Otterbox DEFENDER SERIES for Samsung Galaxy S5 - Retail Packaging - Black

I will admit one thing right up front: I prefer the OtterBox to the Lifeproof case. I own both for my iPhones, and the OtterBox Armor, while bigger and bulkier, offers much superior protection.I was a bit concerned about the OtterBox Defender. It isn't a waterproof case (but fortunately, the Samsung Galaxy S5 it is protecting IS waterproof). What I really miss is the ruggedness of the of the Armor series. I am hard on phones, dropping them into water, carrying them in my pockets, and once, dropping my phone and running it over with my car. The Armor protected that iPhone nicely.That said, I like this case for what it is: more protection than the average phone case, at a price that won't break the bank.The Defender is smaller than the OtterBox armor, and that is a good thing, because the Galaxy S5 dwarfs my iPhone 4S and 5. That protection comes at a price, and that is protection. If you run over your phone protected by THIS case, you are going to need a new phone AND a new case.For ordinary drops and spills, however, this one should work just fine.Opening the case proved to be a minor challenge. I actually went to the OtterBox website and watched a video, because the instructions packed with the case are a joke. No words are used, which saved the need to print them in a number of languages. As a result, they are unintelligible in any language. One actually must use fingernails to separate the silicone case's side and rear from the case's front. If you separated an Armor series like this, you would be requesting a warranty replacement from OtterBox.On the downside, there is NO protection over the camera lens and sensor on the back of the phone, so if you stuff your phone into a pants pocket along with your keys, you might be asking for trouble. Likewise, the speakers (on the front and rear of the phone) are unprotected. I assume OtterBox didn't see the need, since the speakers must have an internal membrane to keep them waterproof.There is also a rigid plastic holster that comes with this phone. The holster has a belt clip on the back. OtterBox recommends carrying the phone face down in the holster for added screen protection, but it will work face up as well. Mine is sitting on my desk. I live in Florida, I'm retired, and I spend a lot of time on the beach or in boats. My standard attire is a pair of sweat shorts or swim trunks and a t-shirt. No belt, which makes the holster unusable. It's not aerodynamic enough to be used as a Frisbee, and the belt clip precludes its use as a drink coaster. I have no idea what use I will find for it. Perhaps the recycling bin will receive it as a gift.The biggest annoyance I have with this case is that I cannot lay my phone face down on my car's console and have it stay put. With the Armor series, and with a Lifeproof, a phone laid face down on a flat console surface acted like it was "Velcroed" in place. Do that with THIS case, and when you round a corner or hit your brakes, you will be searching the floor of the car for your phone. This case provides no grip at all in that situation.To summarize, it's pretty hard to beat the cost/value ratio this case offers. I wish OtterBox offered this case in the Armor series, which would provide some military-grace phone protection. I also wish there was some protection offered for the lens and sensor. If you previously owned an Armor series or a Lifeproof, opening this one is going to be a bit of confusing, although a quick visit to the website will clear up any mystery. I will say directly to OtterBox, however: if you decide to make an Armor series for this phone or the soon to be released Note 4, just send me one of each with an invoice. I would buy one in a heartbeat. The Preserver series doesn't offer the crush proof feature I want. In the meantime, I will be satisfied with the good protection this case offers, even with its small flaws.

Bullet Lists (In Case You Don't Want to Read the Full Review)Why I Bought This:- Plain design- It was on sale (I would not buy this at full price)- It comes with a screen protectorPros:- Seems to be durable- Fits well- Comes with a belt clip if you need oneCons:- Plastic screen protector- Screen protector gets greasy super easilyFull Review:The case fits as expected on my phone. It is specially crafted for every feature of the phone, and that's great. I'm sure it's durable. It feels durable, at least. I haven't dropped it yet so I can't tell you how well it protects against that. When I do drop it I'll come back and tell you how it did. I like that it's just a plain black case and not some garish, chunky case that I've seen a lot of people using. I don't really use the belt clip that much because I have no reason to, but it's good thing it comes with one just in case.The main issue I have with this case is the built-in screen protector. It's just a cheap plastic protector I could buy for $5. It also gets greasy quickly and I had the way greasy plastic feels. I'm constantly having to wipe it off because it looks terrible. I'm also have an issue with parts of the screen protector having air bubbles in them, but that's probably just a user error. Although I hate the screen protector, it's nice that the case comes with one.Overall I think the case is worth buying because it feels durable, it looks good, and it fits the phone like it should.

I have been a loyal Otterbox customer for years now and this case is great except for one problem. Humidity forms between the screen protector and screen of phone causing color prisms or puddles. The only way to make this go away is to take apart the case and wipe the inner part of screen protector and screen of phone. Then a few minutes after putting everything back together another one forms. I decided to take the factory screen protector off and buy some screen protectors that stick directly on the phones screen. This issue renders the factory screen protector basically useless. I still give it 3 stars because it is still a great protective case.Update: I've noticed over time that the outtet rubber part of the case has gotten soft 7 like the model for the Galaxy S3 that I owned previous to this one. The outter rubber cae of the Otterbox for the S3 was a harder rubber. This one feels flimsy. It still provides great protection, but I'm changing over to the Commuter style because it works great for my fiancé's Galaxy S5. She is clumsy and drops her phone a lot and has had no problems. I recommend the Defender series if you have a job that requires you working on a ladder, scissor/boom lift, or bucket truck. In the past I have dropped my phone from 25ft in the air,the phone landed on concrete and had no damage except for scratches to the outer case, but that was with the Galaxy S3 model case. I'm not saying that you will have the same results, I may have just been lucky on that one.

Well this is a first time that an otterbox product has busted so fast. Two weeks in and the front screen protector has a major crack through without it being dropped. I did think the plastic case felt a bit off when I got it as the blue version i bought at walmart over a year ago felt sturdier. This one felt a lot lighter and i noticed the plastic had a few scratches straight from opening the box but thought it wouldnt be a problem. Welp i was wrong as now i have a noticable crack on the bottom of the plastic screen protector without this being even dropped once. Now my last one went through hell as i worked but lasted marvelously. Maybe i just got a defective model?Update: Definately a defective model, but otterbox customer service is great and helped me out with getting a replacement. 5 stars.

I bought my first Otterbox Defender case at the same time that I bought my Samsung Galaxy S5 phone. The moment I took the phone out of the box, I placed it into the Otterbox and kept it in there for over a year and a half.I love the belt clip that is included with the case! I use my phone for GPS running (MapMyRun!), and the clip is strong and sturdy and minimizes bounce.One time, I was checking the GPS data mid-run, and the phone unexpectedly slipped from my hands, crashed to the asphalt, and skidded across the road before coming to a stop. I thought surely the phone was going to sustain some major damage, but to my surprise it looked (and more importantly functioned!) PERFECTLY. Like it hadn't been dropped at all!I've recently had to to replace the Otterbox, at about 1 1/2 years in. The silicone cover stretched out and started to rip, and the buttons were unusable because of this. Reduced to 4 stars, because at $70 I think it should last a full 2 years.At any rate, I would not carry an $800 phone without the investment in an Otterbox Defender!

Absolutely LOVE it. Sleek and classy, and my phone is still in perfect, brand new condition, after almost 2 years of heavy use. It's been thrown, run over by a stroller, and dropped countless times, and not a single scratch or dent. 10/10, will never use any other brand of case again.

Quality of packaging for delivery could be better. Was crushed in envelope, should ship in cardboard box like life proof case. Product was not damaged, just flimsy packaging. Good build quality, fits phone perfectly and is comfortable to hold. Ribbed rubber skin.

I was looking for a rugged case as I am a contractor and also drop my phone from time to time. The case increases the bulk of the phione but not overly so. It has not interfered with my ability to hear or others ability to hear me. I think it is a good quality product at an excellent price.Bill

This case fits perfectly (once you figure out how to do it, check youtube) on the s5 and looks stunning. Once you figure out how to get it on and off your phone feels like its protected by a fortress. The one unfortunate thing is that it makes your phone look a lot bigger but honestly it fits in every pocket I have ever out my previous smaller phones in. The hard screen cover is worth it and will mean you never have to attach another of those annoying plastic covers to your screen an worry about air bubbles.