Review: Ballistic HC case for the iPhone 4
I was excited when offered the chance to take a look at AGF’s Ballistic HC case for the iPhone 4. As the website suggests, the Ballistic HC is “Designed to Survive Life,” a great slogan considering I had dumped my phone onto a brick patio just a few nights prior to receiving the review unit. The Ballistic HC is a great case, and though it may not be for everyone, it’s perfect for people who can be rough on their phones.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the Ballistic HC is big. It’s a pretty thick case by itself, and if you want it to get even bigger there’s a bouncy silicon wrap you can put around the case for extra protection. The size is a good thing, though. It allows for all of the padding and space necessary to keep your phone safe in the even that you would drop it or accidentally smash it against something. A rubber inner layer separates your phone from the hard outer, protecting the phone from the case and adding some shock absorption. The hard outer shell also has fixed rubber bumpers for an extra layer of protection. The aforementioned rubber sleeve really takes the phone to indestructible new heights.
The front of the Ballistic HC case has a screen protector that allows your touchscreen to still function perfectly. I was really impressed, because I’ve seen a lot of cases for which the screen protector ruins the browsing experience on the phone. With the Ballistic, you almost don’t notice that the protector is there (unless you drop your phone, of course, in which case you’ll just notice that the screen is in tact).
I only had one issue with the Ballistic case, a problem AGF is both aware of and working actively to fix. As you can see in the picture below, the screen protector can get suctioned onto the screen, creating an oil-spill pattern across the screen. It’s not very noticeable when the screen is lit up, but it kinda sucks when the screen is black.
As I said, though, Ballistic is working on a fix. The company posted a YouTube video with a simple, temporary fix for the problem while they continue to work on a permanent solution. Really, though, if you need this case, you are probably more interested in the fact that it will keep your phone safe, and less interested in the way your phone will look while tucked safely away inside this beast of a case.
DONT BUY THIS CASE!!!!! I had the case for approximately two weeks not and it is a piece of junk. On the YOUTUBE video’s it looks great but in real life it sucks. After two weeks of use the lip area where the ear piece is at the exterior cover is located at is stretching and becoming loose. With this in mind I dont put it in the holster anymore since I am afraid the phone is going to fall. Also when I received my case it was damaged I emailed and never got a response, I then called spoke with some guy and told me they would replace the front cover since it was damaged and they never did. I told the guy at balisitc I would send him a pic of the damage screen cover and he never sent confirmation email of receiving it. Balistic hasp oor cust service,I have now ordered a otter box case. I have one my work phone and had one on my iphone 3gs. Otter box has great cust service and 50 bucks is a lot of money for a phone case. Let me see balistic gives me a refund.
the belt clip on this case broke on me 3 hours after i purchased it. stick with otter box.
I have had this case for almost 2 weeks ad I love it. The screen protector is very responsive and I followed the company suggestion to use baby powder on the screen. The fact that you can leave the outer shell off the case is a plus but I always like to use it since it really protects the iPhone. The belt clip is very sturdy and does NOT cut into my side when I wear it. Just be sure you hear it click into place when you use it. So far I think this is a great rugged case.
I was checking reviews because I have had the case less than ONE day and it is scratching on the screen, as well as the bubble pattern beginning. I’m going back to the store today and getting a refund.
I bought the OtterBox Defender and didn’t like it. When I discovered the Ballistic product it was quickly purchased. There are no regrets at all!! I don’t use the holster but carry it in my front pants pocket as my job doesn’t lend itself to things that get caught while accessing certain job areas. I highly recommend it and after going through the screen cling issue before that is the only problem which is easily addressed.
I have a problem with this case, the problem is, i dont have money to buy for an iphone4.
I’ve had this case a couple months. I found a different solution for the oily pattern.
A matte screen protector on the phone and ballistic screen protector doesn’t stick to the phone screen. Don’t use a glossy protector because it will have the same problem as the screen.
The only issue I had was that It’s bulky. Its very narrow dock port prevented me from using many of my cables. Fortunately I bought a dock extender boost from GadgetBoost.com for my Ballistic Hardcore Case to extend it. Now I don’t have issues with the small space not working with a connector. I love the built in screen protector, protection, outer flexible layer, and the finger ridges on the sides.
Not sure why some are having issues. I have had my case for 2 months and it is great! Yes its bulky, but you want protection. Yes the “bubbles” are there but only when it isn’t on. I had the issue with the screen scratching right away. I contacted customer service and they were very helpful. I highly recommend this case for the iphone4.
Got this case the other day, and I absolutely LOVE it, the greatest thing money can buy, way better than the otterbox!!!
Surprised by all the negative comments about this case. After dropping my iPhone 4 twice on asphalt, watching it bounce across the ground, with no damage to the phone, I’m absolutely sold – this is the most rugged phone case I’ve owned. I was an Otterbox man since my older 3G iPhone, even bought the iPhone 4 Defender case, but didn’t like how the outer skin fit.
Scratches? Rather have scratches on the case than on the phone – the whole reason to get a case, to protect the phone inside.
This is the Hummer SUV of iPhone cases.
I like this case too, but on the first day I got it I dropped it by accident and the screen was scratched. Is there a way to remove the scratches ? Please e mail me if you know. They are only minor scratches but still I want them removed if possible
Ok, so I know the iphone 4 has been out for a while but I have always been “old phone guy”. So now I want to go to a iphone 4. I do alot of work and I do not want to damage my iphone AT ALL. do the screens still do the bubbling up? if so, what can I do about this problem??
also, can you replace the screen protector in it???
I get my phone tomorrow so please let me know!
thanks,
will
I got the case in Mar 2011 and it has been with me in the middle east desert for 7 months so far and as far as I am conserned, this is the best Iphone case out there!
Removed my iPhone 4 and installed my new iPhone 4S and it fit, the side ring muter is a tight fit but fits. Love this case bulky but I’ve dropped my iPhone 4 many times and after pulling it out it looked brand new still.
I have this case and yesterday it again saved my Iphone from total distruction.
I work as a mobile pet groomer and yesterday evening I dropped my phone as I was lifting a dog out of the van. It dropped into a puddle of water. I grabbed it up, sure it was totaled but due to this case there was NO DAMAGE. I took my phone out of the case, dried off the case and put the phone back in. When have you ever heard of dropping a phone in water and it would survive! The rubber bumper and heavy plastic case are worth every penny.