What's the difference between the Otterbox Symmetry and Otterbox Commuter cases?
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.
310425
I don't have a commuter case but from what I can tell the Symmetry is thinner. It's still protects phone however, it's not bulky like some of the other Otterboxes I've seen! (And they have really pretty choices ;) )
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.
751717
Symmetry! The commuter rubber like insert stretches out really bad and does not last long. You wont have that problem with the symmetry and it is a lot less bulky.
1982093
Commuter is soft rubbery insert with hard outer cover. Defender is opposite and with the soft rubbery outter cover it will become stretched out over time.
679288
I believe the otterbox is more solid a case, especially the glass. But this is smaller and lighter and pretty solid. I would say to go into the store to check both out
691645
There is no difference. For otterbox cases (for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2's) ... there are two truly different styles of protection ... the Defender (which you are interested in--and gives the most protection) and the Commuter series (which has a different case make up and does not include the holster). I actually have the Glacier (white/gray), the black/gray and the black/black .. they are all the same defenders.
128796
Defender Series has more of case like feature that you slip the phone behind versus the commuter that has a screen protector you lay on top. However, the biggest disappointment for me was how the commuter series wallet version was impossible to pull out the wallet type function.
949347
The OtterBox Defender Cases consist of two parts: 1) the harder snap together case that goes around the phone and then 2) the silicone covering that goes over and around the hard plastic case. It sounds like if you ended up with just a hard plastic case that you either didn't get a complete case or that you may have ordered the Otterbox Commuter or Armour case instead of a Defender case.
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
2229161
the big difference is the holster that comes with the defender. they offer the same features other than the holster. after about a few months (five for me, three for my daughter) it starts to get loose around the edges. cant recall if the commuter has a builtin screen protector.
945965
I'm not sure of all the difference between the two cases, but YES the ports are UNCOVERED in the Commuter Series.
229184
Yes it is the commuter series sold directly by otterbox. "Hybrid" just refers to the fact that it's neither a soft gel case nor hard plastic. It's both.
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
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
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.
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
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.
2120925
I don't think so. The defender case is noticeably thicker than the commuter series.