So after a week or so of walking around with my iPhone 4 in my free bumper from TiPB, which did the job despite the crappy quality (but hey, you get what you pay for), I decided it was time for a proper case. So I walked into my neighborhood AT&T and picked up the Speck CandyShell in Cotton Dandy Blue for USD$34.99. In case you’re cringing at the seizure-inducing color scheme, there are plenty of other lower-key options available.
Go ahead and jump to the nutshell if you don’t want to read my notoriously long-winded writing. 
The case has a hard-shell exterior made of smooth plastic. A rubber ring extends around the front of the case, preventing the phone face from being touched in the event the device falls facedown. There is an opening for the headphones jack, the silencing switch, and the dock connector; the volume buttons and power button have rubber protection. There is an oval-shaped opening for the camera, lined with matte black plastic. On the inside of the case is a mesh-type rubber lining, which is supposed to absorb impact should the device be dropped.
All in all, the case has a great feel. When my phone is inside, everything feels solid and secure. It slips in and out of my pocket easily, unlike some rubbery skins which collect lint and need to be dragged out of a pocket. I love the hard-shell-soft-interior configuration, as I’m someone who tends to drop whatever I’m holding a bit too frequently.
One caveat: the case is a BEAST to remove. Speck kindly provides instructions for removing the case, but it takes me anywhere between thirty seconds and a minute to get the darn thing off. I suppose that comes with the one-piece build, but it’s a little annoying to have to dry my hands and take a deep breath when I need to remove the case.
I love the rubber volume/power buttons. They work great, and are very easy to use. The silent mode switch is harder to access, because it ends up being recessed, but it’s simple enough to reach in with a fingernail.
Two gripes: the back plastic is very scratch-prone (though the scratches are minute and only visible from a certain angle), and the rubber rim on the front shreds really, really easily. I’ve had the case for less than three days and the rubber is already beginning to exhibit barely-discernible signs of wear. Other reports say that after several months of usage, the rim rubs away like a pencil eraser, but that Speck is working on a new release to address this issue. Regarding the issue of scratching the back plastic, the case does come with a repositionable vinyl sticker-type thing on the back of the device, which I put back on after awhile to protect the back.
The CandyShell has gone through several revisions; the initial models had a tight dock connector and a keyhole-shaped camera opening which diffused the flash, apparently, but both issues have been fixed in subsequent releases. My sister’s iPod touch 3G uses a Speck case, and when it began to exhibit signs of wear despite very light usage, Customer Service was very friendly and actually mailed us a replacement case free of charge, so I’m assuming support will also be very good for this case.
The dock connector, which has now been widened slightly, works perfectly with most of my chargers. It requires a bit of propping up when used with my iHome; even though the device plugs snugly into the dock, it won’t charge unless nudged forward. I just stick a book between the device and the wall behind my iHome and it fixes the problem, but it might be an issue for others.
Here’s the review in a nutshell:
PROS: Solid construction, innovative combination design, rubber protection for the volume and power buttons, good customer service and response
CONS: Back & rim of the case both prone to wear, dock connector could be larger, case difficult to remove
VERDICT: The Speck CandyShell for iPhone 4 is a solid case that offers great protection and isn’t too bulky. Despite some flaws in the design, Speck has shown to be quite good at listening to customers and sending out replacements, so I’d say this is a worthwhile purchase for those seeking the extra protection. Otherwise, wait ’til a revised case comes out if you don’t want the hassle of an exchange.
RATING: 3.5/5 stars
P.S. You have @Pyroball to thank for bugging me to make this review! Give him a follow on Twitter, he’s a pretty cool guy.
