Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 5 otterbox defender silicone stretching
- Thread starter jcorbin
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I had the defender case for my 4s. I never took the case apart, but the silicone got super stretched out just from going in and out of my pocket. After 6 months I ditched it.
Well luckily the iPhone 5 case has a reinforced material that is stiffer and more durable and also smooth so it doesn't get stuck to your pockets when it goes in or out.
I'm hoping someone that has the iPhone 5 case can tell me if the new material will stand up or if I should get a life proof. I prefer to stick with the defender though.
I'm hoping someone that has the iPhone 5 case can tell me if the new material will stand up or if I should get a life proof. I prefer to stick with the defender though.
Defender Love
I have had my Defender for about 3 months, and it has not stretched yet. Like previously stated, the Defender is made with new materials that are much more durable than previous versions. Also...I change up my cases...not a TON, but it's definitely been on and off my phone numerous times with no issues. It still fits snugly, I am pleased to report
I have had my Defender for about 3 months, and it has not stretched yet. Like previously stated, the Defender is made with new materials that are much more durable than previous versions. Also...I change up my cases...not a TON, but it's definitely been on and off my phone numerous times with no issues. It still fits snugly, I am pleased to report
I had more issues with my otterbox that had the "new" rubber on it then I did with the one with the "old" material as far as stretching goes. The new material was easier to get in and out of a pocket but eventually the bottom door cover broke off.
As far as the rainbow effect goes, google the baby powder trick. Works great. NOT talc...cornstarch. I have done it on every iPhone I have owned.
As far as the rainbow effect goes, google the baby powder trick. Works great. NOT talc...cornstarch. I have done it on every iPhone I have owned.
I have had my Defender for about 3 months, and it has not stretched yet. Like previously stated, the Defender is made with new materials that are much more durable than previous versions. Also...I change up my cases...not a TON, but it's definitely been on and off my phone numerous times with no issues. It still fits snugly, I am pleased to report
Do you keep your phone in your pocket or use the holster? And numerous time being more than 10? I've removed and installed it 3 times. But while it was off I reassembled it so I suppose you could say 6 times.
If it does stretch out, call Otterbox. They have excellent customer service. I had my iPhone 4 defender case replaced 3 times over the course of a year. In fact, the reps insisted that if it stretched out, I should call back, so I did, and they'd overnight a new case to me (just the silicone part).
That's comforting. I hope it doesn't happen. I'm afraid that since I don't like using the holster and keep the phone in my pocket that it will stretch out faster.
Hey, I had the same problem with my iPhone 4, threw the Otterbox out a few months of usage. I have since found a great case for my iPhone 5 ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketf...22.p?id=1218734720902&skuid=6424122&sellerId= ) which, coupled with a screen protector, makes the device secure and clean. A coolyet probably unintended featureis that when you activate flash notifications, the whole case shines
Hey, I had the same problem with my iPhone 4, threw the Otterbox out a few months of usage. I have since found a great case for my iPhone 5 ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketf...22.p?id=1218734720902&skuid=6424122&sellerId= ) which, coupled with a screen protector, makes the device secure and clean. A coolyet probably unintended featureis that when you activate flash notifications, the whole case shines
If the whole case shines you are probably going to have issues when you take flash pictures..
Hey, I had the same problem with my iPhone 4, threw the Otterbox out a few months of usage. I have since found a great case for my iPhone 5 ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketf...22.p?id=1218734720902&skuid=6424122&sellerId= ) which, coupled with a screen protector, makes the device secure and clean. A coolyet probably unintended featureis that when you activate flash notifications, the whole case shines
That's not even close to the protection an otterbox offers.
I bought the commuter case this time (for the iPhone 5) after seeing this video: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HwngZzT3CI8. Plus I like having the plastic on the outside and the rubber on the inside.
Fortunately, most people have enough common sense to realize that the defender case is massively overbuilt for 95 - 99% of all iphone users.
If you are so paranoid or clumsy that you "require" an otterbox defender case, then damage to a phone is the least of your problems.
I don't like the defender, it looks heavy and big for me, i prefer these light and cute ones.
Just tried it–in the dark to make sure–and nope the photos still look normal, no flash is seen.
----------
Yes, it isn't, but it will definitely resist a fall or whatever. I got mine on day 1 when the iPhone came out. It has since been involved in two rough falls, one from my pocket and on the sidewalk. The screen is flawless and there are no dents whatsoever. The case isn't hard plastic, it's soft so won't break. Why do you need a case as massive as the Otterbox, doesn't it ruin the whole sleek and thin design of the phone? And I'm not bashing here, just being curious.
Last edited:
Really? So you think that there is no other reason to need or want the protection except that a person is paranoid or clumsy?
So people, I guess not you, are in environments where they actually work for a living.
Sleek and thin doesn't mean much to me. Phones are thin enough. I need to be able to grip the phone and not have it slip and fall. I need to be able to sit in on a surface and not have it slide off. I need it to be water resistant enough to protect from water spray and the occasional chemical spray. An otterbox style case also adds a great deal of stiffness to the phone, reducing bending from impact.
And then my last reason is that nothing gets touched by my fingers. No wear, no damage to the home or power button from chemicals, so it's perfect for resale. And that's important to me since I sell for new launches.
I also have a lifeproof and love it, but for different uses. It isn't as grippy as the otter and the headphone thing is a pain in the ass so it doesn't work for me day to day at work but works good for play time where it has a chance of ending up in the mud, water, rain, snow...etc.
Can we get back to the original topic? The silicone outer she stretching. I've taken the case off the phone a handful of times and it hasn't stretched out yet but want to know if it will eventually stretch. Especially if I keep it in my pocket not the holster.
Holy f--- batman, if I start a new thread every day about otterbox's silicone, will it stretch out the forum?
Really? I had my iPhone 3GS in a OtterBox Defender for 2 1/2 years and never had to have it replaced & I took it out of the case about every other week to give it a good cleaning inside and out.
The only problem that I had with the case in the entire 2 1/2 years of every day use was the fact that the Headphone flap eventually tore off about a year into use.
Like I had said in one of the other OTTERBOX threads, I have been watching these case since the iPhone 4 was released and the build quality has gone completely down hill since their Defender Case for the 3GS.
Really sad, I won't even entertain the idea of buying a Defender case anymore as it looks like inferior design with sub par materials compared to the legendary OtterBox Defender 3GS case.