Otterbox Defender Pro Vs Otterbox Defender
A wait at the Otterbox Symmetry vs Defender series to determine whether rugged or slim phone protection is all-time.
A skilful smartphone case should exist both protective and stylish. Not only does it make your life easier by protecting your telephone from damages, just it comes with you everywhere and is probable to always be shut at manus.
If you're familiar with Otterbox cases, and so y'all know them to exist rugged phones cases built to protect your smartphone from dusty conditions, dirt, and loftier drops.
But not all Otterbox smartphone cases are the same. Otterbox makes protective cases in many different styles, each with varying degrees of protection.
I tried out three dissimilar Otterbox cases at once to determine which one was best for me, and I've compared the strengths and weaknesses of each instance. Now, it's fourth dimension to look at ii of those Otterbox cases on opposite ends of the spectrum from each other.
The Otterbox Defender is their nearly rugged case, offering the highest level of protection. In contrast, Otterbox Symmetry cases take comparably less protection but have a slimmer and more than fashionable design.
Then, which blazon of phone example is all-time – rugged protection or slim and sleek? Is the Otterbox Symmetry or Defender ameliorate?
In this article, I'll compare the Otterbox Symmetry vs Otterbox Defender Series and take y'all through which case was my pinnacle pick to protect my iPhone.
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Overview of the Otterbox Symmetry
The Otterbox Symmetry has a rigid polycarbonate bankroll and a soft, rubbery bumper that runs around the screen'southward perimeter.
Information technology has raised edges to protect your phone from drops and an eighth-inch recess around the camera lens so that nothing tin poke or scratch it.
While this case doesn't have born screen protection, the side buttons all accept covers.
The polycarbonate shell is available in various colors and designs, and the options are variable depending on your smartphone'south brand and model.
First Impressions: My Otterbox Symmetry Case
I've said it before, and I'll repeat it: I'm non a fan of a bulky phone case.
I first tested the Otterbox Symmetry after trying out some of Otterbox's thicker cases.
When I picked upwardly the slim, piece of cake-to-open packaging, I immediately knew that the Symmetry would exist more than my style.
Like all Otterbox's products, the Symmetry came in well-designed, recyclable packaging that was easy to slide open.
I have an iPhone 7, and so of the design choices available for my smartphone model, I chose a black-and-white marble impress. I like this design because information technology has personality without being too flashy.
I also chose one of the cases from the Otter + Pop Symmetry Series, which is just similar the classic Symmetry series case, but with a born popular socket.
I've never used a pop socket earlier, just I took to information technology immediately.
The Symmetry slipped apace over my phone and fit snugly. I initially noticed and appreciated that the buttons were even so super sensitive and responsive under the push button covers.
Every other instance I've used previously seems to coffin the buttons so that you have to squeeze quite hard to press them.
With the Otterbox Symmetry, the push covers feel less like covers and more than like buttons themselves.
Now that I'd suited up my phone in the Symmetry case, it was time to test information technology in the field.
Materials & Key Specs
Materials: Polycarbonate and synthetic rubber.
Special features: Slim, jumpsuit design, built-in popular socket, Qi wireless charging compatible, and car mount compatible.
Fits: Apple phones as old as the iPhone 7 and Samsung phones equally old as the Milky way S20.
Best for: The average young smartphone user with a decorated lifestyle.
Main Features
Compared to other Otterbox Cases, the Symmetry offers less extensive protection.
Still, compared to my previous $ten case that I bought from a stand exterior an Apple tree shop, the Symmetry is much more heavy-duty and protective.
The combination of rigid polycarbonate and flexible safety provides superior daze absorption compared to other cases.
Whatsoever vulnerable office of your phone has a protective raised border around it, which helps go on your smartphone safe in a slim and sleek parcel.
Overall, the Symmetry offers deceptively good drop protection in an aesthetically-pleasing package.
As I mentioned above, my model of the Symmetry Serial is also role of the Otter + Pop collaboration, so its most prominent feature is the built-in pop socket.
I'm a large fan of the pop socket, and it's one of the things I similar best about this case. It works as a kickstand and is something to lace my fingers through to assistance forestall drops.
I don't know if everyone has this problem, but my phone spontaneously slips out of my manus often, and the pop socket helps prevent that from happening.
While the Symmetry is the but instance with a popular socket that I tried out, the Otter + Pop collection isn't limited to the Symmetry series. There are models with built-in pop-sockets available in the Otterbox Defender Series besides.
Simply, even without the pop-socket, the Symmetry case provides nice grip thank you to the rubber bumper running effectually the edge of the case, framing the phonescreen.
Another one of the Symmetry cases' cool features is that information technology's uniform with a Qi wireless charger. However, I've never used a wireless charger, so I couldn't test out this characteristic.
The Otter + Pop Symmetry cases come in mostly pastel solid colors and an outer space print. I chose the white marble.
The available colors and patterns vary pretty widely depending on the make and model of the phone. New iPhones and Galaxy phones have an even more comprehensive range of aesthetic options.
What's Different About the Symmetry vs Defender?
Unlike the Otterbox Defender cases, the Symmetry doesn't have built-in telephone screen protection, and it also doesn't have port covers.
Both smartphone case series accept button covers, although I found them more functional and easy to printing on my Symmetry case.
While the Symmetry example combines rubber with polycarbonate, the two materials don't overlap, so it doesn't have the aforementioned two layers of protection that the Otterbox Defender has.
This besides may contribute to how functional the button covers are, as they're only protected by a single layer.
The Symmetry also doesn't accept the typical expect of a super-protective and bulky smartphone instance; instead, it has polish, clean lines.
Interested in another comparison? Read our guide to the Otterbox Symmetry vs Driver Series .
Who is the Symmetry case for?
The ideal candidate for a Symmetry case is someone like me: a decorated immature person living in an urban area.
If you're prone to dropping your phone and you lot're looking for something to protect your device while nonetheless wanting something comfortable and functional, so the Symmetry might be for y'all.
It'south ideal if you want to rise above the standard, sub-par protection of a typical smartphone case without feeling like you're carrying effectually a brick.
On the other hand, if you have an exceptionally rugged lifestyle and heavy-duty protection is your top concern, then the Symmetry instance might not be the ideal pick for you.
Overview of the Otterbox Defender
The Otterbox Defender Series is the quintessential Otterbox telephone case.
Defender cases take three layers of heavy-duty protection and include a built-in screen protector. They provide a completely enclosed box for your smartphone.
In that location are port covers and push covers over every 1 of your phone'southward orifices, and so no part of your telephone volition be open to the outside world. The Defender case also congenital for resilience, fifty-fifty after super high drops or heavy employ.
Outset Impressions: My Otterbox Defender Case
Admittedly, I didn't have the best first impression of my Otterbox Defender Serial case. While I enjoyed the sleek packaging, and I appreciated how easy information technology was to take it out of the box, things went downhill from in that location.
I chose a color called "Big Sur," which is dark blue-green. The rubber outer beat came in this color, while the inner shell was a bone-white. I found the color pretty, albeit a bit plain, and accurate to the photos I'd seen online.
I struggled for a few minutes before I was able to open the inner polycarbonate shell. Eventually, I realized that pushing on the tabs helps to pry them open.
The soft safe outer layer was a scrap easier to install. It fit smoothly into the inner shell's grooves, and the multiple layers felt perfectly integrated.
But even with simply these two pieces, my phone feel jarringly large in my manus. And in that location was still a rigid polycarbonate holster to add on.
The whole thing was far too large to fit in my pants pocket with the holster, so later about a solar day, I took it off.
The holster has a chugalug clip that doubles every bit a kickstand. And then, if I wore a chugalug and liked to wear my telephone on a belt clip, this could have been a helpful feature. However, for my needs, information technology wasn't.
I had another negative experience during my start day of using it. A minor amount of moisture fabricated its way into the instance, which rendered the telephone screen unusable. I opened the example and wiped it out, which solved the issue.
To exist fair, protection from moisture is the one thing that Otterbox cases make no claim about. They promise superior drop protection and defence against dust and dirt, but not water.
I'yard not sure how the wet got within; it was a drizzly day in San Francisco, and I spent some time outdoors that day on a long walk. But, I had hoped that such a heavy-duty case would be able to withstand a bit of drizzle.
After a rocky start, I got more used to the example. The moisture issue didn't happen over again, my hands began to acclimate to holding a bulkier case, and I was able to see some of the positive sides of it.
Despite the bulkiness, I knew I could residue assured that the Defender example was going above and beyond to protect my smartphone and proceed it prophylactic. I didn't accept to worry if I accidentally dropped it – fifty-fifty onto concrete.
I too found the flexible outer layer to have a pleasant and polish texture, which in some ways made upward for its heft.
Read my consummate review of the Otterbox Defender .
Materials & Primal Specs
- Materials: Polycarbonate inner and constructed rubber outer layer.
- Special features: Congenital-in screen protector, port covers, and three-layer protection.
- Fits: Otterbox makes Defenders for iPhones equally old as the iPhone 6, all the style up to the newest model. They make Defenders for Samsung phones as old as the Galaxy A51.
- Best for: Active people with a more rugged lifestyle who want the ultimate protection for their smartphones.
Main Features
The Otterbox Defender Series is all almost protection, and this is one of Otterbox's more than rugged telephone cases.
It offers multiple layers of protection and consummate defence force against dust, dirt, or other particles.
With the belt clip holster on, it offers three layers of protection, only even without it, there are a total two layers to protect your smartphone from damage.
The Defender comes with several congenital-in accessories. The design includes a screen protector, and the phone screen cover is plastic rather than the tempered drinking glass you'll discover in most third-party screen protectors.
This smartphone case likewise comes with a holster, which yous can use as either a belt clip or a kickstand.
There aren't many accessories you could add to the Otterbox Defender, equally it already comes with most of the things yous'll need.
I tried out the classic Defender instance, but there'south besides a born pop-socket model like my Symmetry case. And there's also a Defender Pro, which has anti-microbial properties.
What's Different About the Defender vs Symmetry?
The Symmetry doesn't take as many protective elements as the Defender and lacks a few of its primal features, including a phonescreen protector, port covers, and dual-layer protection.
The Otterbox Defender doesn't skimp on protective features for your devices, but it'southward a decidedly thick instance due to the multiple layers of protection.
While it'southward not unattractive, the primary focus is not on the aesthetics, and and then it has a box-similar design compared to the Otterbox Symmetry.
While this pattern helps add to the case's protectiveness, information technology also makes it a somewhat bulky case.
Interested in another comparison? Read our guide to the Otterbox Defender vs Driver Series .
Who is the Defender example for?
If your number one priority is preventing your phone from harm, then the Otterbox Defender is for you lot.
This Otterbox case is an ideal choice for someone who has a newer, more expensive phone and who lives a more rugged lifestyle that puts their phone in damage's way regularly.
For example, perhaps you lot hike or rock climb frequently, and you lot dear to post photos of your adventures on social media.
Chances are, y'all have a phone with a high-quality camera, and you often detect yourself on dusty trails and rocky cliffsides. If this sounds like you, then you'll probably love the Otterbox Defender.
Comparing the Otterbox Symmetry vs Defender
Each case has strengths and weaknesses, then to make up one's mind which one is best, allow'due south expect at the Otterbox Defender vs Otterbox Symmetry on a point-by-indicate footing.
Immovability & Protection
Immovability and protection are the Otterbox Defender's expanse of expertise, and so this case is the articulate winner in this category.
Every aspect of this smartphone case works overtime to protect the phone, with mode and user-friendliness coming second.
The Defender has three layers of heavy-duty protection, which combine hard polycarbonate with a soft rubbery outer layer.
Information technology likewise has a built-in screen protector and covers that protect the lightning port and the silent mode switch.
When it comes to protecting your phone, Otterbox left no stone unturned with the Defender.
Winner: Defender
Design & Mode
While the Defender took the durability and protection category without a fight, the Otterbox Symmetry case sweeps the Blueprint and Style section.
Not only does the Symmetry case'south jumpsuit design look slimmer and sleeker than the Defender, but it also has a much more comprehensive range of colors and prints.
This makes it piece of cake to choose an Otterbox Symmetry instance that fits seamlessly with your personal aesthetic.
Winner: Symmetry
Functionality
Things become less credible when you compare the functionality of these two phone cases.
The ultimate purpose of any smartphone case is to protect your phone from breaking. The Defender series wins out if we judge a smartphone case's functionality on how well information technology performs this duty.
On the other hand, I found the plastic screen protector slightly less responsive to impact than a third-party glass protector. The buttons also felt beefy and required a difficult squeeze to button properly.
And while the port protectors kept clay and dust out of my phone, it also meant I had to use ii easily to plug it into the charger, which was a scrap cumbersome.
The Otterbox Symmetry, by contrast, has super-responsive button covers and doesn't have a screen-protector or port covers to dampen my user experience.
In the end, these two telephone cases tie for the spot of all-time overall functionality because they perform well at reverse ends of the spectrum from each other.
Winner: Necktie between the Symmetry and the Defender
Number of Options, Variations & Accessories
The Otterbox Defender case comes with built-in accessories.
If you lot choose the Otterbox Defender, then you must use the built-in screen protector, even if you prefer the feeling of tempered drinking glass.
The Otterbox Symmetry series leaves your options more open up by not including as many accessories. Y'all can choose what type of screen protector – if whatsoever – you'd like to use.
On peak of that, Otterbox Symmetry cases come up in more unique colors and prints, while the Defender just has limited, solid-colour options.
And then, when you compare the Otterbox Defender vs the Otterbox Symmetry cases in terms of options, variations, and accessories, the Otterbox Symmetry series takes the title.
Winner: Symmetry
Toll
The price difference betwixt the Otterbox Defender and Symmetry cases isn't huge.
In fact, my Otterbox Symmetry Serial example with the pop-socket costs the same corporeality as the classic Otterbox Defender case that I tried out.
However, information technology's essential to consider that my Otter + Pop Symmetry Series instance has an added characteristic.
The classic Symmetry series case is roughly v dollars cheaper than the classic Otterbox Defender case.
The Otter + Pop Defender serial is 10 dollars more than the Otter + Popular Symmetry Series case that I have.
And so, even though the two particular cases I'm comparing take equal prices, overall, the Symmetry Serial is less expensive than the Otterbox Defender series.
Winner: Symmetry
Looking for more than durable phone case options? Read our guide to the best Otterbox alternatives .
Conclusion: Otterbox Symmetry Series vs Defender Serial – Which One is Amend?
The time has come to pick the winning Otterbox case. Will rugged protection or sleek design come out on meridian?
Looking at the Otterbox Defender vs Symmetry cases side-by-side, they certainly both have merits and disadvantages.
Ultimately, your particular tastes and needs will determine whether the Symmetry or Defender case is the best case for you.
For me, withal, the Otterbox Symmetry serial was–hands-downwards–my favorite out of all three Otterbox cases that I tried out.
Merely it'southward crucial to notation my particular priorities regarding telephone cases because that's what swayed my determination.
I deport my phone in 1 hand and utilize my pollex to scroll and type, which is now ingrained in my musculus memory.
The ease with which I use my device depends on this muscle retentiveness. For me, convenient access and ease of use are my prime concerns with a telephone case.
While I appreciated how thorough the Otterbox Defender Serial' three layers of protection were, they added several centimeters to the size of my telephone. That was enough to disrupt my tactile feel completely.
I take small-scale hands, so with the Otterbox Defender Serial, I could no longer hold my telephone in one hand to scroll. I also couldn't plug information technology into the charger with i hand and pushing the side buttons took an extra-hard squeeze.
I don't accept the most rugged lifestyle, and I rarely accept my telephone into overly-risky situations, then I don't feel the need to get above and beyond with protection.
Admittedly, I drib my phone near-constantly, so I need my case to have driblet protection.
However, the Symmetry series' raised border and sturdy structure notwithstanding does an first-class job of keeping my phone safe compared to other phone cases I've had in the past.
After several months of apply now, I've noticed that the hard polycarbonate beat out has scratches and scrapes on the corners.
While this means Symmetry cases are perchance not as durable as I wish they were, information technology likewise speaks to the number of times I've dropped my telephone since I started using the Symmetry.
Additionally, non but does the Symmetry series feel better and office better for me than the Otterbox Defender Series, only it also has a more than fashionable design.
I'm a visual person and I love to have accessories that fit my personal manner.
And lastly, while they're pretty comparable when it comes to price, the Symmetry cases are a footling flake cheaper, which further helps to requite them an border over the Defender cases.
With that said, the Otterbox Defender Series is an fantabulous pick for someone who values protection above all else or lives a more than rugged lifestyle and therefore needs more than protection for their smartphone.
For me, however, the Otterbox Defender is a bulkier case than the Otterbox Symmetry, and that doesn't outweigh the advanced dirt and driblet protection that it offers.
Whether you make up one's mind to put form or function first, either one of these 2 cases will make your life easier past protecting your smartphone from high drops to everyday bumps.
Well-nigh THE Writer
Elina Ansary
Elina Ansary is a author, visual artist, and avid traveler. She grew upward in San Francisco, CA, and spent her childhood camping ground up and down Northern California. These days, she visits artist residencies around the world and has lived in Amsterdam, Commonwealth of australia, and now Brooklyn, NY.
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