OtterBoxDefender Case for BlackBerry 9330, 9300, 8530, and 8520 (Black)

The OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry Curve 8500/9300 is a well thought out, engineered and now improved product that more than meets the standard for being a viable phone protector as well as merely serving as a scratch cover.This product is absolutely perfect for me because 1) I have large hands and 2) work in a rough physical environment where my Blackberry is often tossed, dropped, hit on pallets/crates/bins/counters and gets thrown in a motorcycle tank bag both to commute everyday as well as long road trips each weekend. If you want some dainty colorful case that slips easily into a tiny pocket or purse, then this protector is NOT for you! If you're in a construction, factory, or outdoor environment or merely need to protect your BB from you own personal rough treatment, forgetfullness (e.g. leave in back pocket and fall on concrete butt first) then this cover may well fit the bill. Also, if you have a rough time gripping other phone cases for any or have a dirty environmenton the Defender may be perfect for you.It comes completely assembled. You pull off the rubber edges from the bottom, then the top and the pops off. Then pry the two plastic case parts apart, slip in your BB, slip the rubber case back on (top end first) and massage all the little tab holes into place. Took me about 90 seconds start to finish.It's about twice the thickness of a "normal" platic case, but MUCH tougher and tactile (easy to grip and hold even at 80 mph on the back of a motorcycle - not me, my passenger). If you use the holster it's can really stick out there and take a banging is you're constantly running past freight or printing equipment as I do. I now just tuck my phone in the front (sometimes back) pocket of my Levis while I'm working. The rubber can make it a little tougher to get out (than a purely plastic case) since it grabs the pocket, but I've never missed a call I could hear. I'd much rather have it grab my pocket than go slipping out all the time. And I never worry about dropping it like a slick bar of soap as I did my previous covers.I like the fact this newer version comes with a screen protector that has worked great for me. Speaking of which...The case does not impede the viewscreen, audio (ear & voice), camera or any button actions in any way. As for durability, I've dropped mine repeatedly from waist height, I toss it in my truck getting in and it bounces off the seat or dash onto the floor all the time with no trouble...not that I'm recommending you duplicate my personal behavior. However, I've also sent it flying twice while making chrome scraping turns on my bike when I forgot to zip my tank bag closed. Both times centrifugal force launched the phone where it hit the asphalt, skittered to the curb, slammed into the concrete and then flew back through the air to bounce onto the road. Rubber edges were a little scuffed but unoticeable (except to me) and the phone continous to work fine. Take that Timex!I chose the Defender case on Amazon that doesn't list the price, but rather says "View Cart to See Price." I got mine delivered from IBD Electronics for only $17.29 July 2011. No tax, No shipping! Came by First Class Parcel via US snail mail and arrived at noon the second day after I ordered it. IBD Elecs is in Brooklyn and I'm in the sticks of South Carolina...So that delivery time was pretty incredible!I DID worry at first when the package stated it was for the Blackberry Curve 8520/8530, but it fits my 9330 BB Curve perfectly.This Otterbox Defender cover gets 5 stars from me from A to Z. But I didn't get it for fashion or slim profile, either. So your mileage may vary.By the way...if you're in the military and it's of any interest to you, I have a buddy in Afghanistan that keeps his BB in his ruck sack and/or weapons vest while on patrol missions. He uses the same Defender for the same phone as I have and he says he's even rougher on it than I am and he loves them both as well.

I loved this case for the first couple weeks. Then out of nowhere, the clear screen cover developed what looked like an oil spot on the inside of it. It wasn't an oil spot though, and I couldn't clean it off. Very strange, so I just made the assumption that I did something to cause it. After the first two weeks my phone began powering down and resetting out of nowhere. I couldn't figure out what was causing it for the life of me, and out of frustration gave up on caring if the phone got scratched. Immediately after taking the OtterBox off, the shutting down seized. After testing this numerous times I found out that the case was causing it to run at a high temperature and overheat. Everybody I have spoken to that uses this case has never had this issue, so they wanted to see for themselves. Sure enough, it would constantly reset.Besides that odd overheating issue, the case was awesome. It kept the phone from getting scratched and gashed when dropped, and the keypad protector sheet is a beautiful thing. The case is pretty bulky though. OttorBox makes awesome products, and my assumption is that mine was defective or improperly designed somehow.

The OtterBox Defender Case is excellent protection. Although it makes the Blackberry a little bulky, it has saved my BB from damage countless times. I've dropped it onto concrete from 4 feet up, and never had any damage. The only negative is that I keep having to buy a whole new case when the belt clip spring breaks. That is the weak link in the chain - the belt clip spring always fails after 6 to 8 months. Wish they'd sell JUST the holster.

I bought this case for my Blackberry Curve. Since the first time I put my phone in it, my calls have has a constant terrible ECHO. There is no Echo on my end but the person whom I'm speaking with hears their voice echo and bounce back to them. I hear them fine with no echo.First I thought it was my phone so I contacted T Mobile and they did everything they could to resolve the problem including sending me a new SIM card. Finally I decided to remove the case to see if it made any difference. there is no problem with my phone when it is out of the case. I sent a message to OtterBox to see if they can exchange it for one that will not echo.I gave it 1 star because it is a good case to protect the cell phone, however, it is useless to me with the ECHO problem.

I work for a water and sewer company and come into contact with a lot of dirty, wet situations that can drastically shorten the lifespan of a phone so I needed a rugged but practical and affordable protection system for my new Blackberry Curve 8530. I am so glad I picked this one! I am really amazed at the thoughtful design of this cover. It has everything you could think of. There is a flexible keypad protector that wraps around the phone and seals with static cling on the back, then a snap on hard shell with a built in screen protector, a filter over the speaker and a clear protector over the camera lens and LED. Lastly is a rubber slip-over piece that fits like a glove, adds shock resistance and is ultra smooth so it goes in and out of my pocket easily and all openings are sealed but accessible. Also has convenience buttons molded into the rubber to match the ones on the phone like the volume control, music player controls, etc and they work perfectly. Includes a holster with belt clip and magnet (not sure why a magnet but I figure if I need it I'll be glad it's there). The trackball and outer buttons on the keypad are a little harder to use because of the rigid plastic case edges being close to them but I think it's just a matter of getting used to it and does not reduce my satisfaction with the product overall. All in all, one the best products I have come across in a very long time. Very well-thought out design, very user-friendly, and in my opinion worth every penny to protect my phone.