Just ordered a 4a, wondering about the need for a case...
- Thread starter cbreze
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I've never felt the need to put a case on any of my phones until I got my Pixel 4a. As much as I like the size it always felt like it was going to slip out of my hand. My wife felt the same way about hers as well. After a couple of days of use we decided we needed cases.
My suggestion is use your phone for a few days and see how you feel about whether you would feel better using it with a case or not.
Enjoy your Pixel 4a. We love these phones.
Kizzy Catwoman
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I bought a caseology case for my 4a 5G. I tried it without but it was rather slippery. I also gorilla glued a popsocket on the back and it is very comfortable.
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BergerKing
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As a rule of thumb, no matter how careful you may be, drops will happen. The question becomes not if it happens, but when, and what kind of surface will it fall upon, and from how high. I simply prefer a case that has edge protection for drops, and has a front lol that prevents the phone from falling directly on its face. Some protection is better than none, speaking from experience. Even my el cheapo Samsung J2 wears protection. My son's didn't, and it looks like it's been through a blender. He learned, and put a case on his new Motorola G Power.
And if you get bored a case swap can make you feel like you got a new phone....kinda 
- May 30, 2011
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Great input, thanks.
Looking forward to getting the 4a. Coming from a pixel2. The price and positive reviews is what sold me. That and no more updates on the 2. Years ago when all phones were plastic backed I don’t recall using a case much as they were pretty grippy to hang onto.
Good to hear what everyone is doing.
Looking forward to getting the 4a. Coming from a pixel2. The price and positive reviews is what sold me. That and no more updates on the 2. Years ago when all phones were plastic backed I don’t recall using a case much as they were pretty grippy to hang onto.
Good to hear what everyone is doing.
anthonium
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- Nov 4, 2013
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Out of curiosity did you order the black or blue color? Regardless I congratulate you on an excellent choice of phone! The Pixel 4A and the prior 3A series has further convinced me I no longer need a flagship device. I absolutely love the 4A and have no regrets.
For two weeks I was rocking the phone naked and while I could have kept going like this I chose to get a case primarily because I want a higher value for my phone if I can keep it in mint condition and choose to sell it later. The black version (which I have) does develop smudges from the oil in your hands and I also have a feeling the coating on the plastic would begin to get a shiny look after a long time if rocked naked. The 4A does have some grip but again the oils in your hand can make it slip after a while. It all comes down to your preference and how comfortable you feel needing to replace a device if it got serious damage from a fall or general scratches that are bound to happen. Even if it is made of plastic you might end up dropping the phone on its face or corner of the phone and a case would definitely minimize that damage.
You can always use a dbrand skin if you don't even want a case at all.
If you do opt for using a case I can recommend the below minimal cases.
Very thin case that feels similar to the back of the 4A without smudging. This was the first case I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/X-level-Goog...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6930717
This is the second case I just bought and have been using for a week just because I wanted to try something different. It's just slightly thicker than my first case but is both aesthetically and physically nicer:
https://www.amazon.com/Caseology-Va...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6930717
As for tempered glass protectors this is the one I use because I wanted a protector with a cut out for the front facing camera:
https://www.amazon.com/Screen-Prote...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6930717
Hope this helps!
- May 30, 2011
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I ordered the black as that has always been my preferred color for phones. Glad to hear you like yours so much. I really didn’t read or see anything negative about them. The price point is the clincher.
I sometimes use my pixel two without a case and it feels very nice in hand but yeah, there is always the drop possibility. I sort of have a thing for very minimal cases made of leather. Like the one in my link. The iPhone also makes an excellent leather case. Very minimal and then it looks good and is grippy. The case in your link is really really minimal almost like a skin. That looks like a good possibility as well.
I had read from others there was a slight issue of finger grease and smudges on the backside and it looks like you concur with that. I’ll probably go with the leather case for the time being and I actually ordered it so I would have it on hand when the phone gets here.
Really digging all the positive reviews and this will actually be my first non-flagship phone in quite a number of years. If it works out I would see no need to throw money at a flagship when a mid range works as well. You never know what Google is going to give us though.
Thanks for your input.
- May 30, 2011
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There's a link to it in my first post but I'll post a pic in a few days when I get both the case and phone. The reviews were good and all said the quality was top shelf. Apple makes a similar one which I have on my SE20. Minimal and good feeling/looking. Might help make the phone look a little less mid range not that that matters.
J Dubbs
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I bought both the Belroy blue leather and Nomad tan leather cases for my pixel 3XL. I haven't had the chance to use them yet but they both seem high quality.... the Nomad is the much pricier case normally, and it does look better made and more durable. I got them both on sale, paid $14.99 for the Nomad and $24.99 for the Belroy I believe. For me nothing beats the feel of leather
You should see my collection of leather jackets.... my wife says I have a problem, she's right... I don't have enough of them
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That leather case actually went out of stock on Amazon. I didn’t check the bellroy store.
There were 4 left when I ordered mine. Must be a hot item.
- May 30, 2011
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Received my new 4a this morning and have been setting it up. The problems with a cheaper phone? Nothing!!
At least nothing I can see. The build quality is top notch, feels great, clicky buttons no mushiness at all. Can’t believe this only costs $350. Speakers sound great, way better than the pixel 5’s I tried out previously and at least as good or better than my pixel 2. The top one is in the smallest little slit of space and it’s amazing me how good it sounds considering how tiny and skinny it is.
Will be wanting a case on this phone tho, one is coming in another couple of days, hopefully Monday. It’s hard to tell the backside is plastic because it feels so solid. In any case that’s some first impressions from my perspective, glad I decided to retire the 2 and jump on this one.
At least nothing I can see. The build quality is top notch, feels great, clicky buttons no mushiness at all. Can’t believe this only costs $350. Speakers sound great, way better than the pixel 5’s I tried out previously and at least as good or better than my pixel 2. The top one is in the smallest little slit of space and it’s amazing me how good it sounds considering how tiny and skinny it is.
Will be wanting a case on this phone tho, one is coming in another couple of days, hopefully Monday. It’s hard to tell the backside is plastic because it feels so solid. In any case that’s some first impressions from my perspective, glad I decided to retire the 2 and jump on this one.
I've used some kind of case for the last 10 years. Phones have always been somewhat slippery, but as they got larger it became harder to hold securely. Even the smaller phones of today, like the Pixel 4a, are much larger than 10 years ago.
Morty2264
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I was actually trying to say the opposite. Larger phones are harder to hold. To me, even when slippery, a smaller phone is easier to hold since I can wrap my fingers around it.
DBMaSterRWB
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I always put a case and screen protector on my phones. It will help prevent a cracked or chipped case or screen, and the case color allows you to add your own taste to your phone.
Some of the cases offer a better feel and superior grip than the naked phone itself. And with a case you are more confident that it can take a hit.
Some of the cases offer a better feel and superior grip than the naked phone itself. And with a case you are more confident that it can take a hit.
Morty2264
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I always put a case and screen protector on my phones. It will help prevent a cracked or chipped case or screen, and the case color allows you to add your own taste to your phone.
Some of the cases offer a better feel and superior grip than the naked phone itself. And with a case you are more confident that it can take a hit.
I couldn't have said this better, myself. Great points! I also find that having a case on my phone helps me to get a better grip on it.
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