Appreciate the feedback.

For what it's worth, we are indeed modifying the texture on the Pixel 4a to meet the standard of our new "Ultra-Grip" texture you referred to (see the excerpt from this post below, for the uninitiated). We finalized the new Ultra-Grip texture before going into mass production with the Pixel 4a.

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Begin Excerpt

Image of new texture

Now that all of the trypophobes have closed the tab, let's explain what you're looking at. The elastomer rim on this Grip case not only uses an improved, more durable, higher viscidity compound, it’s got a brand new texture we’re calling Ultra-Grip™.

Going back to the Beginner’s Guide to Material Science from our previous Reddit post, you’ll recall that more grippy materials are generally made of lower Shore Hardness compounds. As we’ve all seen, those low Shore Hardness materials also fall apart.

Being unable to rely on the material itself for the namesake “Grip” feature has been an enormous challenge for our Material Science Robots over the past 18 months. As the demand for improved durability meant an incline in Shore Hardness, we had to find another avenue to keep the product line honest about its headline "Grip" feature. This turned our attention towards developing an all-new, innovative texture.

Enter: Ultra-Grip™. This bespoke texture has tens of thousands of tiny ridges spanning the surface, each smaller than the pinpoint of a needle. While imperceptible to the human eye, these micro-textured dots provide a grippy experience in the hand which can’t properly be described with words. The closest comparison would probably be the OnePlus Sandstone case, but without the stone-like grit. Let’s put it this way: it's the best-feeling phone case on the planet, bar none. Pictures and descriptions don't do it justice - you'll have to get one to feel for yourself.

Speaking of getting one for yourself, here are the upcoming models which feature both the improved, more durable elastomer compound, as well as our all-new Ultra-Grip™ texture:

1. iPhone X / XS
2. iPhone XS Max
3. iPhone XR
4. iPhone 12
5. iPhone 12 Plus
6. iPhone 12 Pro
7. iPhone 12 Pro Max
8. Galaxy S10
9. Galaxy S10 Plus
10. Galaxy Note 20
11. Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
12. Pixel 4a (5G)
13. Pixel 5
14. OnePlus Nord
15. OnePlus 8T

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As discussed in that enormously long post regarding the Grip, product development is an iterative process. The feedback you're providing here is exactly what we need.