The iPhone 5 has been out in the market for close to 3 months, and the choice of protective cases made for Apple’s latest super phone has been quite staggering to say the least. As per Technoodling tradition, we’ll try and review every iPhone case we can get our hands on. We’re starting our iPhone 5 case review marathon with one of our favorites: Speck.
Speck PixelSkin
Price: Php 950
This is the design that put Speck on the pedestal as far as iPhone cases go. The PixelSkin has been imitated by numerous brands, but the original incarnation by Speck remains the best by far. Soft silicon combined with an exterior that’s showered with square ridges, the PixelSkin is soft to the touch, has a grippy feel yet is slippery enough that it can be easily slipped into anyone’s front pants pocket. The Speck PixelSkin also has a simple but attractive design which is very easy on the eyes. I love how the Speck PixelSkin manages to retain its form even after weeks of abuse. It still feels as new as when I used it and it doesn’t carry any funky odor unlike the cheap Chinese knock-off cases.
Speck CandyShell
Price: Php 1,200
Speck was the first company that had an epiphany in combining a hardshell case and a silicon case, the result was the very popular CandyShell case which not only provided good protection, but also looked great with its two-tone color scheme. The inside of the CandyShell is a full-on silicon case that is then wrapped in a hard-shell plastic casing. There are actually two variants of the CandyShell, the original full-bodied one and a “Flip” version which has a flippable bottom for easier docking of the iPhone while still inside the case. Either way, both versions offer good protection wrapped in a well-padded hard casing.
Speck FabShell
Price: Php 1,200
A combination of soft plastic and fabric, the FabShell is Speck’s attempt at creating an iPhone case that would be attractive to fashionistas or anyone else who wants their iPhone case to scream. The FabShell comes in numerous design schemes, but every one of them are very eye catching. The fabric on plastic actually works, and the FabShell offers a good grip and the sewn fabric actually offers an additional layer of protection.
Speck CandyShell Grip
Price: Php 1,200
My favorite Speck case has finally been remade to fit the iPhone 5 and all is right in the world. An evolution of the original CandyShell, the CandyShell Grip has a lot going for it. It’s made of a combination of silicon and plastic, which makes for an extremely good protective case. The other plastic surface has strips of silicon ridges across it to give the case a very grippy outer shell. The primary purpose of a case is to offer protection and it is in this regard that the CandyShell Grip truly shines. I actually dropped my iPhone 5 5 feet high, and it dropped on its corner and then continued to bounce around a couple times more. Luckily, my iPhone was inside of a CandyShell Grip case at the time and my phone survived unscathed.
Speck SmartFlex Card
Price: Php 1,200
Combining the functionality of a wallet and a case seems obvious to me, and the guys at Speck obviously shared my sentiments as they have come out with the SmartFlex Card. This is a case that is not only made to fit an iPhone 5, but a trio of plastic cards as well. The thickest among Speck’s line of iPhone cases, the SmartFlex Card piggy-backs a card slot that can fit up to 3 plastic cards. It’s a bit hefty and thick due to the added functionality, but it still provides ample protection to the iPhone, as well as the plastic cards inserted inside it. The cards can be easily removed by pushing up on the exposed bottom of the card slot. I love the design of the card slot, as it is simple and ingenious.
Bottomline:
Speck may not make the thinnest of iPhone cases, but they sure do skirt the fine line between being thin enough while offering ample protection. High quality and good design are staples of Speck products, and their line of iPhone 5 cases speaks volumes as to what Speck represents as a brand. Their cases and not overly designed but not too simple either, and they appeal to a wide range of consumers. Personally, I’m partial to their CandyShell line of cases, specifically the CandyShell Grip.
Availability:
All Authorized Apple Premium Resellers like Digital Hub, Beyond the Box, Power Mac, Switch, iStudio and A-Shop.
