Comments on: Review: OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone

By: Crazy_1717

Crazy_1717 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:43:00 +0000

love the otter..but damn those lil air bubbles/watermarks…whatever you wanna call em

By: Ramonablu

Ramonablu — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:13:00 +0000

I have ha several IPhones and otters for the past few of them, latest the 4. I’ve been overall super-happy with it compared to any of the other cases I had for a short time only to be problematic or not much more than cosmetic and easily bored with. The otter is more expensive than I want to pay for a case, but cost ms less over time due to long term use. I’ve never had more than a slight bubble under plastic issue w/the my previous ones, but the 4 had a poor rubber fit. Eventually the rubber broke, but I was really impressed with their replacement warranty. No proof of purchase for 1 year full replacement. I didn’t ask about a refund, because I love the otters and never considered that. I didn’t thi k much about warranty when purchasing it and was going to smackdown another $50, but was glad I called them. The customer service is great, but always busy-I recommend using the call back feature where you enter your number and they call within half hour. Anyway, they also said they would give me a new color, which they didn’t have to do-so just passing along a positive comment overall about how happy I am with otters. The best thing is the protection, even in the rubber damaged state, my phones have had no issues once I began using these. Pre-Otters I had lots of issues with the phone being damaged or having strange functionality problems, which has not occurred since. I’m sure it’s not all related to this protective case, but every drop or bang or toss adds up. Last thing-I do not care for the belt clip, it’s very bulky, especially for a girl, but I don’t have issue with that since I don’t use them much overall. A good guy friend of mine loves that

By: Ramona d'Viola

Ramona d'Viola — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:12:35 +0000

I’m in the process of returning my Defender series for the iPhone 4. There is no hole for the earphone jack! However, there is a hole for the noise reduction function, but you have to remove the flap to insert the earphones. When I called to see if I had received a defective product, I was told that was a “design feature” to prevent dust from getting into the phone, and that “most people don’t use the headphones.” Since you have to lift off the rubber flap, doesn’t that expose the phone to even more dust from entering? Plain old bad design. I’m also told it will take 4 – 6 weeks to receive a refund. Otters – you have to do WAY better than this. You’ve lost me as a customer.

By: Pasha

Pasha — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:54:12 +0000

I have been having the water mark problem since i got the case, I tried everything I found to get ride of it… I heard a suggestion tonuse baby powder it work for a while then the marks came back… I went to my local AT&T store and asked them what I could do. Lucky for me one of the reps has had the same problem he told me to but a anti glare screen…. He put it on my phone and put the case on no more watermarks or air bubbles and it looks good. The touch screen has no problems and works great which was one of my worries about have the double screen protector.

By: Brook Morgan

Brook Morgan — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:38:01 +0000

I recently (2.5.11) tried to order one of these cases online after spending sometime with a friend that used one. I thought it was great! After submitting my order an error screen came up. After calling the help line I was told there “was a glitch in their system” and I could just re-order over the phone. Well, the money had already come out of my account. The manager then got on the phone and was very rude and un accomodating. They offered NO SOLUTION to my problem. After calling my bank I was able to have the money put back into my account. Beware of this “glitch”! The 1st customer service rep I spoke to admitted that this had been happening to online customers. It was in fact an issue with Otterbox website, and not my bank. Overall, the customer service reps were not familiar with their website and continued to be so defensive that they could not help me.

By: eugene

eugene — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 16:21:22 +0000

I have been using the defender series now for about six months. Great case, it seems like my phone hits the ground at least once a week. this case offers great protection, and unlike other here i don’t have any troubles with bubbles on the screen. the problem i do have however is i keep breaking the belt clip, it seems to be the weak link. i have broken two in the past six weeks. with the first one i e-mailed otter box customer service with no response, so i just bought another one off of amizon (under 20.00 with shipping). so i just broke the second one the day before thanksgiving, i have e-mailed customer service, still waiting for a reply. I hope they respond this time, or i won’t buy another of thier products no matter how good they are. if they would just use anodized alumnium for the clip it would be the very best case on the market.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:37:03 +0000

I bought my first Iphone last weekend, and like most people, I don’t want anything to happen to this little gem of a communication device. After searching for cases online, I came across the otterbox defender at “the shack,” and let me tell ya, well worth the 50 bucks and change I paid for it. Not only do I not have to worry if this phone falls off my desk, but it also protects the screen from scratching, and protects the Iphone if I happen to be caught outside in the rain or something. Granted, its not 100% waterproof, but it does keep it a heckuva lot dryer than anything else I have seen. My wife paid 20 bucks for a different case, and it is already falling apart…the otterbox is definitely worth the investment to protect yet another investment. Thanks to those who gave advice on how to fix the “bubble” issue with the screen protector, I will definitely be heading to an apple store this weekend to get the anti-glare cover put on so the issue stops. However, does this effect the sensitivity of the screen?

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:08:40 +0000

I purchased the Defender for my iphone 3G 3 weeks ago and noticed that my wifi signal would not stay strong. I finally put 2 and 2 together and removed the phone from the case. Wifi signal works just fine ever since.

This case is not meant for any kind of wifi usage. I do not recommend it if you use your wifi at all.

By: craig tufano

craig tufano — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 05:28:49 +0000

Tired of your iphone falling out of it’s OtterBox Defender belt clip? I even lost my iphone completely, but once I attached the Lifeline not only have I not lost it, the phone hasen’t hit the ground! This thing is the greatest! The Lifeline gives you a gentle tug if you go to get out of the car and your iphone is in between the seat. All I have to do is pull on the Lifeline and out pops my phone. Alot of times I need my two hands and to be on the phone aswell, with this Lifeline I’m able to hang the iphone over my sholder and talk on speaker hands free. It also gives me a sence of security since if someone were to try to grab it and run it would pop out of their hand when the line ran out. If you like to keep the iphone on your lap this great invention keeps the iphone from falling on the floor of the car while you drive. I got mine on ebay for ten bucks! search iphone lifeline on ebay.

By: Erik

Erik — Sat, 29 May 2010 05:56:49 +0000

Just bought it today and love it!!! It had started raining really hard and as I was leaving my car the phone fell off my belt and dropped in the grass but I didnt realize that I dropped it until 10 minutes later. I went back and found it. The otter box had kept it extremely dry!! Any other iPhone case would have made my iphone toast. This is an amazing case!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:50:07 +0000

For those if you with the air bubbles under your screen.. Baby powder will scratch the glass, if you rub your fingers on te screen leaving your natural oils before applying the otterbox you will not have that problem. The only issue I am having is docking my iPhone in the case.. I have heard buying an extenders but not all brands work. Dies anyone know what brand will?

By: Albertine

Albertine — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:31:25 +0000

Just a note: the phone should be placed screen against holder and not screen facing out. Took me a day to figure it out. lol If the phone is placed in the holder correctly, it will not fall off.

Love the case, hate the air bubble issue. Has anyone figure out a way to get rid of these?

By: JD

JD — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:51:07 +0000

not very appealing visually kind of bulky but man does it serve its purpose

my iphone just felt down a flight of concrete stairs and not even my otterbox has a scratch.

definitely worth the investment

just get the privacy or anti-glare cover to remove bubbles

if your clumsy like me you wont regret it and if your not, at least it gives you peace of mind

buy it!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:50:16 +0000

Had the otter box on my blackberry for a year and a half. It still looked brand new when i got my 3gs. My coworker had his bberry for the same length of time and his phone looked like hammered dog $h!t. His screen was cracked, and the phone was all scratched up. As far as the phone falling out of the clip, make sure the dust cover for the charging port is securely closed or the phone won’t fit securely in the clip.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:43:21 +0000

They solved the silent ringer problem by adding a port for it. The problem with the plastic screen sticking to the phone and creating air bubbles is solved by a anti glare screen protector. Apply it to the phone and no bubbles will form even if you press the screen hard.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:41:37 +0000

with the otterbox defender installed, it will not dock on the home or Bose soundock series II. Is there an adapter cable that is on the market to be able to use these items and leave it in the otterbox? What is it called?

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:30:16 +0000

Nice rugged look to the case…However cannot seem to get away from the “bubbles” appearing on my screen

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:29:01 +0000

Same problem — the belt clip does not hold the phone securely enough, and the phone can (and does) easily fall out. This is a very serious problem, and I need to figure out a fix.

By: Skylar

Skylar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:54:29 +0000

It stays in the clip great if you make sure the home button is down and the screen is facing in

By: Darryld

Darryld — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:31:29 +0000

Echo is caused by 3g network

By: Fen

Fen — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:15:17 +0000

Very good case... -Pros great if you know you drop it...

-Con falls when you do not know it and you did not hear it fall...

By: Surfnmac88

Surfnmac88 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:32:29 +0000

Anybody that is having the oil slick or air bubble issue with the Otterbox on there Iphone just go to the Apple store buy the anti glare film set they will install it there free and there you go. You will never have that problem again.. I have had it on 2 Iphones in Otterboxs.. Works like a charm and the screen looks crystal clear. Dont use stupid baby powder or other crap.. Otterbox is a great case for anyone that does not baby there phone and uses it for work.

By: Sandra fuller

Sandra fuller — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:50:49 +0000

Hey I love it just early upgraded from 3G to 3Gs 32G so I had to shell out close to $600 and I am outside all the time,so will gladly take a little ugly over $600 down the toilet.I work on the beach and this case is an absolute must have.

By: Joel

Joel — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:33:23 +0000

I have the 3GS with Defender case, as well, and I am having problems with the holster not holding the phone in. I have dropped it a few times now, and although there is no physical damage to the phone, the phone falling out is not a confidence builder in this clip. $50 for a case that the phone will fall out of is unacceptable. Otterbox needs to address this, and offer free replacement to the new design, should the buyer need this.

By: AlanC

AlanC — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:10:11 +0000

Just installed two cases on my wife and my 3G S’s.

Had a terrible ECHO problem; people on the other end heard their voice echo in their ear non-iPhone telephone. Solution was to remove the little foam/mesh disks from the two mic/spkr ports at the bottom of the Otterbox shell and from the earpiece port on top. Cleared up nicely. No Dremel tool surgery required like I feared.

On ugly - carry one of these delicate glass-fronted $400 gizmos around for two weeks afraid of having to replace it and then put it inside one of these flak jackets. You’ll breathe easier. It’s still thinner than the flip phone I used to carry and the silicone skin anchors it in my pocket a bit without making it hard to get out. Every button and screen function works fine and the charge/sync plug connects same as it did pre-case. The only thing a little hard to get to is the ring/silent switch, but still accessible. I’ll gladly pay that little price. And hey - I like the slightly MilSpec look of it too; especially my black/yellow version.

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:55:36 +0000

The OtterBox protects very well, but is a bit bulky. The big issue is the belt clip. The phone does not always easily slip into the belt clip and properly lock in place. this causes the phone to fall out easily and often and even when locked in, it falls out often, getting in and out of the car. I actually lost my phone last night, but a nice person found it and got it back to me. I didn’t even know the phone slipped out of the clip! For a carry feature, this is no good. I rate it 1 star. For protection, 4 stars.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:58:35 +0000

The only thing I did not like about this case the clear screen skin that is made onto it. It will scratch easily so I modified my case. I removed the clear skin and applied an Invisi-Shield to the face of my iPhone. The Invisi-Shield does not scratch. You would have to cut into it with something sharp to mark it. Anway the case snapped onto it just fine and the edge of the front piece that frames your screen, press down onto the Invisi-Shield creating a seal.

I love this case so much I have two pink ones on the way for my wife and little girl. Theirs will receive the same modification.

Another note.. I tried using this case with the full body Invisi-Shield, which would have been ideal for me, but its just a hair shy of letting the top clip of case engage.

Even though I had to modify this to get the result I wanted, I still give it a 5 out of 5.

By: Dirk

Dirk — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:55:06 +0000

I have recently purchased the defender case for my Palm Centro and I really like the case itself but it seems to have some sort of feed back problem. Anyone I talk to has an echo on there end when the case is on and when I take it off it dosen’t echo. Anyone else experiencing this?

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:49:33 +0000

I love the case it protects the I phone very well just has an Eco on every call replaced the phone and sim still same problem removed case and now I don’t have a problem

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:42:59 +0000

I would highly recommend the case, however I just had to replace my second belt clip. After sharing my concern that OtterBox should spend as much time to design the belt clip, which easily breaks, as they do the protective case, I was told that they are redesigning the belt clip. So in 3 months when this replacement breaks I will be buying a better replacement.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:16:55 +0000

I bought this along with my iPhone 3G, and although it adds a bit of bulk-after dropping 300 on the phone, this is a worthwhile investment for peace of mind. I also bought the otterbox armband for the defender, and i love that also-my only complaints for both of these items: I am not able to dock my iPhone into any dockable accessories (like the JBL stereo) without taking out the iPhone itself. As for the armband, my arms are a little bigger then was intended for the armband, a little larger would make for a more comfortable fit.

By: George

George — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:03:38 +0000

I work in construction industry. I recently purchased iphone 3g and of course the case search was on . . . to save others alot of work, this works great for me . . . the OtterBox Defender Case inside of a “Nitize Sport Case Tone – size wide” Case. Also the Otterbox Defender screen membrane is prone to show a waterlike mark under the screen membrane – the cure for that is go to the apple store and buy a “Seek Mobility anti-glare film set” and put it on the iphone 3g screen and the problem is gone . . . the iphone is now decently protected from just about everything that I expose it to!

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:54:46 +0000

I recently purchased the 3g and use an otterbox defender for it. My pros would be the great protection and it feels good in hand. Also if you lay the phone face down it dosen’t rest directly on the screen due to the frame of the case. The cons for me would be that the phone seems to attract lots of lint and fuzz. I always have that oil stain air bubble thing going on the screen. The clip is nice but you can’t get the phone out one handed and it you put it in screen out its to loose. The last thing is sometimes its hard to access the far ends of the keyboard due to the frame of the case.

By: robert

robert — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:04:32 +0000

yea.nice case, but thats not a 3g IPHONE in that case

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:37:07 +0000

I’ve owned mine for about four months now, and it definitely lives up to expectations. While it does make the phone larger (mainly in depth), it’s worth the tradeoff if you’ve ever dropped your phone or left it on top of your car as you’ve driven off. I’m still not sure why the silence switch was not given access, and I always have air bubbles, but the touch screen cover is amazingly still responsive. I would highly recommend it even with the price as it will save you from having to buy another phone.

By: josh

josh — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:46:14 +0000

I have used this on my gen 1 iphone and love it, cant count the number of times it has saved my phone. the new one for 3g iphone even lets you access the silent switch… the one down fall to the 1st gen case. WELL WORTH THE 50 Bucks when you add in the free lifetime replacement warranty!

By: Niklas

Niklas — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:22:43 +0000

I have just fond this page, looks good I like that there is a lot of info coming daily.

BUT - I stumble on 3 reviews and all of them they got 4.5, 4.7 or 5/5. Our you getting money for saying that or is all cases that good? Maybe I have missed something, but I do not trust your rating.

By: visco

visco — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:16:02 +0000

hideous.