Just Another Mobile Monday

Review- Sena Cases’ WalletSkin for iPhone 3G

Posted by: danc on Aug 05 2008

An old joke begins, “What’s the most difficult thing about comedy?”… and without waiting for an answer, “…timing.” (Okay, so the joke doesn’t translate into text all that well but the point is the same… in comedy and in life timing matters.)

I had a good bit of luck with regard to timing this morning. Let me explain-

Yesterday, on my way home from vacation, I picked up my iPhone 3G. I got smart this time. Before using it even once I put an InvisibleShield protector on it. After all, with its plastic back, the 3G is a bit more delicate than the first generation iPhone. Still, even with the skin on it, I like carrying my iPhone in a case. Problem is… the changes to the device from one generation to the next that my numerous iPhone cases no longer work. This is where the good timing comes in.

First thing this morning my favorite person — the UPS man — drove up to the house and delivered one of the first iPhone 3G WalletSkin cases from Sena.

I have always been a big fan of Sena’s cases. They always come nicely packaged in a red cloth bag. They are nicely styled, built from high quality letter, and finished superbly. Best of all, these premium cases don’t go for premium prices. Over the years most of the (huge assortment of) Sena cases I have used have been their more minimalist designs and while their new WalletSkin case isn’t all that minimalist I was taken by the design. It is sleek, nice looking and more functional than the usual case. In fact, it is the perfect case to go along with a change I have recently made.

Two weeks ago I wrote a post over on WhatsOniPhone.com about my on-going experiment to reduce the size of my wallet. The trick is to keep the information from the cards you need, and their pictures, on an iPhone and store all of it securely in Ilium’s (fantastic) eWallet for iPhone app. Believe it or not, most barcode scanners can actually scan the barcode from an image saved to eWallet! The net result of the process is that I now only NEED to carry my license and a credit card or two now. Everything else is in eWallet. What struck me immediately when I saw the WalletSkin was that this new case is the perfect partner for a “wallet reduction” program.

From the front the WalletSkin has a familiar Sena-style. It is low-profile, elegant, and built from high quality leather. It hugs the iPhone tightly, while still allowing access to all of the major ports and controls. A leather tab on the top of the case snap securely to the back and holds the phone in the case. There is no way the iPhone will slip out accidentally.

The case comes with a detachable belt clip.

When the belt clip is removed, the back of the case a flush (a huge pet peeve of mine are permanent belt-clips or attachment pegs.) The clip itself is sturdy and ratchets nicely.

A nice touch is that Sena includes two screws for the clip’s post so that if (WHEN) you lose one the clip still works.

What makes this particular case unique is that when you open the snap the back of the case reveals an extra layer of leather. Open it up and a small wallet suitable for carrying a license and a credit card or two is revealed. It is perfect if you’re trying to carry less — especially since like many, my iPhone is always with me.

The additional “wallet back” of the case does add some bulk and weight but to my mind the option to no longer carry a separate wallet is a decent trade-off to make. Moreover, since I will often leave the house without my wallet but have never without my iPhone, this case guarantees that I always have my license and a credit card if I need them. “Seriously officer, I’m not making a call on my iPhone, I’m trying to get my license to give it to you.”