$29.99
I admit it - I purchased this case as a temporary one to use until I could get a Vaja or other similar high-quality case for my iPhone. Since I tend to keep my cell phone in my purse with my keys and other sharp items, I absolutely needed something to protect my iPhone from the start. Yes, I've seen that PC World Stress Test video, but I'm not taking any chances, thank you very much. So, this Belkin case was one of the few available at the AT&T store at which I purchased my iPhone. If I recall correctly, my other choices were pink or blue versions of a silicone skin case with no belt clip. Neither pink nor blue were really appealing, so the Belkin case was selected as the only viable alternative in my eyes.
The case is made primarily of leather with elastic sides and a mesh fabric bottom. I'm not quite sure if the interior lining is also leather, but whatever it is, it's imprinted with a pattern that reminds me of a molecular structure diagram. It has a fixed clip covered in leather on the back. The front has a metal strip embedded in the leather with the Belkin logo and the same molecular structure pattern as on the interior lining. The front and back of the case are reinforced with plastic or cardboard, so it is quite stiff.
The front and back of the case:
The top of the case:
This is a top-loading case with no flap, so the top of iPhone is completely exposed. The iPhone is removed by pushing up on the mesh bottom of the case to expose enough of the top of the iPhone to grab it and remove it the rest of the way from the case. This is definitely a 2-handed operation if you are as paranoid as I am about dropping your iPhone.
The sides of the case:
Note that the bottom corners of the iPhone are exposed as well. If you happen to drop your iPhone in this case, wish that you drop it flat on either the front or back, because it will certainly incur some damage if it hits on the top or the bottom corners.
The case is quite snug, and even after using it constantly for the last 2 weeks, it has not really loosened up. I do sometimes clip it to my pants pocket (geek alert!), but I'm wary of this type of clip in general since it does not rotate and can pop off if you sit down or move some other way to force it up.
The workmanship quality isn't spectacular - there is uneven stitching in places and the belt clip is a little crooked. Retail is $29.99, which is a bit pricey in my opinion for what this case is, but is not nearly the price you'd pay for a hand-crafted case with higher quality standards.
All in all, this is a useful case for basic protection for your iPhone. If you're like me and carry your iPhone in another bag most of the time, this case works out really well. If you're looking for a stand-alone case and plan to carry your iPhone by hand or clipped to your belt constantly, I'd recommend something else. I've ordered one of the new Vaja pouch cases (Retro style in black aniline leather with an orange stripe) and am waiting anxiously for this since I've had great experience with Vaja cases in the past few years and expect it to be my primary case. Until I find something else, that is. One can never have too many gadget cases.
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