Google’s second flagship phone, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, is set to release on Thursday, October 19th. The first Pixel was a success with arguably the best smartphone camera of its time. Google looks to retain its title as the best smartphone camera with a DxOMark test score of 98. This is 4 points higher than the previous leaders, Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. For those that don’t know, DxOMark is the trusted industry standard for camra and lens image quality measurements and ratings.
That’s not the only improvement seen in the Pixel 2 Google added a feature called Active Edge, which lets the user squeeze the sides of the phone to launch Google Assistant. Both Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL has a IP67 rating, which basically means the phone is water-proof.
Another phone bites the dust. The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, you’ll have to listen to headphones that use the USB-C port. Luckily, there are actually some solid USB-C headphone options. Check them out here. According to Business Insider, Google’s product chief removed the headphone jack to make future Pixel phones with thinner bezels around the display. Unfortunately, this bezel-less design will be geared toward future Pixel phones.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are not cheap starting at $649 and $849 respectively. On the bright side, the base models both start at 64 GB, which in my opinion is more than enough local storage. Cloud-based storage is incredibly affordable and absolutely necessary when it comes to accessing files from multiple devices. The premium price tag means you should be thinking about protecting your investment. Dropping your phone is inevitable. The original Pixel costs $129.99 to replace the phone screen and $20 more for the Pixel XL. This means you’ll be looking at a similar cost to replace the Pixel 2. Luckily for you, deTeched is here to help. Here are some affordable alternatives to protecting your brand new smartphone.
Slim Fit Cases
Slim fit cases are pretty much the bare bones of protection. The focus is more on accentuating the aesthetics of your phone rather than protecting it from all the elements.
Spigen Liquid Crystal Case $11.99
Spigen Liquid Crystal provides everyday drop protection with its Air Cushion Technology. The ergonomic cutout offers quick fingerprint recognition, while the transparent layer has an innovative dot pattern to keep the back clear and watermark-free.
Caseology Parallax Series $13.99
This thin, dual layer phone case combines TPU & PC materiel for increased impact protection. The textured geometric pattern offers enhanced grip and even more shock absorption
Rugged Cases
Rugged cases offer top-notch phone protection for people who are constantly outdoors or just plain clumsy. The added bulk offers better protection than something you would see in a slim fit design.
Spigen Rugged Armor $11.99
With carbon fiber detailing and matte black surface, Rugged Armor makes a statement with its signature look. Air Cushion Technology absorbs shocks from everyday impacts while raised edges provide screen and camera defense.
MicroP Full-Body Protective Phone Case $7.98
Glass Screen Protectors
Despite smartphone company claims, its smartphones are not scratch-proof . Plastic screen protectors are cheaper, but also get scratched up easily as well. Tempered glass will add a tiny bit of bulk, but will feel more like the original screen and are usually easier to install than plastic ones.
amFilm Glass Screen Protector $13.99
Includes one glass screen protector, wet/dry wipes, dust removal stickers, micro-fiber cleaning cloth, and installation guide.
Vigeer 2-Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector $7.99
Includes two tempered glass screen protectors, micro-fiber cleaning cloth, alcohol package, and dust stickers.
Google Store Preferred Care Plan $129
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Preferred Care will come with 2 years of device protection and 24/7 priority access to support specialists. It will cover your device up to 2 incidents of accidental damage (drops or cracks) over 2 years. You’re essentially getting two screen fixes for the price of one. I would look to get this if you have a history of cracking your phone screen.
Third Party Insurance Plan: Upsie $79.99
Upsie is a third party insurance plan that has a $75 deductible on all claims. The two year plan covers things such as cracked screen, liquid damage, power failure, battery failure, touch screen failure, and camera failure. Unfortunately, it does not cover loss or theft with this plan.
If you’re looking to buy the Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL next week, I would highly recommend getting prepared now. You don’t want to drop your brand new phone and crack the screen on the first day because you forgot to buy a phone case. If you’re notorious for cracking your phone screen, I would pull the trigger on getting an insurance plan. Otherwise, you can take your chances and if it breaks, you’ll be paying $129-$149 for a new screen.