Catalyst Total Protection VS. Lifeproof FRE for iPhone 12 Pro: Battle of the Waterproof Cases!!

[@szombieszabo4135]

This is a type of product you need to spend half a year field testing with to make a real review honestly. 1-2 weeks for most part is really not enough. So I offer this- A Whitewater boaters experienced and truly non-biased written review for water sports people..... Always water test the cases empty first! All waterproof cases degrade over time regardless of brand - that soft tpu material on both brands shown here is also for nicks, scratches, & impacts absorption - but can also wear away over a year or two Lifeproof fre case They stay sealed well even from higher drops. The flexibility you complain of is kinda off, it is actually there to help with shock Absorption, the screen it’s self is actually pretty hard to scratch up and holds up well. They can also take a pretty severe blow and still keep your phone screen pristine. Some times if the screen cover winds up dented in it can reduce how well the contact is between screens making it harder on the touch functionality. Now specifically from iPhone 11 on lifeproof for what ever reasons decided to change the charge gate to a hard plastic folding latch that just bends (no hinge) while being more sleek and thin, this tab wears out fairly quick from that flex point if you charge the old fashioned way & use a plug in headset, breaks off from case is then easy to lose. (I mean like 1 weeks time) if you use a cordless charge pad and air pods as you will never even have to open the case once phone is in. If and only if that’s the case. This is the case for you. Other Wise the issues with the charge gate alone make this phone case a real risk for active water sports ppl. Catalyst TP case Does not stay sealed even from a 3 ft drop- Case partially pops open (not a great waterproof poof feature...or from a shock Absorption perspective) Screen shows scratches too easy even from just being in same pocket as your keys. But it still protects your phone screen rather well. I kinda love the gasket style hatch for the charger but again that can degrade ina short period of time gaskets start degrading the same day they are made, on top of that the attachment point is easy to slip out of once it’s got some wear on it. I’d say glue that part in with a literal drop, so you don’t lose it on an adventure. Again if you have wireless equipment this is less of an issue. Over all. Both companies offer a you pay less then 10usd for replacement case, and have pretty damn good customer service. However lifeproof will still replace a replacement case over defects, or just not being the quality they stand for in durability. I moved on over the charge gate issues as I myself use both plug in chargers and headsets. Catalyst I am uncertain of this. They did replace my first case which wouldn’t seal properly, but the second one I just called and let them know the issues with their product and would not like a replacement but will be moving on from them. From personal experience quality differences. Always check water proof quality before putting a phone in case. Defective cases do exist in all brands. My lifeproof cases have flown off of cars at 50+ miles an hour 2 times. Been ran over. Set a little to close to a fire. Been At the bottom of a creek (not super deep but deep enough) and have not failed. However the screen like material they used over speakers & mic can become clogged causing ppl to not hear you on phone calls - even tho it keeps dust out - once in lake or river water long enough or exposed enough times it will clog up due to natural sediment, (I have not tried running inside of case under water to remove this from outside but also don’t believe taking case off of phone once’s it on should be needed) But once they switched the charge gate to the flimsy tab they use from iPhone 11/current models. I had to move on for that reason alone. However - if you don’t mind not seeing the color of your phone and use wireless everything this is a very reliable waterproof case Always check water proof quality before putting a phone in case. Defective cases do exist in all brands. Catalyst cases. First case defective wouldn’t seal properly. Second and third cases would pop open from small impact drops the third was my wife’s case. The clear film they use over speakers and mic have not clogged up over time causing ppl to not hear me on phone calls but I have yet to use a case anywhere near the Length of time compared to lifeproof tho I have before case was compromised sunk it in a creek to test that issue alone A drop from just about any height above 3’ will likely have at least one corner pop open. First time I dropped phone was at a surfing wave it fell and hit concrete slab from as little as 4’ slide into the wave and was at bottom of creek for a minute tops was able to fish it out and notice the inside was wet. It popped open from initial impact making it not waterproof in anyway once it met the water. That one instance alone was Was enough for me to get ready to move on but before I could phone fell from a height of 5’ and the back of case where clips and gasket hold case together literally broke leaving it completely compromised at all times. I had to move on for these reasons. However - If you like seeing the color of your phone and are not a water sports person this case will keep you safe enough from spills, splashes and drops. But is not a reliable waterproof case On a personal level I do wish lifeproof would go back to the hinged charge gate for now & Until they have a better functional and lasting gate design. I would go right back to them as I do believe they have the best quality in a waterproof design. If you are a river rat of any kind stay away from catalyst. I am going to try ghostek next... Unless someone’s tried actively field testing over a longer period then 1-2 weeks & can prevent my funds from being wasted. Again this is from a whitewater boater perspective who’s in water at lease 2 and most 4 days a week year round. If you are an average person both cases will do you justice under the circumstances mentioned above. Hope this truly helps - Szombie

[@szombieszabo4135]

I would like to add nothing I mention here is to discredit DTR. This was a nice review. I just felt like an avid water sports perspective needed to be added.

[@elizabethdaughtrey9920]

@@szombieszabo4135 any comment on the ghostek?

[@stoicstrawberries]

@@szombieszabo4135 OMG !!!! Thank you this is the exact review I needed lmao!! Did you eventually get to Ghostek?

[@isaaccalderon7993]

You left an article instead of a comment but I read every last word and it definitely helped my decision. Thank you!

[@chrish9502]

Hey, any update? What do you use now?

[@jerroldtidwell]

I just received a Lifeproof Fre case for iPhone 14 pro max...you are correct, they have taken a turn as far as quality. I wasn't impressed, either. In fact, $99 is highway robbery for the quality (or lack thereof) of this case.

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Catalyst all the way!

[@Alaskankane]

What case should I get to keep the value of my iPhone 14 pro max if I want full civerafe

[@DrivenTechReviews]

@@Alaskankane get the catalyst still the best one.

[@joshsammuel955]

Hey great video ! thanks for such in depth review. Keep uploading great videos. cheers from germany ;)

[@DrivenTechReviews]

My pleasure! Will definitely do! 🙏

[@kozmo7]

Thank you so much this was perfect! Subscribed

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Thanks for the kind words

[@Fyahya1973]

Nice review. But can we use the Catalyst with the screen protector?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Nope we can’t

[@LaszloBagi]

Does the plastic over the LIDAR lens effect it?

[@MrLagerblad]

How is the scratch resistance over the camera lenses? I have a budget waterproof case now but the plastic over the lenses I super soft and has scratch marks.

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Better with the catalyst imo.

[@xtii]

What is catalyst like when using it with an iphone that already has an screen protector?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Never tried it cause it's not recommended. If you wanna use it that way better find a diving case at least the screen protector side will have enough clearence.

[@kingd3001]

I mean catalyst case sre nice but the back plate Scratches way too easily

[@DrivenTechReviews]

My lifeproof scratched much worse compared to catalyst.

[@kevinowen7388]

The Catalyst more chance of water entering whiles Lifeproof less however price wise, Catalyst is way more expensive !

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Infact from my experience both have a good seal but catalyst is a better all round case. Plus it doesn't get dinged up so easily.

[@VegaMyster]

I bought the Catalyst several months ago and loved it but it has randomly cracked around the bottom speaker grill and the inner plastic piece on the other side closest to the screen, it now leaks which is a shame because i love the overall feel/design but for the price its disappointing that it broke with little use so quick.

[@osvaldoperez7205]

I had a issue before with lifeproof that it was so sealed that people couldn’t hear me on a phone call it’s that an issue on either on this cases now?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

It’s still the issue. If u want a good overall waterproof case go get the Catalyst total protection. I have a video on that.

[@Fyahya1973]

Question for Catalyst: Can it fit with screen protector?

[@kd7100]

I’m almost 100% positive, like any other case with a built in screen protector, is not designed for a screen protector underneath. In my experience, it creates issues with the touch screen, in that, makes it harder to press, which I’m also pretty sure, is not good for your phone 🤷‍♂️

[@troubledwaters]

It would compromise the waterproof capabilities of the case.

[@dunmire7671]

Which case is better during phone calls ?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Catalyst any day

[@aimcorp6563]

My catalyst case for 11 pro max wouldn’t seal properly, still used case, took off back 4 times total and one of the clips broke. Not worth imo

[@ismoketwojointsbeforeismok5882]

Mine for the XS Pro Max sealed amazingly but the clips felll apart, it would get filled with dirt in the borders, and a bunch of the clips broke. Does not handle drops too well.

[@ismoketwojointsbeforeismok5882]

Also the material that covered the speakers is glued on and it also falls off eventually

[@ismoketwojointsbeforeismok5882]

But it did last a long time . So there is that.

[@michaelcribbs5435]

I wish they had a waterproof case with tempered glass because the screen protector they use scratches easily in my pocket at work

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Yeah but it wouldn’t be durable enough

[@michaelcribbs5435]

@@DrivenTechReviews The lifeproof case works pretty good the only problem is the built in screen protector it has scratches too easily. I recently bought a similar case with tempered glass as the screen protector and it is holding up pretty good but its not waterproof. I don’t think it would take much to make it waterproof and it would be perfect.

[@MANUELMV8607]

the catalyst works with face id?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Yup works no problem.

[@LaszloBagi]

@@DrivenTechReviews Does the plastic over the LIDAR lens effect it?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

@@LaszloBagi nope it doesn't. I thought it would but no problems with LIDAR so far.

[@LaszloBagi]

@@DrivenTechReviews Thanks, Glad a bought a case with a sliding camera lens cover

[@andresrivera9128]

How much do you sell the catalyst case iphone 12 pro max

[@DrivenTechReviews]

I don’t sell. Just review haha

[@michaelpast19]

Like 89 bucks

[@ricardomerk2]

Lifeproof Fre for me.

[@godlyxmp4746]

Yea they are both amazing catylast actually drop 15ft before wear and tear to the case but will have no cracks in the phone 1 or 2 drops on solid ground with the fre will crack the plastic but fre is amazing

[@R4N21]

@@godlyxmp4746 I have the life proof fir the SE 2020 but work use has wore down the buttons and the home button has bubbles interfering with Touch ID , I have dropped by accident more than I can recall, and broke my screen protector that I added for. safety. I work as mechanic with high exposure to drops and fluids exposure more than water alone. Currently 10 months use and looking for improvement or warranty replacement

[@froggboy]

No holster with it?

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Nope no holster.

[@redacted4167]

Great review!!

[@DrivenTechReviews]

Thanks ✌️

[@bubbleobilly324]

As easy and one two tree

[@pooch33]

Trash returned mines