Otterbox Defender vs Commuter Comparison for Note 2 with pics

keyan333 · Dec 23, 2012

Just got my commuter. It's fantastic. Best case there is in my opinion. Really gives a nice sturdy feel without feeling bulky and thick.

Black looks the best, as does everything. It fits in pockets with great ease and it easily slides in and out of any pocket.

I wouldn't get the defender it's too big and bulky.

Anybody in the UK like me, make sure you order it from amazon since they're the only ones with stock for now.

Extremely happy with this case and I don't think I'll ever change it. Will always look at otterbox for my future phones

alekz19 · Jan 6, 2013

Hi, I was about to order the commuter but then I noticed in a few pictures that the soft part of the case seems to be loose just above the power button, anyone have any problems with this? Im worried that the rubber will be coming off or providing less protection since it wont really be properly fitted.

keyan333 · Jan 6, 2013

There's no loose parts on my one and the buttons are really easy to push. And the otterbox comes with 1 year warranty too no matter where you buy it from.

androidbo · Feb 2, 2013

Got Note 2`s for the son and I. Ordered an Otter Box Defender for my phone.

UPS92008 · Feb 2, 2013

I had the commuter case for a week. I dropped my note 2 5 times in that week. Nothing happened to my phone, but the fact that its to slippery made me take it off. I got the seidio active case and couldn't be happier. Belt clip and gripy. Not much bulk either.

g2manhou · Feb 3, 2013

alekz19 said:
Hi, I was about to order the commuter but then I noticed in a few pictures that the soft part of the case seems to be loose just above the power button, anyone have any problems with this? Im worried that the rubber will be coming off or providing less protection since it wont really be properly fitted.

It does get loose after removing it and putting it back on a lot. But Otterbox does have a warranty and they replace it free of charge.

Notetwo · Feb 4, 2013

A few people say that the commuter case is slippery, I can only assume these people have sweaty palms :O)

twister6 · Feb 4, 2013

Notetwo said:
A few people say that the commuter case is slippery, I can only assume these people have sweaty palms :O)

Oh, its more than a few people, search AF and XDA forums. The intent of slippery plastic on these cases is for easy slip into the pocket. And if you drop it - you are protected by its dual layer construction. A number of people also posted about adding a tape of some sort to make it more grippy. I assume you have a Commuter? Put it on top of the table (any smooth surface) back done and give it a little push - it will slide ride across. IMHO, Otterbox for N2 - still a great protection, but design was rushed in to get sooner to the market.

Notetwo · Feb 4, 2013

twister6 said:
Oh, its more than a few people, search AF and XDA forums. The intent of slippery plastic on these cases is for easy slip into the pocket. And if you drop it - you are protected by its dual layer construction. A number of people also posted about adding a tape of some sort to make it more grippy. I assume you have a Commuter? Put it on top of the table (any smooth surface) back done and give it a little push - it will slide ride across. IMHO, Otterbox for N2 - still a great protection, but design was rushed in to get sooner to the market.

Yeah I have a commuter on my Note2 and dont find it slipery, I agree it will slide across a table if pushed. But when I grasp it with my hand I have no problems.

Each to their own

keyan333 · Feb 7, 2013

I have a commuter. It's pretty great. Perfect cross between protection and size. I've dropped it lots of times, but this has been caused by it simply slipping off the table. I guess you just have to be careful. I wouldn't want any other different less slippy material on the back though because it's so easy to take in and out of pockets. In your hand its more than sturdy enough, just be careful on hard surfaced tables or simply put the phone face down.

Jodiuh · Mar 24, 2013

Notetwo said:
A few people say that the commuter case is slippery, I can only assume these people have sweaty palms :O)

I have sweaty palms and have not had an issue with the commuter being tio slippery.

I had an S3 for about 7 months with ghost armor and never dropped it tho, so I'm questioning whether or not I really need ine for this already gargantuan fone!

Someone talk some sense into me!

twister6 · Mar 24, 2013

Jodiuh said:
I have sweaty palms and have not had an issue with the commuter being tio slippery.

I had an S3 for about 7 months with ghost armor and never dropped it tho, so I'm questioning whether or not I really need ine for this already gargantuan fone!

Someone talk some sense into me!

Sorry, GN2 club doesn't accept any new members, better luck with S4

j/k

But seriously, just wait for S4 and then compare 5" vs 5.5"? If size is really what will drive your decisions, S4 is right around the corner. Back in November I had a similar doubt about S3 vs GN2, and I don't have sweaty hands lol!!! Went to BB, spent 15 minutes standing next to Samsung stand putting S3 to my head, and then GN2. People thought I was nuts

At the end, moved forward with GN2 and found it to be the BEST decision!!!! Can't live without that phone!!! Oh yeah, and I love my wife and kids too

fluttersnipe · Mar 24, 2013

Question. When did Otterbox start making terrible cases? I got one for my wife's S3 and the inner plastic is rock hard! It feels like you have to crush the damn phone in order to use the side buttons. My Galaxy Nexus' otterbox still had that nice soft pliable plastic. Now they just suck...

twister6 · Mar 25, 2013

Only familiar with their N2 cases. I have tested most of the other popular N2 cases, and Otterbox is somewhere at the bottom of that list. Even Chinese knock off of Defender had a better built in screen protector lol!

Jodiuh · Mar 25, 2013

twister6 said:
Can't live without that phone!!! Oh yeah, and I love my wife and kids too

Ditto, cept all I have is a plant.

DragonSlayer95 · Mar 25, 2013

Just watched the drop video, god I cringed every time I heard it drop, esp the last one in commuter lol

Jodiuh · Mar 25, 2013

This I have to see!

Edit: He's insane.

DragonSlayer95 · Mar 25, 2013

Jodiuh said:
This I have to see!

Edit: He's insane.

No lie, I've got the defender on my s3 and I still wouldn't do that :eek:

molsonman78 · Mar 29, 2013

I have the defender for my note 2 and I think it is great. Lots of grip and I like the bulk. Without the case the phone popped out of my hand a few times and I had to catch it. I like the press down feel of the protection screen.

I have owned a commuter for the Iphone 4 and it is decent for going to the gym but for everyday use I prefer the defender.

leftstrat · Apr 15, 2013

I got a good deal on Amazon on my Defender case. It was 34.00 with shipping. I'd had a defender on my HTC Evo4g. It couldn't help but make the GN2 bulkier, but I'm one of the oddballs that likes a bigger phone.

My only problem with Otterbox Defender cases, is that, (and I'm probably the only person this happens to, as I am so graceful...

), is that I have gone through 3 belt clips on the Defender for my EVO and am having a replacement sent for my GN2.. Somehow, I end up snagging those clips on something, and BAM, the phone hits the ground at the right angle, and the spring pops, and the plastic clips break.

I'd pay more for the case if the clip holders were made of steel too. I do like the protection of the Defender cases though. It's saved me a lot of money.

Jodiuh · Apr 15, 2013

Achievement Unlocked: Man of Steel (but really, it's just plastic) Belt Clip Destroyer

leftstrat · Apr 16, 2013

Yep, That would be me.

I dropped the evo4g twice, caught it on a seat belt for #3. Did the same thing to my defender for the GN2, while riding on an ATV.

The cases are great. The clips are crap...

Jodiuh · Apr 16, 2013

An ATV? Really?

leftstrat · Apr 22, 2013

Suzuki King Quad.. Topped a muddy hill, zigged when I should have zagged. Bike wen't one way, I went the other, right down on my side. Clip went SPROING!!!

Otterbox needed pictures of the broken pieces, and sent me an entirely new Defender case. No charge. Love their warranty.

speedlever · Apr 24, 2013

I have had my GN2 (i317) for less than a week. I got the OB Defender case right off the bat, first time with an OB case. Great case in many ways, but when I was checking out the large size of the GN2, I neglected to allow for the extra bulk of the Defender. That takes it out of the single-hand operation for my average sized hands.

I have 4 complaints about the otherwise great OB Defender case:
1) extra bulk and weight of the defender
2) hard to push the power button and the case flexes and creaks in the process
3) screen protector is quite good, but hovers above the actual screen just enough that I can feel a double touch that I find disconcerting. I would prefer a screen protector on top of the GGlass.
4) the hole for the home button is indeed a dust vacuum. Not terrible, but it makes me wish OB had sealed that hole and had a raised section for the home button.

I am torn between wanting a minimalist case (but lose much of the protection). I ordered a cheap one from China. But am considering my options, including returning the Note for the GS4 (unlikely).

How does the Seido active case and holster compare? I vary between putting the N2 in my back pocket and putting it in the holster.

How does the Mercury SQ1 slim fit case do? Or the Ringke slim SF case?

What to do.... mulling my options. Mostly case-wise as I otherwise really like the N2.

Otterbox Defender vs Commuter Comparison for Note 2 *with pics*

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Otterbox Defender vs Commuter Comparison for Note 2 with pics