Despite the strong competition, LifeProof
is still the go to case for rugged everyday
waterproof protection.
This latest iteration of the LifeProof Nuud
has been completely redesigned for the iPhone
7 and improved upon in almost every way.
People turn to LifeProof for ultimate protection
because they're drop proof, dirt proof, snow
proof, and most importantly water proof.
This is the LifeProof Nuud for iPhone 7.
LifeProof was kind enough to send me these
cases for review, and in this review we'll
put them through their paces to make sure
they live up to the LifeProof name.
Now I know what you're thinking “the iPhone
7 is water resistant.
Why would I buy a water resistant case?”
However, if the iPhone’s water resistance
fails and the iPhone is water damaged for
any reason, it's not covered under Apple's
warranty.
If you're constantly in an environment where
your phone might come in contact with water,
having this extra protection is a really good
idea.
The primary feature of the Nuud series is
that it makes your phone water resistant without
covering your screen.
Since the screen is glass and the water is
blocked from touching any other portion of
your phone, it doesn't harm it in any way.
The case consists of a front and back piece
that snap together around the iPhone.
All ports and
buttons are protected but still useable.
I really like the feel of thIs case.
There's a rubber strip that runs all around
the outer edge.
This helps with shock absorption and gives
you better grip.
Also, because the edges are rounded it doesn't
feel as bulky as previous versions.
And the new transparent back is beautiful.
I really like the suspended iPhone look.
And it’s functional as well since you’ll
easily be able to see if your case has failed
and water is inside.
The home button is covered by a thin membrane
allowing TouchID to still work well.
The volume buttons and power button are one
of my biggest complaints of the case because
they’re very difficult to press.
LifeProof says their main focus with the buttons
was durability and maintaining water resistance.
Because the front of the case comes right
to the bottom of the screen, accessing Control
Center can be a little tricky but is still
doable.
The case has a small toggle for activating
the mute switch.
It works really well and my only complaint
here is that there’s no visual indicator
if the mute switch is activated.
I’ve also accidentally activated it a time
or two because of how easy it is to use.
The Lightning port cover features a rubber
gasket and snaps shut really tightly.
Just be sure to push it shut from the center.
Pushing it from the edge makes it impossible
to close.
And since there's no headphone jack, there's
no waterproof headphone jack adapter.
If you want to use headphones in the water
you're gonna have to go wireless.
To uninstall the case you'll need a tool since
it snaps together so tightly.
After opening the Lightning port cover use
the included tool to pry each bottom corner
open.
Then work your way around the rest of the
case.
Be sure to not pull and force anything apart.
Just keep working your way around the case
with the tool until the case falls apart.
Now for the four proof tests and first up
is drop proof.
LifeProof cases are military rated and they
claim they can withstand a drop from 6.6’
or 2 meters.
I dropped my iPhone 7 to rock from chest height
in the LifeProof Nuud twice.
The bottom and corner picked up some minor
scratches.
Most waterproof cases separate upon impact.
Thankfully that didn’t happen with the Nuud
case either time I dropped it.
Especially since one of those times it slid
down the rock toward the water.
Dropproof?
Check
If you work in a dirty environment, being
able to keep dirt and dust out is a must.
This case does that as well.
Now keep in mind that not having a screen
protector built in means your screen is subject
to scratches from dirt.
Dirtproof?
Check
Since the highs are over 70 degrees outside
I don’t have any snow to test with.
So once again we resort to the handy Blendtec.
Keeping snow out is a breeze for this case.
On previous versions of this case the camera
lens was recessed allowing snow to collect
there and obstruct the camera.
Since the camera area is now larger and mostly
flush, you don’t have to worry about that
anymore.
The front camera is a lot more recessed though
and will definitely get clogged with snow.
So beware if you plan on taking a lot of selfies
on the slopes.
Snowproof?
Check
Now for the most important test, the waterproof
test.
Afterall, that’s the reason most people
would buy a LifeProof.
I threw this case in water multiple times
and had no issues at all.
Is the case waterproof?
Well no, but it is water resistant and does
a good job keeping water out under the right
conditions.
If you work in a harsh environment where your
phone may accidentally come in contact with
water this case will serve you well.
If you’re looking for something to take
in the pool or the lake however, particularly
for underwater photography, then I wouldn’t
get this case.
At the end of the day, the only thing that
stands between your phone living or dying
is a thin plastic membrane.
In that scenario I’d recommend the ProShot
case for iPhone.
Click the i to see my full review of this
extreme waterproof case.
Spoiler alert, it’s waterproof to 100’!
If you’ve used a LifeProof case before you
know the call quality is poor at best.
Calls sound muffled and are hard to hear in
noisy environments.
However, LifeProof says with the Nuud for
iPhone 7 call quality has been a big focus
and this is the best call quality experience
on an LifeProof case ever.
I have to agree with them.
After using the case for a couple of weeks
I haven’t noticed any degradation in call
quality or volume in either direction.
But don’t take my word for it.
Judge for yourself.
This is a call quality example of an iPhone
with no case.
Now I’ll quickly install the iPhone into
the LifeProof Nuud.
And this is a call quality example of the
iPhone installed in the LifeProof Nuud case
for iPhone 7.
Previously I would only recommend LifeProof
cases to people who worked in harsh environments
and required that level of protection.
With the enhancements of the LifeProof Nuud
though I can definitely see this being a daily
case for a lot more people.
With it’s improved call quality, the four
proofs of protection, and the beautiful new
design I can confidently say that I highly
recommend the LifeProof Nuud for iPhone 7.
Just don’t take it swimming in a lake or
pool.
There are better cases for that.
If you have any questions that I didn’t
cover feel free to leave those in the comments.
If you’ve enjoyed this video review and
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done so already.
And as always, thanks for watching.
