Having already discussed at some length the beauty and function of the iPhone 4 form, today we bring you a review from another company who makes quality accessories for your beloved iPhone. Valentine Goods is a purveyor of fine leather iPhone, iPad, Macbook, etc., backs that add a layer of style and protection to your device. Looking to breathe some new life into that phone you’ve been carrying around in your pocket for a couple years? Check out our review of a handful of leather backs from Valentine Goods.
Not too long ago we posted about the JackBack Mahogany premium wood back. Today we follow in that same vein and bring you another option if you are looking to add style and a bit of protection to your phone without compromising girth. Valentine Goods offers a range of products for all your favorite Apple devices. Whether you are looking for soft, premium grade leather, some exotic animal prints, or maybe some up-cycled products (for all you “green” folks out there) Valentine Goods has got something that will probably tickle your fancy. But enough of the slightly generic company information that you can figure out by going to their website, let’s talk about my experience with a Valentine Goods leather back.
Some animal print for the more "exotic" among you
The first thing you are going to notice when you receive your back from Valentine Goods is just how supple and soft the leather is. This is not some cheapo “leather-like” material. This is honest to goodness quality leather. Now, I have worked with other accessories that involve things sticking to my iPhone (I’m looking at you WrapSol!) and have not been pleased with the results. Either the products have fallen off, torn, or somehow created air bubbles inside of themselves that result in what appears to be a phone covered in weird boils.
Applying the leather back was simple enough. Of course, I was unable to get everything properly lined up on the first, second, or third try, so the fact that the Valentine Goods backs use an adhesive that leaves no residue and can be taken off and reapplied many times really paid off. I was also pleased to see that the holes for the camera and light sensor were perfectly placed and in no way interfered with that operation. The backs were perfectly measured to cover the entire back of the iPhone without any of the edges hanging over. I was quite pleased.
As I used and carried my iPhone with the leather back applied, I noticed a couple things. First, I LOVED the way the leather felt. It is very soft and just feels good when handled. Second, people were drawn to the look of the leather back. This is very similar to the reaction people had with the JackBacks premium wood back, but this comes at a MUCH cheaper price with Valentine Goods.
There were a couple other things I ran into as I used the leather back that you will want to take into consideration when purchasing. Remember, this is a sticker. I found that, on several occasions, when I went to retrieve my phone from my pocket, if I was not careful the back would begin to peel off and stick to my hand. This was never severe enough to warrant complete removal and re-adhesion, but was a little annoying at first. Upon identifying this, I was able to mostly avoid this by being more careful when retrieving my phone from said pocket.
Also, I noticed on a couple of occasions that the corners of the back would slide down slightly when carried in your pocket. This was easy to fix and never really caused an issue with camera operation or anything like that, but is something to consider when purchasing.
Pros:
- Quality leather that I have not seen used elsewhere (but I am sure at least one of you out there will leave a comment telling me of another company that does the same thing. Bully for you!)
- Easy to apply and remove. After having it on my phone for nearly a month, removing the back left NO residue. I simply reapplied it to the paper it came stuck to so I could use it again at a later date if the mood strikes me.
- Protects the back panel from scratches.
- Makes that generic iPhone of yours that looks like every other iPhone in the world look like a sophisticated accessory for a true individual. Bam.
Cons:
- Sticker CAN peel off if you aren’t careful. I would say this is especially true for any of you “skinny jean” wearing folks who may have to pry their cell phone from their pocket with a monkey wrench and/or crowbar.
Modern Vintage Man Score: 4/5
