Speck’s CandyShell Grip series of cases have proven to be very successful, and given my experience with the iPhone 5/5s version, I can certainly understand why.
Photo Gallery
Video Review
Depending on where you purchase your case, it can be had for as little as $19.99, which is on Amazon. Some color schemes are priced higher than others, though. You can buy one directly from Speck for $34.95.
One thing to note is that there are counterfeit versions of this case, due to its popularity. I had one for quite a while, and I can easily tell you that the legitimate version is well worth the small increase in price. Simply put, the quality of the real case is better in every way.
Like with many popular cases, extras aren’t included. So, if you’re expecting a screen protector, you won’t get it with this one, but purely the case itself. But that’s not a bad thing, since the case makes up for that. You do get a limited warranty information guide, though!
The CandyShell Grip is popular due to its simple design and materials that, as the name suggests, are incredibly grippy. The inside is filled with the same rubber material that you’d find along the outside. This helps keep the phone protected when installed.
Going over the case, you’ll find a few rubber nubs along the left side for the volume buttons. They provide plenty of feedback, but take a little bit of extra effort to press, but are otherwise just fine. The power button is the same way. Above the volume buttons is a well-sized cutout for the silent switch. Along the front is a rubber lip, giving you a bit of a lay-on-the-table design. I wish that this lip came up and over the display just a tad more, because you can sometimes see the metal band of your phone. Of course, the sides of the case is where the grippy strips of rubber are, as well as on the back of the case. Speaking of the back, you’ll find a just ever-so-slightly oversized cutout for the camera area. Lastly, along the bottom are perforated holes for the speaker and microphone, and some somewhat large cutouts for the Lightning port and 3.5mm headset jack. I didn’t have any large headphone plugs to test with, but I do have an oversized Lightning cable that was able to fit just fine.
The shape of the case is more rounded along the sides than most cases, making the CandyShell Grip very comfortable to hold in your hand, especially for longer periods of time. That alone makes this case one of the best cases, if not the best, I’ve ever used.
Combine that with its price, level of protection, rugged yet somewhat-minimalistic design, grip and other features, this case really does live up to the hype.
Feel free to follow Brian and Gadget Unit on Twitter.