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OtterBox quality? Galaxy S4 issue

G

GalaxiaTech

Newbie
Did OtterBox turn into crap? Does anyone know if they've just changed materials or rushed out the S4 versions?

Have owned Defenders and Commuters for previous phones. The silicone always felt nice & sturdy. Had an issue on Defender for Note 2 with bubbling but no real other issues.

Recently got the Commuter for the S4- pretty colors, readily available in store to leave with it on the phone...

Not happy! Notice now made in USA so obviously they changed up manufacturing & seems they changed the quality of the silicone.

Phone still feels sturdy in it but not lining up right so probably going to be returned.

I'm a longtime OtterBox fan so wondering what happened here.
Just my opinion on it. Did a review on it- link below- & wondering if I'm being too harsh or if other people have noticed the decline in quality?
Thanks, Anne

OtterBox Commuter Samsung Galaxy S4 Review - YouTube
 
Also:
Thought maybe I just got a defective case with the silicone not lining up properly & issue with the audio port cover. But the silicone is noticeably cheaper so was wondering if the new pretty color versions are just cheaper? And they're still using the more durable feeling silicone on the gray/black- regular old school OtterBox colors.

Wondering- either return it & get something else or swap it out for a gray or black version. Do like the feeling of the case but not happy with the quality.
Thanks,
Anne
 
Their warranty department is very good about replacing defective silicone. The silicone on my S# Otterbox has been replaced 2x under warranty. No questions asked except to send photographic proof of the issue.
 
canoeheadjay said:
Their warranty department is very good about replacing defective silicone. The silicone on my S# Otterbox has been replaced 2x under warranty. No questions asked except to send photographic proof of the issue.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've heard they are good about replacing with the warranty & plan to take them up on it with the Note 2 Defender issue (it bubbles away from the interior case on the back, leaving a space & affecting the way the camera hole lines up).

But if they're going to replace it with that same cheap feeling silicone, I'll probably just look into one of the cases I saw on another thread here & return this.

I don't mind paying $40-$50 for a case that I trust. Not trusting this one too much...

Thanks!
Anne
 
I have the black and gray commuter case and they are of the more durable silicone. Its not flimsy like the cheaper silicone, which I have on my Atrix 4G.
 
I don't find the defender case on mine bad. My biggest gripe is the holster. Had my phone for a week and it has fallen out 3 times. Glad I heard it fall or my phone would have been gone. Contacted otterbox and was just given the standard reply of please send us pics of the defect. What defect it's a design flaw.
 
I don't use the holster with mine; while it does feel more-or-less solid on the case (for now--I have a feeling that it would fall out the first time it was accidentally knocked against something), I would prefer a swivel-style clip.
 
Dreamstalker said:
I don't use the holster with mine; while it does feel more-or-less solid on the case (for now--I have a feeling that it would fall out the first time it was accidentally knocked against something), I would prefer a swivel-style clip.
Click to expand...

Ya I'm finding it does not take much to push the clip out of place. I'm thinking of ordering a active holster the defender is 1 mm thicker so I'm thinking it may work
 
Dreamstalker;[URL="tel:6289936" said:
6289936[/URL]]I don't use the holster with mine; while it does feel more-or-less solid on the case (for now--I have a feeling that it would fall out the first time it was accidentally knocked against something), I would prefer a swivel-style clip.
Click to expand...

Yup, I'm using a leather black belt holster swivel case, with my S4 that has the Outterbox Commuter case on it. It was a pain trying to find a case it would fit into. Had to go with a SG Note 2 case.
 
figured out the issue with the holster. the phone only fits good in it one way. if it is put in upside down it will fall out with the slightest bump.. Think its time to claim warranty and see if its the case of holster that is out of wack
 
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