Is the Commuter the same as the Defender, less the hard plastic cover, which seems to dull the image?
1601820
On the Commuter the back cover is plastic with silicone corners. The front cover is actually a screen protector that you apply before you put the back cover on. On the Defender Series the plastic piece that covers the screen is actually part of the a two piece plastic protective sleeve, which is then wrapped in silicone. The Commuter series is sleeker and has no belt clip - more for pockets or purses. In response to Mr. Surratt's answer: Although I've never know a plastic tab to break on any of mine, I have called OtterBox about broken belt clips and they have cheerfully sent me a new one, gratis, every time. Thus I infer they might do the same for broken tabs.
1601821
Yes, My friend has the Defender and said the hard plastic cover made it difficult to make calls sometimes. That is why I bought the Commuter instead. I am very happy with my choice.
1601822
The rubber is inside and the hard shell is on the outside. Corners are rubber so it absorbs shock very well. All thegrey is rrubber all the white is hard shell. I have a toddler and he has dropped or thrown the phone a few times and it appears to be holding up very well so far. The rubber and plastic will not seperate and look cheap after a few weeks like the defender.
1601823
My wife has a Defender for her SII and the phone cover appears the same but the Defender also came with a belt clip and a plastic cover (she does not use either) which my commuter does not have.
1601824
The Commuter is still 2 covers, one rubbery for the first layer and then the hard plastic for the outer layer. I like it, but it is making the phone a bit bigger. It makes me certain that if I was to drop the phone it would still come out OK. It is sturdy. I don't know what the Defender looks like, but my impression is that it is bigger than the Commuter.
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
1601826
On the Commuter the back cover is plastic with silicone corners. The front cover is actually a screen protector that you apply before you put the back cover on. On the Defender Series the plastic piece that covers the screen is actually part of the a two piece plastic protective sleeve, which is then wrapped in silicone. The Commuter series is sleeker and has no belt clip - more for pockets or purses.In response to Mr. Surratt's answer: Although I've never know a plastic tab to break on any of mine, I have called OtterBox about broken belt clips and they have cheerfully sent me a new one, gratis, every time. Thus I infer they might do the same for broken tabs. On the Commuter the back cover is plastic with silicone corners. The front cover is actually a screen protector that you apply before you put the back cover on. On the Defender Series the plastic piece that covers the screen is actually part of the a two piece plastic protective sleeve, which is then wrapped in silicone. The Commuter series is sleeker and has no belt clip - more for pockets or purses.In response to Mr. Surratt's answer: Although I've never know a plastic tab to break on any of mine, I have called OtterBox about broken belt clips and they have cheerfully sent me... » Read More On the Commuter the back cover is plastic with silicone corners. The front cover is actually a screen protector that you apply before you put the back cover on. On the Defender Series the plastic piece that covers the screen is actually part of the a two piece plastic protective sleeve, which is then wrapped in silicone. The Commuter series is sleeker and has no belt clip - more for pockets or purses.In response to Mr. Surratt's answer: Although I've never know a plastic tab to break on any of mine, I have called OtterBox about broken belt clips and they have cheerfully sent me a new one, gratis, every time. Thus I infer they might do the same for broken tabs. « Show Less
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.
938451
No. Only the Defender series has that. Commuter series is more basic, but it works great!
189061
by 20 dollars im assuming you mean the commuter, and i dont quite understand your question. It covers the same areas as the defender the defender is just thicker and and offers more protection it covers the entire phone except the screen which they give you a screen protector hope that answers the question
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.
2248830
The defender case has a built-in screen protector and the commuter has an apply yourself screen protector. With the commuter, you can use any screen protector of your choice if you prefer other protectors. Both cases have a polycarbonate (hard plastic) snap on back that encloses the silicone part of the case. The defender is a heftier case and makes a phone quite bulky. The commuter, on the other hand, gives a thin phone such as the galaxy S4 just enough bulk to make it feel sturdy in your hand. I have the commuter case on my S4. I have never dropped my phone so I cannot tell you how much drop protection it has. Overall, I think the defender would protect your phone better since the phone is actually enclosed in the case. However, much depends on how the phone falls, from how high, and on what kind of surface.
310424
The Commuter series is a bit thicker and has a screen protector that you place on the phone. The Commuter cases has more of a rubber material whereas the the Symmetry is more of a dense plastic.
18565
Outer box defender has the hard screen the commuter does not have hard screen
1921457
No this is the commuter series. The defender series comes with the screen protector!
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.
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.
237166
The Commuter series is a 2 layer case which includes a screen protector as well as a belt clip. The Symmetry Series is slim and just fits your phone. You have to buy an additional screen protector. I actually had the Defender series which is a 3 layer protection. I found it overtime to be quite bulky that is why I bought the Symmetry. It's as slim as your phone and comes in different colors and patterns. Hope this helps. You can also see all the series on Otterbox's website.
2145708
Defender is thicker w/ built in screen protector. Hard plastic on the inside silicon on the outer layer. And it comes with a belt clip / phone stand. Commuter has no built in screen protector silicon is on the inside hard plastic outer layer. And no clip I have cracked my screen (not severly) even w/ the commuter
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.
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.
1982095
My Commuter has a soft rubbery insert covering the phone with the additional hard outer cover. It works well protecting the phone from bangs & drops. Am unfamiliar with the Defender.
1469919
The defender series comes with built in screen protection, the commuter cases come with a screen protector that you have to install yourself. If you get the commuter, I would highly recommend getting a Zagg screen protector, the Otterbox ones aren't very good.