Apple don’t seem that bothered about offering an iPhone 5 bumper case at the launch of their latest phone, although 3rd party accessory makers have other ideas, which should mean a multitude of options within the next few weeks. The delay in iPhone 5 cases is thanks to 3rd parties not being privileged to the final design, so they’ve had to wait like the rest of us and are now making accessories for the iPhone 5, which also includes a bumper case.

We’ve hunted down three of the best iPhone 5 bumper cases and the prices range from around $10 to over $3,000, yes you heard that right, so you certainly have a few options to fit all budgets. You should expect the quality to vary dependent on price paid, but this isn’t always the case and some people might wonder how certain cases can be priced so highly.

The image below shows one of the cheapest iPhone 5 bumper cases, which is made by Photive and costs just $9.95 on popular stores like Amazon. This hybrid option features a 2-month money back guarantee, and this could come in handy if their promise of a perfect fit doesn’t live up to expectations. They state the case will protect against “many drops“, although we’re not sure what that vague statement means and how much the bumper case has been tested with the iPhone 5 hardware. You can see the basic list of specs for the Photive iPhone 5 bumper case on this page, which includes a couple of reviews from users.

Spigen also offer an iPhone 5 bumper case that certainly looks stylish, and we’d expect this considering it costs three times the price of the Photive case. The current 4S option sells for just over $30, so we’d expect the same for Spigen’s iPhone 5 bumper case when it releases in the coming weeks. You can see a photo of their bumper below, and also the official product description and features can be seen below that image. The official website can be found here, so take a look and let us know what you think about this bumper for iPhone 5.

The most expensive iPhone 5 bumper we’ve ever seen – this titanium bumper case from Gresso aims to set a new standard in quality, but has no trouble setting a new standard when it comes to price for iPhone 5 cases. You can expect to pay around $3,000 when it’s finally released later on this year, so if you want one you might need to act quick considering there will be limited units made. You can see the Revolution iPhone 5 bumper case in the image below, or read more about Gresso and their case in our article from earlier on this month.

Do you prefer the idea of a bumper case for iPhone 5? If not, then you might want to see more traditional cases as in our early article that features options from Incase, Element, and Belkin. These brands offer some durable iPhone 5 cases that are sure to protect your phone in some harsher conditions.

Considering Apple’s event hasn’t started yet it is hard to believe that accessory makers would risk mass producing cases for the iPhone 5 before an announcement, although we’re continuing to see certain brands promoting their new accessories for iPhone 5 based on the design we have all seen in leaks.

While the graphics are all ready and the pictures promote a case on an iPhone like we’ve seen within the leaked pictures, it is fair to say that this is likely just some test units. The latest brand to promote their new iPhone 5 cases is Grove, and as seen in the photo above they’re promoting the features for a Bamboo case. The small print does make it clear that the “final design may vary“, although improvements to the wood case won’t change and will be stronger, thinner, and made from natural materials.

Putting the iPhone 5 announcement aside, why would you want a Bamboo case? An article on iPhone Rumors lists the main features that Grove are promoting in regard to their new case, and these include a case that’s made from a solid block of material, which is also sanded by hand and oiled for the best quality. You will also find button openings that allow you to access all the iPhone 5 ports, which are only known by leaks at this time.

There could be a delay in shipping if the iPhone 5 announcement brings a radically different design, this could be some misleading from Apple with leaked images, which we wrote about before when looking at the amount of leaked parts appearing online. While it is very unlikely and the design we’ve all come to know through leaked pictures is almost certainly going to be the final design, imagine if this had all been some behind the scenes marketing by Apple to throw competitors off what Apple is really doing with the next iPhone.

You can see another image of the Bamboo case below that features improvements current customers asked for, and the design is stronger thanks to a fiber composite core and renewable bamboo exterior. You can also pre-order the new iPhone 5 case before the announcement next week, so head over to the Grove website for more details on this.

This is not the first case maker to bank on rumors – it is fair to say that Grove are not risking too much by releasing promotion material so early, and investing some money in what the final iPhone 5 design might be, although considering Apple are leaving little time and not confirming much to the accessory makers it has meant they have no choice but to prepare as much as they can. Some people feel that Apple might be trying to get a head start with their own accessory line-up, so they gain the moment the iPhone 5 launches.

Popular skin maker iSkin started early with getting their iPhone 5 accessories online and some leaked Scosche pictures appeared online a few weeks back, which shows there are plenty of case makers getting ready for the iPhone 5, although it is not known how many of these brands have insider information about the next iPhone. You can read some more on these accessory makers in an earlier article.

Apple’s expected iPhone 5 announcement should take place at their event next week, and feel free to take a look at the official press invitation to this event, and also see our countdown to Apple’s Sept 12 event start time. Will you be watching live, and what specs would you like the iPhone 5 to include? We touched on some of the expected iPhone 5 features yesterday and when the release date will be thanks to signs shown by carriers.

Would you buy a Bamboo case for your iPhone 5? Visit the official website with further details here, and if you love the idea of natural cases for your next iPhone we’d love to know your reasons for this. Personally, having a case with increased durability that’s all natural seems like a great idea.

Understanding why some people hate cases – it’s pretty obvious why you should use a case, although some users like to risk not protecting their iPhone 4S and keep the stylish device on display without covering up. People normally change their minds about cases after breaking a phone or causing a problem that would’ve been protected if they had a case, does this sound like you?

If you’re going to cover up the lovely phone you bought, partly for its looks, then you’ll want some protection that adds to the style and not ruin it. We’re all going to have a different opinion when looking for feasible iPhone 4S cases that are convenient and stylish, so we’ve listed a few on this page that demonstrate a number of useful ways to protect and add something extra. Let us know the type of protection you have on your iPhone 4S, if there is some that is.

Meet the Wood Camera iPhone 4S Case – this is a strange looking case but we had to list it thanks to the popularity of wood with some people, and not to mention it certainly shows the range of cases iPhone owners can buy. We’ve been to a few gadget events showing wood laptops and other devices, so there is definitely a market for this but it’s not our favorite by a long way. More images and information can be found here.

The Incase Snap Stand Case for iPhone 4S is great for desktops – some people like to stand their iPhone up on a desk, and if this sounds like you then you might want to consider a case that has this feature built-in. This is certainly convenient for users that want to stand their iPhone 4S up, which also includes an enhanced grip and thicker protective hardshell while you use it hands-free. The official Apple Store has more details and some nice photo shots of this case.

DESTROYER ULTRA is an iPhone 4S case for those that need some serious protection – this case from Incipio features a silicone surrounding that will absorb a lot of shock, and the polycarbonate frame makes sure your precious iPhone is well protected when dropped. The case comes with some nice extras like a vanity kit, belt clip, and more.

The Michael Kors Essential Zip Wallet keeps my wife happy – my wife is using this case and she loves it, which is certainly one of the most stylish for women that like a designer clutch, and also keeps their iPhone 4S/4 safe inside with money, cards, and more. It comes with a wrist strap for holding safely and can fit an iPhone inside even when it has an Apple Bumper on, but you’ll find this product has a high price thanks to the designer name.

Last of our featured cases is one that gives the iPhone 4S some needed battery life – thousands of 4S users have experienced battery problems since its launch, although this has been fixed with the latest iOS 5.1 update, but some people might have already purchased a battery case for extending the life of their iPhone. One such case is the PhoneSuit Elite that is said to be the fastest charging battery case and more importantly the thinnest, which gives over 100% more power. You can double your power, charge within 2 hours thanks to the quick charge and it’s also Apple certified. Full details and more images can be found here.

The iPhone 4S cases on this page show some varied options but there are many more like these and totally different, although we’d love to hear your favorite type of case and also if you don’t like using cases why that is?

The first thing that we were not impressed with was the size of the packaging, because to us the size of it is just an overkill. Whenever you think of an otter you think of nature, not sure the use of all that paper, cardboard and polystyrene carries the right message. Having said that, it’s all about what’s inside the box.

We were a little shocked to see no instructions in our review unit that was sent to us, so much so that we found ourselves staring at the case in our hand with no idea how to get into it. Having never had an OtterBox case before, it was more like working out how to break into Fort Knox. A quick search on YouTube helped us work out how to start to take the product apart.

The idea behind the OtterBox Defender series is to not make your phone look all nice and slim, it’s to protect your investment, which you would have spent hundreds of dollars on, and just first impressions tells us that the case will do the job well. Let’s get one thing out of the way first, although the otter loves the water, this case is not waterproof, so don’t even try to immerse your phone in the water once it’s sitting snug inside this case.

There are a number of companies that aims to protect your iPhone, some of them waterproof, but OtterBox were one of the first to start it all off when it comes to robust covers. It’s no secret how easy the iPhone 4S is to crack, all it takes is a drop from waist height and that so-called tough screen will look like it has taken a hit with a baseball bat to a car windscreen. Now don’t even expect me to try this on my brand new iPhone 4S, you’ll just have to take my word for it when I say that your phone will be much safer.

Once you have peeled away the rubber cover and then unclipped the two plastic parts you can then place your handset in. You then just clip the two pieces back together then put the rubber cover back over, which can be a little tricky. You then have the choice to carry your now bulky iPhone in your pocket or clip it into the cradle, which can also hook onto a pocket or belt. This makes it perfect if you have a job in construction, as the handset is easy to get hold of, as well as being protected from all the dust and other things that go with this kind of environment.

We were surprised, as it was not as bulky as we were expecting, we have seen battery cases look bigger. The only downside that we have with the OtterBox Defender for the iPhone 4S is the protective screen cover, as it has a sort of orange peel effect, which does hurt your eyes after a while when looking at text, because it makes it a little blurry. Having said that, it’s a small price to pay for protecting such an expensive device. For more details visit OtterBox.com. The OtterBox Defender for the iPhone 4S is available in 8 color variations.

More images below

OK, so we know that this accessory is more than that, as there are a number of reasons why this waterproof iPhone case will come in handy. It is very easy to drop a phone in water, maybe you are on vacation having fun by the pool and you accidently drop the phone and it goes in the water. It has never happened to us, but there is always that possibility.

There are some cases on the Internet like this that affect how well the camera can take images, but the RainBullet has got around this issue by what Joy Factory call Sharpvue lenses on both the front and back. CNET is uncertain how well this will work, as they have yet to test the product, but the video that we have embedded for you below should help you out a little.

The iPhone has never had the best sound in the smartphone market, so you will be pleased that this case does not affect the speaker in any way. Looking at the video the case is a nice idea, but cannot get over how big and bulky it makes the iPhone look – not the sleek design that we have come to love.

Is this the waterproof case that you have been waiting for?

The lovely looking Shamrock iPhone Case fits the 3G and 3GS and can be customized with an image of your choice. The form-fitting case offers great protection and is covered by easy grip fabric. Being lightweight and durable but with great access to all the handsets controls and ports. Available for shipping straight away it costs $42.30.

For iPhone 4 owners the Horizontal Shamrock Case for Himself is a hard shell case that combines luxury and protection. This hard plastic case is also covered with easy grip fabric which is pleasing to touch. The case is compatible with both AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4 models, and costs $42.30. There is also a Herself version available.

Another smart looking case is the Irish Shamrock Celtic iPhone 4 Case is again customizable while offering maximum protection for your device. It will feel great in your hand while still allowing perfect access to all your devices features. This again fits any version of iPhone 4 and is available for $39.95.

Use the links provided to see the case’s in more detail and take you to the Zazzle website.

A guy called Richard tipped of Pocket-lint about this mod, they warn that you should not try the case-mod yourself. To see just how funky it looks to see the innards of a fully working iPhone 4 visit mobile.uwants.com. If I knew I was keeping my handset for myself instead of giving it to my wife – then I might be tempted to do it.

You will notice by the images that there is not a lot to see, but it does give it that raw feeling, which never appears in a sentence normally with Apple. Pocket-lint believes that the best angle to look at the see-through iPhone 4 while on is from the rear, as you get “screen bleed”, which lights the rear up a little.

Given the choice of the two I would still much rather the White iPhone 4, but I just cannot see that happening now. I believe that Apple should consider offering the iPhone 5 in a range of different colors not just black or white. However, they still struggle with producing two – what chance do we have of red, pink or blue?

According to a report over at slashgear.com by Shane McGlaun, the AP1201 is priced up at $69.99 and is available as of now. Once this device is fitted it will not just provide your iPhone 4 with an extended battery life, but also help to protect it from dents and scratches.

The extra battery life, which the AP1201 delivers is up to 5-hours talk and 200-hours stand-by. It also features Smart LEDS on the back for monitoring the power status. Do you have trouble with your battery not lasting long, if so will you get the Energizer AP1201?