Google’s best Pixel case in years still isn’t good enough to forget the fabric ones [Gallery]

Ben Schoon | Aug 14 2026 - 8:30 am PT

One of my favorite things about the first few generations of Pixel were Google’s official cases, but that’s not been true in recent years. This year brings Google’s best official Pixel case in years (and it’s worst), but I just can’t stop yearning for what was lost.

Alongside the completely standard Pixelsnap cases for the core Pixel 11 lineup – which is completely unchanged this year outside of new color options – there are two new additions to the lineup, and they couldn’t be more different.

Let’s start with the good.

The main official Pixel 11 Pro Fold case this year is stunning. The faux leather case is color-matched to the phone, with a great not-too-grippy finish that has enough texture to stand out and elevate the look and feel of Google’s foldable. It’s pricey, of course, at $80, but it feels like a much better option compared to Google’s previous foldable cases.

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Picking this one up, I immediately fell in love, while knowing that Google’s durability upgrades would only make me all the more likely to not actually use this case most of the time.

The green one is especially stunning, and pictures do no do it justice.

I truly wish Google would copy exactly this and give it to the rest of the Pixel lineup. This is so much better than the too-grippy silicone being used for the rest of Google’s phones.

*The rest of Google’s Pixel 11 cases are unchanged from last year*

And yet, as mentioned, I can’t help but wish that Google would just go back to embracing what made its case stand out.

Those fabric cases on the first few generations of Pixel were absolutely top-tier, while not having a true counterpart anywhere else on the market. And I really don’t understand why they’ve been completely exiled. The main argument would be getting the case dirty, but anyone who’s used any of Google’s official Pixel cases for more than a couple of months knows full well that the current material is just as susceptible to the grime of daily life – some of them have been true trainwrecks!

Sigh…

Instead of bringing back that unique charm, Google has dipped its toes into the most boring cases out there – clear cases.

Simply put, I’m not a fan. That’s both from the aspect that I hate the idea of Google going from something so unique to something so generic, but also in that these are literally nothing special. Admittedly, I haven’t spent a ton of time with the clear cases, but my brief hands-on left me with literally nothing notable to talk about. That $5 clear case on Amazon? It’s basically the same thing – or at least that’s how it felt at first – and Google’s is FIFTY DOLLARS.

We’ll revisit this during the review period, but I do not have high hopes at all.

To close out this conversation, as our Will Sattelberg echoed during this week’s episode of Pixelated – coming out later today – Google is attempting to position the Pixel 11 as a unique entry in the smartphone market. And throughout its history, its ups and downs, that unique charm and sense of identity has really been what keeps Pixel in the conversation despite its tiny sliver of the overall market. So why are we resorting to the most generic possible accessories?!

What do you think?