If you have read some of my past reviews of Blackberry cases you will already know how fussy I am when it comes to the right design and materials, so I won't just settle for a half-hearted attempt to protect my Smartphone - I expect quality and practicality and obviously affordability.

The RIM Blackberry Folding Leather Case is an official RIM (Research In Motion) Blackberry product, so immediately all the benefits of this sping to mind. Official products are generally high quality and very importantly they usually always fit the product they are designed for to perfection. This particular case does fit very well indeed and looks like it was designed for my exact handset, something which isn't always the case.

Priced at around £10 it isn't all that expensive. In the past I have found official accessories to be over-priced, but I don't think RIM wish to take advantage of its customers. Official chargers cost around a fiver, so this clearly isn't a one-off and it is a most pleasant surprise. The clamshell design of the case means that you simply unclip the leather case to access your phone. The benefit of this is not just easy access, it also means that your phone (particularly the screen) is protected from damage. The leather case itself is finished to a high standard and I havn't any problems such as stitching coming loose. The leather case is also very well padded and gives good protection from the odd accidental drop. When I first used the folding case I noticed the strong smell of quality leather, so this is no cheap faux leather plastic.

The jet black colour isn't all that plain due to the branding and detailed stitching which is apparent throughout the entire case. The edges of the folding case carry extra padding for those moments when you drop your phone, and protection overall is very decent. You can attach your phone to the folding case either way up, so you can open the case so that the flap is at the top or the bottom of your phone, so there is some flexibility on that front. I think the way the case has been designed is very respectable, and there is surprisingly nothing that majorly annoys me.

The professional feel and look of the case is a major selling point to me, and is the main reason for actually sticking with this case for a while. I can be very fussy, but this case meets my needs and doesn't hinder the operation of any of the features of my Blackberry Smartphone (other than the camera). Make no compromises with the RIM Blackberry Folding Leather Case.