Review: Noreve Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 leather case
One of the things you may have noticed when I unboxed the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
last month was that it didn’t come with a case. Never mind that most people would expect to find at least some kind of protection after spending ~$800 on a mobile device designed to be taken everywhere; the company throws in an extra stylus and (in some regions) a 4GB SanDisk microSD card―both niceties and not necessities―but apparently doesn’t see the need for something as simple/cheap as a drawstring pouch.
Thank goodness for Noreve, one of my favorite luxury accessory makers, who already had exactly what I was looking for with its tradition leather pouch ($39.99).
Noreve also makes a flip-style leather case ($42.99) designed to stay on the X1 while in use, but the leather pouch is perfect for me because I like to keep my gadgets naked. It’s such a travesty to see gorgeous hardware covered up!
Design
The tradition leather pouch for the Xperia X1 is simple and understated.
It has an open top, leather sides, embossed leather lining, and that’s about it.
The back is flat and not intended for use with a belt clip. This may be off-putting to some, but I can’t remember when I last owned/wore a belt and specifically wanted a slim case to keep in my purse.
Though the pouch couldn’t be more basic in terms of design and "features" (there are no pockets, straps, or clasps here), it still manages to look beautiful because of Noreve’s craftsmanship and use of supple, high quality leather.
Fit
The case increases the X1’s thickness by about 0.4 inches, which doesn’t really matter since the phone needs to be removed from it to be used.
The X1 slides into and out of the pouch easily but not without a little effort. Because there isn’t a strap to hold the phone inside the case, the fit is understandably snug.
Conclusion
There’s really very little to say about the Noreve tradition leather case that isn’t evident from the photos. It’s well made, elegantly simple, and fits/protects the X1. If you’re looking for a no-frills pouch to keep your Xperia safe in a pocket or bag, your search ends here.
The tradition leather pouch is available in your choice of 12 colors for $39.99 apiece. It is also offered in three shades of vintage leather for $49.99 each. The black tradition leather is usually in stock at Amazon
, while the other options can be purchased directly from Noreve.
If you order from Noreve before February 15, use coupon code Happy2009 during checkout to save 15% on your purchase.
