Thinborne vs. Arc Pulse for the Pixel 10 Pro: Minimalist Phone Covers Compared (2026)

Here’s a fact: minimalist phone cases aren’t all built the same. Some aim to protect while staying sleek, while others strip protection down to the bare minimum and allow exposure.

That’s exactly the debate behind Thinborne vs. Arc Pulse for the Pixel 10 Pro.

Both cases are made for users who hate bulky cases, but they take very different approaches in their designs. ThinBorne focuses on full-surface coverage with an ultra-thin profile, while Arc Pulse carries an exposed-frame design.

If you’re planning to get a Google Pixel 10 Pro case, this guide will help you decide which approach actually fits your lifestyle.

Both ThinBorne and Arc Pulse aim to deliver a minimalist experience - but their approach couldn’t be more different.

ThinBorne wraps the entire phone in a “barely-there” aramid fiber shell, balancing protection, grip, and MagSafe usability. On the other hand, Arc Pulse takes an exposed design, covering only key impact zones, while leaving most of the phone’s body visible.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of their main features:

Below, we’ll take a closer look at both cases’ key features.

This is where ThinBorne and Arc Pulse differ the most. Both are minimalist cases, but the brands define “coverage” very differently.

ThinBorne

ThinBorne is designed to cover the entire back and sides of the Pixel 10 Pro. At just 0.04 inches thin and under 0.8 oz, it wraps the phone in a full aramid fiber shell. The goal is simple: protect the entire phone while keeping its original form intact.

Arc Pulse

With Arc Pulse, instead of full coverage, it protects only the top and bottom edges, corners, and camera bar (so the back and most of the sides are exposed). This design lets you feel the raw Pixel 10 Pro body at all times, while still adding protection where drops are most likely to occur.

Both cases are minimalist, but their designs communicate very different ideas.

ThinBorne

ThinBorne’s ultra-thin profile follows the natural shape of the Pixel 10 Pro. The case looks clean and precise, and every cutout is intentional.

Arc Pulse

Arc Pulse’s sculptural aluminum frame adds a bold, architectural look to the Pixel 10 Pro. While the metal arcs act as protection, they also work as a design statement.

Minimalism isn’t just about how little you add - it’s also about what you add. ThinBorne and Arc Pulse take two very different approaches when it comes to the materials they use.

ThinBorne

ThinBorne uses premium 600D aramid fiber, an aerospace-grade material that’s five times stronger (yet thinner) than steel. Compared to thicker 1500D fibers used by many brands, 600D creates a finer weave with sharper detail and a cleaner finish. The result is a smooth carbon-fiber texture that feels refined and grippy, adding strength without physical bulk.

Arc Pulse

Arc Pulse is CNC-machined from aerospace-grade aluminum 7075-T6, giving it a sculpted, architectural look (and feel). The Matte Black version features a subtle, non-reflective finish, while the Silver option has a more polished, reflective look that closely matches the Pixel 10 Pro’s metal frame (it also feels smoother).

Grip makes a big difference in daily use, so let’s take a look at how these brands fare in this feature.

ThinBorne

ThinBorne’s carbon fiber texture adds some friction that improves grip without feeling sticky or rough. This makes the Pixel 10 Pro feel more secure in hand, especially during one-handed use.

Arc Pulse

Arc Pulse relies on its metal edge rails to provide grip. The exposed arcs give your fingers something solid to hold onto. However, since much of the glass body remains uncovered, grip can vary depending on hand position and conditions.

Minimalist cases shouldn’t get in the way of how you charge your phone. And nowadays, magnetic accessories have also become a necessity.

ThinBorne

ThinBorne is built with an integrated magnetic array that supports MagSafe and PixelSnap accessories. This allows for magnetic charging and the use of other magnetic accessories for everyday convenience. 

Arc Pulse

Arc Pulse does not include built-in magnets since it’s not a traditional case. However, its open-frame design leaves the back of the Pixel 10 Pro fully exposed. This means it can take advantage of the Pixel 10 Pro’s internal magnetic ring, which is designed to align with the Apple MagSafe system.

Protection is where the difference between these two minimalist designs becomes hard to ignore. How much protection you actually need (and what risks you’re willing to accept) matters most here.

ThinBorne

Keep in mind that ThinBorne is designed for daily protection, not heavy-duty drops. It provides full front and back coverage in an ultra-thin case and helps protect the Pixel 10 Pro from scratches, scuffs, and minor impacts. The aramid fiber construction adds structure without bulk, making it ideal for users who want protection that doesn’t change how the phone feels.

Arc Pulse

As mentioned before, Arc Pulse is not your typical case and focuses more on impact-zone protection. Its dual-layer metal design reinforces corners, edges, and the camera bar (areas most likely to take a hit during a drop). It’s tested for drops up to 10 feet, but note that the back and sides remain fully exposed (aka zero protection).

ThinBorne - $69.69

Arc Pulse - Arc Pulse comes in two finishes with different price points:

• Matte Black - $69.99

• Aluminum Silver - $89.99

Understanding user experiences helps when deciding between the Thinborne and Arc Pulse cases for the Pixel 10 Pro. Here’s a summary based on real reviews:

Let’s take a look at some Amazon reviews…

Positive Reviews:

• “I really love this case! As soon as I put it on my Pixel 10 Pro, I could tell it was made with care. The fit is perfect — snug without being too tight — and all the buttons and ports line up exactly like they should. It feels smooth and comfortable in the hand, and the slim profile keeps the phone looking sleek instead of bulky like some heavy-duty cases tend to do.” - Melvin

• “This case has a refined, minimalist look and feels sturdy despite being very thin. The carbon fiber material provides grip without bulk, and it aligns perfectly with the phone’s edges.” - DW

• “Despite being thin and extremely lightweight, the case features MagSafe built in and locks securely onto any MagSafe-compatible mount.” - dWiGhT

Not-So-Positive Reviews:

• “It's a lot of cash for a case that is as thin as it is. But I can't argue with the quality, fit, and design.” - Amazon Customer

• “It might not seem like it could handle a major drop... ” - Trailboss & Trailbossette 

Now let’s listen to what some Redditors have to say about the Arc Pulse case…

Positive Reviews:

• “It looks cool. It raises the phone on flat surfaces (face down or back). Plus most drops happen on corners.” - ZAKtalksTECH

• “Used to have one for the iPhone 14 Pro and loved it. Phone fell a few times, never had any issues. As someone who likes to see the phone 'naked' as it were, this is the one compromise I'm willing to make.” - Im3th0sI

• “I need one I've never seen them before.” - CanCommercial6205

Not-So-Positive Reviews:

• “I like the look but I am too paranoid of damaging the exposed parts of the phone.” - Keepa5000

• “This case looks awful and the price is hilarious.” - robtheastronaut

• “Phone lingerie.” - Offcoloring

Based on the above reviews, we can see that Thinborne is praised for its minimalist design, precise fit, and strong magnetic compatibility. However, some people say that its drop protection is limited (which is the usual trade-off for slim cases).

As for the Arc Pulse, it appeals to users who want a stylish frame that lets the phone’s design show, while still providing some protection. It’s worth noting that there are differing opinions regarding its appearance.

Choosing between ThinBorne and Arc Pulse depends on how much coverage you want from a minimalist Google Pixel 10 Pro case.

Choose Arc Pulse if you want:

• Corner-focused protection

• A non-traditional “bumper-style” minimalist design

• A bold, sculptural look in Matte Black or Aluminum Silver

Choose ThinBorne if you want:

• A thin phone case that fully wraps the phone without bulk

• Better grip from textured 600D aramid fiber

• Precise cutouts and button alignment

• Built-in MagSafe / PixelSnap support

• Low-profile protection for scratches and minor drops

What People Say About Us:

Thinborne was featured in Wired as one of the best Pixel 10 cases.

We were also featured on Yahoo when early Thinborne cases for the Pixel 10 series were sold out.

Thinborne’s Pixel 10 Pro case is also a favorite on X:

When it comes to Thinborne vs. Arc Pulse for the Pixel 10 Pro, the choice ultimately depends on how you define minimalism. Both options strip away excess, but they do so in very different ways.

Arc Pulse focuses on an exposed design. Its aluminum frame highlights the phone itself, offering selective protection. It’s ideal for careful users who prioritize aesthetics and don’t mind leaving most of the device uncovered.

Thinborne, on the other hand, focuses on functional minimalism. It wraps the Pixel 10 Pro in a thin phone case that protects against daily wear, improves grip, and adds MagSafe compatibility - without changing how the phone feels in your hand.

If you want a minimalist Google Pixel 10 Pro case that still feels practical for daily use, Thinborne delivers balance. But if your priority is showcasing the phone’s design, Arc Pulse offers a more radical take on minimalism.

Before you go, watch this Thinborne Pixel 10 Pro case review on YouTube: