Summary:
I never post reviews online but for this product I felt obligated. I have an 8 month old puppy who loves to chew on things. I came home from work for lunch one day and left my phone on the coffee table. Of course my 8 month old puppy found the phone and chewed it endlessly. I got home and found my phone with teeth marks all over the case and deep grooves in the screen protector, but it worked and there was absolutely no damage to the phone. I read the review about removing the screen protector, and I guess that's fine in some cases, but in my case it definitely saved my phone. This product is definitely worth the money.

Pros:
Great Protection

Cons:
Falls out of pocket clip easily, decreased response on edges of the screen (just press harder).

Summary:
I've had the case for about a week now. It is a great case except for the screen protector. I used the powder trick to remove watermarks. However, the touch screen response on the left and right edges is significantly reduced. It was very annoying to text and miss letters that would normally work fine. Anyway, the best thing to do is simply remove the screen protector. It comes off easy enough, although the glue takes a little work to remove but it isn't too hard. As long as you have an old fashioned screen protector on the phone you are good to go. NO watermarks, NO touch screen issues! Now I have the best, most protective case that money can buy!

Pros:
Protection, Feel

Cons:
Screen protector - JUST REMOVE IT!

Summary:
this case is amazing. there have been like three people who keep complaining about the clip, it goes screen side in. and the echo you are getting, there is a piece that comes in the headset cover of the case you have to remove before the case is installed. try reading the directions.

Pros:
its the safest case on the market, wouldnt trade it for any other case.

Cons:
none

Summary:
I love the case. It feels like it can be trusted to protect my phone, BUT...the watermarking effect on the screen is really annoying! I've tried EVERYTHING to make it go away (even putting another glare-free screen protector on the actual iPhone screen). I would recommend this case to anyone who doesn't mind 'watermarks' affecting the clarity of their screen.

Pros:
Sturdy case. The outer, rubber part stays put.

Cons:
WATERMARKING

Summary:
The worst thing about the iPhone was the feeling of having to baby the delicate glass-covered $400 gizmo. Defender took acre of that but effectively eliminated the really handy telephone feature because people on the distant end heard their sidetone (their own voice) echo in their ear while they talked.

I was ready to get out the Dremel tool to start removing potential reflecting surfaces but first removed the little foam-surrounded mesh disks from the Defender's holes for the mic/speaker transducers and the mesh from the earpiece opening. Now the remote caller doesn't hear an echo when I'm on the handset and only a slight echo when I'm on iPhone's speakerphone. Same results on both of our units.

I hope Otterbox works out the speakerphone echo because this speakerphone is actually usable, unlike the Sanyo I just put into the former phone bin.

Other than the echo, I can access all screen and button controls, although the ring/vibrate switch is a bit of a challenge through the case. The screen softkeys appear just as sensitive through the combination of the Defender's plastic sheet plus a non-glare film of the type Apple Store sells for way too much money. No watermarking issues - thanks to posters everywhere who came up with that solution.

On the holster - I used a belt clip for about a week - 10 years ago. That was such a debacle that I became a phone-in-my-pocket guy. The Defender, btw, is thinner than the flip hnone I just retires so I'm happy on that count. The Defender's holster takes two hands to extract a phone from; way too much if a negative. Otter should hire someone from the law enforcement equipment industry to design a real holster that's small, holds its cargo securely and allows quick extraction; just like handgun holsters.

Pros:
Highly protective. Provides a solid gripping surface. Reduces the phone's propensity to slide off of whatever non-flat surface upon which it's placed. Slightly MilSpec appearance.

Cons:
Echo for distant callers

Summary:
I just received the otter box for my Iphone 3g today and my first thought was that it is very durable even though a little bulky I liked it. Then I attempted to put the phone in the clip , only to find out that it would keep falling off, I was not impressed however after goofing with it for awhile I actually placed the phone into the clip with the screen facing in and the back of the phone facing out and WOW it locked in and seems very secure so I am assuming this is the way the holster is supposed to be used . If anyone else that has had problems with the holster holding the phone securely try this hopefully it works for you too.

Pros:
seems awesome

Cons:
time will tell

Summary:
As far as protection is concerned, the Otterbox Case is superb. The watermark issue on the screen can easily be resolved by using a non-glare screen protector under the Otterbox screen protector. The bulkiness of the case itself is a non-issue for me and I love the substantial feel the case gives the iPhone while holding it in my hand. Quality is excellent. The two issues I have with it are #1: The volume of the external speakers is substantially reduced by the case making it very difficult to hear the phone ringing and with the isolation of the case in the holster, the vibration is also isolated from your body to the extent that I have missed several calls because of it. #2: Although the holster quality is fine, I too have had the phone fall out of the holster several times since owning the case for two weeks. Luckily I have been aware of it and have immediately retrieved it with no damage to the case or phone. Needless to say these two flaws are major to me and could have an effect on whether I decide to look for another case. If Otterbox would address these two issues, the case would be near perfect in my opinion.

Pros:
Build Quality, Durability. Protection, Functionality.

Cons:
External Speaker Volume, Holster.

Summary:
One huge flaw! This case is probably the best case I have ever had except you can not talk on your phone! I have two of my co-workers all got this case. All three of us had to stop using it because whenever you get a call, there is a horrible echo!

At first we thought maybe the case was open a bit but they were all secure. We tested it out for about 20 min one day calling different people and they all had trouble hearing because of it.

Pros:
Excellent protection and cool factor. Best security for your phone.

Cons:
Case is nice as long as you do not make very many phone calls or need the person on the other line to hear you clearly

Summary:
I love it but it can't be trusted. The case is awesome. I love the fact that my 3 year old can play her games on my phone and i don't have to worry about her dropping and breaking it. The main reason why i purchased the iphone was to get rid of my bulky (looks like a psp) T-mobile sidekick. With my new outer case it has just transformed itself from sleek to massive. I am in the Army, so I have to wear it on my belt with my shirt covering it so that it is not seen in uniform. I have to constantly place my hand on hip to feel if my phone is even there. The weight of holster and the phone feels about the same, so I can never tell if my phone is still attached to it. I've sat down (still in uniform) and realized that my phone is still in my chair. Like the other guy said, you can't hear it when it drops, so you will never know if it's still attached to you. When not at work, I wouldn't be caught dead with the holster in my regular clothes. It's entirely too bulky to be stylish. I've considered taking the case off several times, but the protection of my phone out weighs the fashionability of the case. So, I love it but....i wish I could trust the holster. Don't get me wrong, it may just be operator failure, I can never tell if i have it in upside down or backwards or what, so maybe if there is some secret out there as to properly slide the phone in the holster PLEASE share your knowledge so I can give the Outer Box the credit it deserves.

Pros:
Love the fact that it keeps my phone protected. I've dropped it in my driveway and didn't harm the case or the phone in any way.

Cons:
Hate the fact that it is soooo bulky and my phone keeps falling out of the holster

Summary:
I have a problem with the case falling out of the clip. I use mine for duty at the Sheriff dept and needed something ruged and secure. The phone case is great. The phone seems to pop out easier if something is bumped into it thanwhen you try to pull it out the way they recomend. Good thing the case is well made I have had the case 2 weeks and it has popped out several times and with the rubber case it sometimes is not heard when it lands. I once lost it in a yard and drove off several miles and had to go back to get it the belt clip sucks for me.

Pros:
The phone protection is great.ease of use is good.

Cons:
The case is good but the clip is week and that translates into when you lose the phone the person who finds it has got a working phone.

Summary:
I seeked desperately for a decent case/holster that would protect my iPhone, this one is just OK. There are quite a few fundamental problems. The quality of the clip that holds the holster to your belt clip is terrible - its very weak - nothing like the Seidio version I have for a Blackberry. Getting the phone out of the holster is also very difficult - I have yet to get used to it. I also had problems with the screen sticking and giving watermark effect on the main screen. I eventually removed the plastic screen that came with the OtterBox shell all together and added a ZAG Invishield and just use that under the case instead now. Today I was disappointed to find out that aftermarket power cable chargers (Griffin) won't fit through the hole in the bottom of the case to allow me to charge the phone in the car. The stock Apple charger will fit perfectly but aftermarket chargers need a little more room. My search for the perfect case/holster continues ...

Pros:
Durable

Cons:
Weak clip on belt holster. Screen watermarking Might not take aftermarket charger cables