I spend a lot of time hunting, on a tractor, and generally in the outdoors. Protecting my iPhone 7+ can be a daunting task in some of the conditions I carry it. I recently tried out the SnowLizard SLXtreme iPhone 7+/8+ case, and found it to be packed with protective features.
The SnowLizard SLXtreme for 7+/8+ provides military grade protection for your phone and is IP 68 dust and waterproof. It sports a 5000 mAh battery and a 20% efficient monocrystalline solar panel to help trickle charge the case when you are out and about. The case measures a whopping 7.25″x 3.63″x .88″ and is the absolute largest case I have ever seen. The package includes the case, micro USB charging cable, lanyard, user guide, and replacement gasket. The package doubles as a reusable dry box. I love the design of each part of the packaging being useful and adding protection from the elements.
Like I said earlier. The SnowLizard SLXtreme case is the largest case I have ever used. It is big, bulky and heavy. With that said, there is definitely a use case for this style of protection. I do not plan on carrying the case in my pocket daily. For me, that is just too much. When I am out hunting or working on the farm, I for sure will use it every time. With drop protection, dust protection, and waterproofing, it will keep me protected and able to use my device even deep in the woods. The battery is also a must when you will be away from any other charging solution for an entire day. You can even use the solar power to keep the device working on a long hike or if you find yourself in an emergency.
Before installing your iPhone into the SnowLizard SLXtreme, it needs to be completely naked. No screen protectors or other additions or it will not slide into the case. I have a battery mount in my truck that requires a small metal disk to be stuck to the back of my phone. I removed the disk and installed it backwards in my everyday case. This allows the mount to work as well as my phone to be in its’ natural state to slide into the SLXtreme. Installation is extremely simple which is not usually the case with large, protective phone cases. Simply slide the phone in and insert the bottom connector and close the latches. No multiple layers or trouble getting the phone in and out. This makes the case even more usable for me.
Once inside the case, your phone is not only protected but also fully usable. The fingerprint reader, as well as the entire screen, works fully with no issues. I found the sound to be a bit muffled, but that is to be expected with this much protection. The charging port has a sealed cover and all of the buttons are functional. There is a dial over the audio mute switch to toggle sound on and off. There is also a ring clip to attach the lanyard or a carabiner.
The back of the SnowLizard SLXtreme is used as the solar panel. A power button on the bottom will turn battery charging on and off. The lights next to the power button provide two readings. When the battery is actively charging the phone, the lights are blue and indicate the power level. When the battery is being charged, the lights are green indicating the power level. When the solar panel is being charged it will also show green lights as well as the power of the lighting. The micro USB cable will also charge the case so you can start the day with a full battery. I carried the case for several days which were longer than 12 hours and still had plenty of battery left on my phone when I got home. I would say with limited phone use, you could make it a couple of days without power.
While the SnowLizard SLXtreme may not be for everyone, it is one seriously protective device. Water-, drop-, and dust-proof with an internal battery that can be charged via solar power. With all of these features, I am willing to sacrifice some bulk to keep my phone charged and safe while in the outdoors. The fact that installing and removing the phone is so easy, makes these cases perfect to only use in situations you need them. We plan on using the supplied dry box when at the pool and water park this summer. This package is worth owning if you are ever in an extreme environment.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I like: Easy to take the phone in and out; Ability to charge while providing extreme protection
What could be improved: Some may not like the bulk and weight
