What’s a good phone without a good case, right? I know that some of you don’t really care about using cases and just put it in your pocket and be done with it, but if you’re like me your phone only leaves the case when you’re actually using it. As I found out when using the classic N95 it pays to have some kind of protection just in case you drop it. One day I had actually dropped mine and boy it was one those nasty drops, where the case got damaged and all scratched up, luckily the phone escaped without a single scratch. I’m pretty sure that without the case it would have been a completely different story. Which brings me to today’s mini review: The Nokia CP-235. I have to say though that my N95 8GB hasn’t arrived yet, but hey it’s better to get the case first than the other way around, as I always say. So today we are going to go ahead with the case review without the phone! 
iThe CP-235 product page describes it as a: “dedicated carrying case for the Nokia N95 8GB – just open the case and slide. This stylish wallet covers and helps protect while giving you access to all the keys and functions on your device.” The case consists out of an outer part (the flap) and an inner part that holds the device in place. Remember the case that came with the APAC N95? Well, this one is similar but is opened from the side instead of moving the flap upwards and this one is fully black instead of just brown.
The case is especially made for the N95 8GB, but seeing that N95-3(US) has the same dimensions it should fit it too. The N95-1(classic) might have problems due to the camera module that isn’t recessed and the slider mechanism. The case itself is done in a very nice and durable looking faux leather material, that at first I thought was real leather but upon further inspection I see that it’s not. Thinking about the product description doesn’t mention anywhere that it’s made out of leather, while other case like the CP-191 for N95 it does mention that it is. The front is completely clean, except for the small Nseries logo on the top right side. On the right side of the case we can see where it’s opened and the openings to access the volume keys and stereo speakers. But where are the openings for the camera capture key and the gallery button? You actually have to open the case to access these buttons. You see, even when you open the case, you can see how the N95 8GB is held into place by two sides. This means that you have to open the case to access these keys, which also mean that a large part of the case is left open and in the way. It would have been much better to have access to these two buttons with the case fully closed. On the left side you have cut-out holes for the left speaker and 3.5mm jack, but just like the left side the opening for the IR-port is only accessible until you open the case’s flap. Why?
On the back there’s a convenient opening for the camera module, but the fact that you have to open the case to access the camera button takes away from the ease-of-use. Opening the case is kind of difficult as the faux leather material is quite stiff. I’m sure that with time it will get better as the material becomes more flexible. The inner part is done in soft material to protect the phone from scratching.
In the end I find the case to be durable looking and especially matches the looks of the N95 8GB. It has its shortcoming though and these are:
-Case is hard to open due to stiff faux leather material
-Camera capture key, gallery key and IR-port are only accessible when the case is opened
-No belt clip
The CP-235 is a perfect match for the N95 8GB, but it has a few small shortcomings that have more to do with the fact that some phone features are bit harder to access than anything else. But the biggest negative point is ultimately the fact that there’s no belt clip. The CP-235 is a must-have for the N95 8GB, but it is these shortcomings that hamper it from getting a perfect for this otherwise nice looking case. It gets a 7 out 10.
For me the biggest positive is the lack of a belt clip, I just hate ‘em!
Ha, well I just got my Nokia N95 8GB today and I was looking for cases, even on the NokiaUSA site they don’t list this as an accessory you can purchase. Also all the pictures on the ‘net only show the back of the case, not the inside or anything like this.
I’d never think I would need a review for a leather case but this was a nice read. Now I need find a good site to buy it from.
Great review…good work!
I like this case very much.I just do not understand why Camera capture and gallery key should be accessible when the case is closed…..
because,you should open the case so you could see on the LCD the photo you are capturing or the stuff you have in gallery….
Instead of that,i would prefer no opening for the camera lens…About the belt clip,i didn’t actually have in mind to use it…
Hi. Thanks for the review. Just received my case today. It’s a must have for the N95 8GB, and to top it all off, it’s a genuine Nokia product. A bit difficult to open at first as mentioned on the review but that should get easier as the clip naturally wears a bit. I feel much more confident carrying my N95 8GB around since this case will protect the phone even if it’s dropped! About the belt clip..well here in South Africa carrying a phone on your belt is a “no no” so I won’t miss it!
Hi
Tanks for a good review, and after i read this i have also got this fantastic case. But theres is one drawback i think. And that is the two plastic holders that holds the phone in place. This two plastic holders on both sites on the case will, when you fit your n95 8gb in to the case, make some very small scratches on both sides of the screen. It can altso be some small scratches when you slides the sliders up and down. Any else who have experienced this? ore is it just me… But this small scratches are so small that you have to use a bright lite to see them. But on the other hand, this is a small price to take since this case protects the phone from almost anything else.
can someone clear this up for me.
when using this case, must i remove the phone to answer calls or do i hold the phone to my ear with the flap jamming against my head?
kroikie.
Kroiie,
yep I use the phone with the flap on. Just push the flap to the back a bit.
And all should be fine. Or you can take it off, but that takes too much time.
I just ordered my own CP-235 case, and after reading this review I know I made the perfect choice.
Unlike the reviewer, I find the hiding of Gallery and Photo keys perfectly understandable and appreciate that they are hidden until opening the case. Why would I want to click the Gallery key to view my gallery.. if the case is closed? That wouldn’t make sense. Same goes for taking a picture, would I want to do that without seeing the viewer to make sure it’s a good picture? No.
Those keys not being shown makes perfect sense and shouldn’t have had a bearing on this review as it seems it did.
It pretty much goes the same way for the IR port. It requires me to navigate the phone, so I would have to open the case at any rate to use it properly. It not showing with the case being closed makes yet again sense and helps keep even more parts of the phone protected.
I personally am glad there is my belt clip, as I find it annoying and I ain’t the type of person that goes around with my cellular on the belt. But a solution to allow for it to be attached by the products default packaging would have been a nice gesture of Nokia.
However, there is one thing that I find to be a “draw-back” of this case. There is no option for properly covering up the Camera lens. I think it should have been a (optional) flap that you could open instead of having it exposed, as it currently will be with this case originally out of the box.
I am very glad to see a review for this case, as there is a typically general lack of people expressing their opinions about mobile protective casings usually. And as a final note, the faux leather will wear down in stiffness eventually and opening and closing it will be easier over time.
For me however, the score is: 8.5/10
It is a near perfect protective case for my N95 8GB. I find it to have a sleek design and smart openings for things I would want to be able to use when not viewing the finder. (In example while just having it on the desk with headphones attached listening to music at work.) Regardless I am more of a BT-headset kind of a person so the phone is rarely looked at before taking or making calls. Just ordered a BH-902 as well for this purpose.
However, things that prevents me from wanting to give it a full 9 and ultimately a 10, is the fact that I am a bit worried about previous comment mentioning tiny scratch marks on the display made by the casing, but I am certain a little Displex Display Polish – Scratch Remover would remove them if they are as tiny as mentioned. (That and I have a protective film covering the screen at any rate, wich should protect it even further.)
The biggest drawback for me is the fact that I have no option to properly protect the camera (and also keeping it dust free) with it being exposed and not possible to hide with an (optional) flap. In the end, I might have to actually modify this case myself to add this functionality to it.
A belt clip option, would as said, have been a nice gesture, but I am the type of person that don’t want to carry my phone on the waist. I want it in a pocket and out of peoples sight. Therefor, this has little bearing on my own score of this case.
I’m probably abit late but nice review! Because of this review I bought the case (although I was going to buy it anyway), but you gave a solid reason for me to buy it and all I have to say is that it’s astonishing! Proper quality built case by Nokia.
Theres only one other concern for me apart from protection for camera or belt clip; it’s the inside bit for me, the plastic bit that keeps the phone in place, does anyone find it abit too tight for the phone or isit just me, im just scared of getting the phone scratched…oh yeah and it is abit hard to open lol, but still decent case and decent review! Nice one
Kuly, your right, they are too tight and are starting to cause problems for me as it has scratched the sides of the phone look here:
http://www.thenokiaguide.com/my_weblog/2008/02/nokia-cp-235-ca.html
I bought my Nokia N95 8GB last week, next day I bought my Nokia CP-235 case. well at first I was a bit concerned on the review about this case, but after my phone was attached, I realized that it just fits well. The two plastic holders that held the phone in place has a margin (approx 2-3mm) above my phone so it will not scratched it when you slide the phone. Just dont slide them when phone is in a prone position coz 100% it will really leave a scratch markings on your phone. For me, this is a great case. There is not a single scratch marking on my phone.
I take back what I said earlier..well now my phone has a very small scratch at the side of the screen. It was not due to sliding but it was due to frequent bumping at the plastic cover. You may noticed that when you turn it sideways or at prone position, the phone will slightly move causing it to bumped at the plastic sides. I was slightly disappointed about it..I think I would rate at 4/10.
nice case, but it leaves scratches, its not worth byeing, the case is to protect the phone, if it leaves scratches, the company that made it can fuck off.
Yes it leaves scratches..any other cases offered in the market which are the same style (slide out causing friction with the plastic will likely to do same) I returned my phone to Nokia as a result and they replaced it
i have the same problem with Thomas Andre Aarnes Timland , the leather case scratched my phone in both side of its body , and i just feel disappointed , why had the original accessories that originally made by Nokia but damaging it’s own products ? shame on you Nokia ! i really love my N95 8GB, but now because of the Leather case has scratched my phone , I’m starting to feel uncomfortable to see & use my phone because the beauty from it’s black color has been decreased.