Griffin · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Griffin Survivor Clear Case for iPhone 11 Pro
Skip until brand discloses coating composition details.
Griffin's protective phone case uses polycarbonate and TPE with unspecified surface treatments. Brand provides no PFAS information or ingredient disclosure.
The safe swap
Mophie
Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polycarbonate and TPE protective case with unspecified coatings
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Unknown / proprietary coating
Proprietary coating with no disclosed chemistry.
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
The Survivor Clear case combines polycarbonate (rigid outer shell) and TPE thermoplastic elastomer (shock-absorbing bumpers) to provide drop protection. Both materials are stable in normal phone-use temperatures (room to ~50°C) and do not leach into food or skin contact. The 'Clear' designation indicates a transparent polycarbonate formulation; the unspecified coating on this material is the primary concern, as manufacturers sometimes apply PFAS-based water/oil repellents or UV stabilizers to transparent phone cases for durability and clarity retention.
The brand's record and disclosure
Griffin Technology has not published a public PFAS avoidance commitment or material disclosure statement specific to this case line. The brand offers no certificate of analysis, third-party testing results, or transparency regarding coating chemistry on their website or in product documentation. This silence is not unusual among mid-market phone accessory makers, but it limits confidence in avoiding fluorinated polymers or water-repellent treatments that may contain PFAS precursors.
How it compares in its category
Most clear polycarbonate phone cases from competing brands (OtterBox, Spigen, Casetify) have similarly undisclosed coating compositions; Griffin's Survivor line is not an outlier on transparency. Silicone or rubber cases typically avoid clear coatings altogether and present lower chemical complexity, though they offer less drop protection. Among branded protective cases in the premium tier, Survivor is competitively positioned on durability but unremarkable on chemical disclosure.
If you buy it
Keep the case away from direct heat sources above 60°C (avoid car dashboards in summer or dishwashers) to prevent polymer degradation and any potential accelerated leaching of coating components. Replace the case every 2-3 years or sooner if the polycarbonate becomes visibly yellowed, cracked, or the coating peels, as these are signs of material breakdown. Clean with mild soap and water rather than harsh solvents; do not soak. Store in a cool, dry location to slow UV degradation of the transparent shell.
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.”
Unspecified fluorinated coatings (PFAS-containing)
Transparent polycarbonate cases commonly receive water/oil-repellent topcoats; if PFAS-based, they migrate slowly into skin oils and sweat on prolonged contact. Griffin provides no documentation of coating identity, making PFAS presence unconfirmed but plausible.
Polycarbonate degradation and BPA release
Polycarbonate contains bisphenol-A (BPA) as a structural component. Under normal phone-use conditions (no heat, no strong chemicals), migration is negligible. Heat stress or solvent exposure accelerates breakdown and theoretical BPA leaching, though direct skin contact risk is low given the case does not contact food.
TPE plasticizer leaching
TPE bumper material may contain phthalate plasticizers, though modern formulations increasingly use phthalate-free alternatives. No published recalls or complaints specific to Griffin Survivor cases for plasticizer migration have been documented.
Microplastic shedding from wear
Mechanical abrasion of polycarbonate and TPE surfaces over years of use can generate microplastics, particularly if the case is repeatedly dropped or scraped. Shed fragments remain in the device or environment; health significance is still under study but represents a long-term accumulation concern.
UV yellowing and coating breakdown
Clear polycarbonate cases commonly yellow and become brittle after 1-2 years of sun exposure, a well-documented issue across the category. As the coating degrades, chemical leaching potential increases and structural integrity declines, necessitating replacement.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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Pelican
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⚠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.