Best Google Pixel Phone (2024): Which Model to Buy, Cases and Accessories, Feature Drops
Until you could find the Pixel 6 series for $300 or much less, you are higher off shopping for one of many newer telephones we suggest above. Any older Pixel isn’t price shopping for anymore. (The Pixel 5’s support window simply ended.) You may nonetheless discover a few of them at numerous retailers, however except they’re virtually free, stick to any of the fashions above.
The Greatest Pixel Circumstances and Equipment
This silicone case permits you to match your Pixel cellphone’s shade. It is sturdy, good to the touch, and there are raised edges on the entrance to guard the display. The Pixel 8’s case is made with greater than 42 % recycled plastics, and the polycarbonate shell makes use of 75 % recycled plastics. I simply want they did not appeal to lint and dirt so simply.
Totallee is thought for its uber-thin cases, and the one I attempted for the Pixel 8 virtually looks like you don’t have anything on the cellphone. It will not actually shield the cellphone from something apart from on a regular basis scratches. I counsel you go for the clear case as an alternative. It affords up clicky buttons and respectable raised lips across the edges of the display. Plus, the colour of the Pixel cellphone shines by fairly nicely.
That is hands-down the very best case should you often connect your Pixel to the handlebar of a motorcycle or an electrical scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system permits you to magnetically affix the cellphone to its Universal Bike Mount ($50), and it stays put. After almost a yr of testing, I’ve but to have a cellphone fall off my trip utilizing this mounting system. It makes use of Apple’s MagSafe system, so it really works with loads of MagSafe accessories, even wi-fi chargers. The corporate additionally has a number of different magnetic accessories, like a car vent mount. The case itself is sweet; I simply want the sides have been raised a bit extra for higher display safety. It is available in extra colours than ever earlier than.
This is among the greatest clear circumstances you may discover for the Pixel, particularly at this value. The buttons are clicky, the Pixel’s shade comes by clearly, and the rear does not really feel too sticky like another clear circumstances. Totallee’s clear case affords a bit extra safety, however it’s almost double the worth.
Pixel telephones do not have an amazing observe document with display sturdiness—they scratch simply. We first examined this protector for the Pixel 5A, and it held up nicely. Set up is straightforward, and it features a squeegee to do away with air bubbles. You get two display protectors for the worth (some solely embrace one, verify the product web page), plus a microfiber fabric, a wipe, and dust-removal stickers.
That is one other easy-to-apply tempered glass display protector. They arrive with two, although I ought to observe that there are black borders across the protector for the Pixel 8 collection. You get an entire cleansing package to wipe down your cellphone, an alignment instrument that helps you get the appliance proper, and a squeegee to do away with air bubbles.
This display protector was actually easy to use and barely gave me any air bubbles. You solely get one protector, however there’s an alcohol wipe to wash the display beforehand, a microfiber fabric, an utility instrument, and a squeegee. The issue? It isn’t tempered glass, however quite a mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a less expensive materials that is sometimes not as impact-resistant.
You get just one display protector right here, and it is costly. Zagg claims that the protector is 5 occasions as sturdy as conventional display protectors, and I have never seen many scuffs on the Pixels I’ve utilized it on, however take this with a grain of salt. It is easy to use with the included utility instrument, however Zagg does not embrace a squeegee, so you may have to make use of your fingers to push the air bubbles out. It comes with a mud sticker, a moist wipe, and a microfiber fabric. For the Pixel Fold, the display protector is just for the exterior show.
That is one other dear protector from Zagg that is straightforward to use. It is noticeably thicker than another display protector on this information, so should you’re often dropping your cellphone, it is perhaps price shelling out for this sort of display safety. You get a moist wipe, microfiber, and dust-removal stickers, plus an utility instrument to simply put the protector in place.
Of the Pixels we suggest on this information, wi-fi charging is obtainable solely on the Pixel Fold, Pixel 7A, Pixel 7 collection, and Pixel 8 collection (plus the Pixel 6 collection). Google’s very personal Pixel Stand is among the greatest wi-fi chargers round as a result of it is easy. The bottom does not slide round, the cellphone stays put, and it permits some enjoyable options, like the power to show the display right into a digital picture body and fast entry to Google Assistant. It is product of 39 % recycled supplies, with principally eco-friendly packaging too. Our Best Wireless Chargers information has extra choices, together with the unique and cheaper Pixel Stand.
This charging adapter is all you might want to recharge your Pixel, whichever mannequin you have got. The latest high-end Pixel telephones do not include chargers within the field, so if you haven’t any spare USB-C chargers, it is price choosing one up. This one’s prongs fold up, so it is nice for journey too.
These circumstances are dear, however they’ve raised lips and supply respectable safety across the edges. The buttons are clicky, and you may select from just a few design choices for the rear, together with walnut, leather-based, bamboo, silver pearl, and aramid fiber. (I really like the walnut.) What makes this case particular is that it supports MagSafe—sure, Apple’s magnetic system for equipment. I’ve used the Mous Limitless 5.0 efficiently with just a few MagSafe accessories, like a Belkin wi-fi charger.
This can be a two-shell case—there is a silicone comfortable inside and a tough shell exterior. The buttons are a tiny bit onerous to press however not terribly so. There is a slight bump for the digital camera module, and the sides are barely raised across the display. I do not suppose it is fairly price $50, however what would possibly make it price it are the sheer variety of designs you possibly can select from.
It is slim, has a pleasant texture, retains clicky buttons, and has correct cutouts for the ports and audio system. What’s to not love? Effectively, it is a bit uninteresting, squashing the distinctive design of the Pixel, however I nonetheless suppose this case is among the extra enticing in Spigen’s lineup. The perimeters aren’t raised drastically, so do not count on a lot display safety. The Thin Fit case is even more dull, however it does the job.
Need a kickstand to prop your Pixel up? This Spigen case has a built-in stand that does the trick, although it sadly solely works in panorama mode—not nice for hands-free TikTok. Its thick bumper affords good safety across the edges, although there’s not a lot of a lip protruding, so you may nonetheless wish to pair it with a display protector.
I’ve used Pixel Fold circumstances from OtterBox and Speck, however the one I hold coming again to is the official case from Google. The comfortable silicone is way nicer than the onerous plastic on the others, and it does not add an excessive amount of bulk. It is two separate items, and there is a dip on the facet so you possibly can entry the buttons and fingerprint sensor.
Casetify’s Clear and Impression circumstances are pretty comparable to one another, however I discovered that the buttons are simpler to press with the Clear case and the fingerprint sensor is barely extra accessible. It is available in two items—one for the entrance display and one for the rear. Be sure you take away all of the plastic wrap from the within earlier than you affix it. It is costly, however the edges are fairly thick. You will not discover as many design choices to select from anyplace else.
Casetify is the place you may wish to go if you would like your Pixel cellphone to face out much more. There are zillions of designs to select from, and the Impression circumstances have inflexible bumpers, grippy sides, and responsive buttons. The perimeters across the display are decently raised too.
I solely examined the Grip case with the Pixel 7 Professional, however it had clicky buttons and extremely grippy edges (therefore the title). Actually, I do not suppose I’ve ever felt a grippier case. It feels sturdy but pretty slim. You may select a snazzy design, however you may have to use this “pores and skin” your self on the again of the case. There’s plenty of room for error right here so watch out, and watch Dbrand’s installation video for tips. The Pixel 8 collection model of this case provides MagSafe support, so you should utilize your Pixel with MagSafe accessories, however I’ve not examined it but.
The Denali case for the Pixel 8 collection has graphene embedded inside, which Zagg claims improves sturdiness. I discovered graphene to do a greater job of spreading warmth throughout demanding duties, so should you’re often pushing your Pixel to the restrict, then this is perhaps a superb case to strive, even when it’s a bit boring within the design division. For the older Denali case fashions, Zagg says the D30 materials “hardens on affect” for higher drop safety. The digital camera bar has raised edges throughout it, and the buttons are clicky, however edge safety is a bit lackluster on the entrance.
It takes some effort to put in this case on the Pixel, however when you do, it is arguably essentially the most safety you may discover. There’s an internal two-piece polycarbonate shell that snaps over and underneath the Pixel, after which a thick artificial rubber slipcover goes over for excessive sturdiness. The buttons are surprisingly clicky, although the entire cellphone will probably be thicker, wider, and heavier. It is product of greater than 50 % recycled plastic, and there is a holster you possibly can pop it in to hold your Pixel with pleasure in your belt. (The holster can double as a kickstand.)
That is one other good clear case for the Pixel collection. I just like the textured energy button, which makes it straightforward to search out once you’re not trying, and there are spots on the case to connect a lanyard (not included). It isn’t as smudge-resistant as Ringke claims, however it’s straightforward to wash.
I just like the soft-touch materials on this case, and it suits the Pixel very well, with correct cutouts and clicky buttons. It is a bit uninteresting, however it’s slim and the sides are raised an honest quantity to guard the display. It is just a bit dear for what you get.
Our Favourite Pixel Software program Options
There are some key options on Pixels that you simply will not discover on another Android cellphone. A few of these are solely accessible on choose Pixels—these powered by Google’s personal Tensor chips are extra succesful. This is a fast breakdown:
