Apple Leather iPhone Sleeve (in hand)

[Apple_Robert]

I just received the Saddle Brown Apple leather sleeve for my iPhone mini. As with the Apple leather and Apple silicone cases, the sleeve case triggers the case tone and color automation when the iPhone is inserted into the sleeve. The iPhone screen turns a light brown and shows the time after being inserted into the case. A light tap on the front of the case also triggers the screen, whereby the time is illuminated in the sleeve. Getting a call with the phone in the sleeve reveals the caller ID in the window display of the sleeve. It is not possible to see text or app notifications from the sleeve window display.

The leather sleeve case is thin and somewhat rigid in hand. However, I do expect the case to soften up and be much more pliable over time. The leather smell of the sleeve case is much more muted compared to the regular Apple leather case.

Shaking the Apple leather sleeve case firmly in a downward motion 4 - 5 times causes to phone to slowly slide out of the case. Testing the Torro case in the same manner did not cause the phone to slowly slide out of the case.

The phone is easy to remove from the sleeve, unlike the Torro leather sleeve pictured below, which holds the phone much more snuggly and takes a little bit of effort to remove. I have only had the Torro leather sleeve 3 days and I expect it to loosen up a little more with continued use.

Both cases shown below offer a soft microfiber lining to protect the phone.

The build quality on the Torro leather sleeve is excellent. The natural leather smell of the case is much more pronounced compared to the Apple sleeve case. The Torro leather sleeve was $39 plus $10.40 shipping from the UK. The Torro case arrived in 3 days via DHL.

I am going to use the Apple leather sleeve for 7 - 10 days, before giving a review as to whether I think the sleeve is worth the price, and whether or not it does a good job protecting the phone. It is too early to say whether or not I will keep the Apple leather sleeve.

The Apple leather sleeve case has a credit card slot in the inside bottom lip of the case that can hold 2 regular size / width credit cards. I found it easy to pull out the cards from the holding slot.

 

[sniffies]

Thank you for the review.

I still think the Folio would've been much more useful than this please-drop-me case. Why they decided not to make them for the iPhone 12 lineup is baffling, to say the least.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Here are some more pictures of the Torro case with the phone inside, as well as showing how much smaller the Torro case is with the Torro pictured on top of the Apple leather sleeve.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thank you for the review.

I still think the Folio would've been much more useful than this please-drop-me case. Why they decided not to make them for the iPhone 12 lineup is baffling, to say the least.

I never tried any of the folio cases. Maybe Apple will bring it back at some point.

 

[shr631]

I just received the Saddle Brown Apple leather sleeve for my iPhone mini. As with the Apple leather and Apple silicone cases, the sleeve case triggers the case tone and color automation when the iPhone is inserted into the sleeve. The iPhone screen turns a light brown and shows the time after being inserted into the case. A light tap on the front of the case also triggers the screen, whereby the time is illuminated in the sleeve.

The leather sleeve case is thin and somewhat rigid in hand. However, I do expect the case to soften up and be much more pliable over time. The leather smell of the sleeve case is much more muted compared to the regular Apple leather case.

Shaking the Apple leather sleeve case firmly in a downward motion 4 - 5 times causes to phone to slowly slide out of the case. Testing the Torro case in the same manner did not cause the phone to slowly slide out of the case.

The phone is easy to remove from the sleeve, unlike the Torro leather sleeve pictured below, which holds the phone much more snuggly and takes a little bit of effort to remove. I have only had the Torro leather sleeve 3 days and I expect it to loosen up a little more with continued use.

Both cases shown below offer a soft microfiber lining to protect the phone.

The build quality on the Torro leather sleeve is excellent. The natural leather smell of the case is much more pronounced compared to the Apple sleeve case. The Torro leather sleeve was $39 plus $10.40 shipping from the UK. The Torro case arrived in 3 days via DHL.

I am going to use the Apple leather sleeve for 7 - 10 days, before giving a review as to whether I think the sleeve is worth the price, and whether or not it does a good job protecting the phone. It is too early to say whether or not I will keep the Apple leather sleeve.

Nice looking sleeve. Will the sleeve take the phone with a case on it? I read somewhere that it takes Apple-cased phones.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Nice looking sleeve. Will the sleeve take the phone with a case on it? I read somewhere that it takes Apple-cased phones.

Good question. It does not have room to accommodate a Apple leather case on the phone. It may work if one has a very, very thin minimalist case.

The picture shows the Apple leather case as far as it would go, without possibly causing damage to the Apple leather sleeve case.

 

[shr631]

Good question. It does not have room to accommodate a Apple leather case on the phone. It may work if one has a very, very thin minimalist case.

The picture shows the Apple leather case as far as it would go, without possibly causing damage to the Apple leather sleeve case.

Ah ok, I appreciate the response. Thanks for trying it.

 

[Protozo]

How many cards can hold the pocket? It’s easy to take the cards out?

 

[Apple_Robert]

How many cards can hold the pocket? It’s easy to take the cards out?

Good question. Sorry about not addressing that in the beginning. I will amend the OP. The case can hold 2 normal sized / width credit cards. The cards are easy to pull out.

 

[jwzimm]

Is there any additional functionality in the window? i.e. does it display caller info or anything like that so you can see what is going on without removing the phone?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Is there any additional functionality in the window? i.e. does it display caller info or anything like that so you can see what is going on without removing the phone?

Excellent question. If you get a phone call, the display window shows who it is from. If you get a text, you can’t see anything in the display window.

 

[nrvous1]

The Torro case looks much more refined and not as “processed” as the Apple sleeve. It also looks like it will age much better than the Apple sleeve. Thanks for the review. I’m definitely going to look at the Torro sleeve.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The Torro case looks much more refined and not as “processed” as the Apple sleeve. It also looks like it will age much better than the Apple sleeve. Thanks for the review. I’m definitely going to look at the Torro sleeve.

You are welcome. I like the Torro sleeve a lot. I bought from them before and the build quality has always been excellent.

 

[outsidah]

Thanks for posting this! I'm a huge fan of sleeves and it is always an endeavor to find actual real world reviews of sleeves (and finding good sleeves to buy). The Apple one suffers from what I was most worried about (excess size) from the looks of it. I do think it's overpriced but I would pay it if it were really nice.

SENA used to make great affordable sleeves but this new "pebbled" leather they use for the new phones looks like the cheapest garbage you've ever seen. I do like the FitBag sleeves quite a lot but shipping is very slow now with COVID and they lack the card pocket (most models).

On to the Torro. Never heard of these guys but you review has me considering picking one up. Not a fan of the branding or exposed bottom but I think I'll one a shot.

Side note - have you ever tried one of these? They look pretty nice. https://www.amazon.com/handmade-Cra...qid=1606516612&sprefix=iphone,aps,182&sr=8-80

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks for posting this! I'm a huge fan of sleeves and it is always an endeavor to find actual real world reviews of sleeves (and finding good sleeves to buy). The Apple one suffers from what I was most worried about (excess size) from the looks of it. I do think it's overpriced but I would pay it if it were really nice.

SENA used to make great affordable sleeves but this new "pebbled" leather they use for the new phones looks like the cheapest garbage you've ever seen. I do like the FitBag sleeves quite a lot but shipping is very slow now with COVID and they lack the card pocket (most models).

On to the Torro. Never heard of these guys but you review has me considering picking one up. Not a fan of the branding or exposed bottom but I think I'll one a shot.

Side note - have you ever tried one of these? They look pretty nice. https://www.amazon.com/handmade-Cra...qid=1606516612&sprefix=iphone,aps,182&sr=8-80

I haven’t tried Crazy Horse before. I will investigate a little more on them.

As to the Apple leather sleeve, it is a snug fit with the phone. There really isn’t much excess with the case, outside of the bottom lip of the sleeve where it extends farther than the edge of the phone, which gives the phone more protection when placing on a table or other surface

According to Apple, the case will slowly patina over time.

Positives thus far about the Apple leather

1) I like the window display. I most of the time, I have my Apple Watch on. In the few instances when I don’t, it would be nice to be able to see the time without having to pull the phone out like I have to with the Torro.

2) Phone is much easier to remove from the pouch than the Torro (that will probably change a little with the Torro once it gets broken in a little more)

3) Ability store credit card or driver’s license.

4) Good transition device to use naked in hand, versus having a Apple leather or silicon case. I like being able to see the phone and it is also much easier to hold naked.

 

[Hooterville]

Nice, I like that

 

[Jonathantuba]

So how does the strap attach to the Apple sleeve and does it attach at the top of the phone or the bottom?

 

[Apple_Robert]

So how does the strap attach to the Apple sleeve and does it attach at the top of the phone or the bottom?

Thanks for the question. It attaches at the bottom of the phone.

 

[nrvous1]

So how does the strap attach to the Apple sleeve and does it attach at the top of the phone or the bottom?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Good video.

Edited to add: If there was a way to set the phone to auto answer only people in your contacts list, I would turn on auto answer, as it also carries over to your watch when enabled. If someone knows how to set something like that up, let me know.

 

[Iceage]

Lucrin makes some of the highest quality leather sleeve out there. Had hopes for the Apple one but not sure anymore.

iPhone 12 Pro Max leather cases

Discover the curated collection of iPhone 12 Pro Max leather cases. Each model of bumpers, wallets, sleeves can be customized. Available in several colors.

www.lucrin.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

Edited to provide accurate information. Calls cannot be answered (using stock settings) while the phone is in the sleeve.

 

[Boardiesboi]

I just received the Saddle Brown Apple leather sleeve for my iPhone mini. As with the Apple leather and Apple silicone cases, the sleeve case triggers the case tone and color automation when the iPhone is inserted into the sleeve. The iPhone screen turns a light brown and shows the time after being inserted into the case. A light tap on the front of the case also triggers the screen, whereby the time is illuminated in the sleeve. Getting a call with the phone in the sleeve reveals the caller ID in the window display of the sleeve. It is not possible to see text or app notifications from the sleeve window display.

The leather sleeve case is thin and somewhat rigid in hand. However, I do expect the case to soften up and be much more pliable over time. The leather smell of the sleeve case is much more muted compared to the regular Apple leather case.

Shaking the Apple leather sleeve case firmly in a downward motion 4 - 5 times causes to phone to slowly slide out of the case. Testing the Torro case in the same manner did not cause the phone to slowly slide out of the case.

The phone is easy to remove from the sleeve, unlike the Torro leather sleeve pictured below, which holds the phone much more snuggly and takes a little bit of effort to remove. I have only had the Torro leather sleeve 3 days and I expect it to loosen up a little more with continued use.

Both cases shown below offer a soft microfiber lining to protect the phone.

The build quality on the Torro leather sleeve is excellent. The natural leather smell of the case is much more pronounced compared to the Apple sleeve case. The Torro leather sleeve was $39 plus $10.40 shipping from the UK. The Torro case arrived in 3 days via DHL.

I am going to use the Apple leather sleeve for 7 - 10 days, before giving a review as to whether I think the sleeve is worth the price, and whether or not it does a good job protecting the phone. It is too early to say whether or not I will keep the Apple leather sleeve.

The Apple leather sleeve case has a credit card slot in the inside bottom lip of the case that can hold 2 regular size / width credit cards. I found it easy to pull out the cards from the holding slot.

Thanks a lot for the detailed review and the link to the appleinsider review video.
Now I want to get one and try it out for myself. Good that we have until the first week of January to return it if we don’t like it.

 

[Notnowcato]

I just tested the sleeve with an incoming call. Calls can be answered by tapping the display window. Very cool. I like that feature. I have also updated the OP to reflect that ability.

Recent reviews say you can’t take calls while the phone is in the case. Are they missing something?

 

[MCube74]

Recent reviews say you can’t take calls while the phone is in the case. Are they missing something?

I have a feeling Apple may enable it in a future driver update. It makes sense for them to enable it.