Pelican has brought its two smartphone case models to Apple’s newest iPhones. Protector ($40) for iPhone 6 is a co-molded rubber and plastic case — unlike some past versions of Protector, the iPhone 6 edition is just one piece. Voyager ($60) for iPhone 6 Plus is a bulkier, more protective offering — it offers complete button and port coverage. It also comes with a screen protector and a holster that doubles as a stand for the case.
Both cases meet military drop test specifications.
Protector is a fairly standard co-molded case, but that’s a good thing. The case has very good button coverage and responsiveness, appropriate port cutouts, and a substantial lip on the front of the case for screen protection. Protector feels solid without adding a lot of heft, though the design is a bit bland.
There’s a bit more to say about Voyager for iPhone 6 Plus. The two-piece case is mostly plastic with a thin rubber layer underneath the iPhone.
All of the buttons and ports are covered — even the ringer switch, which can be a bit tricky to access. We don’t really care for holster belt clips, but the way Pelican turns the holster into a stand is clever. Voyager is certainly a solid case, but if you’re looking to use it as a second case to be used in situations that require extra protection, be warned: it’s a chore to remove from the iPhone.
Both Protector for iPhone 6 and Voyager for iPhone 6 Plus are solid cases. There are few faults with either option, but we do wish Pelican’s design was a bit more inspired.