Marine for iPhone 7 provides total protection from the elements.
My adventure with Pelican began long ago when I worked in video production. At one point in time, the company I worked for had to ship a bunch of production gear across the country — an entire editing suite — and we trusted Pelican cases to get the job done right. The investment was considerable, but we knew that Pelican cases were built tough and they would keep our expensive, professional gear safe. Since my relationship with Pelican was based on that experience, I never thought to look to them for iPhone protection. Perhaps it should have been since Pelican has been the ‘go to’ for protection for divers, firefighters, police, and military since 1976. When I decided to take the leap into a ‘total protection solution’ for my iPhoen 7, I took a look at the Pelican Marine case by Pelican.
While I am adamant about keeping a case on my phone at all times, I’ve never been a rugged case type of girl. I definitely appreciate them for the physically active and dangerous profession people. Personally, I’ve just found them to be overly bulky and for most cases, unnecessary. When I unboxed the Marine case, my opinion of total protection cases swiftly changed. This case is slim and stylish. You can get the Marine in three different colors – clear, black, or teal. I have the teal version, which looks really nice with my matte black iPhone 7. The Marine offers five layers of defense against the elements. It’s made from impact absorbing materials and is tested against MIL-STD 810G – military drop-test standards. The case is rated IP68 — 100% waterproof protection. You can completely submerge this case and rest assured that your phone is safe and dry on the inside. This rating also certifies that the case will provide additional protection from dirt, snow, and dust.
Now that we have the particulars out of the way, let’s talk about my testing experience.
First off, if you’ve ever delved into the world of waterproof cases, you will know that it’s encouraged for you to test the waterproof seal prior to installing your phone in the case. While I’ve tested ‘waterproof’ cases in the past, I can’t say that I’ve ever actually done the seal test. In this instance, it was suggested that I place a piece of tissue inside the case and close it up. Then, I was to completely submerge the case underwater for a period of 30 minutes. I did this test in my kitchen sink. After 30 minutes, I pulled the phone out from under the coffee cup that was keeping it submerged and found that while there were drops of water rolling off the outside of the case, the tissue on the inside was bone dry. I found this to be quite impressive and moved to the next step of the process — installation.
Installing my phone into the Marine case was actually pretty easy. You place your phone face-down on the screen covering. Then you snap the back down around it. It will be a tight fit. I actually have a glass screen protector on my phone right now. Even though it’s very thin, I wanted to point out that I could still fit my phone in the case with a screen protector on it. The trick with the Marine case — as it is with any total protection case — is getting your phone free of dirt, lint, and hairs before you finish the installation. Pelican includes an installation kit with a microfiber cloth, but unfortunately, that’s not enough. I wiped my phone and the case down throughout and somehow I still ended up with a couple of hairs and pieces of lint inside the case when I snapped it together.
There is nothing more frustrating that knowing you have to open up a rugged case just because of dirt. Fortunately, Pelican designed this case with an easy pull apart option on the bottom left-hand corner of the case. You simply insert a coin and pry the two sides of the case apart. During my testing, I did have to do this a couple of times and I began to wonder if the integrity of the waterproof seal would be compromised the more you take the case apart. While I don’t have a definitive answer for that query, it’s something to take into consideration. You don’t want to be reckless about disassembling the case and I would think as long as you are careful, the case should remain intact. Pelican does offer a 2-year warranty on the case and you can always repeat the initial water test if you suspect the seal is failing.
A couple other observations I had while testing includes the following:
- Screen sensitivity – This is always something I wonder about with the total protection cases. Pelican and its competitors have been dealing with touch screens for quite some time now and I found that the Marine case didn’t give me any real problems. I did have to be a little more forceful when connecting with the screen and my SwiftKey keyboard didn’t seem to respond as easily as it does when my phone is out of the Marine case. For most actions, though, the case is plenty responsive.
- Touch ID covering – I rely on a Touch ID now more than ever since I have an iPhone 7 and while the Marine case has a touch sensitive covering over the home button of the iPhone, the longer I used the case, the more I found that the Touch ID was responding less. I really had to be careful about the placement of my finger on the home button for it to register. On more than one occasion, I was prompted to enter my passcode instead of my fingerprint being read. I would be curious to find out if other brands of phones have this same issue since fingerprint ID is becoming more popular.
- Charging port – I really LOVE the design of this charging port. Many cases I’ve seen that are waterproof or even just water resistant have a semi-permanent rubber fixture that hangs over the port even when you have a cable connected. The Marine has a plastic swinging arm that sits almost at a 90º angle when it’s fully opened. The seal is tight around the port so you don’t have to worry about water entering. One thing to note though is that it wasn’t really designed to work with larger third-party Lightning cables. I charged my phone using a Lightning Paracable, which has a bit wider cap on the Lightning end than the Apple charging cable. It fit, but I really had to force it into the case. I would recommend sticking with the Apple Lightning cable so that you don’t have to risk damaging the case.
I am really glad that I gave the Pelican Marine case for iPhone 7 a try. Even though I still don’t want a total protection case for everyday use, I love having this case as an option for more adventurous outings. I feel secure that my phone will stay dry (I took it into the shower once while it was in the case) and damage-free if it falls to the ground (I did drop my phone a couple of times — accidentally — during testing). This is a very strong choice for total protection of the iPhone 7.
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27 Comments
I purchased a Pelican Marine Case for my iPhone 7 Plus. After paying $90 for it on the same day I purchased my new phone from the Apple Store, it was discovered that it impaired the function of my iPhone 7 Plus Speaker Phone. After getting help with Tech Support, the Pelican Marine Case was the culprit to my problem with phone function. I plan to return it for something better. Very disappointed.
I’m sorry to hear that you had issues with your Marine case. I didn’t experience the same issues as you. I hope you have better luck with your next case.
I am having the same issue! I have been on the phone with AT&T and Apple support for months!! I have not had a working phone for all this time and just figured out (on my own) that it is the Pelican case! I have a son with medical issues and it has caused problems for me. I have lost hours of my life trying to get this figured out! Never occurred to me that they would sell something that would impede my phone from working! Not only that, but it was very expensive! DO NOT buy a Pelican case! Can’t believe phone carriers and Pelican doesn’t know this is happening! Google it!!!
Me too. It is a known problem that the case somehow cause issues with the noise cancelling feature of the iphone 7. Sometimes if you call someone they won’t be able to hear you at all. Turning on speaker phone at that point allows yourself to be heard by the person you are calling.
Same issues here, also the warranty people are of no help. They don’t even know if the issue has been corrected. Even at the Apple store they new about the issue as soon as I showed them the case & new it wasn’t the phone. They make some great gun cases and such but when it comes to cell phone products they should stick what they no best and for sure its not this!!
Nobody can hear me while on speaker or FaceTime due to the case if I take it off they can hear me clear it’s definitely the case and it’s to late to get a different case I can replace this one with the same ugh sucks ( it’s the case)
My wife and son say I sound like a teacher from Charlie Brown when I call them on my brand new iphone 7 with a brand new pelican case. They can barely hear or understand me. In other words, The pelican case is a 90 dollar piece of plastic to make your 800 dollar phone useless. After all what’s the use of a waterproof phone when you can’t make phone calls on it. I will return it tomorrow.
No one call hear me on mine either bought it at the att store pay 90.00 for and I try to return with in Thirty day the say I couldnt. Very disappointed with it, I swim every day by myself like having my phone next to the pool.
It sounds like it might be a defect of some sort. The one we tested I could hear same as any protection style case. I’m hard of hearing so if it would have effected the sound I would have had a harder time with it. I would contact Pelican directly.
I wish I seen these reviews before I bought my pelican case . I’m having the issues . People I call can’t hear me or it sounds far away. I took back to place I purchased and they took out little rubber this at bottom that didn’t work . So then they punched holes in the bottom of the case that was much better.
When I was on the phone the next day I didn’t have as many issues but was still having them. So I just drilled bigger holes in the bottom of the case tonight
This case isn’t worth 80.00 I paid
Same problem with my speaker phone and FaceTime, no one can hear me! Unless I take it out of the case, but the. What’s the point? For the price they better fix this issues and replaced those with this defect or give a case of equal value and quality.
Having the same problem with FaceTime and speaker phone. White noise the entire time. If it’s not in the case it works just fine.
This case is the absolute worst investment ever. Avoid this pos device.
I have the same problem. People can’t hear me but I hear them. It’s frustrating to pay almost $90.00 for a case and it’s not worth using. Very disappointed with this case. I will never buy another one. I don’t like life proof case but I bought one anyway. No problems with that case.
Very frustrated with my Pelican Products. After 3 gun cases and assorted others. It was a no-brainer, Pelican! When the I Phone6 debuted, I made the choice to go with what Pelican hd to offer. When the 7 came out, I orderer aunt which is a smoky clear. Not even one year later, I notice the case coming apart. So, I go to the site to order the replacement part. After a lengthy time, I find a parcel at my front door. Unfortunately, it’s “clear” and will not fit my Voyager cradle. I figure I would call Pelican since it is only 4:30 here. No answer. I have submitted numerous emails without any response. I am too old and sick to be hunting for what should have already been here. A warranty is a warranty.
I’m having the same problem as several of the others who have commented–callers cannot hear me talking even though I can hear them fine.
I’ve had my Pelican case over 3 mos. & it seemed fine until several wks. ago when the problem suddenly occurred. Took my phone into the att store & salesperson removed the case & had me call someone & they could hear me fine. Replaced case & problem immediately re-cured. Loved the case until that started happening. Bummer!!
I purchased the pelican marine case and I can’t switch my phone from mute to ring. I’ve replaced the case in store through warranty but it still does not work.
Same problem…callers can’t hear me with the case on. So frustrating!!
This phone case is garbage and anyone that sells you this phone case is garbage. Just as the other reviews say, no one can hear a word you say. This company should be bankrupt by now
I got a brand new iPhone today as well as this case. All I can say is I will not be purchasing anything made by this company ever again after I return this case tomorrow. I spent 90$ to have a case others can’t hear you out of through a phone call or face time. Phone works flawlessly without this thing on it. I am beyond dissatisfied.
I’m very sorry I wasted $80 on this case too… what good is a phone with a case if the people I’m talking to can’t hear me… Pelican should be ashamed of themselves for selling a defective product. ATT won’t accept a return or exchange since I’ve used it.
I have just the opposite issue : purchased new iPhone 7 Plus in September 2017… I can’t hear anyone on the phone, and the speaker sounds really fuzzy : both calls and music applications . People can hear me fine. Always had good luck with pelican products and glad to read about waterproof ability, but had to purchase a Bluetooth headset so I can hear my phone conversations … it’s a lot of money, but I’m happier now.
i have made 2 online claims and 2 over the phone since my phone fell out of my pocket approximately one foot from the bench i went to sit on and shattered. i was told today that all managers are in a meeting and cant talk
My iphone 7 and the and the pelican case were purchased on the same date less than 1 year ago on March 19 2017***
i purchased and have not removed my case from my phone ever. the case was $71.99.
I was told there is no help to settle my insurance claim of $150 to get a new phone which your case should have protected.
the case itself is not broken and why would i want another “protective case” that does NOT work for $71? JUST BUY AN OTTER BOX – SINCE THEY HAVE A BETTER PRODUCT AND THEIR WARRANTY ASSISTS WITH CLAIM DAMAGE DUE TO PRODUCT MALFUNCTION
ABSOLUTELY THE WORST COSTUMER SERVICE
JUST BUY AN OTTER BOX – SINCE THEY HAVE A BETTER PRODUCT AND THEIR WARRANTY ASSISTS WITH CLAIM DAMAGE DUE TO PRODUCT MALFUNCTION
ABSOLUTELY THE WORST COSTUMER SERVICE
I get same ‘can’t hear you’ issue with the Pelican Marine cover. When I looked at the case covering the speakers, I knew right away the cover was the issue. There is a rubber piece inserted into the case on either side. Of course your voice is going to be muffled. Amazing that a company is selling a product that so egregiously limits the function of the phone. Amazing too that the retail stores stock and sell it.
Got a pelican marine case for my iPhone 7 which I bought as soon as it came out within the first 6 months the rubber started to peel and once it peels up the sides it is no longer water Proof The first time pelican replaced it and mailed it to me free of charge but this time pelican said that I have to pay $5 for them to mail it bc they changed their policy and they said that the free warranty only covers the cost of the replacement case not delivery but there’s no way to get it unless they they mail it so the warranty isn’t really free and the case always messes up I will never buy another case from pelican ever again
It was the fantastic review of Merlin iPhone case. It clears all my doubts thanks for sharing!