[Galaxy S III Accessories] Blue6IX:
I've never had an otterbox before a few days ago, but went with the defender model.

For previous Androids i've gone with the trident cases, and like them. The ones i've had are not comparable to the defender version of the otterbox, but i'll say now that any non-slide phone in the future for me will take into consideration defender case availability as part of the purchase decision.

It just feels safe now, the device.

Some things that could be better - the trident cases I've used have covers for speaker/mic with a filter behind to keep the dust out. This is decidedly lacking on the otterbox.

The holster is awesome, though. It's like the final stage of usefulness/protection. It makes a hard plastic shield over the screen and is an extra structural reinforcement of the protection level to the device.

Already i've turned it around in the holster, screen out, and clipped it to my visor in my car. Improv GPS mount.

In the same way you can just put something in the clip for back support and have a desk/tabletop mount for the device anywhere. Sitting in a hotel room watching a movie off the nightstand is much easier with this case.

My first impression of the clip on the holster was to cut it off and make a smooth outer shell for pocket carry. I may very well buy another case to try this out. The clip being on the case has literally proven it's case not to be cut off by how immediately useful it's been.

Another drawback, my only other complaint, the built-in screen protector.

Here again is another reason to buy a second case. Beyond trying it out without the belt clip, is trying it out without the screen protector.

I've seen a lot of threads where people mention cutting the on-board screen protector out of the defender with an xacto knife or something. Owning one, I now see why. I sit here debating the ramifications of the overall case structure if I do cut it out, because I would very much like to.

The silicon shell should still hold the case together, as well as the clips underneath that hold the case together, but I do worry about separation of the front of the case to the sides without the screen protector to hold them together. Especially given the holster clip will encourage that separation through use.

When the phone came in at the verizon store, I made sure that the first thing done to the device was to put a screen protector on it. Few days later I got the otterbox. It's whole life after unboxing, it's had a screen protector adhered to it's face. That part is important, as the otterbox screen protector just sits on the face, not adhered to it. This, to me, is an unacceptable level of compromise in protection of the device.

Without being adhered, the screen is subject to dust and oils getting between the screen protector and the screen itself. Once that happens, you are looking at the overlaid 'protector' acting like a piece of sandpaper with the dirt under it every time you touch it.

All in all, I can't see myself using anything but a defender to protect the SGSIII - a few slight modifications to the case and I will be completely satisfied.

I never played with a commuter model, but here are some thoughts on the defender.