Lifeproof Fre for iPad mini Review

Whether you're clumsy, overprotective, or both, a good case can go a long way in providing some peace of mind when toting your iPad mini around in the wild. And if that wilderness extends beyond the concrete jungle and into some hairier locales, it would behoove you to check out the Lifeproof Fre for iPad mini ($99.99 direct). The Lifeproof Fre is the company's signature case for the Apple iPad mini, providing drop, dust, shock, and full waterproof protection in a remarkably thin and light package.

Design, Features, and Setup
The Fre for iPad mini looks just like the company's other Fre cases, with a clear plastic screen protector and two-part plastic body. It measures 8.5 by 5.8 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighs 4.64 ounces, compared with the iPad mini's 7.87 by 5.3 by 0.28 inches and 10.9 ounces. Though it doubles the thickness of the mini, it remains relatively thin and light, especially when you consider its rugged credentials. The edges are a bit rounded, with rubber accents, and add a comfortable grip to the mini.

On the other side is a clear panel that shows off the iPad mini's back, with a glass lens for the camera. There are rubber buttons for accessing Power and Volume buttons, but they require a bit of force to press and their position on the back half of the case makes them a bit cumbersome to locate. A threaded rubber plug covers the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a departure from previous Lifeproof cases that used a screw-on plastic cap—the new rubber cap makes it easier to open and close, and it's also attached to the case itself so you don't lose it. A flap along the bottom covers the Lightning port and easily snaps open or shut. Two speaker slots flank the Lightning flap, and despite the waterproof seal, the iPad mini's audio comes through surprisingly loud when in the case.  

The clear plastic screen protector actually does a decent job of staying out of your way, but it's not perfect. It adds a bit of graininess to the display and is also pretty reflective. And it doesn't stay flush with the mini's screen, which makes it feel almost like a resistive display rather than capacitive. Touch input is accurate, though, so the case won't affect usability.

Initial setup for the Fre is a bit more intense than with your run-of-the-mill case. It's one of the few fully waterproof cases; you can dunk it under water up to 6.6 feet for up to 30 minutes, but it must be water-tested before you begin using it. This is easy enough; simply assemble the case without the mini inside and fully submerge it in water. (Detailed instructions on setup and testing can be found on LifeProof's website.) The case is also dustproof, snowproof, and shock proof, meaning it can withstand drops from up to 4 feet. The mini slips easily into the case, but snapping down the edges requires a bit of force. There's an audible snap to let you know that the case fits correctly, but I'd probably double or triple-check the edges before subjecting your iPad to the elements.

Removing the iPad from the Fre is even more difficult. You'll have to wedge a coin into a thin slot along the bottom edge and really use some force to separate the two halves. It's reassuring that the seal appears to be very strong, but I wish it was a little easier to remove.

Performance and Conclusions
After I felt satisfied with my installation, I started putting the Lifeproof Fre to the test. I submerged the case for 30-minutes in a bucket of water, dropped it from about waist height, and generally roughed it up as best as I could. Everything worked swimmingly, and the iPad mini was left unscathed when removed from the Fre. Touch gestures do not register when the iPad is fully submerged, but you can start the camera app up before going under and use the hardware Volume Up button to snap photos or start video recordings. The lens opening on the back is covered in anti-reflective glass, which did not distort photos or wash out the phone's built-in flash.

It's a bit pricey, but if you're serious about protecting your iPad mini, the Lifeproof Fre is an excellent choice. It combines a relatively thin and light design with full body protection from pretty much anything you can imagine.