Let’s be honest here, reviewing mobile device cases can sometimes be extremely boring and a lot less fun than surfing the web using the iPhone Safari browser. Where’s the fun in talking about a piece of leather or plastic after all?
But specialty cases like the Otterbox Defender are in a category all their own. Discovering how this ingenious company based in Forth Collins, CO, managed to developed a product that can really protect the iPhone and still make it attractive, not bulky at all and most important, fun to try, was really exciting. Creating this case was an extremely tough challenge, and Otterbox have exceeded my expectations by far.
Packaging: The iPhone Otterbox Defender comes in a nice but simple packaging. A step by step instruction guide is included as well. Nothing special here.
Installation: Before you buy this product, you should be aware that it won’t be that easy to take out the iPhone once it’s in the case. Consider this case a semi-permanent case for the iPhone. If you’re planning to use a docking station on a daily basis, you should forget about this product.
Otterbox produced a great video to explain how to use the product, and I do suggest that you watch it before attempting to use the case. Once you’ve seen this video, you won’t have any problem inserting the iPhone in it. If you don’t, you should at least carefully read the detailed step by step instruction guide.
Protectiveness:
in it, it becomes obvious that your precious device is extremely well
protected. This is not a waterproof case though, so don’t submerge the
iPhone in the water… If you need to go in the water with the iPhone, you might want to have a look at Otterbox Armor
series.
What I like about the case is it does more than protecting the iPhone from scratches and
light water spilling. The plastic case has bumps on all edges, and
these will absorb the shock if you accidentally drop the iPhone. But I’m sure that you never dropped your iPhone… Right?
Usability:
Defender. Except for the mute button, all the iPhone connectors and
control buttons are easily usable. When I say easily, and I really mean
it. When I first received the case, I thought that using the iPhone
touch screen with this case was going to be a nightmare. I was wrong,
dead wrong. The case is completely unobtrusive and I had no problem at
all using the iPhone touch screen.
It does change the feel of it though. While the iPhone is in the case,
you are not longer touching the iPhone glass screen directly. You touch
the plastic screen of the case, and this one is just floating over the
iPhone.
But don’t worry, you’ll easily get used to this after only a few minutes. That’s not really an issue.
I do have to mention that the first time I played music after inserting
the iPhone in the case, the iPod would go to pause by itself every
10-30 seconds. I also experienced song skipping problems at the same
time. That was really weird and I can’t say if the case was the problem
or not, but it completely disappeared by itself after 30 minutes and by
shaking the iPhone for a few seconds… I’m clueless on as to the reasons
why this happened.
Conclusion: If you’re shopping for an iPhone tough case, go buy
this product immediately. Period. The usability and protectiveness of
this case are really amazing. And as a bonus, the case design is really
great and it won’t make you iPhone too bulky. Enjoy!
January 4th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
This case has so many problems. The screen is NOT scratch resistant. It greatly lessens the speaker volume. It scratches the phone inside the case due to the constant friction from the plastic interior. I have been sent several replacements from this company and each have had issues with the adhesive seal around every screen on the case. The case screen tries to stick itself to the screen of the iPhone creating bubbles and obstructions to the view. I have had to contact this company so many times that I have just simply given up the fight.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Also I hope there will be a review of the Armor series case which is an even greater disappointment and waste of money.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Also I hope there will be a review of the Armor series case which is an even greater disappointment and waste of money.
January 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am
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January 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Man, I’m sorry to hear about Blake’s experience. I have the Defender, and I have loved it! Yes, the volume is diminished a bit, but hey, the iPhone is safer. To me that was the whole point of this case. The Otterbox Company totally rocks too…Me and countless others have received, FREE OF CHARGE, the newest version of this case when they discovered a few minor problems with the original. Just my opinion, but the case is the bomb! Peace, Ritz.
January 8th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Well I first started with the defender case and did not have a single problem with the design .. I was beating my phone up by throwing it in my purse . Now I dont worry. The case I bought at drypodsonline.com works great …. I looked for a little more protection and now I even take my iPhone in the pool with the armor case … I like it but its kinda bulky and Otter box does not offer a way to attach it no clip .. no armband nothing ….. but the case is great ….
January 17th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I have been using my iPhone Defender case for almost a week, and absolutely love it. I already had a screen protector on my iPhone, and rather than removing it (it was a very nice one and I did not want to waste it in the event I was unhappy with the Otterbox) I left the old screen protector on when I put the iPhone in the case. The case works perfectly, and I have had none of the problems with “bubbles” that I have seen mentioned in several reviews. The only problem I have encountered with the case is that it is difficult to remove from the clip holster. I have tried it with the screen facing in, as directed with the instructions, and facing out, even upside down and out, but still find it difficult to remove from the holster. This is by no means a deal breaker - I absolutely recommend the case to anyone, but I would appreciate any suggestions anyone might have that would make it a little easier to slip out of the holster.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
The case causes the person you are talking to on the other line to hear an echo due to the filter that surrounds the hearing speaker. I thought it was just the phone malfunctioning but did a little experimentation and learned that indeed it was the case. I contacted the company and hope to receieve some kind of discount or compensation. wonderful case though provides great protection just sucks for the people on the other line.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I’ve had this case for a few months. I have waited that long to reserve judgment. My biggest beef with it is the screen. The bubbling is bothersome but I’ve learned to ignore it because when the iPhone is lit up you can’t really notice it. The screen itself, however, is very prone to scratching and it does not clean easily. Dust and grime cling to the screen on this thing and it doesn’t want to come off. But better the screen on the OtterBox than the iPhone itself, right? Answer: yes. The problem is that these screens are not replaceable. Once the screen is shot, you might as well throw the whole thing away. At $50 a throw, I can’t justify buying another one. I’ve spent $100 plus shipping to buy two because I made a mistake with the first one by putting it in my pocket with my car keys. That’s a big no-no. That will completely ruin the screen. Always keep it holstered. But wait, there’s a problem there, too. I’ve developed larger forearms and triceps trying to pull this thing out of the holster. How does something like that not escape quality control. Finally, the silent switch is inaccessible. This wasn’t a deal break initially because you could just turn down the volume all the way to achieve the same result. Then Apple updated the firmware and disabled this method of silencing the phone.
It is a great product and design with a lot of potential. I just don’t think it is quite ready for prime time. They need to make the screens replaceable and I’m sure any product engineer worth his salt can address gaining access to the silent switch. I think this product is great for occasions when you’re out on the golf course, on a boat, a construction site, etc. But if you’re a businessman on the go, this thing is too bulky and cumbersome to fumble with. Until these issues are addressed this is a niche product with limited appeal.
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I have had the case about a week now and i’m so so. I love the idea of the protection for the iphone. Who cares if the screen of this thing gets dirty? I pay 500 bucks for a phone I don’t care about 50 bucks for a case! My BIGGEST beef with this is the accessability of the charge plug. if you try to attach something other than an apple iphone charger or other slimline charger it won’t work! the case gets in the way. Example: Belkin Auto Tune FM transmitter. Harmon Kardon Drive + Play, And many many more. I travel (about 150 flights a year) and the idea of durability of a case is imperative, however that is over 150 rental cars where I want to listen to my music, not the radio, while I keep my iphone charged up. I’m torn if I want to keep this case, or melt it down.
April 2nd, 2008 at 10:57 am
To take care of the screen bubble issue all you have to do is put either the original plastic that you got with the phone (cut down to not cover the ear piece or bottom button) or if you got rid of that all ready all you have to do is get an old report cover and cut to fit or any clear plastic. The phone still works fine and it doubles the screen protection. To get rid of the echo on the other line seems to be more of a trouble shooting fix. My husbands case has no echo but mine does so the only difference we found was in the bottom rubber cover. You’ll find if you remove it while on the phone it disappears. For a while i would just pull it out for every call and it became habit but i trimmed the rubber down and it seemed to make it better. If it is a tight fit or bulges up at all it seems to create the echo so best of luck if you are willing to cut the rubber. I cut a little to much but you can either cut it off completely or trim till it stops.