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Very dissapointed in Otterbox Defender case

I got my new Otterbox Defender case from AT&T today. Only paid $42 with shipping and tax so that wasn't too bad.
I weighed it against my Seidio Active case and holster and the Otterbox with holster weighs 12.5 ounces and the Active case with holster is 10.5 ounces if anybody was interested. Removing the clear plastic protective cover from the Otterbox lightens it by 0.15 ounces or about 4 grams.
I will say this thing feels like it will take a lot of abuse before the phone will break. That is of course, unless the screen is hit by a direct impact that the case can't deflect. Remember, there is a lot of screen area so anything protruding like a rock that makes initial contact with the screen will probably break the screen. No case will stop that.
Things I don't like about the Defender whether I knew about it when ordering or not......
yeah it adds a lot of bulk but not too bad. The volume up and down buttons are not very responsive but I suspect some electrical tape on the inside of the case over the phone buttons should help with that. The power button is actually a little too responsive for my taste. It is very easy to click the power button which sucks because the volume buttons have to be pressed hard and the thumb is usually over near the power button when operating the volume buttons. This leads to easy power button pressing.
The plastic case creaks like a wooden floor in a turn of the century house. What the hell is all of this about. Whether you squeeze the case side to side or twist the phone slightly. I suspect it is the outside case rubbing against the inner hard plastic case. I will try some baby powder on that. Still, the case does not have the rigidity that I was hoping for. If you manually twist the phone case at opposite corners the thing flexes way easily.
I called myself from my home phone, walked away and left the note 2 on the counter. I did not hear any echo from either phone as others have reported. This may show up later thought. If the phones are close together then echo can be present.
The plastic protective cover that comes with the case is garbage. Plain and simple. Yes there is a gap between the plastic and the phone screen. Very annoying. I took the plastic off within a few minutes. I have my own screen protector on it anyway.
I like the charging port and headphone port being covered with the rubber plugs.
When the case is put in the holster there is little leeway where the holster snaps into the detent in the phone edge. Several times I have found that the phone had to be adjusted a bit in order for the case to snap into the holster firmly. This may be a problem down the line or I might just modify it so that this makes a positive connection more easily.
This isn't really a comparison between the Active case and the Defender but I thought I would point out a few things.
I don't like having to use the Defender holster as a kickstand for the phone. The Active case has a built in stand in the case.
I do like the protective lip around the screen of the Defender which is made up of the softer outer shell and the hard plastic inner shell. The outside is not soft and gummy like silicone (like the Active) but a little harder. Kind of like a hard rubber but not as hard as a standard hard plastic if that makes any sense. It has a good feel to it. If the Defender is laid face down the hard lip does nothing to keep it from sliding. If laid on its back it resists sliding a little better depending on the surface. It is the opposite with the Active case. The Active has the silicone lip on the face and keeps the phone from sliding around if place face down. If the Active is placed on its back it will slide because the outside part is hard plastic.
The camera has a nice cutout with a lot of plastic protruding around it. The only way this camera lens is getting damages is if something goes right into the cutout and hits the lens directly. Getting to the stylus is very easy.
Ok, I did take the outer cover off and rubbed some baby powder to the inside. The creaking noise is diminished but still there.
I will try out the otterbox for a while and see how I like it. I work in a factory so it is highly plausible that this could fall off of a 12 foot ladder onto concrete. If I worked in an office I would not be using this case most likely.
I really like the look of the Active case in red much better than the otterbox. Fortunately, I place practicality over fashion generally.
Either way, I will hang on to the case and see what happens. Considering that both of these cases have similar MSRP (prices) the value is definitely in the Otterbox as far as material and engineering. The Active case needs to have a little more engineering and firmer material around the screen. in order to ask as much money as they do.

My biggest issue with the Defender is two fold:
1) Face it, this is an UGLY utilitarian looking case hiding our sexy thin phone. They did NOTHING to add any sex appeal to this case. It's like putting a bikini model in a full length raincoat and buttoning every snap.
2) The plastic screen protector feels cheap, scratchy and provides too much drag on the s-pen.

I got my commuter a few hours ago. It's pretty nice looking, the buttons aren't too hard to press, the cutouts are perfect, and it comes with a screen protector which I choose not to use. I couldn't ask for more from it. I also feel like it's very protective and would survive a 6 ft drop (even though im 5 ft).
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Note_2 said:
I got my commuter a few hours ago. It's pretty nice looking, the buttons aren't too hard to press, the cutouts are perfect, and it comes with a screen protector which I choose not to use. I couldn't ask for more from it. I also feel like it's very protective and would survive a 6 ft drop (even though im 5 ft).
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
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I haven't had the opportunity to hold the commuter series for this phone. Most of the cases for this phone need to be ordered since nobody seems to have anything in stock for this phone, around where I live, and I live in a decent sized city.

I got the commuter for $35 shipped on amazon. 3-5 day shipping, ordered Wednesday and got it earlier today even though it was expected tomorrow to friday! I tried to buy one closest to me for a decent price and the seller accessory net did great.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

I too have the creaking issue with the Defender. Mine(two of them) also creak and crackle. The plastic part that snaps together does not snap tightly thus causing some play which in turn causes the feeling that there is movement underneath and the creaking sounds. I got a replacement on the first one for this and the second one they sent also does this.
Otter customer service is great but the product right now imo is subpar

It is probably going to creak because it is suppose to flex... that is the whole point of the case absorbing impacts.

My biggest gripe about the Defender case is that dust makes it way in between the case's plastic screen protector and the phone's glass screen. It enters at the Home button mostly and at the top opening for the sensors. I have to open the case at least once a week and wipe out the dust. It's mainly fabric debris from my jeans pocket so I don't think it's anything scratchy.

honestly i hate my commuter case,its to damned fat,but when i drop my 700$ phone ,im happy, strange how that works

oddly enough, the only time I have dropped my Note 2 is when I used the otterbox Defender holster. If the phone case is pushed back and down in the holster when inserting , then the holster tab doesn't fully lock into the notch in the case. I thought I had it snapped in and it fell about 42 inches, I have a 36 inch inseam, and hit the concrete floor. Of course, this is a walk in the park for the Defender case so naturally there was no damage or marks on the case at all, and I wasn't worried about it when I picked the phone up.
My Active case has a much better spring loaded latch design so it is impossible for this to happen.
I actually got my knife out and made a little adjustment on the case notch so this won't happen again.

Otterbox type case with a flip cover?

Hello all
I am trying to find my perfect case here. I usually have a vertical flip case for my phones, but with my Note 2, I plan on using the Otterbox Commuter (or Defender) case. I will also have a Spigen Ultra Oleophobic screen protector on my device.
Even though I will have a screen protector on, and a rugged case, I still want to have a flip cover. The phone will be in my pocket, but hey, a screen protector can only do so much.
What I am looking for, is an Otterbox type case (in terms of ruggedness), with a flip cover (preferably vertical, but horizontal is fine).
So far I have come up with nothing. If I order a Noreve case, it will protect my device, but I don't know how much abuse the device will be able to take. I am used to devices with recessed screens, but when I went to the HD2, that was a whole new ball game.

I modified a no-name silicon bumper to work with my official samsung flip-cover. I also had a no-name hard plastic screen protector. I ditched the silcon bumper for daily use as it made it stick to the lining of pockets. The no-name cheap hard plastic screen protector is however still on.
It cost me about 2 dollars, was simple to apply (it almost falls into place without bubbles, lint) and is almost invisible -when the screen is on. It is visibly marked to some extent when the screen is black so i intend to splash out another 2 dollars in a couple of weeks. I could buy a 10 pack i suppose and change every other month if i needed to at that price

Otterbox Defende worse than commuter?

Otterbox cases are great but has anyone else worried about the defender not offering as much protection on face down falls? think about it the hard plastic is raised higher than the silicon layer so if the phone falls face down the first thing that's going to hit the ground is the plastic pushing down on your screen. Couldn't that shatter it? Also ive had the defender leave small but noticeable scratches towards the top around the speaker and camera hole, this is probably due to dirt and stuff getting under the hard plastic and rubbing against the glass. And don't you guys think a phone wrapped in silicon and then a hard outer shell (commuter) is better than a phone in a hard inner shell and soft outer shell (defender)? and the screen protector with the commuter isn't that bad its not the best but its something. And the otterbox commuter has a nice silicon lip around the screen that's raised and protects the screen just fine. Also for anyone trying to get the commuter just contact otterbox they replaced my defender with a commuter no charge of course it was a warranty replacement due to my defender having issues with the hard plastic shell rubbing against the screen and leaving scratches, but anyways which do you guys think offers better protection?

i have both the commuter and defender case and i would say the defender offers more protection - if i were to drop my phone i would rather it be in the defender case i think it would make out better, i have an extended battery and have taken off the brutal screen protector on the defender so mine wouldn't be as good as the stock case but if you have the regular battery then no question the defender offers better protection

golfinggino said:
i have both the commuter and defender case and i would say the defender offers more protection - if i were to drop my phone i would rather it be in the defender case i think it would make out better, i have an extended battery and have taken off the brutal screen protector on the defender so mine wouldn't be as good as the stock case but if you have the regular battery then no question the defender offers better protection
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yeah i took my screen protector off after a while of owning it and put a zagg on it but now the case doesnt feel as sturdy it creaks sometimes have you noticed anything like that?

i dont think taking off the plastic will cause it to creak - had a zagg protector on yesterday but finally got my x gear glass protector on without any water marks under the screen so i threw the zagg in the garbage - i really dont like zagg - but that shouldn't be a problem

I have the Otterbox defender (modded to fit my extended battery) and I have the zagg sp on my phone instead of the sp the defender came with. I have dropped my beloved phone more times than I care to count (on the icy ground, concrete, floor, etc) and it sometimes landed on its face more often than not. Not even a scratch on the screen. The zagg and defender has been EXCELLENT in protecting my screen. No worries over here.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Defender if it was up too me.. I tried going back to my commuter but stil dont like how its a slippery backing.. I dropped the phone with defender twice from pocket height an no damage at all.. I used to carry it in my pocket face out an one time i bumped into a metal table an i thought for sure my screen was broken but to my luck it was still perfect. Now i carry it screen facing my thigh. Im the kinda guy that actually enjoys some weight to the note make it feel more of a quality product
sent from my Cricket Note 2

Alex1123 said:
yeah i took my screen protector off [...] but now the case [...] creaks sometimes
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I noticed mine did as well after removing the screen protector. Not a perfect solution (OtterBox should just put a ring in the box for those who either prefer no protector or another one) but I used thin "Post-It" brand adhesive plastic bookmark tabs. I cut narrow strips from that material and stuck them along the edges where the screen protector used to reside, the thickness is just right - no creaking or looseness anymore.

An option to prevent the creaking that I have used is to take an exacto knife and trim out the screen protector, leaving the outline of the protector under the case. You can't see the left over piece of the protector on there with the case on, and it stops the creaking from happening.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium

Otterbox Defender - Anyone remove the screen protector yet?

Has anyone removed the stock screen protector from their Otterbox Defender for the Note 5 yet and used a tempered glass screen protector instead?
Is the phone loose inside the Defender with stock protector removed?
I've done it with past Defenders and thinking about trying it with the Note 5 Defender.

felloffthetruck said:
Has anyone removed the stock screen protector from their Otterbox Defender for the Note 5 yet and used a tempered glass screen protector instead?
Is the phone loose inside the Defender with stock protector removed?
I've done it with past Defenders and thinking about trying it with the Note 5 Defender.
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I removed mine to add the Invisible Shield glass.. it is a little loose around the bottom and sides of the phone...yet the Invisible Shield looks and feels better than the glass.. I would actually recommend cutting the plastic out around the inside contours of the case. Which should leave that little bit of plastic to stay snug against the phone.

iljacksoniii said:
I removed mine to add the Invisible Shield glass.. it is a little loose around the bottom and sides of the phone...yet the Invisible Shield looks and feels better than the glass.. I would actually recommend cutting the plastic out around the inside contours of the case. Which should leave that little bit of plastic to stay snug against the phone.
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Does the phone move around inside the case? Can you post a picture? Thanks.

felloffthetruck said:
Does the phone move around inside the case? Can you post a picture? Thanks.
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I could take a picture later since i am at work and its a little hard to take a pic of my phone with my phone...lol
No it does not move around...its just a small gap in between the screen and the case. when you hold the phone the side barely squeezes in.. yet it is noticeable. it just leave a small gap where the plastic used to be... it shouldn't move tho. just peel the plastic off carefully and test it out...if you don't like it put the plastic back on.

iljacksoniii said:
I could take a picture later since i am at work and its a little hard to take a pic of my phone with my phone...lol
No it does not move around...its just a small gap in between the screen and the case. when you hold the phone the side barely squeezes in.. yet it is noticeable. it just leave a small gap where the plastic used to be... it shouldn't move tho. just peel the plastic off carefully and test it out...if you don't like it put the plastic back on.
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Thanks, please put up a couple of pictures if you get the chance.

felloffthetruck said:
Has anyone removed the stock screen protector from their Otterbox Defender for the Note 5 yet and used a tempered glass screen protector instead?
Is the phone loose inside the Defender with stock protector removed?
I've done it with past Defenders and thinking about trying it with the Note 5 Defender.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heck ya. Finally did that tonight. I could not stand how it made the screen less sensitive, I would be in Gmail and trying to click on multiple emails I want to delete and instead of highlighting the email it would open it, so finally tore that out. I don't have any issues with my phone being loose in the case either, fits just fine. I also have never kept the plastic screen in any of my previous Defender cases.

proper way to protect your phone

use a case bumber and purchase an Iring attach it to case bumber and you will prevent dropping your phone.
dont like case bumber install a dbrand skin onto the back and attach the Iring dont forget to add a screen protector at the front of the screen as well
I've droped my phone twice now once by a slip and fall where my cover cracked protecting my phone and second my earphones pulled my phone of the table i got lucky both times screen is fine no damage to phone either
xda offers dbrand discount https://dbrand.com/xda/galaxy-s7-edge
as for the Iring it works as a stand to watch movies and prevents from dropping phone just slide one finger in the ring and and hold phone if it slips its on your finger wont fall down
Iring works with any phone