Knowledgeable’s Score
Professionals
- Glorious cameras
- Nice screens
- Google apps optimised for giant display screen
- Hole-free design
Cons
- The worth
- Many apps not optimised for pill mode
- Heavy for a telephone
- No stylus assist
Our Verdict
The Pixel Fold is a powerful system, particularly for a primary technology. There’s room for enchancment in software program, although this depends on app builders as a lot as Google. The most important turn-offs are the worth and hefty weight, although these are intrinsic in order for you a telephone that unfolds right into a pill. And in the event you do, the Pixel Fold is likely one of the higher ones to purchase.
Worth When Reviewed
$1799 (256GB), $1919 (512GB)
Finest Costs Immediately: Google Pixel Fold
Google’s folding telephone has been a very long time coming. Rumours that the corporate was creating one started a number of years again and in a shock revelation throughout a current Made by Google podcast episode, the world discovered that the Pixel Fold wasn’t the primary.
A earlier design hadn’t made the grade and was cancelled as a result of it wasn’t adequate. The Pixel Fold, then, should have handed muster and it’s taking the battle to varied rivals however primarily Samsung. The South Korean firm has a giant lead on Google, having launched its first Galaxy Fold in 2019 and is on monitor to launch its fifth-generation foldable telephone quickly.
The historical past lesson is related right here as a result of the Pixel Fold doesn’t exist in a vacuum. And whereas there’s rather a lot to love in regards to the telephone, there’s some frustration too – a few of which may be fastened in software program updates. Then there’s additionally the worth, which isn’t 1,000,000 miles away from $2,000/£2,000.
Design & construct
- No hole when folded
- Slim, comparatively talking
- IPX8 water resistance
Fairly clearly, the Pixel Fold is the kind of folding telephone which goals to be a pill substitute relatively than the ‘flip’ fashion which takes a standard telephone and folds it in half.
And this makes the Pixel Fold a giant, heavy telephone. It’s 12.1mm thick (not together with the digicam bump) and 80mm vast. At 140mm tall, it’s shorter than many telephones however at 284g, rather a lot heavier – 20g heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
And everybody I handed the Pixel Fold to commented on the burden first. However, as with every folding telephone, it additionally has an enormous wow issue. Pictured right here is the Obsidan color however you may as well get it in Porcelain.
Opening it as much as reveal the 7.6in inner display screen will often elicit a “wow” or a puff as a result of, even now in 2023, not that many individuals have seen a telephone that folds in half.
The crease doesn’t ever go away, however a variety of the time the brightness of the display screen hides it. It’s much more hidden in the event you’re working one app on both sides of the display screen.
The place the Fold differs from its rivals – notably the Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 – is that it has a 6:5 facet ratio. Meaning it’s extra panorama than portrait which is extra important than you may think because it impacts how apps behave.
When folded, there’s no hole between the screens. The hole is likely one of the belongings you discover first in regards to the Galaxy Fold 4, however which Samsung is more likely to tackle within the Fold 5 that launches in just some weeks’ time.
It isn’t the primary folding telephone to shut flat: Honor’s Magic Vs does too.
Jim Martin / Foundry
On the highest edge is one speaker with a second on the underside edge together with the nano-SIM tray and a USB-C port.
On the right-hand facet, on the rear a part of the telephone (when folded), is the quantity rocker and energy button, which doubles as a fingerprint scanner.
The perimeters are rounded, polished alloy and the hinge is actually a thicker model: its smoothness feels great in your fingers. As quickly as you contact it, your fingerprints will probably be throughout it however end is well worth the common cleansing required.
Jim Martin / Foundry
One space that doesn’t decide up fingerprints is the Gorilla Glass Victus on the again of the telephone, because it has a matt end. An enormous digicam part juts out about 3mm.
This, and the very fact the Pixel Fold doesn’t open to precisely 180° means it doesn’t lie flat in opposition to a floor. That’s annoying if you wish to kind, swipe or do one thing that includes touching the display screen because it rocks in all instructions.
Jim Martin / Foundry
You’ll be able to apply a little bit of strain to pressure the display screen that ultimate 5 levels or so to be completely flat, but it surely doesn’t really feel good to do this on such an costly system.
The truth is, distinguished warnings within the field inform you that versatile screens are softer than on conventional telephones and you need to “keep away from contact with sand, crumbs, fingernails or sharp objects”. You’re additionally instructed to not take away the factory-installed display screen protector and to not apply a third-party one.
The overwhelming feeling, then, is that that is an particularly delicate telephone that wants a variety of care. There’s additionally the frustration that, regardless of the worth, Google doesn’t embody a case within the field. It’ll promote you one, after all: the official case prices $59.99/£64.99.
With an IPX8 ranking, the Pixel Fold can “take a splash”, in accordance with Google. The truth is, that’s an understatement: it could actually stand up to immersion in water as much as 1m deep for half-hour. Not that you just’d wish to check that, thoughts.
One advantage of the stiff hinge is having the ability to regulate the display screen to a sure angle and it’ll keep there. That’s helpful if you wish to watch a video hands-free on the outer display screen in ‘tent’ mode, but it surely additionally means you are able to do the identical type of factor with the interior display screen in a type of ‘laptop computer mode’.
Jim Martin / Foundry
That may very well be helpful for video calls as there’s a digicam on the within bezel in addition to one embedded into the outer display screen. When Android 14 launches, there may even be an replace to YouTube which shows the video within the prime a part of the display screen and places playback controls on the half laying flat.
Display & audio system
- 5.8in outer 17.4:9 display screen
- 7.6in internal 6:5 display screen
It isn’t presupposed to be the primary attraction, however the Pixel Fold’s exterior display screen is uncommon for a folding telephone as a result of it’s very comparable in proportions to a standard telephone. Or, no less than, a standard telephone from just a few years in the past.
Jim Martin / Foundry
The 17.4:9 facet ratio is way more usable than the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s 23.1:9 outer display screen. It’s a very vibrant OLED panel, peaking at 1550 nits and an actual pleasure to make use of even in vibrant outside circumstances. Decision is nice, colors are nice and – no shock – viewing angles are, too.
Some might dislike Google’s option to go along with a punch-hole selfie digicam but it surely actually doesn’t get in the best way.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Prise open the Fold – one thing that wants two arms and a fingernail as a result of there’s no hole in any respect – and it turns into a small pill. The display screen has the identical 7.6in diagonal because the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and though this makes each telephones square-ish, the Pixel Fold has a 6:5 facet ratio in opposition to the Z Fold 4’s 21.6:18.
Human brains can’t simply evaluate these numbers, however what it boils right down to is that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 (and just about each different competitor) has a taller, narrower display screen whereas the Pixel Fold is wider and shorter.
Is that this a profit? The reply is difficult, and one greatest answered once I speak in regards to the Pixel Fold’s software program later.
Each screens assist a variable refresh fee as much as 120Hz, however the inner display screen isn’t fairly as vibrant at 1000 nits, with peak brightness of 1200 nits.
The opposite factor to notice is the bezel across the inner display screen. It’s thicker on the prime and backside than the perimeters but it surely’s not one thing you discover in regular use. If something, it’s too skinny on the sides and means it’s onerous to grip the telephone with out by chance touching one thing on the display screen.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Nevertheless, a extra vital remark, particularly for first-time foldable patrons, is that the display screen isn’t completely flat. We’re all so used to the thick glass on conventional telephones {that a} versatile display screen – which is what it’s – appears wavy and, nicely, low cost.
As talked about already, the fold stays even when the hinge is totally open, similar to the crease whenever you fold a chunk of paper in half after which unfold it.
General, high quality is nice however you do discover a band both facet of that crease exhibiting barely totally different brightness and colors as you progress the telephone round in your arms. It’s not a dealbreaker: it’s simply what versatile screens are like in the meanwhile.
The ultra-thin glass is roofed by a plastic protector that doesn’t fairly attain the outer bezel. There’s a niche of 1-2mm across the edge which collects mud and filth such as you wouldn’t imagine. The identical factor occurs within the tiny gaps between the highest and backside of the display screen and the hinge.
Jim Martin / Foundry
At the least one (vocal) reviewer’s Pixel Fold display screen has been broken by crumbs getting caught within the display screen protector hole and seemingly inflicting the display screen to fail. I’ve had no such points, however have additionally been cautious to present the display screen a wipe, even simply with a finger, earlier than closing it every time.
A ultimate element that’s simple to overlook is the digicam within the top-right part of the bezel. It’s there so regardless of how you utilize the Fold, there’s at all times a method to have a video name or take a selfie.
Audio system, to vary the topic, are surprisingly good. They don’t put out a lot quantity till you ramp the slider as much as the max, however they’re able to respectable audio for watching movies, listening to podcasts and even the odd little bit of music.
Software program & apps
- Android 13
- Optimised Google apps
- 5 years of Pixel updates
Software program is important with any folding telephone as a result of apps want to look in another way whenever you use it in pill mode and benefit from the additional house and determination. The place others, reminiscent of Honor with the Magic Vs, haven’t carried out a tremendous job, Google is within the lucky place that Apple is with the iPhone and might management each {hardware} and software program.
To this finish, it has optimised all its apps for the Fold’s oddly-shaped display screen. Gmail, Calendar, Climate, Drive, Images – all of them look stunning and present much more than you see on the outer display screen.
Jim Martin / Foundry
That’s nice, however not all apps work nicely on the Fold. Those who aren’t optimised show with black bars on the edges – Fb is a notable one – and the one method to make them fill the display screen is to rotate the Fold by 90° and use it in ‘portrait’ mode.
Jim Martin / Foundry
The difficulty is, in lots of circumstances, apps are merely scaled up so all the pieces is bigger as a substitute of exhibiting extra data.
Even a few of Google’s apps aren’t totally optimised. Maps typically reverted to the Fb fashion of filling the centre of the display screen however with black bars on the edges.
Jim Martin / Foundry
The facet ratio isn’t nice for video both: if you wish to see all of a 16:9 video, it’s displayed at a measurement that’s barely bigger than the outer display screen. And it’s worse in the event you’re watching a film that makes use of a fair thinner, wider facet ratio.
YouTube is optimised, after all, so you’ll be able to zoom in and make the video fill the display screen. Nevertheless it’s like going again to the times earlier than widescreen TVs.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Maybe the primary profit isn’t working a single app, although, it’s having two open on the identical time. This works nicely, particularly as a result of Google has added a taskbar that seems whenever you slowly swipe up from the underside of the display screen. If you happen to’re already working an app, you’ll be able to drag one other one to the left or proper and it’ll fill whichever half you’ve dragged it two.
Jim Martin / Foundry
You’ll be able to then drag the divider bar left or proper to make one app wider (and the opposite thinner) and you’ll rotate the telephone to portrait if the apps work higher in that orientation, reminiscent of whenever you wish to watch a video and have an internet web page open on the identical time.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Sure apps allow you to drag and drop between them, however I by no means discovered this to be notably sport altering. Sure, you’ll be able to choose a bunch of images from Google Images and drop them into an e mail or a WhatsApp chat, but it surely’s simply as simple to connect images from inside these apps.
Copying and pasting textual content between apps feels extra handy when each are on display screen, however even after per week, I didn’t uncover the killer app pair that made the Fold an indispensable software.
An issue that might be addressed when Android 14 drops is the absence of a method to launch pairs of apps that you just like to make use of collectively. As an alternative, you must launch one full display screen, deliver up the taskbar and both use the Break up icon or discover the app and drag it to the one facet.
One other subject is that apps don’t stay paired in the event you shut the Fold. What occurs whenever you re-open it’s that one of many apps shows full display screen, one thing that’s very irritating.
It will possibly additionally get complicated as a result of Google has chosen to make the Fold do various things whenever you shut it relying upon what kind of app you had been utilizing in pill mode. I requested Google about this and was instructed that it’s a characteristic builders name “wakelock”. Some apps inform the display screen to remain on – even on non-folding telephones – and ignore any idle timers. So in the event you’re watching a video, studying a e book or taking part in a sport and shut the display screen, it would seem on the outer display screen as a substitute of locking the telephone and displaying the always-on data.
That’s high quality when you perceive it, however there’s no setting to vary this behaviour in the event you don’t prefer it.
One different factor Google may change is so as to add the choice to save lots of totally different residence display screen layouts for the internal and outer screens. As it’s, the Fold replicates your outer residence display screen on the left-hand facet of the internal display screen, and places the apps from the second web page on the suitable.
Not like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, there’s no method to run three apps directly, nor have a floating window. The Pixel Fold doesn’t have stylus assist both, which could disappoint some individuals.
There are advantages of shopping for a Pixel telephone, although. Google guarantees 5 years of updates, and there’s Google’s VPN that you should utilize without cost. A characteristic coming quickly is the flexibility to indicate translated velocity on the outer display screen – helpful in conditions the place you don’t communicate somebody’s language. The within display screen will present what they’re saying in your language.
Specs & efficiency
- Tensor G2
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
The Fold’s chipset, RAM and storage are the identical because the Pixel 7 Professional’s. There’s loads of grunt, even when benchmarks present it’s not the quickest on the market and it makes the Pixel Fold really feel clean and responsive in each day use.
Apps launch shortly and, together with the high-refresh-rate screens, they run exceptionally nicely.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Video games additionally run fairly nicely, however efficiency is considerably moot as a result of so few video games have been optimised to make use of the Fold’s uncommon decision and facet ratio. Optimised video games are highlighted within the Play Retailer and embody Minecraft, Asphalt 9, League of Legends, Genshin Impression, Conflict of Clans, Sweet Crush and Name of Obligation Cellular.
Asphalt 9 ran easily and supplied an honest expertise. Nevertheless, simply because a sport fills the entire display screen doesn’t imply it’s any simpler or higher to play than on a normal ‘sweet bar’ display screen. Non-optimised video games may regulate to the facet ratio however present lower than they do on a taller display screen.
In addition to this, the Pixel Fold will get noticeably heat even when working less-demanding duties. Use the digicam app for some time, maybe to file video or a long-exposure night time sky photograph and it shortly heats up.
That by no means precipitated different points, reminiscent of any perceptible throttling, but it surely’s not what you’d count on from such a premium system.
Speaking of being a premium system, it has premium haptics. They’re refined and really feel very pure. You’ll be able to regulate the power for various issues reminiscent of incoming calls, notifications, alarms and normal contact suggestions.
I discovered the Fold was nice for telephone calls, having the ability to clearly hear the caller utilizing each the earpiece and audio system.
As you’d count on, it has succesful Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth, ultra-wideband and NFC. There’s a single nano-SIM tray however you should utilize the eSIM for a second quantity. It helps 5G mmWave and Sub 6GHz.
Cameras
- 48Mp f/1.7 vast
- 10.8Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
- 10.8Mp f/3.05 5x telephoto
- 9.5Mp f/2.2 entrance digicam
- 8Mp f/2.0 entrance digicam
You’d assume that Google would have copied and pasted the cameras from the Pixel 7 Professional, however no. All three sensors on the rear have totally different resolutions (all decrease, surprisingly) and the entrance digicam has an uncommon 9.5Mp rely.
Not that it issues: these are nice cameras which ship very pleasing images – and movies – within the majority of conditions. Images from most important rear digicam are sharp, nicely uncovered and have good dynamic vary. Right here’s a variety:
There’s a 2x mode within the digicam app, however that is carried out in software program so hit the ‘5’ for the telephoto lens. Each the ultrawide and telephoto lenses can produce handsome images, however the latter wants loads of mild to carry out at its greatest.
Right here’s some from the ultrawide:
And a variety from the 5x telephoto:
Low-light efficiency isn’t wonderful: noise creeps into images greater than you’d need. Plus, the Fold’s macro capabilities are nothing particular.
I’d say the identical in regards to the portrait mode on all cameras: it’s not the very best round. Listed below are quite a lot of images from the selfie digicam:
Happily, Google’s software program magic makes this a fantastic telephone for images and most of the people gained’t discover or care in regards to the drawbacks. You’ll be able to erase objects from images, unblur them, decide the very best shot from a burst collection and all that different Pixel-y great things.
It’s a superb telephone for video, notably due to the superb stabilisation. You’ll be able to shoot at as much as 4K/60fps. Slo-mo is price highlighting as nicely, being simply accessible inside the primary video mode and producing excellent outcomes.
The opposite bonus of a folding telephone like that is that you should utilize the entrance display screen as a viewfinder to take better-quality selfies utilizing the rear cameras.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Battery life & charging
- 30W quick charging
- 7.5W wi-fi charging
- No adapter in field
The Pixel Fold makes use of a pair of batteries that add as much as round 4800mAh so many common telephones have larger cells. Google says that’s sufficient to final past 24 hours, which is true. Nevertheless it’s not true every single day.
I used the Fold for over per week earlier than scripting this assessment and whereas the intelligent Adaptive Battery might not have had sufficient time to correctly kick in, my mileage diverse rather a lot.
In my estimation I used the Fold for about the identical period of time every day – give or take – and did principally the identical issues, utilizing a mixture of the outer and internal screens to browse, play video games, take images, use social media: the same old.
A few of these days ended with comfy ranges – round 20-25% – however on others, it didn’t even make it to bedtime without having a recharge. Conversely, one other day, there was nearly 40% left which lasted till after lunch the next day.
Weirdly, Google hasn’t caught up with the type of quick charging different telephone makers now provide and it’s onerous to name the Fold a fast-charging telephone. Google doesn’t embody a charger within the field, however when you’ve got one that may output 30W, the Fold will take it.
Utilizing a 61W Ravpower charger I needed to hand, the fold charged from empty to 14% in quarter-hour and was as much as 28% at half-hour: good and linear but in addition very gradual.
Wi-fi charging is feasible on the bog-standard 7.5W utilizing any Qi-compatible charger. At the least it’s there, in contrast to the Honor Magic Vs
Worth & availability
The 256GB model prices $1,799 from Google within the US, and £1,749 within the UK. There’s additionally a 512GB mannequin which prices $1,919/£1,869. If you happen to pre-order one, you’ll get a free Pixel Watch.
You may get the black mannequin proven right here (Obsidian), or some time (Porcelain) model that’s unique to Google and is out there solely with 256GB of storage. If you happen to get the Fold from wherever else, it’ll be a black one.
These are precisely the identical costs that Samsung fees for the Z Fold 4 within the US. Within the UK, costs are cheaper: it was £1,649 for a 256GB Z Fold 4.
And in the event you’re within the US, these are actually your solely selections. Outdoors of the US there’s a much wider vary: see our roundup of the very best foldable telephones for extra options.
Verdict
My opinion of the Pixel Fold has modified rather a lot over per week. I stay to be satisfied that the sort of folding telephone is one thing the world wants. However even whether it is, the Pixel Fold is so costly it’s merely a curiosity for most individuals.
Software program wants to enhance, too. It’s the traditional chicken-and-egg situation the place builders gained’t optimise their apps for such a distinct segment system till it turns into extra well-liked, however punters will probably be cautious about shopping for them till the apps work correctly.
The opposite massive downside is the heft. It’s a marvel of engineering, but it surely’s nonetheless a chunky, heavy system that makes your hand ache after holding it for some time.
In the end, it is a first-generation system and in the event you can afford it and actually need it, you’ll in all probability adore it to bits. Everybody else ought to persist with a daily telephone – maybe a Pixel 7 Professional – and swap to an iPad, laptop computer or TV whenever you need a larger display screen.
Specs
- 5.8in FHD+ 120Hz LTPO OLED
- 7.6in 2208 x 1840 120Hz LTPO OLED
- Google Tensor G2 chipset
- 12GB RAM
- 128/256GB non-expandable UFS 3.1 storage
- 4800mAh battery
- 30W wired charging
- Wi-fi charging
- 48Mp f/1.7 most important digicam
- 10.8Mp f/2.2 ultrawide digicam.
- 10.8Mp f/3.05 5x telephoto digicam
- 9.5Mp f/2.2 entrance digicam
- 8Mp f/2 internal digicam
- 5G
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth 5.2
- IPX8
- Gorilla Glass Victus (entrance and rear)
- 140mm x 79.5mm x 12.1mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5in)
- 284g / 10oz