Palm Discovery would like to extend a BIG THANKS to Natalie of Proporta for providing the product for this review.

As many readers may have gathered from my
Nokia E71 smartphone reviews, one of my first discoveries about the E71 was that the metallic battery cover gets dirty and feels yucky very quickly due to the oil in my fingers. I needed to get a case because it was getting annoying for me to constantly clean the cover and I really didn’t like the oily feel. Proporta’s Alu Leather Case for the Nokia E71 smartphone seemed like the perfect fit as it not only offered a beautiful leather case but also offers screen protection with the aluminum lining inside.

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The Proporta Alu-Leather case for the Nokia E71 smartphone is very similarly designed to the one I’ve previously reviewed and given away for the Treo 650 smartphone. It is a vertical flip style leather case that offers extra protection for the screen since it is lined with a sheet of aluminum in the flap, thus the “alu-leather” in the name. So, you can think of the case as offering the beauty and style of a leather case plus the added protection of aluminum for the screen. And, with it in a vertical flip style design, it’s certain to get noticed.

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

The case is a vertical flip style design with side and bottom brackets to hold the smartphone in place, all wrapped up and kept closed by a magnetic snap tab closure that snaps at the bottom. Unsnap the tab and flip up the top/front cover to reveal the smartphone safely protected inside. At the back side of the flip flap, you can see the Proporta name beautifly etched on the aluminum sheet embedded in the lining. There are two slit pockets on the flap that can hold credit cards, business cards or other similarly flat objects. The inside of the back has two side brackets to hold the smartphone inside the case. The brackets also have a tiny piece of leather stuck on that aids in gripping and holding the smartphone when it’s inserted in the case. There is also a smaller bracket near the bottom, off to one side that prevents the smartphone from sliding out at the bottom. As well, the inside of the back is lined with a suede-like material that also aids in preventing the smartphone from sliding or moving. There’s a rectangular cut out for access to the camera, flash and mirror of the Nokia E71 smartphone. The very finely handcrafted leather case is finely stitched all around the edges to ensure that the case retains its shape and beauty.

The Alu-Leather case also comes with a belt clip kit for those who wish to have a belt clip with the case. Simply unscrew the screw at the back of the case and insert the belt clip attachment in and screw it on. You now have the option of clipping the case to your belt or pants. Alternatively, you can opt to leave it the way it is, without the belt clip. The choice is yours.

Specs and Details

(taken from Proporta’s website):

Description

The Proporta Nokia E71 Alu-Leather Case is hand crafted to meet the exact specifications of your Nokia E71. Featuring our trademark ‘Screen Saver System’, which uses a sheet of rigid, lightweight aircraft grade Aluminium to line the Case, the Proporta Nokia E71 Alu-Leather Case can even protect your precious device screen from crushing and impact shocks. Stylish and clever.

Key Features

* Includes the unique Proporta Aluminium Screen Saver System
* Vehicle mountable - perfect for GPS and in car audio systems
* Cut aways give access to ports and controls so that you can use your device in the case
* Secure magnetic clasp closure
* Hand made with elegant contrast overstitching

Click on the thumbnail images for a bigger picture

Slideshow of the above pictures

Product Video

Video at YouTube

Here are my observations:

Like most Proporta cases, this is another very beautiful leather case. And it has a life time exchange warranty.

Magnetic Snap Closure Snaps Easily in Place

The magnetic snap closure works well and even if you didn’t line it up correctly, you simply need to move the tab a bit and the magnetic will find the connection snap together.

Bottom Bracket Could be Improved with Better Placement

The side brackets are great at not only holding the smartphone but also keep it from much lateral movement while inside the case. The bottom bracket, although it works to prevent the smartphone from slipping out at the bottom, could have been better had there been an extra bracket off on the other side, or even if the bracket was installed closer to the center. What I noticed with the smartphone is that, although the smartphone won’t fall or slide out, it has a tendency to try to move in a counter clockwise direction and somewhat off leaning more to the left. This is an observation and obviously isn’t a big deal, but I’m picky and feel that it could be improved upon with a slight adjustment in the bottom bracket placement.

Flap An Obstruction for Picture Taking

As well, although there are cutouts for the camera, it is very unlikely that with the front flap covering the camera that it can be used for photo capturing. But, with the flap flipped over, you will notice that the camera would normally be covered or blocked by the flap. The way you can snap a photo with the camera while holding the case is to hold the flap up so that the camera can snap the photo. After a while of doing it, because I love snapping pictures with the smartphones, it seems tedious and annoying to have to do it. One way around it, and it’s only a suggestion, is to create a cut out on the flap itself. I have looked at it and it’s quite possible since the aluminum lining doesn’t cover the entire flap. So, what Proporta can do is to create the cut out on the flap and obviously, the aluminum sheet will likely have to be somewhat smaller to compensate for the cut out area. And the slit pockets also will have to be slightly adjusted in length to compensate. Obviously some changes and adjustments need to be done, but I think it’s quite “do-able”. That way, the flap can be fully flipped over and wrapped over to the back side and still the cutouts will be aligned and the camera will be able to snap the pictures. Again, that’s my opinion and suggestion

Review Summary

Proporta’s Alu-Leather Case for the Nokia E71 smartphone offers both a beautiful flip style design with its leather exterior plus the added screen protection offered by the aluminum lining in the flap. The case also includes a belt clip kit at no extra charge for those who wish to clip the case to their belt, or left as is. Aside from the flap getting in the way when snapping a picture with the smartphone, and perhaps have an additional bracket at the bottom of the case, I don’t have much complaints about the case. It’s a solid, beautiful case that appeals to those who wants protection and beauty. Interested? Check out all the Alu-Leather cases that available for various smartphones and devices.

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