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01The Pixel accessories to buy first
The Pixel accessories to buy straight away are a charger, a case and a screen protector. Open the box and you'll find the phone and a USB-C to USB-C cable, so the power brick is the one thing you can't use the phone well without.
Your model changes the details more than it used to. The Pixel 10 series brought Pixelsnap, Google's name for Qi2 magnets built into the back, and the Pixel 11 lineup kept them. The Pixel 10a skipped them. That one difference decides which case you should buy and whether magnetic chargers will click on.
| Accessory | Priority | Why | Skip if |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C PPS charger (30W+) | Day one | No adapter in the box; PPS is what Pixels fast-charge on | You already own a 30W+ USB-C PD brick with PPS |
| Case | Day one | Covers corners and the camera bar | Never. Even a thin one beats bare |
| Screen protector | Day one | Cases don't protect the face of the screen | You replace phones every year and accept the risk |
| Magnetic charger or stand | Week one | Snap-on charging at the bed or desk | You have a Pixel 9 or 10a and no magnetic case |
| Grip, wallet or car mount | Later | Daily comfort, not protection | You don't miss them after a week |
02The charger: PPS matters more than watts
Pixels fast-charge over USB Power Delivery with PPS (Programmable Power Supply). A charger without PPS still works safely, but the phone falls back to a slower rate. So when you shop, look for "PPS" on the listing or the brick itself, not just a big wattage number.
- Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro Fold: a 30W PPS charger hits full speed. The Pixel 10 tops out around 29W and the 10 Pro around 30W.
- Pixel 10 Pro XL: rated up to 45W wired, so a 45W PPS charger is the one to get.
- Pixel 11 series: check your model's spec page for the wired figure. A 45W PPS charger covers every model safely, because the phone only draws what it supports.
If you carry a laptop, a multi-port GaN charger saves an outlet. Just confirm the USB-C port you'll use for the Pixel lists PPS. Our Pixel 10 Pro charger guide explains why a 65W brick won't charge it faster than a good 30W one.
For wireless, the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro charge at up to 15W on Qi2, and the 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 11 lineup reach 25W on a Qi2.2 charger. A plain 15W magnetic charger is plenty for overnight. Browse chargers for both.
03Case: magnetic, and made for your exact Pixel
A regular case sits between Pixelsnap and every magnetic accessory you own. Google's own guidance warns that non-magnetic cases give weak or no attachment and unreliable charging. If you bought a Pixel 10 or 11, a case with its own magnet ring is the obvious pick.
Magnetic slim case
- Keeps Pixelsnap chargers and mounts working
- Adds little bulk
- Good everyday drop cover
Silicone, no magnets
- Soft, non-slip feel
- Plain Qi charging still works
- Magnetic accessories won't hold
Clear magnetic
- Shows the phone's finish
- Magnets for Pixelsnap gear
- Clear TPU yellows over time
Model names matter. A Pixel 10 case won't fit a 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 cases don't fit the Pixel 10 cleanly even though the phones look alike. See will a Pixel 9 case fit the Pixel 10 before reusing an old one, and does the Pixel 10 have MagSafe for which accessories attach.
Each comes in multiple Pixel sizes, so pick your exact model at checkout.
04Screen and camera: what's worth adding
Pixels ship with Gorilla Glass on the front, which resists scratches well but still cracks on a corner hit against concrete. A tempered glass protector is the cheap part that breaks instead. Buy one cut for your model so it clears the case edge and the under-display fingerprint sensor.
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Fit the protector before the case
Clean the screen, align, press from the center out. Then put the case on, so its lip doesn't push the glass edges up.
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Re-register your fingerprint
In Settings > Security & privacy, open the fingerprint settings, delete the old print and add it again with the glass on. The sensor reads you far more reliably after that.
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Check the camera bar
Most cases raise a lip around the bar. If yours sits flush, the bar is exposed when the phone lies on its back, and a lens protector is worth considering.
Our current screen protection range is cut for iPhone. For a Pixel, buy glass listed for your exact model; full-cover glass that ignores the curve or sensor area causes most fingerprint complaints.
05Week-one extras that use Pixelsnap
This is where the Pixel 10 and 11 get interesting. Because the magnets are in the phone, MagSafe-compatible gear made for iPhones attaches through a magnetic case. Add these once you know how you use the phone.
- Magnetic charger by the bed. You grab the phone off it a dozen times a day without fiddling with a cable.
- A grip or ring. Big Pixels are easier to hold one-handed with one. The Luxi Snap Grip also props the phone up for video.
- Magnetic car mount. Pairs with Google Maps, and you can mount and unmount the phone one-handed.
- Snap-on power bank. Handy, but slower and warmer than a cable. A small 5,000 to 10,000 mAh bank is enough for most days.
Built for MagSafe-compatible magnets, so they attach to a Pixel 10 or 11 in a magnetic case.
06What not to buy
+Worth it
- A spare USB-C cable for the car or bag
- A 30W+ PPS charger, even if you have an old one
- A magnetic case, if your Pixel has Pixelsnap
–Skip
- Metal-plate stickers on a Pixel 10 or 11; the magnets are already inside
- Old USB-A chargers; they won't fast-charge
- Thick rugged cases if you plan to use magnetic gear
- A charger bundle you won't use for a laptop
Coming from an iPhone? Your MagSafe-compatible wallet, grip and car mount should carry over to a Pixel 10 or 11. Coming from a Galaxy? Your USB-C PPS charger will too. The comparison pages for a new iPhone and a new Galaxy cover the other side.
Questions people ask
Does the Pixel 10 come with a charger?
No. The box has the phone and a USB-C to USB-C cable, but no power adapter. You'll need a USB-C power adapter, ideally 30W or more with PPS for full-speed charging.
Do I need a magnetic case for my Pixel?
On a Pixel 10 or 11, yes, if you want Pixelsnap chargers, mounts or wallets to hold. A normal case adds distance and weakens the magnets. On a Pixel 9 or 10a there are no built-in magnets; a magnetic case lets accessories attach but doesn't add Qi2 charging.
Can I use an iPhone MagSafe charger on a Pixel?
On a Pixel 10 or 11, yes. Google lists Apple's MagSafe chargers as compatible, with Apple's newer Qi2-certified models giving up to 15W. The original 2020 MagSafe charger runs much slower on a Pixel.
Is a screen protector worth it on a Pixel?
For most people, yes. Gorilla Glass resists scratches but still cracks on hard corner drops, and a glass protector costs far less than a screen repair. Pick one made for your exact model, then re-register your fingerprint.
What wattage charger do I need for a Pixel 10 Pro XL?
45W with USB PD and PPS for its fastest wired charging. A higher-watt PPS charger is safe; the phone draws only what it supports.