Speck’s lineup of iPhone 5 cases include, clockwise from left, CandyShell, CandyShell Flip, FabShell, CandyShell Grip and SmartFlex Card.The accessory market is being flooded with cases for the iPhone 5 as manufacturers rush to provide options for the latest Apple smartphone. But few companies have done much more than resize old cases.
Speck, based in Palo Alto, Calif., has taken a more thoughtful approach, tweaking the design of its CandyShell cases to make them thinner and give them a better grip.
Speck was recently awarded a patent for its CandyShell design, which combines a hard, glossy exterior with a soft, rubbery interior in a single piece. A raised bezel offers a modest amount of screen protection when the phone is placed face down, and rubberized tabs cover the buttons.
I’ve always been partial to the CandyShell Flip because the bottom third of the case flips back for easy docking. I hate wrestling with cellphone covers to get them on and off. But when I heard about the redesign for the CandyShell Grip, I thought I would give it a try because I can be rather clumsy when it comes to holding my phone.
The CandyShell Grip now has rubber ridges woven into the plastic on the back, and the finger pads on the front were removed. The redesign makes the case easier to hold securely, which is especially handy when playing games on the phone. But I found that the grips also make it harder to slide the phone in and out of your pocket, so it’s a bit of a trade-off.
The CandyShell cases, which cost $35, come in a variety of colors and designs, some commemorating holidays, flags, countries and even bridges. (Please, Speck, make a Brooklyn Bridge case!) The cases are relatively expensive, but they offer decent protection without adding much bulk. And the good thing about having so many options is that when you get tired of one case, you can easily switch to another.