Best Google Pixel Phone (2021): Which Model to Buy, Cases, Tips, and More

If you calculate all these particular person providers with the price of the Pixel 6 Pro over the course of two years, your complete comes out to $1,746. So you might be successfully paying much less. But it is solely actually price it in case you watch a ton of YouTube and use YouTube Music, as an alternative of different choices like Spotify. 

Google says in case you already subscribe to considered one of these providers, your present plans will probably be canceled and you may get a single invoice for Pixel Pass as soon as your Pixel 6 ships (although you will have to manually cancel YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium earlier than subscribing to Pixel Pass). 

The Pixel 5 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) and Pixel 4A 5G from 2020 are out of inventory on the Google Store, and Google says you should not anticipate to see them come again. You can discover them at Amazon, however the Pixel 5 is $100 more than the Pixel 6, and it is completely not price that value when Google’s latest cellphone trounces it in each means. 

Amazon sells the Pixel 4A 5G for $50 more than the newer Pixel 5A, so it isn’t a wise purchase, because the 5A provides water resistance and a much bigger battery and will get longer software program assist. That mentioned, in case you’re not within the US or Japan, the one two nations the place the 5A is offered, then it is price choosing up. 

The Pixel 3 vary is just too outdated, and that features the Pixel 3A. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL endure from poor battery efficiency and aren’t price choosing up. These older telephones can even stop getting software updates in 2022. Buy one of many newer fashions.

The official Google circumstances really feel like they ship extra safety than their predecessors. There are a number of enjoyable colours, a dual-layer design that helps take in shocks if you drop it, and raised edges on the entrance to shield the display screen. The inside layer of the Pixel 5A case is made with 75 % recycled plastic, and the opposite two are made with 30 % post-consumer recycled materials. 

Of all of the Pixel circumstances I’ve tried, this feels the most effective. It has a beautiful texture that is nice to contact, and the case retains a slim profile. The buttons stay clicky, and the ports are effectively uncovered. It’s reasonably priced, however the entrance edges aren’t raised. There’s a superb likelihood the display screen will hit the bottom if you drop it.

Pixel telephones haven’t got an excellent monitor file with display screen sturdiness—they scratch simply. We examined this initially for the Pixel 5A, nevertheless it’s not obtainable anymore. Caseology does promote it now for the Pixel 6, although inventory is restricted. Installation is simple, and it features a squeegee to do away with air bubbles. You get two display screen protectors for the worth, together with a microfiber material, a wipe, and mud removing stickers.

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? This is arguably Spigen’s most tasty case lineup too. The edges aren’t raised drastically, so do not anticipate a lot display screen safety. Pair it with the Caseology display screen protector above to cowl all of your bases.

This dual-layer case from Otterbox feels actually robust, but it is pretty slim. The edges across the digicam module and entrance display screen are raised, the buttons are simple to press, and the headphone jack and USB-C port are protected against the weather. This one presents a step up in safety in contrast to the above picks. 

The Pixels have nice cameras, however you’ll be able to take them additional by utilizing third-party lenses like these from Moment. Slap on a fish-eye lens for a enjoyable, distorted picture impact. Use a 58-mm telephoto to get even nearer to your topic. Whatever lens you decide, you may want a Moment case for the system to work. It takes about two seconds to connect or take away a lens with a easy twist. The Pixel 6 circumstances have Moment’s (M)Force magnets embedded inside, in order that they’ll work with the corporate’s numerous MagSafe mounts, like one for tripods, video lights, and mics.

This is a stable Pixel pockets case with a kickstand. You can prop it up at numerous angles with the foldable leather-based flap on the again in a horizontal or vertical orientation. It may even retailer a bank card or two. It’s chunky, and the playing cards generally is a little robust to take away, however the buttons are simple to press. It additionally has raised edges on the entrance to shield the display screen. 

Of the Pixels on this information, wi-fi charging is just obtainable on the Pixel 5, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro. Google’s very personal Pixel Stand is likely one of the greatest wi-fi chargers round as a result of it is easy. The base does not slide round, the cellphone stays put, and it permits some enjoyable options, like turning the display screen right into a digital picture body and fast entry to Google Assistant. Just know that Google is releasing a second-gen Pixel Stand soon, with a built-in fan for speedier charging on the Pixel 6 collection. Our Best Wireless Chargers guide has extra choices.

There are some key options unique to Pixels that you just will not discover on another Android cellphone. Some of those are solely obtainable on the brand new Pixel 6 collection, particularly since they depend on the processing energy of the Tensor chip. Here’s a fast breakdown: