Melkco for my BlackBerry® Torch 9800

Melkco Jacka Type leather case for BlackBerry® Torch 9800

As promised before, I would like to write about my Torch’s leather case, or something like that. You see, I love to cover my mobile phones with leather. It would be most appropriate for the Torch to be covered with leather, the fact being that the phone itself is rather pricey.  You would’t want your expensive phones to be exposed to knocks and scuffs, aren’t you?

Size comparison

Well, I found one that I considered as a good quality leather case – the Melkco Jacka Type for the BlackBerry Torch 9800. The Melkco-made cases are labelled as a luxury hand-made leather cases. That’s what make the brand special – they make their leather cases by hand.

Check out the website!

Check out the website and you’ll find leather cases, polycarbonate cases and some other accessories for your mobiles. You’ll definitely be spoilt for choices!

Nice retail packaging

The Melkco leather case is a flip type. Since the Torch is a slider phone that slide towards the top, the front cover of the case flips downward (see photo below for a better picture, no pun intended). The case was stitch in white threads and this added to the overall style.

More photos after the jump. My comments are reserved at the bottom of this post. Do check it out.

Designed in Europe (where?) but made in China

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Nice leather texture and looks good in black

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How it look inside

The case is basically comes in two parts, connected by a bridge at the bottom (don’t worry, the bridge is strong enough to withstand normal usage, even if it’s only a small piece of leather.

Handmade by Melkco

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Melkco signature logo

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Adjustable hook

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Looks elegant

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Cut-out for camera

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Easy to install

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Nice fit and won't damage your phone

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Top part

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Clean profile

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Bottom part

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All buttons are accessible

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Hook is secured

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Camera and flash cut-out

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Charging port is exposed

I’ve been using this case for more than a month now, and I’m happy to say that I like it very much. The case didn’t make the phone feels bulky, and carry it around is as heavy as the phone itself, as the case is light. And I’m a sucker for the smell of leather.

I’m a little skeptical on using this case at first, but after spending some time with it, I won’t go out without it. And will definitely use the same brand for my future phones.

Pros: Stylist and well-thought design; leather feels nice to touch; padded leather; good fit; thin profile.

Cons: Some shops might sell it with higher price (for unknown reason); using the phone with the case on might be a bit awkward at first; the secure hook might come loose through repeated usage.

If you shop around, you can get one for less than RM100. If more than that, it should be the limited edition ones.

Once a crackberry, always a crackberry…

If you have read my previous post here, you might knew that I was in the market for a smartphone. Well, I have decided and bought a neat smartphone – the BlackBerry Torch 9800.

Lemme be clear on this again. My posting is not a detailed review of the Torch 9800. If you wanna a review, you can click here, as Crackberry.com has a very thorough and detailed review of the unit.

The black box

You must be wondering why I have chosen this phone, especially that this Torch version has been upgraded to Torch 9810 (or Torch 2) that comes with BlackBerry OS 7. Honestly, this is more like an economical choice. Being a year older (Torch 9800 was launched on August 2010), the price has dropped from RM2,499 during launch date to about RM1,700 now (or even cheaper if you shop around).

Cherry red Torch!

I’m not too worried about the phone being obsolete and all, as I felt that the phone design and the BlackBerry 6‘s interfaces are still fresh and relevant. And getting the red cherry colorway really makes the experiences fresh and new.

My first BlackBerry - the Bold 9000

My last BlackBerry was the Bold 9000 (known as Bold 1 now), which I bought new in 2009 for about RM2,199. It’s a little special as the Bold is white, which is rare at that time. And for that, I have to pay RM200 more than the normal silver/black version. And at that time, being different is a premium in the sea of silver/black Bolds. And I’m the only one in the office (and among my non-office friends as well) that used my own set instead of given by the office.

Ahhh, the memories….

Touchscreen and slider keypad

Anyway, back to the Torch. I’ve specially picked the colour red to adorn my Torch, as red is my favourite colour. And red too looks awesome on the Torch (see it for yourself and get ready to be awed).

Full-sized BlackBerry QWERTY keypad

Since I’m really into QWERTY keyboards, getting the Torch is some sort of a no-brainer kinda decision. Don’t get me wrong. I simply adores the new technology of touch screens and can’t wait to have one for myself. So why not get it from both worlds – touchscreen and a keyboard?

I’m a bit optimistic as first to try the touch-type combo, but hey, the technology won’t wait for you. So let’s embrace the technology and use it now.

I’m imaging myself being a RIM designer and was tasked to create a new BB design. That’s would be a lot on my shoulder. That’s why I must applaude the geniuses at RIM for coming up with a product that people (or users) will like. I, for one, is in love with the Torch’s design.

Right side of the Torch

To combine the phone with a slider is very difficult. There are a lot of manufacturers that came up with slider phones before, but RIM has perfected it. The slider slides with a reassuring tiny ‘click’.

On the right side on the Torch, there are three concealed buttons (not exposed like previous models) – the volume buttons and dedicated shutter button for the camera (RIM called it ‘convenient key’), and the earphone 3.5mm socket.

Left side of the Torch

While on the left side, there’s only the mini USB charger/communication port, and this time it’s exposed (where normally on other phones, there’s a rubber cap to cover the hole).

The position of the charger port is a little weird, as for my previous phones, all of them have charging ports either on top of the phone or at the bottom. So, this is something to get used to.

Ribbed battery cover

Other than the slider and touchscreen, the other best part of the Torch that I like is the back battery cover. It was designed to be ribbed for easy gripping, and it looks great in cherry red.

Bundled accessories

My only wish is for RIM to bundle the leather case (like my old Bold) together with their packaging (charger, mini-USB cable, earphone and literature). It is sadly missing. What an obvious omission, and a stupid one on that.

Anyway, I like the Torch very much, and after using it for several weeks, I’m happy to say that RIM at least can partially compete with other manufacturers in the smartphone war. But I can’t guarantee that RIM can maintain the 21% share anymore. Buckle up – increase your processor to duo-core, higher RAMs, better camera, quality apps and cheaper phones.

I will write a long-term review (if you would like to call it that) in a couple of months. And I’m also looking for some leather covers or something like that, and would post an entry once I bought one. Stay tuned!

Pros: Cheaper price now; solid build; best of both world (touchscreen+keypad); stable OS 6; a lot more quality apps nowadays; BBM is a killer app; all telcos now offer cheaper BIS.

Cons: Start price of RM2,499 during launch is farking ridiculous; touchscreen a heartbeat slower than iPhones or Androids; no bundled leather case/cover; body is easily scratched; thick & heavy; long charging time; touchscreen sometimes freeze; long update cycle; need to reboot after every software installation (wtf?); battery-hungry; original accessories are expensive & not many around.