Iâve been using the BlackBrook Arden in Burnished Tan on my iPhone 17 Pro. The first thing I noticed was the real-leather smell when I opened the box. It faded after a few days, but the feel of the leather is still the main reason I keep this case on the phone.
The leather and how itâs aging
Burnished Tan is tricky to photograph because it shifts with the light. In some shots it looks warm and orange-brown; in others itâs darker and more muted. It looks great with the Deep Blue iPhone 17 Pro. Iâve also had a few random compliments on it while using the phone out and about, which is unusual for a case.
I havenât babied it. It picked up a few scratches early on, including one deep enough to catch my fingernail. After two or three days of normal handling, that mark was still visible but no longer caught my nail. Iâm curious to see how the leather changes over time, so Iâll add an update after longer use.
Fit, protection and buttons
Itâs thicker than the ultra-thin aramid cases I normally use, but it doesnât feel bulky. The screen lip leaves enough clearance for me to put the phone face-down on a table, while still feeling low enough for edge swipes. The raised camera ring sits just high enough for everyday table contact without making the back feel like a huge wobble plate.
The metal buttons are clicky and easy to use. My one design gripe is the black finish against the tan leather; matching brown or bronze buttons would look more cohesive to me.
MagSafe and wireless charging
The magnets feel strong in my use. The case snaps firmly onto my stands and holds my Baseus MagSafe battery without sliding around.
I also compared an iPhone 17 Pro charging from 0 to 80% on an ESR CryoBoost with the fan on, once in this case and once caseless. The case-on run took 60 minutes; the caseless run took 51. Thatâs a 9-minute gap in my run. I saw a similar pattern with my uncooled Baseus battery: the phone felt warmer and charged more slowly than it does in my PITAKA case.
If you want more context on the charger itself, see my ESR CryoBoost.
The chart below shows the recorded 0â80% times for the fan-on CryoBoost runs.
The annoying bit: the USB-C cutout
Appleâs USB-C cable fits, but several thicker third-party cables I own donât seat properly through the bottom opening. It means I have to pay attention to which cable I pack when I travel. A slightly wider cutout would solve it.
Final thoughts
If you want a case that stays pristine, this isnât the one Iâd pick. If you want real leather that feels good in the hand and will show its use, the Arden has been a lovely case so far. I like the grip, the look and the strong-feeling MagSafe attachment. The trade-offs are the slightly slower wireless run I recorded and the narrow cable opening. Neither makes me want to take it off, but the USB-C cutout is an everyday annoyance worth knowing about.