Best Google Pixel Phone (2023): Which Model to Buy, Cases and Accessories, Feature Drops

If you calculate all these particular person companies with the price of the Pixel 7 Pro over the course of two years, your complete comes out to $1,806. So you’re successfully paying much less ($486 much less, to be actual). But it is solely actually price it if you happen to watch a ton of YouTube and use YouTube Music, as an alternative of different choices like Spotify. Google says if you happen to already subscribe to one among these companies, your present plans might be canceled and you may get a single invoice for Pixel Pass as soon as your Pixel ships (although you will have to manually cancel YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium earlier than subscribing to Pixel Pass). 

The Pixel 6 sequence from 2021 shouldn’t be obtainable on the Google Store anymore. You can discover these telephones at retailers like Amazon, although the inventory is dwindling. Make positive you are paying the precise value. The Pixel 6 has gone on sale for as little as $399 and the Pixel 6 Pro has dipped to $506. They’re nonetheless nice telephones and fairly good worth at these costs. 

The Pixel 5 is not fairly price it proper now, particularly since its software program help window ends quickly (October 2023), and it is actually robust to discover a brand-new Pixel 5A for lower than $200. Amazon at present sells the Pixel 4A 5G for a similar value because the Pixel 6A, and whereas it is a good cellphone, it must be cheaper. You’re higher off sticking with the Pixel 6A or ready for the upcoming Pixel 7A. Older Pixels simply aren’t price it anymore. They’re simply too outdated (and the Pixel 4 suffers from poor battery efficiency). Many of these units will cease getting software program updates quickly in the event that they have not already. Buy one of many newer fashions.

The revamped case for the Pixel 7 sequence feels extra sturdy than ever earlier than, and you possibly can match them together with your Pixel’s shade. The thermoplastic elastomer feels good to contact, and there are raised edges on the entrance to defend the display. The Pixel 7’s case is made with greater than 30 p.c recycled plastics, and the polycarbonate shell makes use of 77 p.c recycled plastics. There are steel buttons for energy and quantity and they’re 100% recycled aluminum. 

This is hands-down one of the best case if you happen to ceaselessly connect your Pixel to the handlebar of a motorcycle or electrical scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system allows you to magnetically affix the cellphone to its Universal Bike Mount ($50) and it stays put—after practically a yr of testing, I’ve but to have a cellphone fall off my experience utilizing this mounting system. It does not interrupt the Pixel’s wi-fi charging both. The firm has a number of different magnetic equipment you should use, like a automobile vent mount. The case itself is sweet; I simply want the sides had been raised a bit extra for higher display safety.

This is likely one of the finest clear instances you may discover for the Pixel, particularly at this value. The buttons are clicky, the Pixel’s shade comes via clearly, and the rear does not really feel too sticky, which is usually a drawback with some clear instances. 

Pixel telephones haven’t got an important monitor report with display sturdiness—they scratch simply. We examined this protector initially for the Pixel 5A, however it’s not obtainable anymore. Caseology does promote it now for the Pixel 7, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6A. Installation is straightforward, and it features a squeegee to do away with air bubbles. You get two display protectors for the worth, together with a microfiber fabric, a wipe, and mud elimination stickers.

This is one other easy-to-apply tempered glass display protector. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 model comes with two protectors, however Spigen solely consists of one for the Pixel 6A. Boo. You get a complete cleansing equipment to wipe down your cellphone, an alignment software that helps you get the appliance proper, and a squeegee to do away with the air bubbles. 

This display protector was actually easy to apply and barely gave me any air bubbles. You solely get one protector, however there’s an alcohol wipe to clear the display earlier than, a microfiber fabric, an software software, and a squeegee. The drawback? It’s not tempered glass, however a mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It’s a less expensive materials that is sometimes not as impact-resistant. 

You get just one display protector right here and it is very costly. That’s as a result of Zagg claims that the protector is 5 occasions as robust as conventional display protectors. I have never seen too many scuffs on my Pixel 6A but, however take this with a grain of salt. It’s straightforward to apply with the included software software, however Zagg does not embody a squeegee at this value so you may have to use your fingers to push the air bubbles out. It comes with a mud sticker, a moist wipe, and a microfiber fabric.

Of the Pixels we suggest on this information, wi-fi charging is out there solely on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. Google’s very personal Pixel Stand is likely one of the finest wi-fi chargers round as a result of it is easy. The base does not slide round, the cellphone stays put, and it allows some enjoyable options, like turning the display right into a digital photograph body and fast entry to Google Assistant. It’s made from 39 p.c 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 want to recharge your Pixel, whichever mannequin you could have. 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 selecting one up. This one’s prongs fold up, so it is nice for journey too. 

These instances are dear, however they’ve raised lips and supply first rate safety across the edges. The buttons are clicky, and you get a number of designs to select from 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 helps MagSafe—sure, Apple’s magnetic system for equipment. I’ve used the Mous Limitless 5.0 efficiently with a number of MagSafe equipment, like a Belkin wi-fi charger, to recharge the Pixel 7 Pro.

It’s slim, has a pleasant texture, retains clicky buttons, and has correct cutouts for the ports and audio system. What’s not to love? Well, it’s kind of boring, however I nonetheless assume this case is likely one of the extra enticing instances in Spigen’s lineup. The edges aren’t raised drastically, so do not count on a lot display safety. 

Want a kickstand to prop your Pixel up? This Spigen case has one in-built and it does the trick, although sadly, you possibly can preserve your gadget up solely in panorama mode—not nice for hands-free TikTok. It has a thick bumper providing good safety across the edges, although there’s not a lot of a lip protruding, so you may nonetheless need to pair it with a display protector. 

I just like the soft-touch materials on this case, and it suits the Pixel very well with correct cutouts and clicky buttons. It’s a bit boring, however it’s slim and the sides are raised a good quantity to defend the display. It’s only a bit dear for what you get.  

The Pixels have nice cameras, however you possibly can take them additional by utilizing third-party lenses like these from Moment. Slap on a fish-eye lens for a enjoyable, distorted photograph impact. Use a 58-mm telephoto to get even nearer to your topic. Whatever lens you choose, you may want a Moment case for the system to work. Unfortunately, the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 6A instances aren’t suitable with the lenses. Still, I like ’em as a result of they’ve magnets embedded inside—they’re going to work with Moment’s varied MagSafe mounts, like one for tripods, video lights, and mics.

This is one other good clear case for the Pixel sequence. I just like the textured energy button, which makes it straightforward to discover once you’re not wanting, and there are spots on the case to connect a lanyard (not included). It’s not as smudge-resistant as Ringke claims, however it’s straightforward to clear. 

Of all of the Pixel instances I’ve tried, this feels one of the best. It has an exquisite texture that is nice to contact, and the case retains a slim profile. The buttons stay clicky, and the ports are well-exposed. It’s inexpensive, however the entrance edges aren’t raised. There’s an excellent probability the display will hit the bottom once you drop it.

It takes some effort to set up this case on the Pixel, however when you do, it is arguably essentially the most safety you may discover. There’s an inside two-piece polycarbonate shell that snaps over and below the Pixel, and then a thick artificial rubber slipcover goes over for excessive sturdiness. The buttons are surprisingly clicky, although the entire cellphone might be thicker, wider, and heavier. It’s made from greater than 50 p.c recycled plastic, and there is a holster you possibly can pop it in to carry your Pixel with delight in your belt. (The holster can double as a kickstand.) 

There are some key options unique to Pixels that you just will not discover on some other Android cellphone. Some of those are solely obtainable on choose Pixels—those powered by Google’s Tensor chips are extra succesful because it’s the corporate’s personal silicon. Here’s a fast breakdown: