Inateck IPX8 waterproof case review

Beach holidays are great, aren't they? You get to bake yourself in the sun, lay around on the sand reading, and take a swim in the ocean. One of the big decisions of the day is usually what to do with the smartphone, and it often ends up stuffed in a shoe that is then hidden under some clothes you hope will provide some semblance of security from nefarious types. With Inateck's IPX8 waterproof case, though, the days of abandoning my phone in a shoe could well be over.

The IPX8 waterproof case arrives in a neat plastic bag along with a rubber lanyard and is available in black, white or orange. It's large enough to fit a Galaxy Note 4 inside. So long as your device is 5.7-inches or less, you should have no problem placing it inside the case. For my use, it was plenty big enough for my LG G3 even with a protective case on. Before putting my phone inside the case, I followed Inateck's instructions to test the pouch's waterproof integrity. Instead of the recommended balls of cotton wool, I placed a folded tissue inside the pouch before sealing it up tight thanks to two locking levers at the top. I then swished the pouch around in the water for a few minutes, bending and folding it.

The tissue came through unscathed, so I proceeded to place my G3 inside the waterproof case. It's important to emphasize that you can use your phone while it's inserted; my G3 is set up to wake after being double-tapped and I was able to navigate menus with relative ease. The case has clear plastic on the front and rear, making it possible to take some pictures while being submerged. You can also make calls while the phone is inserted, although the sound is naturally muffled on both sides. I managed to send messages from WhatsApp with no problems.

After swishing the case around for a few minutes, I removed it from the water. Inateck advises opening it upside down so that any remaining water will drip down out of the case and not on the phone. As before with the folded tissue, the waterproof case had protected my phone from the water perfectly. While testing the pouch with the folded tissue, the pouch was buoyant. After inserting the phone, however, the pouch was heavy enough to sink to the floor of the container.

I found the Inateck IPX8 waterproof case to be well-constructed. It doesn't feel flimsy in the slightest and the two locking levers that seal the case lips together feel sturdy enough. The material used feels reassuring and that is important with this type of protective case.

Inateck states that the case will allow you to go swimming, boating, rafting, diving and snorkeling without worrying about water damage, and I would feel confident in doing so. I can't wait to take it with me on our next beach holiday, especially since it will also hold my hotel key cards, bank cards, and money, etc.

The only slight negative I should mention is that trying to use the phone's side buttons is a little tricky at times thanks to the sealed plastic sides, but it isn't a dealbreaker by any means. The Inateck IPX8 waterproof case can be purchased for $9.99 in the United States or £8.99 in the United Kingdom.