IPhone 3G Cases by Speck

This particular case brings so many cliche's to mind when I think of it. "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand" seems somehow appropriate. Pretty much anything with a hard candy shell is the thought I get when talking about CandyShell. A rubber inside to protect your iPhone from shock, and a hard inside to protect it from impact. The idea is not a new one, but Speck truly takes it in some unique directions. The colors are pastels with some reminiscence of cotton candy.

Voted "Best of Show" at Macworld 2009 by iLounge.com and iProng.com, this case seems to be a winner. Though it requires a PDF to show you how to get your phone in and out of this candy coated piece of engineering. All things considered, I'm not too thrilled about this case as opposed to some others on the market. Yes, it will protect your iPhone from some dangers/inconveniences. Fingerprints wont appear on your iPhone, but the ports are not blocked or protected like other models, and the buttons aren't as well protected. Some suggest that it needs to come in more girly colors, but frankly I think their options aren't 'masculine' enough.

6/10 - the 6 being for the impact and shock resistance.

Fitted - Soft Fabric on a Hard Shell (29.95)

Well, if your name is Duncan McCloud of the clan McCloud, this phone case may be for you. Though the cases aren't technically tartan or plaid patterns, they are very reminiscent of such a pattern. Though there is a protective hard case around this phone, it snaps on, and makes me worry it will open up in an impact, making a hard protective case worthless. The colors are very neutral, and if you like 70s furniture, or vintage/campy fabric choices, this phone case is for you. If you want a case purely for looks, and not for practicality - and you like the very limited fabric choices they have, then buy it. If not, then pass it up for other Speck models.

2/10 - 2 because the fabric idea is somewhat unique.

Qwick Draw - Spring Loaded, Extra Secure Holster (29.95)

Now HERE is where Speck gets unique with their iPhone cases. Think of High Noon, and you and Billy the Kid are squaring off in front of the Saloon. You will win the duel if only you can get to your gun first. With the QwickDraw, you may get to it first! Sure, you aren't reaching for your gun, but for your iPhone to call the police because someone is waving a gun at you, but you will get to it first! :)

I must give Speck props for their unique style of holster here. Though this isn't really a case, it is a product worthy of note, because it is so much fun, and so very versatile. I would like it better if it were slightly more expandable to hold an iPhone in a heftier case. You can get a silicone skin around your iPhone, but that is about as thick as you will want to go. Frankly, I would like more protection in general, but you won't find that in a holster.

7/10 - This would be a 10/10 if it could hold a phone with a heftier case on it.

Tough Skin - Rugged Rubber Case (34.95)

Now THIS is my kind of iPhone case. I have my 30Gb iPod in a very similar case, and it has treated me well for years. This case protects your dock, and has hinges on the bottom to allow access to your dock. This tends to be one of my biggest complaints with some iPhone cases, but not the ToughSkin! There is a built-in (yet removable) belt clip, which may not be as cool as the QwickDraw, is still a cool and useful feature. Personally, I think this is Speck's best case. The protective rubber looks cool, doesn't add a ton of weight, and doesn't even really add a lot of bulk to the phone - but you know it is protected. The design isn't for every one (especially 'girly girls' who may like the CandyShell better, but it suits my needs (and my accident prone self) very well. The price makes this an especially great deal.

9/10 - This would earn a perfect 10 or even 11/10 if there were more color choices in this style

See Thru - Hard Shell Case and Stand (29.95)

I personally don't care for those 'cases' that are just meant to watch movies on your iPhone. They seem to suggest that your iPhone is just a glorified mini YouTube player and that is all. An iPhone is a phone, folks, treat it like one. It also has a nifty touch screen that you aren't going to be able to utilize so well in this 'movie viewing' case.

2/10 - If I wanted a portable movie viewing device, I would have bought one. This seems too limited in its scope for my purposes.

Pixel Skin - Fun, Flexible Protection (24.95)

I almost wish that the Pixel Skin were the colorful version of the ToughSkin iPhone 3G case. It comes close, but it isn't nearly as protective as I would like. I appreciate the color choices for those who want to express themselves, and the fact that it is a thicker rubber case that does not add a lot of bulk or weight to your case, but it does not protect your docking port or some of the buttons like I would appreciate in an iPhone case!

I love the color names and choices for this iPhone case, too. Licorice Black, Spearmint Green, Sherbet Pink (and they spelled Sherbet correctly!), Huckelberry Purple, Marshmallow White, Blueberry Blue. Licorice and Blueberry are my favorites, the Blueberry being a great shade of blue! This is my second choice for Speck Cases!

7/10 for trying!

Switch Way - Change your mind, not your case! (17.47-34.95)

Another holster product, this iPhone case seems to me like it would be a good match aesthetically speaking for a contractor. It is leather(ette) and laced, making it look pretty cool. Speck's website talks about the versatility of this case, but I don't honestly see what the difference is between buying this case and any other run-of-the-mill iPhone 3G case - or even a 'generic' case. If you want a Holster, buy the QwickDraw and pretend you are Jessy James. The price range is due to a hefty sale on Speck's website right now, but it still isn't low enough to not justify buying a generic case.

2/10 - because I know Speck can do better!