[G4 Accessories] Fastbird:
I was lucky enough to be selected to receive an review one of the new Artech 21 cases for our LG G4's. I have always wanted to try a case like this because I like the concept of having my phone and wallet stuff combined, can't forget either that way (or both if I'm really scatter brained). Sadly, I never pulled the trigger due to my wife having had a couple and the quality just not being there a various points, enough to cause a total lack of will to try one for myself.

Enter Artech 21.

I received my case very quickly and packaged VERY well. No pics there, sorry. Let's just say that their attention to detail extends beyond simple production. I got it yesterday and immediately put it to use, and let me just sum it up like this. Simply stunning craftsmanship, and perfect in every way.

All pictures were taken on a Nikon D5000 using a 35mm f/1.8 lens for ambient light with some later flash shots and the really close ones towards the end were switched to a 18-55mm kit lens.

Let's just start with a couple of ambient light overview pics.

On the front side, we have a clean leather face with a reinforced spine stitch line down the left side, and a very classy and subtle company logo on the bottom right.

On the rear we have the same spine reinforcement stitching going down the right side, and very well sized and placed cutouts for the speaker and camera. Very very well done.

Throwing that one in simply because I like how the focal point and bokeh came out.

Opened up you can see I've already put it to use. It's housing my work ID card and drivers license in the clear thumb hole pocket (VERY good idea to put the thumb hole there, makes accessing those a snap). Also houses the two debit cards I carry along with my costco membership card.

The pocket underneath the cards won't hold a fully unfolded bill, but I wouldn't expect it to either. I don't carry a lot of cash so folding bills up to put in the pocket isn't a concern. If you do carry more than a few bills this may not work for you because they would bulk up the front side quickly. Money clips ftw.

The inside of the case is finished in a very fine suede to go wonderfully with the super nice leather exterior parts.

This pic above is a look at it closed. The clasp while small, is perfectly strong and small enough to be unintrusive. The back side never sits perfectly flat due to it's designed fold for stand usage, which isn't a big deal. Even with all my cards in the front side it still sits very flatly closed. Very well made in terms of size.

Flipped view on the bottom side. You can see how the back never lays truly flat, but this is by design.

Now, I want to move on to some good stuff. I've done sewing professionally on industrial machines, so I have a good idea what I'm looking at in terms of quality. And this case is just dripping with quality. The craftsmanship is absolutely fantastic. Extremely even stitching lines, wonderful stitch spacing, straight cuts, even the back stitching on the starts and ends is perfect. Here are some close up shots below:

Last part, the holder for the phone. This was a huge fail point on the couple of cases my wife had for her G2. There are ZERO worries here. Below are installed pics of either end:

The closest comparison I can make is that Artech 21 took an Incipio Feather case and used it in their folio case. The phone is VERY tightly held in place, but utilizes the least amount of shrouding possible at the same time. I have zero worries of the phone ever popping out of this holder and case.

I honestly have found no flaws with this case. It's new to me so using the phone is a little awkward at first, but I'm adjusting fast. Using my shoulder to hold the phone to my ear is actually much easier now due to the added case thickness. It holds what I NEED to carry with me with extra room to shove a days worth of receipts and a little cash, but without leaving enough room that I start packing my wallet full of stuff.

As far as recommendations for future changes or improvements, the only thing I could think of is the potential to make the magnetic clasp two sided so you could flip the front of the case all the way around and reuse the clasp to hold it open. And maybe give the option for people to have a ID card pocket installed on the front and not have the clear one in the inside (I'd choose that because I use my ID card to get into the plant I work at every day I work). But those are two very very minor things that aren't necessities, just feedback for possible future options.

One last parting shot for posterity sake:

I'd like to say thanks to Artech 21 for giving me the opportunity to try your wonderful case and just say that if you're looking for a wallet or folio case, by all means give them a try. They're worth every penny and you won't be disappointed.