OTTERBOX DEFENDER SERIES Case & Holster for Apple iPhone 4/4S Retail Packaging - Black

So I have wanted one of these for a while now and went on and read a LOT of the reviews here on Amazon. To be honest some of the poor reviews had me a little worried! But I am leaving this review to ASSURE you that nearly ALL of the negative reviews were definitely coming from operator errors (if you get my drift) and people who didnt have ANY idea what they were buying...Clearly the Defender series is going to be a little beefy. Which I would HOPE is why your looking at this sort of case! For a big-bad iphone defending case! and that is JUST what you get! So the reviews on size I feel are unfair, based on the fact that you should have known its a sturdier case. (I find this NO problem for the protection it provides. Being a girl, I couldnt fit an iphone in my pants pocket to begin with, so its not an issue...And I would like to stress its not THAT big.Some people (a good number) have complained about a hole on the top being for the headphones being on the wrong side...This is NOT the case people! You must open the flap to use your headphones...The hole is for the MICROPHONE! So do not fret. There is NO issue there...just people simply misunderstanding the product.I read multiple reviews where people complained about being able to charge or undo the bottom flap, etc. Ok. It is silicone people. soft, flexible silicone...So NO you DONT need to completely take apart the cover to charge your phone. You simply lift that flap and plug in your phone. There is NO issue with it closing, because its not supposed to be closed OR completely open while charging...Again, silicone does not hinge... In fact, I am charging my right now with zero issue. All the flaps are really easy to open and close and I see no issue with them being flimsy, or too firm either.I saw one or two people say they thought it decreased the sensitivity of the screen. I have not had that problem. As long as you get the right model and it fits well there is no reason for it to have any effect, it is just a regular old screen guard just like any other you'd buy on the market and shouldnt (and wont) effect the use of your screen. The people who complained that it messed up the lightness of the screen may have had it set to auto, and I know mine sometimes in certain light decides to stick with a darker back light setting than I would prefer. So once again, I am sure this is something that one could adjust in the settings of your phone, and not be a problem with the case.So in conclusion, this is an AWESOME product. If you are looking for a really tough case, that looks great and you UNDERSTAND that a thin, one sided, snap on case will not be very tough...then this is for you! Please note that a LOT of the negative reviews come from people's misuse or misunderstanding of the product. NOT the product itself. I cant say how happy I am with this product and I am SO glad I went ahead regardless of those negative reviews.

I bought first OtterBox when I bought my iPhone 4s. Used it for 18 months and decided to replace it (more below). During the total of 2 year’s service, the iPhone took 3 drops over 6 feet, dozens from about waist/chest high, three drops into water deep enough to submerge the iPhone, and once into the potty i have just finished using. Pat drying for the submerging drops (after careful disassemble & rinsing THAT time,) and the iPhone worked perfectly every time, no blemishes, no scratches, just worked every time (I did leave it turned off a day THAT time to make sure it was dry.) No problem seeing, no sensitivity problems. Just worked.At the 11 month point I was carrying a heavy box which the OtterBox was providing a lot of support. (?? An iPhone case holding up a box?? Yep! The OtterBox has helped carry a lot of things.) Well, this time it was too much support- the OtterBox Belt Clip broke! (It had every right to!) And I had to replace the Belt Clip. What? Replaced the $5 Belt Clip?? Yes!!! I replaced only a PART of the OtterBox! Parts for an $30 product-Amazing! Amazing Amazon, again.While Apple gets some credit, OtterBox get some also! I have heard many stories of MUCH less damage killing iPhones.Then, at 18 months, I purchased my wife an iPhone and noticed how smooth and shiny it was. When I next used my iPhone, it was a little harder to read, very useable, but worn. I took the iPhone out of the OtterBox-it was still smooth and shiny! Like new! The iPhone, that is. The OtterBox was packed with dirt and lint in every nook and cranny and the screen was scratched with one REALLY DEEP cut that would have scratched the iPhone. Or broke it. I cleaned the OtterBox as best as I could and stuffed the cleaned iPhone back in the OtterBox My iPhone has spent less than 12 hours outside its OtterBox. Breathed a sigh of relief and ordered this replacement OtterBox. A well-deserved gift to my iPhone. (My only change would be to put a ¼-20 nut-insert into the OtterBox case or clip so it would be a tripod adapter for the iPhone. That would be sweet.)The iPhone 4s is once again very easy and bright to read and use-just like new. No one who has used my iPhone ever complained about the OtterBox in any way. Many have admired it and said they were going to buy one. Did I mention I am a mechanical engineer who carries my iPhone every waking hour, at work or play, in my home work shop, in industrial shops, in many difficult environments, and everywhere else I have been for 2 years. And my 2 year old iPhone 4s is still as smooth and shiny as the day I purchased it in the second week it was available. Thank you, OtterBox for a perfect job well done!! I am not sure I have had any product of any kind perform as flawlessly as my OtterBox.THAT is a very exceptional accomplishment! I would rate it a strong 6 stars on the scale of 1-5. Maybe even 7 out of 5. It is that exceptional. If you own an iPhone, put it in an OtterBox. It may not protect the iPhone from everything, but it has protected mine from everything, including the kitchen sink. And the bathroom sink, and that other bathroom thingy.