LifeProof case for iPhone 4/4S (white)
LifeProof
MSRP: $79.99
Price Range: $79.00 - $79.99
Overview
CNET Editors' Rating: 4.0 / 5
The good: The LifeProof is a sleek, highly protective iPhone 4/4S case that's been engineered very well and makes your iPhone waterproof and able to withstand falls from decent heights. It holds up well over time, and several optional accessories are available for it.
The bad: It's pretty pricey and using wired headphones with it requires you connect an adapter, which is a nuisance. Replacement headphone adapters are expensive.
The bottom line: While it's fairly costly and requires an included adapter for headphones, the LifeProof is arguably the best tough iPhone case on the market.
Design, Features & Performance (out of 10)
Design: 8.0
Features: 8.0
Performance: 9.0
Review
The LifeProof case's claim to fame is that it's the toughest iPhone case you can buy.
Indeed, this thing is no 10-pound weakling. The company says that the LifeProof case is waterproof, shockproof, dirtproof, and snowproof, yet it's slimmer than virtually all the other tough cases out there, with an integrated clear plastic shield that protects your screen (and, obviously, seals your iPhone into the case). Also, according to LifeProof CEO Gary Rayner, the case cost $2 million to develop.
After using it for a while, I have to say it does strike an excellent balance between sleek looks and toughness, and it's the case I use most on my phone. And yes, it totally waterproofs your iPhone 4 or 4S.
I've had it on my 4S off and on, mostly on, for the last five months and it's held up very well and only has a few small dings from when I dropped my phone on the pavement. I took it underwater in a pool -- yes, you can shoot video underwater, though you need to start shooting the video before you go underwater because the touch screen doesn't work underwater -- and dumped it in a snowbank and my iPhone came out no worse for the wear. This case is drop-tested for 2 meters (6.6 feet) and is rated to go underwater to 2 meters. It also fits the iPhone 4.
As impressive as the case is, there are a couple of small issues worth highlighting. First, the headphone jack is recessed, which means that with most headphones and earphones the plug simply doesn't fit and you'll have to use the included headphone adapter. There's a good chance you'll lose the adapter or the little plug that you screw into the headphone jack to keep everything nice and watertight. LifeProof offers replacements (at a ridiculous price of $19.95), but the adapter is a nuisance to deal with. One way around the adapter is to simply use wireless Bluetooth headphones, but some people don't like the sound of Bluetooth headphones.
Secondly, because of how the sturdy clamping mechanism is designed to seal the charging/syncing port on the bottom of the iPhone, you won't be able to connect your iPhone with any docking devices when the case is on. An optional adapter for docks is available, but most people will simply charge their phone with the cable supplied by Apple.
For those wondering about whether the iPhone's internal speakers get blocked by the case, it's not a problem. In fact, the back of the case is designed to augment the bass of the iPhone's speakers, and we had no problem playing a movie or hearing ringtones with the case on. I should also note that although the back lens on the iPhone is covered by a small piece of glass, my pictures weren't affected (as far as I could tell). And while you have to press a little harder to engage the volume up/down, ringer off, and power buttons, all the buttons worked fine with the case on.
LifeProof has had a lot of success with the case and has nabbed some sales from OtterBox, which used to be the king of the iPhone tough-case market. OtterBox recently announced its own waterproof iPhone 4 and 4S case, the Armor Series. At the time of this writing, that model hadn't shipped yet, but I've seen an early sample of the series, and it, too, seems like an impressive case, though it's a little bigger and heavier than the LifeProof.
In the spring of this year, LifeProof launched a line of accessories, including various mounts, an athletic armband, even a LifeJacket floaty, that are all designed to fit the case. It also announced that the case will come in additional colors.
Conclusion
Except for that issue with the headphone jack, this is a really a great case that should be on your shortlist if you're looking for an ultraprotective cover for your iPhone 4 or 4S. The only other downside is the price: it's expensive at $79.99 list. But if you're someone who treats your phone roughly or has a tendency to drop it, the LifeProof may be the next best thing to paying for insurance for your iPhone.
Basic Specs
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 2.7 in x 0.6 in x 5.2 in |
| Carrying case color | White |
| Weight | 3.2 oz |
User Reviews
Average User Rating: 4.0 / 5
User Rating Breakdown
5 Star: 2
4 Star: 0
3 Star: 1
2 Star: 0
1 Star: 0
The Lifeproof case is.....Lifeproof.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
on July 23, 2012
0 out of 0 users found this review helpful
Pros: It truly is waterproof. It's backed by Lifeproof Inc. up to 6.5 feet underwater.
The protection surrounding your phone makes "Shock Damage" a non-issue for regular drop distances
It easily slides in and out of your pocket and the case is aesthetic
Cons: The headphone port is "screw in" and very tiny so it's very easy to lose.
The 5-pin charging port is formed to snugly fit the original charging cable fine but fails when it comes to third party cords from Belkin and such.
Summary: The Lifeproof case reaches a slightly less than perfect balance of durability with aesthetics. Naturally it's biggest appeal to potential buyers will be it's waterproof claim. By all my tests and experiences it has not failed me. It's shockproof for normal distance drops. While remaining waterproof overall, it can be undone simply for charging and out of water music services. The biggest downside to the phone are two things: The small headphone cap is easily lost and the case overall is a bit on the bulky end. While Lifeproof offers complete protection make no mistake it isn't a fashion statement. Better suited to be placed next to your outdoor gear than next to your purse for your daily excursions if style is what you're after. Shooting video and photos underwater are a breeze, although you cannot use apps underwater like most would expect. The following is a video I shot with my lifeproof case while swimming underwater. It's a great case all around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unWo4dQbX9E&feature=youtu.be
Love this case, but you MUST WATCH THE VIDEOS first!
Rating: 4.5 / 5
on July 20, 2012
0 out of 0 users found this review helpful
Pros: Durability along with small form factor. Easy to fit in pocket, smaller than some non- protective cases. Easy to install, love the ability to shoot video in the pool, or not worry about having the phone in inclement weather.
Cons: Price is very steep, although you pay for what you get, and the engineering that went into this must have cost them a fortune. WIsh the charging port door were just a tiny bit bigger so it would work with third party cables.
Summary: I have toyed around with buying the Lifeprotector case for a few months, finally bit the bullet and made the purchase last week. Installation was easy, but I forced myself to fight the urge to just put the phone in and go from there and I watched the videos as instructed. The water test is the first to perform (without the phone inside), and it worked like a charm, no water at all inside of the case. Going through the test and watching the videos allowed me to register for their extended warranty online for free.
I cannot wait to try underwater video shooting at the pool, and I am excited about the ability to take the phone with me out in the kayak without having to put it in a waterproof container.
Some reviews complained about sound quality with the case on, I have no issues with mine. The sound is actually a bit deeper and sounds great through just the iPhone speakers. Using the headphone adapter seems clunky, but it makes no difference to me as I use bluetooth headphones.
Overall I am very happy with the purchase. The case is very functional, looks fantastic, and rates high on the "what is that" factor from friends and colleagues.
good case, but has serious durability issues
Rating: 3 / 5
on July 19, 2012
0 out of 0 users found this review helpful
Pros: stylish, waterproof, comes in different colours
Cons: headphone jack, broke after 2 months (back door cracked in half when trying to open up the case), a lot to pay for an iPhone case
Summary: good case. only rated 3 stars due to the malfunction of the case when i used it.
Shop
| Store | In Stock | Price |
| Adorama | Yes | $79.99 |
| Ships same day if ordered by 8:00pm EST | ||
| Abt Electronics | Yes | $79.99 |
| Free Shipping | ||
| J&R Music and Computer World | Yes | $79.00 |
| FREE SHIPPING! Authorized LifeProof Dealer | ||
| Buydig.com | Yes | $79.99 |
| PCNation.com | Yes | $79.99 |
