It took me all of two days to dump the new Lifeproof case for the iPhone 5. After a birthday dinner on Saturday, I picked up the white model from Best Buy noticing that they've been selling out regularly since their release a few weeks back. After three phone conversations I decided enough was enough. I'm back to using my ugly Speck Candy Shell.

Before I dive too deep into the review, you should know that I don't really like cases. An iPhone with no case is indeed the perfect phone. But the more active I am, and the harder I work (and play), the more dinged up the phone gets. After getting a new phone I like to keep a case on it for a few months at the very least.

I tried out the Lifeproof for the iPhone 4 a while back, and kept away because of the bulkiness and the screw-off headphone jack cover. With the new size of the iPhone 5 most cases are much more comfortable, and the Lifeproof is no exception. It feels well made and doesn't add too much girth to the phone itself. According to the specs, it weighs the same as the old model but is slightly longer and thinner.

The first thing I noticed after putting the case on is the integrated screen protector; it is slightly elevated off of the phones surface near the top due to the seals around the ear piece. The effect is missed touches quiet often. This gets old very quick, especially if you hit the status bar often to scroll to the top of long lists, a trick I use regularly.

The prospect of having a waterproof iPhone is exciting. Thinking about going skiing, to the beach or the pool with an iPhone is a non-starter; but adding a Lifeproof you can take it just about anywhere. It protects from dust and sand and it's water proof and drop resistant up to 2 meters (6.6 ft).