Speck CandyShell cases for the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 (video)

Every time a new flagship smartphone is released, accessory manufacturers scramble to release cases that match the personality of each potential user.

Speck is a California-based company with a good track record for meeting in the middle of quality and value, and we got to take a look at its CandyShell line for the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8.

The cases are made of a combination of flexible rubberized exterior and soft rubberized interior, with rubber button overlays. While they do add a modicum of thickness to the devices — the front border comes out past the screen to protect it from falls and scratches — I rarely found them to be cumbersome like many other hard shells.

The cases come in a number of colours and accents, though I prefer the simplicity of the white-and-black combo. Colour combinations include White/Caribbean Blue, Aloe Green/Caribbean, White/Fuchsia, and the strange Wisteria/Deep Sea. What ever happened to green, red, blue, etc.?

Here are the cases:

• HTC One M8 CandyShell Grip – $34.95
• HTC One M8 CandyShell (not shown) – $34.95
• Samsung Galaxy S5 CandyShell Grip – $34.95
• Samsung Galaxy S5 CandyShell – $34.95

The real advantage of the CandyShell is that it easily slips in and out of the phone but provides ample protection from drops. The company promises “military-grade drop protection, certified to meet MIL-STD-810G drop test standards,” which isn’t quite as extensive as Otterbox’s Commuter and Defender series, but it’s pretty close, and a lot more versatile.