I ordered this case with a little trepidation due to the bad reviews, but as I've never had a "flip" type case before, I wanted to try one cheaply before I spent more cash on a "quality" one. Additionally, the IPHONE 4s is so thin I was very worried about snapping my phone in half if I sat down awkwardly, so I just wanted a case ASAP.
First impressions are good. The case is made from leather (or convincing faux leather) and feels good to the touch. There is some internal card or plastic in the flap of the case, which keeps it rigid and gives good physical protection to the phone's screen. The phone holder is a rigid plastic case, which is bonded (very slightly askew) to another leather flap which forms the back of the case. The plastic shell seems pretty tough and covers the phone sides, curling over a touch at the top and round at the corners to grip the phone securely. There are cut-outs for the power and volume buttons and another one at the top left. (For the lanyard?). The rear has nicely finished cut-outs for the camera and speaker. Some people have reported the side cut-outs to be prone to breaking, but I haven't had that problem. However now the phone is fitted in place, I don't take it in and out. It IS a pretty snug fit, but then I'd rather it was snug than drop it and have the phone fly out of the case across the floor.
The clasp is magnetic and is buried in the leather. This is a good thing as it would not be good to have a metal catch striking the screen as you open of close the case. Opening and closing the case is a definite action and the catch does not come undone on its' own. The case has a slightly padded feel to it and is much nicer than the low price suggests. The case adds a lot of mechanical strength to the phone and I'm comfortable handling my phone fairly carelessly without feeling like it's going to be damaged.
The screen protector that comes with the phone is one of those 3-layer ones where you peel off the back, fit it and then peel off the front. Having paid this sort of money for a computer printout type sheet of dreadful sticker-type screen protectors, a quality screen protector is not terrible value on its' own, at this price. I fitted my screen protector with NO air bubbles or dust. Now after a couple of weeks it has neither let any air in round the edges whatsoever, nor has is become scratched. Of course, the lack of scratches might have something to do with the front flap! ;-)
The bottom line is that I have no intention of "upgrading" this fine case as it's doing a great job.