Otterbox Defender vs. Commuter?

[mackandproud]

I just put my iphone 5 in an otterbox defender.

Despite the litany of complaints about it's size and bulk, I wanted to play it safe my first time 'round and was hoping that the size/weight criticisms were a bit exaggerated.

They are not. It is very bulky in a jeans pocket, or regardless of where you carry it. I want excellent protection but the defender case is a bit too much case for my needs.

What about the commuter? The phone touches rubber not plastic and the entire case seems considerably slimmer.

Which one do you prefer?

 

[Weerez935]

I hated them both.

After a year of use on my 4s I had bubbles / scratches on the screen protector. The camera always got gunk on it. After taking the case off I had to clean a brown residue off the back. The clips on it broke not from falling but from taking the case off to clean. Headphones did not fit with the case on etc.

Now that I took the case off and cleaned my phone it looks new again but after trying several cases I will be getting a sleeve for mine.

Like these:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Cocones?section_id=10635923

They don't compromise the look or function and add a bit of protection. If you drop it in the toilet dry it out before powering it on.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Definitely like my commuter.

 

[mackandproud]

Definitely like my commuter.

Is the commuter lighter than the defender?

I'm also reading complaints about the external plastic being slippery, therefore making the phone more prone to a drop. I'm considering using a commuter with just the rubber part of the case. Will there be any issues with this?

 

[mobilehaathi]

Is the commuter lighter than the defender?

I'm also reading complaints about the external plastic being slippery, therefore making the phone more prone to a drop. I'm considering using a commuter with just the rubber part of the case. Will there be any issues with this?

I imagine it's lighter. I don't find the case slippery, personally.

 

[tkwolf]

Is the commuter lighter than the defender?

I'm also reading complaints about the external plastic being slippery, therefore making the phone more prone to a drop. I'm considering using a commuter with just the rubber part of the case. Will there be any issues with this?

The rubber of the commuter part is so thin, and lose you'll need the slippery plastic (outer layer of it). I personally found it slippery especially that my hands to tend to sweat a little

 

[mackandproud]

Hmm, I may wind up getting 5 or 6 different cases to see what really works for me.

I gravitated to the otterbox name as it seems to be the most widely mentioned as far as durable iphone cases are concerned. However, the defender definitely has it's limitations:

-touch screen noticeably less responsive with built in protector.

-significantly more bulk and weight; more humvee than ferrari.

-aside from the size issue, it's not especially stylish; not a sleek suit, it's more cargo pantsy: functional but not stylish.

The otterbox is really designed to provide maximum protection, and it impacts functionality and esthetics noticeably towards this end.

7/10 overall rating.

---

Hey, has anyone ever used their phone with the original protective film still in place? I probably should have but removed them before putting the iphone in it's otterbox.

 

[mackandproud]

I should be getting the commuter case in a few days. I'll provide a review shortly thereafter.

It looks like I will be the proud owner of 3 styles of cases:

-defender
-commuter
-belkin candy