Buying a new smartphone usually means buying a new case alongside it, unless you’re one of those risk-fueled daredevils who opt to go caseless. And while there’s no shortage of third-party case options piling up at your local Best Buy or in Amazon warehouses, sometimes, going the first-party route just makes sense — especially if you’re able to pick one up with store credit. If you’re salivating over the new Pixel 11 series, I beg of you: please don’t choose Google’s wildly overpriced Pixelsnap Clear Case. It’s simply not worth the cost.
I’m a little picky (okay, very picky) when it comes to phone cases, which I know puts me in the minority among general smartphone shoppers. But even if you’re the kind of person who opts for a clear shell rather than something with a little more character, Google’s Pixel 11 Clear Case just isn’t it. I have actual critiques about the case itself, but I think I can convince most shoppers to stay away with a single number: $50. That’s the same price as the colorful (and still not very good) Pixel cases Google’s been selling for a few years now, and only $25 less than Bellroy’s leather wallet case for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which, if you didn’t know, uses genuine leather.
If you’re still looking for reasons not to pick this up, don’t worry — I have more ammo than just the price tag. Google’s offering doesn’t elevate the experience above any other generic TPU-based shell. If I’m being generous, you could argue that official Pixelsnap support could elevate its magnetic grip over third-party rivals, but I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference. Save for the circular support magnet, this feels virtually identical to this Spigen offering that is currently up on Amazon for $15 (or $17 for Pro XL users).
Actually, that’s not entirely true — Spigen’s is probably better. While the left and right sides of Spigen’s case do have a little more flex than Google’s (something that won’t matter once it’s on the phone), Google’s case leaves the entire bottom gap effectively unprotected. I’m not saying it’s guaranteed, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a drop at an unlucky angle could leave your Pixel 11’s display shattered or the surrounding frame nicked. Google’s case is also noticeably yellower than Spigen’s, even right out of the box, and considering that all clear TPU cases eventually oxidize, you’re probably better off starting with one that’s at least making an effort.
This isn’t an appeal to specifically buy Spigen’s clear case; it’s simply the go-to third party default for most phones these days. Rather, this is simultaneously a PSA to Pixel shoppers not to go with first-party case offerings, and a plea to Google to step up its absolutely lackluster case designs. Despite growing success, Pixel users still lack the breadth and depth of options that the iPhone and Samsung’s flagship devices see with every generation. It’s getting better, but in the meantime, it would be great to have a solid option from Google to point at during a hardware launch. Ah well — maybe the Pixel 12 will fare better.
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Will Sattelberg is a writer and podcaster at 9to5Google. You can reach out to Will at will@9to5mac.com, or find him on Twitter @will_sattelberg
