New Nokia E90 Leather Case (CP-285) user review

7 replies · 18,184 views · Started 16 April 2008

oalex 16 Apr 2008, 13:03

I just got my E90 last week and needed a case for it to carry around on my belt, as it takes too much space for comfort in my pocket.

I searched and searched for usable info on this topic, but did not find much useful information (just a little). There were links to the new case from Nokia CP-285. But I only saw it as item for sale but no user info. Also I live in Hungary and non of the locale stores have it yet in stock here, so I was left with the option to order online from expansys.com . BTW incredibly fast delivery (next day), its usually 3-4 days, so I must have gotten lucky with DHL this time.

Anyway my door bell rang this afternoon with the dispatch guy and I rushed down stairs for my new case.

I believe that others that are on the look out for case for the phone might find this info useful, as there are non available regarding this item. And not just the info, but also pics. are lacking as all you can find is the same picture all over the web, with no picture of the back or with the E90 inside.

BTW the pictures of this case that you can find anywhere (including the Nokia.com) are false. I will show you why, not a big deal, but still...

This is the original (fake) Picture from Nokia!
User posted image

And this is what it looks like actually. Notice the difference? (tip: hole in the clip)
User posted image

So you have this (my) review as a heads up for anyone in the same shoes.

Review:

Let me (for the sake of the impatient, like me) start by stating that it is (to me) a disappointment. No, not the quality, which is superb grade-A polyurethane (what ever that is:con?). Were nice build and sew quality (straight line, etc.)

The First and to me most disappointing fact is that it has no option for belt clipping. The back as you can see in the pictures below is completely flat. Yes I know that Nokia doesn't state anywhere that it has a belt clip, but i didn't find any information to the contrary either. (the initial case designed by Nokia for the E90, CP-181 has a belt loop, so you can were it on a belt. But it has design flaws, I tried one yesterday, and it takes two strong hands to squeeze in/out the phone). So yes, maybe this was my bad, but I had no way to check. But now at least YOU KNOW THIS.

User posted image

The second thing is the open/close mechanism. From the original pictures available on the net, including the one on Nokia's page, you would guess that it uses some sort of magnetic mechanism as there are no clips or any thing else visible. Well guess what. That picture is fake (all of them)!

As you can see from the pics. below. It uses a small ball-headed metal button on the lower side and the upper just has a hole cut in it, which you need to squeeze the ball into. Very stupid and unpractical idea. For one there is now way to close it with one had. Two, its very prone to wear and tier, plus probably with time (as it loosens up) it will not hold.
A magnetic clip would have done the job perfectly, but this is a very bad solution (they should fire the designer).

User posted image

The rest of the review is on the way....

oalex 16 Apr 2008, 15:43

So what good:
Well apart from these 2 problems (which for me are critical, i.e.: it will probably end up in the trash, as I have others something else that HAS a belt clip). So apart from this problems, its perfect in every way. The quality, the stability, the hold, every thing.

The case has a plastic wall that hold the E90 ion place even if the case is open, so for desktop use its quite good. That is to say, the E90 cant fall out of the case over if its complete (flat) open. Yes, you heard right, it has a little retention mechanism to hold the E90 in place. Those 2 little dots on the picture below. Further more all plugs and buttons are perfectly accessible even when close (not the qwerty of course :rolleyes😊

User posted image

From here on let me let the pictures speak for them selfs.

User posted image

oalex 16 Apr 2008, 15:44

User posted image

Pro:
Build quality/material
Button and plug accessibility
Good in-case retention design (ie. E90 is held in place even when the case is open).

Cons:
Not belt carrying option
Bad open/close clip design (need 2 hands)
Fake picture and very little information (too full people like me)!
It is not designed for daily removal from the case, as it will stretch the retention mechanism so it won't hold the E90 anymore.

Personal opinion: This is only useful if you have your E90 on you desktop all the time and when carrying it you put it in a briefcase or bag. Also if you generally use the outside part as the case clipping mechanism is stupid. Furthermore if you don't need to remove the phone from the case on a daily basis.

But generally I do not recommend it. Shame on Nokia for not being able do design a simple case for their top product. This phone is mostly for business men and business men generally wear suits and you don't want this phone in the pocket of a suit as it looks like you have a constant hard on. What we need is belt solution. There are may examples, where you have a belt clip, so you can still have a generally flat surface if removed. Plus a magnetic clipping design for the case opening/closing. I practically flushed the price of this case down the toilet, but believe that Nokia will lose more money than I have from the people that read this review.

sharman 22 Apr 2008, 19:43

Thanks for detailed pictures. Is there at least a plastic cover in front, for protecting screen & keyboard? I could'nt really notice that in the pictures.

NickAnstee 24 Apr 2008, 13:21

I disagree, the case is well made, fits pefectly, allows access to all buttons etc when closed, enables the phone to be fully opened and used whislt protecting the bottom of the phone and the camera and is by far the best case of its type (I have tried all the opening type cases). It is also smaller than my Alex German case which was a lot more expensive. I only paid �10.99 for the Nokia case from play.com The stud closing is a refreshing change from noisy velcro.
Nick

bee4 28 Jun 2008, 10:32

I use this leather case from Trinity. I have bought it on ebay.co.uk for �12.49. I am really happy with it.

tropical 16 Jul 2008, 18:45

i have a P DAIR leather case and so far i think it does the work has a belt clip and is easy to place and remove the e90 out of it.LOOK FOR PDAIR ON GOOGLE.

Luangpor 05 Aug 2008, 06:41

I've got one of these and at first I was sceptical of the button tab arrangement and thought that it would probably only last five minutes but I've been surprised. I also got another rather better looking case that offered more protection with plastic covers for both the outer and the inner keys and a magnetic closing arrangement and the belt clip thingy (although I don't want that) and I found it almost impossible to use the phone in it. So I'm back with this one. I would say if you really want something that attaches to your belt get one that like a spectacle case you can just keep the phone in on your belt but which isn't a case that it stays in all the time because if it is in it all the time that belt clip thing will not allow the machine to rest flat on your desk or table when you want to type. This Nokia case will allow you to do that and is pretty good I think.