Ghostek · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Ghostek Nautical Waterproof Case for Galaxy S24 Plus
Waterproof phone case, coating chemistry undisclosed. Moderate caution advised.
Ghostek's waterproof cases use polymer bodies with unidentified waterproofing treatments. No PFAS disclosures or certifications available; coating contents remain opaque.
The safe swap
Mophie
Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polycarbonate/TPU hybrid with waterproof coating, unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This case combines polycarbonate (rigid outer shell) with thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU (flexible inner liner), a standard hybrid approach for drop and water protection in phone cases. The waterproof coating chemistry is not disclosed by Ghostek, which is the primary concern: waterproof coatings on textiles and polymers have historically used PFAS compounds to achieve water repellency, though non-fluorinated alternatives now exist. Polycarbonate and TPU themselves are not inherently hazardous at normal use temperatures (phone surfaces do not exceed 50-60C in typical conditions), but the undisclosed coating is the unknown variable.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ghostek is a mobile accessories brand with no publicly available PFAS policy, chemical transparency statements, or third-party certifications (such as STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX or bluesign) in their marketing or technical documentation. No product recalls or safety controversies specific to Ghostek cases have been widely reported. The silence on coating chemistry is notable given that many competitors (including brands like OtterBox) now disclose or avoid PFAS in waterproof cases, suggesting this information may be deliberately withheld rather than unknown.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone cases are a high-PFAS-risk category because fluorochemical coatings are an industry standard for water repellency. Ghostek's lack of transparency places it in a middle-to-lower tier for disclosed safety; brands like Spigen (which use non-waterproof TPU cases and avoid PFAS claims) or OtterBox (which has begun phasing PFAS) offer clearer safety profiles. For equivalent polycarbonate/TPU rugged cases without waterproof claims, PFAS exposure is typically lower, though water resistance is sacrificed.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged skin contact with the case, particularly if you have sensitive skin or open cuts, as the waterproof coating may leach into sweat. Do not wash the case in hot water above 60C or expose it to solvents, as coating degradation could accelerate leaching. Replace the case if the waterproof seal visibly peels, cracks, or degrades. If PFAS exposure is a health priority for your household (young children, pregnancy, high-risk populations), consider requesting Ghostek's coating specifications before purchase or choosing a non-waterproof TPU case from a brand with transparent PFAS policies.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
PFAS in waterproof coating
Waterproof polymer coatings commonly use perfluorinated compounds; Ghostek's coating formula is undisclosed. No independent testing of this case for PFAS has been published. Exposure is primarily dermal (case contact) rather than ingestion.
Polycarbonate leaching (BPA)
Phone cases are not in direct food contact and phone surface temperatures remain well below BPA migration thresholds (>60C). No established risk for this application.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
As the waterproof coating ages or peels, microscopic fragments may shed onto the phone and user's skin. The composition of these fragments is unknown without coating disclosure.
TPU off-gassing (VOC)
TPU is a stable polymer at room temperature and typical phone use conditions. No volatile organic compound emissions have been documented for TPU phone case materials in normal use.
Heavy metals in polymer pigments
No information available on colorants or pigments used in this case. Standard polycarbonate/TPU cases do not typically use heavy-metal-based dyes, but batch testing would be required for certainty.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, metal contacts
No known PFAS use; battery cases rarely require fluorinated coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15 Pro
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, rubber grips
Lower concern. Battery cases lack typical PFAS-prone coatings; no public disclosure available.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Polycarbonate shell, rubber grip
Lower concern; typical phone case with no known PFAS applications.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.