Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Lifeproof has already revised the iPhone 5 case and has not told it's customers. The 2nd version has a soft white foam strip on the back plate instead of the hard clear plastic strip. It also has thinner black strips around the speaker/ear piece on the front plate.

Here is a picture showing the 2 versions. :eek:

Image

Thank you!! Finally someone posts a picture comparing them, I've needed this as I go on the hunt for version 2. Thanks again.
 
Thank you!! Finally someone posts a picture comparing them, I've needed this as I go on the hunt for version 2. Thanks again.

Just look for the little white bar code/sticker on the back of the box in the lower right hand corner and if it is over 15,000 you will have foam.

I'm still not 100% sure the foam is any better. :eek:
 
I have the 2nd revision case.

So a few days later most all of the rainbow-ing is gone. The speaker vibration with the back is worse. I have been able to reproduce the proximity sensor not working after removing and replacing the phone in the case.
I called for warranty service (because if the broken headphone port/adapter) and was told there is a waiting list for new replacements to address the known issues. The approximate wait time is about 2 weeks and they are doing an advanced Rma of a full case.
 
Not sure how dust gets in from the bottom because there is a gasket seal at the bottom below the home button.
The end call issue is from the proximity sensor not working properly.
Buzzing is a case flaw for sure. More padding is needed.
Headphone adapter is sort if the trade off for waterproofing... But why couldn't they make the port bigger and use a larger screw? I was even thinking how they could create a screw in sealed audio port that still exposed an external jack that would easy to use.
I hope lifeproof can fix and improve the case soon.


I am a boat captain and musician (I suppose that's a weird combo...) and have been using otterbox defender cases on my iphones for years. I've had one on my new iphone 5 since I got it in September. I do not like the ports, and thus, dust particles getting under the screen protector...it drives me crazy! In addition, these wide-open entry points make me nervous when it comes to splashing water.

I purchased the lifeproof case on Saturday and have run it through it's paces since then. Unfortunately, I am very disappointed with this case. Here are my issues (many you have seen posted here repeatedly):
1. Dust still got under the screen protector (probably through the charging port).
2. Pillowing prevents me from ending a phone call without hitting the home button first.
3. Feedback in the ear.
4. Because the back of the case is "banana" shaped, the middle touches the phone slightly which causes the whole phone to buzz when playing music or using any tones for alerts, phones calls, etc.
5.Adapter to use earphones, etc is annoying.

It's going back and my search for a case continues...
 
I frequently use mine in a kayak.
I commute to work via bike. It occasionally rains.

I can see why personally. That said, I've swapped mine for a Taktik Lunatik. But mine's a 4s.

What made you switch to the Taktik? How do you like it, pro and cons between both?
Is the Taktik dustproof and waterresistant? Is it worth the +100$ ?

Thanks for the response :)
 
For those having trouble with typing with the case on, it has been an issue with "pillowing" where there is an air gap between the screen protector and the glass digitizer. Some say they have to suck the air out or try to get the air out before the case is closed. LifeProof has a FAQ about it ( http://www.lifeproof.com/support/knowledge-base/solution/2184 ) where they say the following:

I tried what they said to do about the pillowing... it did nothing to get rid of the issue.

If you have a fan discount it's best to get it directly from your carrier to save big bucks so I am going to wait :D

The FAN discount gets you deals on cases? I did not know that, thats good info, thanks. Although, if you are patient enough, you can usually get it cheaper from Amazon or other online retailers.
 
I looks like they might have had placed a hold on this case, Bestbuy shows it as not available for shipping, and unavailable at all the stores in my area, hopefully they fix it, and get it right now.
 
I looks like they might have had placed a hold on this case, Bestbuy shows it as not available for shipping, and unavailable at all the stores in my area, hopefully they fix it, and get it right now.

Still available at area Best Buys by me. I have the 2nd version. It works well. The top of the screen by the white strip takes some finder pressure for the screen to pick up finger movements. There is some vibration from speaker because it's enclosed in a waterproof case! lol. Anyways, it works well but there is always room for improvement.
 
I have the second version. Not at all satisfied. My issues are:

1. Pillowing as others have mentioned.

2. Awful speaker vibrate. I addressed it by sticking a thin piece of the padded tape (similar thickness to white strip across the top) near the bottom of the phone. Helped it a ton. Didn't affect the water tight seal at all.

3. Funky proximity sensor performance. Doesn't quite work right.... Sometimes I can't end phone calls.

4. Headphone adapter even when screwed in all the way is iffy. Sometimes it works others it doesn't.

I'm going back to best buy to exchange. Hopefully the next one is better!
 
What made you switch to the Taktik? How do you like it, pro and cons between both?
Is the Taktik dustproof and waterresistant? Is it worth the +100$ ?

Thanks for the response :)

I thought the Taktik was pretty much "it" for coolness factor really. My Lifeproof's coming apart from keeping it in a pouch on my Chrome messenger bag on my shoulder and pulling it out by the top edge. So that had to go back under warranty anyway, and I wasn't going to buy a second.

It's a pure brute of a case, and the Gorilla glass front just made it for me. Pro's and con's? It's a LOT bulkier than the Lifeproof, and probably the bulk doesn't provide much more protection from a moisture standpoint. It is def dustproof and they claim "water resistant" and I'd say it's no worse nor better than the Lifeproof. The Gorillla glass is much nicer, but my experience it's a bit laggier than the Lifeproof. I'm less worried about scratches though. The whole package itself I think you could throw the phone as a weapon and it would be fine. All in all I don't think it was $ badly spent, but don't know it's worth the premuim over the Lifeproof which IMHO is also overpriced for what it is. I however don't have the $125 version, I have the full alloy $175 flavor of the Taktik.

I will say though I have zero doubt if I were on the bike and it hit the pavement when riding it would survive just fine. In the Kayak it would sink like a rock!

As to the Taktik, your phone is built into the unit for sure, you want it out you best have an allen wrench handy.
 
Just went to best buy and picked up this case. Feels the same as my 4s slight muffle but not really noticeable.

Haven't had any issues with the sensors, camera. I don't know what the pillow people are talking about I can hardly feel anything.

Feels nice not to have to worry about water, getting it scratched or dropping.
 
Just went to best buy and picked up this case. Feels the same as my 4s slight muffle but not really noticeable.

Haven't had any issues with the sensors, camera. I don't know what the pillow people are talking about I can hardly feel anything.

Feels nice not to have to worry about water, getting it scratched or dropping.

The pillow are exaggerated gaps between screen protector and the phones touch screen. Wouldn't be as much of a prob for me if it was relatively consistent. Some areas are much worse than others on my phone.
 
I too finally got a hold of the second version. The only thing I have noticed that really bugs me is the fact that I had a proximity issue. When I tough the screen after a call the screen shuts off. Gonna try and go exchange at best buy again and see what I get.
 
Another issue I have with the case is that the phone doesn't sit level. on either the front or back. I really think this case was very poorly manufactured for a $50+ case. I haven't had issues with the headphone adapter. I actually tried to place a bag of flour on top of the case overnight to see if it will help the pillowing and well that didn't work, maybe I have to do it for a week or so. The buzzing from the speaker seems to be getting worse too, although I don't really use it that much but still.

Also, don't know if you guys noticed from the Facebook page yesterday but their phone lines were down and I heard they have 2 week waits on replacements if you ordered directly from them. I think Lifeproof really screwed up with this release.
 
I ended up with version 2 of this case from Best Buy. It had the vibration and a little of the rainbow effect. It looked a million times better indoors than it did outdoors.

For me, this is not an everyday case. It's a perfect case for going to the beach, boating or using it for when your going to be in a risky situation with your phone. I'm not in those situations enough to keep this case so it's going back.

I hate having a plastic screen protector separate the phone screen from my touch.

For me, I think just an Otterbox for some extra drop protection is all I need. In the past I have only used a bumper but I think the lighter, thinner ip5 allows me to fit a more durable case onto it without making the phone to big/bulky.
 
This case was a disappointment. I thought the otterbox defender on my 4 was a bit bulky and the rubber shell made it difficult to get out of my pocket. I thought lifeproof would be the perfect substitute: less bulky and waterproof.

I have two main complaints.
-The screen protector is terrible. It is fuzzy and rainbowed. The biggest issues are the space bar and hitting the bar at the top of the screen to go to the top of a web page. It sometimes requires a few taps. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal but it is very agrivating when you're typing something long and realize the last 3 times you hit space it didn't register.
-the sound is awful. I was expecting it to be a little muffled. I could live with that. The vibration is what kills me. Any noise produced by the phone causes the back to vibrate against the rear of the phone. When it rings, you hear the buzzing of the vibration over the ringer.

The headphone port is an annoyance. I was fully aware of it going in so I don't think I can really complain about it. I highly doubt this case will be as good at absorbing shock as the rubber otterbox was but I'm not willing to test that.

On the plus side, it is 100% waterproof. That's pretty cool. I just don't think it's worth the trade offs.
 
Their product support sucks. I emailed them last week regarding these issues and have yet to hear back from them.
 
Their product support sucks. I emailed them last week regarding these issues and have yet to hear back from them.

Yes its terrible, very terrible. I've tried calling several times over the weekend, no one answered except for this morning after an hour wait. His name was Mike and was extremely rude and didn't want to help me at all. I also sent an e-mail last week and have yet to hear a response from them.
 
My email question took about a 5 days to get an answer. My phone wait time has been about 7-15 minutes whenever I call. They were not rude but answered my questions and said a new case would be sent and I would be informed via email.
 
My email question took about a 5 days to get an answer. My phone wait time has been about 7-15 minutes whenever I call. They were not rude but answered my questions and said a new case would be sent and I would be informed via email.

I don't even get the point of bothering with a new case. Most of the issues people have with this case are due to the design. I'm afraid the design isn't going to change enough in order to fix these issues.
 
I kind of have some of these issues you guys mentioned. But things like the proximity sensor don't bother me too much. I just hit the home button then end the call. Pillowing is present but isn't a huge deal. Sound in earpiece is bad at times but again isn't too bad.

Overall I'm extremely happy. Being able to take pictures underwater is awesome and keeping the dust out is even better.

Ironically I found out the the Lifeproof case will actually clip into and iP5 otterbox clip. I was screwing around and it clipped in there and stayed in extremely well haha.
 
What is everyone's production number and does you case have the white foam strip on the inside back?
The number is located on the back of the box in the lower right hand corner.

Just wondering if there is a later/newer version out there.

Mine is: LP000053659 and has the white foam.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.