The Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel 6a and Google Pixel 6 Pro smartphones have extremely slippery surfaces. As a result, these devices can easily slip through your fingers. If it falls down to a hard surface, then it may cause visible damage. To combat the slipper exterior, Google has an official case that makes the phone easier to grip. Of course, the case also provides protection against shocks and drops.
So, are the official Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel 6a and Google Pixel 6 Pro cases any good when it comes to long term usage? You can find out in this review from Seeking Tech.
Grip
As we stated above, one initial benefit that we noticed immediately is that our Google Pixel 6 phone becomes much easier to hold. The thermoplastic elastomer exterior of the official case is rubber-like, which gives us a better grip when compared to the glossy finish of the smartphone.
Protection
The official case did a great job in absorbing shocks and drops initially. The inner polycarbonate kept our phone free of scratches.
Keep in mind that the cause will not fully protect the screen. Although it has raised edges that will help, the screen can still easily make contact with another object at certain angles.
Ports, Button and Camera Accessibility
The official Pixel 6 cases give you full access to the power and volume buttons. There are also holes at the bottom to accommodate the USB-C charging port to go along with the holes the two speakers. Moreover, the is also a big hole for the camera lens at the top.
Durability
The biggest issue we have with the official Google Pixel 6 case is durability.
The area with the power and volume buttons started to warp within a year. As a result, this makes these buttons harder to push and dust, dirt and other particles ended up getting to the case. Otherwise, the case was still protection our smartphone for many months after we noticed to warping.
Since our device was getting dirtier due to the warped edge of the power and volume buttons, we would occasionally remove the case in order to clean the phone. This eventually led to another issue as the top of the case ended up cracking.
More cracks started to appear and expand, leading to the thermoplastic elastomer exterior to warp with massive air bubbles. The inner polycarbonate also no longer fits our Pixel 6.
Unfortunately, our case ended up being so badly damaged in our phone would frequently fall completely out of the case and hit our face when we were holding it while lying down. Fed up, we eventually switched to another brand.
Recap
While the official Google Pixel 6 cases work well initially, the outer edge of the case started to warp after several months. It will eventually start to crack as well, which led to us having to replace it in less than two years of usage.
Along with the higher price tag when compared to the competition, we felt that we didn’t really get our money’s worth.
Instead of getting the official Pixel 6 case, we recommend that you go with cheaper alternatives. Even if those fail to provide long-term protection as well, they will be less expensive failures.