Pelican · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Pelican Shield MagSafe Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max
Unknown polymer and coatings. Wait for full material disclosure.
Pelican does not reveal the polymer or surface coating materials in this case. No public PFAS statement from the brand.
The safe swap
Mophie
Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Proprietary thermoplastic polymer with unspecified coatings
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Unknown / proprietary coating
Has a special coating but the exact formula is secret.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Polymer off-gassing (VOC release)
Thermoplastics can release volatile organic compounds, especially when new or exposed to heat and UV. No off-gassing data published by Pelican; risk level unknown but not unprecedented in phone case formulations.
Coating integrity and microleaching
Unspecified surface coatings may degrade with age, friction, and contact with skin. Pelican has not disclosed what these coatings are, preventing assessment of leachable compounds.
Microplastic shedding over time
Thermoplastic cases can fragment under repeated drops, flexing, and abrasion, creating microplastics. This is inherent to the material class and not specific to Pelican's formulation.
What’s reassuring
Skin irritation from proprietary additives
No documented incidents of contact dermatitis from Pelican phone cases. Risk depends on dye, plasticizer, or flame retardant content not disclosed publicly.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This case uses a proprietary thermoplastic polymer with unspecified surface coatings, meaning the exact resin type (TPU, polycarbonate, or hybrid blend) and any applied treatments remain undisclosed by Pelican. Thermoplastics in phone cases can leach small molecules under stress, heat, or prolonged contact with skin oils and sweat, but risk depends entirely on the specific polymer and coating formulation. Without transparency, you cannot assess whether the material may off-gas volatile compounds or degrade into microparticles over 2-3 years of heavy use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is known for durable protective gear and has not faced major product safety recalls in the phone accessory market. However, the company has remained silent on material composition, restricted substance testing (including PFAS), and third-party certifications for this iPhone 17 Pro Max case. Absence of published material safety data sheets or restricted substance declarations is unusual for a premium-positioned brand and suggests either incomplete due diligence or deliberate opacity.
How it compares in its category
Premium phone cases typically use either injection-molded TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), polycarbonate, or polycarbonate-urethane hybrids. Competitors like OtterBox and Spigen publish material compositions and PFAS commitments more openly; Pelican's refusal to detail its proprietary formula puts it below industry transparency norms. The lack of disclosure is the primary differentiator here, not performance or durability, which are likely competitive.
If you buy it
Keep the case dry and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat sources above 60°C (140°F), as thermoplastics can soften and off-gas at elevated temperatures. Replace the case if you notice discoloration, stickiness, or a chemical smell, which indicate polymer degradation. Clean it monthly with mild soap and water only; avoid harsh solvents or abrasive scrubbing that may accelerate coating wear. Consider requesting Pelican's material safety documentation before purchase, and pressure the brand for PFAS and restricted substance transparency.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 25% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pelican has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, metal contacts
Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway risk
Limited concern
Electromagnetic field exposure
Limited concern
Counterfeit or degraded battery cell defects
Limited concern
No known PFAS use; battery cases rarely require fluorinated coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15 Pro
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, rubber grips
Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear
Limited concern
Lower concern; battery cases lack typical PFAS-prone coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Polycarbonate shell, rubber grip
Polycarbonate thermal degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Rubber grip degradation and allergens
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear
Limited concern
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical phone case with no suspected PFAS use.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone cases grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.