Google Pixel XL

We are in the midst of the holiday season which means that many of you are getting brand new devices. If you happen to have received or picked up one of Google’s brand new Pixel phones, you might be considering a case to protect your new handset. If so, look no further than the five cases that we’ve handpicked below.

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Google’s Pixel smartphone received a ton of praise following its announcement, including in our review, but in the time since, several hardware and software issues have been forcing many to take a second look at Google’s flagship. There have been camera issues, defects, and even some audio problems, but now another issue is starting to pop up, and it’s easily the worst yet ─ premature battery shutdowns.

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Especially with a rear fingerprint sensor, Double-tap to check your phone on the Pixel and Pixel XL was a highly requested feature. Added as part of December’s 7.1.1 update, many users have reported that the Move is quite inconsistent, with Google now investigating and working on a fix.

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Screen protectors aren’t for everyone, but for those who spend a lot on their device and want to better protect it from scratches and the occasional drop, a good tempered glass screen protector is well worth the investment, along with a solid case. I’ve tested several tempered glass screen protectors since buying the Google Pixel XL, but none have really impressed me, until I tried one from Orzly…

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Today Google officially released Android Nougat 7.1.1 for the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, and several Nexus devices. With the over the air firmware update file now out in the wild, you can sideload the update instead of waiting for it to eventually come to your device…

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In my eyes, there are two standout Android phones for the second half of this year, and they serve slightly different target markets. The OnePlus 3T, the revamped version of the Chinese company’s OnePlus 3, brings a lot of high-powered specifications in an affordable package that’s super developer- and tinker-friendly and well-designed. The Google Pixel (XL, in this case), on the other hand, is a device that is similarly well-designed, but higher-priced, has compromises and is aimed at the average consumer — the kind of person who couldn’t care less about specs.

The problem is that a lot of people fall in between these two categories. They want a consumer-friendly phone that “just works”, and they also want a phone that has all the bells and whistles. They want a phone with a great camera and great battery life, but they also want a phone that they can tinker to their heart’s content and has as few compromises as possible at the lowest price-point possible. If you’re that person, you’re not going to go wrong with either of these choices. But let’s take a look real quick at the differences between the two phones if you still can’t decide.

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One of the best features of the Google Pixel, by a long shot, is the fantastic rear camera. The 12.3MP sensor is capable of taking some breathtaking pictures and some incredible video, however, it’s not perfect. We’ve already seen that the Pixel has some lens flare issues under certain lighting conditions, but now, some users are reporting some strange issues with the camera app.

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Earlier this month, the Pixel and Pixel XL received their first update since launch in the form of the November security patch. Users of both devices on multiple Canadian carriers are now reporting receiving a further update that’s labeled as “Security Update + Bug Fixes” on one support site…

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Unlike with past releases, Google is actually pushing the Pixel to customers, and it’s pushing it hard. Ads air on TV seemingly every time you turn it on, and in the US, most of those ads pick up Verizon’s name at the end…

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Just yesterday OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 3T, an updated version of the already-pretty-impressive OnePlus 3. It brings an updated processor, extra storage, a new color variant, and a handful of other improvements. One of those was a larger battery. The larger 3,400 mAh battery adds a little extra stamina to the phone, but also extends the charging time ─ or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

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Google has taken security pretty seriously on the Pixel and Pixel XL which includes file-based encryption. For consumers, this is great since it makes for a more secure device. However, for developers, it makes things a bit complicated.

For anyone looking to flash ROMs, file-based encryption poses a challenge to installing a custom recovery. However, after some work was done to get around that, some developers have been able to get the popular custom recovery, TWRP, working on both Pixels.

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Along with third-party case makers, Google has slowly been releasing official case options through the Google Store for the Pixel and Pixel XL. Now, Google has added four more options for Pixel and Pixel XL users.

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Google’s “Live Cases” debuted on the Nexus 5X and 6P, since expanding to the Pixel and Pixel XL. To date, we’ve seen three main options for these customizable cases ─ photos, places, and artwork. However, it seems Verizon has jumped the gun a bit, showing us two new Live Cases that have yet to be announced.

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While designed by Google, the Pixel and Pixel XL share more than a few similarities with current HTC devices. Besides appearance, it turns out the screen of both phones can be turned on/off when used with cases that feature embedded magnets in the cover…

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Compared to previous Nexus generations, Google and its carrier partners are doing significantly more advertising around the Pixel and Pixel XL. Both have better adoption than last year’s phone according to mobile marketing firm Appboy, but rates could be higher if it were not for constrained supply.

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Google’s new Pixel phones come in two sizes, 5-inch and 5.5-inch. Aside from the size, there aren’t many differences between the two phones. The Pixel has a 1080p display, the XL has QHD. The Pixel has a 2,770 mAh battery, the XL has a 3,450 mAh battery. However, it seems like there’s one other difference which Google neglected to tell anyone about…

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