Testing the Lifeproof Nuud waterproof case for iPhone 5

In the long runseries of waterproof and very
protective for iPhone, we have already had the opportunity to test and
enjoy Lifeproof products. These cases are intended for those who
work outdoors, athletes who wish to take their machine on
the ski slopes or the beach to immortalize their exploits or those who
are looking for foolproof protection, particularly against
bad weather.

You can thusfind
the test of the iPhone 5 “Fre” case right here.

Free protection uses a film on the screen to guarantee
waterproofing. But Lifeproof wanted to go further and offers a version,
the “Nud”, whicheliminates any barrier between the finger and the screen
to leave the screen NAKED!

Yes, this is scary, how can waterproofness be guaranteed? It is
what we are going to see in this test in images of an astonishing hull. This is the
gray/transparent version that you will discover, knowing that it exists
also in black.

First contact and setup

If there is one area in which Lifeproof excels, it is first and foremost
packaging, always friendly and with a flap that can be opened to show
the hull.

Inside, we find the shell, in place on a blue plastic case
which we will talk about again, but also a small visible extension for the helmet.
A screen protector is also provided as well as instructions and a
chiffonnette.

The cases are advertised as all tested before sale, which may
seem important, given that we are aiming here for the protection of a machine
expensive electronics facing an eternal enemy, water!

The hull must in fact be able to be submerged up to 2 m (IP standard
68).

However, it is advisable to carry out a test yourself before rejecting
water, literally and figuratively.

To do this, you must use the blue box provided, it plays the role of
the iPhone and especially its screen, which is one of the centerpieces in
waterproofing, in the absence of plastic film on the front. It is indeed
when the shell is placed on the screen, asilicone frame
is pressed around the edge of the screen to prevent any infiltration
water.

The hull may display very good quality, for all parts
plastics (there are many very different in terms of function), we
finds it hard to believe that this could work.. And yet.

Once the test is done with the box, we check that indeed, the water
did not penetrate.

We can therefore move on to setting up the iPhone itself: it is
slides into the rear part, then the top clips into place. The closure is
finalize by closing a flap on the lightning socket and ensuring that the
headphone jack cap is tightly screwed on.

Once this manipulation has been carried out, it is time to focus on the
different functions and how they are isolated from water:

the side buttons are conventionally protected by a material in
rigid rubber, which allows you to manipulate the volume or even turn on
the device without problem. Even the lock used to activate silent mode is
usable without worry.

on the back, lenses are provided at the camera level and
flash. They absolutely do not distort the photos when shooting,
whether in the water or in everyday life

On the bottom of the device, as we mentioned, the headphone jack is protected by
a screw cap with a gasket. Note that this cap is retained by a
flexible plastic piece, it's perfect so as not to risk losing it. Other
accessible functions: the speakers are protected by a membrane
specific designed to let sound waves pass but not water. Finally,
the Lightning port is well protected behind the clipped flap, which is also integrated
a gasket for sealing.

On the front, we find the locations for the sensors:
proximity, camera as well as for the speaker. For its part, a button
Plastic “Home” is provided, it is separated from the machine by a
membrane en silicone quasi invisible.

As for the screen, we have already mentioned it: it is bare, but looking from
up close, we can clearly see the rectangular silicone contour pressed on it, which
will ensure waterproofing. Great idea and great execution

The hull in action

We were able to test everything in place for more than two weeks, here is what
that we retain.

This is a shell that is intended to be used outdoors but not
need to be removed for everyday life. We realize that
the use of basic functions: sound adjustment, getting started,
switching off, but also listening and using the loudspeaker pose no problem
problems.

As for the screen, it's day and night compared to its big sister
Lifeproof Free shell. Indeed, no feeling of plastic and
“plop” when pressing, use is natural, nothing changes
and that is particularly appreciable.

Furthermore, thanks to the size of the iPhone and its thinness, the whole,
although very protective remains quite pleasant both in the hand and stored in
the pocket. It is of course much more imposing than a bare iPhone, but without
be too bulky.

To connect headphones, you must go through the
extension supplied, again of good quality, because the socket is too deep and
clamped to allow the connection of a traditional headphone jack.

That's it for daily use, now let's move on to the part
resistance and tightness.

The shell only takes on its true value if we need resistance to
shocks and bad weather, even immersion. For shocks, no problem
it meets expectations: the impact during a fall is absorbed by the
round in soft silicone and the back is very well protected from both shocks and
scratches and water of course. Ultimately, only the screen is
subject to risks: breakage if the machine ever falls
accidentally on it but it's bad luck because the plastic trick
prevents it from flushing.

For protection against scratches, plastic wrap for the screen
is delivered, it has the dimensions of the only visible part of the screen, at the
unlike films which usually protect the entire front face. The reason in
is most probably linked to the waterproofing: the plastic film does not come
thus not interfere with the silicone seals pressed on the glass.

Regarding immersion, we were able to do the test of course, with
the iPhone… (creepy!) but no problem to note, the iPhone 5s used is
still alive and kicking.

We can evenread iPhon.fr underwater…But the tactile
does not work (this is the case for all protections)

The pressed seal on the screen all around prevents water from entering:

Thanks to the lenses provided for the camera, the photos taken with
the hull is as successful as without, no problem to deplore on this side.
It is therefore entirely possible to take photos and videos underwater
(without exceeding the planned depth of 2 m).

These are the aspects that appealed to us.

On the other hand, during telephone calls, not systematically, but
sometimes the interlocutor did not hear as well as without the case, the microphone
seemed to be slightly muffled.

But thereal concern and the manufacturer has nothing to do with it... It's
iOS 7!

And yes, iOS 7 brought the control center and this is obtained by doing
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Except that with the border
thick surrounding the screen, it becomesalmost impossible to activate this
control center. The same goes for the notification center. It's a
real concern, which is specific to this model and which should in my opinion deserve
a replacement of the shell to leave a little more space around the screen.
It's unfortunate, but it's worth knowing, knowing that beyond the appearance we don't
can more convenient control center, some functions likethe
locking the screen rotation for example, can only be obtained by its
intermediate.

Finally, by removing the iPhone 5s from the case, we notice a mark at the level of the
home button, linked to the silicone support probably. On an iPhone 5s, the
slight mark is not gone. Nothing serious or very conspicuous, but it is
raise. In any case, it is obvious thatthis hull is not
designed for iPhone 5s, it must be reserved for the iPhone 5, unless
to agree to do without the fingerprint sensor... Aspecific model
is planned for the 5s,
we talked about it in this article

Conclusion

Due to its high price, the nuud version of the Lifeproof case targets
people person with genuine protection needsau
daily: professionals exposed to the outdoors or athletes who
do not want to spend time removing their hardened protection when they
come home. We find on this model the manufacturing quality and
the design ingenuity already appreciated on the Fre model with a
plus :direct access to the screen provides immense comfort
daily use. But unfortunately it is to the detriment of
using the notification center. It remains that with regard to the
protection, it is there, and it is still the best case
waterproof and resistant that we have tested!

Free or Nuu: what to choose?

The question that may arise for any buyer is to know which model of
preferred hull. As it stands, due to the sole problem of access to the notification
center, it's thereThe Free model which wins the match for us,
but it is reluctant because the comfort of touching the screen remains much higher
on the nuud model. A slightly redesigned version of the nuud will be the
best compromise.

The hull
Lifeproof Nuud is available here for $121.5(Be careful of prices
much lower than you could come across, there is counterfeiting on the
Lifeproof hulls and needless to say that in the event of immersion, the slightest
failure can be fatal to the iPhone…)