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The DIY Friendly iPhone Case, a LifeProof Fré Review

June 1, 2015 - No Comments - 3 min read
There’s something about DIY and expensive phones that just don’t go together. Being a photo-taking maniac, I just can’t resist a photo opportunity to upload on Instagram. Buuut when working in DIY dusty conditions, I tend to leave my phone outside the room and run off to get it at every opportunity, before returning it to safety. It wasn’t the biggest problem in the world, but it was a bit of a pain, and it did keep me from missing phone calls. But let’s face it, expensive iPhones do not want to be covered in dust, have a hammer dropped upon them, or even accidentally damaged by water and sludge. Just no.
Something I have wanted for a while now, is a proper sturdy DIY friendly iPhone case; in particular one that’s completely waterproof, not just “splash proof”. The best option I came across was the LifeProof line. These cases are actually targeted at adrenaline junkies; surfers, snowboarders, skiers, mountain climbers, you get the picture… But actually, these are also the PERFECT cases for DIYers! These were the only cases I could find that were super shock proof as well as fully waterproof, which also means completely DUST-proof! Hallelujah!

I went for the Fré model which has a built-in screen protector and is also cheaper than the alternative (the nüüd). The only downside to this however, is that the screen clarity isn’t great. In fact it’s very very obvious it’s in a case, and kind of leaves a finger indent on the screen after you’ve been using it – you can sort-of see what I mean here..

If you’re looking at this thinking “that doesn’t look very shock proof” – well, let me link you this youtube video testing out its shock-proofness and you won’t be too far from disappointed. Admittedly, if you drop this off the roof of a building, there ain’t no hope for you. But, for your average drops and falls I think it appears pretty darn sturdy, if not, bouncy.

I wanted to go for a fully waterproof case in particular because a broken screen is somewhat replaceable at a small cost, however an entire broken phone is not. The chances of me dropping my phone into a bucket of water are probably quite likely after all. Plus, waterproof means dust-proof too! Every case is factory tested before dispatch, however they do recommend testing the case yourself first (without the phone inside obviously)! I placed a cup on-top of the case to to hold it down for around 30minutes. When I took it apart again, the inside was completely water-free.

The charging port is sealed with a snap shut flap which seals to keep water out, and the headphone jack has a sealed screw.

The case comes in a variety of colours; I went for black purely because it was on offer. The design is quite chunky, it definitely doesn’t make your iPhone look super stylish that’s for sure. But, neither is it offensive or ugly. It basically just does the job. I do quite like the viewing window at the back however.

In terms of price, this case certainly isn’t cheap. I purchased it for £40 when on offer over at Amazon. However it retails elsewhere for closer to the £80 mark! Whopper! I personally think the expense is worth it just for peace of mind. Of course, do keep the hammers away still. And I certainly wouldn’t go lobbing my phone across the room unnecessarily.. But it’s nice to feel as though my phone is safe, and I especially think the dust-free factor is a BIG WIN for DIYers!

Kezzabeth

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Hi - I'm Kezzabeth! Self-taught DIYer, Renovator and Blogger on a mission to turn our house into a home. Seven years ago I was clueless and skill-less, but since then I've learnt how to build, tile, plumb and more. This is my little place on the web where I share everything I've learnt so you can learn too. Read More

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DIY Content: We’re not builders or experts in the trade industry, so please take any information on this blog as a rough guide and just our own experiences. This blog relates to our home only and you should always consult a professional in you’re in any doubt of work. Please also be aware Building Regulations change often, so always do your own research as well.
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