Speck CandyShell Inked for iPhone 6+: Pretty Yet Protective!

[kgenova]

Speck is well known for their protective and high quality cases, but in their CandyShell Inked line, they have ventured into new territory with cases featuring bold, high resolution graphics and glossy scratch-resistant coatings. The CandyShell Inked cases meet or exceed the same military drop test standards as the other CandyShell varieties and are available in a multitude of different designs. The review sample that Speck was kind enough to send out to me was in the Lush Floral pattern—one of the seven CandyShell Inked designs for the iPhone 6 Plus—and I was quite impressed with the vibrancy of the colors and the high degree of gloss in the finish. Speck advertises the Inked line as having a scratch resistant finish, and it is hopefully more scratch-resistant than their regular polycarbonate cases, but I would keep in mind that ‘scratch resistant’ does not mean ‘scratch proof’. I’m sure that the Inked line will scratch, given rough enough treatment, but ideally the underlying graphics will not be affected.

The construction of the CandyShell Inked case seems quite solid; it is a classic Speck co-molded case, with a hard, glossy, polycarbonate shell on the outside and a protective rubber lining on the interior. Like all Speck CandyShell cases, it is tight-fitting and case insertion and removal is slightly challenging. It just requires a little more time and patience than with some cases, but the final result is a case that hugs your phone and provides excellent protection.

Pros:
1. Mil-Spec Protection: Meets or exceeds mil-spec drop test standards

2. Protective Lip: Relatively high lip gives you excellent lay-on-the-table design and should do a good job protecting your screen.

3. Great Graphics: Glossy, high res graphics make the CandyShell Inked stand out from the crowd.

4. Easy Pocketability: Slim, smooth case design should slip in and out of pockets with ease.

5. Well Designed Buttons and Port Openings: Buttons are easy to press and nicely clicky, and port openings are well positioned and generously sized.

Cons:

1. Somewhat Slippery: Not as grippy as the CandyShell Grip, CandyShell Wrap or MightyShell.

Conclusion:
Overall, this is a very nice case. With the CandyShell Inked, you don’t have to sacrifice protection to get a pretty, stylish case. Available in seven distinctly different designs (and thirteen for the iPhone 6 version), the CandyShell Inked for iPhone 6+ has an MSRP of $44.95.

Here's my YouTube review:

Thanks!

Kristin

 

[scjr]

Excellent review!

 

[AE14]

Great review. I actually saw the "luxury" version of this at best buy and was quite intrigued.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

And in less than a month the color will fade where your hand holds the phone. Leaving a nice hand print outline.

 

[kgenova]

And in less than a month the color will fade where your hand holds the phone. Leaving a nice hand print outline.

Really. Wow! Admittedly, I haven't put the case through that kind of wear, but that seems odd. Speck cases have a one year warranty (except for the MightyShell, which has a lifetime warranty, I think), and particularly given that Speck advertises the Inked as having graphics that resist fading, I would think they would cover it under warranty. You should contact them!

 

[kgenova]

Excellent review!

Thanks so much!!!

 

[kgenova]

Great review. I actually saw the "luxury" version of this at best buy and was quite intrigued.

I know--the Inked Luxury looks really great. I saw it in my local Best Buy. I hope to get a chance to review it!

Thanks!!

Kristin

 

[Jmona]

I love Speck. In fact the founder and former CEO Tim Hickman is one of my best friends, and I've loved their cases over the last 15 years.
I loved your review and it's a very nice case. I actually had it for a while until I actually gave up on it because it was hard for me to remove the case.
If it was the only case I had and didn't need other form of protection in the mountains this would've been my number one choice but I had to give it away. Not that I'm weak but every time I had it on and would transition to a different one I had to ask my husband to remove it for me.
I absolutely loved the options you get now and compared to the original Candyshell, man. Speck has come a long ways but still I find it a little tough, and too slippery even if not as the original but still tough enough to be hard to remove from the phone. Reason enough for me to stay away from them and I get them for life for free and even then I'm still staying away. Not the case for me but because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't for others.