Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
the speakers are open at the bottom. some of the otterboxes with the thin white paper-like film at the bottom like mine, can still hear calls.

Unfortunately my speakers are open and don't have this thin white paper-like film at the bottom.
 
Unfortunately my speakers are open and don't have this thin white paper-like film at the bottom.

not sure where you got yours, but for some reason otterbox took it out for the 3GS iphones due some people complaining of a echo. I would see if they will exchange it for one that has the white paper film like the earpiece.
 
I completely understand that everyone has opinions of their own. This is not a debate whether the otterbox is ugly or not. I wrote this review for people looking for everyday protection from drops, bumps, dirt, water etc..

There are plenty of cases out there that look like total crap to me also, but im not going in and writing to them about it. I have a switcheasy rebel serpent sitting here brand new that I used for one day, I like the case for the looks, but if I drop it on a uneven surface or even the concrete, I would be worried about the screen breaking.

I hate cases but this one is actually pretty sweet for what it provides. I use mine in a leather sleeve naked, but for recreational stuff: swimming, waterparks, motocross, paintball, other sports I do I think I will not be scared taking my 3G in this case :D thanks OP I think I'll buy one now!
 
not sure where you got yours, but for some reason otterbox took it out for the 3GS iphones due some people complaining of a echo. I would see if they will exchange it for one that has the white paper film like the earpiece.

I got mine from the OtterBox site itself purchased last week when they included the "3GS" label in their "iPhone 3G Defender Case"... now it's "iPhone 3G/3GS Defender Case". I Called them and they told me it was because of "echo issue"
 
Otterbox

I purchased an otter box after damaging my old 3G. The AT & T guy said that if one drop of water gets into the port for the battery charger the metal will oxidize. My phone worked but wouldn't charge.

I have a 3Gs now protected by an OtterBox. No one has complained of any echos.

Thanks for the powder suggestion to treat the water marks.
I used baking powder. I suppose baking soda would have worked as well.

Water mark hater,
Kair
 
I've been using a Defender (with the antiglare screen) since I got it, and I'm really happy with it. I don't find any problems with the screen being less sensitive, btw. (Though sometimes the corners can be a little hard to get to.)

I have a 2-year-old who LOVES electronics, especially phones, and I'm a huge klutz myself, so to me, it was a great investment. (I've already dropped my phone a couple of times -- just inside, fortunately.)

It's not a beautiful case, but I'd rather have a plain-Jane case and a working iPhone than a gorgeous case and a broken iPhone.

Oh, and I saw the YouTube tests, too ... seriously? A 22-foot drop? I don't plan on chucking it off the top of a building or anything.
 
I've had my Otterbox Defender for a few weeks now. It's more of a "weekend" case for me. I have a Power Support Crystal Film over my 3GS and switch back and forth between this case and a Candy Shell that I use during the week. Yes, it's bulky but it still works as a pocket phone. I also like that the belt clip can be used as a stand for watching movies (I use it to set on the counter and use the Sling app while I'm working on various home projects but want to keep up with a game.

Also of note: A 22 foot test is irrelevant. What would be much more relevant is in combination with an 8 ft drop test would be a series of water based tests that would simulate:

Running from a building to a car in a downpour
A splash from a nearby pool
A drink spill into your lap
etc.

Not many other cases can do what the Otterbox does.
 
I spoke to Harrison at otterbox this afternoon and he did tell me that the otterbox echo problem was being adressed and should no longer be an issue with the new cases. He also stated that the watermark issue was being addressed and that combined with the new screen on the 3gs it should be a rare occurance as well.
 
I spoke to Harrison at otterbox this afternoon and he did tell me that the otterbox echo problem was being adressed and should no longer be an issue with the new cases. He also stated that the watermark issue was being addressed and that combined with the new screen on the 3gs it should be a rare occurance as well.

are the new and improved cases shipping now? There are some members who got cases without speaker foam which was suppose to cause the echo. I bought the otterbox around 2 days before the 3GS release, so I assume I have the original batch of cases.
 
If I'm the only member without speaker filter then i assume i have new and improved case. Therefore, the case hasn't changed much.

... i was expecting some "Armor Case series" for the iPhone 3GS or a totally new design.
 
I spoke to Harrison at otterbox this afternoon and he did tell me that the otterbox echo problem was being adressed and should no longer be an issue with the new cases. He also stated that the watermark issue was being addressed and that combined with the new screen on the 3gs it should be a rare occurance as well.

Do you have a shipped Date for the new cases?
 
If I'm the only member without speaker filter then i assume i have new and improved case. Therefore, the case hasn't changed much.

... i was expecting some "Armor Case series" for the iPhone 3GS or a totally new design.

do they sell a full waterproof one yet? Don't you think the should if they don't? I really like that white Defender the OP has.

Hey I'm STILL waiting to put my duct tape iPhone case in from you :mad: $90 right? :D
 
Hey I'm STILL waiting to put my duct tape iPhone case in from you :mad: $90 right? :D
Good thing i found out the OtterBox :eek: . I really really really needed a hard case to protect my iPhone 3G from coalition because i do Judo/Cycling/Running everyday with my iPhone 3G.

This is what i've been using before i discovered OtterBox:

zCover iSAglove + zagg invisible shield + plastic bag + Jell-O box warped with silver duct-tape. :mad:

sdc10254a.jpg


Now i have the new iPhone 3GS and OtterBox Defender so... i'm good to go.

do they sell a full waterproof one yet?

Not yet. I always wanted an iPhone 3GS Armor Case but instead they have the defender.. so i guess i will have to wrap the defender with a plastic bag to make it water proof.
Hey I'm STILL waiting to put my duct tape iPhone case in from you :mad: $90 right? :D
I still need it.
 
sorry didn't think to ask from the way he spoke it would be soon if not now

I got my case by waiting 5 buisiness days for them to start shipping + 2 buissiness days of shipping. So if you buy it now (July 1st), you'll get till July 10th.
 
I have the white one on my 3GS now. I have another brand new black one which I took the black silicon outer shell and put it over the white hard plastic and it looks great. To me, it looks better than the all white. I hate the yellow and black. I got the pink one for my wife.

Here is some quick pics of the black silicon over the white shell which i think looks pretty darn good.
IMG_0037.jpg

IMG_0038.jpg
 
Hey guys, don't really mean to be off topic or hijack this thread but I too was also looking at this case but decided to go with the iskin revo 2 + best skin ever. Probably overkill but I'm very picky about my gadgets ;) I must say I love the revo, not to bulky but very solid, the buttons are also not that hard to press, which surprised me. It also protects the mic hole and charging port nicely with silicone flaps that fit nicely. I have a speck case that I revert to on the weekend but for work I keep the revo on. Edit for link: http://www.iskin.com/revo2_overview.html

Thanks,

Matt
 
How do you fit that thing in your pocket?

it fits fine in my work pants pocket. thats where I carry it most of the time.

contrary to what most people think of the bulkiness, it is only 1/4 of a inch thicker than the actual phone itself.
 
Best

Case

EVER!

Here is a repost from the 'What is the purpose of a case?' thread. Pretty much covers why I love the Otterbox.

The purpose of a case is dependent upon the individual. It usually falls into one of two categories.

Style or Protection. Most cases do one of these very well, while sacrificing the other.

After reading these forums for a short time, it would seem to me that the majority of posters choose their cases for maximum style combined with minimal protection. The iPhone has a unique look, and most don't want to detract from that. Yet they want their iPhone to... stand out, if you will, from other iPhones. It used to be just owning an iPhone was enough to do that. But with over 10 million of them floating around the United States, people have taken to doing that little bit more to make their phones unique... just like everyone else. ;)

At the other end of the spectrum, are people like myself. I've always equated 'thick' phones to 'durable' phones. (Right or wrong, it's a mindset I got myself into many years ago, and I doubt I'll ever shake it.)

Combine that ↑, with my history of being rough on phones, combined with my occupation (see screen name) and you have a person who wants/needs maximum protection. So I went with an Otterbox Defender. Even in the case it is thinner than my last phone (a Palm Treo 755wx) so it doesn't even feel 'bulky'.

I've had the phone and case for just a couple of weeks (and before anyone asks, I already went back to AT&T and claimed 'buyers remorse' and pre-ordered a 3G S for a low upgrade fee of zero dollars :D) and already the Otterbox has saved my phone three times. Dropped it once from waist height onto a concrete sidewalk, once from chest height down a flight of carpet covered stairs (About seven or eight of them) and once from about 15 feet onto a carpeted wood floor. Not a scratch on the case, and the phone never stopped working or had any other problems. Not even temporary ones. So I feel my $50 case (plus shipping) has saved me a couple hundred dollars a few times over.

To top it off, I've received several compliments on the look of the case, from friends and strangers. So I feel that I've got the best of both worlds. Maximum protection with a bit of style.

In short, the purpose of a case is for it to do what the owner of said case wants it to.

I used the baby powder solution to get rid of the watermarks, I have the white inserts and have no problem with echo or with hearing the phone ring. My work environment is usually loud so I have it set to vibrate also.

Love this case, will never use another.
 
I just redid the baby powder solution on mine a different way. I just squeezed the bottle a little to dust the powder on the otterbox screen.

worked better than rubbing it on with your finger.
 
I have heard that otterbox has redone their cases to correct the echo issue and are working on the watermark.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.