• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Is the otterbox defender worth the expense?

Z

Zealex

Member
Hello

I'm interested in buying an otterbox defender for my phone, however I'm not sure if the price justifies it. My phone doesn't have insurance, and I would like a case that protects my phone. I'm currently using this case however I'm not sure if that offers good protection. I mean, aren't all cases pretty much just rubber and plastic, cause my current case is made of rubber and plastic..however if the otterbox offers better protection then I'm sure it'll be worth the investment. Does it offer more protection, or are all cases basically the same and it's a marketing gimmick and hype?

Thanks for reading.
 
I have the Otterbox Commuter and the Urban Armor Gear UAG Composite Hard Case for my S3. Love both the cases, basically the same, rubber inside, hard cover outside.
Only difference is the UAG case doesn't have port covers, but my opinion is it's a little better case than the Commuter.
I have a number of people at work that have the Defender on their iPhones and swear by them.
 
I have had both the defender and the commuter. I prefer the commuter as I don't like a screen over my phone unless it is a screen protector that adheres to it, just don't like the plastic from the defender. Commuter is awesome.
 
I used the defender for about 6 months. It's definitely worth the investment for total protection. The only thing I didn't like was the screen protector, it was kinda hazy and hard to clean. I'm now using Kraken AMS with a Spigen Glas screen protector. Best setup I ever had.
 
If you want something to protect you phone why pay 10 times more than what you need to? Of course it's your money, but If I can spend $2.50 on something that does the same job as something that costs $35.00, I perfer to keep my money, or at least as much as I can, in my pocket.

8216497515_e45ce8d43b_c.jpg


Inner plastic liner, outter silicone clip on outer protectection.

8217583410_2e18590302_c.jpg


At the bottom of the plastic you'll have to trim where the USB cable plugs in. The silicone snaps to the plastic liner.

8217584772_aa6177e660_c.jpg


The raised silicone around the plastic protects the screen from face down drops. It has a kickstand that fits flush with the plastic inner liner.

Can't beat it for $2.69 + free shipping.

Amazon.com: Kickstand Hybrid Case Hard Gel Cover with Stand for Samsung Galaxy S3 I9300, I747 - Black and White: Cell Phones & Accessories
 
The big question is how hard are you on your phones? I don't have insurance on my GS3, but I've always been pretty good to my phones, so all I'm using is a hard plastic case I got from ebay for about $2. But if you are a little more clumsy or use it in high-risk situations, then maybe an OtterBox is a good choice for you. The extra bulk the extra protection brings with it just isn't worth the trade-off to me.
 
zealex said:
Hello

I'm interested in buying an otterbox defender for my phone, however I'm not sure if the price justifies it. My phone doesn't have insurance, and I would like a case that protects my phone. I'm currently using this case however I'm not sure if that offers good protection. I mean, aren't all cases pretty much just rubber and plastic, cause my current case is made of rubber and plastic..however if the otterbox offers better protection then I'm sure it'll be worth the investment. Does it offer more protection, or are all cases basically the same and it's a marketing gimmick and hype?

Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

there on sale on amazon now
 
I bought my defender series otterbox from amazon for $28 im satisfied only prob i have with it is taking it off for whatever reason is almost impossible without breaking the lil clips on the sides.... and touch screen performance isnt as responsive/smooth as bare screen. other than that i think its a good investment. perhaps the commuter series would be better for you if you dont like the extra safety features that take away from the phone's appeal.
 
The plastic outer shell makes the Commuter a bit easier to get out of your pocket, something a lot of folks like, but exactly why I like the Defender better, it stays in a bit more. Agree about removing the screen protector and using something better or nothing, depending on your needs.
 
mikelliott said:
From the picture of the S3 with the Kraken case I say it does.......... still I like the look of this case. Haven't ordered one yet, thinking of going to the Note 2. If I do get one for the S3, I like red.

Samsung Galaxy S III Case, Samsung Galaxy S i9300 Case | Kraken A.M.S. Series | Trident Case
Click to expand...

I got green haha, my girlfriend said she could see me with green so I went with that. Red, cyan and green all seemed nice anyways. I looked up videos of the case and people say they like it but also there's a cutout for the led.. idk why that's not in the picture. The OB defender, Ballistic SG MAXX and Trident Kraken all seem to offer great protection. I chose the Kraken, I'll post how I like it when I get it if anyone's interested.
 
I got the Insipio Shine case, which looks cool and by all accounts does the job of protecting the phone. However, I rediscovered the Spigen dual-hybrid cases, which are incredibly hard to find these days. I bought one also, despite the reviews complaining about the power button key.

A1FP_1_20120926_57999602.jpg


It's so sexy that its defects might not matter.
 
I had the commuter on my desire HD. I liked the design but it cracked around one of its apertures. Otterbox replaced it and the second one cracked even worse than the first. So for me nice idea but not worth the money I don't have one for the S3
 
I've had the Otterbox Commuter for a while now, I think it's sufficient protection. If I were to drop my phone from waist-level, I don't think I'd be worried at all. Defender's too bulky for my taste
 
I'd recommend it. I have it and I didn't like the screen protector so I just popped it out and used my own and I really like it. Also you could buy it online and not at the store where its $50.
 
82k said:
I'd recommend it. I have it and I didn't like the screen protector so I just popped it out and used my own and I really like it. Also you could buy it online and not at the store where its $50.
Click to expand...
still using a stick-on protector and the case's one
 
nailzer said:
If you want something to protect you phone why pay 10 times more than what you need to? Of course it's your money, but If I can spend $2.50 on something that does the same job as something that costs $35.00, I perfer to keep my money, or at least as much as I can, in my pocket.

8216497515_e45ce8d43b_c.jpg


Inner plastic liner, outter silicone clip on outer protectection.

8217583410_2e18590302_c.jpg


At the bottom of the plastic you'll have to trim where the USB cable plugs in. The silicone snaps to the plastic liner.

8217584772_aa6177e660_c.jpg


The raised silicone around the plastic protects the screen from face down drops. It has a kickstand that fits flush with the plastic inner liner.

Can't beat it for $2.69 + free shipping.

Amazon.com: Kickstand Hybrid Case Hard Gel Cover with Stand for Samsung Galaxy S3 I9300, I747 - Black and White: Cell Phones & Accessories
Click to expand...

These cases work!! My case has saved my phone a bunch of.times when its fallen by accident. An added screen protector also helps. Anyways the concept of rubber on plastic does the trick. It may make the phone a bit more bulky but its worth it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom