OTTERBOX COMMUTER SERIES Case for Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini - Retail Packaging - Black

When I first purchased my Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, I got a cheap case for it, not so much for the protective features but for the graphics (it had a nice picture of my school's logo). However, that case broke apart after a few months because I often removed the case to open up the back of my phone so I can change the battery (the major thing I hate about this phone is the short battery life).This time around, I thought I would buy something a little more practical than flashy. Did my research, even posted a question about how easy this case was to take off and put back on, so I decided to make my purchase. Very happy with the case so far.The case comes in two pieces: a thick rubber skin that fits over the back of the phone, wrapping completely around the edges, and a hard plastic shell that slides over the rubber skin and grabs on across the top, sides, and bottom. The rubber skin has some harder pieces along the sides where the buttons are located. There are also two flaps on the rubber skin, one that protects the earphone port and the other which covers the USB/charging port.The case is easy to put on, just follow the instructions and insert the bottom of the phone first, sliding the skin around the edges and then over the top. Same with the plastic shell, it slides over the phone easily if you start at the bottom of the phone. Removing the case was also easy, just slip a fingernail or thumbnail under the top claw of the plastic shell to slide that part off first, and the rubber skin peels off very easily.The buttons molded into the rubber skin worked great, but the flaps covering the earphone port and USB port are a bit difficult to open. Have to use a fingernail to pry them open. Having the flaps, though, are a plus. I remember when I had to take my phone into a shop for a repair because I couldn't push the USB plug into the charging port anymore. The tech took a thin pick and pulled out a bunch of pocket lint which had become jammed into the port. So I'm thinking the flap will prevent such events in the future.Besides the flaps being a little difficult to open, the only other minor negatives for me are that the opening for the USB port is very tight. In fact, I could no longer use the charging cord that I keep in my car because the plastic part of the plug was a little too tall to fit into the port, but I have lots of other cables that do fit, so that's not a big deal. Also, there's a raised ridge on the rubber skin that extends up about a millimeter or two above the surface of the phone. I suppose that helps keep the screen from being damaged if the phone happens to land on its face, but the ridge gets in the way a little bit on the bottom buttons (home button, menu button, return button). Not to the point where the buttons are difficult to use, but the ridge is noticeably there. The case does add some width and depth to the phone, but not overly so, IMO.The case came in retail packaging with a plastic screen protector, but I didn't use the screen protector because I already had a tempered glass protector for my phone. All in all, a very nicely constructed case.

The entire point of getting an S-4 mini is to have a smaller phone. The otter box commuter case does add size to the phone but a reasonable amount. I have dropped my phone 3 or 4 times since purchasing this case (partly because the case itself is a grippy rubber insert surrounded by an slick slippery plastic exterior) but the phone has survived all drops without a scratch. (However one drop knocked it unconscious but it started back up just fine) Ideally the case would add no size to the phone and wouldn't be so slippery but realistically this is a great phone case. Fits perfectly for the camera, speaker, and plug holes, doesn't add to much size and most importantly protects the phone from drop damage. Also I did not have the issued others had about having my voice echoing or repeating itself to the person I was talking to. Would buy again.

At first I was apprehensive after reading reviews that alleged the phone became too bulky, or that there were problems pressing buttons once it was fitted into the OtterBox case.The fact that the price of the product was relatively low (standard market price with other cases), seemed credible in my mind, but I decided to order nevertheless, as there was no case similar to it in my part of the world.Now that I have the case, I am 110% satisfied. As mentioned the price is very reasonable. The proctection that the case offers is far superior to any previous case I had. In terms of bulkiness, I dont think the phone is any thicker than in a flipcase, so perfectly manageable. As for the buttons there are no problems at all. I would recommend this case to anyone who would want extra protection without foregoing a comfortable fit.

This is a great quality phone case. It provides excellent protection for the phone. There are two covers, a rubbery one and a hard plastic one. They are both easy to put on and take off. I dropped my phone and there was no damage. The phone is easier to grip and it feels really nice in your hand. It is also easier to tap the top right and left buttons which control the volume and turn the phone and screen on and off than it is when there is no phone on the cover. You can also just use the rubbery cover but adding the plastic one gives double protection. It also protects your phone from sweat and water if you are at the pool or beach.

It's a very durable case and value at a good prices year ago. I dont know what the price is today

One thing about me and mobile phones, are the small phones are like wet slippery fish in my hands. Countless of times my old "dumb" phone would escape my grip and end up bouncing on the floor, sidewalk, etc. fortunately old phones were built like a tank to protect it! It was a LG flip phone, “it took a licking but kept on ticking.” Now that it recently got upgraded to a new smart phone I feel these thinly shelled more computer than mobile phone wasn't likely to last with Mr. Butter fingers so I purchased a case made by Otter. It fits perfectly on my Samsung Mini-S, slips in and out of pant pockets easily and I'm happy to report the Otter has already protected my new phone three times, for me it was the real smart purchase recently done.

I dropped my galaxy s4 mini twice since buying this case. The first time i dropped it, the phone fell on the corner. It was about a 2ft drop and the entire screen broke (it wen't black and I had to get the entire lcd/digitizer replaced and my phone was out of commission for about a week while I was waiting for the part to come into the phone repair shop).The next significant time I dropped my phone was about a 5ft drop onto concrete. This time the phone fell on its face. Not a scratch!My conclusion is that it is a good case and will protect it, but ultimately it depends on how your phone makes contact with the ground. If it falls on the corner, you're doomed.

The case is great. I have dropped my cell a couple of times and it always lands on the back of the case so the screen does not seem to get damaged; fingers crossed. It fits nicely and does not add too much extra weight or size.

Excellent case. Purchased this for my husband because he's a fan of Otterbox products. This case protects your phone like no other.

Love the case! Fit my phone perfectly, solid protection, feels like it will definitely last a long time. Screen protector was okay for me, left very minimal air bubbles, but easy to put on.

Excellent product, fully protects my Samsung S4 Mini, easy to to fit, recommend it.

good quality but otter boxes never fail