Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I believe the only difference is a little plastic jut out above and below the side volume/silence buttons to protect them in a drop.
.

Believe they also improved the mic cover so that there is no echo problem, and they also improved the screen cover so that it is tighter and not so lifted above the screen.
 
It looks to be way too bulky for me personally but I can certainly see why people are excited about it. I really hope they come through because I'd like to see some reviews and some real-world testing. It's definitely an interesting product - now let's see if they can pull it off:D.

No, this is the least bulky waterproof enclosure, and one of the least bulky enclosures period.

I have one and tested it in a bucket of water, and I like being able to wash of my phone screen with soap and water. I have not snorkel dived with it yet though I plan to do so soon in the Caribbean..

The weak spot seems to be the charger door. My wife dropped her phone off a coffee table, and even with the door snapped closed, it cracked. That little door needs to open and close for every charge, so it shouldn't EVER break for having slid off a table. Life proof has agreed to replace the "back cover".

This is a pricey enclosure, but warranty doesn't cover the cost of a phone destroyed by water damage. So the enclosure really isn't life proof.
 
Believe they also improved the mic cover so that there is no echo problem, and they also improved the screen cover so that it is tighter and not so lifted above the screen.

My Gen2 acoustics seemed a little tinny at first, but I've gotten used to that. Nobody complains about the sound of my voice during calls.

I hope the screen is durable. Maybe I need a screen protector like Wrapsol to protect the expensive case?

They may need the little "bumps" like around the buttons to protect the charger door...
 
I've had the Defenders on two 4's. I am starting to see the appeal here with the silcone never staying put and having to replace the front screen protector via warranty.....and the bulky-niss

If I buy the life proof any one have any coupon codes as I'll be buying two and $175 for cases is a bit crazy imo

Any one come from a defender that has any feedback? good or bad
 
I've had the Defenders on two 4's. I am starting to see the appeal here with the silcone never staying put and having to replace the front screen protector via warranty.....and the bulky-niss

If I buy the life proof any one have any coupon codes as I'll be buying two and $175 for cases is a bit crazy imo

Any one come from a defender that has any feedback? good or bad

I had a Defender for my 4. It was a thick brick that constantly required adjusting when I pulled it out of my pocket (the silicone outer was too loose). I had no problems with the built in screen (no rainbows) and I liked how you can use any headphones or power cords as Otterbox accounted for different sized plugs.

I'm now using the Lifeproof case for my 4s. This is my second one as I had some problems with the first one that I bought (see my previous post on this thread). The second case is perfect. It's not as thick as the Defender but it is taller. You need to use the OEM apple cord or else you have to buy an adapter that fits (I had one for another case, I think mine was a sendstation slim one). The case comes with a headphone adapter that you have to screw in, which I find is a pain in the ass sometimes when I need to use it. I find that the Lifeproof case is a much more pocket friendly case that the Defender as it is not as grippy as the Otterbox and it is thinner.

In terms of protection I found both pretty protective when it comes to drops. The Defender is probably a little better in drop protection (it is thicker), but not as dust protective (in fact, I find the Otterbox is a dust magnet). I've dropped my Lifeproof a few times at around 5 ft (by accident) with no problems. The first case I had (the one I returned with some issues) had a slight dent in the corner after a 5ft drop directly on the corner. I re-tested the waterproofness of the case and it was fine. My second case (the perfect one) I've dropped when showing some pics to a friend and it bounced around when hitting the floor, no damage whatsoever to the case or phone.

If you are used to the screen on the Defender, you should have no problems adapting to the screen on the Lifeproof. I found that the Lifeproof screen seems more fingerprint resistant than the Defender, but that could be because I can just simply rinse the Lifeproof under running water to clean it.

It's really surprising how much protection you get from the Lifeproof considering how thin the case is. It really puts the Defender to shame in my opinion. This being said, I would buy this in Best Buy so that you can return it if you end up with a bad one (like I did), and from some accounts their customer service is not up to par (I know Otterbox's CS is pretty good).
 
I had a Defender for my 4. It was a thick brick that constantly required adjusting when I pulled it out of my pocket (the silicone outer was too loose). I had no problems with the built in screen (no rainbows) and I liked how you can use any headphones or power cords as Otterbox accounted for different sized plugs.

I'm now using the Lifeproof case for my 4s. This is my second one as I had some problems with the first one that I bought (see my previous post on this thread). The second case is perfect. It's not as thick as the Defender but it is taller. You need to use the OEM apple cord or else you have to buy an adapter that fits (I had one for another case, I think mine was a sendstation slim one). The case comes with a headphone adapter that you have to screw in, which I find is a pain in the ass sometimes when I need to use it. I find that the Lifeproof case is a much more pocket friendly case that the Defender as it is not as grippy as the Otterbox and it is thinner.

In terms of protection I found both pretty protective when it comes to drops. The Defender is probably a little better in drop protection (it is thicker), but not as dust protective (in fact, I find the Otterbox is a dust magnet). I've dropped my Lifeproof a few times at around 5 ft (by accident) with no problems. The first case I had (the one I returned with some issues) had a slight dent in the corner after a 5ft drop directly on the corner. I re-tested the waterproofness of the case and it was fine. My second case (the perfect one) I've dropped when showing some pics to a friend and it bounced around when hitting the floor, no damage whatsoever to the case or phone.

If you are used to the screen on the Defender, you should have no problems adapting to the screen on the Lifeproof. I found that the Lifeproof screen seems more fingerprint resistant than the Defender, but that could be because I can just simply rinse the Lifeproof under running water to clean it.

It's really surprising how much protection you get from the Lifeproof considering how thin the case is. It really puts the Defender to shame in my opinion. This being said, I would buy this in Best Buy so that you can return it if you end up with a bad one (like I did), and from some accounts their customer service is not up to par (I know Otterbox's CS is pretty good).

The new version of the Defender is a lot better than the older version.

My issue is the Defender has style for a protective case. The new version is slimmer and the Apple logo cut out makes it have some style.

Does the LifeProof have style?
 
The new version of the Defender is a lot better than the older version.

My issue is the Defender has style for a protective case. The new version is slimmer and the Apple logo cut out makes it have some style.

Does the LifeProof have style?

Not sure how much they improved the Defender but just looking at the new one it looks really close to the old one. I'm still betting the Lifeproof is much thinner.

In terms of style...well that's going to depend from person to person obviously. I like the Lifeproof's style personally. I've added my own style touch by sticking one of those Apple stickers (on the back) that you get when you buy the iPhone. Can't really explain it with words, but it looks "right" (well at least to me).
 
Not sure how much they improved the Defender but just looking at the new one it looks really close to the old one. I'm still betting the Lifeproof is much thinner.

In terms of style...well that's going to depend from person to person obviously. I like the Lifeproof's style personally. I've added my own style touch by sticking one of those Apple stickers (on the back) that you get when you buy the iPhone. Can't really explain it with words, but it looks "right" (well at least to me).

Here's a good video showing the new version. I can tell you the new version is a lot more improved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9efZzGUpX8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 
My big problem with the LifeProof is the fact that you can't constantly remove the case. I'm the type that changes cases as much as I change my underwear and as much as I'd like to have it, I just don't think I can justify it.

It is nice that they offer it at Best Buy though
 
Here's a good video showing the new version. I can tell you the new version is a lot more improved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9efZzGUpX8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Based on what I see in the video it does look like they tightened the rubber which was a big complaint I had on the older one. It still looks the same size, which is too thick IMO.

I don't see it as a dramatic improvement from the old design, but there are some improvements.

Still love the fact that the Lifeproof is waterproof and dustproof with a thin design, which is something the Defender is not.
 
My big problem with the LifeProof is the fact that you can't constantly remove the case. I'm the type that changes cases as much as I change my underwear and as much as I'd like to have it, I just don't think I can justify it.

It is nice that they offer it at Best Buy though

Yup agreed. It's limited to about 50 openings before the waterproof-ness is compromised, so stay clear if you like to play dress up with your iPhone (like me before).
 
is it normal to get condensation in the case when you do a water test? I have the case, and this is really bugging me.
 
Concept of life proof case is getting popular day in and day out. 'Life proof' list is getting bigger day by day. Case should have ability to protect iPhone from water, sunlight, dust etc etc. This is insane but an emerging trend. This is the way how things grow.

Go away spam merchant.
 
It seems like the screen protector is the cause of most of the complaints.

On amazon, this case has lowly 3 star feedback. It sounds like a great concept, but may be an iteration (or two or three) away from it's potential being fully realized. The steep price is discouraging as well.
 
It seems like the screen protector is the cause of most of the complaints.

On amazon, this case has lowly 3 star feedback. It sounds like a great concept, but may be an iteration (or two or three) away from it's potential being fully realized. The steep price is discouraging as well.

Amazon sells fake LifeProof cases from unauthorized sellers, that could be some of the reason for some of the bad feedback as well.
 
is it normal to get condensation in the case when you do a water test? I have the case, and this is really bugging me.

You can depending on the difference in temperature between water and air temp. If they fail, they fail big. Actual water, not condensation. If you want to be sure, put a tissue in the case, if it is wet, not damp, it has failed.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.