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LifeProof vs Otterbox or Alternatives?

R

Rhyno37

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 23, 2011
130
0
Hey guys, I'm looking for a heavier duty case than my current magpul for my iPhone 5. I just got on the local volunteer fire department, and have found that I've been a but less careless with my phone. I also tend to get my hands dirty and greasy, and don't want to get that all over my phone. I've also noticed a few scratches in my screen. That being said, I'm preferably looking for a case with a built in screen protector and port covers, waterproof not necessary.

Ive been looking at the Lifeproof Fré, Otterbox Preserver, and Defender. The waterproof cases would be nice because I could take my phone on fire calls without worrying about ruining it, but is not necessary. I tried the Fré before, and it seemed ok, audio quality and calls weren't the best and it is expensive. Screen feedback was good. Never tried the preserver. Tried the Defender before, it's pretty bulky so it'd have to be used with the belt clip, but it offers great protection. The screen response was pretty bad for me.

Do y'all have any experience with these cases or other suggestions? Thanks
 
Rhyno37 said:
Hey guys, I'm looking for a heavier duty case than my current magpul for my iPhone 5. I just got on the local volunteer fire department, and have found that I've been a but less careless with my phone. I also tend to get my hands dirty and greasy, and don't want to get that all over my phone. I've also noticed a few scratches in my screen. That being said, I'm preferably looking for a case with a built in screen protector and port covers, waterproof not necessary.

Ive been looking at the Lifeproof Fré, Otterbox Preserver, and Defender. The waterproof cases would be nice because I could take my phone on fire calls without worrying about ruining it, but is not necessary. I tried the Fré before, and it seemed ok, audio quality and calls weren't the best and it is expensive. Screen feedback was good. Never tried the preserver. Tried the Defender before, it's pretty bulky so it'd have to be used with the belt clip, but it offers great protection. The screen response was pretty bad for me.

Do y'all have any experience with these cases or other suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like the Griffin Survivor case will suit your needs. And for $20, you can't go wrong. Or you can always get the Tough Armor case and put on a tempered glass screen protector if you want a slimmer protective case that will be more comfortable to use. That's a combination that I would suggest over the Survivor.
 
Last edited:
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Rhyno37 said:
Hey guys, I'm looking for a heavier duty case than my current magpul for my iPhone 5. I just got on the local volunteer fire department, and have found that I've been a but less careless with my phone. I also tend to get my hands dirty and greasy, and don't want to get that all over my phone. I've also noticed a few scratches in my screen. That being said, I'm preferably looking for a case with a built in screen protector and port covers, waterproof not necessary.

Ive been looking at the Lifeproof Fré, Otterbox Preserver, and Defender. The waterproof cases would be nice because I could take my phone on fire calls without worrying about ruining it, but is not necessary. I tried the Fré before, and it seemed ok, audio quality and calls weren't the best and it is expensive. Screen feedback was good. Never tried the preserver. Tried the Defender before, it's pretty bulky so it'd have to be used with the belt clip, but it offers great protection. The screen response was pretty bad for me.

Do y'all have any experience with these cases or other suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...

Preserver - Overall quality is good, however for a $80-90 case i have found some issues, please remember Otterbox will warranty the product though.

1. Built in Screen protector is "cheap", i have had mine for about 2 months now and its scratched from normal use.

2. The rubber on some of the case has started to wear off, for instance the "rocker switch" button the rubber on that is worn down.

3. I have not removed my case since install and have noticed dust inside under the screen protector, no idea how it got in there if this is supposed to be dust proof.

4. The biggest issue, is NO HOLSTER. I have been searching and have been unable to find even a leather case you can put this case in. This is a heavy duty case so unsure why they didn't even bother making one.

Lifeproof Fre , pass and get the Nud. Only issue i had with the Fre was the screen protector is CHEAP.

Defender, great case for protection. New design however allows more dust to get inside the case.

In terms of what to get ?

Waterproof - Preserver or Nud
Protection ? - Defender

I wouldn't trust the Lifeproof as far as protection from falls, if you look at there Facebook you will notice how many people have cracked screens from were the case failed as drop protection.
 
I have a defender with a glass screen protector which eliminates the screen issues. Best of both worlds if you ask me.
 
Rhyno37 said:
with a built in screen protector and port covers, waterproof not necessary.

Ive been looking at the Lifeproof Fré, Otterbox Preserver, and Defender. The waterproof cases would be nice because I could take my phone on fire calls without worrying about ruining it, but is not necessary. I tried the Fré before, and it seemed ok, audio quality and calls weren't the best and it is expensive. Screen feedback was good. Never tried the preserver. Tried the Defender before, it's pretty bulky so it'd have to be used with the belt clip, but it offers great protection. The screen response was pretty bad for me.

Do y'all have any experience with these cases or other suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...

I tried the Lifeproof. I like the materials used by Otterbox. They are now the same company. Soon there wont be any more differences.
 
Survivor and Lifeproof suffer from the sound being muted. Callers will struggle to hear you.
 
I think the biggest thing you have to consider is will the iPhone get wet. There are many choices for shock protection but Lifeproof still leads the way in saving the sucker from a toilet drop.
 
Rhyno37 said:
Ive been looking at the Lifeproof Fré, Otterbox Preserver, and Defender. The waterproof cases would be nice because I could take my phone on fire calls without worrying about ruining it, but is not necessary. I tried the Fré before, and it seemed ok, audio quality and calls weren't the best and it is expensive. Screen feedback was good. Never tried the preserver. Tried the Defender before, it's pretty bulky so it'd have to be used with the belt clip, but it offers great protection. The screen response was pretty bad for me.

Do y'all have any experience with these cases or other suggestions? Thanks
Click to expand...


I bought a Lifeproof Fre (on sale for $60) and an Otterbox Preserver ($90) to evaluate for camping use. I'm keeping the Preserver and returning the Fre.

The Fre was honestly terrible out of the box: the thin plastic felt flimsy, and the screen protector was awful (not flat against the screen, very uneven, grainy distortion). I had difficulty opening the charge port door, and even more trouble unplugging a lightning cable. To make matters worse, the audio quality from the speaker was rubbish. The only good thing I could say about the Fre was that the button feedback was generally good.

The Preserver, on the other hand, is much better built. The plastic is heavier and more solid in hand. The back is completely protected (no stupid logo window, which I can't stand on most Otterbox and Lifeproof products). Coverings over the cameras and speakers look precisely manufactured. Speaker is so clear that it sounds as if the black membrane covering it isn't there. Screen protector is relatively flat against the glass and free of distortion. It's much easier to deal with the charge port. Yes, the Preserver is bulky compared to the Fre, but it's not clunky like a Defender. The membrane over the home button is the only thing that feels like it might be fragile. As soon as I snapped my iPhone into the Preserver, the case felt just right. $90 is kind of absurd money for a case, but I'm not regretting this purchase at all.
 
If you just need a rugged case and not being waterproof isn't a deal breaker I highly recommend the Pelican Voyager - http://www.pelican.com/mobile/product.php?Case=C01030. Every bit of the protection of an Otterbox Defender but without the bulk. It also comes with Pelican's lifetime warranty.

If "waterproof" is a must the my only advice is to water test whatever case you get often. I had three "waterproof" cases suddenly fail without warning. While the idea of using a waterproof case every day sounds great, in practice the trade offs weren't worth it - not knowing if today was the day it would fail ruining my phone and the diminished sound quality (that gets worst over time esp. around saltwater). I went back to a rugged case and eventually found the Voyager.
 
Even if the case I was using was guaranteed to be wate-proof, I still would not trust it. Accidents do happen, and (watertight) cases do break. But if you are in an environment that is highly aquatic, then I suppose you need a waterproof case... I guess my point is that you cannot fully trust the waterproof cases. They are just an added insurance.

I use an otterbox commuter, and for the few times that it has had a little bit of rain on it, there has been no problem. Again, I'm not sure if you live in a highly aquatic area (I live in Miami) and I just think it is best to be abundantly careful. Water is a phone's kryptonite.
 
[QUOTE I wouldn't trust the Lifeproof as far as protection from falls, if you look at there Facebook you will notice how many people have cracked screens from were the case failed as drop protection.[/QUOTE]

I witnessed my dads phone fall from the roof of his car at 70mph and there was hardly a scratch on his life proof fee case, the phone was in perfect working condition. Only thing bad about it is dust somehow gets in.
 
I had an Otterbox Armor and LOVED it. A bit thick but indestructible. There are videos on YouTube of a kid throwing it out an upstairs window, running it through the washer, and running it over with a car.
 
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