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The Otterbox Defender Semi-Rugged Case for iPhone 3G is like the old Mercury space capsules that formed a hard, safe cocoon around the astronauts who orbited the earth in them. If it's protection for your phone you want, you'll get it. The three layers of security include a clear plastic film over the screen, hard plastic case that encases the phone, and a silicon sleeve that surrounds everything.

However, this protection comes at a performance price. And it also changes the entire character of the phone, from a slim, sleek, short-pocket-fitting device into a big, bulky brick with issues that impede voice recognition. I'll get to those in a moment. First, the pluses, and there are many.

The screen protector adequately covers the phone's screen without hampering the touch functions. (Although it did bubble up somewhat, like a misapplied screen filter.) Sliding, pinching and typing were unaffected, although some users with light touches may find they have to exert just the slightest bit more pressure.

The outer layers are artfully designed to form-fit the phone to retain full button functionality, although this is not apparent when you apply the hard shell to the phone. However, the silicon case includes studs and depressors that perfectly serve as button-pushers. Pressing buttons required no extra efort whatsoever.

However, the sheer bulk of the case prevents some access. Most notably, the plug on my Belkin car charger was too wide for the slot in the Otterbox case. I needed to take both the silicon covering and the hard shell off to allow this. You would think that the Otterbox designers might have done a little more testing to make sure such a frequently used accessory would fit!

I was willing to forgive this had I not stumbled upon a greater difficulty. I discovered that when I tried to use the Jott voice-recognition voicemail app, my words were not being understood. At first I chalked this up to a server problem. But when I took the Oterbox case off, the problem went away. Conclusion: the clear plastic screen muffles the microphone just enough to make VR apps useless. As I rely on Jott for voicemail and reminders, this was unacceptable, and the case went into my discard pile.

Just recently, I was in my local AT&T store for another matter and was recounting this predicament to the Otterbox with a service tech. He looked up with a flsah of insight and said another customer had complained that he was having mike problems as well while using the Otterbox, and would recommend taking it off. So this problem might have greater impact than just impeding a VR app that admittedly gets only about 70 percent of the words right.

That's too bad, because I was confident that the Otterbox is the best protection for the iPhone you can buy. I was confident that I could drop the phone from waist height and it would survive. The case is well designed to form-fit the phone, and the entire assembly fits snugly into and removes easily from the included plastic belt holder.

But I found that for what I use my iPhone for, it was not a solution. You may find otherwise.

First, I'd like to correct Amazon's product description which says "[t]he only feature not usable through the case is the silence switch." In fact the silence switch is accessible through the case. Amazon must not have updated the product description when they got the latest model.
I am delighted with this case. It makes the iPhone feel a little heftier in my pocket, but it's great knowing that if I drop the phone, it has such wonderful protection. It was easy to assemble the phone, and all the needed parts (volume switch, headphone jack, sleep/wake button, and home button) are accessible. The only thing that I wish was different is that the hole for the charger is not big enough for third party chargers, such as the cheap retractable chargers that are easily found on Amazon and elsewhere. If you decide to customize the charger hole, as I did, be careful that you don't scratch the Otterbox protective screen with your file. I do not view the occasional air bubbles between the iPhone screen and the Otterbox screen mentioned by others as much of a problem. However, if I ever do have the problem, I'll probably try the baby powder fix some reviewers suggested. The Otterbox case is stylish and constructed with quality. I especially like the cut-out on the back that reveals the Apple logo. (The cutout does have a clear cover over it.)
By the way, if you ever have to consult Otterbox Customer Service (for example if you scratch your screen with a file), they are top-notch.

If you have a 3g Iphone and you work in construction this is a great case. The Iphone is never slippery again and doesn't feel so fragile. It just takes a beating and you don't have to worry about your phone. Most protective cases leave the screen exposed but the Defender has the back of the phone facing out on your hip.
Also, this oil slick screen that everyone complains about is easily solved by putting a clear screen protector on the Iphone first and then put the iphone in the Defender. No oil slick. Problem solved.

This case is extremely well designed, with a plastic exoskeleton then covered in rubber. This protects the phone from drops very well, which is lucky since the holster for the 3GS is determined to occasionally launch the iPhone off your belt and onto the concrete. I called Otterbox about this (mid Nov 09) and they confessed this is a known bug for the new 3GS. They are redesigning the holster to hold the phone more firmly, and expect the new design to be out in early 2010. They're nice people who want to take care of their customers and even offered to send me a new holster for free when it becomes available. But, unless you are willing to risk your phone hitting the ejection seat about once or twice a week, I would wait for the redesign before buying.

One of my business partners had purchased one and said that it really had one huge design flaw that made him take his back: the holster is EXTREMELY FLIMSY and you will be dropping your phone all the time! He is 100% correct. Luckily the otterbox comes as advertised - a definite box of protective fortitude!! Problem is what happens if you drop it and loose it, this is not good. My simple solution: I only use it when I am going to have a travel vest on or a backpack or something I can put it in. The holster alone will not do the trick. Other than this, great for small children who may "accidentally" knock it over or drop it....