Customer Reviews

OtterBox Defender Case for iPhone 4 (Black, Retail Packaging, Fits AT&T iPhone)

5 star:		(1,024)
4 star:		(395)
3 star:		(191)
2 star:		(97)
1 star:		(111)

 

 

I waited anxiously for Otterbox to release this case and ordered mine within minutes of receiving the "Defender Released" e-mail. I received the case on Friday and I must admit, it did not disappoint.

First impressions: The case is of great quality and a lot of detail went into making it compatible with all the OEM "accessories". The holster is among the best I've seen for a phone of this size and works perfectly with the case.

After carrying it for two days (and this is already my 3rd iPhone 4 case - I am rough on my phones): The case is without a doubt the most durable I've seen for the iPhone 4 and lives up to the reputation that Otterbox has built over the years.

Cons: The case does add considerable bulk to the phone and may not be perfect for pocket carriers. It does include a holster which works great and can rotate for vertical or parallel carrying of the phone.


Miscellaneous: I have no complaints really, but I am left to wonder if the silicone "flaps" that cover the earphone and USB plug-ins could have been a little more user-friendly. Sometimes they are frustrating to get back into their proper "closed" position.

Edited one month after using: I am still extremely happy with the case. I have dropped my phones a few times already and though the case is starting to show signs the abuse I have provided it the phone still looks pristine! I opened up the case this morning to clean the phone etc and to my surprise there wasn't much to clean. With cases I've owned in the past I would have a forest of lint, dust etc. that would trap itself between the case and the phone. The Otterbox has minimized that debris!


I am uploading several photos showing the difference between a "bare" iPhone 4 and an iPhone 4 in the Defender case so everyone can get an idea of how much "protection" and in turn "bulk" this case adds to the phone.

Edited to add: Amazon removed my pictures when the placed the phone back in a "pre-order" status, I will re-upload them again once they allow. I'm not sure why they state "pre-order" when it should state "Back-ordered, will deliver in xx to xx weeks", but I digress.

I received my Otterbox Defender for my iPhone 4 and have been testing it in order to write this review. I used the Otterbox Defender for my iPhone 3G and loved it. It provided the kind of protection that I needed for my phone since I was kind of rough on them. But with the earlier Defender case, I found some issues related to the screen and some of the port covers (mainly the charger port). This new case resolves them all. I'm happy that the Otterbox company listened and responded with this new design. It's beautiful, functional, practical -- and for all of the protection it provides from lumps and bumps, it is well worth any extra bulk that you may perceive.

For the 3-layered protection that the Otterbox Defender provides for the new iPhone 4, one would expect a lot more bulk. Not so, it's one of the beautiful things about these cases. Each layer fits perfectly on top of the other one. The silicone is engineered to hug every bevel on the plastic inner case. Both layers give complete access to all of the new button and camera configurations. So well engineered that you can tell the case was made with thought and complete precision. You may see knock-offs (as I have), but the real deal is worth the money.

There are a couple of things I noticed comparing this new Defender to the former 3G / 3GS Defender case:

- the screen protector seems to have been fixed so that the "oil bubbles" won't appear. I had the bubbles right out of the box for the former version. Seems like they fixed something or changed a material or coating. I'll update if anything to the contrary happens. No fingerprints on the screen cover either! How do they do that?

- the holster (which I never really use, honestly) makes getting the phone in and out of it a snap (literally). The holster is good because it doubles as a dock or easel to watch videos, etc. This new design clips in from the side and can snap in facing front or back with no qualms. No hard fussing with this one.

- the iPhone and case fit easily in a pocket or purse and don't add extra bulk (not like you would imagine). The silicone is made in such a way where it is not the sticky kind of silicone (the cheaper stuff that smells and has a gripping quality to it). This has no odor and easily slips out of a pocket (I saw a comment on the other review so I thought I would answer it).

- the port for the charger on the new Otterbox Defender can now accommodate non-OEM chargers with wider connectors (the older one could not). This was a hassle with non-OEM car chargers. This is no longer a problem. FIXED.

- One potential issue is although I like the patterned back (little etched diamonds), I imagine that these could be a harbinger of dust or dirt. It's easily cleaned though (just wipe it with a cloth or on your shirt sleeve). Time will have to tell on this design decision.

I'm a fan of the Otterbox and bought one originally because of sheer clumsiness. For an expensive device like an iPhone, it's worth the protection. I was initially intimidated from the case thinking it was going to be far too clunky. Not so. Like the iPhone 4 the Otterbox Defender iPhone 4 case shares the same aesthetic lines. If you have never owned a case like this before, installing the iPhone into it might take one look at directions. If you've used them before, it's the same type of clamshell/snap and silicone slip-on design.

It's a tough little case in a nice looking package. I truly appreciate the precise engineering that goes into the creation of Otterbox products, this company does what they do very well!

5 stars!

I pre-order the Otterbox Defender case and it is my first case from Otterbox; I love it. I have tried the Incipio Silicrylic Gel/Shell Combo, Griffin Reveal and the AGF Ballistic Rugged Shell but prefer the Otterbox over all of the others.
(A) INCIPIO SILICRYLIC - The Incipio is nice and provides a soft silicone core which feels very nice to the touch. It also comes with a hard acrylic shell which fits nicely over the silicone core. It is a great case but the Silicrylic does not come with screen protection and I experienced some reflection and flashback problems when taking pictures with the LED flash due to the hole size and tapering. The case itself is a little bit slippery but goes in-and-out of your pocket nicely
(B) GRIFFIN REVEAL - The Griffin Reveal is very basic. It is basically an Apple bumper with a polycarbonate backing. Again, no screen protection and had flashback issues. When I tried using my Invisible Shield with the Griffin, the edges kept peeling back due to the rubbers sides of the case not completely covering the edges of the screen protector. If you have the Invisible Shield, you may not want to use this case
(C) AGF BALLISTIC - The AGF Ballistic Rugged Shell provides the most protection of the 4 cases. It has built-in screen protection, an internal plastic shell with inner and outer rubber shock absorption and an additional, removable, outer silicone protective shell (case will work without the outer shell). It is HUGE but you can probably do anything you want with it and the drop would not impact the iPhone 4, nestled safely inside. I haven't tried the LED flash so I don't know if there are any flashback problems. The case is great for people who don't care about the extra size and want the ultimate protection for their iPhone.
(E) OTTERBOX DEFENDER - The Otterbox case is extraordinarily designed. It comes with built-in screen protection which does not stick to the face of the iPhone (I took off my Invisible Shield, which does not work well with this case due to the clear protective membrane sticking to the Invisible Shield). It has a high impact polycarbonate shell and a silicone outer layer. The case is fairly bulky and doubles the size of the iPhone but I love it. There is very, very minimal flashback from the LED flash. It has protective silicone plugs over the entire case leaving only the speaker and mic open (for obvious reasons). The various silicone plugs are attached to the case so you won't need to worry about losing them. They are easy to open when accessing the headphone port, 30-pin connector and the mute switch. It also comes with a holster clip for your belt. The only problem with this case is that it is not easy to take on-and-off the iPhone because the phone is so well protected inside. Also, due to the thickness of the case, it may not dock on some of your previous purchased accessories. However, if you want a superior designed case providing extraordinary protection with a very nice feel and without the bulk of the AGF Ballistic case then the Otterbox is for you. I give it 5 stars.

Otterbox defender for my iPhone 3Gs was the best thing I ever did for that phone! It fell into and was completely submerged in a 5 gallon pot of BBQ sauce - and rinsed off with the sprayer in the sink. Phone continued to operate flawlessly!

As soon as I bought iPhone 4 - I immediately ordered an otterbox case for it. It took over a month to arrive and when it finally did - I could immediately tell it did not offer the same amount of protection as the Otterbox for the 3Gs.

I'm constantly fighting the rubber covering -- if I pull it out of my pocket I have to push it back into place all the way around the phone.

The screen protector is better -- the bubbles are gone from the previous version. I like that.

The flaps that cover the charger port and headphone jack suck! They never stay in place and to get them to lock down is a pain. Debris can easily infiltrate into the case through these openings. I find that I have to take the phone completely out of the case and clean the phone and the case more often than I ever did with the other phone/otterbox.

Maybe they were just in a hurry to get a case that would fit the quick arrival of iPhone4. I hope the case is revamped and the thought is completed. I really need and want the kind of protection and rugged durability that the other case provided for 3Gs.

Regardless of what I hate about this case, it's still the BEST case that you can put on the new iPhone 4 if you're hard on your phone. Just wish it was better...

**** 02/12 update: I bought an AT&T case to get one fast at a discount and it works fine until the price drops on the universal case. The Verizon silent mode button is partially covered so if you use silent mode a lot and have big fingers, you might want to wait or buy from the manufacturer. The headphone jack doesn't align quite right with my Verizon phone, but just open the silicone port. And now this is a genuine five star review. I really like this case. It is sturdy and protective, looks stylish, feels comfortably grippy and it was easy to install the phone. Box directions are minimal but Otterbox has a simple video that takes you through it. *****

I just called Otterbox and a very nice lady in Customer Service says they have a universal design ready to fit both AT&T and Verizon phones, to be released 02/10/11. I suppose Amazon will have these as well. Hope they do all the same colors.

Important to know because the Verizon iPhone has some ports and controls in a slightly different place than its AT&T sister and this case would not fit both phones.

Just thought you should know. Glad I did some research before I bought this one. Yes, I know this isn't a real review but not everyone reads comments. At least I'm not one of those tiresome people who posts a one star review because something went wrong with the shipping.

If you are looking for an excessively large case that removes any and all traces of the tactile pleasure of using your iPhone4, this may be the case for you!

It takes the "more is better" approach to case design, swaddling everything in layers of plastic and silicone.

The good news? It feels pretty secure. Heck, it is so big that it is hard to even tell what is inside it.

The bad news? The outer shell isn't a perfect fit for the plastic undershell... it shifts and wiggles and, I suspect, in time will probably sag and need replacement. The screen protector makes the retina display of the iPhone look like any old low resolution display. And, with the Defender snapped into its holster on your belt, you WILL look like a tool. Guaranteed.

I bought both the Defender and Commuter case at the same time. I use the Defender during the week, when I have to carry my phone with me for work: I hate it, but it certainly protects the phone better than the many sleeker cases do. But I far and away prefer the Otter Box Commuter, and I switch to it on weekends and when on vacation.

Otter Box's Commuter may not offer as much protection as its Defender, but it is far more "pocket friendly"... and you can actually appreciate some of the finer attributes of your iPhone in the Commuter case.

Everything in life is a tradeoff, it seems. If you need extreme protection, the Defender may suit your needs. For most real world uses, though, I suspect it is overkill.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: After two months of using the Defender, I must add three major caveats that should cause anyone considering an OtterBox Defender case to avoid it.

1) On a visit to the Apple Store, a Genius recommended against using OtterBox Defender cases. According to the Apple rep with whom I spoke, the dual-layer Defender case traps heat and humidity in a way that can cause damage to the phone and decrease battery performance. It is "like sticking your phone in a microwave oven" was how he described it. It was recommended that the iPhone never be charged in a case, due to thermal buildup that can shorten battery life. Given what an awkward and time-consuming process required to remove the Defender case, I can't imagine doing it every time I charge. The Apple Store also cautioned that any flaps that insert into the headphone jack and the dock connector port (like those on the Defender) can also cause problems.

2) The Defender might actually damage the screen of your iPhone. After using the Defender for a few weeks, I took it off to switch to a less bulky case to discover that the screen "protector" portion of the Defender had created a horizontal abrasion on the surface of the iPhone's screen, right where the clear plastic joins to the opaque plastic of the inner case. A slight ridge there rubbed the oleophobic coating off the glass of the iPhone.

3) OtterBox ignores attempts to address the screen damage issue caused by the Defender case. They don't answer emails.

In short, it is possible that your expensive OtterBox case might not only shorten your phone's battery life by causing thermal buildup, but it might also damage your screen with its poorly- designed (and inappropriately-named) screen protector.

Due to these discoveries, I have downgraded my rating of the Defender case from three stars to one star.

I would advise that you save your money and investigate other case options.

JULY 2011 UPDATE:

To be fair to OtterBox, I would like to add that they did finally respond to my emails. They denied that the problems I experienced with the Defender case were real issues. Make of that what you will.

I decided to sell my Defender case. I still use my Commuter case. I have come to the conclusion that the iPhone's glass is scratch-resistant enough that 'extreme' cases are not necessary for the majority of my uses. unless you work in an extreme environment, or are highly prone to dropping your phone, I would recommend using the phone bare or with a simple, easy-to-remove silicone case: they are much less bulky, easy to remove for charging, and (in my experience) more than effective enough at protecting your iPhone.

One bonus? A silicone sleeve won't damage your screen the way the Defender did mine.

Because you WILL drop your phone. Thats the slogan I would use if I was Otterbox. You will drop it, many times. It amazes me how many people think they are above dropping their phone. The iphone4 is a slippery devil and you must protect it. When I first saw the case in an AT&T store I knew that someone had finally got it right. However, at 50 bucks, I knew I could get it cheaper online (and did). The case is very attractive (the white is a bit more of a greyish white and I honestly think it improves the appearance of my already attractive Iphone 4. All the buttons work perfectly (I swear I think its more responsive now and it keeps debris and dust outta all the ports.

If you are willing to spend 10 bucks on a case, then you should be willing to spend more to truly protect your phone. This is the only solution that i've seen to keeping your expensive Iphone, clean, safe, and functioning at all times. The case does add size to the phone though and with the holster it adds a lot of bulk, but its not bad. This is a smart purchase, trust me.

This is exactly what I needed. A friend of mine gave me this as an early xmas gift and I truly believe this is the best cases I've ever owned.

The case itself is fairly large compared to some other options that are available but I don't mind the added girth or weight that this case adds to my phone. It feels more substantial in my opinion and in some ways makes my phone easier to handle when playing with certain games and apps.

The home button and volume buttons are very easy to press through the silicone casing. The volume on/off switch and charging port can be opened through flaps that seal tight to the inner case when closed. This is a nice feature as it helps reduce the possibility of water damage (speakers remain exposed on this case). I am extremely confident that this case will protect my phone from being dropped on the ground. I would highly recommend this case to friends and family.

I got this for my wife. She really likes the look and doesn't mind the slight bulkiness which gives the phone all kinds of protection from falls and scratches. The phone is difficult to get out of pants pockets but well worth it nonetheless.

I bought a Kraken Trident case a few weeks ago for my iPhone 4, but its problems got worse and worse over that short period of time (see separate review), so I decided to try an Otterbox Defender.

I had one of the old Otterbox cases for my iPhone Gen 1. Pro: it really protected the phone, a lot better than any existing case on the market other than a fully enclosed waterproof box. Con: serious issues with "oil slck" rainbow bubbles under the screen which made the phone very hard to read anywhere but in a dark room.

The new Otterbox Defender definitely has solved the oil slick problem. I was skeptical, but whatever magic stuff they coated the inside of the screen with, it works. Access to all ports and controls, which was limited or clunky on the old Otterbox case, is now excellent. The previous problem of the silicone rubber gasket surround popping out of its mounts all the time is also solved. And it is now easy to find the Defender at a reasonable price ($49 was way too much for what you get).

The tradeoff, and what kept it from 5 stars, is that Otterbox is now very careful to warn that their cases (other than the enclosed waterproof box) do not protect against water damage to your iPhone. I have to admit that the Kraken case, which also is not waterproof, looks like it would do a slightly better job of repelling a small, accidental splash or light rain. But its faults were so bad that it made the phone a chore to use and the Defender looks like it will do an adequate job of keeping that splash from ruining your phone -- unless it hits in one of two vulnerable gaps: the anti-echo sensor near the headphone jack, and the speaker/mic openings at the bottom. Everything else looks to be fairly well protected.