Will someone please explain the difference, if any, in the screen protector in the Defender and Commuter series?
264807
The commuter does not have a screen protector. It is a 2 piece case. An inner rubber case and an outer hard plastic case. I have always put a cheep screen protector on to guard against scratches. I have used the commuter case for over 2 years now and have dropped my phone many times. Not one crack or scratch on the phone itself.
264808
Commuter has a cruddy screen protector that is a separate piece that you'll throw away after a week and buy one from skinomi or zagg. The defender has a screen protector as part of the case permanently. It feels like a garbage bag. It's annoying. I'd get the commuter and a Skinomi or zagg.
264809
The defender has a plastic screen protector built in to the plastic inner layer, the commuter simply comes with an adhesive screen protector that is separate. Visibility is better with the commuter's protecter, but the Defender's is thicker, more protective, and less reflective.
264810
There is no screen protector with the commuter series. It comes with a separate one that you can put on your screen yourself. Just like you could buy anywhere. Commuter is just a soft phone casing with a harder outer shell that fits over it. Defender has a screen protector built into the case itself. Useful at first but when it gets scratched and/or dirty you can't take it out. Unless you cut it out I guess.
264811
The defender has 3 layers of protectant and has a clear builtin screen. The commuter is only 2 layers and does not have a clear builtin screen
789697
The defender series is larger and offers more protection. The commuter series is more mobile but still offers a great deal of protection.
1198938
It doesn't fit the Defender holster. A coworker of mine has the Defender case and holster so we tried it. The commuter series is a thinner case and the Defender case has a spot on each end that help hold it in place in the holster.
1258917
I'm thrown off by the numbers posted. But, I would definitely go with the defender series. It has a built in screen. In my opinion it's the best choice. (The commuter doesn't have a protective screen)
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.
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.
1034484
On the commuter series there is no screen protector. That is the defender series. I also bought the iq liquid screen protector and I love it with my otterbox. It is a very high quality screen protector. But I have heard even the defender series on he iPhone 5 there is a space between the screen protector and the iPhone screen itself
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.
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
1411533
well from looking at the picture of the phone on the website very briefly it seems to be the same as the sprint/virgin mobile version of the phone, so it might? but i couldn't say that it would fit with certainty, just look up the model number of your phone and see if it matches with this one. i believe the defender series has a built in screen protector and is a bulkier case which gives the phone more protection (i believe they say it's three layers of protection). the commuter has a silicone-like case that slips over the phone and then a polycarbonate plastic case that slips over that. from what i read (i don't have one so i'm not sure) the material on the defender attracts more dust and doesn't slide into pockets as easily because the outer shell is not a smooth plastic. also the commuter is slimmer and less bulky but provides less protection than the defender, the defender is more money than the commuter. i chose commuter because i don't tend to drop my phone too much but it's inevitably going to happen. the front of most android phone are covered with gorilla glass anyway so i found the built in screen protected in the defender too much for me, and you could always get a screen protector as the built in one in the defender series won't stop your screen from getting smashed, it just keeps dust out and prevents scratching for the most part, but gorilla glass stops most superficial scratches anyway. the choice should be how much you use your phone, what kind of environments you're going to be in, and if you're super clumsy with it, i would like to note though that the camera on my phone is flush with the back of the phone, so when laying it down on it's back side if you don't have a case the lens is going to touch whatever its on and eventually get scratches. good luck!
2058141
The screen protector is not needed with the Defender series case, as it is part of the assembly with the hard plastic case shell's. The plastic lenses that protects the phones main glass screen is on the top assembly of the shell. IT will suffice and protect as their products description. However as mentioned I was having issues with oil slicks and the rainbow effect; and was not happy with it could have been a 2nd defective case as I had this issue from another retailer. I decided to use their Commuiter series of case which includes the plastic protector film, which I did not use. The Commuiter series of case is not as hefty, and MUCH lighter then the Defender series. I used the Zagg screen shield which has a anti-smudge, scratch protection case from Zagg. You can choose to use their screen film protector or even another vendor that fits on the top of your phone per your choice. I may purchase the Defender series again in the future and just punch out their case screen shield, (LIKELY this will void their warranty) but I don't have 60 dollars for both the Defender case and Zagg screen protector at the moment to do that with. OtterBox has superior customer service and have always been accommodating with their products during their warranty period. This was just my opinion but they do have quality products. You also have a 30 day return with Amazon, and their customer service was excellent as well and allowed me a return when I explained my concern with them. Hope this helps.
1575988
The screen protector is not part of the case. The commuter can with a screen saver, that you put right on the screen.
2120925
I don't think so. The defender case is noticeably thicker than the commuter series.
816790
I do not know about the Commuter case, but I owned an Otterbox Defender and it already has a screen protector, so you would not need the protector in question.
789696
The Defender has a built-in clear cover over the screen so there is no need for a screen protector and most of them come with a belt clip that the phone sits in. The Commuter is just a hard case that covers the back and the edges of the front of the phone. If your looking for something compact, go with the Commuter. If it doesn't matter to you how big your phone feels then, go with the Defender.
1221043
No that is the Defender Case by Otterbox, but the Commuter does come with one screen protector. Most people prefer a 3rd party screen protector from what I hear. I actually chose a 3rd party one. The one that comes from Otterbox tends to have a "rainbow effect" from skin oil etc.
912517
The Defender is bigger and the commuter is slightly smaller. The Defender has a rougher outside and is built seemingly more rigid than the commuter I only have the commuter. I haven't ever tried a defender, it has a built in screen protector as part of the case, The commuter does not so you can do like I do and use adhesive ones or not use them at all because well the screens have come a long way since the beginning of smartphones they hold up better than before.