Review: Noreve AT&T Tilt (TyTN II) leather case
Since the TyTN II carry case I bought for my AT&T Tilt didn’t end my search for the ultimate in protection and usability, I turned to NoreveUSA.com and its handcrafted leather tradition case. I’ve never been disappointed with Noreve cases before, so I was filled with hope when I opened the package.
Packaging
Only a few weeks have passed since my review of the Noreve leather case for the Samsung P2 digital media player, so the double-packed Tilt case and the supplied belt clip kit were things I expected to see.
The swiveling system, developed exclusively for the company, includes a plastic belt clip, metal tab and screw, mini screwdriver, and Noreve button.
Installation and removal of the belt clip is simple and takes mere seconds to complete. Since I have no use for a belt clip (I don’t even own a belt), I keep the kit in the box and use the flat button embossed with the Noreve logo to hide the screwhole that would otherwise be left exposed.
Design
The case is made of top-quality handcrafted leather, which is just brimming with that heavenly leather smell many of us find intoxicating.
The leather is smooth, supple, and lightly cushioned to protect the Tilt from damage caused by accidental bumps and drops.
A cutout on the back of the case allows access to the phone’s GPS antenna connector and 3-megapixel camera, while a button closure ensures a secure fit.
The case opens book-style to reveal embossed lining and two microSD card pockets.
Attached to the bottom half are unbendable leather-covered clips/brackets that hold the Tilt in place.
As with all Noreve cases, everything about the craftsmanship of this one is painstakingly perfect: even stitching, finished edges, aligned cutouts, the works.
Fit
The leather case increases the Tilt’s thickness by about a quarter of an inch. The strap and button closure on the back lay relatively flat but add an additional quarter-inch of height to the setup, making the encased Tilt measure about 1.25 inches at its highest point.
The increased thickness of the already chubby 0.73-inch Tilt may be off-putting to some, but I don’t mind it too much. Cushioned leather cases always add a certain amount of bulk, and Noreve actually makes some of the slimmest ones around.
Although the Tilt fits nicely into the case, I think the strap is a few millimeters too long. When fully extended, it reaches slightly beyond where it should. This makes closing the case a bit clumsy, as it requires you to pull the strap all the way forward (as you normally would) but then pull it back a little to snap into place. This becomes second-nature over time, but the strap still feels longer than it should be.
Aside from that, the tradition leather case fits the Tilt very well.
The clips/brackets allow access to all of the Tilt’s hardware controls and ports except the wrist strap loop and microSD card slot, which is partially covered.
When the case it closed, the back piece that holds the top and bottom portions together covers the OK button. Since there’s really no reason to use the button while the case is closed anyway, though, this is a non-issue in terms of in-case usability.
As mentioned above, back cutouts enable access to the Tilt’s GPS antenna connector and integrated camera.
Here are some pictures of the Tilt in its various positions:
In-Case Use
After looking at that last set of images, you may be wondering whether the "flap" gets in the way of using the phone.
It doesn’t.
It’s actually somewhat weighted so that opening the case immediately causes the flap to fall down/back (depending on how you’re holding it) and out of the way. Although it could also be folded completely backward, I’ve found over the past month or so that having it hang over my fingers isn’t a nuisance.
It may not look as "normal" as other cases, but my biggest concern about the style of this case was that the flap would be stiff and stick straight up against my face every time I put the Tilt up to my ear. I’m so glad this doesn’t happen.
Conclusion
The Noreve leather tradition case for the AT&T Tilt/HTC TyTN II is beautifully crafted and offers stylish protection, easy access to most controls/ports, and two inside pockets to hold spare microSD cards.
While I like that the flap doesn’t inhibit in-case use (thanks, gravity!) and am pleased with the overall look of the case itself, I’m more of a fan of pouches that aren’t meant to become permanent parts of my devices. I would definitely recommend the case to anyone who likes book-style designs, demands nothing but premium quality, and wouldn’t mind the extra second it takes to close the case because of the longer-than-necessary strap. But since I prefer all of my gadgets to stay in their birthday suits, this isn’t the right choice for me.
The Noreve leather tradition case starts at $45 and is available now in a variety of colors.
