These Speck CandyShell Grip cases for the Galaxy S5 recently appeared at Mobile Fun HQ, so I decided to do a brief review of ’em!
The idea behind the CandyShell Grip case is a dual-layer design with rubberised ridges on the back and sides of the case. These make the case easier to grasp and harder to drop, preventing damage to your phone. The dual layer design, which uses a shock absorbent lining and a hard impact-resistant exterior, provides a good amount of protection without making the case too bulky.
In hand, the case (with no phone installed) can be twisted, but is rigid in other dimensions (it can’t easily be folded, for example). This limited flexibility makes for a sturdy feel, but also makes removing the case more difficult. The CandyShell Grip has a raised lip around the screen, which limits swiping at the side of the screen but also prevents the screen from bearing the brunt of an impact – a big factor in avoiding costly repairs.
The cutouts are all neatly done, with precisely cut holes for the camera, speaker, microphone array, headphone jack and bottom microUSB flap. All buttons are covered by covers, which are a little harder to press than the naked controls, but offer more protection against knocks (and more importantly) water ingress.
Once the case is installed, you’re left with a marginally thicker Galaxy S5, but still one that is easily pocketable. The added friction from the ridges makes it a bit harder to get the phone into and out of your pocket, but it’s not a dealbreaker by any means.
The branding here is quite inoffensive, with a few lines inside the case and a single logo on the back which is stylish enough. I’m a fan of the Aloe Green / Carribean Blue colour I tried, but there are also more standard white / black and black / slate options.
All in all, the CandyShell Grip for the Galaxy S5 seems a well-designed case that offers a good amount of protection without unduly sacrificing the S5’s thin shape. If you like the look of this Speck Galaxy S5 case, I’d definitely recommend ordering one for yourself.
It’s also worth noting that we’ve got Speck CandyShell cases for a range of phones – the best place to see ’em all is at the Speck category page, or by searching ‘Speck’ and then the name of your phone on our site. Thanks!
Pros
- Slim but sturdy dual-layer protection
- Adds grip to the sides of your phone, reducing the chance of a drop
- Raised bezel around the screen protects against the screen shattering
- Carefully crafted cutouts and button covers
Cons
- Removing the phone from the case takes some practice
- Pocketing the phone is a bit harder, thanks to increased bulk and friction
