Belkin’s iPhone cases are usually fine, but none in recent memory sticks out as particularly special. Grip Candy Sheer for iPhone 5 ($25) breaks that pattern. Coming in eight semitransparent color combinations, this minimalist design looks quite nice compared to other cases on the market, is thoroughly protective, and has an uncommon yet pleasant texture.
Grip Candy Sheer is a one piece polyurethane rubber case.
This material is a good choice; it fits snuggly against the iPhone’s body, but has enough give to make installation and removal easy. The soft-touch case has a two-tone frame, with a see-through back and contrast colored ring around the edge. Your iPhone’s display is protected by an extended lip, and integrated covers protect the buttons. The Home button loses a bit of clickiness, but the volume buttons maintain full tactility.
Small details like the angled walls of the side switch opening are appreciated. On the bottom there are separate openings for the headphone port and microphone, Lightning port, and speaker. They’re well centered and cleanly cut, although third-party Lightning plugs may not fit the hole.
One of the things that we first liked about Grip Candy Sheer, and that has stuck out as we’ve continued to review it, is the really nice feel of the soft-touch TPU. Unlike other rubbers it’s very smooth, allowing it to slide in and out of pockets with ease.
