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Published: April 10, 2010
At times the simple solutions are the best. Cases come in all shapes and sizes, and there is a myriad of solutions to how to get the case to stay on. Sliders using two interconnecting pieces are popular, and so are hybrids using silicone held in place by polycarbonate. Most one-piece cases protect the back of the phone only, but the Speck CandyShell manages to both the back, and front.
The CandyShell has an inner layer of soft rubber that covers the entire inside of the case. The outer layer is hard polycarbonate that goes around the edges as well. This means that you can place the iPhone screen down. Inserting the phone is easy, as you just shove it down. Getting it out is awkward the first time, and I felt like I was going to break either the phone or the case. You simply massage it out of the case.
The big appeal of the Speck CandyShell is by far the sleek look. The two colored case looks great, polished and utilizes the lines of the iPhone. The chrome around the edges of the iPhone remains visible. As for protection it offers a good scratch and impact solution. The headphone jack, charge socket and mute switch aren’t covered by silicone. The volume controls, and silent/hold are covered, and work really well without interference. The hardcase doesn’t scratch easily, and the rubber lining doesn’t allow dirt to rub against the back of the phone.
The case comes with a screen protector, and cleaning cloth. It works in the Apple Universal Dock but not in all other docks. This is due to the case covering the charge socket.
My experience with the CandyShell has been very pleasant. It doesn’t add any grip when playing games, and is a bit slippery around the edges. On the other hand it seems built to last as long as you don’t take the phone in and out too often. What I have liked the best about the case is the sleek design. The white/grey version looks like a slightly larger iPhone.
Summary
Pros
Good protective case covering back and front edges.
Both scratch and impact protection.
Looks sleek and feels polished.
Comes with a screen protector.
Cool selection of color combinations.
Light weight at 2.3 oz/56 grams.
Cons
Not dockable in all ports.
Hard to take off the first time.
Should be used without removal too many times to ensure durability.
Expensive.
The Speck CandyShell case is a great alternative for those not wanting to sacrifice too much of the sleek iPhone design. It gives good impact and scratch protection, and the execution of the design is great. I can recommend the Speck CandyShell to any kind of user.
Final Rating
Review disclosure: Any games reviewed on this page may have been provided to us by the developer for the purposes of this review. Note: the resulting review score is never impeded by this fact, all opinions are that of the TouchGen reviewer and not the developer. This is in keeping with our O.A.T.S oath. Read more about O.A.T.S here
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