Urban Armor Gear · Waterproof Smartphone & Tech Cases
UAG Anchor Series Hardshell Case for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
No PFAS data available; hardshell cases rarely need PFAS treatments.
Urban Armor Gear does not disclose PFAS or coating details for this case. Polycarbonate hardshells typically require minimal water resistance, lowering PFAS likelihood.
The safe swap
Tech21
Tech21 EvoClear for Apple iPhone 17 Pro
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 hardshell 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 UAG Anchor Series uses injection-molded polycarbonate as its core material, a thermoplastic chosen for impact resistance and lightweight durability. Polycarbonate does not inherently require PFAS water-repellency treatments because it is hydrophobic by nature and designed primarily for mechanical protection rather than moisture barriers. The product may include unspecified coatings for scratch resistance or grip, but hardshell phone cases do not typically employ surface treatments that demand PFAS chemistry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Urban Armor Gear (UAG) is primarily known for ruggedized consumer electronics protection and does not maintain public PFAS or chemical disclosure statements on their website or product certifications. The brand has no recorded recalls related to chemical hazards or material degradation for this product line. No third-party testing for restricted substances has been published for UAG cases, which is typical for this product category where marketing focuses on mechanical durability rather than chemical safety.
How it compares in its category
Polycarbonate hardshell cases are the industry standard for drop protection and sit at the durable end of the smartphone case spectrum. This product is less chemically complex than hybrid silicone-rubber cases, which can off-gas plasticizers or volatile compounds under heat. Most competitors in the protective case category use similar polycarbonate formulations with comparable or undisclosed coatings, making UAG typical rather than differentiated on safety grounds.
If you buy it
Keep the case away from prolonged direct sunlight or vehicle dashboards, as polycarbonate can yellow or become brittle with UV exposure over 1-2 years. Do not soak or expose the seams to cleaning solvents; rinse gently with water if needed. Replace the case if cracks develop, as fractured polycarbonate edges can become sharp and may allow dust ingress to the phone itself. No special maintenance is required beyond occasional wiping.
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.”
Polycarbonate degradation and brittleness over time
Polycarbonate can yellow and become brittle after 2-3 years of UV exposure or heat cycling. This is a durability issue rather than a chemical toxicity hazard, but broken cases may create sharp edges or fail to protect the device.
Unspecified coating composition and leachables
The product datasheet does not specify the chemical nature of any scratch-resistant or grip coatings applied to the polycarbonate shell. No leaching reports or restrictions exist for this specific product, and polycarbonate-coating interactions are unlikely to migrate to skin or food in normal phone-case use.
Antimony in polycarbonate resin
Polycarbonate is sometimes manufactured with antimony compounds as processing aids or flame-retardant additives. Urban Armor Gear does not disclose antimony levels, and no migration studies are available for hardshell phone cases, which have minimal contact with skin or ingestion risk.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New polycarbonate and applied coatings may release trace VOCs during the first few days or weeks. This is typically mild for solid hardshell cases compared to soft silicone, and dissipates quickly in normal air conditions.
Microplastic shedding from wear
Repeated drops or abrasion may cause fine polycarbonate particles to dislodge. The practical risk to the user is negligible for a phone case, but accumulated microplastics from worn cases contribute to general environmental plastic pollution.
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 & Tech Cases
Tech21
EvoClear for Apple iPhone 17 Pro
polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Polycarbonate phone case.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Apple
TechWoven MagSafe Case for iPhone 17 Pro
Woven fabric composite with elastomer MagSafe attachment
Limited PFAS risk from material choice, but no brand disclosure
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro Max TechWoven Case with MagSafe
Woven textile blend with MagSafe metal ring
Lower concern; typical smartphone case materials lack PFAS triggers.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone & tech 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.