So I was thinking of getting a Lifeproof case for my new iphone 5. My brother and sister in law have them for iphone 4S and they love them. However Lifeproof doesn't have the iphone 5 model out yet so I am considering getting an otterbox because they are available. Should I hold out for the lifeproof? Please advise.
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Otterbox or Lifeproof
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UMRebel
macrumors regular
I have a Lifeproof for my iP4 and I love it! Don't think I will ever go back to Otterbox. As a matter of fact, I am holding off on getting the iP5 until the Lifeproof is released, which may be sometime next month (I hope). I used to only use the Otterbox Defender, but I was able to pick up a Lifeproof for my iP4 for 25% off at AT&T making it about the same price as an Otterbox Defender. In my opinion, the screen protector on the Lifeproof makes the screen much clearer than the Defender and I liked the slimmer form of the Lifeproof as compared to the Defender. I also didn't like the fact that the rubber on the Defender was a lint/dirt magnet and tended to stretch out over time. I have heard that the new Defenders for the iP5 use a different rubber that is much improved in this area, so maybe the new ones won't have that issue.
With all that being said, I have always been OCD when it comes to a naked phone. It's always scared the crap out of me, mainly because I'm clumsy and susceptible to dropping my phone. The thoughts of it hitting the ground unprotected makes me cringe. So I refuse to even walk out of the store without my new iP5 being in a case. Sure a naked iPhone is beautiful, but I'm a realist. I can replace a bummed up case much easier than a broken screen. If I were you, I'd get the Defender for now and upgrade to the Lifeproof once it comes out. Just my two cents . . . 😉
With all that being said, I have always been OCD when it comes to a naked phone. It's always scared the crap out of me, mainly because I'm clumsy and susceptible to dropping my phone. The thoughts of it hitting the ground unprotected makes me cringe. So I refuse to even walk out of the store without my new iP5 being in a case. Sure a naked iPhone is beautiful, but I'm a realist. I can replace a bummed up case much easier than a broken screen. If I were you, I'd get the Defender for now and upgrade to the Lifeproof once it comes out. Just my two cents . . . 😉
I'm in your same boat. I picked up an otterbox defender today but will be getting the life proof when they release it. I went naked with my iPhone 4 and will not be doing that again lol
yea I picked up an otter at the store but they have a 30 day return policy so once lifeproof is released i will pick it up.
i'd swear i saw the lifeproof at best buy. got an otterbox. no effing way i'm paying $80 for a phone case. unless they make a cheaper version.
Looking from many videos I see the lifeproof is very thin. Can anyone confirm it ? I have my doubts of it being able to absorb so much shock with no soft material.
They have some great videos on youtube and some even comparing the two. I don't think it is thin though, just hard plastic. I played around with the 4S one and really it just reminded me of a thinner, less bulky defender.
If it is just hard plastic would it not be as good for shock protection ? Since there isn't cushioning the fall.
fishmd
macrumors 68000
Ok so figured I would chime in here being as I have owned both cases for the iPhone 4/4S. I much prefer the LifeProof case. For one it is much thinner and less bulky than the otterbox. It gives a great deal of drop protection too. I can't tell you how many times I saw my wife's iPhone tumble to the ground onto super hard surfaces with the LifeProof on and there was not once a bit of damage. The phone literally looked brand new after two years of hard use. Waterproofing was also a great feature and living in South Florida we did make use of it regularly with swimming, jet skiing, going to the beach etc. I am really hoping that their new version will live up to the old one, and hopefully be even thinner for the iPhone 5.
The otterbox for the iPhone 5 is nice. Good build quality. Seems like it would protect well. Not waterproof however. It is bulky, although not quite as much as the one was for the iPhone 4. The belt clip is nice too. I guess my real grip about it is that because of its bulk, you really cannot tell that you have this nice beautifully thin new iPhone 5 in there. No one who saw it in this case new it was a new iPhone. Everyone was like, I thought this was supposed to be thinner than the 4??
The otterbox for the iPhone 5 is nice. Good build quality. Seems like it would protect well. Not waterproof however. It is bulky, although not quite as much as the one was for the iPhone 4. The belt clip is nice too. I guess my real grip about it is that because of its bulk, you really cannot tell that you have this nice beautifully thin new iPhone 5 in there. No one who saw it in this case new it was a new iPhone. Everyone was like, I thought this was supposed to be thinner than the 4??
What sold me on the Lifeproof was when I had a group of teenagers come to my house this summer to go swimming. They took dozens of pics in the pool, underwater and chucking it back a forth. Worked great. I went out and bought 3 for my families phones. Love them.
Nobody remembers Lifeproof was vaporware for close to a year. I'm pretty sure they used all their preorder funds for manufacturing. They were shady.