the shell is made of a mixture of several plastics, it is super on the phone and is absolutely not a hindrance - all the buttons and the audio connector is easily accessible. The plastic is not so smooth, so holding the phone better. On both sides there are also roughened plastic sections, so that the phone can be kept well. And the recess around the up / down keys is not the stability hindrance because nothing wobbles. Really good. I am so super happy.