Google’s most expensive smartphone isn’t devoid of accessories, but getting really high-quality options for the Pixel Pro Fold really isn’t as easy as it should be for a phone of this price point. That said, here are some of our favorite options to pair with this phone-tablet hybrid.
Rightly or wrongly, after you’ve spent the better part of $2,000 on your Pixel Fold, you won’t have a ton of decent accessories to choose from. It’s just not clear why, but even some of the biggest case and accessory makers aren’t all in on the Pixel Pro Fold this year. The pool of things that you can go out and actually look at and pick up to enhance your protective prize possession is smaller but filled with, well, to be honest, lots of crud.
Wireless Charging
One of the most annoying design changes of the Pixel Pro Fold is that, due to the altered wireless charging coil placement, it actually won’t work right out of the box with the Pixel Stand. So, for that reason, we’ve been crying out for a high-quality, in-one charging dock for the Pixel Pro Fold that will also do things like charge your earbuds, your watch, and another phone on top of that.
One of the only options I’ve tried that works is from a brand called Maqu. Bad pronunciation aside, this device isn’t perfect either, as it actually doesn’t support the Pixel Watch. But hear me out: this is the only charger I’ve tested that lets you charge the Pixel Pro Fold open, or even with two phones side by side, one of those being that foldable.
If you have the OG Pixel Watch, the flip-out magnetic charger arm is great. Luckily, it falls away, so you don’t need to use it if you have the newer wearable. For what it’s worth, I’ve resigned to just using that Span S charger as my main Pixel Watch charging stand, as I do think it gives you the isolation. Another bonus is that this particular charging dock has a foldable design. It folds completely flat (or at least as flat as it can) allowing you to slip it into a bag or drawer if you don’t need it all the time or need it immediately. When upright, it is the perfect plinth to have your Pixel Pro Fold open and take on power, making it a great option to use with the Pixel Pro Fold and charge another device if you want to charge it while closed.
Cases and Accessories
Due to the design of the Pixel Pro Fold, there aren’t really that many decent full-coverage cases or accessories available right now. It doesn’t help that many screen protectors actually have issues when you put a case or frame on your phone, especially on the front of it.
My personal favorite is a case from Mouse, which is super expensive, and I do think their super thin lineup for the entire Pixel series is exceptional. It has been my go-to this year, if you can stomach the price. That said, there are better full-coverage cases for the Pixel Pro Fold this time and at much lower prices. A brand called Crey (terrible name, great pun for a foldable phone) makes one such option. This clear case is great, and I love it. It packs in MagSafe, so you can attach more accessories and extras to your phone if you want to. It’s fully transparent so you can see the design and the edges of your phone, and ensure that nothing is getting trapped under that folding mechanism. This is really important for a phone like this. Plus, it has an integrated front screen protector that won’t actually lift in the corners like some of those alternative options. For $20, it’s an absolute steal.
Kickstands and Mini Workstations
This year, there aren’t that many Pixel Pro Fold cases that have a kickstand built in that I could actually recommend. So, I found a small, durable kickstand that folds up that you can carry with you in your pocket or even in a tech kit bag. J is known for making high-quality accessories for lots of other devices, like the Steam Deck, but the foldable deck chair for your phone is great because it’s super dense, it has rubber feet, and a plinth for your Pixel Fold (or any other phone, for that matter).
Unlike other kickstands, which have only one height or angle, the J phone stand can be placed at quite a few angles, almost to 90°. It doesn’t budge unless you manually adjust it, so your phone stays in place and won’t slip off or slide off, especially on uneven surfaces. It’s made from an aluminum alloy, so it can take a real beating, and the 120g weight means it won’t wobble or weaken over time. I think it’s great for watching movies, or even if you want to use your foldable like a mini-laptop with the keyboard or the on-screen keyboard at the bottom when your screen is angled. Stick it in your bag, and you have a useful everyday kickstand. What’s even more, it’s under $20!
Keyboard and Touchpad
I love the idea of using the Pixel Pro Fold as a mini workstation on the go. So, in tandem with that kickstand I just mentioned, I’ve been pairing it with an older folding wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad or mouse pad.
My Mothed Trifold Wireless Keyboard is a little long in the tooth—I’ve had this for quite a few years now—but it works like a dream. I can use all of my keyboard shortcuts, the mouse cursor, and it barely takes up any room in my backpack or side bag. You might not want to do any real work on the Pixel Pro Fold, but even just typing out documents by using the bigger, desktop-like Chrome browser that is available on the inner screen just fully evolves how you use that inner display. Because my unit is discontinued and uses a micro USB-C charging port, you can get updated models with USB-C charging that definitely offer the exact same integrated experience. I do think it’s worth looking at if you want to use this in a more professional setting or if you just want to do typing and browsing on the go.
Screen Protectors
I left this for last because there are a few things to know about screen protectors and how well they work on the Pixel Pro Fold. I’ve alluded to it in this article already, but if you do not plan on using a case with your foldable, then you can grab up a reputable option from just about any case maker out there, although some people have discontinued their options due to some issues with the hardware.
A cheap three-pack will probably run you about $20, but note that the quality might not be up to your standards. So, if you want a screen protector, go and find one for about that price. I will leave a link down in the description to one that we trust.
The thing is, even with that in mind, lots of screen protectors have issues on the outer display once you put a case on it. This is most visible at the bottom left of the display, where the inner section of the case can actually lift the screen protector, requiring you to reapply it or press down heavily on that bottom-left corner to get it seated correctly. TPU screen protectors, at least in our testing, have less of a tendency to have this issue, but it is something to be aware of if you do want to use a screen protector.