defender or commuter which is best?
842741
It depends on the amount of protection you want. I first had the commuter and it did its purpose for about 3 months and the plastic shield cracked on the bottom of the case. I liked the sleekness of it and it did not add a whole lot of bulk to my phone. I now have the defender and I honestly feel less worried about damage and the extra bulk is not that big of a deal. I also like the built in screen protector. Once you get used to the extra bulk it is definitely having that peace of mind that your phone is protected.
842742
They're like comparing apples & oranges. Both are good in their own right. Depends on your need. Defender is bulkier, more rugged. Could be dropped more. Not so, the commuter, which is slimmer & lighter, good for a pocket, etc. Also, the commuter lends itself to easily & quickly connecting to a charging dock, speakers, etc. I had to use a cable extender.
2248830
The defender case has a built-in screen protector and the commuter has an apply yourself screen protector. With the commuter, you can use any screen protector of your choice if you prefer other protectors. Both cases have a polycarbonate (hard plastic) snap on back that encloses the silicone part of the case. The defender is a heftier case and makes a phone quite bulky. The commuter, on the other hand, gives a thin phone such as the galaxy S4 just enough bulk to make it feel sturdy in your hand. I have the commuter case on my S4. I have never dropped my phone so I cannot tell you how much drop protection it has. Overall, I think the defender would protect your phone better since the phone is actually enclosed in the case. However, much depends on how the phone falls, from how high, and on what kind of surface.
1107347
The difference between that I have found between the OtterBox Defender and the OtterBox Defender hybrid for the iPhone 4 is the addition of the commuter case on the hybrid. The OtterBox Defender hybrid has a commuter case that has a belt clip that does not come with the OtterBox Defender.
1350862
The defender is a more complex case. It is designed to take greater damage. If you drop your phone a lot, like I do, then get the defender. If you want just some protection, but not get too bulky, then get the commuter. I would warn you about the cases for the galaxy s3. The defender's outer shell loses its elasticity very easy. The phone is still protected well.
2229160
The defender series has a built in screen protector and the commuter does not. Also the defender series is quite a bit more bulky
505597
No, the commuter screen protector is more flexible therefore it appears to be not as thick. Seems to offer very good if not same protection though. The commuter is lighter packing, not so plasticky. The front has a cleaner view of the entire face and the defender covers the top and bottom quarters. Thanks for asking. Good Luck! :)
128798
Defender series offers a little more protection. Also, the defender series has a built in screen protector instead of a stick on screen protector on the commuter series.
2200989
Protection I would rate equally on the commuter, and I would say this is less bulky and more sleek.
1650099
I have the defender, and it's fine, the commuter is thinner, so it will be OK, I also have the spigen neo hybrid, which is similar to the commuter, and it fits perfectly, so there shouldn't be a problem
393107
I had a Defender as well. This does have a good lip so you can lay it down screen side and it does not touch the surface. Have had this a couple months and really like it!
836539
The Slim Armor would be the equivalent of an Otterbox Commuter case. Decent for minor drop protection, but not enough protection for those that punish their devices. The Tough Armor is as protective, if not more so, as the Defender line of cases. The Slim Armor does not give as much screen protection, as the lip around the screen is much shorter. I feel the Slim armor also feels more slippery in hand.
2191088
The main difference in my opinion is that the defender is more durable. The back side of the defender is textured and the commuter is very slick. The defender in my opinion protects your phone more so than the commuter and commuter doesn't stay in a shirt pocket like the defender. Yes it does protect against cracking. I hope this helps.
2145707
Defender is thicker w/ built in screen protector. Hard plastic on the inside silicon on the outer layer. And it comes with a belt clip / phone stand. Commuter has no built in screen protector silicon is on the inside hard plastic outer layer. And no clipI have cracked my screen (not severly) even w/ the commuter
1601825
Actually the defender is more stronger but the inside plastic clips keeps breaking. The commuter is just the hard plastic on the outside unlike the defender which is in the inside the silicon. The commuter looks the same as the picture
1515898
Mine works with the defender case so I'm sure it will work with the commuter.
273602
I think they're both the same size only difference is that the defender series is more heavier duty. And gives more protection. That's what I was told by someone.
750452
Defender has more parts and belt clip. By more parts I mean is very well protected and has outside cover that is made of rubber so it doesn't slide and it has plastic cover in front. However it makes is bigger and doesn't fit well in locker due to the runner cover and the size. The commuter is very stylish and thin-has 2 parts: rubber on site and plastic outside. The cons are it slides vey far and slips out of hands where defender doesn't. So each one has pros and cons. I just bought commuter and I didn't like it much just because I've dropped it at least. 20 x I'm the last 3 days that I've had it. I'm really afraid one one day when it falls out of my hands or slips the screen will just crack. Defender has more parts and belt clip. By more parts I mean is very well protected and has outside cover that is made of rubber so it doesn't slide and it has plastic cover in front. However it makes is bigger and doesn't fit well in locker due to the runner cover and the size. The commuter is very stylish and thin-has 2 parts: rubber on site and plastic outside. The cons are it slides vey far and slips out of hands where defender doesn't. So each one has pros and cons. I just bought commuter and I didn't like it much just because I've dropped it at least. 20 x I'm the last 3 days that I've... » Read More Defender has more parts and belt clip. By more parts I mean is very well protected and has outside cover that is made of rubber so it doesn't slide and it has plastic cover in front. However it makes is bigger and doesn't fit well in locker due to the runner cover and the size. The commuter is very stylish and thin-has 2 parts: rubber on site and plastic outside. The cons are it slides vey far and slips out of hands where defender doesn't. So each one has pros and cons. I just bought commuter and I didn't like it much just because I've dropped it at least. 20 x I'm the last 3 days that I've had it. I'm really afraid one one day when it falls out of my hands or slips the screen will just crack. « Show Less