Home Reviews ,,,,,When the LifeProof Nüüd and Frē cases for iPhone 7 arrived in the editorial office, the first thought was about the reason why we should have protected a phone from water that, for the first time in the case of Apple's smartphones, was already born with this feature without the need for accessories.
Both of these covers have existed for years (we told you about them in 2013 during the first tests on models – here and here – made to measure for the iPhones of those days) and they certainly made much more sense since in those days the smartphones were not waterproof. but there was still the desire to take them to the sea or the pool to be always connected.
Why buy a LifeProof case
With iPhone 7 it seemed almost a “redundant” accessory in addition to the fact that due to its important structure, designed to also improve resistance to shocks and falls, the case increases weight and thickness to the smartphone, whose design is almost completely darkened. In short, handling and charm are lost: but if it could have made more sense in the days of the iPhone 6 / 6s even today, in the case of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, you will still have to do with an extra protection.
Probably those who turn to these cases today do so to double their defenses: on the other hand, in the case of diving, the water must first infiltrate inside the case and only then, if it succeeds, will you find yourself in front of a capable iPhone. to defend themselves a little longer.
Similarities and differences
The main difference between the two models, Nüüd and Frē, lies in the front protection. The Nüüd case, as the name suggests, is “naked”, ie it offers no cover for the screen , which will therefore be completely exposed to scratches and splashing water. In the Frē cover there is instead a thin film that completely covers the front surface.
However, both protect the Touch ID with a thin film – it flexes to the touch and it almost seems that it can be broken through with a little pressure, in reality it is very resistant – which ensures an interaction not unlike that of the “naked and raw” sensor (therefore without hitches or slowdowns in scanning and fingerprint recognition), as well as protected by a film – just as transparent but more robust – it speaker , the front camera and the sensors . Again, the protection does not affect the operation of the phone: it does not change the quality or reduce the volume of the ear capsule, as well as the sensors and camera work well.
The same protection is also reflected on the back in the vicinity of rear camera and LED flash , while the Lightning socket is accompanied by a lid with a rubber interior designed to keep away even the slightest infiltration of water into the door.
The protection system of microphone and loudspeaker arranged on the other hand is slightly different. on the bottom of the smartphone. In the case of the Frē cover, the openings on the bottom are visible but covered by a transparent plastic protection: the system in fact channels the audio and brings it onto two grids placed on the front. On the other hand, the solution adopted in the Nüüd case is apparently more elegant, where in addition to a film visible against the light – the same one adopted for the Touch ID – a grid can be seen that simulates that of the respective openings. In both cases, the grids are still very easy to clean in case you end up with dust or dirt.
Going back to talking for a moment about the back of the cases, the protection adopted for the microphone hole used by the operating system to enhance the audio is also different when shooting video or to monitor external noises during a phone call. There is no opening on the Frē cover, while in the Nüüd model the company has opted for a rubber cover.
Finally, the same solution for the Standby and Volume keys, all three covered by replica of the rubber buttons. In the Frē case for the Mute key there is a similar solution which, however, seemed more inconvenient during use – because the rubber is very hard – of the plastic switch present in the Nüüd cover, difficult to rotate if you have large hands, but much more immediate in everyday use.
Protection and aesthetics
Overall they offer the same degree of protection against water infiltrations (up to 2 meters for 1 hour, compared to 1 meter for 30 minutes for the “native ”Of iPhone 7) and the same resistance to shocks and falls (up to 2 meters high), but they are aesthetically different. Frē has a design much more squared off, with flat and rounded edges at the ends which, to make a comparison, almost recall the lines of the iPhone 4 / 5; furthermore, it is completely black in front as well as in back except for a window that reveals the Apple logo. Nüüd instead has convex edges like the design of the iPhone 6/7 and, while in front the polycarbonate that covers it is black and satin, the back half is completely in smooth and transparent plastic: the entire back of the iPhone is therefore clearly visible.
The our test
Assuming that we haven't had the opportunity to dive with the iPhone in hand down to 2 meters deep, nor have we been so masochistic as to deliberately drop the phone out of our trouser pocket, we trust that this case will actually add protection to any damage caused by a collision or water infiltration and instead we describe our approach in daily use.
First of all the interaction with the keys is very good. The rubber is soft enough to allow you to press the keys effortlessly: as previously mentioned it is more difficult to manage the Mute key in the Frē model, whose rubber is rather rigid. Better, in our opinion, the plastic switch of the Nüüd case. The very thin film that protects the Touch ID is perfectly functional as well as, in the case of the Frē model, the protective film of the display works well, which does not it affects – negatively speaking – the use of the touchscreen or the 3D Touch functionality of the display, while creating some extra light reflections when using it outdoors in direct sunlight.
The phone socket is excellent with both cases: with Frē the square shape helps a lot while in the Nüüd model there is still a rubberized frame that increases grip even with completely wet hands. The footprint of the Nüüd cover is slightly larger as the rounded edges make the smartphone wider by about half a centimeter overall.
The audio quality does not change when we listen to music with the built-in speakers of the phone: even if they are still protected, the resulting audio is still clear and clean, as well as there are no problems in using the smartphone during a phone call. With both one and the other, our interlocutor – who was not aware of our test – reported hearing our voice “loud and clear”.
The opening for the input Lightning is wide enough to work with practically any Lightning cable we have in the house, even those with a longer connector. large and bulky compared to that of the original Apple cable. From this point of view, the thickness of the case can be problematic, incompatible for example with most of the docks on the market but also inconvenient to be able to use third-party accessories such as USB-Lightning sticks and the like.
Another problem that must be taken into consideration is the inability to use tempered glass films . For our tests we had to remove the one we usually use because the thickness, even if minimal, makes it impossible to close both cases correctly. In the case of the Nüüd cover this means that if you do not place at least one classic film alongside the iPhone, the screen will be completely exposed to scratches.
Conclusions
We do not recommend the purchase of one of the two Lifeproof cases to protect the smartphone in everyday life: they are specialized covers that, due to weight and size, are used only on special occasions, such as a picnic, a day at the beach or an adventure. in the woods.
The Frē version, due to its total protection by means of the front film, can also be a valid solution for those who use the smartphone on construction sites or in very dusty places, while the Nüüd model (we still recommend using a classic film to protect the screen from scratches) is perhaps more suitable for those who aim primarily at protection from bumps and falls.
Retail price
Lifeproof cases are sold on the Accessory Line. The Frē model costs 80 euros while the Nüüd cover costs 89.99 euros. Both cases are also for sale on Amazon. Lifeproof Frē costs 73 euros while Lifeproof Nüüd is on sale for 79 euros. There are also both versions for iPhone 7 Plus as well as those for other iPhone models. To take a look at the entire showcase click here.
,,
