iPhone 5 + Otterbox Defender + Spigen SGP Glas.t - built-in screen protector

[bwsteg]

I JUST installed bodyguards pure. I'm currently weighting it down just to give the adhesive a chance to set but I did pop my phone into my defender case and it snapped together with no undue pressure ....

Update: Yeah, this is the perfect combo. I may need to tweak the home button a bit. I added one of the buttons included with the bodyguardz pure but may need to raise it a bit higher

I never had much of an issue with the defender's bulk. My iphone 4 spent its life in a defender. I didn't even mind the screen protector as it had a nice glide to it after it picked up a good coat of smear The problem I had was I could detect and obsess over the tiniest bit of dust so I was constantly cleaning it and re-cleaning it. The Pure solves all that & I was fortunate to get a dust free installation.

Can you please keep us updated as to whether the defender makes any marks or scratches on the glass screen protector?

 

[iamthekiller]

Nice!!! So, I have the same thing. I have three otterbox defender cases so I can mix/match the colors. What I had to do is scrape the inside of the top piece of the otterbox plastic case so it would fit better. I don't want the plastic part of the otterbox top piece to scratch or leave an impression on the Glast.R. Have you taken your phone out of the O-Box case to inspect the Glast? Is it still in good shape?

Todd

After having the defender and glas.t on for the past two months, I removed the defender to clean out any trapped dust. The glas.t was flawless with no scratches, chips, or pitting.

 

[bwsteg]

After having the defender and glas.t on for the past two months, I removed the defender to clean out any trapped dust. The glas.t was flawless with no scratches, chips, or pitting.

Perfect. Thank you for the update. Looks like I am going back to the defender.

Is there anything in particular that you did when you removed the built in protector?

 

[Thade]

given the amount of pressure on the glass, (not much at all) I can't see how the defender plastic could leave any marks on a glass surface.

I have noticed the front camera cutout doesn't quite cover the top edge of the screen which may be an issue for some of us perfectionists

 

[Vachelon]

I had the Glas.tR on my phone and I couldn't get all the snaps to connect, only the ones at the side. It's really a tight fit inside the plastic enclosure of the Defender...

 

[Embersglow]

After having the defender and glas.t on for the past two months, I removed the defender to clean out any trapped
dust. The glas.t was flawless with no scratches,
chips, or pitting.

Did your phone take any good falls while in this setup? I'm curious if any of the added pressure caused by the glas.t caused the plastic snaps to weaken or break.

 

[Six8]

Kind of related ..... Has anyone removed the plastic screen on the griffin survivor and used a glas.t instead?

 

[hoxes]

My two cents

Bump !

Just thought I'd add my two cents to this post.

I saw this post way back before I got my iphone5, and pretty much ordered the otterbox before I got the phone itself. Soon after using the otterbox, its main con was evident - the plastic screen guard. Which is when I bumped onto this thread.

So I ordered the glas.t (the previous generation, not the glas.tr) and removed the plastic screen guard from the otterbox.

Once removed, I cleaned the edges of the front plate of the otterbox innershell where the screen guard was stuck to just to remove any adhesive still on it.

Then I installed the glass.t on the phone and popped the phone into the case. Now in my experience, the inner shell fits, but just. Its hard to clip on the corner tabs, and one can start with the side tabs/clips (the big ones) and once those are secure, you can move on to the corner ones. Be aware that its a tight fit, such that the clips don't make the clicking sound you usually hear when you put them in place, at least one clip (the last one put in whichever that is) never clicks in properly.

The gaps seen on the outer shell bottom in the first picture from the first post are there irrespective of the glas.t being on the phone - its to put your fingers through and pull out the tab for the charger and the headphones, so this gap is not formed by the glas.t. (it maybe enlarged a bit because of the glas.t but only slightly)

Another small problem I noticed is that the middle button does not click properly - it has 2 layers on top of it (the jellybean button and the outer shell of the otterbox. )

Another problem with this install becomes evident when the case is removed after sometime. The glas.t will have the impression of the otterbox inner shell front plate earpiece (and light sensor) opening. Now its only an impression and not a scratch. You clean it well enough and it goes away.

Another unrelated problem is that the jellybean button accumulates some dust and dirt (mainly because of the time that I don't use the otterbox) around it (in between the button and the screen protector), which may be hard to get to, usually you will need to remove the button using a toothpick or something like that, and then clean it out.

Overall its a good install, and proves to give the protection of the otterbox without the hassle of using the awful screen protector that comes built in. This way in the evening when I'm at home or using my car and such, the phone is not in the case, but still has protection at least on the screen, and in the morning when I'm waiting for the bus (and its snowing/raining) I dont have to worry about the phone slipping from my hands and falling into a lump of snow when I check where the bus has reached because the otterbox is on.

I was initially worried about the pressure on the iphone front plate because of this double install, but 3 months and nothing has gone wrong, so it may not be a problem.

 

[janny1]

That's really cool.
Why not + Spigen SGP Glas.t + built-in screen protector
I have a Defender Series Case for iPhone 5 which is 30% off online theideasforgift, and I use Screen protector inside with built in screen protector, you know, it's still cool and I think more protective for the screen

 

[dortega479]

Lets talk about the new spigen glass t SLIM, it will probably fits better, just the best option, no more pressure issues or anything

 

[chrscap]

Agree, hate the stock screen protector. Anyone with the slim and defender? Gonna pick one up soon.

 

[Brother Esau]

I have a question here for you guys and gals that have done this modification on the OtterBox Defender Case for the iPhone 5.


I just got my iPhone 5 and I bought the Black Defender Case which has no issues fit wise or with the screen being raised and unresponsive to any degree.
The built in screen protector also does not have any oil ring appearance and it is pretty much perfect.

However, I am not digging the fact that the front and rear camera cutouts are completely wide open to the elements with "ZERO" protection on either of them!

My question to you guys is that from what I see looking at the inside of the case where the screen protector is, it appears to be recessed to the thickness of the actual plastic screen protector so that it sits flush with the rest of the case (as it should) but, when you remove this what do you guys do about that gap created around the screen cutout that will obviously be there if you remove the built in screen protector and use a Spiegen GlassT ??

Anyone care to comment on this please?

 

[Brother Esau]

Bumping this thread because I would like to hear some feedback from those that have done this mod and have had it in place for a couple of months.

For those that have this mod performed on the OtterBox Defender with the Glass T how is the case holding up with the front screen protector being removed?

Also what have any of you found to be some short comings from doing this mod?


Thanks for the feedback guys.

Cam

 

[Colev1]

Bumping this thread because I would like to hear some feedback from those that have done this mod and have had it in place for a couple of months.

For those that have this mod performed on the OtterBox Defender with the Glass T how is the case holding up with the front screen protector being removed?

Also what have any of you found to be some short comings from doing this mod?


Thanks for the feedback guys.

Cam

I took the screen protector out of my defender for iphone 5. Used an exacto knife to cut it out but tried to leave a bit of an edge so that it was still sealed from dust. It looks a bit odd until you put another screen protector on. My phone does have indents from having no screen protector at all just the defender on the naked phone

 

[ashleighj]

To the OP. When you said you cut the tip of the jelly button off, exactaly what did you mean? I have the Glas Tr and I have a slim T on the way. I have the jelly button on it now but the button press feels odd. I was hoping to improve it doing the mod you suggested.

Thanks!

 

[jemstage]

may i ask if my otterbox case made in china can fit glass tr or glass t.slim

 

[jmotorman]

Spigen Glas t and Defender otterbox

The web site says it doesn't fit the otterbox and have read it does. I have a iPhone 4S and the otterbox Defender. Really want to get this screen protector but if it doesn't fit, well... Anyone used it with this configuation? Thanks

 

[Hooterville]

OP, how is the glas protectot and phone holding up now? It's been quite some time now.

 

[Dino F]

Boy am I glad I've stumbled upon this thread..!!

I'm away on vacation soon and looking for case to protect my iPhone 5 whilst away. I currently also have an SGP Glass TR screen shield on my phone and was looking at things like the LifeProof Nuud or the Fre but from what I have read - these cases will not incorporate an iPhone AND a glass screen shield.

I then thought about the Defender (the grey and white version in the pics posted by the OP looks awesome and very 'holiday ' like..!!!) but again wasn't sure if my iPhone 5 would fit into it with its glass screen shield

Judging by some of the above comments - looks like the Defender will indeed take an iPhone 5 with a glass TR screen shield if the Defender screen is popped out.

I wonder - has anyone actually left their Defender screen shield on and still used it with an iPhone 5 with a glass TR shield on - will it still fit?

 

[Dino F]

Ok, just an update to this.

Received my Otterbox Defender and can 100% confirm that my iPhone 5, which is fitted with an SGP Glass T.R screen shield & with a jelly bean home button, DOES indeed still fit inside the Defender.

The home button on the Defender case itself does not provide that click sound when you press it but that's due to my jelly bean button which is underneath. The home button does still work though.

I am also finding that the touch screen on the Defender case is not very sensitive - you have to make sure you give it a good press before it responds. I was debating whether or not to actually take this off but as I bought this case purely to keep my phone safe when I go on holiday soon, will probably just leave it on.

 

[iamthekiller]

I'm the person that created this thread. I've since removed the glas.t, purchased a new otterbox defender, and put the naked iPhone right in the new defender. I did not remove the built-in screen protector this time.

My home button slowly stopped responding. I think the jellybean home button sticker, perhaps combined with the way the glas.t/otterbox may have put odd pressure on the home button, and caused damage. I brought the phone to the apple store. They opened it up (which I was surprised they actually do at the store), and saw that the home button contact had moved up, and the reciprocating home button contact had moved down. Picture pushing a doorbell... and instead of the button going straight forward, it went down a little, and the receiving end of the doorbell had moved up a little. Anyway, they gave me a new replacement phone as it was still under warranty.

I checked my wife's phone (I set her otterbox/glas.t up just like mine), and her home button was not as responsive as my new replacement phone (then again, it's compared to a new phone). Hopefully it's not going down the same road as my old one was. I removed her glas.t as well, and put it into a new defender, not removing the defender's built-in screen protector.

Speaking of glas.t removal, it's really easy, even though I had applied them perfectly. I just dug up a corner with my fingernail, and it came right up. I could probably re-apply them. I've got two glas.t screen protectors on wax paper, ready to re-apply, in case anybody wants them.

I still think glas.t is great, but I'm not sure about the combination with they jellybean button & otterbox defender. There are just too many variables to point any real blame.

 

[Dino F]

I'm the person that created this thread. I've since removed the glas.t, purchased a new otterbox defender, and put the naked iPhone right in the new defender. I did not remove the built-in screen protector this time.

My home button slowly stopped responding. I think the jellybean home button sticker, perhaps combined with the way the glas.t/otterbox may have put odd pressure on the home button, and caused damage. I brought the phone to the apple store. They opened it up (which I was surprised they actually do at the store), and saw that the home button contact had moved up, and the reciprocating home button contact had moved down. Picture pushing a doorbell... and instead of the button going straight forward, it went down a little, and the receiving end of the doorbell had moved up a little. Anyway, they gave me a new replacement phone as it was still under warranty.

I checked my wife's phone (I set her otterbox/glas.t up just like mine), and her home button was not as responsive as my new replacement phone (then again, it's compared to a new phone). Hopefully it's not going down the same road as my old one was. I removed her glas.t as well, and put it into a new defender, not removing the defender's built-in screen protector.

Speaking of glas.t removal, it's really easy, even though I had applied them perfectly. I just dug up a corner with my fingernail, and it came right up. I could probably re-apply them. I've got two glas.t screen protectors on wax paper, ready to re-apply, in case anybody wants them.

I still think glas.t is great, but I'm not sure about the combination with they jellybean button & otterbox defender. There are just too many variables to point any real blame.

I'm not sure how the Defender case would damage the home button of the iPhone if you have the jellybean button on it though?

The Defender's button will press right on top of the jellybean which, in turn, will press down on the home button of the iPhone - not sure how this would cause damage?!

On my case, as mentioned above, the Defender's button doesn't provide that satisfying 'click' sound when you press it, but of course that's due to the thickness of the jelly bean button. Perhaps if I trimmed the underside of the Defender's home button with some nail clippers, it would then provide the 'click' as then, there would not be so much pressure on the jellybean button when it was pressed by the Defender's button.

 

[iamthekiller]

I described how the home button assembly became off-centered, likely due to the combination of (1) glas.t raising the case up, (2) jellybean sticker, and (3) the pushbutton on the defender case pushing through all of that extra space.

There's a reason why you don't get that satisfying 'click' when you press through the defender + jellybean button. It's pushing it awkwardly which could lead to an early breakdown of the home button assembly.

 

[tryiian]

Speaking of glas.t removal, it's really easy, even though I had applied them perfectly. I just dug up a corner with my fingernail, and it came right up. I could probably re-apply them. I've got two glas.t screen protectors on wax paper, ready to re-apply, in case anybody wants them.

I'd like to discuss getting one of those glas.t's from you if you would be interested in shipping them. Either you or the forum has private messaging not enabled so lemme know what you prefer as contact method.

 

[Dino F]

Just to update one of my earlier posts - I've now returned from my holiday and can truly say that the Otterbox protected my iPhone 5 with the SGP Glass protector - no problem.

No scuffs to the SGP glass or the phone or to the the jelly bean button. I did, however, very slightly modify the case in order for it to fit the the iPhone and the SGP glass protector.

I basically took a thin knife and stressed the plastic clips around the plastic part of the Otterbox case so that when the 2 parts were snapped together, they did not close together too tightly. This left an ever so slight gap all around the case which would leave room the glass protector. The rubber part of the case still fits around the outside but obviously the case was not as tight as it would be if I had not stressed the plastic.