Lifeproof nuud Series Case for iPhone 5S - Retail Packaging - White/Clear

Lifeproof nuud Series Case for iPhone 5S - Retail Packaging - White/Clear..

Buy Lifeproof nuud Series Case for iPhone 5S - Retail Packaging - White/Clear By LifeProof

Most helpful customer reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
Lifeproof nuud 5s / fre / Incipio Atlas ID comparison
By Dennis E Chung
I used a LifeProof fre case on my iPhone 4s for 2 years, then switched to an Incipio Atlas ID when I upgraded to the 5s. I have settled on the nuud for my 5s; it suits my needs best, which may differ from yours.

I had issues with Newton's rings on the screen of my 4s with the fre, the rainbow effect where the wavy screen protector comes into contact with the screen. Also the rubber corners of the front half wore through and required warranty replacement after one year. The same thing happened after the second year but the case was out of warranty. I also ruined one phone when water leaked in while swimming and had to foot the bill for a replacement phone. Finally the charging port hinged cover cracked, but was still useable so I lived with it.

The Atlas ID is a solid case, but the glass screen protector made the touch screen much less sensitive and required hard presses. Incipio replaced the case and the second one was better, but still far from responsive. The Atlas ID does accept most standard headphone jacks without their included waterproof pigtail. I also had more comments that I was hard to hear when placing calls.

I have had no complaints about call clarity with the nuud, and I can hear callers well. The speaker seems to work better than the fre, but I rarely use it anyway.

All the cases have similarly responsive volume, power, and slide switch covers. The most difficult to actuate is the slide switch, and the Atlas ID has a small advantage but negligible.

The nuud has no built-in screen protector which is their selling point. They do include a stick-on protector to be applied after the case is installed, but it is far from ideal. It is cut too small - approx. 1/16" both ways so that the edge is clearly visible and creates an unsightly gap between its edge and the case gasket. I installed then removed it. Instead I used a MediaDevil full screen protector under the case and have had no issues. The MediaDevil is relatively thin; a thicker protector may cause issues with closing/sealing the case. The case is a bit harder to snap shut but seems to seal just as well. What I like best is that the screen is just as responsive as a bare phone, and just as clear.

Both the nuud and Atlas ID allow use of the fingerprint scanner, but neither work as well as the bare phone. Both cases have a recess for the home button and make it feel like you are sticking your thumb down into a hole. Thus you cannot use the pad of your thumb, just the tip. I have to try a couple times to get it to work, rarely does either work on the first try. The Atlas ID uses a fancy convex membrane over the home button while the nuud has a clear flexible plastic (vinyl?) film. I would not recommend using a fingernail to press the home button for fear of tearing the film. The film is somewhat tacky and when you press the home button you can hear it releasing at the edges. Also the clear film looks like a poorly applied screen protector with small bubbles and voids over the home button. I tried several times to remedy this to no avail.

The same film is used over the camera flash, but the lens is covered with glass as is the front-facing lens. Not sure why they didn't cover the flash with glass as in the fre. (EDIT: Upon further thought I think the flexible film over the flash acts as a pressure reducing diaphragm. For instance if you went from a hot tub into a cool pool, the resulting temperature/pressure differential would create a situation where water might get sucked into the case. Instead the film will flex and relieve pressure on the seals by allowing a small change in the interior volume. The home button cover won't do this since it is supported by the button whereas the flash cover has air space below it.)

The nuud is a more solid case than the fre as the case needs to be strong enough to apply constant pressure to the screen gasket. The nuud also has a rubber surround on the front half like the fre, but it is thicker and does not seem integral to sealing as in the fre so I am less concerned about it wearing.

All the cases are relatively slim - much less bulky than an OtterBox Defender. Both the nuud and fre have front rubber edges but still slide in and out of my pocket easily. The Altas ID has plastic edges and is the most slick.

Both the fre and nuud have the same headphone port sealing plug, but the nuud has a tether to keep it attached. Almost all headphones will require the use of the pigtail. This is one clear advantage of the Atlas ID which accepted all my headphones without the pigtail. The Atlas ID has a tethered rubber plug that sandwiches between the case and opening bottom cover to seal the port.

Regarding water resistance, I would trust the Atlas ID over both Lifeproofs. Incipio will stand behind water damage and warranty your phone as well as the case, Lifeproof will not. (This may only apply to cases bought direct from Incipio, you should verify if you want to rely on the warranty.) Not only that, I have previous unfortunate experience with the fre, and the nuud already comes with a 2 X 3.5" hole in it.

When I received my nuud, I noticed a tiny shaving of curled plastic stuck in the gasket. Had I not removed it, it would have been lodged between the glass and gasket and certainly impaired the seal. The gasket is silicone and does attract dust.

But I do not plan on submerging my phone for any duration. I mainly like the waterproof cases for keeping dust out of the ports and for being able to take them into the shower and wash them daily. For this I trust the nuud is dunkable and have not noticed any water ingress.

I don't use my headphone jack much so I can live with the pigtail requirement. When I do listen to music I reach for my bluetooth phones which don't sound as good but avoid the issue of the pigtail.

So for my needs the nuud suits me best and thus the 5 stars. The screen sensitivity is as stock which is important to me. But if you use the headphone port daily or require a waterproof case that guarantees your phone, you might be happier with the Atlas ID. Just be advised the glass screen protector will require harder presses which hampers texting.

If you don't need a waterproof/dustproof case, don't get one. They all have compromises, but fortunately the nuud has ones I can live with.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
Good protection, not terribly convenient
By James Tyler Dancy
I purchased this for an iPhone 5 after having previously used the "Fre" version that covers the actual screen. This one fits well and it is nice having the tactile touch of the actual screen. And while the case is less bulkly than the alternative Lifeproof it still feels slightly "clumsy". For example, swiping up from the bottom of the screen (using iOS 7), the perimeter of the case that outlines the screen gets in the way. You have to very carefully touch as far down as you can in order to do a swipe that the phone recognizes to pull up the shortcut menu. Is this a dealbreaker for a durable case? No, but it can be very annoying after you've tried several times to get it right. Another thing that I do not like it having to use the adaptor for the headphone jack. I get it, you have to keep the headphone jack sealed when not in use to avoid dirt/water getting in. But if I am somewhere and want to use the headphone jack and forgot my adaptor what are my options? Oh, just take the case off the phone so you can plug in the headphone jack.

Pros:
- Relatively lightweight/non-bulky case that offers good protection
- Ability to touch the actual screen is nice
- Good build quality
- Headphone screw thingie is tethered to case, unlike "Fre" model - No worries about losing it
- Aesthetics. Nice looking case

Cons:
- Difficult to access perimeter of screen due to design of the case
- Forgot your headphone adaptor? Open the case to access the jack
- Difficult to open the charging port cover
- Will not accept 3rd party chargers - they are too wide to fit in the enclosed area
- Using front camera (selfies, FaceTime, etc.) has a mild haze and the protective part of case covers the front camera

66 of 78 people found the following review helpful.
Great Case but NO Warrenty
By Jeff
I've read many reviews about how great the case is but that Lifeproof will not honor the warranty. I called them (1-888-533-0735) and verified that this is true. Even though this is purchased from a Lifeproof Amazon Store and the case even has a serial number on it, Life proof will not honor cases sold on Amazon (or Ebay). They will honor stores that they ship directly to such as AT&T, Verizon, Walmart, Bestbuy.
I give it 5 starts for the case itself but dropping it down to 2 because of they won't replace a defective case bought through Amazon.

See all 136 customer reviews...More...