Almost everyone uses a smartphone case as a means of protecting their smartphone, but what if you could have a case that barely actually covers your phone? The Arc Pulse promises to add protection to your Pixel 10 while showing off its design and only covering a tiny fraction of the actual device. Would you try it?
The Arc Pulse is a traditional smartphone case in no sense of the word. Instead, it’s more like a bumper built from “aerospace-grade aluminum” that’s all designed to let your device’s actual design shine through. And that it does. When on my Pixel 10 Pro XL, the Arc Pulse only covers the area around the camera bar and around the very bottom of the device, while clinging on to the corners.
In terms of design, the polished silver color matches “Moonstone” relatively well, and it all fits like a glove. The Pulse slips onto the top and bottom of the device and holds in place with friction on the bottom, and by looping around the camera on the top. Removal is the hardest part, but since it covers up so little, you really don’t need to remove it often at all.
How does it protect your phone? Arc says:
The outer metal shell disperses impact, while a custom-engineered inner layer absorbs shock—keeping a slim, pocket-friendly profile.
Obviously, this isn’t going to protect your device as well as a traditional case, but I can very much see how it would provide a layer of protection. In a fall, the most fragile part of your device is the corner, and those are pretty well protected by the metal outer layer and that rubber inner layer. Meanwhile, the screen gets some protection with the raised lip around the corners.
In a free fall onto pavement or another flat surface, I can see exactly how this “case” would potentially save your phone. It won’t be able to do anything about drops onto something like a rock where your phone lands on its side, but that’s somewhere a normal case might struggle too.
If you’re not usually a fan of cases, the Arc Pulse is a really good middle ground, especially as normal bumper cases have sort of vanished in recent years. It’s the best case that makes it feel like you’re not using a case.
Top comment by Mark
I did have one for my 9 Pro XL and loved it for all the reasons you mentioned. I kept it when I got the 10 XL, but it was just taller enough that the top part of the case didn't quite fit around the camera bar so reluctantly I bought a different bumper case. I wasn't going to pay another $90 for a new one.
That said, the $90 price tag is understandably hard to swallow. In person, it’s hard not to appreciate the craftsmanship and the tight tolerance that makes a product like this possible and, in turn, pricey, but it’s sitll a tall price to pay.
Still, would you try it?
Arc’s Pulse case is now shipping for Pixel 10/Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL.
More on Pixel 10:
- Qi2 batteries have quickly become my favorite Pixel 10 accessory [Gallery]
- Pixel 10 and 10 Pro repair parts: More expensive screens, cheaper batteries
- The next Pixel design will be the same and that’s not a bad thing [Video]
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