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I’m a really big fan of how Google designs its smartphones, but if there’s one nitpick I have, it’s that the base Pixel phones keep getting a glossy glass finish on the back. After throwing a simple clear matte skin on the back of my Pixel 10 recently, I’m even more convinced Google needs to switch going forward.
Since 2021’s reboot of the Pixel series, Google has split its flagship lineup between two tiers. The Pro offers the best of the best, with upgraded cameras and more memory, but the same chipset and core design as the base Pixel release. It’s a separation that makes sense, especially as the “lesser” model gets a lower price tag too.
Starting with 2023’s Pixel 8 series, Google established a pretty clear separation in the fit and finish of these phones. The base model would get a glossy glass back and matte side rails, while the Pro device flips the formula, with frosted glass and polished rails. It works, but the Pixel 10 series is where this has started to become a bit of an issue.
The “baby” Pixel 10 has been backing up my Galaxy Z Fold 7 for the past few months, and I’ve been absolutely loving it. Google’s addition of a proper telephoto lens in this device combined with the compact size just makes it such an excellent smartphone to carry. And, in the stunning “Indigo” color, I’m inclined to carry it without a case on. That’s reminded me, though, just how much I loathe glossy glass on the back of smartphones. It doesn’t feel very nice, and it also leads to issues with Qi2 accessories as the phone will constantly slide around, especially on car chargers.
Advertisement - scroll for more contentI’ve been wishing for months that the Pixel 10 just had the same matte finish as the Pro models, and eventually, I just decided to seek out a clear matte skin. These are surprisingly tough to find, at least from trustworthy brands, but I ended up finding a fairly-priced option from “XtremeSkins” over Black Friday. On arrival, I installed the skin and, while there are some imperfections, it’s a wonderful upgrade to the fit and finish of this device. The phone no longer slips around on chargers or tables, feels better in my hand, and just looks better too.
I sort of understand why Google likes to have this visual distinction between the “baby” Pixel 10 and the Pro models, but I’m really hoping that, eventually, glossy glass is just removed for good. After all, this is the last place it remains in the Pixel lineup, as the Pros and the A-Series both opt for matte. The iPhone’s push towards more matte finishes gives Google even more of a reason to make the switch.
Then again, with the vast majority of people using a case anyway, I doubt this is anywhere on Google’s to-do list.
What do you think? Would you prefer a matte finish on future Pixel base models?
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