Does the protector float about the phones screen? How is the responsiveness?
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LifeProof Fr iP5 case
- Thread starter mrbunglez
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Does the protector float about the phones screen? How is the responsiveness?
i got the lifeproof last night and today i just noticed on the inside left (on the screen) there is a small rubber like material that makes the screen protector lift up on the left that makes hitting the characters Q A Z hard to register when pressed. i was thinking of taking that piece off. Any one did this?
I don't see any such piece. There is a clear silicone square on the Home button, that's all. Other than that, and the small smoke color, and rather thick, plastic/glass filter over the proximity sensor (the round hole next to the 2 oval holes for the ear speaker), the interior of the screen is empty of anything else.
I'm not seeing the complaints people have with this case. It works just fine for it's special purpose. Not often am I seeing Newton's rings (i.e. oil slick),its pretty rare actually, and temporary, but even so, given that the case is waterproof, that doesn't bother me. It's not my everyday case.
This one right here. It's weird. I think I might return it..
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Just got mine yesterday and I'm having some concerns.
First off, the charging port door does not seem to stay closed all the way. It did pass the leak test, but it seems like the door is not seated the way it was designed to. I don't want to take any chances with this. Is this the way they all are?
Second thing.
Why would they put this thick, three ply lens thingy on the inside of this screen protector? It covers the light sensor I think, but it causes the screen protector to be raised at the top. Holding the phone with one hand, I can barely reach the top and therefore am used to being able to just barely tap buttons up there and it being responsive. Now I am constantly "missing" taps. This is the most annoying thing so far. Why is this lens there, first off, and second, couldn't they have put it on the outside if it is indeed necessary?? That would not have bothered me at all. I might try to remove it and see if it maintains functionality and waterproofing. It's going back to Walmart most likely anyway. I will update when I do.
It just seems like they designed a good case with great potential, then fired their engineers and are incapable of improving a design that I guess they see as good enough. I already ordered the Incipio Atlas but it wont be in until after my beach trip next week, so I will at least keep this one until after that.
BTW: This is why I bought the Incipio Atlas. I'm not sure how impartial these reviewers are, but it was pretty convincing to me.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-waterproof-iphone-case/
First off, the charging port door does not seem to stay closed all the way. It did pass the leak test, but it seems like the door is not seated the way it was designed to. I don't want to take any chances with this. Is this the way they all are?
Second thing.
Why would they put this thick, three ply lens thingy on the inside of this screen protector? It covers the light sensor I think, but it causes the screen protector to be raised at the top. Holding the phone with one hand, I can barely reach the top and therefore am used to being able to just barely tap buttons up there and it being responsive. Now I am constantly "missing" taps. This is the most annoying thing so far. Why is this lens there, first off, and second, couldn't they have put it on the outside if it is indeed necessary?? That would not have bothered me at all. I might try to remove it and see if it maintains functionality and waterproofing. It's going back to Walmart most likely anyway. I will update when I do.
It just seems like they designed a good case with great potential, then fired their engineers and are incapable of improving a design that I guess they see as good enough. I already ordered the Incipio Atlas but it wont be in until after my beach trip next week, so I will at least keep this one until after that.
BTW: This is why I bought the Incipio Atlas. I'm not sure how impartial these reviewers are, but it was pretty convincing to me.
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-waterproof-iphone-case/
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If the case passes the hour water test then the door is fine. I agree it does appear to pop open easily, but mine hasn't.
The piece of glass I believe is a polarizing filter to fix a problem with the proximity sensor caused by interference from the screen protector. Most screen protectors have a hole in them but clearly that can't be done with a waterproof case. It's dies make the screen lumpy but also minimizes the Newton rings or oil slick problem.
I just need my case to be waterproof but not for snorkeling it rough water sports. The case works for me and is slim and light.
The piece of glass I believe is a polarizing filter to fix a problem with the proximity sensor caused by interference from the screen protector. Most screen protectors have a hole in them but clearly that can't be done with a waterproof case. It's dies make the screen lumpy but also minimizes the Newton rings or oil slick problem.
I just need my case to be waterproof but not for snorkeling it rough water sports. The case works for me and is slim and light.
It's not that the door opens easily, it's that it doesn't stay closed flush with the frame of the case.
I figured the thick plastic lens over the light sensor was a fix for the previous flaw I had read about. They basically did the absolute minimum to fix the problem. They could have added something to the outside, or found a way to emboss the whole earpiece/sensor area so that the screen protector could still fit flush. Again, where is the engineering you'd expect from an $80 case?
I figured the thick plastic lens over the light sensor was a fix for the previous flaw I had read about. They basically did the absolute minimum to fix the problem. They could have added something to the outside, or found a way to emboss the whole earpiece/sensor area so that the screen protector could still fit flush. Again, where is the engineering you'd expect from an $80 case?
I think my door looks the same as yours. As long as it 'clicks' in place, it it fine. The yellow foam that makes the water seal will prevent it from being exactly flush. I wouldn't worry, as long as it clicks and seals (passes the water test).
If I understand the purpose of the glass filter, placing it on the outside would not fix the physics of the problem, and just look plain ugly too. The slight bump doesn't really bother me at all. Not sure how embossing would make the screen flush.
On my 1st LP case I removed the piece of plastic by the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor still worked just fine but I could not hear anything outa of it. It might have something to do with the earpiece too?
I was thinking it might, too. I think the majority of the sound is resonated in the small air space behind the phone-that's why it vibrates so much, it's intended to do that. Must be so with the front as well. It makes no sense they would put the light sensor on the inside otherwise.
Btw, the fact that the protector does not sit flush may not bother some people, but it bugs me. I hold my phone with one hand and constantly have re-tap buttons close to the top of the screen. Maybe others don't hold their phone like I do mine, but to just suggest that I get over it or am being unreasonable does not help to move the discussion forward.
Btw, the fact that the protector does not sit flush may not bother some people, but it bugs me. I hold my phone with one hand and constantly have re-tap buttons close to the top of the screen. Maybe others don't hold their phone like I do mine, but to just suggest that I get over it or am being unreasonable does not help to move the discussion forward.
I didn't mean to insult you. I never said get over it, I just said it doesn't bother ME. It is what it is, and if it bothers you, I'd suggest to return the case and pursue another one.
It's true the back of the case is meant to enrich the bass tones. It says so on the LifeProof webpage (patent pending). I don't know about the front.
It may well be a secondary function of the 'filter' (its not a lens, nor a light sensor), to lift the screen from the case. I would think for the oil slick problem.
But it seems the screen protector interferes with the proximity sensor, perhaps intermittently, and not for all situations. Place a call with the phone naked, and then place your finger hovering over the left of the earpiece...the screen goes blank.
Now flip over the front of the LifeProof case, and lay it over the earpiece area so that it covers the location of the sensor too. Place a call. While in a call, try hovering your finger over the sensor again, as above. For me, it didn't turn off the screen.
I think the light coming out of the phone is circularly polarized, and the LifeProof screen material screws that up. The additional filter (perhaps a 'wave plate') may be needed to correct this problem, and make the proximity sensor 100% reliable. But it has to go between the phone and the screen in order to work.
I have no idea, why you think that little square of material would go on the outside of the case???
Anyhow for me, it only affects the very top most left side of the screen. It's noticeable, but for waterproofness, I can give that up temporarily. It is not my 24/7 case.
However, if you find a case that you like better, go for it.
I know, there were just a couple of posts that seemed to convey a so what attitude. I wasn't singling anyone out, andt I wouldn't be posting if I wasn't bothered by it.
after using the Incipio Atlas since it came out, I just could not stand the horrid sound coming from the earpiece as well as the speakers. To add it, it was not dust-proof as it claimed when I opened it up 1.5 months later, and did a water test (without phone) to release it started leaking.
I have now switched to lifeproof for the first time and purchased a RED case. I went through every page of this thread, and have noticed a couple things that may have been re-iterated, so I apologize beforehand, but I need some clarification.
My red case was built #42556
1. The back case does not have the foam below the apple logo, but has the clear plastics. I have read multiple posts and some people are saying this is the older gen, while others are saying they removed the foam padding and replaced it with the plastic. So is this the older gen or the new?
2. The sound coming from the earpiece as well as the speaker is superb, so much better than the atlas, although it is "slightly" degraded. Do some of you guys who own a higher build # than mine still have sound issues?
Maybe when Lifeproof came out with the new colors, they fixed some of the issues from the regular color cases?
3. I would like to know if some of the people who claim the screen on their cases laid flat was actually true?....I mean the screen protector on mine laid pretty good against the screen of the phone, but I could still feel some wavy-ness.
4. How have some of you guys able to get rid of the newton rings using compressed air? I bought some compressed air at walmart, and after putting the phone on the top half of the case, I blew some air along the sides of the crevice, but it ended up leaving some blemishes trapped underneath the screen protector that didnt go away.
I have some bad newton rings, but I'm wondering if it will settle after a week like Lifeproof says. Can anyone confirm?
5. Anyone removed the plastic on the proximity sensor have issues after a while? I removed it on mine because the "bump" looks ridiculous, but I'm wondering if there was any long-term issues.
Overall, I like the case, the sound is very good, and it is less heavier than the Atlas, although feels cheaply made and the plastic is a magnet for scratches.
I have now switched to lifeproof for the first time and purchased a RED case. I went through every page of this thread, and have noticed a couple things that may have been re-iterated, so I apologize beforehand, but I need some clarification.
My red case was built #42556
1. The back case does not have the foam below the apple logo, but has the clear plastics. I have read multiple posts and some people are saying this is the older gen, while others are saying they removed the foam padding and replaced it with the plastic. So is this the older gen or the new?
2. The sound coming from the earpiece as well as the speaker is superb, so much better than the atlas, although it is "slightly" degraded. Do some of you guys who own a higher build # than mine still have sound issues?
Maybe when Lifeproof came out with the new colors, they fixed some of the issues from the regular color cases?
3. I would like to know if some of the people who claim the screen on their cases laid flat was actually true?....I mean the screen protector on mine laid pretty good against the screen of the phone, but I could still feel some wavy-ness.
4. How have some of you guys able to get rid of the newton rings using compressed air? I bought some compressed air at walmart, and after putting the phone on the top half of the case, I blew some air along the sides of the crevice, but it ended up leaving some blemishes trapped underneath the screen protector that didnt go away.
I have some bad newton rings, but I'm wondering if it will settle after a week like Lifeproof says. Can anyone confirm?
5. Anyone removed the plastic on the proximity sensor have issues after a while? I removed it on mine because the "bump" looks ridiculous, but I'm wondering if there was any long-term issues.
Overall, I like the case, the sound is very good, and it is less heavier than the Atlas, although feels cheaply made and the plastic is a magnet for scratches.
after using the Incipio Atlas since it came out, I just could not stand the horrid sound coming from the earpiece as well as the speakers. To add it, it was not dust-proof as it claimed when I opened it up 1.5 months later, and did a water test (without phone) to release it started leaking.
I have now switched to lifeproof for the first time and purchased a RED case. I went through every page of this thread, and have noticed a couple things that may have been re-iterated, so I apologize beforehand, but I need some clarification.
My red case was built #42556
1. The back case does not have the foam below the apple logo, but has the clear plastics. I have read multiple posts and some people are saying this is the older gen, while others are saying they removed the foam padding and replaced it with the plastic. So is this the older gen or the new?
2. The sound coming from the earpiece as well as the speaker is superb, so much better than the atlas, although it is "slightly" degraded. Do some of you guys who own a higher build # than mine still have sound issues?
Maybe when Lifeproof came out with the new colors, they fixed some of the issues from the regular color cases?
3. I would like to know if some of the people who claim the screen on their cases laid flat was actually true?....I mean the screen protector on mine laid pretty good against the screen of the phone, but I could still feel some wavy-ness.
4. How have some of you guys able to get rid of the newton rings using compressed air? I bought some compressed air at walmart, and after putting the phone on the top half of the case, I blew some air along the sides of the crevice, but it ended up leaving some blemishes trapped underneath the screen protector that didnt go away.
I have some bad newton rings, but I'm wondering if it will settle after a week like Lifeproof says. Can anyone confirm?
5. Anyone removed the plastic on the proximity sensor have issues after a while? I removed it on mine because the "bump" looks ridiculous, but I'm wondering if there was any long-term issues.
Overall, I like the case, the sound is very good, and it is less heavier than the Atlas, although feels cheaply made and the plastic is a magnet for scratches.
1. I'm not sure what you mean. My case (new) has a clear window on the back. There is a case width strip of black foam above the window.
2.My sound is very good also.
3. My is completely flat either. Some wave-ness. if it was completely flat (but not 'adhered' like a normal screen protector), it is almost certain you will have Newton rings.
4. My newton rings are minor. Cleaniness is important. See LifeProof recommendations below.
5. That was a mistake. Live with the bump. It has a purpose.
From LifeProof pages.
btw, here is a YouTube video for the Otterbox Defender, on how to use baby powder to get rid of Newton Rings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYF7gM_YalM
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A fluid like that would simulate an adhering compound and work.
However most eye glass cleaner contains alcohol and is bad for the oleophobic coating on the iPhone, re Apple's product pages. Just saying its not a good choice.
I was thinking about it. Supposedly, the only problem should be that the phone won't know when it's being held up to your ear. Adding that plastic in my opinion was a horrible fix to whatever the problem with the prox sensor was. It was a bandaid solution and I think for an $80 case, lifeproof could have done better.
That being said, I am now using the incipio atlas and am equally frustrated, if not more so. The glass on the screen simply degrades screen sensitivity too much. I have to "hammer" tap everywhere on the screen. But at least with the atlas, I feel like I can use it interchangeably with a non-wp case. Unlike the lifeproof, I don't feel like I have a limited number of install/uninstall cycles before the thing just completely fatigues out. I know lifeproof claims their case can stand up to this, but being someone who works with materials, I don't believe it.
I have used the Incipio atlas when it was released, until now, when I switched to lifeproof.
I actually had pretty good sensitivity on my screen. I dont know if it helped bout when I installed it, I pressed "firmly" down on the back of the phone at every side, and I mean pressed "really" firmly. Like I said, I dont know if it pressed the iphone screen closer to the tempered glass, but I didnt have much issues.
I would not recommend taking it out frequently also. The sturdy material is deceiving
I dont even think its 100% dustproof. I used it for 1.5 months without opening it, and when I did decide to see if it held up after some usage, I opened it up and saw tiny dust on the earpiece of my phone.
I also saw some tiny dust around the screen.
Then when I did a water test (without phone) and with a paper, i saw air bubbles on the earpiece. When I inspect it, what do you know, the top of the paper near the earpiece was wet.
Water indicators for top was red.
This added to my already frustration with the horrid sound quality, both from the speaker and earpiece to the point where I cant even talk with someone on the phone, so I decided to switch over to Lifeproof.
It is much better, and the sound quality is 100% improved over the Atlas.
Only bad thing is the oil slick (hopefully it settles within a week like Lifeproof states), and the stupid plastic screen protector, plus the screw in adapter.
But i'm satisfied with lifeproof.
So pick your poision buddy