Lifeproof NEXT for iPhone 13 PM

[Madtiger27]

Here is my review of it after using it for 2 weeks.

I go to the beach often…and last year, the sand scratched my iPhone 12 PM stainless steel side while using Apple Clear Case because sand got into the sides of the case. Sand is killer! The problem is that sand can get into your pockets unknowingly and then when you put your phone inside pocket, the sand wrecks havoc!

So, with iPhone 13 PM, i have been searching for a case that minimizes this. Tech21 Evo Clear was pretty good but sand could still get into the sides. Apple Leather Case was great but i wanted something that i don’t have to look down to make sure that surface is clean before setting my phone down.

So, i decided to try Lifeproof NEXT. I do NOT want waterproof case because that requires covering up the camera with another set of glass (e.g. Fre case). I don’t want to compromise the camera performance. And i don’t like plastic screen protector that comes with many of these waterproof cases. I don’t want anything to cover the speakers that can affect sound or call quality.

NEXT does seal the phone up nicely. I cleaned the case carefully before inserting my phone to make sure no dirt or dust bunnies are in there. Cleaned the phone. Then insert quickly before dust bunnies can hop in.

So far, for 2 weeks of active duty, nothing has entered the back of case. I carry my phone in my pocket most of the time. I use car mount via MagSafe inside car.

I have tested this case by dropping my phone on the back and front on the soft sand. Nothing entered the case! Obviously, no water testing done.

 

[Madtiger27]

As you can see from the photos, yes, the case has MagSafe magnets. They are OK…slightly weaker than Apple and Tech21 Evo but slightly stronger than Otterbox‘s. They are fine for car mount that uses MagSafe despite being a heavy case with a heavy iPhone 13 PM.

The back polycarbonate does scratch fairly easily (like PC do)…don’t think that there is any “anti-scratch” coating. There is an ever so slight edge around the perimeter of case that lifts the back off the surface if you put it down on its back…….very very slight…..don’t depend on it to keep scratches off the back hard plastic.

This slight edge may help in drop protection because it directs the force to the edge of the case and away from the vulnerable back glass of the iPhone.

As you can see, there is a rubber surround the front of the case. Remember, this is a TWO PIECE case…the front snaps with the back. The rubber surround helps with shock if drop face first. But the main purpose is to keep dirt/sand (and water) from entering the sides of the case. Basically, it seals the front.

The silent “rotating switch” works great. Don’t worry about the reviews that say that the switch is bad design. It works great. Just make sure that you align the silent switch of the phone to it when installing it. No-brainer, trust me.

The bottom charge port cover is the only one that i worry about. It seems OK but kinda flimsy. I can see this breaking off in future with use. But it also seems easily replaceable. (But i am not sure if Lifeproof will give you that piece for free or you have to get a whole new case and pay for bogus over-price shipping.)

And finally, the speaker and mic at the bottom are covered with a mesh to prevent dirt/sand/dust from entering. Love it!! So much better than leaving it open like you see on Otterbox Defender XT.

 

[Madtiger27]

Last set of pics…this time the back.

This is A BIG A$$ HEAVY CASE!! HUGE. You can see the outline of my 13 Pro Max…the case adds considerable width. It is fairly thin for what it is. The problem is the width that it adds. It did bother me for first several days of using it. I have gotten somewhat use to it by now. But yeah, makes an already big phone GIGANTIC!

Now, if you look at the back of case, you can see that there is a thin layer of clear rubber surround at edge of case, including around camera opening. This surround is GREAT!! It is similar to what Tech21 does with the EVO Clear case. But NEXT rubber surround goes around the camera opening (Tech21 does not do this). This does two great things:

1. Prevent dirt/dust from entering the back of your phone. It literally seals the back…so that even if dust get into the sides of the case, it does not enter the back…keeping your back of phone looking dust free.

2. It adds to drop protection if you drop your iphone on its back. It is soft rubber to absorb shock. As you may know, back glass of iPhone is vulnerable to drops. No Ceramic Shield there.

The camera opening is reasonable…wish that it was a little tighter to the camera bump (like Apple cases or even Tech21)…but looks good enough, unlike the obscene camera opening on the Otterbox Defender XT!

Bottom line…a great case for what it does. Not for minimalist type user. But for my needs (beach going, being outside with kids), it has been excellent.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[Hooterville]

I would buy one of these if the back didn't scratch so easy.
How has this been holding up?

 

[Madtiger27]

I would buy one of these if the back didn't scratch so easy.
How has this been holding up?

Not too bad. As noted above , there is a SLIGHT lip around the case to keep the back plastic off the desk (along with camera hump) when laying flat. If it is bad, then i will pay Lifeproof $8 to get a new case in a year.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

I’ve had my eye on this case for a while and finally pulled the trigger on it yesterday, after finding the MagSafe compatible version with green sides on Amazon for $48 ($90 regular price is a ridiculous amount to pay for a case). My case was delivered a few minutes ago, so I removed my phone from its Apple leather case and slapped the Next on it.

I completely agree with the OP - this case is HUGE. This is particularly noticeable when coming from the slim profile Apple leather case. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that my phone will survive a drop with this case, but the size may be a tough pill to swallow. I love the leather case, but wanted something a bit more protective. I’ll give it a couple of days to see if I can ge used to the size. Otherwise, it’ll be going back and my search for a perfect protective case will resume.

 

[Hooterville]

I’ve had my eye on this case for a while and finally pulled the trigger on it yesterday, after finding the MagSafe compatible version with green sides on Amazon for $48 ($90 regular price is a ridiculous amount to pay for a case). My case was delivered a few minutes ago, so I removed my phone from its Apple leather case and slapped the Next on it.

I completely agree with the OP - this case is HUGE. This is particularly noticeable when coming from the slim profile Apple leather case. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that my phone will survive a drop with this case, but the size may be a tough pill to swallow. I love the leather case, but wanted something a bit more protective. I’ll give it a couple of days to see if I can ge used to the size. Otherwise, it’ll be going back and my search for a perfect protective case will resume.

How is that green color? This price has sparked my interest.

 

[Madtiger27]

I’ve had my eye on this case for a while and finally pulled the trigger on it yesterday, after finding the MagSafe compatible version with green sides on Amazon for $48 ($90 regular price is a ridiculous amount to pay for a case). My case was delivered a few minutes ago, so I removed my phone from its Apple leather case and slapped the Next on it.

I completely agree with the OP - this case is HUGE. This is particularly noticeable when coming from the slim profile Apple leather case. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that my phone will survive a drop with this case, but the size may be a tough pill to swallow. I love the leather case, but wanted something a bit more protective. I’ll give it a couple of days to see if I can ge used to the size. Otherwise, it’ll be going back and my search for a perfect protective case will resume.

I came from Apple leather case too. Took me a few days of changing the way I hold it to get used to it.

After 3 weeks, still no dust inside case. I love the case. This may be my last case for 13 PM until I upgrade to new iPhone.

 

[Hooterville]

OP, are the MagSafe magnets on the outside or inside of the case?

I'm guessing outside but just wanted to check.

 

[Madtiger27]

OP, are the MagSafe magnets on the outside or inside of the case?

Inside. You don’t feel it outside.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

How is that green color? This price has sparked my interest.

It’s a very nice olive drab shade of green. I’m a fan of the military aesthetic when it comes to protecting my electronics and this color definitely checks that box.

I came from Apple leather case too. Took me a few days of changing the way I hold it to get used to it.

After 3 weeks, still no dust inside case. I love the case. This may be my last case for 13 PM until I upgrade to new iPhone.

My 13 Pro is already back in its trusty leather case. The Next would definitely be a great case, as far as protection is concerned. However, the added bulk is definitely a dealbreaker. The Max’s unwieldy size is the only reason I got the non-Max iPhone. This case definitely puts it into that territory. Unfortunately, it’ll be going back to Amazon.

 

[Hooterville]

Tempted to order that green on Amazon for $45. - it's still in my cart

 

[Madtiger27]

Tempted to order that green on Amazon for $45. - it's still in my cart

It’s big. Buttons suck. Otherwise, it’s great!! I put thin hard plastic behind the buttons…now ok.

 

[Hooterville]

It’s big. Buttons suck. Otherwise, it’s great!! I put thin hard plastic behind the buttons…now ok.

Does the Magsafe charger scratch the back plastic from use?

 

[Madtiger27]

Does the Magsafe charger scratch the back plastic from use?

maybe? I have some scratches on the back around the MagSafe ring??

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

Tempted to order that green on Amazon for $45. - it's still in my cart

Just got an Amazon notification that the price dropped to $38.50.

 

[Hooterville]

Just got an Amazon notification that the price dropped to $38.50.

I changed my mind and think I'll pass on this case.

 

[Madtiger27]

Just want to give update. After about 1.5 moths of using it, the NEXT case remains on my phone. I have not taken out my phone from case in that time. Daily driver. Pocket carry.

General appearance. Minor scratches to the back . Nothing deep. Nothing that is an eyesore. The back still shows my iPhone in all its glory.

And yes, you guess it……NO DIRT/DUST has gotten to the back to ruin the look of my iphone!

 

[Madtiger27]

Someone above asked…yes, the MagSafe charger (rarely do i use it) can cause minor scratches on the polycarbonate…but you really have to lean to one side and look at it under light to see it.

 

[Madtiger27]

As for the camera ring…there are scratches visible if you look closely under light. But this is expected given that it contacts the surface first.

 

[Madtiger27]

I must also say something about the buttons because i did not say much about above. The buttons from factory for the case is horrible!! About as bad as they come. Stiff. Hurts my finger after a day of using the phone.

I tried using razor to cut the “sides” of the button…putting slits in it. Not effective. Made no difference. (BTW, there are TWO buttons for every button. The outside button is black as you can see in the surrounding front plate. But on the inside of the case, there is also another button. Pressing the outside button pushes the inside button which then pushes the actual iPhone button.). I only cut slit in the outside button…thus, it is not an entry point for dust/dirt/water into the actual case.

What i ended up doing was finding hard thin plastic…like those clear plastic window on the Otterbox retail box. I cut up into small rectangle and glue it to the backside of the button. You don’t want a thick plastic piece because then it pushes the case outward.

That did the trick. My buttons are not responsive. Easy to push. No finger pain.