The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender
OtterBox makes tough stuff. If you have an electronic device you want protected, then OtterBox is the place to go. They feature cases for iPods, Blackberrys, Motorola, Laptops, etc. Their cases range from waterproof to shock protection to environment impermeable.
When Apple released the iPhone 3G with the curved back, they made previous hard cases for the 1st generation iPhone obsolete. To provide optimal protection for the new iPhone 3G, OtterBox has released the Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender.
Due to the large screen surface area, both versions of the iPhone are prone to catastrophe. Many cases protect the external housing, but due to the nature of the screen, leave that area exposed to danger. The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender is one of the few cases that provide full coverage protection for the iPhone. They took their original iPhone Defender case and updated it for the iPhone 3G.
The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender comes in a predominantly yellow colored cardboard box. On the front is the Otterbox logo and mascot with a picture of the iPhone 3G Defender case a short description of the case. One side of the packaging lists the features of the case and the contents of the box of the other side. Finally, the back of the box shows some action shots of where OtterBox products can be useful.
Inside the box one finds the Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender, a ClipStand holster, the instruction sheet, an Otterbox sticker and an advertisement.
The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender is comprised of a black Polycarbonate case and has a black Silicone skin, there is a thin clear membrane that covers the screen.
The 3G Defeneder case with silicone skin measures 4.87" x 2.77" x .8" and weighs in at 1.9 ounces.
The ClipStand holster is also composed of black Polycarbonate and has a belt clip that rotates 360 degrees. Besides acting as a holster, it can work as a stand for watching media on your iPhone 3G.
Specifications:
The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender
The OtterBox for iPhone 3G Defender Series follows in the Defender Series tradition by offering stylish and sophisticated protection. First, a thin, clear membrane covers your Touch Screen to help prevent scratches and dings. Second is a hard, strong Polycarbonate skeleton that surrounds your device. Wrapped around all of this is a Silicone skin that absorbs bump and shock, protecting against the accidental drop. Included with the case is a ClipStand holster. This case will not fit the 1st Generation iPhone. If you have the 1st Generation iPhone and would like a case, click here.
Compatibility/Features:
This OtterBox for iPhone 3G Defender Series was designed to accommodate the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G models ONLY. Included with the case is a ClipStand holster for carrying AND viewing convenience! Please note: This case does NOT work with the first generation iPhone OR the iPod Touch.
Features:
* 3 LAYERS OF PROTECTION!
* First, a clear Polycarbonate sheet with high performance hard coating that offers chemical and abrasion protection
* Second, a hi-impact Polycarbonate skeleton
* Lastly, a Silicone skin to absorb bump and shock
Weight (case only): 1.9 oz.
Dimensions: 4.87" x 2.77" x .8"
Notes: Case NOT fully protected against water. Will provide some added protection against drop, bump and dust. NOT intended for protection against water intrusion.
Price: $49.95
Installation of the Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender involves removing the Silicone Skin from the hard shell.
Separate the Polycarbonate case by prying the three clips (two on the side and one on the top) apart.
Once the shell is opened, remove the protective film from the inside of the front screen membrane. Next, slide the iPhone 3G into the upper portion of the shell and then clip the back of the shell to the front.
Next, wrap the Silicon Skin onto the case. There are fixation points on the front, back and side of the shell.
Viola, your iPhone is now protected from most forms of punishment! The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender fits easily into the holster and has tabs to lock the case into the ClipStand.
The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender provides dust and dirt protection via flip up silicon tabs that cover the dock connector, the headphone jack and the mute switch.
The silicon skin permanently covers the volume, home button and power switch, there is a filter opening for the earpiece above the screen.
The backside of the Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender features an opening for the camera and a larger second opening for the Apple logo to be displayed. Below this larger opening is the Otterbox logo embossed in the case.
The bottom of the case has two more filtered areas which cover the speakers adjacent to the dock connector.
For all intents and purposes the iPhone 3G is sealed from the outside environment; although, it is safe from minor splashes, Otterbox does stress the Defender is NOT intended for protection against water intrusion.
One of the issues that plagued the original iPhone Defender case was the inability to access the mute switch, this has been remedied with the flip up silicon tab covering it.
Holstering the iPhone 3G into the ClipStand with the phone facing forward allows each access and removal; Unfortunately, it is a little too easy to knock the iPhone 3G Defender out of the ClipStand as my daughter easily demonstrated when I picked her up.
However, if you wish to have the iPhone 3G sitting with the face into the holster, then the removal of the iPhone 3G Defender is more difficult. In fact, the holster does not allow the case to slide out unless the two side tabs on the holster are pulled apart. I wish there was a happy medium for keeping the iPhone housed in the ClipStand.
The flip down silicon allows syncing with a cable, but would require the iPhone 3G to be removed from the case if you were using a dock for syncing.
Another quibble I have with the case is that it does mute the volume of the phone, for instance the ringer is definitely lower in volume than when the iPhone 3G sits naked.
Conclusion:
If you like to have a sleek form factor for your iPhone 3G, then this is not the case for you. With the Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender in place, the svelte iPhone 3G takes on the form of an older PDA. This sacrifice in style does provide excellent protection from the environment and most particulate matter. Whether you want to lose the aesthetic of the iPhone 3G is a matter of personal preference.
I personally like the security that the Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender provides my iPhone 3G, knowing it can withstand the occasional fall or splash is very comforting.
Pros:
-Terrific Protection for iPhone 3G
-Comfortable silicon grip
-Includes Holster
-Three Layers of protection
Cons:
-Bulky
-Muffled iPhone sound secondary to the case
Grades:
Overall: 
Design: 
Performance: 
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8/10 - 2008 at 14:45
[...] The Otterbox iPhone 3G Defender reviewed [...]
8/10 - 2008 at 16:01
[...] The Otterbox for iPhone 3G Defender OtterBox makes tough stuff. If you have an electronic device you want protected, then OtterBox is the place to go. They feature cases for iPods, Blackberrys, Motorola, Laptops, etc. Their cases range from waterproof to shock protection to environment impermeable. ____________ Review: TestFreaks [...]
12/11 - 2008 at 14:34
Love the Otterbox for my 3G. Had the same problem with the holster. THANKS for the suggestion to put it in face down. Whenever I am out and about, I will use it that way!!
3/02 - 2009 at 2:42
It is such a great case, I can throw it across the room and it wont get one scratch, Dent or any damage due to the inside or out side of the case and Iphone 3G
This case makes me one happy camper
5/04 - 2009 at 15:27
Great case. Hate sound quality can’t hear the phone
13/06 - 2009 at 19:34
Best protection of any iPhone 3G case on the market. I accidentally dropped my iPhone on to hard cement from about 5 ft, and no damage to either the phone or the case. To avoid the watermark effect when using the touchscreen, use an anti-glare film (Power Support works great). Also, you can use the Sendstation dock extender to make this case compatible with universal docks. However, you will need to (carefully!) file down the ‘hips’ of the dock extender with coarse-grit sandpaper to get it to fit the case. The case does slightly mute the volume of the phone, and sometimes creates a barely noticeable echo effect. You can somewhat solve this by opening the silicone tab which covers the dock connector.
Only caveat: Don’t trust the holster, even with the phone’s screen facing inward. Your phone may fall out if you’re doing anything more active than walking. However, the case is surprisingly slim (about as wide as a Palm Treo 700p), and will fit in most jacket or pants pockets.
16/06 - 2009 at 20:04
I HAD THE IPHONE IN AN OTTERBOX ON MY LAP AND i WAS CROSSING THE STRRET IN MY POWER WHEELCHAIR. i HIT A BUMP AND THE IPHONE FELL TO THE STREET AND I DROVE OVER IT WITH MY POWER WHEELCHAIR WHICH WAYS 250 LBS IN ADDITION TO MY WEIGHT. gUESS WHAT? iT WORKED PERFECTLY. nOW i WILL NOT UPGRADE TO THE IPHONE 3 GS UNTIL i KNOW FOR SURE THE OTTERBOX FIGHTS. nO OTTERBOX FIGHT NO NEW UPDATED IPHONE. i WILL WAIT UNTIL A NEW ONE COMES OUT.
30/06 - 2009 at 14:55
Catherine the 3Gs does fit in the Defender Case. I just upgraded from 3G to 3Gs and am using the defender. I love this case but I did not like the protective clear face film they used. I peeled mine off and placed a Zagg Invisi-Shield front on the iphone. Works great because the front part of the shell comes in contact with the invisi-shield and creates its own seal.
I dont have any real gripes about the case but if I had to pick some….
1. Only clips in holster face first. Makes the stand feature of the holster clip kind of stupid.
2. If you want to use docking you will have to remove the case.
3. A little more effort is needed to access the touch screen near edges of case trim.
If someone knows a secret to making this clip into the holster face out please let me know.