I put my 8350i inside a brand new Otterbox (new design) that I received three days ago. I absolutely loved this case until several people told me they could hear an echo and I sounded like I my voice was muffled. So today I took the case off and began to inspect it carefully to determine if there was anything I could do to fix the echo and microphone issues. As I looked at the screen of my BB I noticed some scratches up near the status light. After looking closer the scratches looked like the number 2 I was very upset since I just got this new BB last week and couldn't wait for the Otterbox to arrive so I could protect it. I carefully inspected the inside of the case that sits on the screen and noticed a raised number 2 that was molded into the plastic of the Otterbox. This is what is causing the damage to the screen of my BB.
I sent an EMail to Otterbox about this issue and haven't heard anything back yet. I decided to attempt to polish the scratches with Meguires Scratch X for clear plastic and it helped but the impression is still visible. After some careful thinking I grabbed my trusty drummel tool and used it to grind the raised 2 off of the Otterbox case so nothing is raised up above the surface. In addition, I noticed that there is another area of raised boxes (like a checkerboard) on the opposite side of the case that could potentially cause more damage to the screen of my BB. Basically, I was able to remove the raised areas on the plastic that were resting on the screen to my phone. I fairly certain this will stop any future damage but nothing is guaranteed.

I would suggest anyone reading this who has an Otterbox takes it off and inspects it immediately. You may be in for a surprise when you see the impression in the screen of your phone. Others may not care but I am very picky and I bought this $50.00 case to avoid damage, not cause it !!

Hi copout221—

I was shocked to see your forum comment!!! I’m so sorry to hear that. I just ran this by our customer service department and they haven’t heard of this happening. They also don’t have an email from you (or anyone with a similar issue). Can you email them again at customer (dot) service (at) otterbox (dot) com? Be sure to include the photo as well.

Thanks so much for the feedback on this!

Best Regards,
Kristin Golliher
Public Relations Executive

I have had similar problems with my otterbox for the bold. Not the scratching (although I did just notice the raised numbers on the inside..) But the echo.
I have emailed about, and was told it was my phone. (It is the otterbox covering the mic, and fyi all new berries (including the storm) will echo in the otter because they are all missing a hole for the second microphone.)
When will there be a fixed/redesigned otterbox, that accomodated the second microphone? (Look at oem rubber skin, and seidio cases if you don't know what second microphone hole the case needs)

Kristin,

Email was sent. Thanks

UPDATE : I was personally contacted by a representative from Otterbox today and I must say this company is awesome. They are offering to replace my phone (not just the screen) and replace the case after they do some minor re-tooling to the plastic injection process so there are no raised lettering or symbols inside the case that could potentially cause more damage to phones.

I was also having problems with my trackball not responding (not related to the Otterbox) and Nextel is sending me a new phone. This is nice since it will not cost Otterbox any money. I did ask for a new case AFTER the re-design has been completed and it sounds like they will have no problem doing it.

I must say, I wish all companies were this attentive and supportive to their customers concerns and issues. The world would be a better place IMO !!!

Thanks Otterbox, you are one heck of a respectible company !!!

Nah…uhh—Ok, I hope this helps. Just heard back from engineering and the small round hole on the bottom of the phone is the mic. It should not be covered by the clear plastic cover. If it is, the cover could possibly be defective or it has been placed incorrectly on the phone. The other hole on the bottom of the phone is for a lanyard when not using the Defender case.

As for the echo, here’s what they said:

If the people that this person is talking to are hearing themselves echo (as opposed to hearing the person they are talking to echo), more than likely the fault is not with the Bold or the Defender case. We’ve not heard of this problem before with this particular phone and case. It would be interesting to know if these callers have the echo problem with anyone else they call. We have several people here with the Bold and Defender case (Curt, Brian and James) and they’ve not mentioned a problem with echoing. One suggestion is to try removing the clear plastic cover and see if it makes a difference and let us know. That would be useful information for us.

Copout221— We definitely try to make things right and I’m so glad you got in touch with Customer Service. Thanks for your feedback and support!

Best Regards,
Kristin Golliher
Public Relations Executive

how much 8350？
I like it too

Kristin,

I had several email conversations with Natasha and the matter has been resolved.

Thanks again,

Copout221

That's great! Natasha is absolutely amazing at what she does. I'm so glad she was able to help you out!

I purchased the Otter Box for my 8350i last week and LOVE it; however, since attaching the case to my Blackberry last Sunday I have received a lot of comments from people on the other end of the phone stating that they can either hear their voice echoing or can barely hear me as if I were in a tunned. When I read the post of the raised "2", I removed the cover and saw that I also had the beginning impression of a number "2" just to the lower left of my status light.

Thanks for the feedback, even though this is only the 2nd time now that we've heard this, it is very concerning. I would advise contacting customer service. They can make suggestions and help assist you, customer(dot)service(at)otterbox(dot)com or 888-695-8820. Sorry to hear that.

Thanks for the info...I just e-mailed customer service.

Ok, thanks for the update! Again, I'm so sorry and embarrassed to hear this. If there's anything else you need please let us know.

New porduct, new model...things happen. Nothing in life is perfect.

how ironic, i was just about to embark posting a thread asking ppl how they like their otterbox for the storm.

these cases, although very rugged looking and boasting multiple layers of device protection, always looked to me like it lacks the most basic protection for the device itself: an interior gel/microfiber membrane to absorb foreign dust particles and prevent the otterbox itself from scratching the phone !

i was seriously thinking of getting one, because i dropped my storm today (it was in a silicon case and the drop was onto hardwood floor, only about 1 foot fall). no damage/blemishes....but still.

to go out of your way, pay all that money to get the "ultimate" blackberry case....only to find that the case itself damaged your phone ? i find it unacceptable that these guys can design a very detailed and protective case for your phone, and then neglect finishing the interior of it properly....in order to save a buck during manufacturing

go after them for a new phone, if they laugh in your face, just go straight to

The Consumerist: Shoppers Bite Back

i PROMISE they would be more than happy to publish your story.

To clarify, we are taking this issue very seriously! OtterBox greatly values all feedback and comments and a strong commitment to our customers has always been our top priority. Anyone experiencing problems with our products, no matter how big or small, are always encouraged to contact our customer service department and it is our promise to do everything we can to make things right. We are are always innovating, adapting and learning! Thanks for understanding.

i didn't really read thru the entire thread to see that Otterbox has come to the forums to tend to this problem, so i am sorry that my post comes off as a slam. it's a preconceived notion of mine that many companies out there in the past 10-15 years have steered towards rotten habits to make more money.

guess it's a reputation that all the 'good-natured' companies need to overcome...

i'm an aerospace engineer....if you need suggestions on improvement for your case, let me know...

No problem. It's important to us to address any issues and make things right, and yes, this is absolutely a rarity today. We're always open to suggestions and you are welcome to submit them online under the "contact us" tab on our homepage. Thanks!

I am the celluar account manager for our dept we currently have 29 units, i have ordered 1 case for mine to try when I recieve the case I will check inside the case for these problems

i just recently purchased the otterbox case for the 8350i. ever since i put it on people have been telling me that they can here themselves echo when they call me and that they can barely here me. i know it s the case because it doesnt echo when the case is off. after reading this forum i looked inside my case and i also have a raised 2 and a square grid on the inside but havent noticed any damage to the phone yet. also would filing down these moldings inside the case void any type of warrenty that the case may have?

I was waiting for otterbox to release a case for the Javelin 8900. After reading these posts, I'll probably just go w/seidio.

on monday I spoke with representatives from both otterbox, and sprint. They both said a software update for the 8350i should be available by the end of march to fix the "echo problem."

Yes - I have since founf out the second hole is for a lanyard ;) silly me.
Anyway, my echo problem isn't just with people I'm speaking with, I can hear myself when using speaker, it gives ME feeback. I've sent 3 phones back to rogers, 2 of them thinking the echo issue had something to do with the phone.
when using speakerphone w/ the case blow gently into the mic and you can hear it loud and clear. W/o the case this doesn't happen
The clear shield isn't in the way, I'm yet to use my bold without the shield, its never been naked..

Sorry for bringing back an old thread but I also have the Otter box and love it but right now I'm not using it because everyone I talk to tells me I sound like I'm in a tunnel or I sound muffled so bad that they can barely hear me.

I also had the raised 2 and the squares on mine but I sanded them down so it doesn't mark my screen.

Otterbox is the real deal folks. My first-hand experience with them has been excellent.

well mine is working good as far as the echo and everything but i also have some scratchs on the back of my 8350i caused by the case

I have received the second version of the otterbox defender case and no one can understand what I am saying with the case on. Has anyone found a fix? What is otterbox's response. It is not my phone b/c once i take the case off people can hear me fine.

I'm glad to see someone else has the same problem with there otterbox that I have with mine, I really like all the protection for the device but con't use it due to this reason.

Wirelessly posted

Have you tried the upgrade? It fixed the problems with mine

Yes, I'm running the newest software, .204

Hey guys, here's more details about the Otterbox problem with the 8350i

I just want to start by stating one thing: Despite this problem, or nuisance, the Otterbox is still the ultimate in protection for your 8350i. I am a Landscaper and I swear this thing saves my Blackberry on the daily.

So, after this post, I took it apart for a routine cleaning. I am obsessed with keeping things new, so I have a screen protector under my otterbox. Sure enough, there was a small indent on the screen protector where the '2' is. No damage was done to the plastic however thanks to the screen protector.

Anyhow, here's the details...

I have the newest upgrade software, and how would this effect the muffled sound when as soon as I take it out of the case I can be heard perfectly. I've heard of some people drilling out the microphone hole to make it bigger however I don't want to do something like this and risk breaking it or voiding product warranty.

I had the same exact problem i said the same thing how could it be the phone when i take off the case it works fine...then i contacted otterbox's customer service who ever fast in replying and said it was a phone issue to be patient...it had something to do with the voices bouncing around inside the case and the way the phone picks it up when i upgraded all the issues went away try this see if it works.....press the green button > blackberry button > options > general options > go to default call volume change to 50% see if that helps

I have a theory on fixing the echo problem. Hope Otterbox is listening, maybe they can do some real testing.

What if we applied a sound-dampening foam tube to the mic hole, that way when inserted, the blackberry mic would compress the foam and prevent sound from going elsewhere besides the mic.

Could be an inexpensive fix and an easy to apply fix to existing otterbox users.

last but not least, here`s an obvious pic of the mold pressing against the BB

I actually sanded down that number and also the little squares on the other side of the case at the top.

I had thought about before also but then the fix came out and fixed it for me

After seeing the last photo by Rehost i did the same thing tonight

The funny thing is by the looks of things my OS is more up to date than yours. I am running 4.7.... while you state you are 4.6.... To my knowledge I have the most updated software, I did notice though that the mic hole on the second version case I received does look a tad smaller than the one on the original case I received. I cannot see this being a software issue.

Wirelessly posted

4.7 must be beta for a 8350

Any update on this? Design changes and/or recalls since OP discovered this?

3 days ago I purchased a 9000, and my OtterBox is in the mail on its way.
What are the chances of me getting an Obox that I have to modify by sanding/fabricating?

Thanks,