Ok, this is going to be a short post because this product is such a minimalist idea. Imagine a leather wallet that wraps around your iPhone and has a few slots for credit cards and business cards.
This product is simply perfect – it proves that people [sometimes] want less and they’ll pay for less. If you need to take just a few credit cards, ID, and business cards with you, the iFlip Wallet will quickly become your new best friend.
While on vacation recently, I started to experiment with the new Starbucks in-app payment system. It works pretty good and it demonstrates where mobile commerce is heading. Order a latte, tap the app, and scan – you’re ready to kick back and relax. iFlip Wallet is just one of those delightful products that emerges at just the right time.
But wait… it’s not perfect, but no product is. There are four things that I should mention – none of which risk calling this the most perfect case.
The clasp used to keep the flip part closed is a magnet. Is it possible this could corrupt the mag-strip on a credit card? So far, so good – no issues but I’m not ruling this out as a potential problem so I recommend you use caution when pulling cards from your wallet.
The second issue involves the corners on the case. I drop my phone a lot and the upper left corner (on the iPhone 4) version seems to be excessively exposed by virtue of the design of the case which must expose the volume switch and buttons. I fear some nicks and dings are in my iThingie’s future.
Tapping at the edge of the iPhone screen can be difficult at times because the rich leather rises up above and directly at the edge of the touch screen. I’ve become accustomed to tapping the edges with precision with my previous InCase number-style case. I noticed a few difficult moments today as I was trying to reposition the text cursor.
Lastly is the fit; it’s very tight for credit cards and very snug for the device. I understand why – leather stretches over time and the last thing you want is a wallet that’s as loose as your crazy uncle’s underwear. The manufacturer provides clear instructions concerning this issue and even recommends a little pre-stretching before use. Tugging at your cards, potentially breaking a nail, appears to be a slight inconvenience that will dissipate with use.
Some day I plan to take a trip to Hawaii with this case and only this case. Wouldn’t that be cool?
I got an iFlip for my G3 then upgraded to G4 version. After using the G3 version for several months, I continued to have trouble getting credit cards out of the very tight pockets. In my opinion they are WAY too deep and only leave a sliver of the card for man-sized fingers to pinch. I wrote the company suggesting they make the pockets shallower but was disappointed when my G4 version arrived with the same deep-pocket design “flaw”. Despite this, I still love having only one item to keep up with for phone and wallet and would buy another if this one vanished. It’s held up very well going on almost 1 year old.
Yep, I have the same problem; the slots are tight and they seem to stay that way. On the upside, I’ll never lose a credit card because it fell out of the iFlipWallet. ;-) Shallower slots might mitigate the issue, but I think a better design would be to have a little piece of silk that is attached to the inner side of the slit. As you slide the card in, the silk wraps around the bottom of the car leaving only a little grabbing tab. To release a card, you simply tug on the silk tab.
Don’t waste your time, or money on this product.
I have had an iFlipWallet for both my iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 that came apart. I didn’t ask for replacement on the iPhone 3 case because I upgraded to an iPhone 4. However, after less than a year of use the iFlipWallet for my iPhone 4 also came apart at the seams. The warranty email address for iFlipWallet results in bounced messages and the person who monitors the info@ address has not responded to multiple emails asking for information on how to get a replacement case.
The claim on iFlipWallet.com that this product has a lifetime warranty is an outright lie.
Chris,
I have also noticed my Flip case is wearing a bit. Sort’a looks like a tattered wallet that I’ve been carrying for ten years. However, each mark, fraying edge, and tear are simply reminders that my iPhone four has sustained significant trauma and hasn’t had a single scratch.
Sure, we all want products that are durable and last forever, but there’s a cost to owning a pristine iPhone 4 – perhaps purchasing multiple iFlips is not a bad alternative to a life with a case and a separate wallet.
Just sayin’ …
check this leather case. looks a bit not professional made but the leather is top grain
Martin,
Thanks for the tip – I looked at it and it seems interesting enough although is doesn’t really look ideal for iPhone users. It’s just a wallet with a slot that you jam the iPhone into? Seriously? Am I missing something?
iFlipWallet is functional – it flips open for pictures and video, it can be used without taking it out of the wallet, and it’s streamlined. Brussardo doesn’t seem to address any mobile wallet/iPhone requirements.
– bf
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