Impressions: Google Pixel 3 XL

Honestly, I’ve been using the Google Pixel 3 XL for almost a month now, and I’m really happy with this phone.

Except that not long after I bought it, Google started dropping the price all over the place…

Anyway, this phone is actually pretty expensive, so of course you still want a screen protector and a case after buying it. Since it’s the flagship this time, the accessory ecosystem is pretty complete, and I found suitable products quickly. Way better than stupid Sony.

So let me keep it brief, hopefully it helps anyone thinking of buying one.

Screen protector: Nillkin

For the Google Pixel 3 XL screen protector, I can recommend Nillkin’s without a second thought, the non-full-coverage kind.

The reason is simple: the size fits well and there are no white edges.

Yes, plenty of the protectors recommended by foreigners still have white edges, but Nillkin’s doesn’t, provided you align it properly.

I looked into it, and Nillkin’s protector is designed like the iPhone 8 Plus kind, with thick adhesive on the sides, and the size is just a tiny bit smaller than the screen’s display area, almost unnoticeable. As long as you apply it accurately, it’s a perfect product.

Also, Nillkin’s protector is cheap, much cheaper than the ones from abroad, the coating is solid, and it’s very much worth recommending. If you want a protector, just buy this one.

I also pre-ordered an intelliarmor product, but they sent me the wrong thing, and I haven’t received it yet. I’ll see how it is when it arrives, but it’s already more expensive than Nillkin’s anyway.

Case: Bellroy Leather Phone Case

Even though I bought Google’s official Fabric Case, I really don’t recommend it, for a simple reason: it gets dirty way too easily.

After half a month it felt dirty, and with that case, when you flip it over it can’t protect the screen—the case edges aren’t higher than the screen. It mostly just improves grip, not much protection.

So I had to choose a case that balances feel and quality, and eventually I saw those leather phone cases like the ones for iPhone, and wanted to see if any supported the Pixel.

A search showed there really were, and two companies offer leather phone cases: one is Bellroy, the other is NoMAD.

Bellroy’s case comes in several colors, while NoMAD’s comes in only one, but foreigners seem to rate NoMAD better, the reason being that Bellroy’s case makes the power button hard to press.

I bought both, and after comparing them once they arrived, I found what the foreigners said was bullshit. Bellroy’s case protects better, feels better, and there’s absolutely no problem with the power button being hard to press.

In comparison, NoMAD’s case covers less area, and the leather area isn’t large enough either… Of course it seems a bit cheaper, and bizarrely NoMAD claims its case offers 1-meter drop protection, while Bellroy offers nothing, even though they look equally sturdy to me.

Actually there isn’t much difference between the two, but personally I recommend Bellroy’s case a bit more.

There are plenty of non-leather cases on the market, but they’re all about the same, and I don’t think they have much of a quality feel. Just buy whichever, it should be fine.