OtterBox DEFENDER SERIES Case for Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e - Retail Packaging - BLACK

I used to hate the built-in plastic screen protector on the old Otterbox Defender smartphone cases. The problem was since the screen protector wasnt attached to the phone display like a stand-alone screen protector dust and grit would always get between the screen protector and the screen. It always happened. You could take apart the case to clean the inside of the plastic screen protector and your phone display which was difficult because the Otterbox Defender case wasnt designed for removing your phone and putting it back in the case but even if you did go through the trouble, dust was just going to get back in again and again. I used to remove the plastic screen protector with a razor blade--which was the same thing everybody I knew who bought the Otterbox Defender Case did. The problem then was that you needed to find a glass screen protector compatible with the Otterbox Defender Case because removing the screen protector left a gap between the case and your phone display that was ugly and attracted dust and grit. I forgot about that terrible plastic screen protector because Otterbox stopped using it on the smartphone version of their Defender Case 4 or 5 years ago. But then the Otterbox Defender Case for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e arrived and it was there again--the built-in screen plastic protector back to torture me. I purchased a supposedly like-new condition case from Amazon Warehouse which I strongly recommend against. Since my case had already been handled by the previous customer who returned it, the Amazon employee who inspected it or possibly both--the plastic screen protector already had dust as soon as I took the case out of its packaging. I spent close to an hour cleaning the inside of the screen protector until it finally appeared to be ready for me to put my tablet in the case but as soon as I fired up my tablet I could see two speckles of dust (which look black when they get under the screen protector and are backlit by the display) and also a single tiny hair. I disassembled the Otterbox Defender Case which was very difficult because it isnt made to be opened after your device is inside. By the time I got my tablet out, there was more dust and some smudges created during my attempt to get my tablet back out. I then spent another 45 minutes cleaning the inside of the plastic screen protector and my tablet display and put my tablet back in the case. Finally, I was ready to use the case after wasting nearly two hours trying to deal with the dust magnet that is the inside of the screen protector. After turning on my tablet there was no visible dust or smudging. I love the feel of this case without the plastic shell. The TPU case provides a very nice, comfortable grip much more reminiscent of their Symmetry or Prefix Series smartphone cases than the Defender--but thats only if you use the case without the hard plastic. The outer shell adds considerable heft to the tablet and while the hard plastic doesnt feel nearly as nice to hold you still get a solid grip that makes it unlikely the tablet will slip from your hands. Without the hard outer shell, this case provides no drop protection so if youre buying this case for the protection you will need to keep the shell on--but the shell completely blocks the rear camera so you will also need to remove the shell any time you want to use the camera. Even with all the trouble and time it took to install the case I like the feel of handling my tablet so much I was prepared to give the Otterbox Defender Case a higher star rating. Unfortunately, it only took 24 hours for two new specks of dust to get between the screen protector and display. They can only be seen against a white background but every time I use any app or game where the area under the dust becomes white it looks like there are two black ink spots on my display which is already driving me crazy. Now Im faced with the choice of returning the case which cost $75 from Amazon Warehouse or cutting out the plastic screen protector which will make returning the case impossible and create an ugly gap that will require finding a glass screen protector compatible with the case. I havent decided what Im going to do yet but anyone considering one of these very expensive cases should be warned about what they can expect--and despite the many glowing reviews its received what Im dealing with happened to everyone who used the Otterbox Defender Case for their smartphones when it still came with the built-in screen protector. Its a shame Otterbox brought that screen protector back because without it this would be a fantastic case. Update: I ended up removing the built-in screen protector after a lengthy attempt to clean it again ended up being fruitless. A word of warning for anyone else who is thinking about removing the screen protector--you might be better off using a very sharp Exacto knife and trying to cut the screen protector off from the front instead of completely popping it out which is what I did. The screen protector pops out easily enough but leaves behind a significant amount of stubborn glue residue. After two hours using alcohol, Goo Be Gone, a razor blade edge, a microfiber cloth and a slightly more abrasive cloth I still wasnt able to remove 100% of the glue residue that popping the screen protector out left behind. Cutting the screen protector out is probably a better option and given a second chance its definitely what I would try instead. If the screen protector can be removed cleanly enough with an Exacto knife that would also eliminate any gap created by completely popping the screen protector out. I plan on contacting OtterBox to see if purchasing a replacement for the screen protector part of this case is possible. Update: After 9 months of use my case is falling apart which is not the quality I would expect from Otterbox. The bottom left corner of the outer rubber shell has weakened and is stretched beyond the hard shell too loose to sit securely. If I dont hold the case carefully the rubber shell starts to slip off the case. The rubber on the back that fits over the raised, rectangular Otterbox logo is also loose and has pulled away from the logo--I can feel that the rubber is separated from the logo under my fingers when I hold the case. This is a surprisingly poor quality product. I think it might still be under warranty but I doubt that Otterbox will honor their warranty since I purchased mine from Amazon Warehouse at a discount rather than from Amazon at the full retail price. I would definitely not recommend this case based on the combination of high price and poor durability.

I have Otterboxes for my cell phones, s I thought I would try one for my tablet. It is awesome! I have dropped it a couple times, and it is still perfect, the way I bought it. You can never go wrong with an Otterbox!

Otter Box continues to live up to its reputation of excellence in both fit & durability. I have bought the Otter Box brand since pre-2000 & have never been disappointed. Although price-point is a bit of a deterrent...you absolutely get what you pay for. Quality costs money. Cheap-o tablet cases are nothing more than aesthetic. If you really want to protect that investment...you Otter Box. :)

This Otterbox case is everything in one. Tablet protection, screen protection on several levels, and a stand in one. Otterbox never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for helping me protect my investment.

The b3st

This is a great case for the s5e!! I had a different case bought at the Verizon store near me when I purchased the tablet. I had hit the tablet on a door frame when entering a room which caused me to drop the tablet and the screen cracked, not the outer screen but the lcd on the inside. I sent it back to Samsung for repairs since a local company was going to charge over 400 for the repairs. Anyhow, I immediately bought the Otterbox case as soon as the repairs were done and I havent had any issues with it. I have dropped my tablet a couple of times since changing to the Otterbox and it hasnt affected the tablet at all. As a bonus, it has a stand to prop the tablet up for watching movies/videos or whatever.

As always l love Otterbox cases. Everything about it is great. Including the clear screen protector. If your not smart enough to pop it apart and wipe it down once in a while, you probably shouldnt breed. Ive never had any issues with any issues discussed in previous review. Cutting screen protector off is about the same as removing a window in your house so it doesnt get dirty. Doesnt make sense to me but maybe Im not special enough to comprehend such measures

Solid case!

I like the way that the Otter case fits and protects my Samsung Galaxy Tab S53. What I do not like is that the tablet is not firmly secured when the built in easel is used to keep tablet upright.

I am quite happy with this case. It takes a bit of time to get it installed with no dust under the screen protector, but very doable. The one issue is access to the USB-C port. If you are only using a cable it is fine. But if you use any other USB device like a you will need an extender or cable as the port is recessed into the case. You can find a few extenders here on Amazon. It is easy to hold the tablet in the case as it is rubberized and slip resistant. Also it is not easy to accidentally touch the edge of the screen with the hand that is holding, as the edge is a bit raised off the screen it, this is nice. The stand that is part of the case is decent, but really only works in landscape mode and only has one viewing angle.