Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Otterbox says it shipping the 4S on 10/14.. so I doubt they got an advanced 4S(knowing Apples security control) so its obvious they just redesigned the current iphone 4 cases and just packed into a more profitable price tag.. Thats OK, but dont lie and tell me a 4S wont fit into a regular iphone 4 case

Otter box cases with 4S printed on them surfaced 2 weeks before the announcement. I'd say they knew.
 
Have you checked the phone at all after putting it in the case? Has the chrome bezel or any other part of the phone been scratched by the case at all? Thanks

Installed case at work yesterday. Took it out today just so I could go over the screen and everything with a microfiber as there were a couple light fingerprints, etc..

So far no scratches or anything, and after many pictures and videos of the kids. It's still safe to say the camera and everything works just as it should.
 
Actually, the point of the thread was saying that the iPhone 4S won't fit/won't work in the 4 case.

IMHO - I think the phone will "fit", but the new case was designed for a reason, with the bigger camera hole. To each their own, but I don't get why people will shell out $200 + for a phone, but must save $12 on a case? I ordered the new case, which was made with the 4S in mind, and I can't wait for it to arrive. :D

This guy's post/video seems pretty legit, convinced me to go with the Defender case for the 4 off Amazon:

http://itsmichaelw.com/review/does-the-otterbox-defender-iphone-4-model-fit-the-iphone-4s/

Amazon is 20 bucks less than the Otterbox site, which wants to charge a further $20 for shipping to Canada. For 40 bucks difference, I'll give this a try and return if necessary
 
This guy's post/video seems pretty legit, convinced me to go with the Defender case for the 4 off Amazon:

http://itsmichaelw.com/review/does-the-otterbox-defender-iphone-4-model-fit-the-iphone-4s/

Amazon is 20 bucks less than the Otterbox site, which wants to charge a further $20 for shipping to Canada. For 40 bucks difference, I'll give this a try and return if necessary

Im going with the newer case mostly because the older ip4 cases are a pain in the ass to clean around the camera lenses. Just make sure if you get a older case get a "universal" case and not the older ip4 att case like I have, because that will not work.
 
Last edited:
Is anyone using the old Reflex case for the 4S? I don't get the contradictions Otterbox was making on that: their press release indicated only the current Reflex series would fit the new 4S, then on their website on the details page for the iPhone 4 Reflex that say it will NOT fit the 4S.

I'm using it now, and it fits fine, proximity sensor works and camera too as far as I know, but eh, these contradictions leave me wondering.

I have noticed something but I can't tell for sure based on the pics alone: the new 4S Reflex cases seem to have some soft padding on the back now compared to the previous version, which makes sense to me as the old version did lightly scratch the back of my old phone. Nice to know it's a CASE that winds up scratching your phone than keys in a pocket. Sigh. Because of I left the protector cover the 4S came in on and just slide the case over it for now. It's a snug but the upside is that it doesn't jiggle or creak from a looser fit.
 
But is anyone else wondering why AT&T has color combos available that aren't available on the OtterBox Website? Like the Red and Black is nowhere on the OtterBox site.

I asked them and they replied that AT&T has exclusive color combos for the 4S Defender. They indicated Best Buy and Radio Shack have also had exclusive colors for different case models in the past as well.

Eh, I dont get why someone would buy such a seksy phone and cover it up with such an ugly, bulky case.

I personally like the iPhone for how it functions and syncs with my Mac. I personally don't care how it looks and am more concerned about protecting an expensive phone so it continues to function perfectly as long as I need it. Many of my friends have cracked screens on their unprotected iPhones (from simple drops) and I'm glad I'm not one of them after dropping my phone multiple times.

When I compared the 4S Defender case with my 3GS case it seems less "bulky."

I noticed this as well and it has me questioning wether the 4S Defender case will protect as well as my 3GS Defender has the past two years. The 3GS case has clear plastic covering the back camera and front proximity sensor openings as well as a "screen" over the earpiece and bottom mic & speaker. While not preventing water those white screens do seem to stop sand/dirt from entering the phone's ports. The clear plastic screens can prevent rain from entering the space between the phone and case. The 4S Defender with wide open ports seems like it offers much less protection than I'm used to.

I've been a staunch Otterbox fan for years but this is making me look into other cases. The LifeProof case looks pretty interesting and definitely provides more water and dust protection than the current Otterbox. So does the Griffin Survivor however it does add more bulk than the others. The Ballistic Hard Core is another option.

Since so many here seem annoyed with Otterbox right now, what other options are out there that compare to the Defender?

.
 
Defender won't fit Iphone 4s

Guys, I have the 4s in a case made for the 4. I have noticed that the silence switch on the left has pressure applied to it by the plastic shell of the defender. This makes the button a bit stiff to use and I worry that over time, it will damage it.
It seems that the 4s has mounted this switch about 2mm lower that the 4. Quite annoying really!
 
Guys, I have the 4s in a case made for the 4. I have noticed that the silence switch on the left has pressure applied to it by the plastic shell of the defender. This makes the button a bit stiff to use and I worry that over time, it will damage it.
It seems that the 4s has mounted this switch about 2mm lower that the 4. Quite annoying really!

This was true of the Verizon iPhone 4 as well. It's because the slightly different internals of CDMA and GSM phones require a slight external rearrangement (and obviously the 4S has both). It wasn't just done to force people to buy new cases. ;)
 
This was true of the Verizon iPhone 4 as well. It's because the slightly different internals of CDMA and GSM phones require a slight external rearrangement (and obviously the 4S has both). It wasn't just done to force people to buy new cases. ;)


I understand that it wasn't just to force a new case. I just wanted others to know before they spent out on an older case :)

I think I will just apply some DIY dremmel action to the existing otterbox and reshape the plastic to fit without damaging the frame :D:apple:
 
I understand that it wasn't just to force a new case. I just wanted others to know before they spent out on an older case :)

I think I will just apply some DIY dremmel action to the existing otterbox and reshape the plastic to fit without damaging the frame :D:apple:

How is the old case supposed to damage the 4s? I have an ATT Defender case and it seem to fit almost perfectly with my 4s. Not being lazy, I'm at work and can't read entire thread. Thanks
 
So the commuters work fine.
The defender fits and functions 100% IF you have the updated iphone 4 defender (the universal that fits verizon iphone 4).
If you have the older iphone 4 defender it will rub on the silence switch just like it would on the verizon model.
 
Thanks for the info in this thread everyone, I have an iPhone 4 now but plan on getting a 4S next month. I was able to get one with overnight shipping for only $22 from Amazon, now I just have to hope it really does get here in time, going on a fishing trip later this week!
 
It seemed like a lot of people were very happy with the Lifeproof case?

Count me as one of the happy one's. My case already paid for itself. Last night my 4 yr old decided it would be fun to drop daddy's brand new iphone4s in the toilet. :eek: Lucky for me I was sporting a Lifeproof, not an Otterbox like I originally planned.
 
25% Discount AND A Free Case

I e-mailed the 25% discount URL to the ATT salesperson who sold me my buy 2, get 1 free Defender cases at the regular $50 price.

He credited my ATT account for $25 and I get to keep the third case. Sweet!

The new Defenders are an improvement over the 3GS Defender. The belt clip is more secure and the slimmer case colors are cool (red and purple are what I bought).

The purple case didn't quite fit snuggly at the upper right-hand corner but I figured that it would stretch a bit overnight. The next morning it fit like a glove.

I checked out all the current rugged case options and I am glad that I stuck with Otterbox.
 
I went ahead and just bought a Defender in the store (they matched the online 25% off) to make sure I had a case before the promotion ended. I can always return it if I decide to go with something different.

I didn't see anything about Buy 2 Get 1 Free and the manager didn't mention it even though we were buying 3 Defenders. Is this promotion posted somewhere? That would still work out to be $12.50 cheaper than buying all three with the discount we got.
 
I didn't see anything about Buy 2 Get 1 Free and the manager didn't mention it even though we were buying 3 Defenders. Is this promotion posted somewhere? That would still work out to be $12.50 cheaper than buying all three with the discount we got.

There were no signs in the store that I noticed; the salesman told me about the special offer.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.