How does it compare to the defender? I drop my phone often
1022336
Same materials as the defender (I have a defender) , but definitely not as substantial. I was hesitant about getting anything less than the defender initially because I've dropped mine at least a dozen times with no issue but this one is the proper size for my wife and she's willing to take the chance. The biggest difference in the two different cases I think is the lack of coverage on the front of the phone. If you're worried about the glass breaking, the defender is definitely safer. You're going to have to weigh the pros and the cons of each design. Hope this helps.
1022337
I have not had the defender, just the life proof. It is not as durable as the defender I am sure. It does have a good bumper though. A few of my students at my school have the commuter and they say they frequently drop their phones. So far so good, no one has damaged or cracked screen.
1022338
I received my new Otterbox cover at the beginning of the week and already dropped it several times and without any damage. I did not have a defender but I used the commuter prior to this Otterbox and I believe it has the same protection level without the bulkiness.
668040
From the description, I assumed that the Defender is more for people who need heavy duty protection. The Costco sales person, which is where I got my phone, told me that he has the Commuter on his phone and that it gets dropped all the time in the store as he is showing customers various things on it. That info was good enough for me.
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.
1374368
After looking at the defender series I would say yes it's very similar. And yes the phone is totally protected in hard plastic. It just feels cheap to me, but it will protect your phone.
1513128
Its better than an otterbox commuter but not as good as the defender series.
220406
I had the Otterbox Defender and I prefer my Lifeproof alot more. It is definitely less bulky and the quality of the phone calls is just fine, you don't notice a difference.
975167
I have no experience with a defender case so I can't compare. What I can say thought is that it's a bit stiky but if you are serious about protecting your phone there is nothing better. From now on I will first check if otterbox or lifeproff makes a case for the phone I want andthen buy it Hope that helps
2107804
it has a rubber piece that goes around the phone and a hard plastic shell that locks it in place. I believe it is of better quality than the defender. I have dropped and thrown my phone without any damage. also the port holes are covered which keeps out dust.
194174
I think it is just as good as an Otterbox. My sister has an Otterbox and she dropped it numerous times and it hasn't cracked. I have already dropped mine and all it does is bounce off the ground. Since the plastic raises the screen from coming into contact with any surface, it doesn't get scratched. My phone has not cracked and a two year old has thrown it everywhere. I definitely recommend it. Especially for just $7. You cant go wrong!!
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
1982091
The commuter has a thin rubber cover and a thin plastic cover over the rubber. Both pieces just snap over the back of the phone. They also include a screen film to cover the front. I had the defender for my iphone and it was total protection for my phone unlike the commuter which I think is a total wast of money. I purchased the UAG case and the Dualtek which I really like.
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
1228770
The Defender sucks and the rubber around the phone will get loose. The plastic on the inside will chip the edges around the phone. It did to my mine. The protector will most likely work, I'm not sure about the responsiveness I've never done it but I don't recommend the Defender
636042
I am in agreement with Jessica. THe otterbox is bulkier than this case. My husband had the defender and it is definitely thicker than this one.
1934986
It's similar but if you drop your phone like I do, Otter Box might be the better way to go. This one was for my daugter & she's happy with it :)
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.
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!