It’s always a smart move to protect your phone from potential damage with a case. Google’s Pixel 4 may feature a Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, but it’s not indestructible, so investing in a good case makes a lot of sense. There are lots of options to choose from, whether you want something that won’t cramp your new phone’s style, something plain, or something a bit more stylish. Here are the best Pixel 4 cases you can buy.
If you’ve been looking for a case that has undergone more than 238 hours of testing, it’s your lucky day. This is one of the sturdiest covers you’re likely to find for the Pixel 4, featuring a one-piece design made with durable plastic that will survive the vast majority of falls and scrapes. Despite being highly rugged, it’s also a laudably thin and lightweight case, making it as practical as it is protective. There’s also a raised screen bumper to guard the phone’s display against damage, and it’s also easy to fit and remove.
A lot of phone cases end up in landfills every year, so if you prefer to be eco-friendly you might consider the Pela Eco-Friendly Case. It’s crafted from Canadian Prairie Flax shive, which is a plant-based biopolymer, and Pela donates a small percentage of every sale to Ocean Cleanup and Preservation Initiatives. The case is a bit chunky, but it’s soft and flexible which makes it comfortable to handle, easy to grip, and good for drop protection. There is a raised edge around the screen and we appreciate the cutout to expose the power button. The fit is generally good and there’s plenty of room around the USB-C port, too. If you don’t like the green finish, it also comes in black, or a Honey Bee yellow with a honeycomb design and outlines of bees on the back.
The Pixel 4’s camera is outstanding, but if you want to capture the best shots possible, or dabble in some astrophotography long exposures to capture the stars at night, then you’ll need a tripod. Joby’s StandPoint aims to be a case and a tripod in one and it succeeds, but we like it a lot more as a tripod than a case. Three individual legs pop out of the back and can be individually rotated to any angle, so you can use them to prop your Pixel 4 and watch a movie or read, and you can rotate them around to act as a tripod for photography. They slot away neatly, but they have to be extended fully and placed out of the way when you charge wirelessly because there’s metal in there which could cause problems. The case itself is a basic plastic shell with subtle button covers, so you lose the pop of color and they don’t feel very responsive. This is worth having to save you from needing to carry a tripod, but we wouldn’t keep it on a Pixel 4 all the time.
If you want minimal coverage, then the Totallee Thin Case could be for you. It won’t provide rugged drop protection, but it should ward off scratches and prevent damage from minor bumps. It’s so thin you’ll barely notice it at all and there are no superfluous logos or details. If you prefer there’s also a black version or a frosted clear matte finish, instead of the glossier transparent case. It’s ideal for adding a little grip and basic protection and it’s less prone to smudges than the finish of the glossy black Pixel 4.
The Google Pixel 4 has one of the best cameras in the market, and pairing it with the Moment case will take your pictures to the next level. The case features a modular lens frame, which allows you to attach a variety of Moment’s proprietary lenses, from the wide 18mm lens to the anamorphic lens for cinematic shots (both sold separately). Made with a durable and rubberized body, the Moment Photography Case will protect your phone from a variety of drops and scratches during travel. The woven material on the back gives you the added grip to take steady shots so you’ll be able to capture every moment.
Our favorite case for the Pixel 3 was Google’s own soft knit fabric case, and there’s a similar set of cases for the Pixel 4. These Google Pixel 4 Cases are always warm, easy to grip, and comfortable to hold. The outer layer is hard-wearing nylon fabric, which sits on top of virtually indestructible polycarbonate. There’s also a soft microfiber lining on the inside to cushion your Pixel 4. The colorful button cover echoes the design notes on the phone, while the volume controls blend in. Naturally, the cutouts are exact and wireless charging works just fine with the case on, as does Active Edge, which allows you to squeeze the sides of your phone to launch Google Assistant.
This long-running case series has seen a few changes over the years, but it remains an excellent choice for anyone afraid of drop damage. The diagonal grip pattern provides some visual flair but also enhances your grip on your phone. The material used in Speck Presidio Grip Case is anti-microbial, so no worries about germs, and this is a rugged case capable of absorbing the impact from a fall of up to 10 feet without allowing your phone to sustain any damage. The button covers are pronounced, the cutouts are in all the right places, and the beveled edge around the screen saves it from touching down. There are a few different color combinations to choose from and it doesn’t interfere with wireless charging.
Leather is a nice material for a case, it’s always warm, it offers good grip, it’s comfortable to handle, and it ages gracefully. Nomad crafts cases from Horween leather, which comes from Chicago. But this case isn’t all about style as Nomad Rugged Case offers solid protection from falls of up to 6 feet. You’ll also find accurate openings for easy access, a textured power button cover, and a raised lip to safeguard that screen. We’re partial to the rustic brown, but you can get this one in black as well. There are lanyard attachment points if you’re into that kind of thing, and this case won’t interfere with wireless charging.
This tough, dual-layer case from Incipio combines scratch-resistant polycarbonate on the outside with a shock-absorbing inner core that’s capable of safeguarding your Pixel 4 from falls of up 10 feet. There’s also a raised bezel around the screen to keep it from touching down. The openings for the camera and ports are accurate, there are well-defined button covers, and wireless charging will work just fine with the case on. You can pick the Incipio DualPro Case up in black, or you can opt for a clear version if you want to show off Google’s design within.
With a firm commitment to drop protection, Tech21 is a good case brand for anyone worried about damage from falls. The Tech21 Evo Check Case keeps your Pixel 4 safe from falls of up to 12 feet. It’s still relatively slim, with a translucent back with various tints, and that distinctive check pattern that gives it the name. The button covers are well-defined, there’s plenty of room to access the USB-C port, and the case extends a little at the front to safeguard the screen. It also boasts anti-microbial properties to keep things nice and hygienic.
If you want to travel light and leave the wallet at home, then this leather wallet case for the Pixel 4 may suit you perfectly. Made from European full-grain cowhide nubuck leather it has a luxurious feel that will age with style. You’ll find a shell holds the Pixel 4 in place and it’s covered from every angle. There’s a magnetic closure to keep the cover securely shut; open it up and you’ll find three pockets for cards and a larger compartment for cash. The Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet Case comes in brown, black, gold, navy, or plum.
The attractive Spigen Neo Hybrid Case combines a flexible TPU shell on the inside with a polycarbonate bumper on top to give decent protection against falls and bumps. There’s a lip to protect the screen, accurate openings for ports and camera, and decent button covers for power and volume. It’s a fairly slim case and the bumper is smooth, but there’s a textured pattern on the back. It doesn’t interfere with wireless charging.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.
Apple's next cheaper iPhone could get a brand-new processor while keeping its most stubborn display compromise. Digital Chat Station tips the iPhone 18e for a 2027 release with a 2nm A20 chip and a 6.12-inch OLED screen still limited to 60Hz.
The rumored camera setup includes a single 48MP rear camera and a possible 24MP selfie camera. There's new hardware to consider, but buyers hoping Apple would extend that upgrade generosity to smoother scrolling could be disappointed.