Google Pixel Fold Review: Why Is This Folding Phone Harmful?
The Google Pixel Fold marks the tech giant’s entry into the exciting world of foldable smartphones. Set to be released on June 27, following preorders starting on May 10, the Pixel Fold is generating significant buzz among tech enthusiasts. With its cutting-edge features and distinctive design, Google aims to make a strong impression in the foldable smartphone market.
Google’s decision to enter the foldable mobile market comes at a strategic time. Companies like Samsung and Huawei have already established themselves in this segment, introducing foldable devices that have garnered consumer acceptance. By observing the successes and challenges faced by these early adopters, Google has had the opportunity to refine its offering and deliver a more polished product to the market.
Of course, the price tag of $1799 might give some potential buyers pause. However, I must admit that I am seriously considering investing. Let me share with you some of the reasons why.
Google Pixel Fold: Video Review
| Specs | Google Pixel Fold |
| Display | 7.6 inches, 1840 x 2208 pixels, Foldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| 5.8 inches, 1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | |
| CPU | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| ROM | 256GB, 512GB |
| Card slot | No |
| OS | Android 13 |
| Main Camera | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 10.8 MP, f/3.1, (telephoto), 10.8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Selfie Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 9.5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide) |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Battery | Li-Po 4821 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired charging |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 158.7 x 139.7 x 5.8 mm |
| Folded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm | |
| Weight | 283 g (9.98 oz) |
| Colors | Porcelain, Obsidian |
Design
The Google Pixel Fold represents a significant technological leap in smartphone design and build quality. Its slim and sleek form factor sets it apart from its competitors. Weighing only 10 ounces, the Pixel Fold measures a mere 5.5 x 3.1 x 0.5 inches when folded and expands to 5.5 x 6.2 x 0.2 inches when unfolded. This makes it slimmer than even the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which weighs 8.3 ounces and measures 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.35 inches.
When compared to other foldable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Surface Duo 2, the Google Pixel Fold emerges as the slimmest option available. Its compact size contributes to its overall appeal and portability.
Despite its slim profile, the durability of the Pixel Fold is not compromised. During a demonstration, a Google representative emphasized that the hinge mechanism has undergone rigorous testing, enduring up to 200,000 folds, matching the durability claims of Samsung’s Z Fold. The hinge is constructed using a multi-alloy steel, ensuring robustness and reliability. Additionally, the display panels are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, a tough and scratch-resistant material. The Pixel Fold also boasts an IPX8 rating for water resistance, providing an extra layer of protection against potential water damage.
The rear panel of the Pixel Fold features a glossy and resilient Corning Gorilla Glass Victus cover. At the top, in the middle of the display, there is a 9.5-megapixel pinhole camera. The other half of the rear panel is made of matte aluminum with a distinctive raised module housing a trio of cameras (48MP, 10.8MP, and 10.8MP) at the top, along with the iconic gleaming ‘G’ logo towards the middle.
Flipping the phone over reveals the expansive 7.6-inch display, encompassed by a slim bezel. However, it’s worth noting that some users might prefer a thinner bezel for an even more immersive experience. Located in the top right corner of the unfolded display is an 8MP front-facing camera. The sides of the phone are adorned with gleaming aluminum, and the power and volume buttons are positioned on the right side for easy access. The USB Type-C port is situated along the bottom right half of the device.
The Pixel Fold also incorporates stereo speakers, delivering an enhanced audio experience. For added convenience and security, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the design. In line with Google’s commitment to a clean aesthetic, the Pixel Fold has forgone the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of wireless audio solutions, catering to the evolving trends in mobile connectivity.
Displays
The Google Pixel Fold boasts a design that centers around its folding display, offering users a unique and immersive experience. The display itself is crafted with cutting-edge technology, combining ultra-thin glass (UTG) with a polymer layer to achieve both flexibility and durability. This design ensures that the display can withstand thousands of folds without any noticeable degradation in performance or quality.
The primary screen of the Pixel Fold unfolds to reveal a large and immersive display, ideal for various activities such as multitasking, gaming, and enjoying movies. Both the cover display and the inner display offer impressive refresh rates of up to 120Hz, resulting in smooth and fluid visuals.
The 5.8-inch OLED cover display features a resolution of 2092 x 1080 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals.
On the other hand, the inner 7.6-inch display takes the immersive experience to the next level with its resolution of 2208 x 1840 pixels. This larger screen provides ample real estate for productivity and entertainment purposes.
The Pixel Fold shines in terms of brightness as well. The external display has an estimated brightness of 1,200 nits in HDR mode and 1,500 nits in standard mode. The interior displays are rated for 1,000 nits in HDR and an impressive 1,550 nits in standard mode. These high brightness levels ensure that the content displayed on the Pixel Fold remains clear and easily visible even in challenging lighting conditions.
While Google hasn’t released specific details about color reproduction, it faces stiff competition from Samsung, known for its vivid and vibrant displays. Google will likely need to deliver accurate and impressive color reproduction to compete with the industry leader.
Performance
The Google Pixel Fold is equipped with Google’s Tensor G2 CPU and 12GB of RAM, providing powerful performance for seamless multitasking. The device offers 256GB of storage, but a pricier 512GB version is also available for those seeking additional storage capacity.
While the Tensor G2 processor is a capable chip, it is worth noting that it is also used in other Google devices such as the Pixel Tablet, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7a. Some users may have expected an even more premium processor for a high-end device like the Pixel Fold. However, it is an area that Google can focus on improving in future iterations to meet the demands of discerning consumers.
To gain insights into the expected performance, we can compare benchmark scores. For example, the Pixel 7 Pro achieved a Geekbench 5 score of 3,046, which is respectable but falls short of the Surface Duo 2 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 888) and Galaxy Z Fold 4 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1), which scored 3,384 and 3,831, respectively. It’s important to note that benchmark scores provide an indication of performance, but real-world usage may vary.
Running on Android 13, the Pixel Fold offers a clean and user-friendly interface, as expected from Google’s software. Google’s commitment to timely updates ensures that users receive the latest features and security enhancements promptly. The foldable display is optimized for multitasking, enabling users to run multiple apps simultaneously or enjoy an immersive viewing experience on the expansive screen. The device also supports app continuity, allowing for seamless transitions between the main and cover displays without interrupting app usage or progress.
Audio quality is delivered through stereo speakers, ensuring an enjoyable multimedia experience. The Pixel Fold also boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, providing protection against accidental spills or splashes. Conveniently, the device features an in-display fingerprint sensor on the main display, enabling secure and swift access to the device.
Cameras
The Google Pixel Fold boasts a versatile and impressive camera system, featuring a triple camera setup on the rear. This setup includes a powerful 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 48MP telephoto lens. With Google’s computational photography expertise, the Pixel Fold captures stunning images with exceptional detail, wide dynamic range, and impressive low-light performance.
The camera system’s capabilities truly shine, offering users the ability to capture high-quality images even in challenging conditions. The 5x optical zoom allows for close-ups with fine details clearly visible. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, portraits, or distant subjects, the Pixel Fold’s camera delivers excellent results.
Google describes the Pixel Fold’s camera as “Pixel-perfect, all around,” and this statement holds true. The device leverages Google’s advanced image processing algorithms to optimize each shot, ensuring that colors are vibrant, details are sharp, and the overall image quality is exceptional.
The front-facing cameras, both on the cover display and the inner display, feature a 20MP sensor. This enables users to capture clear and vibrant selfies, whether they are using the primary display or the unfolded larger screen.
One exciting feature of the Pixel Fold’s camera is its ability to capture stunning astrophotography shots. Even without a tripod, users can utilize tent mode, which allows the device to be propped up at an angle. This feature enables users to aim the camera at the night sky and use the front display to adjust camera settings, making it easier to capture breathtaking images of the stars and celestial events.
Google Pixel Fold: Battery
The Google Pixel Fold comes with a battery capacity of 4,821 mAh, surpassing the 4,400 mAh battery of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Google claims that the Pixel Fold offers “beyond all-day battery life,” a statement that certainly grabs attention. However, the actual battery performance will need to be tested to determine its real-world endurance.
Comparing with other foldable devices, the Galaxy Fold Z 4’s main display lasted around 9 hours and 6 minutes on Adaptive Smoothness mode and 9 hours and 17 minutes at 60Hz, while the outer panel provided 7 hours and 55 minutes on Adaptive Smoothness and 9 hours and 31 minutes at 60Hz. On the other hand, the Surface Duo 2 tapped out at around 7 hours and 38 minutes. These figures give us some context, but it remains to be seen how the Pixel Fold’s battery will perform in comparison.
It’s worth noting that Google hasn’t been known for delivering the best battery life in its devices, so there may be some skepticism regarding its claims. Time will tell whether the Pixel Fold can make its way onto the top phone battery life list.
In terms of charging options, the Pixel Fold supports 30W wired charging, which aligns with the capabilities of the Pixel 7 series. Additionally, the device offers Qi wireless charging support, allowing users to conveniently charge their phone without the need for cables.
Google Pixel Fold: Conclusion
The Pixel Fold impresses with its slim and sleek figure, measuring even slimmer than some of its counterparts. The durability of the device is assured, with the hinge undergoing rigorous testing and the use of high-quality materials such as multi-alloy steel and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
The foldable display is the centerpiece of the Pixel Fold’s design, and it delivers on both flexibility and durability. Thanks to ultra-thin glass (UTG) technology with a polymer layer, the display can sustain thousands of folds without compromising performance or quality.
Selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the sharp and vibrant selfies captured by the 20MP front-facing cameras on both displays. The device’s camera quality, including a 5x optical zoom and the ability to capture astrophotography shots, adds to its appeal.
However, one aspect of the Pixel Fold that may leave some enthusiasts disappointed is its choice of processor. Priced at $1799, many would have expected a higher-end processor, akin to what is offered in the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. It can be argued that for such a significant investment, a top-tier processor should be included.
Overall, the Pixel Fold presents a compelling option for those seeking a foldable smartphone experience.
You can also check out the best-selling Fold Smartphones on Amazon:
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