Seidio Ledger Flip Case for Nexus 5

Extra protection and functionality for your Nexus 5, as long as the extra bulk is worth it for you

I'm not sure when it happened, but there's a renewed sense of value in having a larger smartphone case that can provide more than simple coverage for the sides and back of the device. It's no longer unusual to have a flip-over folio style case for a phone (a function usually reserved for tablets), and with those screen covers also integrating slots of credit cards, IDs and business cards just like your wallet normally would.

Seidio has adapted one of its great hard plastic kickstand case designs to also include a folio-style flip cover for the front of your Nexus 5. And while the design ideas can seem a little disjointed at times on the Seidio Ledger Flip Case, it provides a different look and feel than you'll find on your standard case choices. Read along with us and see the merits of this functional Nexus 5 case.

Seidio Ledger flip case for Nexus 5

The Seidio Ledger Flip Case basically grafts a nice-looking screen cover onto what would otherwise be an unassuming and durable kickstand case, giving those who want even more protection for their phone another option. The back case material is soft touch with just the right amount of grip, smooth edges and all the right cutouts. The kickstand flips out with a nice spring action and holds in place with a magnet, just like we've seen on Seidio's other case offerings.

Now, back to that screen-covering flip case part. The outside of the flap is a synthetic woven material, which wraps the entire front and down to the side to form the hinge where it attaches to the side of the case. The inside is a soft felt material, with a pouch in the middle that's just large enough to hold two — three, once it stretches out — credit cards, IDs or business cards. There's a small circle cutout at the top for your speaker, which lets you talk on the phone with the case closed, and another cutout at the bottom for your notification LED.

The cover itself is pretty sturdy, but I was a tad surprised by how much the hinge loosened up after a couple days of use. For what it's worth after it loosened up a tad it seemed to be more comfortable folded behind the phone, and didn't seem to continue to get looser. The cover has a magnet in it for sleep/wake functionality on the Nexus 5, but has no clasp or function to keep securely closed on the phone. Once you start jamming credit cards into the front pouch the case doesn't close as easily as it otherwise would, of course, but having the option to not carry your wallet out of the house is a nice bonus with this case.

Despite my initial feelings about the case looking a bit odd with different materials on the front and back, I actually can't find any real fault in it after using the case for a handful of days. The soft touch material is far superior for holding the phone securely on the back, while the woven texture on the front gives it a much classier look. It provides ultimate protection for the Nexus 5 if you're one who is worried about screen scratches, and provides the extra bonus of being able to carry a few choice credit cards when you head out of the house for a bit.

The Seidio Ledger Flip Case for the Nexus 5 is just $36.95 at Shop Android right now, in your choice of black or red.

Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.