Google Hardware’s Latest Weird Flaw: Perishable Phone Cases

Google Hardware Products aims to bring the best of Google software to market, but the division does have a lot of quality control issues. The last strange defect in Google’s hardware is the yellowing and deformation of the phone’s case. According to The Verge, Google’s expensive translucent plastic cases don’t live up to their $30 price tag.

Numerous reports on Amazon and Reddit list all sorts of problems with these cases. One post on Reddit, titled “Google made Pixel 6 case is trash, “received 500 upvotes and includes several photos of what these official cases look like a few months later. Cases appear to quickly turn yellow or brown due to UV degradation. This is a common problem with cheap transparent cases, but it’s not something you’d expect from an official $30 case from a major manufacturer.

Another constantly cited problem is that shells don’t fit properly, either straight from the factory or due to warping over time. The images show wavy edges around the power and volume buttons.

Google has not yet responded to these complaints, but some Amazon customers have received a one-time refund. With the Pixel 6a launching imminently, it would be best to stay away from any such cases by Google. We may be able to get the company to bring back favorite fabric cases from earlier Pixel phones.