Otterbox Defender & White iPhone???

I know that Otterbox's website says the Defender and the Impact series cases are not compatible with the white iPhone due to issues with the proximity sensor. I ended up buying a Speck ToughShell and I'm not very happy with it. It's pretty rugged but the Silicone band that goes around the edge is loose fitting so the corners come loose when I put it in my pocket (Not a huge issue but I was expecting something a little better for $50).

Anyway I went to Verizon today and got the woman to let me put a Defender on my phone and make a call to see if the proximity sensor would work. It didn't but the opening for it is large enough that I think it should. I looked closer and noticed there is a clear screen protector over the opening for the earpiece, camera and proximity sensor. I was thinking that might be the issue, not the placement of the proximity sensor. I heard rumors that the white iPhone is thicker than the black because of issues with UV protection of certain parts so I'm wondering if maybe the proximity sensor on the white model isn't as sensitive because of this and might work if the screen protector wasn't there on the Defender. I was thinking about buying one and using a razorblade to cut out the screen protector just over the sensor.

Does anybody think this would work?

 

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I recently discovered my Otterbox Defender was cracked. After doing some research I also discovered my proximity sensor was not working correctly inside of the case. Worked fine when removed from the case. Otterbox is sending me a refund check because my case is cracked & determined to no longer be compatible with the White IPhone 4. I had my original box that said compatible with all versions of IPhone 4 & the receipt from Best Buy. I had to mail them my broken case back. Since it was broke anyway & while I was deciding what to do I removed the plastic over the sensor, ear piece & camera. It worked!!

I've decided to get a new Otterbox Defender off of EBay for about $25.

 

the GF has the white iphone, the defender case would mess with the proximity sensor...however she has had the commuter series now for 4 months with 0 issues. I also have the commuter but i have the black iphone.

 

I thought about getting the Commuter Series... I just really love the built in screen protector on the Defender. So I'll just lift the small plastic covering those 3 pieces and deal with it. I got my case on Amazon for $25 and should have it tomorrow.

I was looking at Best Buy and seeing cases for $30/$40 and then having to buy an additional screen protector which were $20 at least! I decided to just make do with the Defender & altering it.

I emailed the CSR at Otterbox and he said that they have no plans to make a Defender compatible with the White Iphone. He said the only reason the White is not compatible is because of the proximity sensor. He encouraged me to check You Tube for a fix for the Defender.

 

Thanks BuytheSky. I figured that would solve the issue. I also realized when I got home that I put a screen protector on my phone so there was no chance the proximity sensor would work through that and the one in the case.

My Speck toughshell just cracked on the piece that holds the shitty rubber gasket on. I talked to someone on their livechat and they said if its been more than 30 days all they can do is replace it if I mail it back. I don't see where shipping it back is worth all the hassle for another case I won't like. I might just have to cut my $50 loss on this one and try to find a cheap defender to modify

 

Got my Defender today. I used an exacto knife to cut out the clear plastic on the proximity sensor and it works great. I was just going to pull up that plastic, but decided if I could just cut it out it would be better. Works great.