There are many Lifeproof reviews out there, but the reason I'm posting is to provide a couple reasons I think it's the best case on the market as well as a couple modifications that I did that improved the case for me.
I use a Lifeproof because, although not a perfect case, it's perfect for my needs of protection from my clumsiness and kids. It's thinness is a huge plus for me, because I'd much rather have no case. Also, I use the mute switch all the time, and having that solid, rubber nubby toggle on the outside is great and makes the muting a painless, quick, and blind task. Especially compared to something like the Otterbox, where you have to pop the rubber cover off, then dig around trying to get the switch on the end of your fingernail. Obviously protection from beer, coffee and children's fluids is a high point for me about this case. The feel of the case is great, and I like the way it looks. $50 is cheaper than a $600 replacement or worst yet, no iPhone.
However, I don't like the way the screen doesn't lay flat, especially at the top. But the touchscreen is still responsive and its a trade off for the protection.
I've heard many people bash Lifeproof. In fact, my first experience with it was bad: it slid off the table and dropped, only about 4 feet, but when I picked it up the edge of the plastic had cracked! Obviously took it back. My second case, as well as my wife's, has stood up well. There are a couple areas that are breaking down ever so slightly but overall it has held up to a room tossing, drops, liquid and well, life. For everyone who has had a bad experience, including my own, I'd say that's true of any consumer product made in factories and in other countries. Such is life.
Now to the modifications:
The first was taking the little dark piece of plastic inside the case that covers the proximity sensor so it'd lay flat. Had to stick it back on, because it made the earpiece buzz when on the phone. Bummer, I really dislike the bump at the top.
Second was the two little bumps on the back of the case that supposedly amplify the sound. I didn't like how they raised the back up, plus how all the pressure on the back was on two little points pressing against the iPhone. So I took a razor and shaved them so now the back lays flat. It doesn't change the sound that much. Slightly less loud. Plus I use headphones most of the time or my Bose bluetooth speaker.
Which brings me to the final thing that drove me crazy about the case: I couldn't use my $130 Bose headphones cause the jack was too thick and angled. And I refused to carry around an adapter. So I decided shave the headphone jack so it was skinnier. Then I carved out a notch in the phone so the angle of the jack would not be stressed. The picture will explain it better. Works perfect.
Hope this helps someone decide about their case choice. Again not perfect, but perfect for my priorities.
I use a Lifeproof because, although not a perfect case, it's perfect for my needs of protection from my clumsiness and kids. It's thinness is a huge plus for me, because I'd much rather have no case. Also, I use the mute switch all the time, and having that solid, rubber nubby toggle on the outside is great and makes the muting a painless, quick, and blind task. Especially compared to something like the Otterbox, where you have to pop the rubber cover off, then dig around trying to get the switch on the end of your fingernail. Obviously protection from beer, coffee and children's fluids is a high point for me about this case. The feel of the case is great, and I like the way it looks. $50 is cheaper than a $600 replacement or worst yet, no iPhone.
However, I don't like the way the screen doesn't lay flat, especially at the top. But the touchscreen is still responsive and its a trade off for the protection.
I've heard many people bash Lifeproof. In fact, my first experience with it was bad: it slid off the table and dropped, only about 4 feet, but when I picked it up the edge of the plastic had cracked! Obviously took it back. My second case, as well as my wife's, has stood up well. There are a couple areas that are breaking down ever so slightly but overall it has held up to a room tossing, drops, liquid and well, life. For everyone who has had a bad experience, including my own, I'd say that's true of any consumer product made in factories and in other countries. Such is life.
Now to the modifications:
The first was taking the little dark piece of plastic inside the case that covers the proximity sensor so it'd lay flat. Had to stick it back on, because it made the earpiece buzz when on the phone. Bummer, I really dislike the bump at the top.
Second was the two little bumps on the back of the case that supposedly amplify the sound. I didn't like how they raised the back up, plus how all the pressure on the back was on two little points pressing against the iPhone. So I took a razor and shaved them so now the back lays flat. It doesn't change the sound that much. Slightly less loud. Plus I use headphones most of the time or my Bose bluetooth speaker.
Which brings me to the final thing that drove me crazy about the case: I couldn't use my $130 Bose headphones cause the jack was too thick and angled. And I refused to carry around an adapter. So I decided shave the headphone jack so it was skinnier. Then I carved out a notch in the phone so the angle of the jack would not be stressed. The picture will explain it better. Works perfect.
Hope this helps someone decide about their case choice. Again not perfect, but perfect for my priorities.
