dbrand Grip Case for Google Pixel 9 Review: Too good at its job?

The Pixel 9 series features a nice, minimalist design, but if you’re looking for something a little more ostentatious, the dbrand Grip Case is worth a look. It combines dbrand’s unique, eye-catching skin designs with a very nice case that’s worth buying on its own.

This is a premium case and as such comes in premium packaging. dbrand definitely overdid it, but if you like unboxing you won’t be disappointed. Includes the case itself and any skins in a small pouch on the side. Please note that the skin photos you see in this review are early prints, so they do not include the camera module sticker. Personally, I think it looks better without the sticker, but you can decide for yourself.

While the case slides onto the phone easily, I had some issues with the skin positioning. The new pill-shaped camera strap on the Pixel 9 series means the skin is one large piece with a huge cutout in the middle. This makes it difficult to line up, especially in the thin sections next to the camera. You can always replace it with a new skin, but that’s a costly mistake.

Once the overlay is installed, the case has a nice texture on the back, but is still smooth enough to ensure a solid connection between the magnets. These magnets unlock a huge ecosystem of chargers, stands, wallets and more. There aren’t many good magnetic cases for the Pixel 9 series, but this is without a doubt one of my favorites.

Of course, I must mention what the name of this case comes from: the incredibly grippy micro-dot texture on the sides. This is the catchiest case I’ve ever tested, for better or worse. There they are also some shiny grip strips for your hands to rest in, but still quite abrasive in the hand. If you are sensitive to textures, this may be too much.

Personally, I liked the extreme grip, but I was more impressed by the fine details around the camera bump. Instead of a raised platform, it has slightly raised rails at the top of the sides. This eliminates the hard edges of unevenness of the camera and prevents it from rocking on the table. Overall, this is a very clever design.

Another nice detail is that the lip on the front of the case is slightly lower on the sides. This makes using swipe gestures very convenient and at the same time protects the Pixel 9’s OLED panel.

And now the bad news – the price. dbrand Grip Cases for the Pixel 9 series start at $50, but that only applies to matte-colored skins. If you want a more interesting skin, you’re looking at $55-60. Additional skins are another 10-20 bucks.

This makes it one of the most expensive cases on the market, but considering everything it offers, it’s still a good value. With excellent drop protection, integrated magnets, and a virtually drop-proof design, there’s not much more you could ask for.

If the dbrand Grip Case for Pixel 9 is too grippy or too expensive for you, here are some additional options to consider:

• Casetify Impact Case ($59.99 at Casetify): Casetify offers even more customization options than dbrand, albeit with printed patterns. The case still offers very good protection, but is thinner and has a more standard TPU feel in the hand. However, it is still quite expensive.
• Caseology Athlex ($15.99 at Amazon): If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out Caseology Athlex. It has a similar micro-dot pattern on the sides, with a more subdued pattern on the back. It’s not very interesting, but it’s a third cheaper.
• Cyrill Ultrasheer ($21.99 at Amazon): This one is obvious, but the printed patterns offer a more feminine option than anything dbrand offers. There’s still a tactile micro-dot texture on the sides, but it’s definitely not as perfect as the Grip case.