After doing extensive testing of several case options for my iPhone 12 Pro, I settled on Catalysts Influence series as my daily go-to case for my new device. Not only did it provide excellent tactile feel and response but it also left me confident in its rugged drop protection while maintaining a sleek and sexy appeal. So far, it has handled everything I have thrown at it! It’s been dropped, handled extensively, used for watching shows and movies, zoom calls, and it’s held up well. My one and only complaint thus far has to do with dust!
Though dust does not get into the phone ports themselves (thanks to the forward facing mic/speaker grill), it does seem to have a strong tendency to get into the Crux attachment points on each corner of the case and in the speaker grill on the case (not the phone). This usually isn’t a huge deal, especially since we’re in lockdown and I don’t go out much anyways. However, it is nice to have a phone case that is easy to clean and maintain for when you do want to go out and not look like you just came from the job site. Cleaning the Influence case is mostly easy except for cleaning this Crux Attachment points and the speaker grills. I found that even when using a damp cloth or microfibre cloth, there was still a large amount of dust and debris gathered in those spots. I have to actually use a toothpick to dig it out and clean it. Not exactly the easiest and most efficient option!
These issues seem to be resolved with the Total Protection Case for the iPhone 12 Pro/Max series. The total Protection Case features all of the same benefits and features of the Influence and Vibe series (such as the rotating mute switch, Crux accessory points, drop protection, and premium materials) but it includes the added benefits of an IP68 waterproof rating, built-in screen protector, dustproof ports with rubber seals, and built in camera lens protection. Most of this seems like overkill for the everyday user, but that’s not what Catalyst is aiming for here. This case is designed for extreme use! Snowboarding, water sports, boating, camping, hiking, emergency services, construction/renovation work, etc. is who this is really going to benefit. I build homes, and this is exactly the kind of case thatI need to keep my phone safe and usable even after I head home for the day. I don’t have to worry about water or dust ingress and it still feels good in the hand.
The case features an easy to snap-together installation process. Place your phone inside and snap the front and back together. The built in screen protection is responsive, however, does seem to scratch easily. The camera is not directly exposed to the elements and also protects against debris/tools scuffing up the lenses. The speakerphone still sound clear and functional and the rubber seal protecting the lightning port is easy to access. Wireless charging still works through the case and even works with Apples new MagSafe charger. The case still includes Crux accessory attachments points but they are designed much better in my opinion. Instead of facing forward, the 2 Crux points face the bottom of the case making it much harder to even notice they are there. The case does add a slight amount of bulk in comparison to the Influence series case but it is not so large that it make it difficult to handle. I could see this possibly being an issue with the Pro Max phone being as big as it is already.
I do see a few minor issues that aren’t dead breakers but they may make you think a bit more consciously about how you handle your case. First, its hard to overlook the fact that iPhone 12 (IP68 rated) uses Sapphire crystal glass on the camera lenses yet the case uses a simple hard plastic to protect the lenses. Though this is a nice feature, I worry that the plastic may scratch and affect the quality of pictures and videos that you may take over time with your phone. I also noticed that (at least on my case) the foam seal and plastic cover around my camera flash and the LiDar sensor were not perfectly aligned. I did not notice any functional issues when using the case but its something to look out for. Lastly, I noticed that the plastic tab on the back of the case used to separate the back plate from the front half of the case may catch on clothing and snag. Last thing you would want from a waterproof case is to have a small gap where water can intrude on your phone. However, the iPhone 12 Pro is already !P68 rated so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Overall, this is welcome and necessary revision/addition to the already excellent Influence series case. Think of it as more of an Influence 2.0+. The only thing that could make this case even better would be if it included a holster of some kind that helped to protect the screen protector from scratches. The case is good enough as it is though and is well worth the investment if you are in any kind of construction, manufacturing, Fire/EMS/Police, or outdoor enthusiast.
