S10+: OtterBox Defender ot S10+: OtterBox Defender or Pursuit?

[11B1P]

I've preordered the RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper in white because I thought my Pursuit wouldn't work with Powershare. Still love my Pursuit, but looking forward to trying the bumper.

https://rhinoshield.io/pages/shop/S...uard&prod=samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-bumper-case

I didn't realize RhinoShield was not in the US. Would have thought twice about pre-ordering it.

 

[LilSweetLin]

I really am torn about these two cases. I've seen quite a few people mention that the plastic shell of the Defender/Pro can scratch your phone, but it has better grip because of the rubber slip cover. Meanwhile, the Pursuit is mostly hard PC which makes the feel more slippery, but the phone's screen sits below the frame on the sides, which leaves it less vulnerable to breaking. Plus, the Pursuit doesn't have impact absorbing material on the inside back, yet OtterBox claims it offers the best protection. How does that logic work?

Anyone have experience with the Gear4 Platoon case? That's supposed to be comparable to OtterBox protection. The Platoon case for the S10+ is supposedly tested to withstand a 20ft drop (call me skeptical on that claim), but I hear that Gear4 cases are all about marketing fluff and are not in the same class as Tech21 with regard to cases that use D30 impact material.

The Pelican Shield scares me, for the simple fact that the back is slippery and that the phone can easily come apart from the case in the event of a really bad drop because of the latches that you have to snap closed to secure the phone. Yeesh, getting a case shouldn't be this difficult.

 

[jcp007]

I really am torn about these two cases. I've seen quite a few people mention that the plastic shell of the Defender/Pro can scratch your phone, but it has better grip because of the rubber slip cover. Meanwhile, the Pursuit is mostly hard PC which makes the feel more slippery, but the phone's screen sits below the frame on the sides, which leaves it less vulnerable to breaking. Plus, the Pursuit doesn't have impact absorbing material on the inside back, yet OtterBox claims it offers the best protection. How does that logic work?

Anyone have experience with the Gear4 Platoon case? That's supposed to be comparable to OtterBox protection. The Platoon case for the S10+ is supposedly tested to withstand a 20ft drop (call me skeptical on that claim), but I hear that Gear4 cases are all about marketing fluff and are not in the same class as Tech21 with regard to cases that use D30 impact material.

The Pelican Shield scares me, for the simple fact that the back is slippery and that the phone can easily come apart from the case in the event of a really bad drop because of the latches that you have to snap closed to secure the phone. Yeesh, getting a case shouldn't be this difficult.

Not that I want to tempt fate by intentionally dropping my GS10+but given how hard it is to open the latches, it seems that there is less risk as impacts are primarily on the corners, either directly or indirectly. Even if one latch opened, there are still two more. Supposedly, the manufacturer has tested it for 26 drops of 12+ feet. It's back is a bit slick but it's also a matter of situational awareness and choice to put your phone in a scenario that risks its damage which I know can't always be avoided. The raised edges do mitigate this issue and provide some traction and grippiness.

 

[jtcannonball]

I was not a big fan of the Pelican two piece case models after playing with them yesterday. The model with Carbon Fiber accent was cheap feeling too me for that kind of price. I miss the one piece model that was prevalent the last few years but didn't see any available. I really liked the Defender Pro to the point I picked one up. Never been a Defender kinda guy but with this phone I really like the way it helps with manipulating the phone without accidental touches. I'm pretty sure the Pelicans or OtterBox cases will be more than capable keeping this device safe over normal situations.

 

[LilSweetLin]

I was not a big fan of the Pelican two piece case models after playing with them yesterday. The model with Carbon Fiber accent was cheap feeling too me for that kind of price. I miss the one piece model that was prevalent the last few years but didn't see any available. I really liked the Defender Pro to the point I picked one up. Never been a Defender kinda guy but with this phone I really like the way it helps with manipulating the phone without accidental touches. I'm pretty sure the Pelicans or OtterBox cases will be more than capable keeping this device safe over normal situations.

I'm leaning towards the OtterBox Defender Pro, too. Since I plan on keeping the phone for a while, it seems it's the best option for me.

 

[anon(10509503)]

I'm leaning towards the OtterBox Defender Pro, too. Since I plan on keeping the phone for a while, it seems it's the best option for me.

I had the Defender and Pursuit on the S9+ and I loved the Pursuit much more. Far easier to remove than the Defender and everything is thick rubber on the inside and not plastic so if you drop it theres no chance it will crack (unless it drops face down on a rock). Theres may reviews of people saying they think that because the Defender has a internal plastic shell it actually caused the phone to break. I just ordered a Pursuit for my S10+ and I love how theres a black/clear model it will make my White S10+ really pop.

 

[jcp007]

I'm leaning towards the OtterBox Defender Pro, too. Since I plan on keeping the phone for a while, it seems it's the best option for me.

I own both the Pelican Shield and the Defender Pro. No issues with the Pelican Shield.

 

[frederickdawg]

So like everyone, I'm looking at case options for the S10+. Personally, since the phone itself is so light, I welcome the bulk because I tend to be accident prone. Whether I'm tripping on things; I lose grip on my phone; it gets knocked out of my hand sometimes; it falls on the floor when I'm using it or its laying on me or on my bed, yeah, I drop my phones, lol.

Anyway, I've looked at both of these cases, and I have questions about both, for those that have experience with them.

The Defender is a multi layer case, where you have to first place it in the plastic shell and then work (literally) the silicone cover around the frame once you place the shell in the case; whereas the Pursuit is just a two piece case with the frame and cover. Both cases have port covers, while the Pursuit also comes with a lanyard, and a sound channel that redirects the S10s bottom speaker forward.

Someone on YouTube who reviewed the Pursuit for the S9+ made an interesting point about the Defender, saying that because the you have to place your phone in the plastic shell then fit the silicone on, the plastic doesn't disperse shock as well as the Pursuit, because the latter is all rubber. This makes sense on one hand, but wouldn't the plastic shell be a buffer for the silicone cover, giving the phone an extra cushion in case of a drop?

One of the things that concerns me about OtterBox cases is the silicone rubber cover stretching and warping overtime. From my experience with the Speck grip case, the rubber lip all around the front did indeed warp and peel off. Because OtterBox cases are such a pain to put on and take off, you can't really remove them that often, unless you absolutely need to. I can see it being totally annoying, especially since they're so damn expensive. The problem is that I haven't seen any other options out there that offer the amount of all around lip protection I need for my clumsy self, lol. Can anyone here share their own experiences or make suggestions for similar-type cases? Thanks in advance!

The person in that YouTube video you refer to is correct. I avoid hard inner cases or shells for that very reason. Do you have a link to that video?
Also, there is a few folks on the Note 9 forums, claiming the defender didn't protect their device after a drop. Basically after removing the device from the case , the device had sustained damage in the corner.

 

[felloffthetruck]

I really am torn about these two cases. I've seen quite a few people mention that the plastic shell of the Defender/Pro can scratch your phone, but it has better grip because of the rubber slip cover. Meanwhile, the Pursuit is mostly hard PC which makes the feel more slippery, but the phone's screen sits below the frame on the sides, which leaves it less vulnerable to breaking. Plus, the Pursuit doesn't have impact absorbing material on the inside back, yet OtterBox claims it offers the best protection. How does that logic work?

Anyone have experience with the Gear4 Platoon case? That's supposed to be comparable to OtterBox protection. The Platoon case for the S10+ is supposedly tested to withstand a 20ft drop (call me skeptical on that claim), but I hear that Gear4 cases are all about marketing fluff and are not in the same class as Tech21 with regard to cases that use D30 impact material.

The Pelican Shield scares me, for the simple fact that the back is slippery and that the phone can easily come apart from the case in the event of a really bad drop because of the latches that you have to snap closed to secure the phone. Yeesh, getting a case shouldn't be this difficult. ????????????

IMHO the Gear4 Platoon is a better case than the Otterbox Defender or the Pelican Shield. The thick/soft D3O padding on the inside makes me feel that my phone is 100% safe in this case. The only padding on the inside back of the shield is a rubber gasket that runs along the outside edges of the phones back. I just put up some pictures of the Platoon case in the case thread here.

 

[LilSweetLin]

IMHO the Gear4 Platoon is a better case than the Otterbox Defender or the Pelican Shield. The thick/soft D3O padding on the inside makes me feel that my phone is 100% safe in this case. The only padding on the inside back of the shield is a rubber gasket that runs along the outside edges of the phones back. I just put up some pictures of the Platoon case in the case thread here.

View attachment 302820

Could you please post pics of the front and side view? I'd like to see whether the screen sits above, below or even with the case. Also, how is the in hand feel at the back, is it rubbery?

 

[tabs31]

How are the Gear 4 Platoon and Defender cases in regards to the factory screen protectors? Do they interfere/lift their edges?

Thanks!

 

[felloffthetruck]

Could you please post pics of the front and side view? I'd like to see whether the screen sits above, below or even with the case. Also, how is the in hand feel at the back, is it rubbery?

Feels great in the hand. Not rubbery feeling at all. The back plate feels like a G10 material to me and the rubber bumper is more of a semi soft/hard material.

 

[felloffthetruck]

How are the Gear 4 Platoon and Defender cases in regards to the factory screen protectors? Do they interfere/lift their edges?

Thanks!

Don't have the Defender for the S10 plus but neither the Gear4 Platoon or Pelican Shield bother the factory screen protector. They both work perfect with the stock protector.

 

[jcp007]

How are the Gear 4 Platoon and Defender cases in regards to the factory screen protectors? Do they interfere/lift their edges?

Thanks!

The Defender appeared to cause a tiny bit of bubbling on the OEM screen protector. The reason why it appeared to be caused by the case is that I didn't notice the bubbling until afterwards. It could have been present beforehand. The Pelican Shield doesn't appear to have the same potential issue.

 

[zealot007]

i own both defender pro and pursuit..but i recommended not buying pursuit as back is real slippery, scratchable and i think its very pricy as of what you get. its lightweight and slim though. i would go for commuter series if you want something slim and protective. However, i think defender pro is the best case from otterbox.

 

[LilSweetLin]

i own both defender pro and pursuit..but i recommended not buying pursuit as back is real slippery, scratchable and i think its very pricy as of what you get. its lightweight and slim though. i would go for commuter series if you want something slim and protective. However, i think defender pro is the best case from otterbox.

I agree, I ended up getting the Defender Pro.

 

[frederickdawg]

I agree, I ended up getting the Defender Pro.

Dont want to bring a dampener on the matter but the hard inner shell of the defender causes issues. A simple Google search of otterbox defender phone break or scratch will show you why.

I stopped using defender when I had my last iPhone 4s. The areas where the inner hard case rested on the iPhone metal frame caused marks.

 

[felloffthetruck]

Dont want to bring a dampener on the matter but the hard inner shell of the defender causes issues. A simple Google search of otterbox defender phone break or scratch will show you why.

I stopped using defender when I had my last iPhone 4s. The areas where the inner hard case rested on the iPhone metal frame caused marks.

Same here, stopped using the Defender case after it scratched the edges of my iPhone X.

 

[frederickdawg]

Same here, stopped using the Defender case after it scratched the edges of my iPhone X.

Indeed. I'd not want the frame of my device resting against a hard material.