Accessory review: Noreve Tradition leather case for HTC EVO 4G
Noreve Saint-Tropez, a designer French cell phone case manufacturer, recently released a stylish case in its Tradition line for the HTC EVO 4G and were nice enough to provide us with one to review.
This case is always available in black full grain calf leather; however, should you want it in any other color or leather, the company will hand craft it for you within 15 working days. Along with 20 or so colors to choose from, the cases can be ordered in full grain calf leather (pictured), pebble grained leather, suede, and varnished leather.
The Noreve logo is firmly embossed across the interior and on the front of the case. The interior logo gives it a designer feel; the exterior logo not so much (it looks a bit like a plastic snap.)
The case has a cut-out for the 4G’s kickstand. The flip-up leather screen protector works as a stand as well, though, and allows you to leave the phone upright on its own. This isn’t a feature per se, but it’s something my wife discovered that others might find useful. The case can get in the way a bit with using the kickstand, but chances are that’s not going to be much of a deciding issue.
Besides being stylish, the case will also protect the phone from a fairly solid drop.
As I’m a nitpicker, there are some things I found frustrating with this case.
When you answer the phone you unhook the belt snap, flip the leather screen protector up, slide to answer your EVO, put it to your ear and realize the leather screen cover is tapping the back of your head unless you flip and grip the screen cover. The case also has all of this extra real estate with the screen-covering leather piece; it would have been extremely useful for Noreve to put in a pocket there for storing your ID, keycard, etc.
The case comes with a belt clip and installation tools should you require it. This confuses me a bit, as the stated aim of this case is Haute Couture for your phone, and a belt clip, last I checked, is most definitely not a fashion addition, although admittedly I am a bit behind on my Project Runway.
You can see more pictures and pick up the case from Noreve’s website for 35.94€, which is about $68 USD at current exchange rates. That’s before shipping. Oddly you can also pick it up at Sears.com if you want it in black leather for about the same price before shipping. I did not find other retailers with quantities exceeding one case when I was searching.
It’s worth it to note that the package I received was your standard plastic bubble-hanger, but inside was a very nice Noreve-branded box. If you’re purchasing this as a gift for your special EVO-wielding honey, the box is a nice addition.
Bottom line: your phone looks fashionable and is well protected by this case. If style and protection is what you want, this delivers. It is extremely well made and they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It’s not the world’s most durable case, nor waterproof, but it will take a fair amount of normal punishment and not show it.
