Macenstein

Posted by Dr. Macenstein

In part 3 of our 700-part series profiling iPhone cases, I thought I would showcase one of the more elegant and simple solutions to the problem of protecting your iPhone – the iPhone Suede Jacket Case by WaterField.

As I like to point out in iPod case reviews, the type of case you choose for your iPhone depends entirely on how you use it. While a Speck ToughSkin case is going to provide good deal of shock protection if dropped while exercising, it wouldn’t be my first choice to bring to a dinner party (especially knowing I’m gong to try to “casually” show it off to everyone I meet).

The iPhone Suede Jacket Case by WaterField is the equivalent of the “little black dress” in every woman’s wardrobe. It looks refined, it goes with any occasion, and it can be used to wipe fingerprint smudges off the person wearing it. Well, OK, maybe that’s not a major selling point of the little black dress, but it IS a nice added benefit of the suede case. Like the black dress, I consider this case to be the type you would use in social situations – ones where you think you might be asked to show off your iPhone – and the fact that the case itself can be used to also give it a quick cleaning before (or after) handing it to an eager would-be iPhone convert is a great plus.

The case is very similar in design to the one Apple ships with iPods these days, and to be honest, it is the case every iPhone should have been shipped with. It is a simple pouch, perfectly tailored to hold your iPhone snugly – almost too snugly, in fact. Removing the iPhone from the case involves 2 hands, and unlike other more “functional” cases, you pretty much have to remove your iPod from the case to do anything. But again, this case is something you use when you want to experience the sleek thinness of the iPhone’s design.

The case provides a good deal of scratch protection in a pants pocket with keys or inside a purse, leaving just one end exposed. You can put your iPhone head first or tail end first, but if you are expecting a call, I would suggest putting the speaker side facing out, as the case does muffle the iPhone’s ring a bit.

Conclusion

There’s really not much else to say about the Suede Jacket Case, except that it is one of the most affordable, as well as stylish cases you’ll find. Costing only $9 and available in black, black, or black, it is not the best case for every situation, but it is a great choice for the type of user who who is careful with their iPhone, and is more worried about avoiding inadvertent scratches than a concussive impact. Plus, for 9 bucks, it is a cheap way to expand your iPhone’s wardrobe while still leaving some money left over to buy the iPhone Malibu Beach House and iPhone Corvette.

The iPhone Suede Jacket Case by WaterField.

Price: $9

Pros: Looks classy, very affordable, provides a good deal of scratch protection, case itself can be used to clean the iPhone’s screen, does not add bulk to the iPhone.

Cons: No real shock absorption to speak of in the event of a fall, no place to carry headphones.