Mobility Digest Review: Otterbox Defender Series Case for HTC One

Today I have what turned out to be a rather large review of a case for a phone. When you think of cases for phones, you think of simple things and usually reviews for them are small. Somehow this review got really big with forty plus pictures in it, I’m not sure what happened but I guess I just had a lot to show you about this case. I think everyone by now knows that if you want one of the best cases for you phone then you buy an Otterbox case and that’s what I have for review today, the Defender Series for the new HTC One Android phone. The Otterbox Defender Series is the top of the line case you can get if you want the most protection for your phone. This case offers multiple layers of protection from bumps, drops, scrapes, scratches and more and it even comes with a built-in screen protector and a belt clip so your phone will always be handy. So if you’re looking for the ultimate in protection for your new HTC One, then read on…

 

 

Author: Kristofer Brozio

Vendor:  Mobile Fun

Price:  $52.99

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

 

Specs/Features:

 

Otterbox Defender Series for HTC One – Black

Protect your HTC One with the toughest and most protective case on the market – the Otterbox Defender Series.

The Otterbox Defender Series for HTC One will offer your device peerless protection with a slim and sophisticated look.

Boasts 3 layers of comprehensive protection
The Otterbox Defender Series wraps your device in 3 layers of protection. The first layer is a strong polycarbonate shell which caresses your HTC One, which provides added protection against drops and bumps. The shell features cut outs which are designed to give you access to all of your devices ports and features.

Silicone skin to protect all of your device
The second layer is a silicone skin which wraps around the polycarbonate shell and absorbs any shocks which would be otherwise felt by your device. The silicone skin also features cut outs to give you access to all ports and features, but it is design with silicone covers so you can ensure that, when not in use, all ports and features remain protected at all times.

Screen protection built-in the protect your devices screen
The final layer of protection is a thermal-formed sheet which covers the screen and keys of your HTC One to give your device 360° protection at all times.

Includes a belt holster for easy access and transportation
Included with the Otterbox Defender case is a belt holder which features a swiveling belt-clip that will hold the device with the screen facing in or out, allowing for easy access or extra protection when carrying your HTC One on the move.

 

The Otterbox Defender Case was provided by Mobile Fun for review where you can find much more than cases and plenty of other HTC One Accessories.

 

 

What’s in the Box?

 

The Defender Series case comes in a plastic box with a large clear window on the front showing the back of the actual case. The back has some information for you to read about the case.

The case comes all snug in a clear plastic tray for shipping.

Under the case you’ll find the user or instruction manual.

The Defender is actually two parts, the case itself and the belt clip holder or holster.

Here’s the back and there’s a large belt clip there, which we’ll  see more of soon.

Here’s the case and the holster, both of which are basically plastic but very well made and sturdy.

The holster holds the phone case very well with clips all around it.

The clip rotates a full 360 degrees so you can position it wherever you need to for easy access or comfort.

The front of the case has a thin but sturdy film on it that acts as a screen protector, there are thin but long cut-outs on the top and bottom for the speakers, sensors and camera.

The back of the case is sort of plain, but it is lightly textured and you’ll find a large cut-out for the camera, flash and microphone.

 

 

Impressions / Review:

 

Here’s my HTC One with the Defender case, as you can see the case is pretty big compared to the phone, especially in thickness.

To get your phone installed in the Defender case takes a few steps. The first step is to remove the outer covering and then you’ll have two pieces.

The second step is to separate the two halves of the case so you end up with three pieces ready to go. The main case is secured with clips around the edges and just pops apart fairly easily. The bottom or back of the case has a soft rubber padding to protect the phone.

So then here again is my HTC One and it’s with all the first pieces ready to be installed.

All you have to do is to get your phone in the case is to put it in and snap it together. The front of the case does have a rim around the edges so you can set the phone down on its face and it won’t touch the surface you’re setting it on.

Here’s a closer look at the top and bottom where the cut-outs are. The top is open for the speaker, camera and sensors.

The bottom is open to allow access to the touch buttons and the speaker.

Here’s the back of the case, the opening around the camera is raised to protect it and there’s an opening for the rear microphone.

Here’s a closer look at that:

The ports and buttons are all open for access, but this is just until you put the second part of the case on.

So here is my HTC One in the Defender case finally, and it fits very well and from the top view doesn’t look any different really.

Then here’s the back again, but with the phone in it now, kind of looks the same either way really.

With the top case on the area around the camera now sits flush.

The volume rocker is now covered and it sits up higher for easier access.

The top area around the power button is open very wide, more than wide enough for easy access. If you didn’t know it, the HTC One power button is also an infrared transmitter that let’s you control your TV and other accessories. The transmitter works fine with the case on. The audio port is covered to help keep dust and dirt out.

On the bottom of the case is the microUSB port and microphone, the port is covered to help keep out dust and dirt.

Finally here’s the phone in the case in the holster for you with several views:

The holster holds the case in place very well, I’m fairly sure it won’t fall out easily so you can go about your business.

Here’s a couple back view shots, yeah you can’t see much but I figured I’d include them anyway just because.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

If you want the best possible protection fro your HTC One then it’s clear the Otterbox Defender Series case is it. Overkill might be a word I’d use in describing it, but sometimes, especially when it comes to phones that cost hundreds of dollars, that can be a good thing. There’ no doubt this case will protect your phone from pretty much everything your daily routine can throw at it or be thrown at.

One of the things I really like about this case is the fact that the audio and microUSB ports are covered, most every case I’ve seen just doesn’t do that.

There are two things that might be considered ‘cons’ for this case.

The first is the size, this case is probably three of four times as thick as the HTC One, so you really lose that nice slim profile.  So you have to sacrifice something for that great protection right? It’s not exactly bad, but I just felt it needed mentioning.

The second thing is that once your phone is in the case it’s very hard to get back out of it. The HTC One really has no reason to come out of the case once it’s in there though as there is no removable battery or microSD card slot. Still though if you want to take it out you’re in for a big fight. It took me quite a while to figure out how to get my phone out of the case, but I got it, and yeah it wasn’t easy. For most people I think they’ll put their phone in the case and leave it there so I don’t think it’s a big deal

 

 

Pros:
+Excellent protection for the HTC One
+Built-in screen protector
+Screen protector in case can be used with screen protector on phone
+Heavy duty and durable belt clip
+Covers seal out dust and dirt

 

Cons:
-Large case
-Can be very hard to get your phone out of the case