OtterBox - Defender Series Case for Samsung Galaxy S7 Cell Phones - Black

While Commuter series is considered to be their “slimmer” version, Defender series adds some noticeable bulk with a full wrap around protection, but it’s too bad. Either way, it’s a price to pay for an ultimate protection – and that’s exactly what you are going to get! Starting with an inner interlocking PC shell you have a built-in screen protector and also another thin layer of shock absorbent material inside of that shell. A built-in screen protector is film based and has a cutout for home button. The assembly of inner plastic case was a huge improvement over the previous Defender cases where tabs are a lot easier now to interlock and pull apart. On top of that, you have another silicone shock absorption layer placed over the PC shell. That piece adds another layer of shock protection and also significantly improves a grip. Also, you don’t have to worry anymore about your phone sliding off the surface when placed face up. Of course, facing down you also have a considerable amount of front lip to keep it off the surface. Just keep in mind this is just a film screen protector where any direct impact will not protect your display. For that you will need a tempered glass protector, but with Defender you can only use a thin tempered glass to fit inside of the inner shell. Just like with a Commuter, Defender has micro usb and headphone ports covered and protected from any dirt and dust. Also, volume and power buttons are covered and have a nice tactile response when pressed. The rest of the ports have precise cutouts and perfect alignment. The only issue which still remains is micro-usb port opening being limited by plastic guards of the inner shell that allow only use of an average or narrow charging connectors. It’s probably not going to be an issue for majority, but I do have to acknowledge that some micro-usb cables with a larger connector might not fit. Last but not least, Otterbox also comes with a belt-clip holster which allows you to carry your Defender case attached to the belt. Belt-clip holster will come especially handy when you spend a lot of time outdoors. The Defender case fits inside of the holster both face in and face out. Typically for extra protection you would want to keep it face in, but there is also an advantage to place it face out since a belt clip locks in open position and doubles as a kickstand to place your S6 in landscape orientation to watch a movie or to play a video, etc.

I initially bought one of these Defender cases when I bought my Galaxy S7 phone at a verizon store. It appeared to be the same great case as the two units I used for my LG G4 and one used on a Galaxy S4. However, my enthusiasm quickly faded when I realized that the fit of the screen protector was not flush with the phone's screen. The resulting fit issue caused decreased screen sensitivity and persistent missed taps. I also did not like the unpleasant sensation of actually feeling the screen protector moving with each input. Another issue I have with the case is the sides of the frame make it difficult to swipe down on the top menu of the phone. I read about people who removed the screen protector with success on past otterboxes. I tried this method and it was not a satisfactory solution. I ended up with a worse fit between the top frame and the back section of the inner case. I contacted Otterbox about this via online form a week ago, but have not received a reply. Since then, I read a a review stating that the fit issue is not the same with all units. Hoping that this was true, I foolishly bought another Otterbox Defender from Best Buy today. I was disappointed to find that this case has the same issues. It is difficult for me to understand how this case can have so many good reviews. Perhaps the latest units have had a slip in QC. This is a premium priced case and should not have worse quality than the $15 cases you can get on other sites.

The last 6 cases for my phones have been the Defender series, for SO many reasons. I test and review many cases and other tech/devices, and I have to say hands down that these cases are the TOUGHEST, most DURABLE, and STILL the most comfortable cases I've ever used. I literally recommend them to everyone vigorously. There are MANY other cases that APPEAR or CLAIM to work just the same, with the dual layer protection and all, but my Defender cases are never taken off or even damaged, as the construction is so thought out. I could go on, but you get the picture. Built in screen protection, padding inside inner hard shell, hard shell CLIPS AND LOCKS together, then the outer shock protection layer even covers it all AND clips around the previous layers clips, ENSURING that it will NEVER fall out of the case. On top of that, it comes with a very protective hard shell holster with a strong but compact clip (even rotates to wear it any way on belt, etc.), but it also can hold the phone so that it protects the entire front of the screen OR the back, where the camera or the screen is now ULTIMATELY protected. I will be ano Ottorbox customer for life. HOPE THIS HELPS!

I had been searching for a case for my Galaxy S7 phone. I had found the phone sometimes felt slick & would easily slip in my hand. I wanted a case that would give me a good grip on the phone & would protect it. While searching the web I came across this case about 1/2 off on Best Buy's web site. I checked it out on the Otterbox web site & was impressed with what I saw, so I immediately ordered it for pick up in the store. I received notification that it was available at the store a day before it was scheduled to be, so I was really happy about that. I got the case home & immediately got it on my phone. This was made easy by watching the video on the Otterbox web site. I was VERY happy with the feel of the case. The rubberized side and back made for a sure grip of the phone. I like the fact that the holster is designed to hold the phone with the phone facing either way. The clip on the holster can be locked into a position allowing it to be used as a kick stand to hold the phone in a good viewing position when placed on a flat surface. I experienced a couple of instances where I failed to get the phone properly locked into the holster. The first time this occurred the phone fell to the ground as I was getting out of my car. The case made a satisfying "thunk" sound as the phone hit the asphalt & I could immediately tell the phone was unharmed. The case protected the phone as advertised. In fact there wasn't even a mark on the case. I've had the case for a month & I am VERY happy with it. It makes the phone slightly bulkier, but the great grip & protection is well worth it.

I had one on my g5, G6 and my G7 the older ones were good but prone to the belt holder breaking in different places depending on the model phone. this one was much better and lasted 3 or 4 years. it finally broke a lower ear off the belt clip while I was in the car. I do not know how it broke, whether it caught on the seat belt or something, or broke when I removed the phone in the car. All I know is it broke, and the box was WELL out of warrantee. It was old enough that it was frayed around the camera hole but still working great!!! I have dropped my phone off roofs onto concrete, off the tops of ladders, and many other hard drops and it took it all as well as protected my phone. If you break phones for a living - get an otterbox. They have a one year full warrantee no matter how you break it, and I have only used their warrantee one time... On my G6 - the plastic molding had a bubble that resulted in an ear breakage. Drawback - it makes your phone BIG. Turns you G7 slim phone into a larger, fatter version of itself, but MAN - it protects the heck out of it!!!! Even with the case, I can still slide it into my front shirt pocket. (sans belt clip, of course)

I have always trusted OtterBox products for my cell phones. I have seen other peoples phones after dropping them with other brand of cases and its never good. I have dropped my phones several times over the years and not once have I ever cracked a screen. Even after getting mad at some of my older phones because they were outdated and didn't work right and chunking them across the room into the wall the phones still didn't break. So that shows you how good these cases really are. I have never had any issues with sensitivity on the touch screen part. Its a little pain to have to take them apart when it gets any dirt or dust underneath the screen but a small price to pay for overall protection of your expensive phone. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is because after about a month of use where the charger and headphone snaps are, the rubber cover starts to stretch at those points. This causes the rubber cover to get lose and eventually will split over time and it also starts to get where they wont stay snapped into place. At this point I just cut off the snaps because they get in the way when trying to snap the phone in my belt holster. You can also contact OtterBox's Customer Service and have them send you a new cover under the warranty and that process is a small pain as well but better than buying a new one.

If you are afraid to drop and break your phone, get this case and you will have no more fears. There is good reason why Otter-box is the leader in the cell phone case market. The defender case is a little more bulky than other cases on the market, but it protects your phone so well that the little bit of added bulk makes it worth it. I've purchased a defender case for any phone I've had and have yet to be let down by it, and trust me I've dropped my phone many many times. The case fits my hands well, no accidental button presses unlike when I do not have a case on it. The only gripes I have about the case are that sometimes the phone runs hotter when in hotter weather and that the rubber outer shell will sometimes stretch , which isn't particularly in fault of anyone but myself. Great case with a built in screen protector, I can't say enough good things about this case compared to the many others that have saturated the market place. Scared to break your pretty new smart phone? Buy this case and be as rough with the phone as you want and believe me, you soon will also be praising the Otter-box defender case . This case is a little expensive at Best Buy compare to on-line retailers.

First I have a Defender case for my old Galaxy S4 and one for my Ipad. Both work great so naturally when I got my S7 I got another one. This one, the screen protector didn't make contact with the screen making it hard to type or finger scroll. Totally unlike my others. I bought online so took it back to the store. They had me try another one they had on the shelf. Took it home and it was the same exact thing. So I called Otterbox and told them the problem, they said maybe BestBuy got a bad batch? They can do a claim if I pay shipping which they didn't recommend since I just bought this one. So I returned it and now ordered a Lifeproof case. Shame as I always used Otterbox but reading other reviews a lot of people seem to experience the same problem. The case would have been perfect except for screen protector not flush with the screen. Hopefully if you buy you get a good one.