Noreve leather 10.5″ iPad Pro leather case review

Noreve creates a multitude of cases for a wide variety of smart devices, all made with high quality materials and old world craftsmanship. I have reviewed several cases from Noreve over the years and all have been very nice with great low-key European flare. For this review, they have sent me their traditional case for the 10.5″ iPad Pro in Tentation Tropézienne [The Must in Leather].

Design and features

I requested Noreve send me their iPad case in Tentation Tropézienne leather and was not disappointed. The leather is very (/extremely/insanely) nice with excellent European craftsmanship. The Tentation Tropézienne leather is handmade by French craftsmen, “A must-have, timeless object, distinguished by a very French style”. The leather is extremely soft and supple with just the right amount of padding.

The engineering of this case is interesting, the back of the case securely holds the right side of the 10.5″ iPad Pro. The left side (aka hinge side) of the tablet is meant pop out and that edge of the iPad sits in one of the three slots stitched into the front cover. When acting as a stand, it can hold the iPad at the three angles pictured above.

The case fits the iPad like a glove. You can see the fine stitching on the left side hinge. The back of the case has the engineered crease enabling it to fold backward.

The case has a very polished, understated professional look with the only thing of note being the Noreve logo in brushed metal on the lower right-hand corner of the front cover.

The top has cutouts for the power button, both speakers, mic, and audio plug. The two tabs and edges wrap around the top of the iPad, securing it within the case.

The right side has a smaller cutout for the iPad’s volume buttons.

The base of the case has a large cutout allowing access to the iPad’s lighting port and speakers. The corners are wrapped in leather and well protected from bumps and scuffs.

The cover is hinged on the left side of the case.

The right side of the back case grips the edges of the iPad, wrapping around to the screen.

As I mentioned, the left side is meant to pop on and off the iPad. Initially, this took a good amount of force to slip the iPad from the left corners. But after a few weeks of use, it has loosened up and is much easier to use as intended, though still takes both hands.

The back of the Noreve traditional case also has an egg-shaped cutout for the iPad Pro’s camera and flash assembly.

Overall, the case provides solid protection from bumps, scrapes, and minor falls both open and closed. Though probably wouldn’t provide much protection if dropped on a corner from any real height.

The Noreve traditional Apple iPad Pro 10.5″ leather case is available in 10 types of leather (and a multitude of colors):

EVOLUTION [PU – Synthetic leather]
PERPÉTUELLE [Smooth leather]
AMBITION [Grained leather]
EXCEPTION [Nubuck suede-like leather]
PULSION [Fluo leather]
ILLUMINATION [Patent leather]
HORIZON [Special handworked leather]
TENTATION TROPÉZIENNE [The Must in Leather]
ADDICTION [Saffianoleather]
PATINE [Elegance made by the effects of time]

Positives

Made from gorgeous leather
Excellent craftsmanship
Has a polished, understated professional look
Well engineered/thought out design
Provides good protection from bumps and scuffs

Negatives

None

Final thoughts

The Noreve traditional case for the 10.5″ iPad Pro is gorgeous, finely made, protective, and well designed. Absolutely nothing negative to say about this case. Some might find it on the pricey side but in this instant, you get what you pay for. The Tentation Tropézienne leather and French craftsmanship are of the highest quality. So, if you’re looking to splurge on a case that not only protects but wraps your tablet in old world quality…this case is well worth considering.

Price: from $83.22 to $186.03 ($156.65 as reviewed)
Where to buy: Noreve
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Noreve.

PITAKA Aramid Pixel 2 XL case review

To be honest, I don’t like to put a case on my smartphones. I find it weird to cover a sleek new phone with a bulky case. I rarely drop my phones (I hope I didn’t just jinx myself), so I would rather use my phone naked (the phone, not me). But there are times when having a case is useful even for a minimalist like myself. Cases add grip to an otherwise slippery phone, and they let me hide a metal plate so I can use the phone with the iOmount magnetic car holder in my car. For those reasons, I was happy to review the PITAKA Aramid case for my Pixel 2 XL. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The PITAKA Aramid case is a Pixel 2 XL case that is made of Kevlar which is a trade name for aramid fibers. This is the same material that is used to make body armor. Aramid fibers have exceptional strength and thermal stability while remaining lightweight and thin, which makes the material a perfect choice for a smartphone case.

Design and features

The PITAKA Aramid case is very lightweight and thin. It barely weighs anything which is great because I don’t want to add any extra weight to my phone.

The case has a carbon fiber woven pattern design and is only available in black/twill.

The case has a matte finish that is smooth and sleek while offering a decent amount of grip to the phone.

The Aramid case has built-in metal plates that allow you to use your phone with magnetic mounts like the iOmount I mentioned above, or PITAKA’s own Magnetic Mount which they also sent me. Note that the Magnetic Mount is not included with the case and is a separate purchase.

The PITAKA Magnetic Mount comes with a metal plate that you can put between your favorite case and phone or stick directly to the back of your phone using the adhesive backing. I don’t recommend sticking the metal plate directly to the back of the phone though. I’ve done that before and it was very hard to remove it.

The Magnetic Mount features a clip that can slide over the air vent slats in your car. Unfortunately, this mount wouldn’t work in my MINI Cooper because the vents are circular instead of straight.

If you were to use this case with the PITAKA Magnetic Mount, this is how it attaches to the mount.

My Pixel 2 XL snapped into the Aramid case very easily and the result was a thin covering on the back and around the sides.

There are cutouts on the back for the camera, flash, and fingerprint sensor.

On the right side of the case, you’ll find a long cutout for the power button and volume buttons.

On the top is a notch for the microphone.

And on the bottom is a notch for the USB Type-C port.

Look carefully at the image above and you’ll notice that the sides of the PITAKA case sit lower than the display. This means that you won’t snag your finger on the sides of the case as you’re scrolling and swiping across the display. But it also means that if you like to place your phone face down, that the display will touch the surface it’s placed on.

There’s also no protection for the display if you drop the phone. If you don’t use a screen protector (which I don’t), this may be a concern.

I’ve been using this case on my Pixel 2 XL for several weeks and barely noticed it was there because it’s so thin and lightweight. I had not had any problems with the case until yesterday.

I was carrying my Pixel 2 XL in the right cargo pocket of my pants where it was sticking out an inch or so above the pocket. I was carrying a heavy plastic bucket and accidentally knocked the bucket into the side of my leg. I didn’t really think anything of it until later that night when I was taking the last pictures for this review. It’s then that I noticed the corner of the case. I thought some dirt was stuck to it but it wouldn’t rub off. Upon closer inspection, the case is chipped from the plastic bucket hitting it (at least that is what I think must have happened).

Although it’s better that the case was chipped instead of my phone, it does make me wonder how well the PITAKA Aramid cases will wear over time and I suppose if you live/work in a rugged area, you would want a more protective case than the PITAKA.

Positives

Lightweight
Thin
Built-in metal plates for magnetic car mounts

Negatives

Expensive
Material can chip
Offers drop protection, especially for the display

Final thoughts

I like the PITAKA Aramid Pixel 2 XL case because it adds almost no bulk or weight to the phone but does offer access to all buttons and ports and has built-in metal plates so it can be used with your existing magnetic car mount or PITAKA’s Mag Mount.

My biggest concerns are that the case chipped when it was knocked with hard plastic and then there’s the price. At almost $50, this is an expensive case that only offers protection against everyday wear and tear without any drop protection.

Price: $47.99
Where to buy: PITAKA
Source: The sample of this product was provided by PITAKA.

A leather Star Wars iPhone X case…Yes please

Star Wars: The Last Jedi has been out for about a week now and if you’ve seen it but still can’t get enough Star Wars goodness Hex has you covered. Their new Limited Edition leather iPhone cases feature five different iconic characters from the movies. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, R2-D2, Storm Trooper and X-Wing Fighter. There are two different case styles available, a wallet case and a snap case. Each case features a character embossed in leather on the back. The wallet case has 3-card slots, a cash pocket, and an elastic closure.

The snap case features premium leather construction, a custom molded polycarbonate case and a raised front bezel for screen protection. Inside each case, Hex printed a quote associated with each character. For example inside the Darth Vader case, it says “Together We Can Rule The Galaxy” and the Storm Trooper case has “Move Along” printed inside.

The Hex Limited Edition Leather iPhone Cases are available for the iPhone X, 8 Plus and 8. They range in price from $49.95-$69.95 and are available from Amazon.

Waterfield Design Ranger iPhone X Case review

Hailing from San Francisco, Waterfield is known for their unique approach to bag & accessory design. Their products are *just* a bit different from what you’d expect. Take the Ranger iPhone X Case, for instance. It’s a beautiful full-grain leather case… but there is a lot more going on under that rugged exterior. Let’s go check it out!

What is it?

The Waterfield Ranger iPhone X Case is a full-grain leather holster-style case for your iPhone. It’s specifically designed to the iPhone X specifications but will work for an iPhone 6, 7, or 8. An iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus size is also available. I’m using an iPhone 6s for all the pictures you’ll find in this review.

Design and features

The first thing you’ll notice about the Ranger is the use of a magnetic Fidlock snap closure on the cover flap. The “male” end on the flap automatically snaps into the “female” receptacle on the case when it drops in place and is opened by pulling down on the tab. I love Fidlock hardware. It’s great for one-handed release, but keeps the cover tightly secured when not in use.

Once you’ve opened the flap, you’ll find an ultrasuede-lined pocket for your phone. Contoured edges and open sides make it easy to slide your phone in-and-out with one hand, even if you have meaty fingers. There’s also a second pocket on the front face for small items like cash or your earbuds, but you won’t want to keep any cards in there with magnetic strips (the magnets on the case will scramble them).

On the rear of the case, you’ll find the attachment clip: a beefy 4” long leather strap that snaps to the rear of the phone case via a pair of quarter-sized magnets (one mounted on the strap, and one mounted on the case). These magnets are seriously strong, powerful enough to clip the case over your pants top, your jeans pocket, or even an open exterior pocket on your bag. I’ve been attaching the case to the exterior pocket of my Saddleback Mountainback gear bag, and it’s still super-secure despite all that heavy waxed canvas. It’s great for providing you options if you forgot your belt!

Rounding out the design, there’s a slot cut out on the bottom of the cradle to allow access to your iPhone X cable port. This slot is also wide enough that it doesn’t interfere with the phone’s speakers.

The Ranger uses a full-grain distressed leather that’s just beautiful. It’s soft and supple out of the box with luxurious hand feel, and there appears to be no dye bleed after several weeks of use. It smells fantastic out of the box and, as you can see from the photos, is picking up some nice character after several weeks of use. Waterfield also offers the case in either chocolate leather (shown here) or black if that’s your preference. Personally, I think the chocolate leather shows a bit more character.

I’ve been waiting to get my hands on a Waterfield product for a review, and I’m impressed. The materials and components are all top notch. Everything is made in San Francisco in small batches, and you can see the quality craftsmanship that goes into the finished product.

Positives

Simple one-handed access to your phone.
Great soft, supple leather quality.
Fidlock magnetic closure automatically snaps shut.
Extra strong magnet clip ensures that it will stay put — even through thick fabrics.

Negatives

Magnets will scramble magnetic strip cards — keep them in your wallet.

Final thoughts

Holster-style phone cases have fallen out of popularity with phones getting leaner & tougher, so your relative happiness with this case will depend on your personal preference. It’s easy to operate with one hand, and the versatile clip design allows for multiple attachment points. Like all Waterfield designs, the materials and hardware are fantastic. If you like a holster style phone case, the Waterfield Ranger is just about as good as it gets.

Price: $89.00
Where to buy: Waterfield Design
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Waterfield Design.

Mujjo full leather iPhone X case review

Sigh… The tech-realist in me knows how breakable the iPhone X is. But I still prefer using any and all my tech-devices naked. From my iPad Pro to my 12″ MacBook to whatever smartphone I happen to be using, I enjoy using them as their industrial designers intended. In this case, the iPhone X is not only sandwiched in glass, it is extremely slippery as well…a combination that screams BRAKE ME. That said, I continue my search for a case that not only protects my iPhone but is designed in a way that makes me want to keep it on my smartphone. Let’s see if the Mujjo leather iPhone X cases can hold my interest enough to get the job done .

The case is nicely fitted for the iPhone X, having a very tight fit along the curved edge where the case meets the stainless steel sides and front glass of the smartphone. So much so that once inside the case, it did take a bit of effort to remove the iPhone as I was swapping between cases for this review.

Other than color, the only difference between the two Mujjo cases is the slipper pocket on the back that acts as a built-in minimalistic wallet.

The underlying case is wrapped in Mujjo’s signature premium full-grain leather. Their “in-mold” process enables them to create an extremely slim profile that “accentuates rather than conceals the iPhone X’s beautiful design“. And I have to agree, while they are not as barely-there as the totallee case I reviewed last month, the Mujjo cases are much nicer in quality and craftsmanship while maintaining the shape and form of the iPhone. The case interior is lined with very nice Japanese microfiber, a slim, super-strong, lightweight micro-fabric that provides “a sophisticated, satin-like finish, material that provides luxurious padded comfort for your iPhone X”.

This case snaps onto the smartphone, covering and protecting nearly all of the iPhone’s sides and back. There are push-throughs for all the buttons and a cutout that allows access to the iPhone’s mute switch. The buttons themselves are easily pressed when desired and have a good tactile feel to them.

The right side has a single push-thru for the Siri/Apple Pay/power button.

The base of the case has a single cutout that spans a majority of the base allowing access to the lightning connector and speaker holes.

The case covers the entire top of the iPhone.

As I said, the Mujjo case perfectly wraps around the sides, edges, and top of the X, extending less than 1mm above the screen protector, as seen installed in this pic. This slight lip works well to protect the iPhone X’s (gorgeous) screen.

The iPhone X’s camera bump is slightly recessed providing greater protection. The wallet variant of Mujjo’s leather case can accommodate ID, a credit card or two, and a bit of cash.

The Mujjo cases feel great on the iPhone X, adding grippability and protection without adding much weight or bulk to the sleek and slim device. The premium full-grain leather looks & feels very nice with Mujjo’s promise of its signature vegetable-tanned leather aging with grace, acquiring a beautiful patina with the test of time.

The Mujjo iPhone X cases are available in: black, tan, gray, and olive.

Positives

Well fitted for the iPhone X
Excellent craftsmanship and materials
Gives grippability to iPhone X
Reasonably priced

Negatives

None

Final thoughts

Overall, I really like the Mujjo iPhone X cases’ craftsmanship, material quality, and simple minimalistic design. Mujjo’s contemporary, sophisticated yet subdued design is very me and works well in any situation. The cases fit the iPhone X nicely, providing a decent amount of grippability and protection without adding much weight or bulk. So far, the black Mujjo case remains on my iPhone X and most likely will for the foreseeable future.

Price: $45.00 – $50.00
Where to buy: Mujjo
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mujjo.