What Cases Did I Buy For The Google Pixel 8 Pro?

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The Google Pixel 8 Pro is shaping up to be another terrific smartphone camera and if you’re going to be taking it with you around the world to snap pictures with, you’re going to need to protect it. Fortunately, after 8 generations of Pixels, there are plenty of smartphone case makers who push out great cases at launch. Here are a few good ones that I’ve been rocking to protect my Pixel 8 Pro.

VRS Design Terra Guard Modern

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If you’re dying for some sandstone in your life, VRS Design has you covered with the Terra Guard Modern. The sandstone texture was in for a hot second during the early OnePlus One days, but I can see why many people still adore that feeling. The Terra Guard Modern is a case that offers a lot of protection for the Pixel 8 Pro, especially around the display. The lip is quite thick and your display won’t touch a surface when set face down. 

The sandstone texture runs across the entire back panel and wraps around the frame except for where your fingers and thumb rest when holding the device. That area has a different texture that is still quite grippy to hold. I think it would have been nice to have that sandstone texture as the surface your fingers grip onto because you can actually have a very solid hold on the phone thanks to the sandstone material.

I think there’s plenty of protection and coverage all around. While the case is a bit thick and does add a little bulk to the phone, this is a great case that has a unique flare.

Volport Magsafe Case

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I’ve been using some magnetic attachments on my smartphones dating back to my time with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Having a kickstand or a popsocket to prop up the phone is an underrated benefit. That’s why when I swapped my sim card over to the Pixel 8 Pro, I made sure to purchase a case compatible with MagSafe accessories. In fact, the case I have been using a majority of the time since I’ve had the Pixel 8 Pro is this one.

With a translucent clear back that has a frosted appearance, I love how the Bay Blue color looks sitting in this case. The entire product has a matte finish to it that feels nice to hold while still maintaining a sturdy grip in your hands. There’s a big black circle that loops around the Google logo signifying the magnetic area. I’ve found the magnetic pull to be strong and stable mounting various attachments to the phone case. I also liked how clicky the volume rockers and power button is. Many cases make the covered buttons mushy, but there’s a defined clickiness to this case. 

While TPU cases like this don’t offer the most protection, I did find it to be sufficient enough. The 1.5 mm raised lip keeping the phone from the surface is enough to warrant my trust. The same goes for the exact same depth of a raised lip for the rear camera bar. I think this case has enough protection where the slimness wins and benefits from the design.

Caseology Athlex

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The grippiest case on this list, the Athlex is a heavy hitter from Caseology that certainly has a distinct vibe. Rugged and somewhat modern, there are distinct accent lines crossing the back for your fingers to find a hold on. The interesting textures don’t just end on the rear panel as the frame area has a very interesting design as well. A line splits a honeycomb texture in half straight through. I started noticing this come into play when my thumb would press into the crevice and be able to grip the phone a bit better than I was expecting. I love it! I wonder why other case makers don’t do this more.

A look on the inside of the case reveals plenty of padding and cushioning. The lips for the screen and camera hump are minimal, but once again, I do think it’s enough to protect the phone from moderate drops. I particularly like this black texture that feeds into the camera bar as it blends in perfectly to hide that glossy aluminum bar that Google chose to go with as a design feature. I’m not a fan at all of that look, so I think this is a big aesthetic upgrade.

Ultimately, the Athlex isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. It’s a dark and moody case with a unique identity, but not much flavor. It’s very industrial and might not be versatile for everyone’s day to day life. While I like the rugged, luggage look of the case, many people out there may not. Regardless, I think this is a severely underpriced product that offers good protection and a fantastic grip.

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