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So after 24hrs everything is working good. The one issue that is more of an annoyance than a problem is there is a bubble in the screen. It does not impede performance at all. It just feels odd to my fingers to scroll down a page and feel the plastic bowing. Or when I type in landscape. One thumb is flush and the other thumb is pressing on a bubble. Other than that, no issues thus far.
 
After a couple days with my latest Fre case the Newton rings began to really annoy me. Love the case and tried every tactic to remove the rings (minus the baby powder) so I remembered a trick we had to do on the Otterbox defender case on the iPhone 3G/3Gs model due to the HUGE newton ring issues placing a ant-glare screen protector.

Picked one up and solved the problem instantly. Since the film is very thin and not very "anti-glare" to begin with it doesn't cause any interference or issue with typing. Definitely recommended for anyone with the same issue. I picked up my screen protector from AT&T but I'm sure any cheap, generic one will work fine.

Here's some pics to show with the protector on..
 

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I just did the same thing. I bought a anti glare screen saver from the apple store. I also removed the little plastic piece on top by the speaker on the lifeproof case. Since doing this I've never been happier. I have the new blue color lifeproof case. I tried the otterbox armour but I think I'm going to keep this lifeproof setup.
 
Extra Screen Protectors NOT recommended via LifeProof Support Pages

Millions of customers have used their case in water without any issues. From the handful of water issues that have been reported, it has been determined that the cause is most often a result of user error.

If you frequently use your LifeProof underwater, it is recommended you perform the maintenance routine found in owner's manual/LifeProof dot com on a regular basis or every time you open the case. All waterproof cases contain seals that require regular inspection and maintenance for reliable results. Even a small amount of fibers, lint, dirt, or extra screen protectors can interfere with a seal's ability to keep water out.
 

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I stopped by Best Buy yesterday and picked up a Magenta case for the wife SN 2401. So far it seems to be holding up and does not seem to have the same odd feeling bubble that mine has. I'll give it a few more days to see if it will even out.
 
I picked up a white one at the Sprint store I work at yesterday and all seems well with the case compared to the black one I had at launch. No pillowing except at the very top, no proximity issues and sound seems to be just fine. Sadly my local Best Buy has the blue ones in stock but when your a salesman its never good to have something you can't sell to a customer
 
I have the black Frē case and I know a lot of people has said how disappointed they are including myself. But this is what I really like about it; I like the smooth plastic feel of the sides and the thoughtful bumps near the volume buttons and mute switch that give your fingers something to brace against while holding the phone that actually reinforces grip. I really enjoy the feel of the back of it in my hands. To me, it's really aesthetically pleasing to touch and the eyes. Yes the speaker isn't that loud if you don't have the charging port open but it is a waterproof case and that does mean things have to be sealed. It's thin and I have one or two newton rings that are unobtrusive. I don't look at the screen much when it's off and I'm very anal about my iPhone 5. But sometimes you can just live and let live. So I'm just ok with the case and know that my phone is safe,accessible and functional. It just works and that's what I want in a package with a thin profile. I don't need the Iron Man Suit to protect my device, I prefer this which I'd consider the equivalent to the BatSuit.
 
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If you frequently use your LifeProof underwater, it is recommended you perform the maintenance routine found in owner's manual/LifeProof dot com on a regular basis or every time you open the case. All waterproof cases contain seals that require regular inspection and maintenance for reliable results. Even a small amount of fibers, lint, dirt, or extra screen protectors can interfere with a seal's ability to keep water out.

Yea.. if you do this then maybe you don't need a Lifeproof case but rather one of these.

waterproof-specs-exploded.jpg


I tested mine with the screen protector in a sink and no leaks. Unless I'm using it for scuba diving I wouldn't be concerned.
 
Yea.. if you do this then maybe you don't need a Lifeproof case but rather one of these.

Image

I tested mine with the screen protector in a sink and no leaks. Unless I'm using it for scuba diving I wouldn't be concerned.

I'm still trying to figure out why people would go swimming with a phone to begin with:confused:

I can see the worth and merit of a case like this if you are a boater and have a active lifestyle work /play on the ocean but taking a phone in the swimming pool that is almost as bizarre as being at a concert and seeing everyone on the phone......just weird!
 
I'm still trying to figure out why people would go swimming with a phone to begin with:confused:

I can see the worth and merit of a case like this if you are a boater and have a active lifestyle work /play on the ocean but taking a phone in the swimming pool that is almost as bizarre as being at a concert and seeing everyone on the phone......just weird!

It makes sense to me if you also have waterproof headphones. People like listening to music while they exercise or play sports.
 
I'm still trying to figure out why people would go swimming with a phone to begin with:confused:

I can see the worth and merit of a case like this if you are a boater and have a active lifestyle work /play on the ocean but taking a phone in the swimming pool that is almost as bizarre as being at a concert and seeing everyone on the phone......just weird!

as a video camera/still camera its cheaper/more convenient than buying a housing for another camera or getting a gopro etc...even just having it poolside or at the beach where sand and water intrusion are bound to happen.
 
I'm getting the impression that the coloured cases are better than the black and white ones. Is this simply because their new and there's no way to know when buying a white or black case what version of the case it is?
 
I'm getting the impression that the coloured cases are better than the black and white ones. Is this simply because their new and there's no way to know when buying a white or black case what version of the case it is?

If you are going to get a black or white look for one with the number over 900,000 or even over the one million mark would be better.

Most of the Fre cases even in the 600,000 range have those glued on clear blocks and are complete rigged up cases. The color cases have the latest improvements but still have a huge oil slick problem under the screens.
Good Luck.
 
That lime green is very cool looking. Wondering how nice that color looks with the pretty oil slicks? :D
 
That lime green is very cool looking. Wondering how nice that color looks with the pretty oil slicks? :D

they had to do something to distract people from the horrible oil slicks and glossy screen protector, i guess adding more colors was their solution to fixing their problems.

lifeproof is crap
 
Buzzing Solution.....maybe

Ok, so I have gathered that the buzzing sound is caused by the noise cancelation with the iPhone 5. The LP case uses sound vibration towards the back of the device. Since the mic on the back of the phone, between the camera and the flash, it picks up the sound of your voice and the voice of the person you are talking to, then has to determine what to block out. People with hearing aids also experience the buzzing sound, and Apple is using a similar technology.

For people that don't use a LP, enjoy your noise cancelation. For those of us with a LP case, unfortunately I think the new technology only causes issues (the buzzing in your ear ------this is NOT a solution for any muffled sound problems.)

Scotch tape over the mic. I cut two thin strips with tiny scissors, layered them, then covered the mic. You can't see the tape once the case is on. I did this today......so maybe I shouldn't be posting about it until I can further test it, however so far so good. I made two phone calls and haven't heard a buzz yet.

Now for the newton rings (aka rainbow effect, aka oil slick, aka huge pain in LP Fré owner's butts). I have tried the compressed air trick, no luck. You'll have to excuse me if I refuse to put baby powder on my $450 phone that my $80 case is protecting. I mean, I'm already using scotch tape.

I'm thinking of using either a smudge free or anti-glare Zagg cover. I've read all the other solutions, this is the only one that I think I can get to work. Thoughts?
 
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The buzzing sound is not from noise cancelling.
Speakerphone buzz is from the back of the case vibrating against the back of the phone or just plain resonating. The other sound from the earpiece is caused by air pressure and movement caused by the ear piece speaker.

----------

Follow Up from the first posts...

I got a replacement case - this one in the 705,000 range from an AT&T store that just started carrying them.

It still has newton rings (which I've accepted as nearly unavoidable on this case) and still vibrates or resonates when the speakerphone is used to play back audio (voice or music). The back ridges are raised and the back does seem sturdier, but not enough. I still use a small square of folded tissue paper to pad the bottom of the case to prevent the buzzing.

It is important for the speakerphone to remain clear for calls as the iPhone's software/hardware noise cancelling listens for it's expected playback. Any other sound (such as a distorted speakerphone playback) will be interpreted as someone talking and cancels out the playback. This sounds like audio drop outs or fades.

No other issues found so far.
 
The buzzing sound is not from noise cancelling.
Speakerphone buzz is from the back of the case vibrating against the back of the phone or just plain resonating. The other sound from the earpiece is caused by air pressure and movement caused by the ear piece speaker.

----------

Follow Up from the first posts...

I got a replacement case - this one in the 705,000 range from an AT&T store that just started carrying them.

It still has newton rings (which I've accepted as nearly unavoidable on this case) and still vibrates or resonates when the speakerphone is used to play back audio (voice or music). The back ridges are raised and the back does seem sturdier, but not enough. I still use a small square of folded tissue paper to pad the bottom of the case to prevent the buzzing.

It is important for the speakerphone to remain clear for calls as the iPhone's software/hardware noise cancelling listens for it's expected playback. Any other sound (such as a distorted speakerphone playback) will be interpreted as someone talking and cancels out the playback. This sounds like audio drop outs or fades.

No other issues found so far.

So how do I fix the buzzing? I haven't had the opportunity to talk on the phone since I tried the tape, but I did buy some cotton balls incase actual vibrations was the issue. Can you post a video or pictures of what you are doing to the case to fix the buzzing? If that doesn't stop I won't be able to keep the LP.
 
So how do I fix the buzzing? I haven't had the opportunity to talk on the phone since I tried the tape, but I did buy some cotton balls incase actual vibrations was the issue. Can you post a video or pictures of what you are doing to the case to fix the buzzing? If that doesn't stop I won't be able to keep the LP.

Are you referring to the buzzing happening when using the speakerphone? Some of the 2nd and 3rd revisions of the case included attempts to fix this buzzing by adding more padding on the lower 3rd section of the back of the case. I simply did the same using my own materials. Some have said light 3M padding tape would work too.

There is not much you can do about the small popping sounds from the ear piece until the air has escaped the case over time.
 
People are still doing some "fixes" for the LifeProof after how many revisions now?

You have to come up with a "fix" for a $80 case? wth
 
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