Category: iPhone Case
Works With: iPhone 5
Price: $75 for Classic, $60 for Minimalist
When I received the Truffol “Signature” case in the mail, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. After all, how much can a case maker bring to the table that hasn’t already been brought (broughten?) several times over?
It turns out the answer to that question is, “quite a bit.”
This precision-designed metal and leather case is a striking combination of frame and backing piece, and it genuinely makes my iPhone 5 feel like a whole new luxurious device, waiting to be touched.
The Signature case comes in two styles, the Classic with its leather back piece, and the Minimalist, a more traditional bumper case. This review will focus on the Classic. Both feature the same front piece, which includes a shock resistant rubber layer inside it. The case itself has rocker volume buttons and a switch which presses the wake/sleep button on the top of the iPhone. A tiny little bit of a switch piece fits into a hole cut just above the volume buttons, which is inserted before adding the iPhone 5 into the case. It’s a bit fiddly, but with a bit of usage, I’m now able to remove and re-insert the iPhone 5 without worrying about this small piece.
The overall effect is that of getting a luxury upgrade to the iPhone 5’s already impressive exterior case.
The iPhone 5 inserts right into the front piece with a snug fit, and then the leather backing panel sets flat on top, with three little tabs that softly snuggle into place when the back piece slides downward. The overall effect is that of getting a luxury upgrade to the iPhone 5’s already impressive exterior case. The Signature iPhone 5 case has less rounded corners, as well, giving the whole thing a new, visually pleasing look.
The color of the Classic is called Navy, but it’s a darker hue of Navy blue than I’ve seen, with an almost gunmetal sheen to the brushed aluminum exterior. The leather back, with “truffol” stamped into it, is nicely pebbled and provides a tactile delight when held, as well as a less slippery surface than the metal of the iPhone 5’s main casing.
I also need to mention the crisp, green, linen-styled packing box that the cases came in, the two separate boxes nestling each of the two parts of the Truffol case inside. Opening the case for the first time was an experience similar to opening a new Apple product, only more luxurious, like the case for a crazy-expensive pair of sunglasses or an executive pen set.
The only minor issue with the Truffol cases, besides that of the fiddly little mute rocker switch insert, is that the hole cut over the headphone jack is a little too precise, and only allows smaller headphone jacks, like Apple’s own EarPods, access. I was unable to use the iPhone in the car, what with my ancient tape-deck adapter, as the jack itself has a fairly fat plastic joining piece, and the metal jack itself is only for audio; it just has two bands instead of the now-familiar three of iPhone headphones with and inline microphone.
Overall, though, the Truffol Signature case is a triumph of design and will lovingly cradle my iPhone 5 for the foreseeable future. At $75, the leather Classic is my recommendation, as the Minimalist steel bumper case feels a bit too similar to other metal bumper cases to completely justify the $60 price.
 Product Name: : Signature iPhone 5 Case The Good: The case feels good enough to cost a lot more, luxuriously transforming the look and feel of the iPhone 5. The Bad: There’s a fiddly piece for the mute button, and the headphone port is too small. The Verdict Bottom line, the Truffol Signature Classic case is a fantastic way to protect and show off the iPhone 5. Buy from: Truffol |
