By Riley Tucker
LifeProof is an everyday case for the iPhone 4 or 4S; not only does it afford greater versatility for users, but it provides a safe cover for indoor and outdoor use. Whether you are bearing towards the Colorado River, snow-filled ski slopes or simply working quietly at your cubicle, you can rest easy that your posh phone has sufficient protection against wet, sandy shorelines and spills from ambitious coffee drinking.
Slip LifeProof’s polycarbonate sleek-slim cover on your phone and you transform your user experience. Some phone covers may be bulky, but LifeProof is not only easy to snap on, but adds a minute amount of additional space, 1/16″ from the center of the phone.
After sliding on the overall cover, all that is needed to zip up your phone against dust and wetness is a small Keeper cap, screwing into the phone’s existing headphone port. Just a few turns of the cap and not only is the phone locked up against moisture, you are also ready for your favorite tunes.
A General User Headphone Adaptor comes with the case, I like how this adaptor adds a few inches of length from the phone to ear buds. All that is required is to unscrew the Keeper cap at the port and screw in the General Headphone Adaptor.
A really cool music enhancement is built-in to the back cover. The back panel acts as sub-woofer in some respects, improving the bass and mid-frequency speaker sound. I found this to be true when I rocked out to 80’s picks on Internet radio.
So, the most versatile feature of LifeProof’s case, and perhaps what sets them apart from the rest, is the ability for the case to traverse your phone to ensuing water depths; saving money down the road, as your iPhone may instantly become an underwater camera! LifeProof specifications document the phone as having a 6.6′ depth of submersion; ideal photo opportunities for honeymooners snorkeling in Hawaii, yes? Vibrant pictures of sea turtles and coral reefs may be realized, thanks to the Double AR-coated optical glass lenses designed at back of case.
You want to listen to “Rock Lobster” underwater? You can. LifeProof offers a variety of accessories to further enhance your in-water and out-of-water experiences. A Swimming Headphone Adaptor and Surge Waterproof Headset gives you hours of submerged listening enjoyment.
Weighing in at less than an ounce, LifeProof’s non-stick-grip coating materials made it easy to slip the phone in and out of my pocket. I was able to place the phone in my jean’s pocket and it worked nicely in and out of my wet board short pockets as well.
I would have to say, as far as LifeProof accessories are concerned, my personal favorite is the Bike and Bar mount attachment. My iPhone became a camera-on-the-go, recording beautiful scenery on a recent bike event along the Southern California coastline.
There are three different-sized rubber adaptors for secure grip, slide-free on my handlebars. Also, four placements secure your phone in place on the Bike and Bar mount, with an added locking mechanism for assured protection. Whether you are after landscape or portrait images, the locking nut on the back will accommodate your desired viewing range.
I also like how the Bike and Bar mount is adjustable, allowing me to hook up my phone on a stroller or somewhat larger beach-cruiser bike.
Getting back to basics, my LifeProofed iPhone is fully functional, if I tread water or decide to tear up ski moguls; I’m able to adjust the volume, turn on the phone and manipulate the menu all the while.
I used the phone cover for weeks and there are no scratches on the waterproof screen protector, pretty nice for a mere $79.99 price point per case. LifeProof doesn’t neglect the fact that iPads need a protective cover such as this; for $159.99, many of the same characteristics may be afforded for your precious pads.
After tireless days of worrying about my phone being ruined from wetness, snow or dust, with the LifeProof iPhone case, I can now spend my time worrying about the important things, such as the latest and greatest apps for my phone.
SPECIFICATIONS
Case Dimensions:
2.6″ (W) x 5.08″ (L) x 0.42″ (D) inner, 0.52″(D) outter edge (66mm (W) x 129mm (L) x 10.8mm (D), 13.3mm (D) outer edge)
Case Weight
0.98 oz. (28g)
Operating Temperature iPhone
32°F (0°C) to 95°F (35°C)
Temperature range for LifeProof Case alone
-40°F (-40°C) to 140°F (+60°C)
Operational Depth
6.6 feet (2 meters) underwater maximum
Drop Height
6.6 feet (2 meters) maximum
