Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case review: Quality craftsmanship for less

British accessory maker Snakehive offers this handmade, full-grain nubuck leather wallet case. An inner TPU case holds your phone securely within, and a soft leather portfolio-style wallet case adds more protection and functionality.

The Good

  • Soft full grain nubuck leather
  • Holds three cards plus cash
  • Viewing stand
  • Magnetic closure clasp
  • Reasonable price
  • Professional-looking

The Bad

  • Closure clasp awkward when open

Price and quality

Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case: What I like

Snakehive iPhone wallet case

Snakehive iPhone wallet case (Image credit: iMore)

iMore Recommended Award

I'm just so impressed with the quality of these cases. I've tested quite a large number of iPhone cases, and there are very few in this price range that boast such expensive materials, aesthetics, and craftsmanship. Snakehive is a British company, and their cases are handcrafted from full grain European nubuck leather. The leather has such a soft, velvety feel to it, almost like an ultra suede. The inside is more of a standard leather, but still smooth and pleasant to touch. It's a professional-looking case that's right at home in the boardroom.

I'm just so impressed with the quality of these cases ... there are very few in this price range that boast such expensive materials, aesthetics, and craftsmanship.

The outside front cover has a cutout so you could actually talk on the phone with your case closed. Upon opening the case, you'll find three card slots, plus a larger slot for bills. A minimalist TPU holder sits inside to keep your phone secure. The lip of the TPU part of the case does not come up over the phone screen, so if you tend to set your phone on a surface screen down, you'd want the folio closed to keep your screen from getting scratched. Precision cutouts and button covers assure that all buttons, ports, speakers, and the camera are fully functional within the case. Wireless charging still works as well.

The back of the folio case is has a stitched crease down the middle so that the case can be folded into a horizontal stand for video viewing. When you close the case, the magnetic closure clasp automatically snaps into place.

Snakehive iPhone wallet caseet case

Snakehive iPhone wallet caseet case (Image credit: Karen Freeman/iMore)

Amazon carries a number of colors of the Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case, such as Brown, Navy, Black, and Plum in all three new iPhone sizes. In the X/XS size, you'll see an additional half dozen or so colors offered. For more color variety, and optional monogram engraving (for a fee), you can go directly to their website.

That flap though

Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case: What I don't like

Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case

Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case (Image credit: iMore)

This is pretty nitpicky, but as you can see from the photos, the magnetic closure clasp sort of sits there when it's not in use. I just don't think it's cute sticking up like that.

Overall great case

Snakehive iPhone Wallet Case: Bottom line

This is the case I'd carry if I used a wallet folio case. Snakehive's iPhone Wallet looks and feels great, boasting full-grain European nubuck leather handcrafted in a variety of colors. It's protective and functional, with a TPU holder, three card slots and a cash slot. The case folds to form a video viewing stand. For the price point, you won't find better.

Karen S Freeman
Contributor

Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at TechRadar and Tom's Guide. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, CNET, AppAdvice, and WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.