Anyone who owns an expensive smartphone such as the new iPhone 4 and wants a clear conscience is bound to buy a matching case. But once you start taking the thing along on hikes as an outdoor navigator, or put it through fairly rough everyday use, the question is whether an ordinary case is still enough. That is exactly where the Otterbox comes in: the “Defender series” is something like the armoured tank among iPhone cases.
Otterbox Defender specifications
- Colours: black
- Weight: 56 g (weighed ourselves) 59 g (manufacturer’s figure)
both figures without the holster - Dimensions: 123.23 x 67.85 x 16.77 mm
The Otterbox Defender series at a glance
The Otterbox Defender series consists of what are effectively three layers protecting the phone. First there is a hard plastic shell that the phone goes into. The second layer is the screen protector, which is set into that shell. Finally the case is wrapped in a silicone skin. Beyond that, a matching holster is included so you can carry the phone on your belt. The case is not waterproof!
Screen protector
The new coating on the outer surface of the screen protector is meant to resist fingerprints and so stay noticeably cleaner than its predecessor. The material of the screen protector itself has changed too. Where older models often developed bubbles and an oil-like film, that is said to be a thing of the past.
Hard plastic shell
The hard plastic shell has a soft fabric on the inside of the back so the phone cannot be damaged from behind. It wraps around the phone and leaves all the ports and the built-in camera free. It also has a clear plastic window for the Apple logo so you can still see it from outside; the silicone skin does not cover it either.
Silicone skin
Once the phone is inside the hard plastic shell, the silicone skin slips on easily. It is textured and so gives more grip than a smooth silicone case. Almost every opening, such as the mute switch and the dock connector, sits behind a silicone flap that has to be pushed aside for use. The only weak points left open are the speakers at the bottom, the two cameras (front and back), the earpiece, the noise-cancelling microphone and the Apple logo with its plexiglass window.
Holster
The holster has been completely reworked and now takes the phone either screen-in or screen-out. Screen-in is of course recommended for better protection. Beyond that, the holster doubles as a stand, so you can watch films hands-free.
Photos of the Otterbox Defender for the iPhone 4
The Otterbox in the field
I have had the Otterbox in constant use for nearly two weeks now and I am extremely happy with it. Since I am, to be honest, perhaps a little paranoid and really do use the case in everyday life rather than only for outdoor activities, there are one or two places where the protection goes slightly further than I need.
Because I listen to a lot of music on my phone every day, the silicone flap over the headphone socket is already showing wear. There is a small tear on one side that is gradually getting bigger. That probably would not have happened if I used the holster. So the flaps are not meant to be left open in your pocket — that does not end well in the long run.
The holster is very handy for watching the odd YouTube video hands-free. I do not find the angle it stands at ideal, though. Working together with the case, the holster makes a good impression. The phone is very easy to take out and put back in. I have to admit honestly that I am not a great fan of carrying my phone on my belt or similar, which is probably why I have not given the holster the attention it really deserves.
The silicone skin feels pleasant in the hand and gives you a secure grip on the phone. It does seem to attract dirt almost magnetically, though. Every time you pull the phone out of your pocket you find new lint on the case that was not there before. I live in hope that my pockets will one day be clean enough for it not to matter. Here too, holster users will probably have no trouble at all.
What I particularly like is the Otterbox screen protector. It does not stay entirely free of greasy fingers, and despite the new material it still produces faint smears between phone and protector. They are only visible with the screen off, though, and never became a problem for me. Navigating and typing through the screen protector works without any trouble. I noticed no lag or any other impairment in use. In terms of protection alone, no screen film can match this thin plastic plate.
Verdict
I like the Otterbox Defender a great deal and can recommend it to anyone who wants to protect their iPhone 4. Yes, it does make the iPhone bulkier than it is in some other cases, or naked. But no other case I know of offers this much protection, and I would argue the roughly $ 50 is money very well spent.
Pros
- Outstanding protection
- Moving parts and openings are protected too
- Probably the best screen protection currently available
Cons
- slight smearing under the screen protector
