Are Otterbox Defenders supposed to get this scratched?

Defender for N2 was a huge failure!!! If you read all the comments on AndroidForums (Note 2 section) or even go to Amazon and read comments in there - 90% of people get Defender and use hairdryer to heat up and remove that screen protector junk. It's not flush with a screen, I hated it it when I had it for about a week (returned it back), the dust and moisture gets through a cutout hole inside, and overall it scratches and not as transparent as it supposed to be. Of course, you get a nice warranty from Otterbox, contact them, get RMA open to send them a picture, and you will have a replacement in the mail in no time, but the replacement will perform the same. No way around it.

 

To keep it slim and well protected, a case like UAG or Commuter and tempered glass screen protector (like Seidio VITREO). Done.

If you want more protection, get yourself a smartwatch so you don't have to pull out your phablet every 5min to check emails/txt or calls or social updates. Especially outdoors when temperature down to single digits, the less time you take your phone out of your pocket - the less chances to drop it. But still not a substitute for a good quality case with a decent edge shock and lip protection and tempered glass sp (to shatter it on impact instead of your display).