So, my trusty old iPhone SE needed a new coat. The plastic one I had was cracked, looked cheap, you know how it is. Got tired of it. I figured, maybe something a bit classier this time around? Something that feels good in the hand. Leather came to mind.
Started poking around online. You see tons of options, right? All sorts of brands, colors, prices all over the map. Some looked really thin, almost fake. Others were bulky like little bricks. I wasn’t looking for armor plating, just something simple, decent quality. Wanted that real leather feel, something that might even look better as it gets knocked around a bit.
I remembered seeing some official Apple ones back in the day, but finding one specifically for the older SE model, the good kind, wasn’t super straightforward now. Checked a few stores, mostly found silicone or clear plastic stuff. The usual suspects. Didn’t really find what I pictured in my head.
Went back online, narrowed it down. Found a couple that looked promising. Not the official Apple one, couldn’t track that down easily or affordably, but a third-party one that folks seemed to like. Pulled the trigger, ordered it. Wasn’t crazy expensive, but not dirt cheap either. Felt like a reasonable gamble.
Package arrived a few days later. Nothing fancy, just a small box. Opened it up. First thing I noticed was the smell. Yep, smelled like actual leather, which was a good sign. Took the case out. It felt pretty nice, kinda soft but sturdy. The inside had that soft lining, microfiber stuff, to keep the phone from getting scratched up inside the case.
Putting it on the phone
Snapping the SE into it was easy. Fit like a glove, really snug. All the buttons lined up perfectly – volume, power button, the mute switch cutout was spot on. Easy access to the charging port too. No issues there.
Been using it for a few weeks now. It definitely feels better than the old plastic thing. Grippier, warmer in the hand. It’s picked up a few scuffs already, mostly from keys in my pocket probably. But honestly? It doesn’t look bad. Adds a bit of character, like they say it should with leather. It’s starting to get that worn-in look around the edges.
Here’s the breakdown after using it:
- Feel: Way better than plastic. Feels more premium, if you get me.
- Fit: Perfect. Everything lines up.
- Protection: Seems okay for everyday bumps. Dropped it once from my desk onto carpet, phone was fine. Wouldn’t trust it on concrete from high up, but it’s not meant for that.
- Looks: Getting that patina thing going. Looks less new, more used, which I kinda like.
So yeah, the switch to a leather case for the old SE? Pretty happy with it. Took a bit of searching, but found something decent. Feels good, looks alright, does the job. Worth the few extra bucks over the bargain bin plastic ones, I reckon.