Google Pixel 4a Case Roundup (part 1)

As usual for my case roundups, I'll cover a variety of styles, with most samples supplied by MobileFun, kind people that they are. See their complete range of Pixel 4a cases and covers.

But on with the individual cases, each link goes to the relevant product page, of course.

Olixar Soft Silicone Flip, £13

A superb mix of premium-feeling materials at a value price but let down by a huge design flaw. Sadly.

We have the grippy 'soft silicone' on the outside, with soft felt on the inside cover and even softer cushioned and textured felt inside the hard TPU frame. Super. There's even a metal earpiece audio passthrough.

In use, the Pixel 4a is terrific most of the time, provided you're OK with the 'folio' concept and especially if you like having a 'media stand' option, since the folio back is hinged in the usual way.

The problem is with the cutout for the fingerprint sensor - while accurate, the thickness of the interior cushioning, the TPU and then the hinged silicone flap, all mean quite a recess, as you can see above. Trying to insert an index fingertip into this to unlock the Pixel 4a tens of times a day isn't pleasant or easy. The solution would have been to have a bevelled lead-in to this circular aperture. Maybe it wouldn't have looked quite so 'neat', but it would have been a hundred times more useable.

Score: 6/10

Olixar Carbon Fibre, £13

It's... Olixar's classic case, perhaps pinched in terms of concept from the likes of Spigen, but who cares? This is still a super fit and super protective. Matt and grippy sides lead to interesting textures on the back, though I'm still not sure of the point of the 'Autofocus' text!

There's a nicely large and raised cutout over the 4a's fingerprint sensor, making daily use a doddle, while the 'carbon fibre' texture looks and feels great in any setting. As long as you like 'black', of course!

There's a slight raised edge over the phone's front, though it's still best not to face drop the Pixel overall, I'd say. Top marks overall though. You can't go wrong with this design, it's protective in all the right ways.

Score: 9/10

Ghostek Covert 3/4, £15

The '3/4' in the title refers to the way the product listing is for v3 of the case, but the one that's delivered is 'v4'. Don't worry about it though, since they're identical as far as I can see!

It's a TPU case - on steroids. You get 

• 'ribs' down each internal side
• extra rubber strips inside each corner (coloured red, quirkily)
• a seriously engineered metal sprung kickstand on the back
• nice bevelling and port cutout detail

In place, the only thing I wasn't sure about was the smoked effect on the review sample. But this is personal preference and this case also comes in black and red, so take your pick!

There's super protection all round, of course, including from face drops. My only concern with this design is the kickstand - it's a lovely extra feature but when folded down it still protrudes by a couple of millimetres, so your phone is just that bit thicker at that point and looks a little odd when sat down on a desk.

Then again, you're all set up for some lunchtime Netflix or YouTubing, so pros and cons!

Score: 9/10 (though I would go for black or red*!) * (actually 'pink'!!)

That's the end of part 1 of this case round-up - part 2 will include four more cases and will come in a month's time!