By Jennifer Sellers

Sena (www.senacases.com), a company known for -- among other things -- its classy iPhone cases -- have released two Galaxy Note cases: the Sena Folio Case

Sena Folio Case

When first using the US$69.99 Sena Folio Case (pictured) make sure to give it three to five days so the leather has time to loosen up. That said, the case does fit the phone nicely at the start -- and even better after the break-in period.

I also felt the Folio gave my Note most of the protection I needed except for the exposed corners that could get dinged up if you dropped it. The ability to have your most needed wallet items with you is also very handy and makes up for the size of the phone and case combo.

However, I did not like the lack of privacy when talking on the phone. If you chose to keep you ID and check cards with you, they are exposed to the world when you are talking on your phone. Some type of cover would greatly help not only for privacy when talking. If you have any type of screen protector on your phone when you close the case, the stitching on the inside of the case will make permanent indents on the screen protector as well as any cards you may be carrying.

What's more, when talking on the phone you have to fold the wallet over to talk. I noticed after only a few weeks some splitting on the centerfold of the case. That's not quite the quality you would expect after shelling out the money for a case this nice.

Moving on to the snap-out stand on the back of the case I found it quite useful, especially if you use your phone as an alarm clock. It makes it easy to prop your phone up and have easy access to hit the snooze button!

Finally, I found the strap that snaps the case shut to be one of the biggest drawbacks to the Folio. This case is quite large and, at times, can be awkwardly big for phone conversations; the strap pushes it over the edge. One of the only ways to keep it out of your face while trying to talk, text, or just use the phone is to snap it to the other side of the phone. Or you can try to hold it back if your hands are big enough.

This can get very tedious. I feel it would improve Folio greatly if it was made with a different type of strap such as an elastic band. This would also keep the case from being able to pop open in your pocket or purse.

Overall I would give this case a thumbs up rating at 6 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone on the go who is looking for convenience and functionality and who will not mind the size and bulkiness.

Sena Ultraslim case

This $29.99 case was the one I was most exited about because it reminded me of the slipcase I had for my Blackberry quite a few years back. In theory it provides protection and zero bulk.

I say "in theory" because I could not even use the case.While it is made to keep its grip on the phone and not lose its hold, that is the exact reason the case is a bad fit. When designing the case for the Samsung Note Sena evidently didn't take into consideration the on/off button located on the top left side of the phone.

While this button on the Blackberry and most other phones is on the top left and does not run the risk of being shut off by this type of case, the Samsung Note does not have this feature, making the Ultraslim case shut the phone every time I took my phone in and out of the case. If Sena simply removed that section from the side, the case would work like a charm. Until then I am going to be forced to give them a thumbs down with an 0 out of 5 rating because the Ultraslim simply is not functional.