Otterbox Defender and screen marks

[ajm222]

So I have seen some comments about the Defender causing marks on screen protectors and the glass itself due to the pressure it puts on the top and bottom of the iPhone screen. Apparently this is where the inner polycarb case makes contact with the phone. Has this actually damaged anyone's screen? Or just made marks that will rub off? I am probably returning the case (as much as I love it) because I am worried it will damage the phone, even though I do have a screen protector that covers most of the glass.

Thinking the LifeProof might be a better option. Never thought I would consider paying that much for a case but it sounds like the best option. Just wondering if my phone will fit inside with the Best Skins Ever on it. Also wondering if Verizon will sell the LifeProof as I have a 25% discount with them.

Thanks.

 

[Six8]

I bought a 4s off Craigslist that had damage from an otterbox. The screen was fine but the upper and lower black glass area was pitted and scratched all to hell.

 

[zorinlynx]

I bought a 4s off Craigslist that had damage from an otterbox. The screen was fine but the upper and lower black glass area was pitted and scratched all to hell.

I've always suspected the back of the iPhone 4/4s is made of a different kind of glass than the front. Otherwise why would the front of my phone be pristine, yet the back is covered by tons of tiny little scratches?

 

[hockey17]

ive been using a defender with the screen popped out. I've been a bit worried about this myself. I take it out everynight and clear the dust and try to make sure it isn't happening.

Hope it doesn't start to damage my phone..

 

[Bbafett]

I had an Otterbox Defender on mine with Ghost Armor on it all around. However, I have since taken the defender off after three days b/c I didn't care for it and was pissed to see indentions on my phone. As of right now I do not know if the indentions go into the phone or just on the ghost armor which will have to be replaced b/c of various issues caused by Defender case making impressions on it. I will be replacing my front screen protector this week and if they take it off and I see issues with the display itself because of it I will be extremely pissed at Otterbox.

I will try to update this after I get the protector replaced.

 

[erratikmind]

I preordered an Otter Box Defender. My iP5 has been housed in it since 9.22. This morning, I took the iP5 out of the OBD case and I put a clear Roketfish on it. I need to take my iP5 to an AT&T store to have the SIM card replaced, which is a different story. However, upon removing the OBD, I examined the iP5 closely. There were no marks on the front of the glass or anywhere for that matter. I'm one of the fortunate ones.

 

[ajm222]

I'm sure the indents are in the soft ghost armor material only. It has some give. Noticed the same on my BSE protector but when I removed it the glass seemed ok. The problem is not from the screen protector but from the plastic above and below that frames the screen under the case. It presses onto the screen. I am certain Apple didn't use Gorilla Glass on the back of the 4 at least. Only the front. Big mistake. Anyway I am pretty sure I will return my Defender and buy something nice and sleek. Don't want to risk that damage. I doubt if you have a extra screen protector on it that it will hurt the screen. I think it's only a slight pressure. But just want to be sure. Without an extra protector it might rub the glass slightly over time.

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I also think the pressure is increased when you have a skin on the phone. The tolerances are very tight and that might be part of the issue. Now to find a screen protector that covers the whole screen. The Verizon ones leave too much space on the sides.

 

[Six8]

I've always suspected the back of the iPhone 4/4s is made of a different kind of glass than the front. Otherwise why would the front of my phone be pristine, yet the back is covered by tons of tiny little scratches?

Both front and rear were damaged on mine. The front was worse.

 

[Anthony45654]

To answer your question, yes. The Otterbox Defender scratches the iPhone in some spots. However, it doesn't scratch the screen itself, it scratches the top part where the front camera is located and also scratches the sides and top part of the phone (the silver colored metal that borders the phone). I'm currently typing from my iPhone so I can't get pictures of it right now but I'll post them up as soon as I get the chance. The scratches don't really affect any features of the iPhone but it can be bad if you plan on eventually selling the phone.

Edit: I have an iPhone 4S.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

I have never had an Otterbox case ever scratch any of my phones

 

[ajm222]

To answer your question, yes. The Otterbox Defender scratches the iPhone in some spots. However, it doesn't scratch the screen itself, it scratches the top part where the front camera is located and also scratches the sides and top part of the phone (the silver colored metal that borders the phone). I'm currently typing from my iPhone so I can't get pictures of it right now but I'll post them up as soon as I get the chance. The scratches don't really affect any features of the iPhone but it can be bad if you plan on eventually selling the phone.

do you have a 4 or 5?

 

[lawlbringer]

I had my iPhone 4 from 2010 in a defender series case until the end of last year. There was a permanent mark on the top of the glass where the earpiece hole was. It never went away, I tried to buff it several times.

I've gone bareback ever since.

 

[ajm222]

I had my iPhone 4 from 2010 in a defender series case until the end of last year. There was a permanent mark on the top of the glass where the earpiece hole was. It never went away, I tried to buff it several times.

I've gone bareback ever since.

yikes. afraid to go without a case because I WILL drop this phone. but also don't want a case that marks up the phone. hopfully the best skins ever that i applied, along with maybe some sort of semi-rigid cover will be the best combo to keep the phone in good shape. then again maybe it would have been fine with the skins and otterbox as well.

 

[iamartimus]

I had this case on my 5 since release day. I have taken it out maybe 3 times to look at it and wipe it down. I just opened it up and guess what I found....nothing. My phone looks flawless as the day I got it.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

I had this case on my 5 since release day. I have taken it out maybe 3 times to look at it and wipe it down. I just opened it up and guess what I found....nothing. My phone looks flawless as the day I got it.

I can't help but wonder if all the negative Otterbox Defender comments are from people that sell other cases. I don't see how it's possible for a case to cause damage unless you drop your phone

 

[fishmd]

The Otterbox Defender will cause indentations in your screen protectors and/or body shield films. But that is it. And, if you leave your phone out of the case for a day or two, those indentations will most likely go away. I have tried this with mine several times already. No problems. It does not dent in the actual glass. How would this even be possible???

 

[erratikmind]

I just checked my wife's OBD on her iP4s. I took it apart and there are no marks any where on the phone. She has had it on since the iP4s launch.

As I had mentioned earlier, my iP5 shows NO wear marks from the OBD, as well. I wonder if those, whom have had issues, are installing it wrong? It's a very simple application.

 

[Anthony45654]

do you have a 4 or 5?

4s.

 

[iamthekiller]

The Otterbox Defender will cause indentations in your screen protectors and/or body shield films. But that is it. And, if you leave your phone out of the case for a day or two, those indentations will most likely go away. I have tried this with mine several times already. No problems. It does not dent in the actual glass. How would this even be possible???

It's very possible and it happened to me with my iphone 4. It causes scratches/pitting on the glass, but this is mostly absorbed by screen protectors.

I now have a glas.t screen protector with my defender (minus the defender built-in screen protector), so hopefully this glass pitting won't happen. If it does, it'll just be on my glas.t protector.

 

[ajm222]

The Otterbox Defender will cause indentations in your screen protectors and/or body shield films. But that is it. And, if you leave your phone out of the case for a day or two, those indentations will most likely go away. I have tried this with mine several times already. No problems. It does not dent in the actual glass. How would this even be possible???

i think the issue some people may be noticing are wear marks that over a year or two could theoretically occur with very slight movement where the case meets the phone. the inner polycarbonite shell touches the phone around the outer part of the screen. even in a super tight case a phone may move ever so slightly within the case and over time that might cause rub marks in the glass. not really indentations in the glass, just rub marks that may appear cloudy. just a thought.

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It's very possible and it happened to me with my iphone 4. It causes scratches/pitting on the glass, but this is mostly absorbed by screen protectors.

I now have a glas.t screen protector with my defender (minus the defender built-in screen protector), so hopefully this glass pitting won't happen. If it does, it'll just be on my glas.t protector.

was this all over the screen or just in the corners where the case meets the glass? not sure if the case for the 4 is designed differently. never used one for my 4.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

I have never had that problem but then again I take mine out the case once a month and clean it and put it back in the case so it's dust free

 

[fishmd]

It's very possible and it happened to me with my iphone 4. It causes scratches/pitting on the glass, but this is mostly absorbed by screen protectors.

I now have a glas.t screen protector with my defender (minus the defender built-in screen protector), so hopefully this glass pitting won't happen. If it does, it'll just be on my glas.t protector.

Scratches and pitting ok. If you get dust or dirt in there, then over time I can certainly see this happening. But "dents". No way. Not possible.

 

[ajm222]

Scratches and pitting ok. If you get dust or dirt in there, then over time I can certainly see this happening. But "dents". No way. Not possible.

i think he's also saying he had an additional screen protector on it as well at the time which should prevent any scratches or pitting in this case which is what i am confused about. unless when he refers to screen protector he's talking about the built-in one. but i didn't get that impression.

 

[Bbafett]

I can't help but wonder if all the negative Otterbox Defender comments are from people that sell other cases. I don't see how it's possible for a case to cause damage unless you drop your phone

I can assure I do not sell other cases. I did not install the case incorrectly. Used it for 3 or 4 days without dropping it that might have caused indentions. I believe this case is too tight to have hard plastic in direct contact constantly with the phone.

 

[JemTheWire]

It's very possible and it happened to me with my iphone 4. It causes scratches/pitting on the glass, but this is mostly absorbed by screen protectors.

I now have a glas.t screen protector with my defender (minus the defender built-in screen protector), so hopefully this glass pitting won't happen. If it does, it'll just be on my glas.t protector.

Ha. That's what I have done on my iPhone 5. Glas.t with the OBD built in screen protector removed.

Works for me.