Product: Piel Frama Ostrich Skin Leather Case for 8700 Series (Also available in crocodile skin leather and standard leather.)
Price: $90 Euros ($108.97 USD, Shipping included)
URL: www.pielframa.com
Review:
This case arrived in a very nicely packaged box with a thick paper insert, all with logos, a very classy touch.
Once again, I am amazed at the quality of the Piel Frama cases. I have read many praises in the past, and I certainly agree with them all. This company does not settle for anything less than superb, and this case is a perfect example of such. This is the type of case that is just cool to hold and use, it's just so nice. The materials are high quality, the stitching is perfect, and even the packaging and presentation is wonderful I challenge anyone to find a flaw in the workmanship of these cases - you won't find any. I must admit that I was a little uneasy about an ostrich skin leather, but after getting it and using it a bit, I really love it. The photos don't do it justice, it is very classy and stylish.
The inner portion is a very nice light brown leather, and it has their logo and a statement of hand craftedness and quality embossed right into it behind where the device will reside.
There are two slots on the inside of the flap for credit cards, money and/or ID cards. The foremost slot has a window allowing you to see what is behind it - nice place for a photo, but not long enough to house your ID there. It is protected by a see-through mesh-type of plastic.
There is a cutout for the earpiece, and the sides have cutouts for all buttons and jacks. The trackwheel and escape button are very easy to utilize, as the leather is thin enough to not hinder your use. The keyboard is perfectly accessible - the leather portion around the keyboard leaves the right amount of room between it and the edge of the outermost keys, causing no interference at all.
The back has a cutout for the speaker, and it is protected with a piece of the same plastic mesh that I described on the inside of the flap. Just under that cutout is the stud for the belt clip. It is small and made of a sturdy black plastic. It has a slit across the top of it that allows you to use the included metal tool to unscrew it and remove it entirely, giving you the option of a pocketable case. Once removed, the screw hole is covered by one of three included ostrich skin colored plastic snap inserts, thereby protecting the opening left by the removed stud.
The belt clip is a standard type, low profile swivel clip. It is sturdy and very functional, and color-matched to the skin.
The closure is a snap, not a magnet, and both the male and female portions are perfectly integrated into the leather, and it holds securely. There is no protective plastic across the screen portion, and I see this as a plus. I don't like the feel of the plastic on my face when using the phone. I prefer to use a screen protector directly on the device itself.
The sleeper magnet is perfectly placed in the flap of the case.
Pictures from the Piel Frama Website:
Crocodile Skin Leather - REVIEWED HERE!!!
Ostrich Skin:
Cowskin Cases:
Pros: Excellent craftsmanship, superior leather products, easy access to all buttons/jacks, good belt clip, removeable belt clip stud.
Cons: Expensive.
Conclusion: It is perfectly constructed, made of excellent materials, very elegant and classy, and is truly an exceptional case. Well done...