When it comes to smart phone cases, it seems you must have an angle to be competitive in the market. Some are light weight, some super stylish, some are mega rugged. Pong cases have found their niche in protecting you from wireless radiation. Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.
To be perfectly honest with you, I have never really thought about wireless radiation and as little as I use my iPhone 5 I don’t consider it much of an issue. That does not mean that others don’t worry and that it is not an issue, but the real reason I was interested in the case was its claim to increase my phone signal.
The Pong case comes with the following:
- Case
- Screen protector
- Screen cleaning micro cloth
The product description from the Pong website is as follows:
- Pong transmits stronger outbound signal up to 27% for an iPhone 5s
- Pong increases Range up to 13% for an iPhone 5s
- Reduces exposure to wireless energy (SAR) by up to 82% below FCC limit for an iPhone 5s
- Protection from 4’ drops and drop-tested to U.S. military specifications
- Built-in Antenna Technology instantly pairs with your iPhone when you snap it on
- Proven by the same labs that certify devices for the US (FCC), European (CE), Canadian (CA) and Australian (ACA) governments
- Access to all ports and functions
- 60-day money back guarantee
The Pong case is made out of a rubbery material that gives it a good fit on my iPhone 5. The case has good access to all the controls and provides a fair amount of protection to my iPhone. The inside of the case has all the manufacturer’s information listed on it.
The top of the Pong case has the power button switch. The button is easy to use and you get a nice audible click sound when you depress it.
The left side of the case has a rubberized volume switch cover and a cut-out for the mute slider switch. The volume switch not only gives an audible click when used, but it offers some tactile feedback as well, similar to the power button.
The right side of the case has a hole and a notch towards the bottom of the case. I have not figured out what they do, but it does not seem to affect the iPhone one way or another.
The bottom of the Pong case has all the proper cut-outs for the Lightning connector, earphone jack and speakers. The openings are big enough to fit the included Apple accessories.
The front of the case is open allowing full access to your screen, home button, camera, mic and ear speaker. There is a nice raised ridge running along the outer edge to help protect your phone in case of drops. Although I do not/ did not use the included screen protector, it is a nice add-on.
The back of the Pong case is where you can get a glimpse of how the case works. The upper back of the case has a cut-out for the camera, flash and mic. Down from the camera opening is where you can see the Coupled Antenna System (CAS) that is used to redirect the wireless radiation away from your head and out the back of the phone case.
So let’s talk product claims here. In preparing to do this review I had to do a little research on the claims made about the Pong case. I did find that there was an independent test done on the Pong case that confirmed that it did what it claimed to do as far as wireless radiation was concerned.
Using a custom-engineered Coupled Antenna System (CAS), Pong is the only technology proven in FCC-certified laboratories to reduce our exposure to mobile device radiation by up to 95% below the FCC limit without compromising our device’s ability to communicate. We’re not even making that up. It was recently verified in an extensive, independent test by WIRED MAGAZINE.
As far as outbound signal strength and increased range, I could not really tell the difference in those claims with or without the case on, so I will take their word on it. So, what’s my bottom line here? Honestly I have to look at the Pong case in two ways. If I am worried about wireless radiation, the Pong case seems to deliver on its promise to reduce your exposure to it. If I am looking at a case to protect my iPhone this case is adequate. My real issue with the Pong case is “bang for the buck” at $69.99 I honestly would not buy it. Even if I had a concern about wireless radiation I could use the provided headphones from Apple or even buy a decent Bluetooth hands free device for the same or less money.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Pong. Visit their site for more info.
Product Information
| Price: | $69.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Pong |
| Requirements: |
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It looks like that hole near the corner could be for attaching a wrist strap.
You can turn on the dB display for signal strength. It seems weird to me that they can claim to boost signal and reduce radiation at the same time.
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/how-to-display-your-iphones-signal-strength-in-numbers-76257989351.html
The reveiwer shows his ignorance when stating he would use the Apple provided headphones or a Bluetooth device if he were concerned about radiation. Neither of these would protect him at all. With the headphones, radiation travels up the copper wire, through the ear buds and into the brain. And Bluetooth contains a radiation emitting component even potentially more dangerous as most people tend to wear hands free devices for hours, right next to the brain, not taking them on and off for each call. Do your homework, please.
@Debra Doing my homework has nothing to do with how “I” use my phone. As I stated in the beginning of the review I do not see wireless radiation as an issue. Based on how I use my phone, even if wireless radiation was a concern I still stand by my statement that “I” would still use the provided headphones or a Bluetooth device based on how I use my phone. I am sure if worked on extremes I could make a case for not using a cell phone at all based in wireless radiation, but I find the issue of wireless radiation very far down on my list of issues to be concerned with when dealing with my mobile phone.
I am sorry you feel that I am ignorant because my views my differ from yours, but without out any further definitive government guidelines pertaining to the use of cell phones and wireless radiation to change my mind, I stand by my statement.
When will Pong make a case for the Galaxy S8+?
Thank you.