Video Review: Catalyst's Waterproof Case Keeps Your iPhone 6 Dry, but With Some Drawbacks

[MacRumors]

For our latest video review, we went hands-on with a waterproof iPhone 6 Plus case from Catalyst, which the company calls "the most protective case in the world." It's waterproof up to a depth of 5 meters (16.4 feet) and it's also shock and drop resistant, made from polycarbonate with a rubber bumper and silicone seals.

In our testing, the Catalyst case lived up to its claims and kept our iPhone safe when we stuck it in a sink full of water, but in our opinion, this isn't a case you're going to want to use on a daily basis.

It's protective, but that comes at the expense of the thin and svelte form of the iPhone. Catalyst's case adds a lot of bulk, plus it makes the volume and the power buttons nearly impossible to use because the material it's made of is so rigid. We also had a harder time using the iPhone's touch screen due to the air gap between the protective cover and the display.

Catalyst's waterproof case may not be ideal for every day use, but it's a great option for situations where water protection is essential. You can use this case to take photos at the beach, in the pool, while snorkeling, and more, and your device will be protected from water, dust, dirt, and other elements.

The iPhone 6 Plus case is available in several different colors from the Catalyst website, and it's priced at $74.99. There's also an iPhone 6 version, which is priced at $69.99, and there are several accessories available for purchase like a floating lanyard, an audio adapter, and replacement parts.

Note: MacRumors received no compensation for this review.

Article Link: Video Review: Catalyst's Waterproof Case Keeps Your iPhone 6 Dry, but With Some Drawbacks

 

[jdillings]

Since you lose most of its iPhone-ness with the bulky case, why not buy one of the Samsung Galaxy Active phones?

 

[oneMadRssn]

Does anyone sell ziploc bags sized exactly for an iPhone?

Whenever I go to the beach, or when I'm skiing, I just put my phone into a ziploc bag. It's waterproof and dustproof, I can access the buttons easily, and the touchscreen works just fine through the plastic. The drawbacks are that the ports aren't accessible, you can't take a call (unless you use bluetooth), and the bag isn't sized quite right so the wrinkles and folds can be annoying.

That last problem would be solved if the bag was sized correctly.

 

[C DM]

Since you lose most of its iPhone-ness with the bulky case, why not buy one of the Samsung Galaxy Active phones?

"iPhone-ness" surely extends way beyond the simple look/feel of the phone.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Does anyone sell ziploc bags sized exactly for an iPhone?

Whenever I go to the beach, or when I'm skiing, I just put my phone into a ziploc bag. It's waterproof and dustproof, I can access the buttons easily, and the touchscreen works just fine through the plastic. The drawbacks are that the ports aren't accessible, you can't take a call (unless you use bluetooth), and the bag isn't sized quite right so the wrinkles and folds can be annoying.

That last problem would be solved if the bag was sized correctly.

Yes. DryCase does. It's the only one I trust because you vacuum the air out and know it's sealed before getting it wet. Also, cheaper and it doesn't matter if future case design changes, it'll still fit.

 

[cere]

Seems comparable to the lifeproof fre. I had the fre for the iPhone 5 and wasn't a fan of the screen protector. Got the lifeproof nuud, without a screen protector, for the 6 and it great.

Any water proof case is too bulky not to diminish the phone for daily use but for when you are heading to areas where you need it (beach, pool, etc) it's nice not to have to worry about spills and even being able to jump in and swim with the phone in your pocket (as opposed to having to leave it on the beach or towel).

 

[ghost187]

With Apple Watch being waterproof (yeah I know it's technicality just water resistant), there is hope that the iphone gets the same treatment.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Here's to hoping that iPhone 7 will be waterproof, without bezels and home button and and.. actually I don't know what else I need, the iPhone 6 works great as it is lol, just these few add ons maybe.
_
I'm counting on it, as it comes in my upgrade cycle!
A man can dream.

 

[ZEEN0j]

Since you lose most of its iPhone-ness with the bulky case, why not buy one of the Samsung Galaxy Active phones?

This post makes no sense. I work in construction so I need something like this. I take it off when I get home and use my phone naked when not working. I use this case for my 6 and it's great.

I've had lifeproof for years but the one I bought for the 6 leaked through the microphone hole at the bottom. I returned it and got this one instead. Not even the finest speck of dust gets in this one.

One issue with this compared to lifeproof is that the volume when you are on the phone is much lower on the catalyst compared to lifeproof. But it doesn't matter to me as I can still hear and the protection is most important imo.

 

[Roadstar]

Since you lose most of its iPhone-ness with the bulky case, why not buy one of the Samsung Galaxy Active phones?

Because Samsung's additions to Android are downright horrible and updates to that very same abomination come slowly if at all? Give me the Active hardware with vanilla Android and we'll talk.

I think I should also note that this message was written on an iPhone 6 with the Catalyst case on it. I use this one pretty much all the time as with the regular 6 the added bulk isn't that much of an issue and I don't have to worry about getting caught in a rain, for example.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

This hits the features I'd like to see in the next iPhone: waterproof, and solar charging.

Heck, there are a few droid phones that are waterproof. Why not an iPhone?

Solar charging isn't going to charge a dead phone, but it would help keep the charge on a phone in normal use. I keep thinking that it's to bad that it doesn't charge while it's sitting on my dashboard in full sun. It's doable...

 

[Roadstar]

This hits the features I'd like to see in the next iPhone: waterproof, and solar charging.

Heck, there are a few droid phones that are waterproof. Why not an iPhone?

Solar charging isn't going to charge a dead phone, but it would help keep the charge on a phone in normal use. I keep thinking that it's to bad that it doesn't charge while it's sitting on my dashboard in full sun. It's doable...

Waterproofing would be nice indeed, as would solar charging. Having owned a solar-powered Logitech keyboard (K760) for a couple of years now, it's looking rather promising since it has been sitting in a rather dimly lit room all the time and has never had issues with power. However, I'd be happy with wireless charging as well.

 

[toke lahti]

Only way to make this review to matter something, would have been comparing it against others like LifeProof.