Designing cases for flip phones has traditionally proven difficult due to the radical shape changing involved when such a device is put to use. Other companies have attempted clip-on and leather cases before - can Brando’s silicone case stack up?
Brando’s products ship in envelopes from Hong Kong; they are delivered to your mailbox when you’re not there. Contents always arrive intact:
Brando additionally packed up its stuff into transparent blisters:
The case itself consists of two sleeves that are pulled over the parts of the device. Since the case fits rather tightly, getting it on and off is a bit fidgety. These images show the process:
As usual for Brando’s products, the case does not obstruct the keyboard. The thin layer of silicone can not be felt when typing:
The camera and outside screens are not covered by the case. While this allows for excellent usability, an encounter with keys will probably not end up well.
QTek’s 8500 is designated as a music phone and thus has special media keys(that permanently get activated by mistake). Brando covered these with foil - which means that pressing them accidentally is less easy…
Syncing can be done without removing the phone from its case:
Brando also integrated a cutout at the bottom - no idea what this one was for. Like with most other silicon cases, exchanging the battery and/or the memory card requires you to remove the case:
The case does not allow the phone to close fully. This causes the phone to keep on the main screen at all times and disables the music keys on the outside(which I hate passionately). Unfortunately, pressure from the top causes the motherboard to flex somewhat - which IMHO is unhealthy on the long run.
In the end, this silicone case will make silicon case fans happy - all peripherals can be accessed easily, and it is available in four funky colors(blue, black, white and pink). Unfortunately, the closing issue(which IMHO can not be eliminated completely due to the slimness of the phone) turns out to be quite a nuisance - decide yourself if you feel like investing the affordable 10$ at Brando’s.
