Google Pixel Fold Review: Presenting the Future of Foldable Technology
After 4 years of Samsung’s first foldable, Google entered the market with its first foldable phone, Pixel Fold. The Google Pixel Fold is available in the market from June 27. It is a treat for Google enthusiasts because the hype for the phone was long made. Google started accepting the preorder of Pixel Fold on May 10.
In this article, we will review it for you and help you decide whether you should buy it or wait for the next pixel folding phone, or maybe just go with a leading foldable like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Google Pixel Fold Features and Specifications
Design:
Google Pixel Fold has revolutionized the foldable phone market with its 0.2 inches thick display. This feature makes it easier to operate apps and text on the front panel, making it a second display rather than a preview. The device weighs 0.625 lbs. Which is slightly heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. It features a 7.6-inch display when opened.
The fluid-friction hinge on the Pixel Fold ensures smooth operation and durability, but the device does not unfold completely flat. While the Pixel Fold can withstand immersion in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, it is not waterproof or dust-proof. The device is available in porcelain and obsidian colors, but its durability should be considered as it may be easy to damage the inside display.
| Features | Specifications |
| Cover display | 5.8 inches OLED (2092 x 1080) |
| Main display | 7.6 inches OLED (2208 x 1840) |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz for both |
| CPU | Tensor G2 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage / Expandable? | 256GB / 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP (f/1.7), 10.8MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10.8MP telephoto (5x optical zoom) |
| Front Camera | 9.5MP (f/2.2) |
| Inner camera | 8MP (f/2.0) |
| Video | 4K video up to 60 fps |
| Battery size | 4,821 mAh |
| Wired charging speed | 30W |
| Wireless charging? | Yes |
| Size open | 6.2 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches |
| Size closed | 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 0.625 lbs |
| Colors | Obsidian, Porcelain |
Display:
The Pixel Fold features dual OLED displays with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, offering a wide viewing angle and consistent 120Hz refresh rates. The panel’s exterior display is brighter, with a maximum brightness of 1,172 nits, surpassing the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 870 nits. The smaller external display is better for framing shots, while the interior display is adequate for viewing films and showcasing photos.
Software and Usage Modes:
The Pixel Fold offers a user-friendly multitasking experience with its intuitive design. It features a dock for quick access to apps, split screen mode, and easy switching between apps. Samsung keeps the dock visible, but the overall approach is clean and intuitive. The Pixel Fold offers various modes, such as TV mode for watching videos and tabletop mode for a more ergonomic experience. Google has optimized its apps for the large screen, and third-party developers have also contributed to the device’s multitasking capabilities. Google’s Gmail, TikTok, Spotify, and Slack are some of the best-performing apps on the Pixel Fold.
When you have apps that don’t appear squashed, a split screen is excellent. To avoid switching between multiple apps, I used Chrome and Telegram to send my partner recommendations about where to get dinner. Having these capabilities just makes the simple things so much easier, even if none of this would have been hard with a typical phone.
Camera
Google’s I/O 2023 showcased the Google Pixel Fold, featuring five cameras in the foldable phone category. The Pixel Fold offers a high-quality camera experience with Real Tone and Night Sight. It features a 48MP back camera, 10.8MP ultrawide camera, and 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and 20x Super Res Zoom. The 9.5MP front camera and 8MP internal camera are also included. The 5x optical zoom lens provides excellent details and clarity, while the Google Photos app offers unique photo tools like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur for sharpening pictures.
Battery
The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 4,400 mAh battery is less than the 4,821 mAh battery in the Pixel Fold. Unsurprisingly, that change was sufficient to have the Pixel Fold outperform its major competitor in our test, lasting 10 hours and 21 minutes. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 ran the same test for 9 hours and 17 minutes.
Our testing in the real world revealed that its battery life was likewise good. With the Pixel Fold, a full battery will provide you with a minimum of 3 quarters of daily use. It means you have to charge it twice a day.
Performance
Overall, the performance of the Google Tensor G2 chip is great in the Pixel fold. It uses the same Google TensorG2 chip, which was used in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Google needs to fix the app opening structure because it is a bit of a headache when it comes to the overall experience.
Price
The base variant with 12GB, 256 GB RAM would cost you around $1,800. The top variant costs $1999. Since it’s Google’s first folding phone, it would have made more sense to keep the price lower. Nonetheless, the price is set and it’s up to you to see if you can afford it.
Verdict
Foldables of the first generation are hard. Unlike Motorola’s or Samsung’s initial foldable experiments, the Pixel Fold is far from a failure. But such businesses have worked out many of the issues now that they are several generations old. It’s a fun gadget, but it would probably work best for someone who doesn’t mind carrying around a lot of weight and frequently consumes entertainment on a big screen when traveling. You’re better off waiting to see what the next generation has to offer if, however, it sounds more like a nice-to-have than a need, as it did to me.