INTRODUCTION

    Only Vaja is crazy enough to sell $100 cases. There are obviously plenty of people in the world, probably self-proclaimed leather connoisseurs, that are willing to pay Vaja prices for Vaja cases. And who can blame them? Your phone is part of your life, so why shouldn’t it be protected in high-aroma, high-quality leather? Let’s take a close look at Vaja’s latest case for the Motorola Q9h.

WHAT’S HOT

    Vaja doesn’t just offer one or two cases for the Q9h. They have hundreds, because you can choose from one of 13+ colors, clip/no clip configuration, and leather type (Vitelino or Aniline). Plus, you can add a graphic or logo to make it more personalized.

PRODUCT FEATURES
(all images link to higher resolution)

This is the box that holds the case.

After sliding off the top, and opening the lid, we have two items in the box: the case (color: Arangio) and instructions on how to put on the case.

This particular case has a built-in screen protector. Notice the Vaja embossments on the backside of the case. Nice.

And this is what the back looks like. Note the protective mesh for the speakerphone towards the bottom.

A close up shot of the leather reveals its detail.

After about ten minutes of trying to stretch the leather, I was finally able to get the Q9h seated in the case.

The cutouts for the volume buttons were accurate.

And although the microUSB port looks occluded by the case in this picture, it’s not.

The camera cut out is perfect.

    Here’s my biggest gripe, a gripe big enough to discourage you from buying this case. The vinyl screen cover "hovers" above the screen. After two days of use, I had accumulated a layer of dust not only under the vinyl, but on top of the screen of the Q9h. Two layers of dust! The vinyl should rest right on the screen, blocking any dust from getting trapped.

OPTIONS

    size="2">The cases I reviewed is one of three cases for the Motorola Q9h. On the left we have the i-volution holster, which starts at $55, and on the right is the classic Top, which starts at $90.

This is the customization area of the Vaja website.

BUGS AND WISHES

   
How can you complain about a case? A case is a case, eh? Well yes, but in the case of this particular model – the Classic case for the Q9h, Vaja made some bad choices with the screen protector. First, the screen protector needs to come in contact with the screen of the Q9h to prevent dust build up. And second, the glossy finish of the screen protector means that using your phone in sunlight is very difficult.

PURCHASING

   
To see the cases available, head over to the (completely flash-based) Vaja website. The device I reviewed, the classic case with no clips or personalizations, costs $60. A clip adds $5, personalized text adds $10, and personalized graphic adds $30.

PROS

• Fantastic Vaja quality (leather aroma, texture, quality)
• Many case and color choices
• Perfect cut-outs
  

CONS

• Dust accumulates under screen protector
• Screen protector is glossy (bad for outdoor viewing)
• Pricey

Value
Ease of Use
Features
Overall

OVERALL IMPRESSION

    I’m not suggesting that Vaja makes bad cases, but this particular model – the Classic Moto Q9h case, is a dud. The issue with the screen protector is probably going to lead me to not use the case, and that’s a shame. My recommendation is that you consider the i-volution holster case they make, which doesn’t include screen protection and is a bit cheaper at $55.