Crazy Protection: Otterbox Defender For iPad 3 Review

Updated with hands on photos and review! Let’s just get straight to the point. If you need ultimate protection for your new iPad, you need the new Otterbox Defender. Otterbox has been making rock solid cases and accessories for over a decade and we’ve seen a steady progression of style and features from their flagship iPad product: the Defender. With the new iPad announcement came a new Otterbox announcement: the Defender has been updated and redesigned to work with both the iPad 2 and the new iPad 3! The new Defender case represents the latest evolution in iPad protection technology. Read on for a review of this hard-core case…

Crazy Protection…

The new iPad comes equipped with the new A5X chip, a quad-core powerhouse packing pixel pushing power. The Otterbox Defender comes equipped with quad core power too: the Defender packs 4 layers of advanced protection technology. An integrated screen protector (no installation and no bubbles!) protects the iPad’s screen from scratches, smudges and finger funk. A polycarbonate shell with internal memory foam cushions and cradles the iPad from sudden shocks and drops. A form fitted silicone skin further cushions the iPad and provides a great grippy surface to hold on to. Finally, a removable polycarbonate shell protects the front when not in use, and doubles as a portrait and landscape stand in one position, and a kick-back typing stand in another. The cover contains magnets compatible with the iPad’s sleep functionality.

It’s not enough that Otterbox merely designed an intense case, oh no, the other half of the equation is the execution, and Otterbox executes to perfection. The silicone skin fits precisely with rubber “nubs” that fit snug into slots in the polycarbonate shell. The shell clicks satisfyingly together letting you know it’s connected properly and the stand mates perfectly with the case. All the iPad’s ports and buttons are protected by the case, but remain accessible by small flaps and custom molded buttons.

Otterbox Defender Hands On Thoughts

The first thing you notice about the new Otterbox Defender case is the packaging. Otterbox has significantly upgraded their packaging and overall presentation of their products, and the new packaging is reminiscent of the packaging we got our new iPad 3 in. When you first see it and open it, you can’t help but go “Ooooh!”

The packaging isn’t the only thing that’s new about the latest version of the Defender. Almost every feature on it has been redesigned and tweaked to make a much more attractive, stylish, and more mature case overall. The plastic is now all textured and there’s more of it in the spots that matter, and less in those that don’t. The screen protector is now built in and prevents scratches, smudges, and fingerprints as well as potential spills. The port covers are redesigned and easier to access, gone is that huge fold out port for the syncing cable and instead is a much smaller and more reasonable port cover. The camera hole has been widened to allow for more light to reach the camera sensor, and even the protective shield/stand has been enlarged and tweaked with smart magnets

Most importantly though, installing this case is about 100x easier. Installing the last version of the Defender case took a good 20 minutes and no small amount of swearing and sweating. The newest version of the Defender though is a joy to install and takes less than 5 minutes to get the plastic covers in place and get the silicone wrapped around the edges. With this newest evolution of the Defender case for the iPad 3, you still get all the protection of a WW2 tank but in a much classier and more mature package. We wholeheartedly recommend this case for anybody needing extreme protection in extreme circumstances!

At a Crazy Good Price!

All in all Otterbox hits another grand slam in iPad protection. The new Defender retails for $89.95 at Otterbox.com, also be sure to check out the sweet Otterbox Latch while you’re at it!