Google Pixel Watch may need a bumper case for that dome display

The Pixel Watch will be launching officially in just a few hours, but we mostly know everything about it thanks to official reveals and leaks. The design video Google recently shared shows the smartwatch’s dome display from all angles. The glass goes all the way to the side of the watch, and some have questioned Google’s design decision, given a display like that might be more prone to breaking compared to watches with full metal casings. After all, watches tend to bump up against objects in daily use, let alone outdoor activities like hiking or rock climbing.

It looks like third-party device makers had the same thought as critics on the internet. Case maker Ringke is launching an accessory for the Pixel Watch called “Bezel Styling” (via 9to5Google). It’s a stainless steel protection that goes around the device’s display, with a cutout for the crown.

The description of the Bezel Styling notes that it’s meant to “keep your device protected from scratches and dust gathered from frequent use.” It sticks to the Pixel Watch using a “cushioned double-side type.”

The accessory maker shows a worrying graphic with an image showing the smartwatch ring attached to the Pixel Watch and one without it. The latter shows a shattered display with the break starting from the corner of the Pixel Watch screen.

To be fair, Ringke also makes smartwatch bumpers for other brands, so it’s not like the Pixel Watch case is an anomaly. Google also showed in its video that the device comes covered in Corning Gorilla Glass, so it may not be as easily breakable as the case maker suggests. Still, the shape of the Pixel Watch looks like it’s not well suited for rough usage. We’ll wait and see how the device fares when we get it in for review.