I have used the Hex Solo case for 3 days....I love this case. When I go to dinner or shopping I can take my credit card, id and cash. Love the look and feel of the leather. I am hoping they will release the croc imprint verison for the iPhone 5.
It does look like a nice leather case. I used to have a SPG leather case like that w/o card and cash slot for my iPhone 4 and used it until I upgraded to the iPhone 5.
Instead I got a Speck SmartFlex card for my iPhone 5. I used it for about 2 weeks then decided that I didn't like it for 2 reasons:
1. The case make the phone much thicker, about the size of the iPhone 4 with a leather case, and the feeling of the cards sticking out rubbing against my hand when I am at home using the phone is not nice. I found myself taking off the case when I am not out and about. The phone without the case felt much nicer. I started wondering why I put up with a case that make the phone a lot bulkier and uncomfortable to hold (back not smooth) while I am at home. But then I don't like the idea of putting the case on and taking it off depending I am going out or getting home.
2. While the Speck SmartFlex card can accomodate my minimum requirement of 3 cards (driver licence, credit card, mass transit pass), it can't accomodate cash. I tried living without cash for a week and failed. So in reality to fully function as a wallet, the case needs to accomodate at least 3 cards and some cash easily. I find folding a couple of bills carefully to stuff into a tight card slot not very convenient.
After trying the Speck SmartFlex I knew that I don't want a case with cards sticking out, or a thick case. That lesson did cost me $35 (I kept the Speck SmartFlex past the return period). Luckily for me my next choice worked out when I bought the Atelier Pall.
For me these wallet cases are very personal: what is right for one may not be for others. I am just writing my experience in search for a wallet case so that if your needs are similar to my, you may save yourself some time and money.
Another interesting observation about protection: I go back and forth about the need for a case all the time. I love the iPhone 5 naked, but used the minimal Ringke Slim shell on it for a few weeks and found it to be slightly more comfortable than a naked iPhone. I took off the Ringke Slim when the Atelier Pall wallet arrived as it won't fit (I could try stretching the leather but...). What I now realize is that the iPhone inside the Atelier Pall is extremely well protected from all sides. When use mass transit I can plug my headset into the iPhone which is in the wallet and listen to the music and toss the wallet around without a worry. The Ringke Slim or most other cases would only protect the phone if I don't drop it face down. On the other hand if I drop the phone while taking it out of the wallet or using it naked, then there is no protection at all. So there is the trade off. But then the iPhone 5 is such a beautiful design and comfortable to use naked, it's a shame to cover it up.