Pixel 9 series slippery official case and touch registration issues come to light

Early adopters of Google’s latest flagship Pixel 9 series are reporting two notable issues: a surprisingly slippery official case and touch registration problems in certain screen areas. These complaints have surfaced just days after the phones’ release, prompting discussion among users about potential quality control concerns.

Slippery official silicone cases

Several Pixel 9 owners have expressed disappointment with the official Google case, citing its unexpectedly slippery texture. This marks a significant departure from previous iterations, particularly the Pixel 8 case, which was praised for its grippy feel.

One user on Reddit noted, “I find it way too slippery. In fact, I find the phone without a case is way grippier than the silicone case.” Another echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Pixel 9 Pro XL case is way slippery. For those who haven’t used it, it’s very similar in feel to the iPhone silicone cases.”

Some users speculate that the case may become less slippery over time, as has been observed with similar materials. However, the initial slipperiness has left many questioning the case’s protective capabilities and overall design choice. A YouTuber — Asian Geek Squad — also highlighted the concern in their video that you can watch below:

Quality concerns have also emerged, with one user reporting that after just a week of use, “one of the corners is already coming apart. It appears that the case is made out of plastic sandwiched by a very thin layer of the silicon material.” This user speculated that the damage might be due to frequent removal from pockets, though they admitted this seemed unlikely for such a new case.

The initial slipperiness and these additional issues have left many questioning the case’s protective capabilities, overall design choice, and value for its $35 price tag. Some users are already looking into third-party alternatives that offer better grip and potentially improved durability. I noticed most user-suggestions were to use cases from Spigen, and I’d also offer the same suggestion. My Pixel 8 is cozy in a Spigen Liquid Air case that offers great grip and protection too. So it’s hard to go wrong with a Spigen case.

Touch registration issues

A more concerning problem has emerged regarding touch sensitivity on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Users and tech reviewers alike have noticed inconsistent touch registration, particularly in the bottom corners of the screen.

According to reports, the issue is most noticeable when attempting to close the Gboard keyboard using the downward-facing chevron in the bottom-left corner. While this button typically has a wide touch target on other devices, Pixel 9 Pro XL users have found they need to press the icon directly for it to register consistently.

9to5Google, which has tested two separate units, confirms the problem exists across devices. They note that while placing other UI elements in the affected area works fine, the specific keyboard-closing action is problematic. This suggests the issue is software-related rather than a hardware defect.

Some users have reported temporary relief after rebooting their devices, but the problem tends to recur. As a workaround, users can close the keyboard using the back gesture on the left or right edge of the screen.

No official statement

Google has not acknowledged either of the two problems yet. However, it’s likely that the touch registration bug would be fixed with upcoming software updates. As for the slippery case, users might have to consider opting for other brands like Spigen, Mous, Bellroy, and Peak Design as potential replacements that offer better grip.