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LifeProof Nüüd (iPhone 5s) Review

Got my case today.

Here are some things to point out:

Touch ID cover:
Works almost 100% of the time if your finger is placed correctly. The membrane feels stable but a fingernail could make small 'slash' marks that make me worry a little but shouldn't be a big deal.

Water test:
After water testing my case with the provided unit, I dried it thoroughly but gently with a towel and the cleaning cloth that comes with the case. Then my phone was inserted into the front part and the back was snapped into place. While snapping the back cover with the front, I noticed that the back seemed narrower that the front which made it tricky to put into place but eventually cooperated.

Overall:
-Beware of cable compatibility
-Apple cable works
-Don't take off the case frequently as it will degrade the waterproof functions
-Feels comfortable to use
-haven't noticed any speaker quality issues
-looks good
 
How does taking it off kill the waterproof powers,?
Im planning to using the case only in summer at the pool and then max take it on and off twice a day.

Cant we get replacable rubber bands if thats the part that degrades?
 
borgqueenx said:
How does taking it off kill the waterproof powers,?

Im planning to using the case only in summer at the pool and then max take it on and off twice a day.



Cant we get replacable rubber bands if thats the part that degrades?
Click to expand...


I don't have an answer to this but an opinion. So in my opinion by removing the case multiple times I would imagine it would flex the case to the point that the band no longer seals properly. That's just my opinion though.
 
borgqueenx said:
How does taking it off kill the waterproof powers,?

Im planning to using the case only in summer at the pool and then max take it on and off twice a day.



Cant we get replacable rubber bands if thats the part that degrades?
Click to expand...


You're putting more stress and wear and tear on the seals by frequently removing the phone from the case
 
borgqueenx said:
How does taking it off kill the waterproof powers,?
Im planning to using the case only in summer at the pool and then max take it on and off twice a day.

Cant we get replacable rubber bands if thats the part that degrades?
Click to expand...

Originally when the iPhone 4 lifeproof case came out they said that you could only take it off and put it on 50 times before the seals would be damaged enough that it couldn't be trusted. Since then they have made improvements and they don't give a specific number of removals anymore, but they do recommend that you frequently water test the case if you put it on and remove it a lot. The case is really not super easy to remove and doing so does definitely put a lot of strain on it. It's really designed to just be left on the phone.
 
Looks like its a problem with the new nuud back cover being flimsy. The 5S fre is not a problem to take on and off.
 
Screen Protector

I've had my lifeproof nuud case on my iphone 5s for about a week now and am very happy with it.

I used a 4s for two years and never used a case. That ended regretfully when it finally was smashed leading me to upgrade to the 5s.

Pressing the home button is not an issue for me however the finger print scan only works about 50% of the time for me.

I chose to install the case with a screen protector already on my phone. I have the AmFilm HD clear protector. I put a protector on the test unit first and did the water test and it stayed dry inside. I don't intend to intentionally use the phone in water but its more of a precaution for me.

I've dropped the case twice on smooth hard surfaces from waist height and the case is still in great shape with no damage.

The control center is a bit difficult to pull up and takes a bit of concentration to really get your thumb pressed as low on the screen as possible.

I'm pleased and plan to continue to use the case.

I purchased it from the apple store here in the U.S.A.
 
pavelhen said:
I've had my lifeproof nuud case on my iphone 5s for about a week now and am very happy with it.

I used a 4s for two years and never used a case. That ended regretfully when it finally was smashed leading me to upgrade to the 5s.

Pressing the home button is not an issue for me however the finger print scan only works about 50% of the time for me.

I chose to install the case with a screen protector already on my phone. I have the AmFilm HD clear protector. I put a protector on the test unit first and did the water test and it stayed dry inside. I don't intend to intentionally use the phone in water but its more of a precaution for me.

I've dropped the case twice on smooth hard surfaces from waist height and the case is still in great shape with no damage.

The control center is a bit difficult to pull up and takes a bit of concentration to really get your thumb pressed as low on the screen as possible.

I'm pleased and plan to continue to use the case.

I purchased it from the apple store here in the U.S.A.
Click to expand...

I used my case for 2 weeks with a screen protector pre-installed, a full size spigen crystal clear one, and was also getting touched to only work 50% of the time, i actually planned on returning the case and getting the nuud for the 5 if this were the case, but then i peeled off my screen protector and used the one they included which doesn't go past the seals (or in this case even reach them) and my touch id worked 99% of the time after that.
 
update after 2 weeks of use:

I went back to my TPU case and really like not having the added bulk and need for the screw-in headphone adapter. I did notice that for some reason the vibrations using the speaker phone gradually got worse. At first it was minimal, but it started to rattle annoyingly especially using a white noise app to sleep to.

Personally, I'm going to use the case part-time when I go on mountain bike rides and want to throw it worry free in my pack or when I know I will be close to water during the summer while at the beach, pool, etc... As previous people have posted concerns about, I hope there isn't a degradation in the strength of the seals with repeatedly taking off and putting on the case since it looks like that will be the way I will end up using it.
 
bigjim83 said:
Has anyone tried this case with tempered glass screen protectors?
Click to expand...

I have this same question, i have installed a iloome flex screen protector, and my question is will this screen protector would have to be removed, considering it is glass and it is extremely thin, have some one tried using the nuud with an iloome?
 
Itsedstech said:
I used my case for 2 weeks with a screen protector pre-installed, a full size spigen crystal clear one, and was also getting touched to only work 50% of the time, i actually planned on returning the case and getting the nuud for the 5 if this were the case, but then i peeled off my screen protector and used the one they included which doesn't go past the seals (or in this case even reach them) and my touch id worked 99% of the time after that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I'll update my touch id performance if I get around to taking the protector off.
 
Lifeproof 5s cases a fail

I tried the regular case with the one piece front and built in screen protector and the screen protector was very metallic and made everything look like there was glitter on the screen. The 4s case was not like that. Got an RMA and returned it in perfect condition with original packaging and over four weeks later they still have not issued credit. All emails asking about my refund have been ignored and I have been on hold on the phone with customer service twice for over ten minutes only to be cut off. It seems like they have a ten minute timer on people asking about their refund.:)
I ordered the Nuud and I really hate the depth of the case. Using the included screen protector, you cant call up control center without trying three or four times, Really? I need to get that frustrated everyday just to protect my phone? The lenses are so deep it is impossible to clean them without a serious effort and a cotton swab. Its too deep to clean with a lens cleaning wipe. Not so great in the field which is why I wanted a waterproof case to begin with. Typing on the edge was never this bad with the Lifeproof 4s case. I was quite happy with the 4s case but this 5s case is definitely not going to be on my phone everyday. I wish they had a decent customer service because I would return the Nuud as well. Junk in my book.
 
beefish said:
I tried the regular case with the one piece front and built in screen protector and the screen protector was very metallic and made everything look like there was glitter on the screen. The 4s case was not like that. Got an RMA and returned it in perfect condition with original packaging and over four weeks later they still have not issued credit. All emails asking about my refund have been ignored and I have been on hold on the phone with customer service twice for over ten minutes only to be cut off. It seems like they have a ten minute timer on people asking about their refund.:)
I ordered the Nuud and I really hate the depth of the case. Using the included screen protector, you cant call up control center without trying three or four times, Really? I need to get that frustrated everyday just to protect my phone? The lenses are so deep it is impossible to clean them without a serious effort and a cotton swab. Its too deep to clean with a lens cleaning wipe. Not so great in the field which is why I wanted a waterproof case to begin with. Typing on the edge was never this bad with the Lifeproof 4s case. I was quite happy with the 4s case but this 5s case is definitely not going to be on my phone everyday. I wish they had a decent customer service because I would return the Nuud as well. Junk in my book.
Click to expand...

I agree with you about the 5S free screen being metallic like, not good as a every day case, will just use mine when needed now. Though i had a 4S one and it was very tappy, the 5S i think fits closer to the iPhone screen. The feel of the film over the home button feels weird too. Sound a bit muffled too. I got one for a surf trip to Bali and was good for that but for everyday business and home use the screen is not good. Control centre and touch id work great. I like the look and feel of it just the grainy screen kills it. Maybe they should make a nuud the same shape as the 5S fre.
Was going to get a nuud but not worth another $99 bucks after reading the reviews.
 
Last edited:
Took my Nuud swimming the other day. Took a call to find the earpiece wasn't working. Case had leaked, luckily I salvaged the earpiece and got it working again.

Was my 5th Nuud case from Lifeproof, 1st failed the water test, second had a dodgy home button, 3rd failed, 4th failed, and 5th finally passed.

I don't know why I'm getting a horrid run of cases, but I most certainly don't trust them anymore, and will just be sticking with a basic Speck case. Disappointing cause I didn't mind the case.
 
MistaBishi said:
Took my Nuud swimming the other day. Took a call to find the earpiece wasn't working. Case had leaked, luckily I salvaged the earpiece and got it working again.



Was my 5th Nuud case from Lifeproof, 1st failed the water test, second had a dodgy home button, 3rd failed, 4th failed, and 5th finally passed.



I don't know why I'm getting a horrid run of cases, but I most certainly don't trust them anymore, and will just be sticking with a basic Speck case. Disappointing cause I didn't mind the case.
Click to expand...


Wow that sucks; was your phone water damaged at all?

What do you mean by dodgy home button if I may ask?
 
KAMB said:
Wow that sucks; was your phone water damaged at all?

What do you mean by dodgy home button if I may ask?
Click to expand...

The earpiece was full of water, and was very muffled. I management to fix it by sucking the water out of the earpiece.

Ah, forgot this was the 5S thread. This was a home button on the 5 version, I wonder if I can get a 5S one as a replacement...
 
Got my nuud case yesterday and like others mentioned, touch id only worked about 50% of the time.

I know life proof says to have your fingerprints already stored in the phone but what I did was scan them with the case on and now touch id works about 90% of the time. Getting the fingerprints to register with the case on can be tricky but once it registers it works better.
 
SchuettS said:
Got my nuud case yesterday and like others mentioned, touch id only worked about 50% of the time.



I know life proof says to have your fingerprints already stored in the phone but what I did was scan them with the case on and now touch id works about 90% of the time. Getting the fingerprints to register with the case on can be tricky but once it registers it works better.
Click to expand...


I was just gonna say what you said in your second paragraph until I read it haha.
 
Has anyone dropped their phone face down with the Nuud? A drop with the bare screen is what worries me before I buy this case
 
devilcm3 said:
flat surface ... yes.

surface with sharp, pointy edges ... just hope it doesn't reach the screen.
Click to expand...


Yea on a flat surface I thought it would be fine. On an edgy surface, I'm sure even the protectors on the fre couldn't fully protect the screen. I'm still stuck between this n the otterbox preserver
 
jayrflow said:
Yea on a flat surface I thought it would be fine. On an edgy surface, I'm sure even the protectors on the fre couldn't fully protect the screen. I'm still stuck between this n the otterbox preserver
Click to expand...


Get the LifeProof. The Preserver sucks and you'll be sorry you spent the money on it.
 
To answer some questions, I have had my lifeproof nuud for the 5s for about 2-3 weeks now. Previously I had the spigen glas.tR nano temepered glass screen protector (0.23 thickness) on my phone. I tried it with the nuud case but it was too thick, so I ordered the Mime Feather + tempered glass screen protector (0.15 thickness) which actually has a higher impact rating (9h) then the spigen (8h). I have had the Mime on my phone with the nuud case for just over a week now. It works perfectly, no issues at all for me, headphones still go in perfectly, as well as the lightning charger (3rd party one at that). I have been in the shower and swimming (indoor pool) with it. no issues for me.
 
KAMB said:
Reserved for Lightning Cable Fitment Confirmed (pending cables provided or info provided from other members).

Apple: Lightning Cable Fits

TechArmor (Fitment Confirmed): Received a 6ft. Black version is the cable today (12/13/13) and man I gotta say right out of the box this thing is heavy duty. IT ALSO FITS THE LIFEPROOF CASE! I will be using this cable as my main cable and will be putting it through some heavy uses over the next couple weeks. Keep and eye out for a review thread.

Amazon Basic: E-Mail sent (pending reply).

EZOPower: Per user tomoye this cable fits.
Click to expand...


Curious...I have the Fre case for the iPhone 5/5s...Is the charging port the same size? Is it reasonable to say if these fit the Nuud that they will also fit the Fre?
 
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