Exclusive: Apple's top secret 'Athena' chip fab gets new 'delicate equipment'

Apple has quickly moved to overhaul the equipment installed at the San Jose, Calif., chip fab it acquired from Maxim Integrated Products in December, indicating that the purchase was a strategic priority for the company in its relentless drive to out-innovate its competitors.

The relatively small 70,000-square-foot silicon chip fab, reportedly referred to internally as "Athena," the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, had previously served as a low volume manufacturing facility for Maxim Integrated Products, supporting process technology development.

What will Athena do with her delicate equipment?

Apple rapidly initiated efforts to retrofit the equipment installed at the former Maxim fab shortly after taking possession of the facility. Semi trailer truckloads of equipment, wrapped in anti-static foil (below) labeled as "delicate instruments" have been unloaded at at the facility for installation, indicating that the building wasn't just acquired as a curiosity to dabble in rudimentary chip experiments. 

At the same time, Apple's current and expanding relationship with TSMC makes it clear that the Athena facility isn't ever going to take over the extremely sophisticated role of building Apple's world leading, advanced A-series Application Processors that power everything from Apple TV to iPhones to the new iPad Pro, nor the S-series System-in-Package component that runs Apple Watch. 

The size and location of the Athena facility also makes that clear; there's no real potential or rationale for shifting existing, high-end chip production to it. It also makes no sense to convert the building to basic office space, as the facility is specialized to accommodate the production of electronics devices, as is evident in the aerial images (below). 

Apple has also acquired multiple large tracts of land, much of which is still undeveloped, that would offer far greater potential for building new office space or prototyping facilities, and the company has also leased a series of buildings offering immediate use office space or workshops scattered around Silicon Valley.

Apple also is in the process of completing an extremely large expansion of office space at the new Campus 2, which is expected to reach completion around the end of this year. Additionally, a very large new series of workshops and testing facilities, along with a dedicated data center installation, is also being built in parallel as part of the Campus 2, Phase 2 project (below). That entire development is located just a few minutes away from Apple's existing Infinite Loop Campus in Cupertino, California.

All of these other developments currently in progress indicate that Apple actually acquired the Maxim chip fab (located relatively far away from its headquarters and other offices, in a more industrial, silicon manufacturing corridor) explicitly to gain silicon chip fabrication capacity. 

Maxim used the lab for MEMS production

Maxim had originally been using the fab to produce micro-electro-mechanical system sensors ("MEMS," micro machine components printed like silicon logic chips) targeting the consumer market. The company announced a departure from the market last year, reportedly after losing a contract to supply components to Samsung for use in a flagship smartphone.

MEMS components include tiny devices like accelerometers and gyroscopes (both for sensing motion), pressure sensors (like the barometer included in iPhone 6/6s models), projector displays using DLP technology, IMOD or interferometric modulator displays, and medical devices that can monitor things like blood pressure or detect chemicals. 

After being shut down by Maxim last summer, the facility was initially shopped around as being "well suited for prototype, pilot, and low-volume manufacturing."

A real estate listing noted: "this facility is capable of producing a wide array of products at multiple technology nodes ranging from 600nm to 90nm, with the bulk of production from 350nm to 180nm," and it described the property as including "a complete tool line consisting of 197 well-maintained front-end tools from such OEMs as AMAT, Hitachi, Novellus, LAM, TEL, KLA, and ASML."

Apple's modern Macs and iOS devices use chips manufactured by a broad range of partners, including Samsung, Intel, Broadcom, Texas Instruments and many others. These components typically require far more advanced process nodes than the acquired Maxim site was capable of delivering. 

By way of comparison, the Samsung ARM chips used in the original iPhone and 3G were built using a 90nm process. Apple's latest iPhone 6s uses 14-16nm A9 chips, although other supporting chips are often manufactured with less advanced fab technology in order to save money. For example, last year's M8 motion coprocessor was manufactured at a 90nm process. 

Various MEMS sensors used in iPhones and in Apple Watch could be fabricated in such a facility, but Apple already sources common parts from outside chip partners. Using Athena to develop a unique, proprietary new type of device would make sense, however. This could give Apple another multi year lead in offering a breakthrough new feature much the same way that its acquisition of Authentic enabled it to deploy Touch ID, and then Apple Pay, on new iPhones as a strong, differentiating and exclusive new feature.

With its own MEMS fab, Apple could also develop innovative new medical sensors for use in Apple Watch, such as a wearable blood pressure, blood oxygen, or blood sugar monitoring technology, offering a huge new boost in capability, while also supporting new kinds of clinical studies for ResearchKit, further expanding its audience.

Other technologies Apple could prototype, and possibly even build, at the Athena facility include advanced new wireless antennas for improving the reception and range of Bluetooth and WiFi across its entire product line, or energy induction devices for deploying real wireless power that doesn't require a device to physically contact with a wired charging device (as Apple Watch and many "wireless power" chargers currently use). 

This could convert Apple's AirPort basestations into wireless charging devices that keep mobile phones, wearables, keyboards, Siri Remote, Apple Pencil and other peripherals charged without requiring wires and adapters.

Apple has also previously documented interest in using MEMS components to provide camera lens autofocus (depicted above), and specialized, multiple MEMS microphones have already long been used in Apple's products to provide noise cancellation. 

Whether Apple plans to use the Athena fab to make custom chips or other components for use in upcoming products, or to prototype new parts that will ultimately be manufactured by other partners, significant upgrades were apparently necessary. Whatever its plans for the facility are, the upgrades Apple is installing have been performed in public view of the site's adjacent neighboring facility recently built by Samsung.

Intel splits on Atom after the mobile relevance of x86 whacked by Apple's Ax

Intel is ending production of its mobile Atom processors as the reality sets in of a mobile world where virtually all the profits are inhaled by devices sold by Apple and powered by the iPhone-maker's own custom Ax series Application Processors.

Intel initially intended for Atom to scale down its legacy Wintel desktop x86 processor architecture for use in efficient mobile devices such as phones and tablets, but that strategy has been effectively abandoned as the chipmaker now moves to refocus its sights on modems, data center, Internet of Things and memory chips.

The decision to cancel Atom as a mobile strategy boils down to profitability.

Despite having about as many employees globally as Apple, Intel's revenues were a quarter of Apple's last year, and the Mac-maker reported profits 4.7 times higher on sales of finished devices. 

The majority of Apple's products are now powered by Ax chips the company designs internally. Other smartphone and tablet makers earn little to nothing, and virtually all have adopted the ARM architecture Apple initially co-developed back in the early 1990s for use in its Newton MessagePad tablet, offering little opportunity for Intel's rival Atom architecture to make any inroads.

How Intel lost the mobile business to Apple's Ax chips

The move kills Intel's once enthusiastic plans to muscle its way back into smartphone devices after first fumbling the ball in 2006, when its former chief executive Paul Otellini overlooked the prospect of supplying chips for Apple's original iPhone as not worth doing. 

Four years later, Intel sought to win back Apple's attention with Silverthone, a new x86 chip it expected the company to use in its initial iPad. Intel subsequently rebranded the mobile x86 chip as Atom.

However, Apple passed on Intel's Atom and instead acquired the expertise to develop its own custom ARM Application Processor, known as the A4, which it used in the first iPad, then in iPhone 4 and Apple TV. 

Intel's Atom jilted by Microsoft, failed by Android

The following year, at the beginning of 2011, Microsoft also snubbed Intel by showing off what would later be named Windows RT, a project to get Windows working on ARM chips—including the Qualcomm Snapdragon, TI OMAP and Nvidia Tegra chip families—in order to keep low end Windows PCs, netbooks, tablets and hybrid 2-in-1 devices competitive with Apple's increasingly popular iPad. 

Intel's Atom chips were clearly unable to match the A4 iPad's battery life, but Windows RT, in the form of Microsoft's own Tegra-powered Surface RT hybrid, also failed spectacularly. 

Jilted by Microsoft, Intel subsequently jumped to support Google's Android 3.0 Honeycomb also in competition with iPad, offering makers fat subsidies for building Android tablets using Intel Atom chips. 

By the end of 2011, Google and Intel had also announced plans, as optimistically reported by Reuters, to "work together to optimize future versions of Google's Android mobile software for Intel's Atom processors, hoping to speed the development and time-to-market of future Intel-powered smartphones."

However, Android did nothing to help Intel gain any traction in smartphones. And despite spending billions to subsidize Atom-powered Android tablets, those never made any money either.

In 2014, Intel shifted its plans to instead license its x86 Atom, 3G and LTE baseband IP to Chinese fabless chip designers including Rockchip, Spreadtrum and RDA Microelectronics, intending to follow a licensing model similar to ARM or Qualcomm. Those plans were branded as "SoFIA".

As AppleInsider outlined a year ago, the prospect for Intel to turn Atom around and make x86 relevant in on mobile devices again was essentially zero. 

End of the road for fantasies of a Microsoft Surface Phone running Windows apps

As noted yesterday by PC World, the cancelation of phone-scaled Atom chips by Intel also "casts a dark shadow over the rumored Surface Phone," a vaporware product that imagined packing a desktop PC into a smartphone, which could then be plugged into a monitor and keyboard using Microsoft's "Continuum" strategy to run legacy x86 software.

Fan fiction portraying a desktop PC Surface Phone. Source: Nadir Aslam, via PC World

Intel will kill off its "Broxton" Atom and SoFIA architectures, leaving behind only a low end chip using the Atom brand aimed at basic desktop PCs, effectively pulling out of the business of powering iPad-class tablets or smartphones. 

That leaves Microsoft in the position of selling Windows 10 Mobile only on ARM, and Windows 10 desktops and hybrids (like the Surface Pro 4) only running desktop x86 processors. Without the ability to emulate x86 code on ARM, that leaves Windows focused entirely upon "UWP," the Universal Windows Platform introduced for Windows 10 intended to stretch generic software across a variety of device types and form factors, from touchscreen phones to a mouse driven desktop.

That's a strategy that hasn't worked well for Android, where apps generally target phones and don't offer specialized optimization for tablets or other form factors. 

Microsoft's UWP hasn't exactly seen enthusiastic adoption either, with legacy software still bound to mouse driven desktop PCs running x86, and mobile devices running Windows 10 so commercially irrelevant that developers have little reason to bother targeting them. 

It is, however, good news for Apple, considering that the company now has a very large platform for iOS, with clear optimization for iPhone and iPad hardware. That has resulted in enthusiastic Enterprise adoption. In its last earnings call, Apple noted that "the latest data published by IDC indicates that iPad accounts for 72% of the U.S. commercial tablet market, comprising business, government, and education."

Review: Logi Base Smart Connector charging dock is the best way to juice your iPad Pro

Apple has been coy about what the iPad Pro Smart Connector can do — up until this week, it was only used with a pair of keyboard accessories. But the launch of the Logi Base has revealed that the Smart Connector can also be used to receive power, allowing a new way to charge the iPad Pro.

For this review, Logitech provided AppleInsider with a sample unit of the Logi Base. The dock is currently available, and priced at $99.99 direct from Logitech.

Design

Broad enough to safely hold your iPad Pro in place in landscape mode, heavy enough to stay put when you remove your iPad, and with a strong anti-slip pad on the bottom, the Logi Base is a quality accessory.

The Base is made of what Logitech claims is high-grade aluminum. It's definitely solid and attractive.

The unit's points of contact with the iPad Pro are covered by a thin polycarbonate layer to prevent scratches. On the bottom one is the Smart Connector port, where you'll align it with your tablet to charge.

Around back, the Base has a female Lightning port where you can plug in any standard Lightning cable. The Base does not ship with a cable or a wall adapter.

 The hardware is Made for iPad certified, and Logitech has recently developed a close working relationship with Apple on Smart Connector accessories for the iPad Pro. Currently, the Logi Base is the first of its kind, and the only way to charge your iPad Pro via the Smart Connector.

If we have any knocks against the Logi Base design, they would be that the dock is a little on the larger side when compared to traditional Lightning docks, and that it doesn't allow you to adjust the 70-degree viewing angle for your iPad Pro if you want to use it while docked. Frankly, we don't think either of these are much of a concern, but buyers should at least be aware of the limitations of the hardware.

Usage

Docking an iPad Pro onto the Logi Base is a snap. Because the Smart Connector port is magnetic, your iPad will help align itself when docked, and will securely stay in place.

If you own an Apple Silicone Case for iPad Pro, the Logi Base works perfectly fine. And any case that leaves the Smart Connector port properly exposed should also work.

If you have an Apple Smart Keyboard or Smart Cover, you'll need to detach them from the iPad Pro in order to charge on the Logi Base. In their current iterations, Apple's "smart" accessories do not allow a Smart Connector passthrough.

The Logi Base has an input/output rating of 5.2 volts, 2.4 amps. It takes longer to charge through the Smart Connector than it does a direct Lightning connection — an estimated 7 hours for the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Apple's standard 12-watt power adapter and no apps running in the background. The smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro should take about 5 hours to charge.

Logitech says charging should be done via an electrical outlet, and USB port charging is "not recommended at this time." That verbiage suggests that Apple could potentially tweak the capabilities of the Smart Connector with future iOS updates.

The truth is, we don't really know what the technical limitations of the Smart Connector port are at the moment. It's unclear whether the charging rates of the Logi Base are a result of the dock itself, or if the Smart Connector port is being pushed to its limits.

For example, the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro is capable of charging at a much faster 29 watts with the proper wall adapter and Lightning to USB-C cable. However, the Logi Base won't take advantage of those faster charging abilities if connected to the proper cable and adapter.

In addition, even though the Smart Connector is capable of transferring data, connecting Apple's Lightning to USB Camera Adapter to the female Lightning port on the Logi Base does nothing. Neither the 9.7- or 12.9-inch iPad Pro recognize the accessory once connected, meaning the dock is power-only — for now.

We'd like to see power-plus-data capabilities come to the Logi Base — and other Smart Connector accessories — in the future. For example, if it were possible, leaving a USB adapter and power plugged into the Logi Base could allow users to quickly dock, charge and use accessories with the iPad Pro in a pinch. There's a lot of potential here, and we're excited to see where it goes.

Conclusion

Priced at $100, the Logi Base may carry sticker shock for budget-minded consumers. But there are plenty of other docks priced similarly, such as the Elevation Dock or the Mophie Desktop Dock.

Still, $100 for a dock that charges slower than Lightning will be a dealbreaker for some, so this accessory isn't for everyone.

For us, the convenience of Smart Connector charging and the quality construction of the Logi Base justify the price.

If you're an avid Apple Pencil user, the Logi Base also has the added benefit of allowing you to charge the iPad Pro and the Pencil, through the iPad's Lightning port, simultaneously. We think this alone will be a huge benefit for artists.

There is some room for improvement. It would be nice to offer adjustable viewing angles, and supporting simultaneous power and data transfer would be a benefit for some.

Still, after a week of using the Logi Base, it's quickly become our preferred way to charge the iPad Pro. Recommended.

Score: 4 out of 5

Pros

The most convenient way to charge your iPad Pro

Works with both 9.7- and 12.9-inch models

Works with the Lightning cable and power adapter you already have

Sturdy and well designed, and doesn't move when you remove your iPad

Cons

No support for data (yet)

Charges slower than a direct Lightning connection

$99.99 price

Where to buy

The Logi Base is available to purchase from Logitech for $99.99. It ships for free.

New Apple headphones release date: Will Apple release Beats-branded Lightning headphones alongside iPhone 7?

Apple's Beats acquisition and Lightning module announcement lead to speculation about new Apple headphones. We investigate the latest clues to suggest that Apple could launch its own line of Beats-branded Lightning headphones alongside the iPhone 7

When will Apple launch its own headphones?

Rumours about new Apple headphones have been hotting up recently. Here, we round up all of the new Apple headphone speculation, including rumours about Lightning EarPods and new Apple Beats headphones.

iPhone 7 headphone rumours

There's still probablyseven months to go before its launch, but the most persistent rumour about the iPhone 7 so far is that it will ditch the traditional headphone jack.

This makes a lot of sense, following the announcement in 2014 that future iOS devices will support Lightning-connected headphones: after all, why make space for two ports when one would be enough? And this could enable Apple to make the iPhone 7 thinner than any previous Apple smartphone. But it does leave headphone makers with the option of making Apple-specific Lightning models or going wireless.

With control over the connection technology, could Apple join the competition and release its own set of Lightning headphones under the Beats brand? That's what we're going to consider today.

New Apple headphones release date

Back in 2014, Apple revealed at its WWDC event that headphone makers could now manufacture headphones that connect to iOS devices via the Lightning port. This announcement arrived just weeks after Apple confirmed that it had acquired Beats Audio, the company behind the popular Beats headphones. See: Why did Apple buy Beats?

Understandably, this led to speculation that suggests that the first headphones Beats unveils under Apple's management will use the Lightning port rather than the 3.5mm audio jack.

It's believed that the Beats acquisition is mostly focused on Beats Music - the company's music streaming service. But it would make sense for Beats to be among the first companies to launch Lightning-compatible headphones now that it's owned by Apple.

The first Lightning-connecting headphones are out now, although the choice remains distinctly limited: we are aware of just two at time of writing.

What's the point of Lightning headphones?

The Lightning headphone module was first unveiled during a WWDC session for developers, titled 'Designing Accessories for iOS and OS X.'

During that session, Apple's manager of platform accessories, Robert Walsh, explained that there are several advantages of using the Lightning connector rather than the 3.5mm audio jack.

It offers richer controls for volume and playback, more bandwidth and other benefits. "If your headphones support, for example, noise cancellation, you can offer an app on your device that communicates with your headphones that controls how it operates," Walsh told developers.

They'll be capable of receiving lossless stereo 48kHz audio output from Apple devices, which ties in with the rumours that suggest Apple may be planning to offer lossless music downloads through iTunes in iTunes 12.

The Lightning module will also be able to provide power to your headphones, or vice versa.

See also: Headphone makers will be wary of Apple's Lightning audio pitch

One other thing that could happen as a result of these Lightning headphones is future iPhones could be thinner, as we mentioned earlier. The 3.5mm audio jack is one of the thickest parts of the iPhone, so without it, Apple could alter the design. Alternatively, the lack of an audio jack could leave space for a bigger battery, helping lengthen the battery life of future iPhones.

We'll update this article with more information as it comes in, so check back regularly for updates.

TSMC to be sole supplier of processors for iPhone 7, report says

A new report late Wednesday claims that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will be the exclusive supplier of mobile processors for Apple’s next generation iPhone. The news comes from South Korea’s Electronic Times, via Reuters, who cites unnamed sources within the industry.
ET says that TSMC beat out rival, and long-time Apple chip-maker, Samsung for the job thanks to its ability to scale its 10-nanometer process. Their report lines up with previousanalyst predictions, who felt TSMC would take 100% of Apple’s next-gen chip orders thanks to its InFO chip tech.
If true, such a move would be a huge blow to Samsung’s semiconductor arm, which counts Apple among its top clients. It’s estimated that the tech giant’s chip division has handled as much as 70% of the orders for the A9 processor found in the iPhone 6s, with TSMC making up the other 30%.
Should Apple’s naming conventions continue, the new chip will be called the “A10” and make its debut in the iPhone 7. Even though it’s not expected until September, several reports have come out about the handset, suggesting it will feature waterproofing, wireless charging and no 3.5mm jack

OtterBox iPhone cases shootout: which one should you get?

OtterBox is one of the most renowned case-makers in the smartphone industry, having a reputation for making cases that can withstand even the greatest of abuse from various kinds of treatment.
Among two of their most popular cases on the market are the OtterBox Defender Series and the OtterBox Commuter Series, and in this piece, we’ll talk about the ups and downs of each. As a bonus, we’ll even give you a look at OtterBox’s new Statement Series case.
All of these reviews will feature cases for the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus because that’s the model of iPhone I have available to test these cases with. The actual product may vary based on the iPhone model you’re using, whether it’s the smaller iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s Plus, or the even smaller yet iPhone 5s, 5, 5c, etc.
Please keep in mind that there are also different color choices available, and I’ve chosen black on black for all my cases because that’s my style when it comes to using cases with my iPhone.
OtterBox Defender Series: The tank for any job

OtterBox’s signature case is certainly the Defender Series case; it’s got that signature round circle on the back that exposes the shiny Apple logo on the back of your iPhone. This is the case you see most OtterBox users using on a day-to-day basis. It’s designed with so much protection that you could probably drive your car over your iPhone and most likely not see any damage.
The case is designed with a durable plastic inner shell that is encased with thick and rugged rubberized sleeve. It’s really hard to imagine any kind of shock ever getting to your iPhone when you feel how thick this rubber sleeve is. All inside the plastic shell are light padding material inserts that your iPhone rests on to prevent scratching inside the case from friction.
I’ve personally used this case for ages before using what I use now, and I feel that it’s something I could depend on when I really need it. In fact, sometimes when I know I’ll be doing something rough, I choose to install this case on my iPhone just for the peace of mind.
Accessibility of buttons and ports
The rubber sleeve covers everything from the back and sides of the iPhone, including the buttons and the ports:



Although this provides a very decent amount of protection, it’s also one of the downfalls of the case. The thick rubberized coating can make it a pain to press the buttons because it requires a lot of force with your finger to actuate them. The ports and ringer/silent switch are also covered, which means you have to lift the flaps to get to each of the ports and the ringer/silent switch.
Fortunately, however, the ports are very effective at preventing lint and other debris from collecting in the Lightning port, headphone jack, and ringer silent switch like it loves to do when there’s no protection at all, and the OtterBox Defender Series also includes cut-outs for the microphone and speaker on the bottom of the iPhone so you don’t lose out on sound quality, whether incoming or outgoing.


Accessibility of cameras and sensors
In terms of accessibility to the iPhone’s cameras when using the OtterBox Defender series, you’ll be happy to know that the case keeps a large enough opening not to interfere with your device’s photography and videography capabilities, and that it won’t cause any glare when using the LED flash.
On the back of the case, the Apple logo is even covered by a thin strip of plastic to prevent scratching of the metal.


Accessibility of Touch ID
The OtterBox Defender Series case comes with a built-in screen protector, but it’s worth noting that it’s a plastic screen protector and is prone to waviness. The screen protector also covers the Touch ID sensor, but despite what you might think, the Touch ID sensor can still pick up your fingerprint through the flexible piece of plastic that is covering the sensor at all times.


Note: It’s a good idea to re-calibrate your Touch ID sensor when using a case like this, because it’s better that your Touch ID sensor gets used to reading your fingerprint through the plastic cover than trying to read a regular fingerprint through a plastic cover that could cause interference. Over all, taking this extra step can help speed up your Touch ID performance when using this case.
The included holster doubles as a kickstand
Now one thing to note about the OtterBox Defender Series case is, well, it’s a brick. There’s hardly any chance of you putting this thing in your pocket in your pants unless you’ve got the baggiest pants known to man, but that’s okay, because this case comes with a very utilitarian holster that doubles as a kickstand, as well as additional protection on the side of your iPhone of your choice.


The holster’s belt clip fastens to any pocket, waist band, or book bag, and ratchets in any direction you need it to in order to get the perfect reaching angle for you. I personally find that the kickstand mode is perfect for watching videos, looking at photograph slideshows, and having FaceTime calls.
Synopsis of OtterBox Defender Series
The OtterBox Defender series is a true tank of a case. It’s made one for someone that demands more heavy duty protection than the average Joe, and works great for people who work in dirty or rough job conditions, such as car mechanics and construction workers just to name a few.
But you don’t have to be a heavy-duty employee to use the OtterBox Defender Series case; it’s also great protection for kids, who you know darned well are going to be rough or careless with their stuff because they’ll rarely think about the fact that they’re holding a device costing well over half of a grand.
Here are some pros and cons of the case:
Pros:
Very durable outer rubber shell keeps most drops and shock at bay.
Inner plastic shell keeps iPhone secure under pressure and movement from falls.
Built-in screen protector offers additional screen protection.
Port covers prevent dust and debris from accumulating in small spaces.
Holster makes carrying easier and doubles as a kickstand.
Huge cut-outs make room for many third-party headphone/speaker/Lightning cables.
Cons:
Thick case makes the iPhone harder to put in your pocket.
Case’s port covers make docking stations incompatible.
Screen protector is wavy and can scratch easily.
Incompatible with tempered glass screen protectors without modification.
Rubber outer shell collects dust easily.
If you need protection, I would rate this case at an easy 5/5, but if you’re a minimalist, I’ll tell you now; you’re going to hate it. The OtterBox Defender Series case for iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus can be had for $39.49 on Amazon.
OtterBox Commuter Series: Medium duty without compromise

If the OtterBox Defender Series seems like a little too much for you, and we could understand why that may be the case (no pun intended), then we think you’ll really like this next one; the OtterBox Commuter Series.
This case is designed as a medium-duty case with similar protection qualities as the Defender Series, but is made to be easier to transport and much more minimalistic. Unlike the Defender Series, which had a rubber exterior and plastic interior, the Commuter series is the other way around, with a plaster exterior and a rubber interior.
Like the Defender Series, this case sports the iconic circular cut-out around the Apple logo on the back of your iPhone so it can still shine in the light.
Personally, this is my favorite of the OtterBox case lineup, because it’s relatively lightweight and slim compared to others, and it’s also still got many of the protective qualities of the Defender Series without being as bulky.
Accessibility of buttons and ports
With the outer shell being plastic this time around, the parts of the case surrounding the buttons and ports on the iPhone are crafted a little differently with the Commuter series.



Unlike the Defender Series, the Commuter Series leaves the iPhone’s ringer/silent switch accessible at all times, but the ports at the bottom of the iPhone are still covered by flaps that you can open or close to prevent dust from accumulating in tight areas and causing problems with using the ports later down the line.
The power button and volume buttons are covered by rubber boots, but they’re significantly easier to press than they were in the Defender Series case due to the fact that the rubber layer is much thinner (and harder).
The cut-outs for the speaker grille and microphone are plenty large enough to prevent sound quality issues when you’re trying to have a phone call with someone, or watch videos on your iPhone, so that’s another good feature of this case that many defensive cases lack.

The cut-outs for the Lightning and 3.5mm headphone jack are large enough to fit even the larger third-party accessories to your iPhone without the worry of fitment being an issue.
Accessibility of camera, Touch ID, and sensors
What you’ll see right off the bat from looking at the front are some of the biggest differences between the Defender Series and the Commuter Series. The Commuter Series, which is a medium-duty protective case, is 100% open on the front, meaning there is no integrated screen protector, and no part of the case covers any part of the front of the iPhone whatsoever.
Fortunately, this means you have very easy access to the front-facing camera, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, speaker, and Touch ID sensor, and it also means you can more easily use third-party screen protectors with your iPhone (Commuter Series even includes a stick-on screen protector in the box).


In terms of the rear-facing camera, you’ll find the same design as on the Defender series, with a cut-out large enough to not interfere with your photographs and not to get in the way of the rear-facing LED flash when you need to use it.
Because the Touch ID sensor isn’t being covered, you won’t have to re-calibrate the Touch ID sensor often, and it’s going to be much faster at unlocking your iPhone in most respects.