iPhone 5s Lifeproof Nuud waterproof protection review

Summer is here, with him
sport, walking, swimming... Suffice it to sayrisky period
for a mobile machine like the iPhone. Two solutions, leave it to
home and do without opportunities to take sports photos and videos
or take it with youbut well protected.

For this, thewaterproof hullsare now rather
widespread and varied, but one brand has dominated the offering for a long time, it is
LifeProof. We have already offered you thetest of the
waterproof case for iPhone 4, then for theiPhone 5
icietthere in
the version without plastic film for the screen.

Today it is the version named "Nood" pour
iPhone 5sthat we are going to discover together, it presents two
specifics:the absence of any plastic filmon
the screen and itsability to leave the Touch ID fingerprint sensor
accessible and usable, all while remaining waterproof.

A challenge? definitely!

The case is for sale
in different versions here, for iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c

Presentation, implementation

This model retains the superb packaging of previous versions, with a
flap to open to see the hull before purchasing.

The hull itself is supplied with a block of blue plastic in place of
the iPhone, a screen protector, a short cable allowing you to connect a
helmet and a cloth.

The blue plastic block represents the iPhone and its screen. It serves to
check the tightness before use. The hulls are advertised as
tested before shipment, but it is requested to repeat the test. Given the price
of an iPhone, we will not bypass this check.

To do this, it is a matter of immersing the well-assembled assembly in water, for
a few tens of minutes. When disassembled, no water inside. Everything is
OK.

It is therefore time to take an interest in the waterproofing provided by this
“Nuud” hull. Indeed, to keep the touch as natural as possible,
this version leaves it free. It is therefore via flexible seals (silicone
probably) located around the perimeter of the latter and coming to put pressure on
water does not enter the machine. For the rest, waterproof protection
are located on the locations of microphones, sensors, cameras and
other buttons. A cap screws onto the headphone jack.

For photos and details:reread our
test de la coque Lifeproof Nuud iPhone 5 here

Utilisation

The first thing to check before talking about waterproofing and
protection is the capacity of this shell to beused not
occasionally during outings, but permanently. Indeed, given its
price and its objective, it must be potentiallya shell of
daily routine which protects the machine without hindering its use.

The buttons are all accessible: volume, power, button
central and are perfectly usable, although a little harder to press,
without this being a problem. No change there compared to the
previous version for the iPhone 5, so much the better, there was nothing to
improve.

The second point that absolutely had to be modified in relation toto the version
previously tested, concernedaccess to the edges of
the screen. Indeed, iOS 6 added a control center accessible via
a gesture that starts from the bottom of the screen. Except that this onewas not
accessible with the previous version of the shell, the fault is
border. For this version, the solution was to bevel it from the
shell that goes all around the screen.

Here are the two models compared (the new one is at the top): we can see clearly
changing the profile around the screen,

After several weeks of use, keeping the shell in
permanence, we can say that it works and access to the control center
like in the notification center is quite possible. We note, however, that it
You have to be careful to place your finger correctly from the edge.

Another aspect to test with this case is access to the screen. Indeed,
on
noted it in our tests of the Fre models, the plastic film used to
protect the screen, althoughvery reassuring, perfectly transparent and
scratch resistant, provided a different touch from the bare screen,
with a thin layer of air, which could hinder use, in any case it turned out
much natural and practical than a bare machine or with protection
glued.

In the case of the Nuud, the screen therefore remains bare (yes that's where the
name) and that is both a pleasure becausethe touch is perfect
daily, and a challenge because for all thatthe hull must
stay waterproof. The shell uses silicone seals for this purpose which
come to rest on the glass of the iPhone, we can see them clearly around the edges,
no problems have been noted with these seals, they perform their role well, we
still make sure that everything is properly glued and engaged when putting it in place.
in place!

In use, no doubt,the Nuud shell is much more comfortable
that the fre. To overcome the risk of scratching the screen (over a range of
sand for example!), a plastic protection to stick is delivered with the
shell, it has the particularity of only covering the portion left free for
the screen, because it is smaller than the usual plastic films, this corresponds to
looking for tightness around the perimeter most likely.

Another major element of the iPhone 5s interface which must remain
functional on a daily basis:the Touch fingerprint sensor
ID.

Here too, the question of how LifeProof would manage access
was asked during the announcement of the iPhone 5s. The solution is ultimately very
simple: an opening is provided below the screen, this is
covered with a very thin flexible plastic film. He comes
stick on the button and miracle:the TouchId works
perfectly! The access space is slightly smaller than
when the iPhone is bare, therefore the lower recognition surface, this
can reduce the success rate a little, but getting used to putting your finger down
correctly, the solution works without any problem. Well done!

Another important function when using the iPhone: the
her ! The speakers are protected by a waterproof membrane, not dre
special concern, hands-free conversations are still possible. One of the
Points that should nevertheless be noted concern the microphone. As for the models
previous ones, aattenuation of sensitivity is noted by the
interlocutors during telephone calls. This is the only concern and
criticism that can be made of this solution in daily use.
This has improved compared to previous models but remains a point of
difference with using the iPhone without protection. To take into account
so for those who phone a lot.

To use headphones, you must know that the jack is protected by a
cap, it opens but does not allow direct connection due to the
depth.

A screw-in extension is therefore provided. It is of good quality, no
problem to be deplored except that we will not let it plug in all the time
daytime !

The hull is of coursemore imposing than the protections
classics, but it remains pleasant to hold in the hand. The model tests
is transparent on the back, it shows the color of the iPhone but
the appearance of plastic with small fins probably intended for
Rigidity is not necessarily the happiest one can be.

Please note: a more classic black version is also
available.

L’waterproofinghas been tested numerous times:
in the rain,poolwith shots and during
sortieskayakwith numerous splashes of water. In all
the cases, the protection and the use were there, to take
photos and videos, perfect!

The rear cell of the iPhone is protected by a piece (glass or
plastic) very transparent, it absolutely does not alter the quality of the
photos.

Remember: the wet screen, as with all protections, is not
usable, but the shooting for example can be triggered using the
iPhone volume button. Effective all-terrain use validated.

Theimpact protectionis also at
appointment, the plastic is robust, enveloping and its nature cushions the
falls on the side in particular.

In terms of small regrets, we see that the hatch provided for the
connection of the charging socket is relatively small. Of
sudden, while the standard cable supplied with the iPhone passes without any
problem, some sockets from manufacturers other than Apple may not work.
For example,the socket
of the MacAlly external battery tested here does not work, On the other hand
the USB/Lightning adapter of the dodocool cable tested here works well. This happens
plays to a few tenths of a millimeter, that's to say!

Conclusion

For those who wishswitch from outdoor activities (sport, crafts)
with waterproofing of the iPhone to its standard use without
bother changing your case, the Lifeproof Nuud case represents the best
compromise that we could test. The brand proves once again
its advance in the field, it has been able to combine the use of all
phone functions (including stunning over and under shots)
water) to its complete protection, in a relatively compact format, without
forget access to the fingerprint sensor. Well done ! The price remains high
(around 75 euros, be careful of prices that are too low, counterfeits have been
spotted in recent years!), it is justified by the quality and use
very specific of such protection.

The hull could have received the label "recommended by
iPhon.fr" but she barely misses it, because of the attenuation at
microphone level during telephone conversations.