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LifeProof iPhone Case Offers Protection Against Water and Shock Damage
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I agree, this is fairly old and I'm a bit surprised it took them this long to post about it. Nevertheless, it's really an amazing case. It is equal to, if not more durable than an otterbox case, and waterproof, all in a slimmer, matté finished, sleek profile. I've been using this for a few months now and couldn't be more impressed with it's quality and the amount of protection it provides. I drop it all the time just to see people's reactions 
I think (and I'm sure others would agree) that $80 is easily a worthy investment to be able to take the phone out of the case in a year or two and have a brand new, mint condition phone in your hand. Highly recommend this case!
I think (and I'm sure others would agree) that $80 is easily a worthy investment to be able to take the phone out of the case in a year or two and have a brand new, mint condition phone in your hand. Highly recommend this case!Works well underwater
Have taken it into the sea and to a indoor swimming pool, works very well. Video quality very high, and sound is recorded underwater too -- and importantly, has totally lived up to the watertightness claim. I have an iPhone 4.
Really, because it is an expensive item you take everywhere with you, an iPhone should be waterproof to 2m, simply to avoid the normal contact with water in normal life... like rain seeping into trouser pockets or accidental knock into a kitchen sink.
Have taken it into the sea and to a indoor swimming pool, works very well. Video quality very high, and sound is recorded underwater too -- and importantly, has totally lived up to the watertightness claim. I have an iPhone 4.
Really, because it is an expensive item you take everywhere with you, an iPhone should be waterproof to 2m, simply to avoid the normal contact with water in normal life... like rain seeping into trouser pockets or accidental knock into a kitchen sink.
I have been using this case since day one of the 4S release. I use it every day in the shower for listening to music or internet radio, or even checking my email or new sites. I can definitely attest to its waterproofness. The first time I used it in the shower, I was nervous, but now I don't even think about it. The only two problems can't really be helped, and that's misting on the screen from the spray (brush the moisture off or run it under a stream directly to fix), and the capacitive screen stops working underwater since the water is conductive. Just with water splashed or sprayed on there, though, the multitouch still works if your hands aren't too wet so the screen gets confused. As I said, these things can't be helped, they're just part of the physical world we live in.
I never intentionally dropped my phone to test its durability against falls, and so for a while, that aspect of the case went untested, but in the last month or two, I've accidentally dropped the thing onto hard surfaces a few times. No problems, phone is great.
As for sound quality, I do believe it has an effect on the speaker, but it's not that bad. Like I said, I use the speaker every day in the shower, and it's great. Using the ear speaker it sounds normal. In terms of mic quality, it's far away better than the 3G mic with no case on, which is all I have to go by. When I made my first phone call with the new 4S, before I even had a chance to say I had a new phone, the person on the other side remarked that my voice was really clear, so I guess that says something. All the buttons work fine, the camera works fine, the headphone port is covered and the cover needs to be unscrewed before you can use it, or you can screw in the waterproof adapter and just have a dangly thing attached.
The screen protector is rather reflective, so in very bright sunlight, it might bother you. It doesn't bother me, but I thought I'd mention it.
The case itself is quite stylish, I think. Very low-profile, adds a bit of length on the bottom, but not much width or depth. It's not trying to look fancy, or rugged, or pretty, it's just a good solid case where everything works and you don't have to ever worry about it. Doesn't get stuck in pockets, all the buttons work just fine, and the belt clip you can get for it is just as solid (and locks).
Anyway, if you want to protect your iPhone, I highly recommend this case. I decided on getting this instead of AppleCare and don't regret it one bit.
I never intentionally dropped my phone to test its durability against falls, and so for a while, that aspect of the case went untested, but in the last month or two, I've accidentally dropped the thing onto hard surfaces a few times. No problems, phone is great.
As for sound quality, I do believe it has an effect on the speaker, but it's not that bad. Like I said, I use the speaker every day in the shower, and it's great. Using the ear speaker it sounds normal. In terms of mic quality, it's far away better than the 3G mic with no case on, which is all I have to go by. When I made my first phone call with the new 4S, before I even had a chance to say I had a new phone, the person on the other side remarked that my voice was really clear, so I guess that says something. All the buttons work fine, the camera works fine, the headphone port is covered and the cover needs to be unscrewed before you can use it, or you can screw in the waterproof adapter and just have a dangly thing attached.
The screen protector is rather reflective, so in very bright sunlight, it might bother you. It doesn't bother me, but I thought I'd mention it.
The case itself is quite stylish, I think. Very low-profile, adds a bit of length on the bottom, but not much width or depth. It's not trying to look fancy, or rugged, or pretty, it's just a good solid case where everything works and you don't have to ever worry about it. Doesn't get stuck in pockets, all the buttons work just fine, and the belt clip you can get for it is just as solid (and locks).
Anyway, if you want to protect your iPhone, I highly recommend this case. I decided on getting this instead of AppleCare and don't regret it one bit.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)
Great, so we've ascertained that none of the seals/gaskets leak, so let's open it all up and hope they don't leak when they're put back together again...
jlgolson said:
Great, so we've ascertained that none of the seals/gaskets leak, so let's open it all up and hope they don't leak when they're put back together again...
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)
I met a someone who had this case in Pigeon Forge, TN while on vacation at an indoor water park. He was constantly dropping his iPhone 4 in the water to get people's reaction. It worked as I struck up a conversation with him about it.
Great case that does what it claims!
I met a someone who had this case in Pigeon Forge, TN while on vacation at an indoor water park. He was constantly dropping his iPhone 4 in the water to get people's reaction. It worked as I struck up a conversation with him about it.
Great case that does what it claims!
I know guys who work with Quiksilver and their new brand VSTR who have shoot all their surf water footage with the iP4s in these cases. Wouldnt have believed til I saw the footage. Pretty impressive and you couldnt get a better testimony then that...
AriX, you cracked me up there!
Do you know what a Faraday Cage is? Do you know why you lose satellite signal when thick clouds are overhead? Do you know what is considered the best electrical ground on earth?
Who am I kidding, of course you don't. Because if you knew the answer to any of those questions, you would not actually believe that a cell signal could propagate through more than a few millimeters of water.
Have you ever been in a concrete building and in the innermost rooms and halls, where there are no outer doors or windows, lost your signal? That happens because the concrete and steel in the walls keeps the signal from getting to your phone.
Same thing with this case. You are not shorting the antenna because the plastic is protecting it. What you are doing however is putting it inside a substance through which radio signals cannot pass. This is why submarines communicate submerged with ELF signals and have to surface, or extend a periscope antenna out of the water, for high speed data.
As much as I respect and admire Apple and it's products, the laws of physics are not going to change for them in their 30+ years of existence any more than they changed for the 236 years of the US Navy.
Sorry to be so long-winded, but that just hit a chord with me...
My solution to the water problem was created a long time ago:
Phone (in) >> zip-lock bag (in) >> zip lock bag = waterproof with "new double seal protection!"
Works pretty well for those rainy days or around the pool, the phone's survived a few deep dunks in the pool too without getting wet/damaged.
Phone (in) >> zip-lock bag (in) >> zip lock bag = waterproof with "new double seal protection!"
Works pretty well for those rainy days or around the pool, the phone's survived a few deep dunks in the pool too without getting wet/damaged.
In my earlier post I mentioned that if you open the dock connector door you'll get better mic input and speaker output... I dont use the headphone jack as 99% of my calls are speaker, this should clear up your problem for the most part... yes its annoying but... your phone is encased in plastic and rubber... the "air" has to be freed!
I returned mine
I bought one of these last september and installed it....at first I was excited about it because I was in Hawaii and about to take it underwater, I followed the directions and installed it just how it told me. Went to make a call and the person couldnt hear me...said they could tell I was talking but not make out what I was saying. the directions for installation are also on the website and being as that my phone was the only source of internet I had also made that difficult, then navigating the page was difficult. I ended up returning the case and just using an underwater camera I got from target for $80. Also note that anytime you want to use headphones you have to unscrew the plug so it makes it somewhat inconvenient for every day use. If you're looking for something to put it in when you go down to the beach on your vacation try a ziplock bag, you can get 50 waterproof cases for around $5 and the capacitance touch screen works just fine through them.
I bought one of these last september and installed it....at first I was excited about it because I was in Hawaii and about to take it underwater, I followed the directions and installed it just how it told me. Went to make a call and the person couldnt hear me...said they could tell I was talking but not make out what I was saying. the directions for installation are also on the website and being as that my phone was the only source of internet I had also made that difficult, then navigating the page was difficult. I ended up returning the case and just using an underwater camera I got from target for $80. Also note that anytime you want to use headphones you have to unscrew the plug so it makes it somewhat inconvenient for every day use. If you're looking for something to put it in when you go down to the beach on your vacation try a ziplock bag, you can get 50 waterproof cases for around $5 and the capacitance touch screen works just fine through them.
What a neat invention for an iPhone! If I ever go snorkeling, then I will buy this case. It's truly impressive that a phone can be submerged for an hour or os, but yet only cost $80! Try that with your DSLR!
One problem is that water you are swimming in better be 'see thru blue' or your videos will suck. Maybe the camera will capture some cool stuff? Don't know... This case is good for swimming pools.
One problem is that water you are swimming in better be 'see thru blue' or your videos will suck. Maybe the camera will capture some cool stuff? Don't know... This case is good for swimming pools.
Surprised this was not reported earlier (been out for months)
Seriously considering getting this, maybe when I go to the beach...
I would need to either a BT or the wired headphones to use it tho.
Seriously considering getting this, maybe when I go to the beach...
I would need to either a BT or the wired headphones to use it tho.
suberb case
I've had a life proof case on my 4S since they updated the case for the phone (Novemberish). It is by far the best case I have ever owned. It does everything it claims to, and is very good at it. I can text, tweet, surf, listen to music, etc. while I shower now! I can now also take it on ATV expeditions and use it as a GPS without fear of mud getting the best of it. The voice clarity on both ends doesn't seem to have changed, with the exception of speakerphone, which does seem to have degraded a little bit, for the person on the other end. The touch screen, for me at least, hasn't lost any sensitivity and doesn't require any extra force to push, and all multitouch functionality is intact. I've already dropped it in the snow/slush several times accidentally as well as into the sink, and it has come out working perfectly. In fact I wash it in the sink when it's getting too greasy or fingerprinty. The drop protection is also great. The case is not much thicker than the iPhone on it's own, and only a slight bit taller/longer. I would highly recommend this to anyone as it is a superb case, and is literally "life proof". Keep in mind that water is capacitive, so you will not have touch screen functionality underwater, and likely very poor reception as well. If you want to film underwater you have to start/stop above water.
@Altervarks - keep in mind that condensation builds up on the inside of baggies. i ruined a phone trying that while going tubing down the river. not a good idea.
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Makes more sense than testing it with the phone in now doesn't it......
I've had a life proof case on my 4S since they updated the case for the phone (Novemberish). It is by far the best case I have ever owned. It does everything it claims to, and is very good at it. I can text, tweet, surf, listen to music, etc. while I shower now! I can now also take it on ATV expeditions and use it as a GPS without fear of mud getting the best of it. The voice clarity on both ends doesn't seem to have changed, with the exception of speakerphone, which does seem to have degraded a little bit, for the person on the other end. The touch screen, for me at least, hasn't lost any sensitivity and doesn't require any extra force to push, and all multitouch functionality is intact. I've already dropped it in the snow/slush several times accidentally as well as into the sink, and it has come out working perfectly. In fact I wash it in the sink when it's getting too greasy or fingerprinty. The drop protection is also great. The case is not much thicker than the iPhone on it's own, and only a slight bit taller/longer. I would highly recommend this to anyone as it is a superb case, and is literally "life proof". Keep in mind that water is capacitive, so you will not have touch screen functionality underwater, and likely very poor reception as well. If you want to film underwater you have to start/stop above water.
@Altervarks - keep in mind that condensation builds up on the inside of baggies. i ruined a phone trying that while going tubing down the river. not a good idea.
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Makes more sense than testing it with the phone in now doesn't it......
In my earlier post I mentioned that if you open the dock connector door you'll get better mic input and speaker output... I dont use the headphone jack as 99% of my calls are speaker, this should clear up your problem for the most part... yes its annoying but... your phone is encased in plastic and rubber... the "air" has to be freed!
Thanks for the tip. I'll start doing that.
Before you take the bait, check other threads here and this:
http://www.bbb.org/sandiego/busines...g-developments-inc-in-san-diego-ca-172001444/
http://www.bbb.org/sandiego/busines...g-developments-inc-in-san-diego-ca-172001444/
I've had this case for about a month or so, and I really like it. Does everything it says it will. I am an avid Geocacher and use the iPhone 4S as my exclusive GPS. More often than not I am in the woods or around water while caching. This case gives me peace of mind that if it was to be dropped in water or dropped on the ground or whatever my phone has a better chance of surviving. The only complaints I have are that the mute switch on the side of the phone is difficult to use, and sometimes when I bend over or squat down the voice control/Siri is activated...it's pretty annoying. Also, the iPod feature turned itself on when I bent down at work one day...I had Megadeth blaring in my pocket in a workplace where phones aren't allowed, lol.
My solution to the water problem was created a long time ago:
Phone (in) >> zip-lock bag (in) >> zip lock bag = waterproof with "new double seal protection!"
Works pretty well for those rainy days or around the pool, the phone's survived a few deep dunks in the pool too without getting wet/damaged.
That's nice, but why even bring your phone along if you're not going to use it? With a LifeProof case, you still have full functionality. With your "solution" you still have to expose the phone to use it, and then it can easily get destroyed. You're also not going to get any drop protection.
I bought two of these on day one when they were released. After using it on my wife's phone I was not happy. It may keep the water out but the screen protector is an absolute piece of crap. The second one is still in the box. Do not buy this piece #*it!!!
They could have made the battery charger opening slightly bigger to fit more 3rd party cables. The apple cable works fine but if you want to use anything else you have to get their adapter. Very disappointed in the product!
They could have made the battery charger opening slightly bigger to fit more 3rd party cables. The apple cable works fine but if you want to use anything else you have to get their adapter. Very disappointed in the product!
LOL, no radio under water!
LOL! Yea, that's why military subs can't do radio either. They have to surface with an antenna just poking above the surface or periscope for radio.
Though ultra low frequencies have been used (at very slow data rates) for communications. But using the earth as a antenna, and the sub just doesn't have the length for a equal antenna, it just doesn't work that well. Salt, or anything that makes water conductive attenuates the signal big time, from the very start at the surface.
I saw in the video "No Service", not surprised, no phone, radio, military or civilian really works. (except for some ELF experiments, I'm talking 3-30 Hz, not KHz or MHz radio!. Yes that would be wavelengths of 1 to 100 MILLION meters! At 3 Hz only four wave lengths would go to the MOON, so less than 1.5 bits per second?, enough to say "SURFACE" in about a minute, and only one way communication to the sub too.)
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I do that all the time, I work around pools sometimes, so it's just in case I fall in (never have though). Ziplock really works well, cheap and works while on.
LOL! Yea, that's why military subs can't do radio either. They have to surface with an antenna just poking above the surface or periscope for radio.
Though ultra low frequencies have been used (at very slow data rates) for communications. But using the earth as a antenna, and the sub just doesn't have the length for a equal antenna, it just doesn't work that well. Salt, or anything that makes water conductive attenuates the signal big time, from the very start at the surface.
I saw in the video "No Service", not surprised, no phone, radio, military or civilian really works. (except for some ELF experiments, I'm talking 3-30 Hz, not KHz or MHz radio!. Yes that would be wavelengths of 1 to 100 MILLION meters! At 3 Hz only four wave lengths would go to the MOON, so less than 1.5 bits per second?, enough to say "SURFACE" in about a minute, and only one way communication to the sub too.)
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My solution to the water problem was created a long time ago:
Phone (in) >> zip-lock bag (in) >> zip lock bag = waterproof with "new double seal protection!"
Works pretty well for those rainy days or around the pool, the phone's survived a few deep dunks in the pool too without getting wet/damaged.
I do that all the time, I work around pools sometimes, so it's just in case I fall in (never have though). Ziplock really works well, cheap and works while on.
Analog Kid said:
Fresh water isn't as bad, but yet, water does block radio signals. Even at pure water has 1 part per 10,000,000 ions of H+ and OH- to interfere with radio. (Hence pH of 7 / 10^-7) But Fresh Water is hardly pure either.
Here's what I said in an earlier post to Analog Kid's post:
LOL! Yea, that's why military subs can't do radio either. They have to surface with an antenna just poking above the surface or periscope for radio.
Though ultra low frequencies have been used (at very slow data rates) for communications. But using the earth as a antenna, and the sub just doesn't have the length for a equal antenna, it just doesn't work that well. Salt, or anything that makes water conductive attenuates the signal big time, from the very start at the surface.
I saw in the video "No Service", not surprised, no phone, radio, military or civilian really works. (except for some ELF experiments, I'm talking 3-30 Hz, not KHz or MHz radio!. Yes that would be wavelengths of 1 to 100 MILLION meters! At 3 Hz only four wave lengths would go to the MOON, so less than 1.5 bits per second?, enough to say "SURFACE" in about a minute, and only one way communication to the sub too.)
I like to use a Phonak comcom headset a lot, so if I need waterproof protection, I use a aloksak. Easy to install, easy to get out, good waterproof and cheap.
You can use it trought the aloksak, your usual bumper/case can stay on and protect against bumps, so it's not as bad as you picture it.