I like to feel smart, and the iPhone is a smart device so a smart case seems to be a smart thing. Waterfield Designs Smart Case is a rather basic pouch design, but even though it doesn’t bring any huge ideas to the table it is quite smart. It comes in three different sizes, and three different versions. The sizes available are 3G, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4 + bumper. The versions are the basic pouch, clip case and flap case. With all of these in six different colours you have quite a lot of choices to do. The iPhone 4 flap case I have tried easily fits the iPhone 3G perhaps in some ways making different sizes less urgent.
The Smart Case is made from a soft, pleasant fabric that is water resistant. The interior is made from an extremely soft suede that in no way smudges the screen. The opposite is true instead, and the phone emerges more polished from the case than when it entered. A negative aspect is that if the interior of the case gets wet it takes some serious time to dry since it is surrounded by water-resistant material. The case is made with hidden stitching giving it a sleek seamless look.
When the iPhone is inserted it is completely protected from scratch and minor to medium impact damages. It can take a drop onto a stone floor from 2 metres without harm, but more than that is pushing it. If the phone is inserted with the speakers down it is impossible to hear the ringer. To hear it you have to insert it upside down. It is near impossible to hear or feel the vibration as the case absorbs the sound, and movement.
The case has got a pocket for credit cards or earbuds. It is elastic stretching to accommodate most minor objects, but I would advise against placing heavy items such as your change or keys in it.
One thing that I would have liked would have been a combination of the different versions making it both a sleek case, and having a good versatile clip or flap. 
The flapped version is good when used on a backpack, but in other situations the case feels really bulky due to the large flap. A positive note about the flap is that the Velcro is really strong. The clipped version is probably the most versatile of the three, and if given the choice among the three the clipped would be my first choice.
If you are in the market for a sleek pouch offering excellent protection I can definitely recommend the Waterfield Smart Case. It is made of high quality materials, and the iPhone is easy to extract. As the clip is removable I think that the clipped version is the best choice.
Final Rating
Smart Case at Waterfield Designs $39 Slip $45 Flap or Clip
