Toastmade Real Wood Veneer for Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review
In a world of plastic and silicone phone cases the idea of wrapping a cutting-edge device like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 in real wood is certainly appealing. Toastmade has carved out a niche for itself with these unique wood veneer covers that promise a stylish alternative to bulky cases. But does this natural approach to phone protection live up to the price?
Installation
The installation process is refreshingly straightforward. All the wood pieces are backed with a strong 3M adhesive making application a simple peel and stick affair. Aligning the main back pieces is easy and the side pieces are cleverly designed with a series of relief cuts a technique known as kerfing. These kerfs allow the otherwise rigid wood to bend and conform perfectly to the curved edges of the phone. The ends of the side pieces are cut with interlocking tabs creating a clean and secure seam where they meet.
Buttons Issues
However the design is not without its flaws and one significant issue becomes apparent with the side pieces. While the kerfing allows the wood to wrap beautifully around the frame its thickness creates a major usability problem for the side buttons. The power and volume buttons on the Galaxy Z Fold7 are already quite low-profile. The added depth of the wood veneer makes them feel recessed making them considerably harder to locate by feel and press. This is my biggest complaint about the cover as it turns a simple action like adjusting volume or unlocking the phone into a frustrating task.
It’s also worth noting that the front piece will sit on top of some screen protectors like the anti-glare one that Samsung sells. This could be an issue for some people.
MagSafe Ring
Toastmade also offers an optional MagSafe ring which integrates nicely into the wood backplate. For magnetic accessories like grips or wallets the hold is decently strong. I was unable to shake my magnetic grip loose which provides some confidence for daily use. I will say that I wish it was a little bit stronger, but we are trying to connect accessories through a thin piece of wood. While the positioning is fine for these smaller accessories, a problem arises when using larger items like wireless charging battery banks. Like cases from brands like Pitaka and Benks, the ring's placement doesn't fully account for the camera housing. This causes battery banks to sit slightly askew, pivoting against the camera bump and weakening the magnetic connection which could impact charging stability.
Final Thoughts
There is no denying the quality and appeal of the Toastmade cover itself. The wood veneer is expertly cut and finished and it’ll leave your phone smelling strongly of real wood. It provides a unique aesthetic that truly stands out from the sea of typical phone cases. While the texture is not as grippy as something like a leather skin it does offer a bit more purchase than the phone's slick glass back. If looks were the only metric this would be an easy recommendation.
Unfortunately a phone cover must be practical and this is where the Toastmade cover falls short for me. The issue with the recessed side buttons is a significant design flaw that actively hinders daily use forcing me to remove the side rails entirely. I also had to forgo the front piece as it interfered with my screen protector. Ultimately this left me with only a back panel. Considering the $74price tag paying that much for what is effectively just a back sticker is a tough pill to swallow. Toastmade should consider selling only that back piece at a lower price.
