Reviews
Speck FabShell Luxe iPhone 4S Case Review
The FabShell Luxe feels much like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S CandyShell cases, but instead of bright plastic, the FabShell Luxe comes in four leather trimmed colors.
The FabShell Luxe is available in black, cognac, burgundy and hunter green.
Unlike many leather iPhone cases, Speck doesn’t make the entire case out of leather. Instead, Speck uses leather trim to class up a one-piece hard case capable of providing protection from mild drops and bumps. The case also features a lip that protects the screen when placed upside down on a table.
The Speck FabShell Luxe is a hard case with leather trim.
The Speck FabShell Luxe is my favorite leather iPhone case, beating out the Sena WalletSlim because the hardshell construction allows for a tight fit and keeps the bezel clear from leather which is normally used to keep the iPhone in the case, but ends up making it hard to swipe from the sides of the iPhone display.
The case holds up well to use, and looks nice after a month of heavy use. The back is made of leather, which means it will show signs of wear. The lower portion of my case has two scuff marks from keys or some other rough surface, but it adds to the look of the case.
The rubber sides and power buttons offer added protection.
The leather trim has not budged, and shows no signs of peeling off, which is impressive considering I have used the case while working in the yard, subjecting it to sweat and moisture.
The case features a large camera cutout and small opening for the mute switch. The power button and volume buttons are covered in rubber, making them easy to press.
Speck Fabshell Luxe is a hardshell leather iPhone 4S case.
Along the bottom of the case are two openings for speakers and a large iPhone dock connector opening capable of accepting the larger Joy Factory iPhone charging cable I keep in my office. The bottom portion of the case is thin enough that the iPhone fits in some docks without removing the case.
The Speck FabShell Luxe’s front bumper protects the iPhone screen when placed facedown on a table.
The headphone jack is too small to use with the audio cable in my car, even though it is not incredibly large. This is frustrating, but not unique to the FabShell Luxe case. Most jacks on headphones will fit fine.
Read: 50 Best iPhone 4S Cases
The $50 case may seem expensive to some shoppers, but the combined protection, look and feel deliver a great value. With many iPhone case to choose from, the Speck FabShell Luxe in black is my current daily use case.
The FabShell Luxe is available from Speck for $49.99.
