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
159 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
159 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
159 months ago
Otterbox + Lifeproof = Litterbox
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SvenSvenson Avatar
159 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
159 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
159 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

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...