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Otterbox Defender: front plastic film

I'm considering ordering an Otterbox defender, however I'm a bit worried about the plastic film that looks to be over the screen. How does it affect the feel of the screen? I've already got a very nice screen protector from ghost armor with a lifetime warranty, and don't know that I'd benefit from the additional later of plastic.
For those of you that actually have the defender, did you look to see how the plastic film is attached? Would removing it be as simple as holding a hairdryer or hear gun to the glue to melt and then peel it of, or would removal be more invasive?
I know that I'd basically be turning the defender into the commuter by removing the plastic, but I also want to use a belt clip, which the commuter doesn't have.
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA App

Have had my share of Os and all you gotta do is punch/poke through from one side for it [the screen protector] to come off the frame.

doesn't look too hard to remove.
Just a thin adheaive .
The defender is awesome. Makes the phone look like a mini tablet though lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App

im using it on top of my other screen protecter with no problems

yea just rip it off, most of the otterboxes at best buy pretty much have the screen's off because of how ****ty they're put on.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.
I received my Otterbox Defender earlier this week, and tried it with the plastic cover for a couple of days. It did something very strange though - it started to bond to the Ghost Armor screen protector. Around the edges where there was pressure from the frame of the case, the plastic began to stick to the screen protector underneath. It was really obvious; imagine a screen protector that had partially peeled up and then been laid flat again. Where the Otterbox screen cover had bonded to the ghost armor, it was clear and the screen below appeared crisp and sharp. Where the two were just sitting on top of each other, there was a slight rainbow-speckle pattern, which had been there from the moment I placed the Otterbox cover on the phone. I suspect that what I was seeing was two different types of diffraction, one being glass-> ghost armor-> Otterbox, and the other being glass-> ghost armor-> air-> Otterbox. I guess this is one of those situations where a picture is worth a thousand words, eh?
Anyway, it looked disgusting, so I popped the top off, and held a hair drier to the Otterbox plastic for about a minute. This softened the glue that held it to the frame, and made pulling it off easy.
I'm now very happy with the setup.
Sent from my SGH-I727R using XDA App

Can you post a pic please. Thinking of purchasing this as well.

blazablaz said:
Can you post a pic please. Thinking of purchasing this as well.
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Hi there, do you still need the pics for the Otterbox Defender? I've been using it for all the phones I had before.

Anyone think the White will smudge easily?

Because the phone has a matte polycarbonate build, I'm thinking the white will smudge. I'd be scared to put it in my pockets because the dye might bleed onto the phone or perhaps the dirt from my hand might cause it to smudge. But the phone is so sexy I don't want to have a case on it. What does everyone think?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Arcadia310 said:
Because the phone has a matte polycarbonate build, I'm thinking the white will smudge. I'd be scared to put it in my pockets because the dye might bleed onto the phone or perhaps the dirt from my hand might cause it to smudge. But the phone is so sexy I don't want to have a case on it. What does everyone think?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
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I've got one and it does smudge. It cleans pretty easy but the white matte finish has a tendency to collect some color from a pocket or a drop. Not a big deal, just wipe it off, but I'm probably going to get one of the HTC cases when the come out. Not really because of smudging, but more because the phone is pretty slick and can be hard to hold and use one handed.

Well if you keep wiping it off eventually the dirt will soak into the body leaving it looking yellowish/greyish.
I saw one in the store that had a smudge on it. I tried wiping it off but it just smeared into the body.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

alcohol wipes will make it bright white again

I have the gray and my wife has the white one (International) I just ordered the white one on AT&T pre-order. My gray shows finger prints a lot easier than my wife's white. Both smudge but white seems clean wipes easier than the gray.

alwayslearning said:
I have the gray and my wife has the white one (International) I just ordered the white one on AT&T pre-order. My gray shows finger prints a lot easier than my wife's white. Both smudge but white seems clean wipes easier than the gray.
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the gray is going to have a tendency to show oils more. i've already ordered one of the HTC cases to take care of that matte back so no worries.

From what I read yes. But I also read that it can be solved with an eraser!

Polycarbonate is pretty tough (and hard to form), I don't think it would stain.
Should clean easily, the texture is what would collect any color or smudges.

Skin
This is easily solved by using a skin. I ordered a skinomi full body skin for my One X. That way, you still retain the beauty of the phone (Color and Size) and don't have to worry about smudges, yellowing, or scratching.

I've noticed some scratches are already appearing on the back of my white One X, along the "hump" that the phone lays on (along the beats logo). It looks as if the matte surface is becoming polished to a glossy finish.
Not really noticeable yet unless a) you're looking for them and b) you hold it in the right light, but it's only been three days. I wonder how it will look after a week, month, year...
Fingerprints really aren't noticeable unless held in the light. I've been carrying it my jeans and haven't noticed any dye transfer.

~David said:
I've noticed some scratches are already appearing on the back of my white One X, along the "hump" that the phone lays on (along the beats logo). It looks as if the matte surface is becoming polished to a glossy finish.
Not really noticeable yet unless a) you're looking for them and b) you hold it in the right light, but it's only been three days. I wonder how it will look after a week, month, year...
Fingerprints really aren't noticeable unless held in the light. I've been carrying it my jeans and haven't noticed any dye transfer.
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That's why I already have a case for mine!
Rabble rabble rabble.

I plan on getting mine ghost armored as soon as I can. I have done this on all my phones. Another thing I found worked wonders was a little hand sanitizer and a soft cloth. It always worked for me for cleaning all my white devices.
Sent from my HTC One X

slegrand said:
I plan on getting mine ghost armored as soon as I can. I have done this on all my phones. Another thing I found worked wonders was a little hand sanitizer and a soft cloth. It always worked for me for cleaning all my white devices.
Sent from my HTC One X
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The only problem could be that if this phone has any anti stain coating the alcohol might eat it away? I could be totally wrong though.

Camera lens scratches?

So I planned on not putting my N5 in a case and possibly no screen protector either.... until I noticed when laying on the desk the camera is keeping it from lying flat. I am edging towards a case but just thought I would ask for the people that went naked. Shame since I absolutely love the feel of the N5.
Have you noticed any scratches on the lens?
This is not really directed at the person that babies their device like fine china.... more the person that will slide their phone across the table when trying to show a picture or something.

Haven't noticed anything on my n5 camera lens, but was wondering the same thing. I have my eye on a hybrid, clear backed, spigen case to show off the white back
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

@rans0m00 @CRIME INC. Same case fire me guys as much as I love the feel of the nexus 5 it always bugs me about scratching the lens that's why I bought this case from Spigen called "Slim Armor" or another case that's even slimmer is "Neo Hybrid" from Spigen
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 2

I ordered a nillken case last night. Will just see how it goes between now and then. Love Android phones but the camera sticking out just seems to be a weird trend with them.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rans0m00 said:
So I planned on not putting my N5 in a case and possibly no screen protector either.... until I noticed when laying on the desk the camera is keeping it from lying flat. I am edging towards a case but just thought I would ask for the people that went naked. Shame since I absolutely love the feel of the N5.
Have you noticed any scratches on the lens?
This is not really directed at the person that babies their device like fine china.... more the person that will slide their phone across the table when trying to show a picture or something.
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Click to collapse
I have had my N5 for 6 days now. It has been in an official "Nexus 5 Bumper Case" from the beginning, except for the few minutes while I installed a screen protector first. I've been pretty careful with the device, but I do have a small scratch on that giant camera lens cover already. Luckily, the scratch is near the perimeter and doesn't look like it can impact image capture. It is also a slight enough scratch that I cannot capture it in a photograph with my Motorola Atrix 4G, it has to be looked for to see it.
My screen protector is the SPIGEN Steinheil Ultra Crystal, which I am quite pleased with. It came with two screen protectors, so I am loosely considering cutting a circle out of the second one and fitting it to the camera lens cover.

dpotts said:
I have had my N5 for 6 days now. It has been in an official "Nexus 5 Bumper Case" from the beginning, except for the few minutes while I installed a screen protector first. I've been pretty careful with the device, but I do have a small scratch on that giant camera lens cover already. Luckily, the scratch is near the perimeter and doesn't look like it can impact image capture. It is also a slight enough scratch that I cannot capture it in a photograph with my Motorola Atrix 4G, it has to be looked for to see it.
My screen protector is the SPIGEN Steinheil Ultra Crystal, which I am quite pleased with. It came with two screen protectors, so I am loosely considering cutting a circle out of the second one and fitting it to the camera lens cover.
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Why didn't you just keep the stock one on it? That's what I did.
Also if any of you guys get a custom skin they cover the circle around the camera too. So it's a good option if you like to keep it without a case.
sent from my nexus 5 using xda developers app.
Please press the thanks button if I help you.

I can say with the nillken case I have it has faired pretty good so far. No camera lens scratches. Wish the camera didn't stick out... Case free would be nice.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I was naked for the first 3 days till my case came in i notice a small tiny scratch on the camera GLASS
folks the GLASS is easily replaceable the LENS is inside of the glass
Here is the replacement back cover
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181254590441?lpid=82
it comes with the new GLASS cover attached

markdapimp said:
I was naked for the first 3 days till my case came in i notice a small tiny scratch on the camera GLASS
folks the GLASS is easily replaceable the LENS is inside of the glass
Here is the replacement back cover
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181254590441?lpid=82
it comes with the new GLASS cover attached
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I stand corrected... I was worried about scratching the glass.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

rans0m00 said:
I stand corrected... I was worried about scratching the glass.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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If you're worried about scratching the glass you can get a caseology leather tpu case witch feels really good and almost naked like it protects the screen and the camera glass from touching your table or counter top surfaces. If you really like naked I suggest searching for some camera glass protectors yes they do exist or make a DYI one by cutting one into a circular shape
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

markdapimp said:
If you're worried about scratching the glass you can get a caseology leather tpu case witch feels really good and almost naked like it protects the screen and the camera glass from touching your table or counter top surfaces. If you really like naked I suggest searching for some camera glass protectors yes they do exist or make a DYI one by cutting one into a circular shape
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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I just went with a nillken case and have had no troubles.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I'm very split on whether I should use a case on my n5. I've got a Spigen NeoHybrid on it, which is nice because it prevents the camera from popping out. I just really like the way the phone feels without a case. It's awesome. I just really don't want to scratch the camera glass. I wonder if the black ring will help at all.
Also, this phone has Gorilla Glass 3, I've got q screen protector on it and it's getting small scratches on the protector here and there. Does one really need a screen protector for Gorilla Glass 3?

Sydius08 said:
I'm very split on whether I should use a case on my n5. I've got a Spigen NeoHybrid on it, which is nice because it prevents the camera from popping out. I just really like the way the phone feels without a case. It's awesome. I just really don't want to scratch the camera glass. I wonder if the black ring will help at all.
Also, this phone has Gorilla Glass 3, I've got q screen protector on it and it's getting small scratches on the protector here and there. Does one really need a screen protector for Gorilla Glass 3?
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This has been asked many, many times. Sand and dust can scratch GG3 so it can be worth protecting.

Sydius08 said:
I'm very split on whether I should use a case on my n5.. .
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I only use a case when I go out.

Filling screen scatch before applying Glass slim.t

Hello guys,
I was just wondering if there was a way to fill a few scratches on the phone's screen before applying the Spigen Glas.t slim protector just so they will no longer be visible after the glass has been applied to the screen. It's not terrible at all but it would just be nice to feel like I haven't dropped my new phone.
Thanks!

Dimitri Stephan said:
Hello guys,
I was just wondering if there was a way to fill a few scratches on the phone's screen before applying the Spigen Glas.t slim protector just so they will no longer be visible after the glass has been applied to the screen. It's not terrible at all but it would just be nice to feel like I haven't dropped my new phone.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you will to apply Spigen Glass.TR (tempered glass) on top of it I think it will be taken care automatically as Glass.TR has liquid glue on its back side that will fill up the screen scratches once you put on it.

nlatifolia said:
If you will to apply Spigen Glass.TR (tempered glass) on top of it I think it will be taken care automatically as Glass.TR has liquid glue on its back side that will fill up the screen scratches once you put on it.
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I bought the Glas.t. which is the much slimmer version. You still think the same holds true?

If not deep scratches then doesn't matter, they hold the same amount of liquid glue regardless the type of glass.tr. If the scratches too deep just make sure to do it as cleanly as possible otherwise dust/air will get trapped in between.
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk

nlatifolia said:
If not deep scratches then doesn't matter, they hold the same amount of liquid glue regardless the type of glass.tr. If the scratches too deep just make sure to do it as cleanly as possible otherwise dust/air will get trapped in between.
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
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The scratches can be felt slightly when you pass a fingernail on them so I guess that means they are deep! I really hope the gel will fill the scratches and make them invisible. That way I wont have to replace the screen.

Is the backplate prone to scratching off the grippy-gummy substance it's covered with

I don't really know how to call that coating and am not even sure if it's a coating or the whole backplate is made of the material that gives the grip. I just want to know if it's going to get scratched/scraped off by usage because this will pretty much determine if I'll get a case for the phone or not. I never had a case on my phone before and I don't really want one unless I'll need one. And I'll need one if it's required to keep my phone in perfect condition.

I assume it will, but covered it with a silicone case an ghost armor on the front.
The camera bulge made case necessary for my usage.
Of course YMMV some, but it seems the front glass likes to shatter easy on side hits, at least from what I've read.
So back plate scratches would be the least of my concern with that camera glass bulge.
Don't know if that helps, but it didn't cost you anything to read it ?
WR
Sent from my Nexus 5

I got mine at launch and never put a case on it. Mine is scratch free on the back and the glass. Just don't put it in your pocket if its full of diamonds.

The soft touch plastic can get scratched by keys or even coins. Same can be said for the white glossy sides.

bblzd said:
The soft touch plastic can get scratched by keys or even coins. Same can be said for the white glossy sides.
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The white and black versions are a bit different. As far as i have heard the black one is harder to scratch. And it has the same material all around. As opposed to the white one with gloss added.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

El Daddy said:
I got mine at launch and never put a case on it. Mine is scratch free on the back and the glass. Just don't put it in your pocket if its full of diamonds.
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Well, it's always sitting in my pocket alone, but I also dealt with some other stuff that was covered in this substance and by normal usage the substance scratched off so that's why it raised my concern. Plus I had HTC HD2 which also had it's backplate covered in something (not this substance though) and it also got scratched up pretty badly by daily use (I really care about my phones) and it was in my pocket alone.

I've had the phone for almost two months now and have yet to use a case and it's still scratch free. I would just make sure to keep whatever pocket you use for your phone empty at all times except for the device itself. The only issue I have is getting dust out of the edges of the screen where the plastic meets the glass...easily fixed with a duster air gun or just using a thin piece of paper and sliding it through the grooves to remove the dust.

whozilla said:
The white and black versions are a bit different. As far as i have heard the black one is harder to scratch. And it has the same material all around. As opposed to the white one with gloss added.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
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Not sure which scratches easier but both are susceptible to scratches by metal or even hard plastic unlike the Gorilla Glass screen. Case in point being the hard cases scratching both the soft touch and glossy coatings alike.