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Last week, I took a look at a couple hard cases and armbands for the iPhone. There were some good cases, there; you should check them out.

But here at Applelinks, we're all about equal opportunity. We'll never discriminate against a case because of its construction, so we'll now take a look at a few leather cases from Belkin, Griffin and PDO, and throw in one silicone case for good measure.

Belkin's Slim-Fit Case ($29.99) is as good a place to start as any. The title "slim-fit" comes not from the size of the iPhone, but from how small the case is when the iPhone's not it, I'm guessing. The top of the case is open for insertion, but it's the bottom and sides that make the difference. Rather than being curved leather or plastic, they're made of soft fabric stitched into the front and back pieces. The bottom piece is mesh, allowing the iPhone's speakers to be heard, but blocking access to the dock port. The result of this construction is that the case can be pressed down to be about half an inch thick with the belt clip.

To get your iPhone out of the case, you simply push it up a bit through the mesh, then pull it out from the top edges. Very simple. However, because the Slim-Fit can't be in place when you're using the iPhone, you're only protected from drops and scratches when the iPhone is on your belt clip...exactly the time you really don't need the protection. There's also no screen protector.

The aforementioned belt clip is permanently attached at a fixed angle, so you can't rotate the case when it's on your belt. The clip is small and secure, though, which is a welcome change from the loose, detachable belt clips.

From a design standpoint, the Slim-Fit comes only in black but features a silver accent on the front, the design of which is repeated on the interior lining. Nothing too special, but very smart and professional looking. If you want a conservative case that's sturdy and convenient to access, Belkin's Slim-Fit Case is a good choice.

Perhaps a better choice, depending upon how you use your phone, is Griffin's Elan Convertible flip-top case ($29.99). Unlike the Slim-Fit, the Elan Convertible flips open to allow you to use the iPhone while it's in the case by flipping up the top like opening a wallet. Unfortunately, there's no type of clasp or magnet to hold the flip-top closed, so the cover will occasionally bounce around as you do. The cover also blocks access to the headphone port, on/off switch and camera, should you need to use them.

The bottom is open enough for the docking cable to be plugged in and to allow for the speakers to heard. The front is completely open. Griffin provides a screen protector (along with a premium cleaning cloth), but it doesn't cover the entire front of the iPhone, just the display screen itself. Also, the fit isn't perfect on my model; the right frame hung off the edge of the iPhone. Although this actually made it a bit easier to type, it kind of bugged me. I'm assuming this won't be an issue with all the cases, however, so just watch for that as you make your choice.

The Elan Convertible offers a low profile belt clip that can be oriented either landscape or portrait by simply removing it and inserting it in the appropriate pocket (the open pocket can then actually be used to hold a key or similar sized object). The back of the case also sports a compartment large enough for an ID or credit card.

And finally, although Griffin claims you can flip the cover back to serve as a stand for the iPhone, I could never get this to work; the flip cover would just slide back flat on the desk. Despite this and its other shortcomings, the Elan still offers enough functionality and protection to make it one of the better leather cases I've tried.

PDO's Reviso ($29.99), on the other hand, is much more basic. Again, you insert the iPhone through the top. This time, though, the iPhone's held in place by a Velcro flap that allows for access to the headphone port and on/off switch even when closed. The sides are a sturdy leather, providing more support but not allowing the case to collapse for a lower profile.

The bottom is open for dock connectivity, the back has a hole for the camera, and the sides stop low enough to allow for easy access to the volume buttons and ringer switch. Of all the leather cases, the Reviso is the best at actually letting you use your phone. Until it comes to typing, anyway. The frame, although sturdier than that on the Slim-Fit and Elan Convertible, comes in a bit too far, making it difficult to type at the edges of the screen. Speaking of the screen, though, PDO does provide two screen covers that protect the entire front of the iPhone, not just the display.

This is also the only leather case in this review that adds a splash of color; the back sports two racing stripes in blue, red or white. The stripes sit next to the attached belt clip, which can't be turned or repositioned.

The main benefit, then, of the Reviso (when compared to the Elan Convertible and the Slim-Fit) is that it provides solid protection while in the case, but doesn't force you to remove the iPhone to use it or access the controls.

If leather's not your thing, PDO also offers their TopSkin ($19.99). This silicone rubber case provides complete protection of the iPhone and all of its parts, but without hampering functionality. The screen isn't covered, of course, but PDO provides a full frontal screen protector.

Aside from the screen, the only openings on the TopSkin are for the camera, the ringer shut-off, and the speaker/microphone. The headphone jack and dock port are covered by a flap that can be easily moved aside when you need to connect, but it's also very easy to peel back the bottom lip to attach the iPhone to a docking station or other such device. And although the on/off switch, volume controls and home buttons are covered, they're clearly marked and can be used through the TopSkin without difficulty.

The case itself—which comes in black, blue, pink and white—features a subtle microtexture on the edges which makes it comfortable to grip. It does feel a little slick, but the iPhone never slipped out of my hands when in the TopSkin. A belt clip comes attached, which can be rotated 270°. The clip is wide enough to fit on larger belts, but the snap-lock feature wasn't that strong on my model, causing it to spin to odd orientations on my belt. If you prefer the belt clip can be removed. A lanyard is also provided, but I'm not sure where PDO intends for it to be attached.

At $20.00, the TopSkin is offering solid protection and convenience, even if it doesn't look as nice as the pricier leather models. It's as basic as an iPhone case can be, but the majority of iPhone users won't need anything fancier, anyway.
  

And that'll wrap up our iPhone case coverage for now. As always, there are numerous options available to you. Your local retail stores will have more to check out, but you're really better off browsing the wider selection of online retailers such as our own MyMacStore.com. If there's a particular brand you like, even if it's for the iPod, visit the company's website; chances are, they've got more models that cross all of Apple's portable devices.

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