All overpriced IMO. Just pay for insurance and/or Apple Care then get a cheap case to minimize everyday wear and tear.
Wife bought a life proof case for her iPhone 5. It's great for water proofing (too bad she doesn't work on a fishing boat) but really does nothing to protect from drops. When she uses speaker phone (which does a lot) it restricts the mic from picking up everything she says. Plus it makes the phone feel like a cheap plastic Samsung.
This is what I did. I've never bought a case for it and I'm coming up on a year of having my iPhone 5, and the most noticeable damage is a tiny chip on the back about the size of a pin head. It'll only cost me $50 to get a whole new phone with Apple Care which IMO is better than paying for the ridiculous OtterBox which makes the phone about 4 times it's actual size.
I need help. Wife and I both have the iPhone 5. I can iMessage/text all me contacts and it works fine. I try to message her and she doesn't get it. I receive hers though. Any ideas?
Have to agree. The 5C isn't really aimed at the US market anyway. It will probably be available but Apple has no problem selling brand new iPhones in the US as it is.