Review: Proporta Nokia N91 Aluminium Lined Leather Case
Score:
80%
Version Reviewed: n/a
Buy Link | Download / Information Link
Cases are one of those unusual classes of peripherals for our smartphones. Pretty much everyone carries one, and there’s always a huge range of choice when you go out to choose one. And they’re interesting because they are the ultimate compromise.
In a perfect world, we would never drop our phones or put them in a pocket with some keys, and we would have screens that never scratch. But we don’t, so we need some protection. Long ago, Proporta’s first case range was an indestructible case for the Psion PDA’s – and even after being thrown out of a light aircraft (in one famous instance) the PDA would still be in working and good condition. Of course you had a bulky case, with massive physical clips which was impractical to carry in a pocket. For that, you needed the thin leather slip cases, which were stylish, helped protect against little knocks, but no massive drops please.
And not only does this choice still exist, so do Proporta. I’m now looking at one of the best compromises – and as such a great case – that I’ve seen for my phone, the Nokia N91. So what we have is a leather case, which flips open to give pretty much full access to my N91 and all the controls. When closed, the leather case covers the top and bottom of the phone. With the leather case sewn around two aluminium plates, it provides some great impact protection on those sides. And while the sides are exposed, with the plates extending a few millimetres over the edge, any drop has a good chance of hitting the case and not the edges of your unit.
The N91 is held reasonably securely with two plastic jaws. It does let you slide the phone up and down the case a centimetre or so with some effort, which is actually important. While the case is comfortably closed (with a magnetic clasp), the headphone socket is covered by the flip. You can slide the phone down and get an angled jack in, and the case will still close, although the base of the N91 is exposed. The leather clasp does provide some protection, and while I’m not concerned about that, it does seem something that has been forgotten about in the design process. A few more millimetres of length and I don’t think it would be an issue at all.
In use though, the case design really wins. It’s easy to open and close in a hurry (and with a bit of dexterity, even works one handed). It does add a bit of bulk to your pocket, but I think it’s an acceptable level. The only thing to point out is that it’s impossible to really do anything with the phone when it is in the case – a decision I’m happy with as I prefer the level of protection offered compared to some cases with cut outs for everything. There’s also a great detachable clip that allows you to ‘holster’ the case to your belt loop if you so desire. Not for me, but may be just what is needed for some.
Short of throwing it out an aircraft, Proporta’s “Aluminium Lined Leather Case” is going to be holding my N91 for some time to come.
Ewan Spence, 4th December 2006
Reviewed by Ewan Spence at