Google’s official Pixel 8a case simply isn’t worth buying

When you set out to buy thePixel 8a, you know what you’re getting. Now in its sixth generation, Google has long since established what its A-series hardware represents, especially in the Tensor era: a complete package with just enough corners sanded off to bring the price down. For $200 less than the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8a is a remarkable similar phone; even the most knowledgeable among us would need their respective specs sheets side by side to spot the differences that really matter. It’s just a shame the same can’t be said for Google’s official Pixel 8a case.

Alongside the company’s latest phone, I was sent an official Pixel 8a case for review. Google’s first-party cases have improved a lot over the last couple of years; mystandard Pixel 8rarely leaves its mint-shaded case for fear of collecting fingerprints. Between the dedicated buttons, the fabric liner, and a rubberized finish that feels grippy in your hand, it’s not a bad bargain for an extra $35 at checkout — so long as you may deal with it acting like a pocket lint magnet.

This article was produced in partnership with Supcase, but its contents were not shown to the company beforehand. All content is written independentlyand meets Android Police’s stringent editorialstandards.

The Pixel 8a case, at first glance, looks nearly identical, and — much like the phone itself — it’s priced just a bit more affordable. First-party cases don’t typically stretch as low as $30, though, and once Google’s A-series accessory is in your hand, you start to realize why.

Google’s first-party Pixel 8a case isn’t worth $30

Too many cut corners — or in this case, cut edges

The biggest red flag, for me, can actually be spotted before you even add the case to your cart.Browse through Google’s listings for the Pixel 8a’s main accessoryon both its own store page andon Amazon, and you’ll note the phone is never shown from the front. Google’s web store exclusively highlights it from the back, while Amazon includes a single profile image showcasing its buttons. This isn’t completely out of the norm for the company — the Pixel 8 Pro does a very similar thing — but in this example, that unseen angle actually hides a pretty ugly truth.

Google’s hardware lineup is in a tricky spot, and the Pixel 8a only makes things more confusing

Google’s Pixel 8a case doesn’t fully wrap around the front of the phone, delivering a break around the charging cable that, in my opinion, isn’t just an eyesore, but a potential damage zone. By leaving so much of the display and surrounding bezel unguarded, you’re asking for trouble in a way that most other cases simply do not. I have no idea what cost-cutting measures allowed for this deal-breaking choice to be built into this accessory, but it’s truly baffling. And since Google’s marketing for this case doesn’t make its design clear to the buyer, you might not know how unprotected you are until you’ve already slapped your credit card down.

This missing space of material isn’t the only downgrade compared to the normal Pixel 8 and 8 Pro cases. The fabric liner is missing, leaving behind a standard plastic finish, and the dedicated metallic buttons have been swapped for standard rubber caps. Neither of these are bad enough to warrant attention on their own, but combined with the gap in protection — and for only $5 less than the normal flagship accessories — and it’s hard to see how this case is worth its $30 asking price.

Amazon is filled with cheaper, more protective Pixel 8a cases

Why not go with one of those?

Especially whenGoogle has a pretty robust offering of third-party case vendors. Sure, the Pixel series doesn’t get quite the attention Samsung’s annual Galaxy S-entry sees — let alone the robust ecosystem for Apple accessories — but there’s a lot of options to pick from on Amazon and beyond.Spigenand itsCaseology sub-brandoffer at least seven different designs total, and for most people, picking between one of those is probably good enough.

A couple of smaller brands — though no less familiar to those who spend hours perusing Amazon’s virtual shelves whenever a new gadget falls in their hands — are here too.Ringke’s Onyx case, which I’ve tried out on the Pixel 8, has a unique textured back you’ll either love or hate; either way, it does a good job sticking to your palm.Torras is herewith a MagSafe-equipped ring for wirelessly charging your phone very, very slowly.

Protect your Pixel 8a with a stylish case

Mous offers a more premium, ultra-thin design, while other brands like Supcase or Poetic offer toughened, rugged cases for extra protection. And honestly, just from digging through the listings, I quite like the look of some of the lesser-known cases;this Kwmobile selection, for example, comes in a variety of colors for only $10. At that price, it sure looks like a good-enough alternative to Google’s disappointing offerings.

Of course, you may also choose to use the Pixel 8a caseless, as I have for most of my time with it. Sure, that flies in the face of my criticism of Google’s $30 accessory, but the matte plastic back used on this phone makes for one of the best-feeling Pixel devices in ages. Why let that go to waste with an overpowered piece of silicon?

Spend your money elsewhere

Or don’t — I’m not your boss

With so many third-party cases to pick from, I’m just not sure why Google opted to half-heartedly piece together such a lacking accessory — and for only $5 less than the much nicer variants made for the company’s flagship Pixels. Whether you opt for something from Amazon or follow my caseless lead, one thing’s for sure. Unless it’s marked down on a steep discount, Google’s first-party Pixel 8a case probably isn’t worth it.

The Torras Magnetic Case is an excellent Pixel 8a MagSafe case for most users. It features strong magnets that attach securely to MagSafe accessories.

In partnership with Supcase

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Your comment has not been saved

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

Pixel 10 Pro XL charges faster wirelessly

From faster storage to better speakers

Things get red hot for Magenta

Google’s made several improvements over the years

Carriers get the upper hand

Change your network settings the easy way