Got Grip? Speck CandyShell Grip for the iPhone 5C

Gear Diary iPhone 5C 20

We all have our favorite style of case and my wife Elana is no exception. Since making the move to the iPhone her go-to case has been the CandyShell Grip. Elana recently got an iPhone 5C and couldn’t be happier that one of the $35 CandyShell Grip cases arrived for review. See all of Speck’s cases.

The CandyShell Grip is Speck’s grippy take on their own CandyShell line of cases. Like the rest of the line it has a “hard-shell, soft-center design”. Where this case distinguishes itself is in the addition of ridges (called “fingerpads” by Speck) along the side and back for added grip. Noticeably, the “thumb-bumps” (raised points along the screen that were designed to help gamers know where the screen ended and the bezel began) are gone. This makes sense since, checking the user reviews of previous CandyShell Grip cases reveals a pattern of complaints with regard to these thumb-bumps not wearing well. It is a good example of how Speck has continually refined its line of cases rather than start with brand new designs for each new phone.

 

The CandyShell Grip has:

Textured finger pads. Interwoven plastic and rubber grips add structure and style.

Dual-layer casing. Patented design provides two layers of protection in a single-piece, pop-in case.

All-around protection. Raised bezel keeps screen safe and rubberized covers shield buttons.

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When I ordered Elana’s iPhone 5C I also ordered one of Apple’s Swiss Cheese cases. I wanted to make sure the phone was protected from day one. Elana didn’t particularly like the look or the feel of the case, but she used it since it was the only option available at the time. Unfortunately, that case was a bit on the slippery side and, a few days into using it, the phone slipped from her hand and fell into the sink. We let it dry for two days and, thankfully, it works just fine. When the Speck CandyShell for the iPhone 5C arrived I immediately put it on Elana’s phone. Not only does she love the case, but thanks to the added grip offered by its design it will also help prevent future slips into the sink.

Does Elana like the Speck CandyShell Grip? This is the email I got yesterday:

So happy to have my case back! Really didn’t realize how much I missed it. Grip is terrific – just nothing else like it out there.

I think she is happy! The Speck CandyShell Grip is not showing up on Speck’s iPhone 5C page but should in the near future. Check out all of the Speck offerings here.

MSRP: $35

What I Like: Good protection; Great grip; Lightning connector are is better designed than before; Elana loves it

What Needs Improvement: No included screen protector

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.