OTTERBOX COMMUTER SERIES Case for iPhone 4/4S - Retail Packaging - Black

Everyone is looking for something different in a phone case and what they are looking for will greatly affect their opinion of that case. With that said, I wanted a case that would offer quality protection without adding a significant amount of bulk to my iPhone. I also wanted a case that was not made exclusively of silicone as this design can make it difficult to remove the phone from your pocket. I ordered several cases before I found the one I was looking for. I first tried the iPhone 4/4S Ballistic Shell Gel (SG) Series Case. I must say that this is an awesome case. It's sleek and a tad bit thinner then the Otter Box Commuter design. The back panel is tough and the case really feels good in your hand. The extended corner bumpers are nice but they do give the case an odd looking appearance. However, the point of any case is protection and the Ballistic Shell Gel fell short because of one reason, the top and bottom edges of the silicone layer slips and can expose the top and bottom edges of your iPhone (essentially exposing the most sensitive area of the phone to serious damage if dropped). The polycarbonate shell was not snug enough to prevent the silicone from slipping and exposing the phone's surface. This is a major design flaw that I could not overlook regardless of how nice this case felt in my hands. If Ballistic can correct this issue, I would rank it as high as the Commuter series. I then tried the original Otter Box Commuter case design but it was defective and Amazon returned it for a full refund. However, I did get a good look at the case and it was of excellent quality but had a few draw backs that were minor but noticeable. The biggest problem I had with this case was that the polycarbonate shell was not curved at the top and bottom and left the corners of the phone a bit more exposed than I'd like. This was a minor issue and I was prepared to re-order the same case and call it a day. However, after I returned that version of the case I noticed that Otter Box had come out with a new design for the iPhone 4S Commuter series. The new design is now curved at the top and bottom (as opposed to the old straight version) covering the corners and effectively addressing the one concern I had regarding the original Commuter design. The curved edge design offers extra protection at the corners without adding any bulk. The new curved polycarbonate shell design fits very snugly and securely holds the silicone layer in place creating a bevel so your iPhone will never lay flat on its screen even when it's placed flat on a table. In addition to these improvements, the opening for the camera lens in much larger but still offers great protection. The one drawback that people seem to always mention is that the silicone layer attracts dust. This is true but it dissipates after about a month of use and should not deter you from making this your choice for iPhone 4 protection as the dust is only a temporary issue. I have used the new Otter Box Commuter case for the past few months and it's great. It allows me quick access to my iPhone from my pocket at all times and the polycarbonate shell combined with the silicone layer offers great protection in a sleek and easy to use design. I highly recommend the new Otter Box Commuter case for the iPhone 4S.

I looked through just about every iPhone case on the internet before I finally (and somewhat hesitantly) decided upon this case. The case is fantastic - still sleek, yet very protected. I've dropped my phone a few times with the case and you couldn't even tell. Pros: - Protects my phone well while not making it big or bulky. - The plastic allows the phone to slip in and out of my pockets easily, while the rubber is (quite perfectly) positioned to allow me to grip it while texting or talking on the phone. - No flashback from the camera flash - I had been worried about this since many cases reflect back the flash from the camera and cause a sort of "white-out" around your picture. - I love the fact you can see the Apple logo through the back. I bought a back screen protector just to make sure it won't get scratched, though (even though that would be hard to do). - The cover on the buttons is perfect - the lock button clicks easily and effortlessly, without forcing you to press down very hard. It also still gives you that "click" that makes you know you've pressed it. The volume buttons are the same way, which is great. - Comes with a front screen protector (and a pretty good one) with a microfiber cloth for cleaning. - ** BEST THING: my headphones fit perfectly. This was my biggest concern with buying this purchase, since so many reviews said their headphones wouldn't fit. My response to those people: what on earth type of headphones do you use? I have 2 different sets I switch between: Sony MDREX58V/SLV In-Ear Headphones and JBuds Hi-Fi Noise-Reducing Ear Buds (Black) . Trust me, when it comes to headphones, you'll be fine. ** Cons: - This doesn't bug me like it does some people, but the rubber that goes around the phone itself isn't "tight" - it fits just fine, especially when the plastic cover is on it, but it's more elastic than tough - it won't "snap back" if you pull on it. Personally, I don't mind it at all. - You'll have to take the case off if you wish to "dock" your iPhone to something like an iHome. But that's with every case - if you add size to the outside in any way, obviously it will make it harder to fit. One more thing: people complaining about this case being "impossible to put on" and "very difficult to get off" were probably forcing it too much. The rubber slips right on, and the plastic fits just fine. To put on the harder plastic, you have to slide the top in first, and then gradually work side to side. You shouldn't slam it in expecting it to go around the whole thing at once. I'd recommend buying this if you plan on pretty much keeping the case on all the time. While it's not hard taking the case off, it does take a minute or two and could potentially aggravate you if you do it daily. Hopefully this helped you out a bit - I looked through about 500 cases (seriously...) before I settled on this case. My brother had purchased a different case and likes mine a lot better, so he's going to purchase one as well.

We, after many many many many cases found the Otterbox Commuter Series case. It's a blend of the best stuff from every case that we've used for all of our different iOS devices over the past 4-5 years and so far it seems great. It's hard plastic on the outside and soft silicone on the inside. The plastic and silicone parts are separate but work together seamlessly. The case is two pieces that fit into each other. Once in the case, the silicone and the hard plastic parts make a thin lip that goes around the face for extra protection and has sort of a seal for dust, so watch out that the lip part on yours isn't bent when you put it on. I tried taking the case apart at first (it's two pieces, after all...), but found that the phone fits into the case better when it's the way that it comes out of the package. I thought that it would work like a sock + shoe but found that it's more like a sandal. It's hard where you'd want it to be hard (where you hold it on the sides and on the back/top/bottom). The case is soft at the corners and button areas for shock-protection if it falls and bounces on a corner. The silicone is a single-piece that also has covers built-in for the charger hole and the headphone hole. For me, those always get all dusty from my pocket. I like that the covers aren't attached to the hard plastic part but are just a part of the soft inside. The Apple logo on the back is left exposed so that you can still check your teeth before meeting a client! The case isn't too big/thick/heavy. With the case on, it's about as big as my old iPhone 3GS's case that had no shock protection. This one also comes with a screen protector to sticker-on. My cousin, who is a hiker and rugged outdoorsman has used his Otterbox Commuter Series for several months with his iPhone 4S and says that it's still top-notch!! I'm an office-ninja, so I expect mine to hold up just fine. My wife and I got ours on Amazon for fairly inexpensive and it comes in a variety of colors. I got black for my black iPhone 4S and she got the ocean blue one for her white iPhone 4S. If you're looking for a case that's more than a scratch-guard, this is a good one that won't make your phone look like it's going to war like some other ones. Good job, Otterbox!! I am very picky with what I purchase. I have a very specific set of needs that are both functionally necessary as well as style-based that have to be met before I commit to a thing that I have to carry with me daily. I'll update this review if I find that the case isn't as-awesome in a time period that seems unusual for the amount that I use my phone, but if I never update this review it that means that the case is still working great!! p.s. If you're looking for a good slim-line case that's just a scratch-guard, check out the Phillips Magnavox 2-pack of cases. There are several different types, but there is one that they make that has coverage for the five sides that aren't the face as well as having a nice little lip to keep the screen safe if you put it down on the table or somewhere. It's made of hard semi-translucent plastic. We found ours in-store at Target and weren't able to find it here on Amazon. Check it out if that's what you're into (we liked them, but they broke from dropping too many times), but be aware that Phillips makes several types of the hard plastic case 2-packs and one of them doesn't have the lip and only covers the sides and not top/bottom. Ours was a dark-gray and iMac-blue set and I think they had one set that had a clear one and a pink one. \m/

The OtterBox Commuter series case for the iPhone 4/4S is perfect for those who want good protection without the heft and bulk. Their cases offer a better degree of protection than cases that are bumpers or easily slipped on. This is a two piece case, a inner silicone skin that attaches to a hard plastic shell. The shell leaves cutouts for the camera/flash as well as the Apple logo, speaker grills, and silent switch. The power and volume buttons are covered with raised rubber pieces. The headphone jack and 20-pin connector port are covered with flap that can be opened or closed, protecting it from water or dirt when not in use. The top part of the case is raised so it protects the screen quite well when placed face down. The price is fair and the quality is pretty high for this product. It adds slightly more depth than most cases, as well as a noticeable weight gain, but it is definitely better than cases such as the OtterBox Defender series. Also comes with a screen protector (have not used yet) as well as a small microfiber cloth. Packaging is well done. I do have a couple of complaints though: 1. The entire back of the case is hard plastic. It will slide instead of grip on smooth surfaces. It's more difficult to prop it sideways since the edges are hard plastic as well. It will constantly slip depending on the angle you try to prop it. 2. The rubber flaps that cover the headphone jack and 20-pin connector is kind of annoying, especially since these ports are commonly used. They have to opened with a fingernail as they fit snugly when closed. It does a good job protecting them but gets in the way when you constantly plug or unplug headphones, or when you need to charge 1 or 2 times a day. Not a big deal, just an annoyance. 3. The sleep button and volume buttons require a good amount of pressure when pressing to respond since the rubber is thick. 4. The hard plastic trim at the bottom broke after less than a week of ownership. It is very thin at the point above the 20-pin connector and below the home screen button. If you remove the connector flap frequently, then there is a chance of snapping it. Fortunately, Amazon was super SUPER fast in issuing is a replacement case when I returned the broken one. Kudos to Amazon for that. 5. Fit is not 100% snug, could be tighter at the top. Overall, the case is pretty good and I am satisfied with it, even with the faults mentioned above. For the price and amount of protection it affords, it's definitely a good purchase if you want to protect your iPhone 4s.

I got the Commuter Otterbox case the day before my new iPhone 4s came. I've been debating for a few days on whether to get the Defender or the Commuter and after doing some research, I have decided to get the Commuter. The Defender is nice and seems super durable, but honestly I do not drop my phone that often and I am usually good with my phones, except for the occasional accidents I drop it every once in awhile. Also, the Defender is too bulky for my taste. One reason I got the iPhone was for its sleekness and the Defender would have ruined that feature for me. Since I do not want to compromise the sleekness of the phone, but also want great protection and knowing I take good care of my phones, the Commuter seemed like a good compromise. I will admit, putting on the case took a bit of effort first. You definitely have to "massage" the phone in the case a little since you are trying to make it line up with all the buttons/switches with the silicone case and the hard plastic cover. I am a perfectionist so when I saw that it was not lining up correctly, I kept fidgeting with it or took the phone out and tried it all over again. The trick is to slide the bottom part in first and then press on the top part to snap it into place (just like the video on otterbox.com) Before I was doing the opposite so I felt kind of dumb that I did not just look at the video first (haha). I can reach all of the buttons and switches fine and the flaps for the usb/charger connector and the headphones stay in place when I tuck them in. I can see some people with big fingers having trouble trying to switch the silence on/off, so keep that in mind if it is a big deal for you. I am not really sure why some reviewers said their case is not lining up correctly with their phone or the phone just does not fit with the case. I am looking at my phone with the case on and it is all secure and tight. I do not have the screen protector that came with it on, but I am sure I will need to soon so I do not regret it later. Like I said before, if you're clumsy, just get the Defender and you will not have to worry about your phone at all. If you are usually mindful with your phone, get the Commuter. I have not dropped my phone on concrete or anything like that yet (fingers crossed!) but if I do end up letting it happen, I will update! UPDATE! Ok, so I've had this case for a little over a month and my iPhone is still sitting pretty in it. I just dropped my phone today on tile when it slipped out of my hands because I was fiddling around with my handbag. Oh my god was I happy that nothing happened to my phone or case! I still say this case is a great buy, I mean 20 bucks to protect a $200 phone is pretty nice! I'm never letting this phone out of its case when I'm out. If it wasn't for this case, my phone will be shattered! Only negatives about this case is it takes a bit to get the phone to fit in the case, but you get used to it after a few times. Also, the lock/unlock button and volume buttons are somewhat hard to press down easily since the silicone covers them, but you get used to that as well. Happy hunting for the right case everyone!

Product: The case is very impressive. Its very solid, the hard plastic allows the phone to slip in & out of your pocket easily, while the patches of silicone that show through give you a great grip on the phone. My phone is protected almost everywhere and now I can stop worrying about dropping it and cracking the screen. The screen protector was very easy to put on, it came with easy to follow instructions, and took me about 5 minutes from opening the box to the phone being covered. The case doesn't have stand in the back (if that's important to you); it wasn't to me. I hate belt clips, I want a phone that I can keep in my pocket or throw on my desk and not fear it will be easily broken. The product does come is some pretty cool colors, but I went with the classic black. Seller: I placed the order on Tuesday, July 24th - the product arrived at my home Thursday, July 26th, and I was able to protect my phone that night! Pricing is unbelievable. I bought my phone last weekend and the Verizon store wanted $35 for this case with NO screen protector. I bought the exact same case "Otter Box" with a screen protector for $16.40 (that a 53% discount)!

I already own a Otterbox Commuter case for my Iphone 4s and I love it. I purchased the same case in a different color for my boyfriend, and I immediately realized it was a fake. First, the box was halfway open, and the case was backwards in the box. Second, the silicone case was very cheap and flimsy. It did not fit snug around the phone, and the sides were really loose. As a result, the hard case would not snap onto the silicon case, especially on the sides. If you order a case, make sure it is not a fake! Fake cases are "made in China" and you can read the Otterbox symbol through the inside of the outside case. You can also see the seam running along the edges of the silicone case. The hard case is also really pliable. A real Otterbox case is "made in the US" and the silicone case does not have a seam on the edges. You also cannot see the Otterbox symbol through the back of the hard case. I ordered my product from Amazon Prime, assuming I would receive a quality case. I do not know if I would have realized this case was a fake, but since I compared it to my case, I could immediately tell it was of subpar quality. If I wanted a fake case, I would pay way less than 20 dollars for one, however, I do not want to risk dropping my Iphone while it only has the protection of a fake case. Amazon has a great return policy, so I will return this product, and hope that next time I will receive the real product, and not just a cheap imitation. The actual Otterbox will receive four stars from me, but the fake version receives one star.

This review will compare both the Defender and Commuter cases for the iPhone 4s as well as my experience ordering online vs. purchasing in the store. I will start while saying that while I am a chick, I am totally about function over fashion. I'm a mom of a very busy toddler and I work as a professional photographer. That being said, I am constantly on the go with a million things in my hands and, as a result, I drop my phone... a lot. We bought our phones outright... so about $650- there is no way I am going to skimp on protection for something 'cute'. So I initially had decided to go with the Defender over the Commuter, as it seemed to offer the most amount of protection. As much as I disliked the look and bulk of this case in the store, and was a bit envious of my husband who was getting the sleeker, more stylish, Commuter, I held true to the function over fashion rule and purchased the Defender. Since I do not have a good track record when it comes to dropping my phone, I genuinely felt that the Defender was the smarter purchase as is does offer a significant amount more protection. The Defender has a built in screen protector and the entire phone is encased with impact resistant rubber. I felt that this case would handle more dropping and even buy me a little more time should my son spill a drink near my phone. The only problem is, is that all of this additional protection added a significant amount of bulk. Now, initially, I thought so what?.. it is still small. But no, the rubberized outside makes it not only bulky, but hard to slide in and out of things like side pockets on my bag, my jean's pocket, etc. It would slide part of the way in and then stick a bit. I felt this left the phone more vulnerable to dropping since I was often not able to put it away properly, quickly. The bulk also made it difficult for me to hold properly. Maybe if I were a big guy with big guy hands, the added bulk wouldn't matter. But, I'm not, I'm a girl with tiny girl hands and I often felt like I didn't have a good hold on the phone while trying to use it. As much as I didn't want the bulk to be an issue, it was. Then, there is that pesky cover for the charging port. This thing would NOT stay closed without a significant amount of effort. It was always flapping open, making it even more difficult to use seamlessly. Overall, I started to feel that the added protection was actually putting my phone more at risk for a fall since I was not able to put it way quickly, didn't feel comfortable holding it, and the charging port was almost always exposed. So, I order the Commuter online*. While the Commuter does not offer as much protection, it fits in my hand much better, the charging port opens and closes without problem and it slides in and out of my bag pockets, jean pockets, etc. much easier. I feel that I am much less likely to drop the phone with this case. As an added bonus, the earpiece is much louder with this case. I was unaware just how much the Defender muffled the volume of the phone. Now, in its defense, I was unaware... I had no idea how bad the sound quality was until I switched- so it was still decent. Now that I have the Commuter, the difference is outstanding. Overall, if you are a man or an unfortunate woman with man hands, the added bulk may not be a big deal with the Defender, especially if you use the belt clip and don't mind the charging port cover flapping around. However, if you are the average iPhone user, who needs a case that offers great protection and is still functional, the Commuter might be the way to go. I really feel that the added protection with the Defender actually made it less functional for me. *Now, about online vs. in store. Initially, we purchased one Defender and one Commuter in store. They both fit our phones like gloves and we had no problems with gaps. When I decided to switch to the Commuter for myself, I initially ordered on through Amazon.com. I paid a few bucks extra for the "retail" packaging, in hopes that would keep me from getting a knock-off. No dice. The case arrived in different packaging than what my husband's store bought Commuter came in and it didn't fit my phone. There were gaps in the seal and the one whole side was loose. I immediately drove to the store and bought one and it fits fantastic. Personally, I would suggest buying in store for these... and I am a loyal Amazon purchaser... as a working mom, online shopping is key for me, but this time, a trip to the store and a few extra bucks was totally worth it.

C'est mon deuxième étui de la même marque, le premier m'a laché après une année de bons et loyaux services. Je conseille vraiment le commuter Otterbox à ceux qui, comme moi, sont un peu nerveux à l'idée que leur téléphone se casse en tombant ou ont des enfants qui adore jouer sur l'iphone. L'étui est très solide et donne l'impression que vous pourrez l'utiliser pour planter un clou. La contrepartie est qu'il augmente significativement le poids et le volume du téléphone. Pas de panique, vous pourrez quand même le mettre dans une poche de jeans sans difficulté. Il vous faudra aussi un peu d'entrainement pour apprendre à enlever et remettre rapidement l'étui. Cependant, le commuter est un très bon produit que conseille sans réserve.

Buona custodia, molto resistente (l'iPhone mi è caduto già tre volte e la terza in maniera molto brutta ed è intatto) unico neo l'impatto estetico che un po' ne risente (l'iPhone diventa anche abbastanza più spesso) e il materiale in silicone che tende ad attirare pellucchi vari; ma dal punto di vista della sicurezza è il top.

Beautiful, slim, and protective. Love it.

Dieses Case für das iPhone 4/4s ist genau das, wonach ich gesucht habe. Es schützt das empfindliche Glas des Smartphones zuverlässig, und ist dabei wesentlich dünner als viele andere Cases. Auch das "in die Tasche gleiten" funktioniert, obwohl das Silikon dabei ein wenig stoppt. Über die Passform kann ich mich nicht beklagen, obwohl das Hardplastik made in China ist. Es passt perfekt ans iPhone, nur die Montage ist eine höllische Fummelarbeit, für die man etwas Geduld braucht. Da von diesem Produkt viele Fälschungen auf dem Markt unterwegs sind, empfehle ich bei Amazon direkt oder über einen seriösen Marketplace-Händler zu bestellen. Insgesamt ein sehr empfehlenswertes Case.

Otterのカバーは、しっかりしていて、 スリムなので助かります。