Otterbox today sent out a press release announcing cases designed for the new iPhone 5s and 5c models, and specifically addressed the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor that will be built into the iPhone 5s.

NewImage
Because the company's bulky Defender Series of cases are designed to offer full device protection, it would seem that Otterbox might encounter some difficulties accounting for the home button and the fingerprint sensor.

However, Otterbox says all the its cases are "designed specifically to accommodate the new Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor technology, and all device functionality remains uninhibited by the case."

"Every Apple launch means new technologies that enhance the iPhone user experience, while at the same time create challenges for our products to evolve," said OtterBox CEO Brian Thomas. "We have very talented design and engineering teams working hard to anticipate new technologies and determine the most elegant solutions for our cases which complement the user experience. As always, the OtterBox team will lead with innovations in premium protective solutions for these new devices and welcome the challenges that each new product launch generates."

Defender, Commuter, Reflex and Prefix cases will be immediately available for the iPhone 5s, while Defender and Commuter cases for the iPhone 5c will be available soon.

Many other cases, like the aluminum iGlaze Armour from Moshi, will work fine with Touch ID because they don't cover the home button at all.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

SvenSvenson Avatar
161 months ago

"Literally" the most misused word in the language has officially changed definition. Now as well as meaning "in a literal manner or sense; exactly: 'the driver took it literally when asked to go straight over the traffic circle'", various dictionaries have added its other more recent usage. "literally" can be used "to acknowledge that something is not literally true but is used for emphasis or to express strong feeling".

Yeah well - millions of uneducated people being wrong shouldn't make a thing right.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bushido Avatar
161 months ago
i would literally rather walk around with a broken back than to put my slim iPhone in such an ugly "box"
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMule Avatar
161 months ago
Otterbox + Lifeproof = Litterbox
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SvenSvenson Avatar
161 months ago
i would literally rather walk around with a broken back than to put my slim iPhone in such an ugly "box"

You may want to look up the meaning of the word 'Literally'...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eorlas Avatar
161 months ago
i would literally rather walk around with a broken back than to put my slim iPhone in such an ugly "box"

Time and time again, silly comments like these come out any time a strong case is released, and time and time again someone has to remind everyone that...:

*It's NOT about making it look nice, it's about giving it strong protection for people who are prone to damaging their devices or for those people whose daily environments (ex. at work) threaten the safety of their device without an advanced protection solution.*

And lucky for you, you don't have to "walk around with a broken back" (ridiculous exaggeration just to draw attention imo) because there are many cases *that don't look like this one.*
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheMacBookPro Avatar
161 months ago
And lucky for you, you don't have to "walk around with a broken back" (ridiculous exaggeration just to draw attention imo) because there are many cases *that don't look like this one.*

I really hope he just meant a broken piece of glass on the rear of the phone, and not an actual broken human back.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...