PolarPro LiteChaser 16 Pro Case Review – Two Features That Ruin It

Why Is No One Reviewing the LiteChaser 16?

You know what’s weird about the LiteChaser 16 ProCase from PolarPro? Despite being announced four months ago, there still isn’t a single review on YouTube—not even sponsored ones.

Call me paranoid, but it’s almost like PolarPro has something to hide.

Perhaps it’s because the LiteChaser 16 is so expensive that even PolarPro can’t afford to send one out for review? Or maybe it’s due to two serious flaws that totally ruin what could have otherwise been the best iPhone 16 Pro filmmaking case?

In this brutally honest, unsponsored review, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the LiteChaser 16 ProCase for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. We’ll go over its features, the major design fails, and whether this expensive ecosystem is worth your money—or if you should look elsewhere.

How Much Does the LiteChaser 16 Cost?

Before we get into the pros and cons, let’s talk about the eye-watering price of the LiteChaser system:

• ProCase for iPhone 16 Pro Max - $99.99 USD
• 2-5 Stop Variable ND Filter - $89.99 USD
• Mounting Plate - $69.99 USD

Total: $259.97 and that’s just for the essentials.

Want a complete rig? Get ready to drop an extra $434 USD on accessories like:

• SSD Mounting Solution - $99.99 USD
• Vertical Mount for Cold Shoe - $79.99 USD
• 67mm Adapter (required for 6-9 stop ND filters) - $24.99 USD
• PolarPro 67mm 6-9 Stop VND - $229.99 USD

If this makes you vomit a little, don’t worry—I’ll suggest cheaper alternatives later.

PolarPro LiteChaser 16 ProCase Features: What You Get for Your Money

1. The ProCase

The LiteChaser 16 ProCase comes with:

• A removable hand grip (which should be optional to lower costs).
• A flip-down lens defender to protect your iPhone’s cameras.

The case itself feels solid, with a smooth, chalky texture. Buttons are responsive, but the camera control cutout is raised too high, making it annoying to interact with.

Good news: The lens mounting plate is the same as the LiteChaser 15, so your old LiteChaser filters will work.

2. Major Design Flaws

USB-C Port Issues

• The case is too thick, making it impossible to fit many USB-C accessories like:
  • Lexar Go SSD
  • DJI Mic 2 receiver
• Your only option is to use a USB-C extender (bulky) or a 180-degree adapter.
• I tested nine different 180-degree adapters before finding one that fits.

Cold Shoe Insert Fail

• The cold shoe insert in the back of the ProCase is difficult to remove and requires a knife to pop out. I took it out for a shoot early one morning to capture a sunrise, only to realise I couldn't remove it by hand to install the Mounting Plate. Shoot ruined!
• Without the mounting plate installed, the cavity feels uncomfortable, so you’ll need to put the insert back in for normal use.

No Replacement Parts

• If you lose any parts—too bad. PolarPro doesn’t sell replacements.
• If your flip-down defender breaks, your only option is to buy an entirely new case, or purchase the LiteChaser 15 Defender which IS available for sale and fits the LiteChaser 16 Pro case (go figure).
• I contacted PolarPro, and they eventually offered me a “free” replacement—but the shipping cost was $88 AUD!

3. The Flip-Down Defender: Plastic & Flimsy

One of my favorite LiteChaser features is the lens defender—but it’s been downgraded:

• The LiteChaser 15 defender was metal and felt premium.
• The LiteChaser 16 defender is plastic and flimsy.
• Mine arrived with a cracked frame out of the box.

It does protect your lenses well, but PolarPro really should have used metal to make it durable.

4. The Mounting Plate: A Fatal Design Flaw

• Made from metal and has four ¼” mounting points.
• The top and bottom ¼” holes are too shallow, making it incompatible with:
  • Manfrotto base plates 
  • Tilta articulating arms 
  • Hydra Alien Mini rigs

This is a shocking design fail. Every other smartphone clamp I own works fine—this one doesn’t.

5. The 2-5 Stop Variable ND Filter

• Uses new Chroma Glass, reducing color shift.
• Vignettes above 3 stops on the ultra-wide lens, but performs much better on ultra-wide lens than expected.
• Blocks the iPhone’s rear mic, making audio unusable. Not unique to this filter, but all filters. An external microphone is essential.
• No 6-9 stop option, forcing you to buy a 67mm adapter and expensive filters.

6. The Grip: More Cost Cutting

• The gold accent on the shutter button is gone.
• The ¼” mount on top was replaced with a cold shoe.
• The Bluetooth shutter from LiteChaser 14 & 15 is NOT compatible.

It still feels comfortable, but it’s objectively worse than the previous versions

Final Verdict: Is the LiteChaser 16 ProCase Worth It?

✅ Pros:

• Great build quality
• Upgraded MagSafe magnet (2x stronger than LiteChaser 15)
• 2-5 VND filter has less colour shift than previous filter
• Lens defender protects cameras well

❌ Cons:

• Too expensive
• No replacement parts 
• USB-C port requires adapters to use Mics and SSD drives
• Mounting Plate is fatally flawed 
• No 6-7 stop ND filter

The LiteChaser 16 ProCase had potential to be the best iPhone 16 Pro filmmaking case—but cost-cutting, poor design choices, and ridiculous pricing ruin it.

Unless PolarPro fixes these issues and starts offering replacement parts, I can’t recommend the LiteChaser 16 ProCase. You’re better off with cheaper, better alternatives.