Along with many of its other cases, Speck has updated the fabric-covered FabShell ($30-$40) for iPhone 5. The case is essentially the same as the iPhone 4/4S version, except stretched and thinned to fit the new glass and aluminum body. As before, it’s available in a number of colorful patterns, including three designed in partnership with Burton and available at a $10 price premium.
FabShell is still made primarily from plastic, with a strongly reinforced back and a little give around the edges. It offers the same port access as the rest of Speck’s current lineup, which is to say individual holes for the headphone and Lightning ports next to groupings of dots for the speaker and microphone. The most noticeable difference between the iPhone 4S and 5 generations of FabShell is Speck’s reversion to a slim camera opening. And there’s still a significant loss of click sensation for the Sleep/Wake button, which is covered but now soft to the touch.
Because this new FabShell is largely the same as the previous one, there’s no difference in the rating; it still earns our strong general recommendation. The protective and decorative design maintains its appeal in its slimmed-down state. We do appreciate the slightly lower price, though: at $30, FabShell is Speck’s second least expensive iPhone 5 case and a good deal—a very viable and distinctive option in a crowded field of iPhone 5 cases.
Our Rating
Company and Price
Company: Speck Products
Website: http://www.speckproducts.com/
Model: FabShell, FabShell Burton
Price: $30-$40
Compatible: iPhone 5