Enter the MagSafe Accessory World
I’ve been testing MagSafe accessories for years, and you should take full advantage of the vast ecosystem with your new Pixel. Whether you want a magnetic wallet or a phone tripod, our guide has plenty of Wired-tested recommendations. Most of them should work on the Pixel 10 series without any failures. Here they are:
Other screen protectors to consider
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Zagg Glass Elite, Glass Elite Privacy, and XTR4 for $60: I tested these screen protectors from Zagg on the Pixel 10. Zagg has a new streamlined installation process that is very easy to implement; My application was perfect. The Glass Elite uses aluminosilicate glass that is neither too thick nor too thin, and the edges are rounded so they don’t feel sharp. (They don’t extend beyond the bezels.) I don’t like the notch for the selfie camera because it looks too different. Glass Elite Privacy is a two-way privacy screen protector, meaning the people either side of you on the train can’t see what you’re looking at (although someone standing above you can). Text may look a little blurry if you look closely with this protector on, and you’ll notice a small impact on overall screen brightness, but it’s otherwise a solid choice. Finally, the XTR4 covers more of the display, uses a stronger tempered glass, and blocks out blue light (though not sure if that’s actually helpful). Sadly, for all of these, you only get one in the box.
Spigen GlassTR Easy 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 application tool makes it impossible to make a mistake when installing the tempered glass protector. There is even a squeegee tool to force out air bubbles. All that for $20.
UAG Glass Shield Screen Protector for $40: The UAG includes the usual wet wipe, dust removal sticker and microfiber cloth, and a plastic shell that you place over your Pixel to use as a guide when applying the tempered glass screen protector. This isn’t the easiest method I’ve tried, as there is some margin for error (and the possibility of smudging or smearing the bottom when applying it), but it was fairly quick and painless, and the air bubbles disappeared quickly.
Zag Glass Elite Camera Lens Protector for $20: Normally, I don’t think you need to worry about the glass covering the camera module getting scratched, but actually, Pixel phones tend to see more scratches than other devices. Can even hide it! This zigzag works, although be careful with its application. Mine is slightly skewed because the application tool is larger than necessary. Do it properly, and it will keep your lenses pristine.
Other cases we like
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Bellroy PixelSnap Leather Pixel Folio for $75: A useful folio case for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, this case dresses your folding phone in different colors of leather. There’s a slot inside the flap that lets you store a credit card or two, and the flap magnetically sticks to the front edges of the fold to stay closed. It’s a beautiful look, but when you flip the folio the bend is a little too thick and the phone feels a little wobbly when held. Using it with the phone wide open isn’t too bad, but the whole thing doesn’t feel like it. He protective.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Casetify Impact Magnetic Case for $52: Caseitify still leaves a bad taste in my mouth after getting caught stealing artwork from Dbrand and JerryRigsEverything. The cases are still solid, with thick and grippy bumpers and clicky buttons. it Is One of the few places that offers an insane amount of design options for Pixel phones (if you can trust they weren’t stolen).
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Casetify Pixel 10 Pro Fold Impact Magnetic Case for $60: The case is more protective than the Bellroy above, but the wrap around the screen is a little thick for my taste. This makes it difficult to swipe from the edges of the screen. If you don’t mind this, you’ll appreciate that Casetify doesn’t use adhesives all over the case, but only in one spot (it provides extra stickers in the box if it comes off). This is one of the only folding case options with dozens of fun designs to choose from. The $60 price is cheaper than many of its competitors, and it has a magnet for Pixelsnap wireless charging. It’s a shame that the clear version Casetify sent me attracts so much dust and dirt.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Zagg Crystal Palace Lite for $30 and Crystal Palace Snap for $49: An extremely simple, no-frills clear affair, this Zag option will do the trick. There are two versions of the matter. If you don’t care about your Pixel’s Qi2 magnetic function, choose the Lite, as it doesn’t have magnets embedded in the case. (Any Qi2 magnetic accessories won’t stick to it.) I’m not sure why you would want to eliminate that functionality, especially since you can get magnetic cases for less than $20. Alternatively, you can purchase the Crystal Palace Snap, which adds the classic magnetic ring on the back. It also has textured edges for better grip. Whichever way you go, the buttons are responsive, the edges are nicely raised on the screen, and the clear back shows off the color of your Pixel. I still think Dbrand’s Ghost Case 2.0 is the better clear case because the snap catches scratches easily.
Zag Rainier Snap Magnetic Case for $70: Also available for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, this sturdy case consists of two pieces. Place your Pixel in the thick back, and snap the front polycarbonate frame over it. It feels very sturdy and protective without adding too much bulk, but the design leaves a lot to be desired. (just a little bit strategic For me.) There’s a big lip on the screen for great glass protection, even if it means swiping from the edges is a little difficult. The buttons are responsive, but require a little more force to press. At least it has built-in magnets, so you can take advantage of Qi2.
Moose Clarity PixelSnap Case for $70: This is my second favorite clear case after Dbrand’s Ghost 2.0. The phone has a thick bumper around it to absorb impacts, a solid magnetic connection, and a nice lip around the screen to keep it off the ground. The buttons are also attractive.
Otterbox Symmetry Clear PixelSnap Case for $60: This is a nice, clear case that’s also Pixelsnap-certified. The cutouts are precise, the edges are slightly raised over the screen and it provides a good grip. If you prefer a completely clear case without a separate bumper, this will satisfy.
Spigen Parallax, Nano Pop, and Liquid Air PixelSnap Case for $19: I’ve tried several Spigen cases, and the Rugged Armor is my favorite this year (see above). These other options have different designs, but are solid cases for the money. I found the Parallax slippery and the edges a little cheap. The Nano Pop had nice grip textures on the sides, but the Liquid Air is one of my favorite Spigen designs. The buttons are a little stiffer than I expected. However, these are minor flaws. They’re great cases for under $20, especially considering they’re all certified for Google.
UAG Pathfinder PixelSnap Case for $60: Maybe someone will like how this case looks. I’m not that person, but clearly, there is a market for this style. If you fall into that camp, there’s not much to complain about in the Pathfinder, except that I found the buttons a little tighter than usual. It checks all the other boxes by raising lips on the screen, but I don’t find it as attractive (sorry).
Berga Tough Case for $50: This is one of the few non-magnetic cases I’ve tested for the Pixel 10 series. Berg hasn’t listed his Pixel 10 cases on the website yet, but he says he plans to add them soon. If you don’t care at all about Qi2 and magnets in these phones, this is a perfectly fine case, and Berg has plenty of designs you can choose from. The exterior is a hard plastic shell, but the phone is wrapped in a soft rubber shell that absorbs impacts. The buttons are quite flimsy—not the most responsive—and there’s a solid lip around the screen.
Poetic Guardian and Poetic Revolution Case for $25: Poetic sent me two cases of the Pixel 10 series for testing. One thing to note is that the Poetic includes a screen protector that embeds itself into the case, just like old school cases that provide full protection. Unfortunately, the quality of the screen protector really isn’t great (there’s a visible circle cutout for the fingerprint sensor, and it looks annoying. Sliding your finger over it doesn’t feel good at all. You can thankfully opt not to use it; instead use the plastic frame that comes in the box. The Revolution doesn’t have any magnets, but it does have a built-in kickstand and a cover that can protect your cameras perfectly; I find it a bit extreme, so I don’t care. It also, in my humble opinion, looks disgusting. The Guardian looks much better, with a thicker bumper, raised edges and a covered port, the buttons are a bit tight, but at least it has built-in magnets for the Qi2.
avoid these cases
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Peak Design Gnar Case for $60: I’ve historically liked Peak Design cases, but that’s no longer true with the iPhone 17 range and the new Gnar case for the Pixel 10. The edges of the phone feel very slippery, and they dig into the front screen a little too much, which disrupts my screen protector and creates a small air bubble. The lip around the display is also very flimsy, and I found it a little difficult to pry off the flap protecting the USB-C charging port. I don’t like the two-color material on the back; It looks cheap and dull. The SlimLink Square adds an extra layer of security to the PixelSnap magnetic attachment, but to get the most out of it you’ll need to pair it with the relevant SlimLink dock and mount. I think you should just stick with the Everyday Case if you want to use Peak Design’s mount.