Customer Reviews

OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry Curve 8300 Series (Yellow, Black)

5 star:		(142)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I just received a replacement BB Curve from Verizon. I had carried my original in a standard-issue soft belt case that can be purchased just about anywhere. It's made for RIM, and has a little oval silver medallion on the security strap with "Blackberry" engraved on it. One day, sticking my BB back into the case, I inadvertently stuffed the strap in with it. In the next hour of walking, getting in an out of the car, etc., that little engraved medallion gouged a fugly deep pattern of scratches into the screen. Also, I found that the Curve's finish is extremely susceptible to scratches and dings, not from misuse, but from day-to-day handling. For instance, the rear of the case is, well...curved! Resting on my desk between calls had worn some fine scratches into the silver finish.

Anyway, I wanted to protect my replacement Curve, so I researched HD protective cases, and settled on the OtterBox in basic black (no Bumble-Bee look for me, thanks.) I bought one at a GREAT price on Amazon, and received it about a week later.

Let me tell you, this is the BEST case I have ever owned for any mobile device! I found a review on YouTube that demonstrated installation, and that decided me. Some of the comments posted there ridiculed the guy for buying a case that they perceived as being bulky, ugly, and industrial looking, complaining that it ruined the sleek fashion profile of the Curve. OK, well, I didn't buy the BB to improve my fashion image. It is a business tool to me and gets constant use all day every day. The OtterBox is all but bullet-proof, encasing the Curve in a hard shell which is then sealed and cushioned by an outer soft silicon skin, which is then further encased in the snap-in belt holster. I elected NOT to use the provided flexible transparent combination screen-keyboard-back membrane. I need the full tactile experience of the keyboard, and the membrane seemed better suited to use in a thunderstorm than to how I use my device. The remaining components of the case protect my BB to an extreme degree. I've had it and have been using it now for about three weeks, and I LOVE this thing! The outer silicon skin improves the grip in the hand and helps prevent the BB sliding off the console in the car. All BB buttons are usable through raised ribbed buttons in the silicon skin. The screen and keyboard are recessed enough into the hard shell and silicon skin to protect them against all but the most direct impact damage, and the holster carries the device screen-inward so that it's fully covered. The belt holster does contain the standby magnet the BB needs to conserve power.

This is a high-quality, beefy, no-nonsense, industrial-design case. If you want to make a fashion statement, buy ring or a Rolex. If you want maximum protection for your BB Curve, buy the OtterBox!

This is a must have item to protect your Blackberry Curve. The Otterbox Defender provides fantastic protection from drops, rain, dirt, spills, scratches and dirty hands. Your Blackberry is completely enclosed, with the exception of the trackball. All the buttons work THRU the case. Typing is not impaired on the QWERTY keyboard. The included holster is wonderful, holding your BB with the screen facing in so it is protected and has the magnet to put yor blackberry into "sleep mode".

If you purchase this product, you will not be disappointed.

This little case is absolutely awesome. I take my blackberry with me everywhere, for notes, reminders, and the like. I got this case because I knew I was going to be taking my BB curve through hell and back, and the otter box has CERTAINLY held up to the task! I've dropped it, kicked it, drug it through dirt, dust, mud, pouring rain, etc. The case has lived up to all my expectations, and exceeded them, except for one.
The film that covers the camera takes away from the quality of the camera. A thin piece of plexi-glass attached to the hard case, instead of the thin membrane that goes over the camera, would have given this item all 5 stars. As is, I give it a 4.5. I've never had the phone fall out of the holster, and I don't have any dust or dirt on the inside of the case. This baby will outlast armageddon.
On one note though, I would NOT recommend taking your phone through extremely wet areas. Although this case has protected against mud, and heavy rain, it is in no way water proof. There is felt which goes over the speakers, to keep dust out, so the phone is not completely encapsulated.

I bought the Otterbox for my Blackberry Curve. Installation was simple and I really liked the level of protection it gave to my BBerry. However. every time I called someone they said there was a bad echo on the phone and they kept hearing themselves talk a few seconds delayed. I called my BBerry from my home phone and had the same problem. I tried all the adjuctments the phone had to offer and finally called my provider and they offered to replace the phone. I took off the Otterbox to send the phone back and made a few calls and no echo reported. I put the Otterbox back on the the echo was back. So I returned the Otterbox for a refund. I'm disappointed it didn't work out because I have used Otterbox covers for years to protect many electronic devices I have owned and they are top notch products.

THE COVER ITSELF DOES EVERYTHING YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM THIS PRODUCT. THE BELT CLIP HOWEVER LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED. IT IS WEAK AND COMES OFF THE BELT WHEN HIT OR BUMPED. ALSO THE HOLSTER COULD BETTER HOLD THE PHONE AS IT HAS A TENDENCY TO COME LOOSE.

good product to protect your investment, but belt clip does not stay attached to your belt. If you don't plan to wear it on your belt, then I would recommend it.

This case seemed great, and I really wanted it to work out. Unfortunately, people I spoke with on my phone complained that they couldn't hear me, and kept hearing an echo of their own voice. When I took the case off, the problem went away.

Otterbox customer support was great, they sent me a replacement case, but it has the same problem. Maybe it's my phone, but they did mention that some other people had problems where the sound gets 'trapped' in the case. So, I need to return it.

I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 1, because it seems like if you don't have this problem, it would be a great case, as the other reviews show.

This item was shipped promptly by means of UPS. Arrived professionally packaged in original product box. Instructions were great for assembly, has a smart design that will protect the phone from bumps, dust, and light water mist. When following the recommended instructions for installing the silicone screen and key shield, there are very few bubbles if any on the screen. The silicone is molded specially for the keys, fits perfect making it easy to use the keyboard. There is a hole cut out for the trackball, again, perfect fit. The plasic belt clip holster it comes with acts like the original Blackberry holster as far as "in holster" setting. I am verry satisfied with this product, it surpasses my expectations.

If you buy this product, be sure to get a soft reset program so you do not have to pry your BB Curve out of the Otterbox frequently to do a battery pull reset. Otherwise it is a great product.

This case fits perfectly on the 8330 Curve. I have not experienced any audio or visual problems. I would highly recommend purchasing this to protect your phone instead of those cheap rubber skins that look tacky and don't fit that well.