The Company
The JimmyCASE was started like many small businesses. A product born of frustration. Dan Smith was a TV executive that was tired of having stuffed pockets. His solution was the JimmyCASE, a protective phone case that doubles as a minimalist wallet. He designed the iPhone card holder in his garage in Los Angeles and it is still manufactured in the USA in the same city. They even source the mahogany and basswood from a local aircraft supplier. It’s great to see a small business in the USA thriving with a new product.
Construction and Features
Every JimmyCASE has a wood back made of a military grade stock. The darker colors are mahogany and the lighter colors are basswood. These were chosen because they are lightweight and strong.
The frame protection for the phone is provided by a full wrap around ring of silicone that has a raised edge on the front to prevent screen impact.
The wallet function is provided by a custom woven piece of elastic designed to maintain its stretch. JimmyCASE says it can hold up to 6 cards, cash, and even items like a car key. There are 14 different colorways available in the elastic. If you build a custom case and add in the lighter basswood option that’s 28 different design options.
Experience
The packaging of the iPhone 7 Wallet case was eye-catching and I was excited to get it open. The envelope that it arrived in was marked fragile. After opening the envelope, the case itself was in a durable thick plastic sleeve. The case had a piece of styrofoam inserted so it would not get misshapen during shipping. I really like that its made in the USA.
I am a mom and already have to carry the baby, a diaper bag, and usually a purse. This iPhone Card Holder has been a life saver when I don't want to carry the extra weight of a purse. It holds up to six cards, but the maximum I put in my jimmyCASE was 4, and the elastic did not get stretched out. I was even able to use 1 card and it was secure. I found it easy to put the case on and take it back off.
I did not try the protection features of this case, as I didn’t think my husband would like to purchase a new phone if I dropped it too hard. The case feels sturdy and the silicone with the raised edge to protect your phone from landing on the screen and shattering seems trustworthy.
What Could Be Improved
This is a wonderful case, but there were some small things I would change. Let's talk about the color options. I would like to see more solid color options. The only 4 solid color options are black, steel blue, khaki green, and brown tweedy. The other 10 choices are 2 tone stripes. I received the pink and grey striped case. I did notice there was a slight color discrepancy between the colors on the website and the actual product colors. The actual product colors on the case seem to be a little darker than what you see when browsing the website.
I did find the buttons require a firmer press than my other case and the lip that protects the screen when dropped is uncomfortable when holding the phone longer periods of time. Headsets and hands free options take care of this for lengthier calls.
Depending on what kind of phone holders you use in your vehicle, the elastic on the back may add a little challenge, especially if you have it packed with cards and cash.
Conclusion
Overall, the JimmyCASE may not be my every day case, but it will be in the regular rotation. This case is definitely worth having for when I do not want to carry a purse or a wallet. It’s perfect for an active lifestyle and if I could get one that was pink and sparkly, it would likely be my every day case.