X-Doria Engage Folio PU Leather and Polycarbonate iPhone 6 Plus case review

As much as I love the Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case with Air Cushion Bumper for the iPhone 6 Plus case that I’ve been using on my iPhone 6 Plus, I’m always open to trying out other cases.  (See the “Other posts that you will enjoy” links at the end of this review to read my “How I outfitted my iPhone 6 Plus” review where I discuss the Spigen case.)  I’ve never liked having a screen protector adhered to the touchscreen of my devices, so I find that I’m always paranoid about my screen getting scratched when I put the iPhone in my bag.  I saw the X-Doria Engage Folio PU Leather and Polycarbonate Case for Apple iPhone 6 Plus on Amazon when I was searching for cases while I was waiting to receive my iPhone 6 Plus and thought it was perfect for protecting both the screen and the back of my phone.  I ordered it at the same time as the Spigen case, but I didn’t try it on my 6 Plus until recently.  Is it good enough to replace my Spigen Ultra Hybrid case as my iPhone’s primary case?  It seems to be!

The X-Doria Engage Folio PU Leather and Polycarbonate Case for Apple iPhone 6 Plus has a “smart case”-like styling.  It has a flap that covers the iPhone’s screen and a back cover that the phone snaps into.  The front cover doesn’t have any magnets like the iPad’s Smart Cover does, because the iPhone doesn’t have any corresponding magnets that could interact with them.  The cover won’t wake/sleep the iPhone, of course, but it does cover the phone’s screen to protect it from scratches or bumps.  The front cover is made of a polyurethane faux-leather material.  There’s a metallic silver X-Doria logo in the bottom right corner of the cover.  Stitching holds the exterior to the interior lining.  The stitching is even and straight.  The cover is stiffened for extra strength.

You can see a cutout at the top where the phone’s speaker for phone calls is located.  You can talk on the phone with the cover closed.

The X-Doria Engage Folio PU Leather and Polycarbonate Case for Apple iPhone 6 Plus is available in black, white, or pink.  I decided to purchase the pink.  Just a note if you decide to buy one of these cases:  Amazon currently sells the white and pink cases for $14.99; the black case is $29.99.  You can purchase the cases in any color directly from X-Doria for $14.99.

The polyurethane fabric extends to the back, where it is securely and permanently affixed to the clear polycarbonate hard shell.  The back cover is exactly why I ordered this particular case.  I want to see the color of my gold iPhone 6 Plus, and this case allows that.

You can see the X-Doria Engage case has a large cutout for the camera.  I didn’t notice any flash flare or other interference when taking pictures with the 6 Plus.

The interior fabric used on the front cover is a velvety microfiber.  There’s a slot cut in the interior fabric that can hold a credit card or some currency.  I haven’t tried carrying anything in this slot.  I would never have my driver’s license or a credit card in an open case like this; I’m too paranoid.

You can see how thick the polycarbonate back case is here when you look at the edges of the phone.  It does add quite a bit of bulk and weight to the 6 Plus, but it doesn’t make the phone feel too heavy or uncomfortable to hold.  The Engage case weighs 2 ounces on my digital kitchen scale and measures 6.22″ X 3.1″ X 0.4″.

These three views show the sides of the 6 Plus in the Engage case.  The top view shows the front cover closed, with the polyurethane spine or hinge wrapped around the side of the phone where the volume rocker and the mute slider are located.  You won’t be able to make any adjustments without opening the case.

The second image shows the same side of the iPhone with the case opened and fully folded back.  The part of this side of the phone that’s covered by the polyurethane hinge is left uncovered by the polycarbonate back cover.  You won’t have any problems using the volume rocker or the mute slider when the front cover is opened.

The last image shows the other side of the iPhone 6 Plus.   There’s a cutout around the power button, so it’s very easy to use.  As a matter of fact, I find I’m less likely to also depress the volume rocker while I pressing the power button when my iPhone 6 Plus is in this case, even when the front is folded back and the volume rocker is uncovered.  I guess the case gives me a little extra grip on the phone, so I don’t end up accidentally pressing other buttons.

You can see the SIM drawer below the power button.  You’ll have to remove the Engage case to open the SIM drawer.

The top image shows the top of the iPhone 6 Plus.  It’s completely covered by the case.  You can also get an idea of how thick the clear back cover is here.  I don’t have calipers to check, but based on the thickness at the camera opening, I’d say the polycarbonate is about an eighth of an inch thick.

The entire bottom end, except for the corners, is left open.  I’ve had no problems plugging in headphones, Lightning cables, nor other accessories while the iPhone 6 Plus is wearing the Engage case.

When I first started using the X-Doria case, the phone felt too thick to hold when the front cover was folded around to the back.  As I’ve used the case for a couple of weeks now, I’ve either gotten used to the feel of the case, or perhaps the polyurethane has softened and flattens down at the spine more, because it doesn’t feel as big and hard to hold now.

I really like the X-Doria Engage Folio PU Leather and Polycarbonate Case for Apple iPhone 6 Plus.  Normally when I try out a case for a review, I find myself wanting to return to my normal case as quickly as possible.  That hasn’t been the case with the X-Doria Engage – at least not after the first couple of days when I was getting used to the feel of the phone with the front cover folded back.  I think the polycarbonate back cover is thick enough to protect my iPhone 6 Plus from bumps and drops.  I like that it’s crystal clear, so I can admire the color of my iPhone’s metal back.  I also like that the front cover is securely adhered to the back of the case, so I don’t have to worry that it will pop off unexpectedly and cause me to drop the iPhone.  And I like that the front cover protects my phone’s screen from getting scratched by something else in my bag or from bumping my phone against something while I’m carrying it.  I’m used to the feel of the case with the front cover folded completely back now, but it’s nice to know that I can fold the cover over the screen and still talk on the phone if I find it bothers my hand in the future.

I like that the front cover is made of polyurethane, so I don’t have to obsess about preventing an expensive leather cover from getting scratched as much as I worry about my iPhone itself.  The polyurethane may not look or feel like the most expensive leather, but it does have a nicely grained surface.  The front cover is beautifully constructed.  The X-Doria Engage looks like it cost more than it did.

Although I’d normally be planning to rip off the review case and replace it with my regular case now that this review is finished, I think I’ll leave the X-Doria Engage on for a while longer.  I like the way it looks, and I like the way it performs.  As a matter of fact, I just took the case off so I could measure and weigh it for this review.  I popped it right back on my phone when the measurements were done.

Source:  I purchased this X-Doria Engage Folio PU Leather and Polycarbonate Case for Apple iPhone 6 Plus myself from Amazon.  Learn more about the case at its product page at amazon.com or at http://shop.x-doria.com.