Pelican · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Pelican Shield MagSafe Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes proprietary thermoplastic polymer, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Proprietary thermoplastic polymer
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Pelican Shield MagSafe Case Pro Max is made of, ingredients and materials
The Pelican Shield uses a proprietary thermoplastic polymer, not PVC, silicone, or TPU with known phthalate baggage. Thermoplastics in this application are rigid-matrix materials that do not require plasticizers to achieve flexibility, reducing the chemical load compared to soft polymer cases. The MagSafe integration is mechanical (embedded magnets), not a coating, so no adhesive or surface-treatment leachables are introduced. No glazes, enamels, or thermal coatings are described, eliminating ceramic or nonstick-layer hazards.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Microplastics
Thermoplastics can shed particulates if physically abraded or exposed to sustained heat above their glass transition; normal smartphone use does not reach these limits, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or vehicle dashboards at 60-70°C could accelerate minor wear over years.
Source, EPA ↗Gasket and seal material leachables
Pelican does not publicly disclose gasket or O-ring composition (likely silicone or rubber); these components are not food-contact but prolonged immersion in saltwater or acidic environments could potentially shed trace additives, though no harm has been reported at smartphone-case exposure levels.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
Rigid thermoplastics do not require plasticizers to function; no phthalates or BPA are known additives in Pelican's proprietary polymer formulation for this case.
Source, FDA ↗Coating or adhesive volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
No water-repellent coating, enamel, or resin layer is described on this case; waterproofing is achieved through seals and polymer density alone, eliminating off-gassing sources.
Magnet safety (embedded MagSafe)
MagSafe magnets in this case are sealed within thermoplastic and pose no ingestion, choking, or interaction risk with medical devices; strength is calibrated to smartphone standards and will not cause injury on skin contact.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican Products has a reputation in rugged protective cases and has not faced major public safety recalls for chemical leaching in smartphone cases. The brand has not published a dedicated PFAS stance or third-party material certifications (e.g., SaferProducts, GreenGuard) for this model. Silence on PFAS in a smartphone case is typical industry-wide and does not indicate use; the material itself and lack of water-repellent coatings make PFAS presence unlikely. No established controversies tied to Pelican's polymer sourcing are on record.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof smartphone cases rely on either silicone (softer, phthalate risk in budget brands) or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, potential isocyanate residues), or PVC (historically phthalate-heavy). Pelican's thermoplastic approach avoids these common pitfalls. Competing brands like OtterBox use similar rigid polymers but rarely disclose material specificity; Pelican's industrial heritage suggests tighter batch control. The case's sealed-seam design and lack of surface coating mean waterproofing comes from geometry and gaskets, not chemical barriers.
If you buy it
Store the case away from direct sunlight and heat sources above 65°C (150°F) to prevent polymer stress-relaxation over years. Clean with mild soap and water; avoid solvents, alcohol, or prolonged immersion beyond the rated IP depth. Inspect gaskets annually for wear and replace if cracked or compressed, as degradation is the primary waterproof failure mode, not chemical breakdown. The MagSafe magnets are sealed within the polymer matrix and pose no ingestion risk; the case is durable enough that replacement is driven by physical damage, not material degradation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 25% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pelican has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.