It appears that the Commuter case does not have protection for the charging port, while the Defender does. Is this a drawback?
760352
It doesn't seem to be a problem however I have only had the case for a few months and I still have the cover over the charging port that is attached to the phone
760353
No and yes, because initially, the phone comes with its own cover for the charging port. The defender series is more rugged, and it's built for people who really drop their phone a lot. If you broke your cover for the charging port, then yes it is a drawback.
789695
Not sure. All I know is I have heard that the defender series protects better. we have the commuter and it has protected our phones for over a year. Our phones have been dropped, thrown (by kids) and whatever else you can think of. The cases even still look great. All I can say is I highly recommend this case or the defender. Otterbox is a great product and well worth the money you pay. Hope that helps.
2248828
The commuter has a silicone case that fits firmly against the actual phone. The silicone wrapping then fits into a hard shell. this protects the phone even when the case is jarred. The defender is a hard shell and doesn't have the same give when your phone is dropped.
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.
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.
310426
Symmetry is a lot more sleak/lighter and doesn't have a built-in screen protector. I have both on different machines. The commuter is built to be thrown out windows. Not so w the symmetry. Good luck.
2229162
Honestly not sure of the differences myself, but I have the Defender series and it has held up well. Even a horse kicking it didn't damage my phone or much of the case
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)
938451
No. Only the Defender series has that. Commuter series is more basic, but it works great!
2252961
I wish I could tell you this, but I don't know. I know that it works with the Commuter Case and that it will NOT work with the Defender case. So unless it states that it does work with it, I'd be a little skeptical about purchasing it...
917926
I have the commuter series. The commuter is a bit less bulky, and offers a little less protection than the defender. It's still pretty rugged though.
59786
The Defender has a belt clip and is sticky. The Commuter doesn't have the clip and slips easily into you pocket.
157516
I can't answer that. I have the defender, not the commuter. I'm not sure why Amazon guided you to me. I never purchased the commuter. Sorry and good luck!
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
1482090
We have had both, and the commuter as well. The armor case is bigger and bulky. We had it a week and ended up returning it because the clasp on the outside snapped in half, my son took the phone out frequently. It did prove to be water proof. The defender is smaller and has the plastic face plate. I wanted a little more protection than it offered and ended up taking off the faceplate and replacing it with a tempered glass protector. The only difference I see between the defender and the commuter is the faceplate and the rubber shield is opposite (one on the outside and one on the inside). Not sure I'd buy the armor again. We have had both, and the commuter as well. The armor case is bigger and bulky. We had it a week and ended up returning it because the clasp on the outside snapped in half, my son took the phone out frequently. It did prove to be water proof. The defender is smaller and has the plastic face plate. I wanted a little more protection than it offered and ended up taking off the faceplate and replacing it with a tempered glass protector. The only difference I see between the defender and the commuter is the faceplate and the rubber shield is opposite (one on the outside and one on the inside).... » Read More We have had both, and the commuter as well. The armor case is bigger and bulky. We had it a week and ended up returning it because the clasp on the outside snapped in half, my son took the phone out frequently. It did prove to be water proof. The defender is smaller and has the plastic face plate. I wanted a little more protection than it offered and ended up taking off the faceplate and replacing it with a tempered glass protector. The only difference I see between the defender and the commuter is the faceplate and the rubber shield is opposite (one on the outside and one on the inside). Not sure I'd buy the armor again. « Show Less
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
18565
Outer box defender has the hard screen the commuter does not have hard screen