The LifeProof Wake iPhone Xr/11 Case provides a layer of extra protection for your treasured, but somewhat fragile, iPhone. With iPhones now costing $1,000+ it is very prudent to add a protective barrier around your phone to minimize the chance of damage when you inevitably drop it. The bigger iPhones (like the 11 and the 11 Pro Max) are much more likely to pop out of your hand while using them. This LifeProof Wake case is certified to protect your iPhone from damage in the very sad event of a two meter fall.
LifeProof was founded in San Diego, California in 2009. It produces a line of cellphone cases, flotation cases, belt clips, headphones, chargers, arm bands and bike mounts. LifeProof built its reputation on the waterproof and shockproof cases it introduced in 2011. The cases are noted for their thinness, protective qualities and outstanding durability. LifeProof was acquired by OtterBox in 2013.
Here are the key features of this sturdy case:
• LifeProof Wake iPhone Xr/11 case (Model 77-65115)
• Color: Neptune (Blue/Green)
• Sustainably made from over 85% ocean-based recycled plastic
• Mellow wave pattern on back improves grip somewhat
• Raised bezel around screen protects glass from shattering or scratching
• Certified to withstand repeated 6.6 foot drops
• Designed to support Qi wireless charging
• Material will not interfere with phone reception
• Form fitting: 6.2 x 3.3 x 0.5 inches
• Lightweight: 0.9 ounces
• One year warranty (? – see below)
The primary marketing feature of this case is that 85% recycled ocean-based plastic is used in its manufacture. This nice thought – help clean the oceans while protecting your phone from careless handling – is more fluff than substance given that the case weighs less than one ounce. Not really doing that much for the environment, but it sounds very woke.
Installation is very easy. The case snaps around the iPhone 11/Xr with just a little effort. Once on, it is very secure and will not easily come off. The case is surprisingly thin and does not add significantly to the bulk of the iPhone. The full front surface of the screen is still accessible after the case has been installed. The appearance is very clean and the brand name is inconspicuous, just faintly embossed on the back.
The matt finish of the case is non-reflective and is designed to resist discoloration from heat, sunlight and chemicals. This is a simple, open-face case which provides only shock protection. It is not water-proof and has no protection for the screen (other than a slightly raised bezel on the edges.)
Once the case was installed I noticed that the phone felt somewhat slicker. LifeProof has designed the case to easily slide in and out of your pocket by smoothing its outer edges. I have mixed feelings about this feature. On the one hand it does make it easier to fish my phone out of my jeans, but on the other hand I am afraid that I will find that hand empty because the phone slipped out of it! The smooth surface of the case edges really did not add a sense of security, which is the whole point of a cell phone case. The back of the case does have a nice wave pattern and this does give a little grip, but most of the time you are holding your phone by its sides (which are slick.)
I had no issues with charging my phone wirelessly and I did like the fact that the wave pattern made it less likely that I would accidently knock my phone off the charging pad and onto the floor.
One issue that I have with this case is the warranty. Tucked into the packaging is a 28 page multi-folded document in very small print and multiple languages which purport to explain the warranty. It seems that the warranty is one year, two years, five years, seven years or lifetime depending upon which product group this case falls into. But this case name (LifeProof Wake) is not listed anywhere in this ridiculous piece of legal trash. Given that the case is just a single piece of plastic and that phones rarely last more than five years why not just give a blanket lifetime warranty? Remember, this warranty is just on the case, not an insurance policy against damage to your phone.
So what rating does this case deserve? From a protection standpoint it is just average. Other cases give guaranteed protection from damage in up to 12 feet drops while this case claims only 6.6 feet drop protection. Further, the slippery sides may increase, rather than decrease the risk of dropping the phone. The sustainability element is nice but not really significant except as a virtue-signal for those who care about such things. Finally, the arcane warranty document alone deserves a one star deduction.
Bottom line, it is a nice, attractive case and I could recommend it to someone who wanted basic protection for their iPhone, but I really can’t give it more than three stars.
