Enter the World of MagSafe Accessories
I’ve been testing MagSafe accessories for years, and you should take advantage of the great ecosystem with your new Pixel. Whether you want a magnetic wallet or a phone tripod, we’ve got plenty of WIRED-tested recommendations in our guides. Most of them should work flawlessly on the Pixel 10 series. Here they are:
Other Screen Protectors to Consider
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Zagg Glass Elite, Glass Elite Privacy, and XTR4 for $60: I’ve tested these screen protectors from Zagg on the Pixel 10. Zagg has a simplified installation process that’s very easy to use; My prayers were perfect. The Crystal Scholars they use aluminosilicate glass that is neither too thick nor too thin, and the edges are rounded so they don’t feel sharp. (They don’t really extend the front.) I don’t like the selfie camera icon because it looks a little obvious. The Privacy Glass Elite it’s a two-way privacy screen saver, meaning that people on either side of you on the train can’t see what you’re looking at (although someone standing above you can). The text can look a little fuzzy when you look closely with this protector, and if you shoot a little at the screen brightness in general, but it’s a solid choice. Finally, the XTR4 covers more of the display, uses stronger tempered glass, and eliminates blue light (though whether that helps much isn’t set in stone). Sadly, for all of these, you only get one in the box.
Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $20 (2 Pack): This is the best bang for your buck when it comes to screen protection. Spigen gives you two in the box, and its user tool makes it impossible to make a mistake when setting up a tempered glass protector. There’s even a squeegee tool to push out air bubbles. All that for $20.
UAG Glass Shield Screen Protector for $40: UAG includes a standard wiper, a dust remover and a microfiber cloth, and there’s a plastic shell that you place over your Pixel to use as a guide when applying the tempered glass screen protector. It’s not the easiest method I’ve tried, as there is room for some mistakes (and the possibility of getting dirt or grime on the underside when you use it), but it was quick and painless, and the air bubbles disappeared quickly.
Other Cases We Like
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Bellroy Pixelsnap Leather Pixel Folio for $75: A folio case that can be used for Pixel 10 Pro FoldThis case spruces up your folding phone and skin in different colors. There’s a slot on the inside of the tablet that lets you store a credit card or two, and the slot attaches to the Fold’s front edges to stay put. It’s a classy look, but the bow when you flip the paper open is too thick and makes holding the phone feel a little wobbly. Using it with the phone fully unlocked isn’t too bad, but the whole thing just doesn’t feel right that immunity.
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Casetify Impact Magnetic Case for $52: Casetify still leaves a bad taste in my mouth after being caught stealing a painting from Dbrand and JerryRigs Everything. Its cases are still sturdy, with thick bumpers and push buttons. It is it is one of the few places that offers it crazy amount of design options for Pixel phones (if you can believe they weren’t stolen).
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Casetify Pixel 10 Pro Fold Impact Magnetic Case for $60: This case is more protective than the Bellroy above, but the bezel surrounding the screen is too thick for my taste. It makes it difficult to swipe from the edges of the screen. If you don’t mind that, then you’ll appreciate that Casetify doesn’t use adhesives on the case, but only in one place (they provide extra stickers on the box if it comes out). It’s one of the only folding case options with so many fun designs to choose from. The $60 price is cheaper than most other companies, and there’s a Pixelsnap wireless charging magnet. It’s a shame the open version of Casetify sent me attracts a lot of dust and lint.
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
Zagg Crystal Palace Lite for $30 and Crystal Palace Snap for $49: A very simple, bell-free case, this Zagg option will do the job. There are two versions of the case. If you don’t care about your Pixel’s Qi2 magnetic performance, go for the Lite, as it doesn’t have built-in magnets in the case. (No magnetic Qi2 devices will stick to it.) I’m not sure why you’d want to kill that functionality, especially since you can get magnetic cases for less than $20. Alternatively, you can buy the Crystal Palace Snap, which adds a regular magnetic ring to the back. It also has textured edges for better grip. Either way, the buttons are responsive, the edges are nicely raised above the screen, and the clear back shows off the color of your Pixel. I still think Dbrand’s Ghost Case 2.0 is the clearest case, because the Snap seems to take scuffs with ease.
Zagg Rainier Snap Magnetic Case for $70: Also available for Pixel 10 Pro XLThis bad case has two parts. Insert your Pixel into the thick back piece, and slide the front polycarbonate frame over it. It feels very rugged and protective without adding too much bulk, but the design leaves a lot to be desired. (Just a little methodology for me.) There’s a big lip above the screen for great glass protection, even if it means swiping from the edges is a little more difficult. The buttons are responsive, but require a little more force to click. At least there are magnets built in, so you can take advantage of the Qi2.
Mous Clarity Pixelsnap case for $65: This is my second favorite case after Dbrand’s Ghost 2.0. There’s a thick bumper around the phone to absorb impact, a strong magnetic connection, and a nice lip around the screen to block it. Buttons are clickable, too.
OtterBox Symmetry Clear Pixelsnap Case for $42: This is a nice and clear case that is also endorsed by Pixelsnap. The cutouts are accurate, the edges are slightly raised above the screen, and it offers a good grip. If you prefer a completely clear case without a separate bumper, this will satisfy.
Spigen Parallax, Nano Pop, Difficultand Liquid Air Pixelsnap cases for $19: I’ve tried several Spigen cases, and the Rugged Armor is my top pick. These other options have different designs, but are solid cases for the money. I found Parallax to be slippery, and the sides also felt cheap. The Nano Pop had an interesting look on the edges, but the Liquid Air is one of my favorite Spigen designs. The buttons are a little tighter than I would like. The Tough has a built-in kickstand which is nice, although it can be a little difficult to get out if you have short nails. These are minor nitpicks, though. It’s a great deal at under $20, especially considering they’re all Made for Google certified.
UAG Pathfinder Pixelsnap case for $60: Maybe someone likes the way this case looks. That person is not me, but clearly, there is a market for this style. If you fall into that camp, there’s not much to complain about with the Pathfinder, except I found the buttons a little tighter than usual. It checks all the other boxes, with a raised bezel above the screen, but I don’t find it appealing (sorry).
A Case of Burgers for $50: This is one of the few non-magnetic cases I’ve tried for the Pixel 10 series. If you don’t really care about Qi2 and magnets in these phones, this is a great case, and Burga has a lot of designs to choose from. The exterior is a hard plastic shell, but the phone is encased in a soft rubber shell that absorbs impact. The buttons are fairly clicky—not overly responsive—and there’s a solid bezel around the screen.
Guardian of Poetry, Spartan poetand A case of Poetry Revolution for $25: One thing to note is that Poetry includes a screen protector that attaches to the case, just like the old school cases that offered full protection. You can choose not to use it as the case will work with or without it. Revolution does not have any magnets but it has a built-in kickstand and a cover that can completely protect your cameras; I find this a bit extreme, so I don’t mind it. Also, in my humble opinion, it looks terrible. The Guardian looks better, with a thicker bumper, raised edges, and a covered port. The buttons are a little hard, but at least it has built-in magnets for Qi2 (not certified). Finally, the Spartan (for the Pixel 10a) has a built-in MagSafe ring stand that lets you use MagSafe accessories, hold your phone securely, and prop it up in kickstand mode. The buttons could be more responsive, but it’s an option worth considering if you want a multi-tool kind of phone case.
Avoid These Cases
Photo: Julian Chokkattu
High Design Gnar Case for $60: I’ve historically liked Peak Design cases, but that wasn’t true with Gnar’s case iPhone 17 model and 10 pixels. The edges of the phone feel very slippery, and they also push in a bit on the front screen, which disturbs my screen protector and creates a small air bubble. The lip around the display is also not very glossy, and I find it very difficult to remove the elbow that protects the USB-C charging port. I don’t like the choice of two-tone material on the back; feels better with less light. The SlimLink Square adds an extra layer of security to the Pixelsnap’s magnetic attachment, but you’ll need to pair it with the corresponding SlimLink dock and mounts to get the most out of it. I think you should stick to the Daily Case if you want to use Peak Design blasts.
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