Samsung · Waterproof Phone Cases
Body Glove Tidal Waterproof Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Skip until coating composition disclosed; waterproof coatings often contain PFAS.
Body Glove phone cases use waterproof coatings but provide no material transparency or PFAS disclosure. Standard waterproof treatments frequently rely on fluorinated compounds.
The safe swap
Griffin
Griffin Survivor Strong for iPhone 11 Pro GIP-023
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
Plastic (likely TPU or silicone blend) with waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Waterproof phone cases historically contain Teflon-family coating or PFAS-based coatings to achieve water repellency. Body Glove has not disclosed whether this Tidal model uses PFAS-free alternatives; silence on this issue is a red flag in a product category known for PFAS reliance.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle shedding
TPU and silicone elastomer coatings can crack, peel, or flake over 1-3 years of use, especially if exposed to UV light, heat, or mechanical stress. Shed particles are unlikely to be ingested in normal phone-case use but are a concern if the case is handled by infants or chewed.
Microbe or bacterial growth (waterproof seams)
Sealed waterproof cases can trap moisture in seams and crevices, creating microenvironments for bacterial or mold growth if the phone is exposed to water and then sealed without drying. This is a use-pattern issue, not a material hazard, but more relevant to waterproof cases than standard cases.
What’s reassuring
PFAS
TPU and silicone do not typically contain BPA, phthalates, or other regulated plasticizers in modern formulations. No specific recalls or contamination reports for Body Glove cases have been issued for non-PFAS leachables.
Source: ATSDR ↗Allergen potential from silicone or elastomer
TPU and silicone are hypoallergenic materials and do not inherently contain known allergens such as formaldehyde or azo dyes. Skin contact is minimal in normal use since the case is held, not worn against skin.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Body Glove Tidal cases use TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) or silicone elastomer blends bonded to a waterproof outer coating. TPU and silicone themselves are low-leach materials in normal phone-case use since they do not contact food or skin for extended periods. The waterproof coating applied to the exterior is the chemical concern: waterproof phone-case coatings historically rely on PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substances) to repel water at a molecular level, though some manufacturers now use non-fluorinated alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Body Glove does not publicly disclose the specific fluorine or PFAS content of this case's waterproof coating on product labels or safety sheets available to consumers. Samsung, the listed brand partner, has not released a formal PFAS phase-out commitment for phone accessories as of public record. This silence is notable because premium waterproof cases are among the highest PFAS-concentration products in consumer electronics. No major recalls or contamination incidents specific to this model are on record.
How it compares in its category
Phone-case waterproofing is a known PFAS hotspot; most competitors (OtterBox, Spigen, etc.) do not disclose coating chemistry either. Cases labeled "PFAS-free" or "fluorine-free waterproof" are rare but exist and cost similarly. This case ranks in the middle for transparency: no worse than major competitors, but no better. The TPU/silicone base material is industry standard and poses lower non-PFAS risk than hard plastic or metal cases.
If you buy it
Keep the case on the phone; do not chew, suck, or allow prolonged skin contact with the exterior coating, especially for children. Avoid exposing it to heat above 60 degrees Celsius (140F), as elastomer coatings can degrade and potentially release coating particles. Inspect annually for cracks, peeling, or discoloration; replace if the exterior coating degrades or delaminates. If you are pregnant, nursing, or concerned about PFAS bioaccumulation, consider non-waterproof alternatives or request a test report from Body Glove before purchase.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Samsung has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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More waterproof phone 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.