Hands-on With Every Official Pixel 9 Series Case: Is It Worth The Price? [Video]

With new phones comes new accessories. Will getting an official Pixel 9 case mean pixel-perfect, and do these first-party accessories make financial sense?

A new design means an updated official case. The lineup has had some major updates and tweaks this year to better match the improved hardware. Google deserves credit for making Pixel 9 cases compatible with the 9 Pro. That means there are only two sizes for three devices instead of three separate sizes. It also means you have more colors to choose from.

One thing I find annoying is the high price, since you don’t get tons of extra goodies. However, we tested them in every single color to see if the price is less of an issue than it initially seems.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

For $35, you don’t get a ton of extras or added value beyond the basics with every Pixel 9/9 Pro or 9 Pro XL case. The packaging is super basic, and as seems to be the norm, Google removed the warranty card this year.

Protective paper/film cover
Case for Pixel 9/9 Pro or 9 Pro XL

The packaging is made of recycled materials and can be recycled again. Although this does not matter much, the packaging seems cheap compared to previous generations.

Official Pixel 9 Case Colors

Each matte case is technically designed to match the color of the Pixel 9 you’ve chosen or will be using. As with last year, there’s no Google Store-exclusive case, so in theory you should be able to purchase the official case range everywhere.

One thing to note is that you can only get the Peony and Wintergreen cases for the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Those colors are not available for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. You can get Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose Quartz in both sizes.

So, to simplify:

Pixel 9/9 Pro: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazelnut, Rose Quartz, Peony, Wintergreen
Pixel 9 Pro XL: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazelnut, Rose Quartz

Look and feel

Pixel 9 Official Cases 21 — Hands-on with every official Pixel 9 series case: Is it worth the price? [Video] 10

From textured fabric cases to clear plastic that warps and fades to soft-touch silicone, the evolution of the official case range is worth watching.

If you have ever seen the Official silicone cases for Apple iPhoneGoogle took that design and basically slapped it on the Pixel 9 this time around. Some very important changes make a big difference in the protection and quality of the cases Google sells for $35.

First, the “G” logo is much larger to match the larger “G” logo on the back of the phone. This still matches the button covers. I like the change to matte metal on the button covers. These are also slightly less sharp and stick out much less than the official button covers on the Pixel 8 case. There’s also less wobble or play, which makes the case feel a bit more well-made.

When you take the case out of the box, you might also notice a little less flex. This change makes the materials feel thicker and more sturdy. The inner microfiber layer also feels a little better than the Pixel 8’s inner cases.

The camera cutout has always been a problem for official Pixel cases, and it’s nice to see Google offering better protection for the Pixel 9 series this year. There’s a raised lip around the camera bump, and the cutout is smaller so less of the camera bar is exposed. This has a two-fold benefit. The extra protection means the bezel is now marginally reinforced. Changes like this are a tangible benefit, and not something you’ll necessarily notice right away.

When you pop your Pixel 9 into an official case, a reassuring click locks it into place. I’m pretty sure this is due to the new square shape. This goes one step further with a firm edge around the edges of the USB-C charging port section. Previously, this was a floppy piece of silicone. It still provided protection but felt like an afterthought – this time, it looks like Google has thought of that. A firm edge also means you won’t get any pinches, creases, or bulges at all.

The entire bezel edge is less spongy and more rigid with a slightly higher screen edge, meaning the display glass is even further away from a surface when placed face down. Screen protectors fit nicely into the gap for true edge-to-edge protection if you want another coating on the display.

One major improvement is the feel of each case. The official Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 cases could feel tacky or sticky. This year, the texture is smoother and not as rubbery. I hope this improved texture will last longer, too.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth $35?

There are many reasons to buy an official Pixel 9 case. They are designed to match your phone right out of the box. Each case is an extension of the design and hardware. The improvements make it easier to recommend paying $35 right away. That said, you can get cases for under $15 that will offer better protection and have a better overall design.

If you want a thin case, this is not the right choice. The almost waxy texture may also be chipped and scraped over time, but a bigger concern is the polishing effect that often affects hard silicone cases like this one. It will wear away and become shiny. Unfortunately, that’s just a matter of daily wear and tear.

The only reason I would say stay away from this is if you want MagSafe. Google hasn’t added the magnetic snap-on method to the phone or cases, which is disappointing. Many third-party cases include MagSafe at lower price points. For that feature, my choice would be Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit Case. It’s a great clear case that includes MagSafe connectivity and similar protection for devices only $22.

That recommendation and nitpicking aside, for the first time, I think the official Google cases are actually worth the money. They are expensive, but they are good protective cases. Like most official accessories, you can get superior options for less, but it’s hard to be negative this year.