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With robust Android integration, excellent cameras, and a virtual assistant built in, Google’s lineup of Pixel phones has never been more tempting. The larger first-gen model offers a sharper display and a bigger battery than the original Pixel, which makes it even more attractive if you can stomach the higher price tag. Big phones can be hard to handle, however. Aluminum and glass is a slippery combination, one that isn’t exactly known for its durability. The smart play is to invest in some quality protection before an accident happens. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some of the better case offerings on the market below.
Mophie Juice Pack ($100)
The Pixel XL does boast a whopping 3,450mAh battery, but that big, high-resolution screen drains it pretty quickly. Enter the king of battery cases, Mophie, and the Juice Pack, a battery case for the Pixel XL that offers an extra 2,950mAh, boosting power by around 75 percent. It sports a nice, soft-touch finish, the usual four LED array to show remaining power, and wireless charging capabilities. The trade-off is the added bulk, which makes it harder to get at the fingerprint sensor.
Diztronic TPU Case ($11)
It’s not easy to find minimalist cases with a matte finish, so you might like this one from Diztronic. It’s a slim, one-piece shell with a lip around the screen, accurate openings with plenty of room around the ports, and good button covers. There’s a subtle, gloss logo on the side, but other than that, it’s devoid of superfluous details. The basic version comes in either gray or black, though, there is a version with a chequered pixel pattern on the back if you want something a little more stylish.
Diztronic TPU Case
UAG Composite Case ($40)
There’s no need to panic when your Pixel XL slips from your grasp if it’s wearing this rugged UAG case. The case’s drop-tested blend of hard and soft materials cushions your phone, providing your device with ample protection. The case utilizes a shock-absorbent core wrapped in a translucent shell, one outfitted with additional skid pads, corner protection, and side grips. It’s rather bulky, but it doesn’t interfere with NFC, so you can still use Android Pay when you forget your wallet. There are also tactile button covers and accurate cut-outs, which leave enough room for most headphones and charging cables.
UAG Composite Case
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Case ($14)
If you’re interested in 360-degree protection but working with a limited budget, then this angular offering from Supcase might be the answer. It employs the typical mix of hard polycarbonate and shock-absorbent TPU, and there are openings for easy access to your phone’s fingerprint sensor, ports, and camera. A built-in lip and screen protector work to guard the 5.5-inch display on your Pixel XL, and there’s also a clear panel on the back to show off Google’s design. We’re not keen on the fact that the button covers are flush on the side, but they are textured, so you can find them without looking.
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Case
Seidio Dilex Kryptek Case ($20)
Seidio has been churning out solid cases with kickstands and holsters for years now, but they’re typically limited to a few solid colors. Thankfully, the latest Seidio offerings come in black, blue, and red, along with several unique patterns. The case itself is solid, with an interior that’s designed to dissipate shock and a hard shell on the outside that comes with a soft-touch finish. The built-in kickstand is magnetic, too, so it stays out of the way until you need it.
Caseology Vault Series Case ($13)
Needless to say, there are tons of TPU-based cases on the market. They provide a decent level of protection, for a reasonable price, in a flexible package that’s easy to fit and comfortable to use. Caseology stands out because of its stylistic flourishes — in this case, a brushed metallic finish with carbon fiber highlights. The cut-outs are generous and accurate on the Vault, too, and the button covers work well. There’s even a raised lip around the display to protect your phone when placed face down.
Caseology Vault Series Case ($13)
Super Thin Pixel XL Case ($25)
This ultra-thin case from Peel will protect your Pixel XL against light drops, dirt, and scratches. The minimalist case is simple and comes in three colors basic colors: Very silver, quite black, and really blue. Each color also has a semi-transparent matte finish, allowing Google’s branding to slightly show through. The case wraps seamlessly around your phone and is a mere 0.35-millimeters thin, rendering it one of the slimmest offerings in its class.
Carved Wood Case ($39)
Carved offers a wonderful selection of wooden cases for your Pixel XL, most of which are reasonably priced. You can opt for plain finishes in mahogany, redwood, or another type of wood, but the engraved and printed cases are well worth the extra money. You’ll find lots of different designs from talented artists, and the case itself consists of a flexible rubber with ridged sides for added grip. It’s pretty thin, too, and sports accurate cut-outs for everything.
Poetic Affinity Series Case ($6)
Poetic’s Affinity cases feature a cheap, protective design that relies on an interesting dual-material build. The main body is clear, hard polycarbonate, but there’s TPU inside to dissipate shock and a TPU exoskeleton that provides additional drop protection where you need it most. The button covers and cut-outs are all present and correct, and there’s a raised bezel around the screen to protect your device when placed face down. The only drawback is that the polycarbonate scuffs easily, but the frame should protect it in most instances — just don’t put it in your pocket with keys.
OtterBox Commuter Series Case ($50)
If you want ample protection against falls, bumps, and shock, then OtterBox is usually a safe bet. Since the Google Pixel XL is already a big phone, however, you might prefer to opt for the Commuter Series over the bulky Defender offerings. The former still provides two layers of protection, port covers to keep dust out, and a raised edge around your screen. You’ll also find that the chunky button covers are easy to use and the openings are accurate, preventing any obstruction of the camera, fingerprint sensor, and other features. Unfortunately, it’s currently only available in either black or pink.
Incipio Octane Case ($25)
This slim case from Incipio strikes a nice balance between protection and style. The polycarbonate back panel is frosted but translucent enough that Google’s design shines through, and the bumper section is made from a flexible TPU material that’s designed to take the sting out of any impact. Additionally, the case is textured for added grip and comes in one of several colors, including lavender, blue, gray, and black. Like most cases, there also cut-outs for your phone’s numerous features, not to mention tactile covers for the power and volume buttons.
Speck Presidio Grip Case ($45)
Peace of mind comes easy with Speck’s Presidio case, namely beacuse it offers drop protection for falls of up to 10 feet. Different manufacturers run different drop tests on their cases, but Speck’s are some of the most stringent. The case’s eye-catching pattern also adds extra grip, so you’ll find it easier to avoid dropping your phone in the first place. The openings for the fingerprint sensor, camera, and ports are accurate, and there are well-defined button covers for both volume and power. There’s also a raised bezel around the screen, which should help protect your device when placed face down.
Case-Mate Wallet Folio Case ($45)
Here’s a real replacement for your wallet, one finished with stylish black leather. Inside, you’ll find a thin shell that’s designed to hold your Pixel XL snugly in place and, around that, a genuine leather folio that houses four card slots, including a cash pocket and a windowed compartment for your ID. There are also cut-outs that provide quick access to your phone’s camera, buttons, and ports, though, the fingerprint sensor cut-out is tighter than we would like.
Google Clear Pixel XL Case ($30)
If you love the Pixel XL design, then you might want to opt for a svelte, clear case. Thankfully, Google’s polycarbonate shell is a perfect fit and provides openings for your phone’s many features and functions. It’s slim and lightweight — meaning it won’t provide much in the way of drop protection — but it should keep your Pixel XL free of scratches and scuffs. The upper portion of the case is crystal-clear and matches the glass portion on the back of the XL, while the rest of the case is lightly frosted, giving it an added touch of style.
Spigen Tough Armor Case ($13)
If you’re terrified of dropping your Pixel XL, you may like a case that gives you a better grip on your phone. Luckily, Spigen’s apt-titled Tough Armor case is ready to deal with any unexpected falls. It comes with military-grade protection — meaning it can handle falls of up to 4 feet — along with raised edges that encircle your phone’s display, camera, and fingerprint scanner. There are also labeled button covers that do little to interfere with your phone’s functionality, as well as ports that provide easy access to your phone’s many functions.
Spigen Tough Armor Case
Cruzerlite Circuit TPU Case ($9)
This case is perfect for the Pixel XL owner that wants to show off their support for the Android platform. Cruzerlite’s case has a hard-to-miss design on the back that features the iconic droid mascot and makes good on its name with a network of circuitry. It’s made using a flexible TPU material, giving it shock absorption and scratch-resistant capabilities, and has a raised lip to protect your display when face down. You can also expect accurate ports and a snug fit with this case, given it was made specifically for the Pixel XL.
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Cruzerlite Circuit TPU Case
Olixar Ultra-Thin Gel Case ($11)
This is one of the more basic Pixel XL cases we’ve seen — it consists of little more than a thin, transparent layer. Nonetheless, the flexible material features openings for your phone’s many features, as well as slim button covers and a slight lip around the front to help safeguard your display. The case should guard against unwanted scuffs and scratches without cramping your style, but it’s not going to offer anything in the way of real drop protection.
Rearth Ringke Fusion Clear Back Bumper ($10)
If you love the design of your Pixel XL but still want to add some protection, these translucent bumpers will likely fit the bill. Rearth’s offerings add clear, rose gold, or black edges to your device, as well as enhanced grip. The bumpers also add shock and drop resistance, along with scratch resistance and protection against unwanted dirt and dust. Moreover, their svelte design ensures they don’t take up much space in your pocket, while easy access to exterior features means you never need to remove them.
Rearth Ringke Fusion Clear Back Bumper
RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper Case ($25)
RhinoShield’s bumper case utilizes solid colors in lieu of a transparent design, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The matte finish also adds grip to your phone, while the bumper’s exterior build gives it enough durability to handle drops of up to 11 feet, which is higher than most cases. The CrashGuard is slim, lightweight, and specifically made for the Pixel XL, meaning the button covers and cut-outs won’t intefere with your phone’s functionality.
RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper Case
Tech21 Evo Check Case ($40)
The Evo Check Case is a bit pricier, but the added expense lands you one of the best Pixel XL cases around. It’s thinner and lighter than most rugged cases, though, that doesn’t mean it compromises on impact protection. The case can handle falls of up to 6.6 feet, and features a raised lip that’s designed to protect your phone when placed face down. The checkered design imbues it with an added touch of style, too, while a host of cut-outs ensure easy access to your phone’s ports, speakers, camera, and fingerprint scanner.
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