as the iPhone stayed on during all my workouts and whatever the hell this was.
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Protection – Go ahead, drop your iPhone by accident
Regarding protection, the Otterbox uniVERSE is drop rated to a usual standard; rather it’s certified by Otterbox’s own drop protection certified and from our research that certification is about as clear as Extra Virgin Olive Oil classifications. But from our experience with rating cases, we’re pretty confident that the uniVERSE can take a beating.
The edges of the uniVERSE are of average height as the case will keep your iPhone off a flat surface, but you should get a screen protector for the case as you’ll end up placing it face down as it will be hard to keep face with all the different accessories you use.
The only thing that worries me is the completely exposed bottom. We’ve dropped enough iPhones to know that it’s pretty hard to drop it on the front facing edge but we’re still a little paranoid about it.
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Functionality – Great port access (since there isn’t anything there)
In terms of accessing your iPhone, you can easily access the buttons, the ports and headphone jack are completely free, and the thicker case doesn’t get in the way of the camera flash.
Now the best part of the Otterbox uniVERSE are all the add-ons you can get. You can increase storage using the SanDisk expand, add extra power using the spare battery add-on and a wallet for all those times you go dancing and only need your credit card and drivers license. To mount it on your car, you can use the Nite Ize Steelie Vent Mount which is something we’ve reviewed before and for all the photographer nuts, you can get a tripod or an Olloclip 4in-1. If you’re looking for a full list of accessories, check out Otterbox’s website.
Otterbox sent me the PolarPro BeatPulser speaker accessory which was something quite fun to use but if you need more info on the speakers, check out that specific review.
For the Trail Blazer armband, we did compare it against another non-pocketed armband from the Moshi Endura. Between these two systems, We do prefer the Endura’s armband because it has a smaller footprint. The larger area of the Trail Blazer means that more substantial portion of your skin is going to get sweaty which might bother some people. The Endura’s mounting system is a little slicker, but you can’t mount anything cool onto the Endura.
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