PDAir has been making accessories for the mobile market since the early part of this decade. They have offered accessories for an ever-growing lineup of devices, ranging from phones to media players to ebook readers.
Recently, PDAir released several new or updated models of cases for the iPhone 3GS and sent Gear Diary a couple of samples to review. We were provided with the Vertical Pouch and the Sleeve Case in black leather. (You can see their full line of iPhone 3GS cases and other iPhone accessories here.) Both of the cases we were provided come in a variety of colors and with or without a belt clip. Our samples were well made and the leather had a good feel to it. The white stitching on black leather looked nice and the stitching on our samples was even. Both cases came in nice boxes suitable for gift wrapping.
Vertical Pouch Case
The Vertical Pouch is exactly what it claims to be: a pouch intended to hold your case in an upright, vertical orientation. It’s well padded on the front and back, but has only an elastic material on the sides. My iPhone 3GS fit snugly in the case, so I wasn’t worried about it slipping out easily if I threw the case in a bag, but it was not so tight that it was difficult to insert and remove from the case. The case doesn’t add too much to the dimensions of the iPhone. The only thing I noticed about my sample was that the top of the iPhone was roughly even with the top of the case. I wouldn’t have minded if the case were a little taller to provide a little more protection on the top, but that’s a minor quibble.
The Vertical Pouch is fairly unordained. There is little marking or branding on the case, except for a subtle embossed “PDAir” logo on the front. The bottom of the case has small perforations where the iPhone speakers are located, so sound is not muffled too much while using the case.
PDAir’s new iPhone 3GS cases come in a variety of colors, and the Vertical Pouch case was no exception. There’s your standard black and brown options, but also offered are red, white, aqua, and pink. The Vertical Pouch is available with and without a belt clip.
Pros: nice build quality, not bulky, but provides a decent amount of cushioning for everyday use
Cons: would be nice if the case was just a little taller
MSRP: $28
Leather Sleeve-type Case
Like the Vertical Pouch, the Leather Sleeve case comes in a variety of colors, but PDAir also offers additional patterns, including a crocodile pattern in brown, black, or red leather, and a snake pattern in black leather. The Sleeve case includes a belt clip, but it is a removable type that screws into a reinforced section on the back of the case.
As is the nature of this type of case, the Leather Sleeve case primarily provides protection for the back, top, bottom, and sides of the phone. The front of the case wraps around the bottom corners, sides, and top of the phone’s face, leaving cutouts for the sensors on the front of the phone and the earpiece.
The top of the case closes with a snap. The bottom of the case includes a cutout for syncing the phone using a cable and perforations over the speakers.
The left side of the case allows access to the volume rocker and ringer switch, whereas the right side of the case is covered in leather for its entire length.
The Sleeve case felt well made. I liked that the back of the case was a little more reinforced than that sides and front, giving the impression that the phone was secure.
Pros: nice build quality, simple design, able to sync in the case using a cable
Cons: this type of case provides little protection for the front of the device
MSRP: $28 ($32 for crocodile and snake pattern cases)
