I’m a huge fan of Apple’s Leather iPhone 7 Plus case. It’s beautiful, it wears nicely, it adds a good grip — all things to look for in a phone case. It’s just too bad it’s expensive and doesn’t fully protect your phone.

That’s where the NOMAD Leather iPhone 7 Plus case steps in. It solves every issue I have with the Apple case.

DESIGN

Look, I’ll come right out and say it: Apple’s leather case doesn’t protect the bottom edge of the phone, and that’s unacceptable.

The NOMAD Leather iPhone 7 Plus case does (above). It wraps itself up and over the bottom edge, giving cutouts for the speaker grills and the Lightning port. It protects that delicate, fragile, expensive device — like a case should. Oh, and it’s $10 less than Apple’s attempt.

Beyond that, they’re virtually identical: quality leather (in NOMAD’s case, Horween Leather) that wears nicely, a plush inside to cushion your phone, and plenty of protection. NOMAD’s case offers easy-to-find button bumps that click nicely and the cutouts for the silent switch and dual camera on the back are precise and easily accessed.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you’re a classy parent that refuses to wrap your phone in a giant Otterbox case, this is the route for you. At $39.95 you’re getting more protection and the same amount of quality as the Apple Leather Case, but for less money.

That’s a win.

Stay tuned for more NOMAD reviews.