Review – When you start buying a new phone, you may be eager to get a new version of any case that you have run before. It’s all good, but if you don’t try new things, you might miss it. I have been going through the annual upgrade cycle for some time, and filtering a bunch of case options is always one of my favorite parts. This time I had the opportunity to test the Catalyst Vibe iPhone 13 Pro case, and it really surprised me. Let me tell you.
What is it?
The Catalyst Vibe iPhone 13 Pro case is a lightweight case suitable for every model of the iPhone 13 series. It provides 2.5 times the MIL specification standard, helping to ensure the safety of your mobile phone in those unexpected situations, while still being slim enough for your daily driving.
What’s in the box?
- Catalyst Vibe iPhone 13 Pro case
- Wrist lanyard
Hardware specifications
- 2.5x MIL-STD-810g specification standard (higher drop protection* – 10 feet/3 meters)
- Unique “forward audio” produces 30% louder sound
- Rotary mute switch
- MagSafe compatible
- Built-in magnet
- Ultra-thin
- Non-slip handle
- Raised edge protection
- 4 corner attachment
- Air cushion project
- Compatible with screen protectors
Design and features
Catalyst Vibe is available in two colors for iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max: battleship gray or invisible black.
Inside the housing, you will find MagSafe compatible magnets in the elegant repeating triangle pattern, which helps to reduce the weight of the solid inner surface.
The Catalyst Vibe iPhone 13 Pro case has a fine knurled texture on the side to provide comfortable traction. Although the buttons are almost flush, they have a linear texture and are easy to find by feel. You will notice below that Catalyst chose to implement a knob instead of a cavity for accessing the mute switch. Less than 1/4 turn, you will immediately mute or unmute.
The back of the case has a carbon fiber-like appearance and a raised frame to protect the camera lens.
In addition, there is a built-in air cavity in the corner, which will compress during the fall to help absorb the impact. They also double as the lanyard attachment points that come with the lanyard, so you have four mounting points to choose from.
set up
The entire Catalyst Vibe iPhone 13 Pro case is very flexible, so installing the case on the phone is as easy as pushing it on.
An interesting thing about Vibe is that all buttons, knobs and lanyards can be replaced with color kits. Catalyst kindly sent me the orange kit for inspection. Their retail price is $14.99, which looks like this.
To replace any buttons, push from the outside of the housing to the inside until they are loose, then press the new buttons into place. The knob is installed from the outside, which is a bit tricky because there is a small rectangular clip inside to keep it fixed.
You need a pair of tweezers to simplify the process of extracting and replacing it. This is a blurred picture of the clip.
This is the appearance of the Catalyst Vibe iPhone 13 Pro protective case after installing the orange kit. Pretty little pop color.
Performance
The first thing I noticed is the lightness of the Catalyst Vibe. In some other cases it is very eye-catching, only 39 grams.
Next is how easy it is to pop up on my phone. Usually, easy-on means too easy to close or some areas that are not suitable. This is definitely not the case. The fit is perfect and still feels very slim. In addition, the texture selection on the case feels great in the hand and increases the grip without being too aggressive. It can still be easily put in the pocket and never slippery.
All controls are independent parts that are pushed into the chassis. Therefore, they can move freely and provide you with an excellent touch. Especially the mute switch is a huge improvement because it is a knob that can be turned quickly and easily without having to reach into the cavity with a nail.
MIL-spec is a very confusing standard. In short, the product can maintain its function even after being repeatedly dropped to a hard surface at a height of 1M. The challenge is that each manufacturer seems to interpret the standard differently. In the real world, the purpose is to make the iPhone a product, and a protective case that meets the MIL specification can keep the phone running normally. I will leave it there.
In Vibe’s case, the four compression angles do a very good job of absorbing shock. The screen is protected by a raised perimeter, as is the camera lens. Adding a lanyard is actually the best option to prevent the phone from falling, or even just take it out of your pocket cleanly.
Another key feature is located on the bottom edge of the case. Catalyst redirects the audio from the speakers to the front of the chassis, which they call “forwarded audio.” You may have already experienced this by reaching into the bottom of the phone, and it works well here.
When using a compatible wallet or MagSafe charger, the MagSafe connection always feels very sturdy, as you can see in this hanging photo.
what do I like
- The look and feel of the enclosure
- Lightweight and very protective
- Color pop-up options for controls
- Forward audio feels more natural
What will i change
Final thoughts
This is the first time I have used the Catalyst iPhone case, and it left a deep impression on me. When I try another case without taking it off in a day or two, I can always say that a case suits me well. It is very light, it feels good, and I know my phone is well protected.
Price: USD 49.99
Where to buy: Amazon
source: The sample of this product is made by catalyst
