iPhone Otterbox Defender (Case) Review
December 16th, 2007 5:49 PM | by Christen da Costa | 12 Comments
The iPhone Otterbox is the most rugged iPhone case I’ve seen to date. Built of solid plastic and rubber, the iPhone Otterbox is easy to install and protects not only the body, but the screen of the oh-so precious (and fragile) iPhone. It’s water resistant NOT water proof so no toilet dunking allowed. Other iPhone cases, that I’ve seen, are either a thin layer of rubber or acrylic and don’t protect the screen or the entry of liquids. Furthermore, unlike most cases the Otterbox Defender protects the headphone jack, serial jack, speakers and mic, which all could fall victim to lint and other small debris.
The thin layer of plastic ‘defending’ the screen slightly decreases the iPhone screen’s sensitivity and is most notable in the corners. This is probably due to the sturdy plastic case surrounding the screen. I found it challenging to remove all air bubbles between the iPhone’s and the screen protector, but nothing that was large enough to impede upon viewing. Otterbox’s instructional video recommends you run your hand over the screen probably to decrease static electricity. Both the screen protector and port holes come packaged with a thin layer of ‘peal away’ plastic film to insure that they’re scratch free upon shipping. Otterbox even crafted a small window just large enough to reveal the Apple logo on the rear of the iPhone. Access to all the buttons is maintained through the Otterbox Defender’s rubber casing ACCEPT for the ring/vibrate switch. You’ll want to set this to ‘ring’ prior to install since you can manipulate the vibrate/ring option from the iPhone’s menu. The ‘home’ button takes a little bit of extra pressure, but nothing unmanageable. All said and done the biggest draw back of the Otterbox Defender iPhone case is the added size and weight, and the somewhat cumbersome process to remove the iPhone – it requires you to unhinge 5 plastic clips that take some fiddling. Fortunately, the ‘cumbersome process’ is merely a testimony to how well protected the iPhone is. Also included in the box (aside from the easy to read step-by-step picture instructions) is a belt clip. Please spare us the eye sore and only wear this if you’re a) with the Geek Squad or b) work for the cable company.
Available here for $50 in all black or black with yellow accents. Looks like they’re in demand so order sooner then later.
I’m buying one for my iPhone hopefully it won’t get scratched.
Thanks for the review!!
Thank you for the nice review! The pictures were great – that really helps. I was using an incase protective case (rubber type) and it scratched up my iphone pretty good. I’m now trying to find a better case, looks like I will go with this one!
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Great review. I purchased this product for the 3G iPhone and was amazed at how ell it “defends” the phone. Being in the military, I am used to “rugidized” types of hardware and this case certainly would qualify for extreme use. So far, I have dropped, banged, and even accidently dunked the phone in a bucket of water (quickly removed and cleaned)–all with no damage what so ever to the phone. This is case sets the standard for durability and protection.
I only have two complaints: the supplied holster is poorly designed to a point of being almost useless. It only alows the phone to be installed “face in”, and the retension is not all that stellar having dropped my phone several times. I do not use the holster and merely carry the phone in my pocket. The thing I hated the worst were the oil bubbly looking screen. As supplied, the built-in protection screen appears to have bubbles under it. Unfortunately the manufacurer’s recommended fix does not work–the best fix is buying Apple’s antiglare screen protector (additional $20.00).
In conclusion, the case is absolutely bullet proof–a redesign of the holster and inclusion of an antiglare screen would make the entire product a perfect 10.
Baby power prevents the oil stain look. Its totally true and works. Check it out on youtube.
After having the original IPhone, I recently upgraded to the IPhone 3GS. I wanted to protect my phone/investment and have a friend that has the Blackberry Otterbox. He loves it and talks it up all the time. I looked at his and was impressed. I went to my local AT&T store and bought an IPhone 3GS Otterbox Defender. I was impressed by the case. I started wearing it and was in love with my new IPhone and case. However I started to notice the case would fall out of the belt clip holder for no apparent reason. I would be at a regular walk and it would just fall out. I thought it was possibly due to being a new case. I had my husband look at it and make sure everything was installed/stored correctly. It was but the two clips on the belt clip that hold the case just don’t do as well as the Blackberry case design. It appears to be a design issue. Yesterday, I walked over to were my husband was working and once again my IPhone in the case fell out of the clip. It was in the grass so I didn’t here it or notice it. About five minutes later my husband comes over and show me my month old IPhone with a shattered screen. It had fallen out of the clip and my husband had ran over it with the tractor.
I am extremely disappointed in the performance of my Otterbox Defender. I am upset that not only do I have to buy a new IPhone, but the very item I bought to protect it, lead to it distruction. I bought the Otterbox for piece of mind thinking my IPhone would have an extra layer of protection. I will never buy another Otterbox product and will advise all of my IPhone friends and customers of my experience with the Otterbox…..