Vaja Black Series for iPhone 4 Review

[Vudoo]

I wasn't sure how I would feel how the red lining, but it looks pretty good. Thanks for the picts.

 

[Lenow]

Pics of Piel Frama Please

Not to drive any of you crazy but I received my Piel Frama iMagnum case today and it is GORGEOUS. The leather is padded so it feels delicious in the hand -- it's softer than the Vaja that way. Because it is more padded it feels like it would provide better drop protection too. Fit and finish is divine and the belt clip is bomber.

But here's the kicker -- the flap flips up rather than down. As a result, when you are on the phone the flap just rests over your hand, out of the way -- no dangling flap in front of your face, no need to fold it back and hold both the flap and the phone. It is much much more convenient, I think -- takes away my primary complaint about phones with flaps.

Will take some photos tomorrow and post them in a separate thread so as not to hijack this one. But having owned two Vaja Top cases I'm preferring this Piel Frama! It should be on your consideration list if you are in the market for this kind of case. And get this -- order from Spain and you'll have it in twenty days. Or you can order it like I did from cases.com and you can have it overnight! Cases.com even sells it for less than going direct to Piel Frama.

Anyway I am VERY happy with it!

So, I have a Piel Frama on Order and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. While I have owned many Vaja products over the past 10 years, they won't put a belt clip on the new flip cases and haven't released a bottom up flip case. Those two things are deal breakers for me. I would love to see your pictures. I have been using an iphone 3GS Sena flip case for now, even though the phone is a bit too small for it.

 

[random person]

I took many photos of the Piel Frama iMagnum yesterday but have been struggling to figure out how to shrink them without destroying them!

This attachment is just a test --

BTW I will do a full review by the end of today. This case is the single most gorgeous case I've ever seen! And I love the up-flip as it is completely out of the way!

 

[Orlandorealtor]

I took many photos of the Piel Frama iMagnum yesterday but have been struggling to figure out how to shrink them without destroying them!

This attachment is just a test --

BTW I will do a full review by the end of today. This case is the single most gorgeous case I've ever seen! And I love the up-flip as it is completely out of the way!

Looks nice, I like that you said it was padded some.

 

[walds11]

Nice looking case. The red color is a little flashy though. I would post your review and separate pics in a new thread.

 

[random person]

Here are a few more shots -- full review coming later!

The leather is sumptuous, padded and soft like a very fine wallet. Great protection and fabulous feeling in the hand. Opens and closes with one hand.
Delicious!

 

[random person]

Nice looking case. The red color is a little flashy though. I would post your review and separate pics in a new thread.

Oh I know -- but the Red is what cases.com had in stock at the moment!
And I was Jonesing for it! Comes in black, tan, blue, and green, plus red, and custom colors.

Separate review coming later.

 

[walds11]

The black leather will be available in Early August on cases.com. I already ordered the Vaja Grip. If I have a need for another holster case, I will definitely order the Piel Frama iMagnum.

How is the magnetic enclosure? Does the little leather strap with the magnet wrap around and close and open fairly easily? Does the case add much bulk? Looks pretty thick in the pics.

Oh I know -- but the Red is what cases.com had in stock at the moment!
And I was Jonesing for it! Comes in black, tan, blue, and green, plus red, and custom colors.

Separate review coming later.

 

[random person]

The black leather will be available in Early August on cases.com. I already ordered the Vaja Grip. If I have a need for another holster case, I will definitely order the Piel Frama iMagnum.

How is the magnetic enclosure? Does the little leather strap with the magnet wrap around and close and open fairly easily? Does the case add much bulk? Looks pretty thick in the pics.

The leather strap with the magnet opens very easily -- you just pry the case open with one hand. And just flip the flap down and the leather strap closes by itself. Really really well designed. Actually easier to open then the Vaja Top which can be quite tight at the clasp.

Case does add some bulk -- not width or length-wise but depth, due to the padding and what looks to be an attempt to make the case crush resistant -- the walls of the top flap meet the walls of the bottom, putting some air between the phone and the case itself. Bomber protection, really. The iPhone iMagnum case plus phone is just about the same depth as the iPhone 3G/S with Vaja top. So for me, it's a non - issue.

 

[walds11]

I imagine that the padding would add a good bit of bulk depth-wise. How does the case wear on the belt clip? Comfortable? I know that the belt clip does not lock into position, but does it stay in place? I wear all my holsters in the horizontal position because that's most comfortable for me.

The leather strap with the magnet opens very easily -- you just pry the case open with one hand. And just flip the flap down and the leather strap closes by itself. Really really well designed. Actually easier to open then the Vaja Top which can be quite tight at the clasp.

Case does add some bulk -- not width or length-wise but depth, due to the padding and what looks to be an attempt to make the case crush resistant -- the walls of the top flap meet the walls of the bottom, putting some air between the phone and the case itself. Bomber protection, really. The iPhone iMagnum case plus phone is just about the same depth as the iPhone 3G/S with Vaja top. So for me, it's a non - issue.

 

[Nieval]

Looks like it fits quite smartly in the case. Does it close really well? Is the joint not too flimsy? I bought the SGP Vintage and the joint was too flimsy for my likiing.

The joint is far from flimsy but also not firm enough to be stubborn. I don't know how it'll hold to years of use but if I use my 3G cases as a comparison, it does get looser and stretched abit, but no where near the point where it becomes unusable or unreliable. Think of it like a quality wallet after years of use.

That's good to know about the shape of the case. Is it slim and form fitting? Does it add much bulk (without the flap)? Does the case have raised edges? Or is it pretty flush with the sides of the device?.

I would call the body slim and form fitting especially compared to other manufacturers' cases. Flush is a good word to use, look at the side of your phone for example, and you'll notice how the buttons and silence button are raised up? Well the sides of the case go up to just about the same level, only the parts where they "tuck" the leather skin in goes up just a wee bit higher.
The 3G/S cases were more form fitting but that was because of the curved back and tapered edges of the iP3G/S, whereas the iP4 is more squarish (mainly because of the antenna) and Vaja have done exceedingly well with the new design to maintain the skinniness factor.

The bulk added is minimum, even tho they've got a cushioning layer between the interior and exterior skins of leather and overall theres a great feel to it.

The edges are the most accurate part, like I said earlier, because of the antenna, the case is more "boxish" but in return Vaja now use the antenna to wrap the sides of the case around in a way that perfectly cocoons the phone with the edges lining up exactly with the front screen. As I type this tho, I realize that because the Grip doesn't have a flap they might raise the edges abit for protection, just a thought and it'll be interesting to see what they'll do.

Im kind of thinking that it may be a deal breaker as well. I guess thats why I want to see it, so I can hate it before dropping the bones (and waiting 45 days) to get one and find out then. 😛

Im thinking of going with a Vaja pouch.

I think that's a very mature comment, in that you have doubts about the flap and so are opting for the pouch, a very elegant case. I admire people who know exactly what turns them on/off in a product and choose accordingly (I'm eyeing my fiance as I type this 😛). Personally I enjoy the flap, but not everyone will and the fact that Vaja have all the options they do shows that they also appreciate this difference in personal taste.

P.S. I'll trying posting the pics you requsted to help you make your mind up if you're still on the fence.

 

[Orlandorealtor]

The joint is far from flimsy but also not firm enough to be stubborn. I don't know how it'll hold to years of use but if I use my 3G cases as a comparison, it does get looser and stretched abit, but no where near the point where it becomes unusable or unreliable. Think of it like a quality wallet after years of use.

I had the SGP Limited Edition Vintage in my possession Nieval and my joint seemed flimsy. Glad to hear your case doesn't have this problem. Will take a closer look at them.

 

[random person]

I had the SGP Limited Edition Vintage in my possession Nieval and my joint seemed flimsy. Glad to hear your case doesn't have this problem. Will take a closer look at them.

I've owned the vaja top for years for several of my phones and the flap joint lasts very well. What doesn't last as well is the top clasp where you see your leather delaminating and showing the plastic underneath. Even if you bend the plastic to make that clasp less tight (which you may want to do anyway because if it is too tight it is difficult to open the flap with one hand) you may still see some wear there over time.

 

[MLDK]

OP, have you been able to take any pics of the phone in the case with the flap hanging/folded back?

Also, are you using a screen protector as well, or are you happy with the case alone? I'm wondering if I need to get something like the SGP Ultra screen protector in addition to the case.

 

[bhdragon]

I've owned the vaja top for years for several of my phones and the flap joint lasts very well. What doesn't last as well is the top clasp where you see your leather delaminating and showing the plastic underneath. Even if you bend the plastic to make that clasp less tight (which you may want to do anyway because if it is too tight it is difficult to open the flap with one hand) you may still see some wear there over time.

I agree with the leather wearing at the clasp over time...however, one advantage with the Vaja front flap hanging down is that it is out of the way of the camera lens.

 

[mosso2000]

Just got a shipment notification for mine; delivery on the 12th!
it's a grey lilac inside / black outside...
Can't wait! 😀

 

[walds11]

Sweet. When did you order it? I decided to go with the Grip. Ordered it on 7/29 and my credit card was charged on 8/2.

 

[mosso2000]

Sweet. When did you order it? I decided to go with the Grip. Ordered it on 7/29 and my credit card was charged on 8/2.

12th of July! Pleasantly surprised!...
what I did order:
ivolution Top for Apple iPhone 4
Color-scheme:
Grip: Floater Black
Inside: Caterina Lilac Gray

 

[walds11]

Awesome. Please let us know when you receive it.

I ordered iVolution Grip for Apple iPhone 4
Color-scheme:
Outside: Floater Black
Inside: Caterina Rosso

12th of July! Pleasantly surprised!...
what I did order:
ivolution Top for Apple iPhone 4
Color-scheme:
Grip: Floater Black
Inside: Caterina Lilac Gray

 

[asleep]

It looks like if you drop the iP4 on it's upper right on a hard surface, the corner of the phone would be damaged?

 

[mosso2000]

It looks like if you drop the iP4 on it's upper right on a hard surface, the corner of the phone would be damaged?

possible, it's not an otterbox. I don't plan to drop it anyway. And I'll pay the consequences if it happens! (RIP tomtom GPS unit)

 

[TheSacredSoul]

12th of July! Pleasantly surprised!...
what I did order:
ivolution Top for Apple iPhone 4
Color-scheme:
Grip: Floater Black
Inside: Caterina Lilac Gray

I placed my order on the 5th of July and got charged on the 7th. Still no word from Vaja 🙁

what I did order:
ivolution Top for Apple iPhone 4
Color-scheme:
Grip: Floater Black
Inside: Rosso

 

[Vudoo]

I placed my order on the 5th of July and got charged on the 7th. Still no word from Vaja 🙁

what I did order:
ivolution Top for Apple iPhone 4
Color-scheme:
Grip: Floater Black
Inside: Rosso

Same here, but then again it hasn't been 45 days yet. I'm going to call them on day 46 to get a status.

 

[TheSacredSoul]

Same here, but then again it hasn't been 45 days yet. I'm going to call them on day 46 to get a status.

I wont keep my hopes high. I've read reports of how people contacted vaja after 45 days and they claim its in the final production stage but offer a refund. I think thats bull. Vaja hand makes every one of those cases so if it is indeed in the final production stage, they wouldnt offer a refund. It's even in their FAQ. I think they are accepting more orders then they can handle. But I seriously hope i get the shipping confirmation soon.

 

[TurdFerguson]

The Piel looks like it has a butthole on the back of it... To the OP are you worried about the Vaja top peeling off your Wrapsol? Can you post a pic of where the top meets the phone?