iLounge

By Jeremy Horwitz

Editor-in-Chief, iLounge
Published: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Category: Cases - iPhone 3G / 3GS

Though everyone seems to be really tired of seeing more iPhone cases at this point, Speck's CandyShell ($35) struck us as worth sharing. In addition to providing nearly comprehensive protection for the iPhone 3G, thanks to a combination of a front film protector and the case, CandyShell has been designed with a unique combination of hard glossy plastic on the outside and soft rubber on the inside. The result is integrated rubber button protection where it's needed, holes for the ringer switch and camera, and a two-tone color scheme that's just a hint flashy and hip. Easy to put on and fairly easy to take off once you know what you're doing, CandyShell is a real standout on elegant design at a time when cases have are becoming either too simple or too complex. Four color schemes are available. The only reasons CandyShell fell short of our high recommendation were two issues we experienced in our testing: first, the headphone port is not compatible with oversized plugs, and second, the rubber inner layer can, under stressful conditions, crack in a manner that is cosmetically invisible when the case is on. This is otherwise an outstanding design.