Replying to Avatar Ava

I spent an inordinate amount of time this week (literally hours watching YouTube reviews and reading reviews) researching phone cases and glass screen protectors for my new Pixel 9 Pro XL.

I really wish more case manufacturers would focus on enhancing the phone's design rather than changing it. IMO, most cases take a $1500 sleekly designed phone and make it look cheap.

Anyway, here were my requirements:

Glass Screen Protector:

- Easy to install with alignment tool

- Drop test protection

- Scratch resistant (9H hardness)

- High optical clarity

- Minimal/no rainbowing effect with polarized lenses

- Precise cutouts

- Full coverage without camera cutout

- Case compatibility

- Front and back camera coverage

- Minimal to no impact on photo/video quality

- Does not affect fingerprint recognition

- Does not affect swipe/gesture functionality

- Oleophobic coating for smudge resistance

- Reasonable cost

Case:

- Minimalist design

- Slim profile with solid drop protection

- Raised corner lips for screen protection

- Raised lip rear camera protection

- Responsive, clicky buttons

- Unimpeded swipe functionality

- Easy port access

- Precise cutouts

- Minimal dust collection points

- Balanced grip (not too slick/rough)

- Fingerprint-resistant

- Lightweight and compact

- MagSafe compatibility (bonus)

- Microfiber interior (preferred)

- Design enhancement, not detraction

- Full NFC and Qi2 charging compatibility

- Heat dissipation

- Reasonable cost

After extensive research, I settled on Spigen for both:

Case: Spigen Tough Armor (Matte Black)

Cost: $15.99 (on sale)

- Pros: Meets most requirements

- Compromises: No MagSafe, lacks microfiber interior

Screen Protection: Spigen Glass Protectors (front and back)

Cost: 18.99 + $14.99

- Spigen Camera Lens Protector [GlasTR EZ FIT Optik]

- Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector [GlasTR EZ FIT]

- Pros: Meets all requirements, includes applicator and spare protector

- Compromises: May not match Zagg's drop protection, might cause some blurring with telephoto lens (will test)

Total cost (before tax): $49.97

While this combination might not be everyone's ideal choice, I feel it is a well-researched balance of protection, functionality, and design. I'll let you know how the real world test goes when they arrive. Hope this helps others in their search for a reasonably solid Pixel 9 Pro XL protection setup at a reasonable price.

#IKITAO #Tech #Pixel #Protection

I just use without a case or screen protection. Never broke any phone by dropping it or have any scratches on the camera or the screen.

With the exception of an iPhone XR once that scratched the entire camera by leaving the phone on a desk

Don't know why or how but other people break their phones a a lot easier than me

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Discussion

I am very careful with my phones and have used a few of them without case or screen protection. I definitely prefer the look and feel of a phone without a case and screen protection. I've also dropped a couple and had to get the screens replaced. I always buy flagship, top-of-the-line, so once was enough; twice was the last straw. It hurt the resell value, cost to get fixed (I don't pay for accidental damage extended phone warranty), and not having my main phone while it got repaired was a bit of a hassle.

I'm also not the kind of person who throws their laptop in a backpack without putting it in a travel case first; I use a Giottos dust blower and micro-fiber cloth on my devices regularly, and I keep a form-fitted dustcover on my mechanical keyboard when not in use. I don't dog-ear or write in my books, and I often buy hardcover—autographed copies usually go in protective plastic sleeves, etc.

To each their own, I guess. I see it as Murphy repellent. That's a pretty impressive streak you've got going.