We have all been there at the beach or the pool, worrying about leaving our phones on a towel. You want to take pictures in the water but you are scared your expensive phone will end up ruined. I picked up this Universal Transparent Waterproof Phone Bag Underwater Summer Swimming Waterproof Case for IPhone Samsung Xiaomi Phones Pouch Bag to see if it actually works.
This review covers my experience with this budget-friendly pick. It promised to keep my phone dry while I swam, so I put it to the test during my last beach trip.
What is this waterproof pouch?
Basically, this is a clear plastic sleeve with a heavy-duty locking mechanism at the top. It is designed to fit almost any smartphone, which is why it is called universal.
You pop your phone inside, snap the plastic clips shut, and it creates a seal against water and sand. Getting free shipping on such a cheap item made it an easy purchase for me.
Features that actually matter
The main appeal here is the clear plastic window that lets you use your touchscreen while the phone is inside. Most of the time, the touch response works surprisingly well for basic tasks.
Another nice touch is the included neck strap. It feels secure enough to hang around your neck while you wade through the waves.
Honest pros and cons
I found a few things to love and a few things that were annoying during my testing. Here is the breakdown of what to expect.
- Pros
- It keeps sand and water away from your phone perfectly.
- The plastic is clear enough to take decent underwater photos.
- It fits large phones like the iPhone Pro Max or Galaxy Ultra models easily.
- The price is low enough that you will not stress if you lose it.
- Cons
- Shipping from overseas took about three weeks to arrive at my door.
- The plastic can get a little foggy after being in the water for a long time.
- Face ID or fingerprint scanners usually do not work through the plastic.
- You have to be very careful to click the locks shut every single time.
Who should buy this?
If you are going on a summer vacation and want to take pictures in the pool, this is a great buy. It is also perfect for boat trips or days at the beach where sand is your biggest enemy.
However, skip this if you need to access your phone quickly to pay for things or if you need to use biometric security. It is not meant for daily use, just for specific water activities.
What other buyers are saying
I checked the reviews from other people who bought this same pouch to see if I was alone. One user mentioned that they dropped it in the deep end of a hotel pool and their phone stayed bone-dry.
Another buyer warned that the plastic can sometimes stick to the phone screen, making it hard to type messages. My experience matched these points exactly, especially the part about it being a bit fiddly to type while underwater.
Final verdict
Is this worth your money? For the price, I think it is a smart addition to your travel bag. It is not a high-end piece of gear, so do not expect it to last forever.
Just treat it as a disposable accessory for your summer trips. As long as you test it with a piece of paper inside before you trust it with your expensive phone, you should be happy with the results.
