Google Pixel Fold Evaluation: The Most Chopping-Edge, Function-Packed, Costly Pixel But

Foldable smartphones are all the trend in 2023, and the brand new iterations carry on coming. As its title suggests, the all-new Pixel Fold is the primary Pixel to have (you guessed it) a foldable display screen, bringing a novel type issue and better value level to the product vary. With a hefty $1,799 sticker — double that of a Pixel 7 Professional — it additionally makes it the costliest Pixel but, and a direct rival to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.

Given the character of my work, I get hyped once I begin the testing course of for many of the merchandise I get my arms on — however there was one thing notably thrilling about testing the Google Pixel Fold. The primary foldable Android by Google is undeniably an enormous deal, regardless that different manufacturers launched such devices lengthy earlier than Google. Since Samsung has been providing foldable telephones since 2019, I used to be particularly curious to guage how the Google Pixel Fold stacks up in opposition to the equally formed, simply as expensive Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.

After every week as my major telephone, the Pixel Fold made a case for spending huge on plenty of events. Here’s a breakdown of its design, {hardware}, and efficiency, and a compulsory comparability with its Samsung Galaxy rival that rocks the identical moniker.

DESIGN

Despite the fact that it’s the primary foldable Google telephone, the Fold is immediately recognizable as a member of the Pixel household, because of a distinctly formed digicam part with a shiny end much like that of the Pixel 7 Professional.

Upon taking it out of its field, the very first thing that struck me in regards to the design of the shape-shifting Pixel is that, in a way befitting its title, it folds completely when closed. For comparability, the Galaxy Z Fold4 has a small hole when collapsed, making it a tad thicker and extra inclined to select up lint and dirt when not in use.

It seems that attaining the “excellent fold” makes the Pixel Fold simpler to hold than its Samsung competitor, too. Google’s telephone is shorter, thinner, barely wider, and simpler to hold in a denims pocket (regardless that it’s nearly an oz. heavier). Its wider footprint distributes the burden extra evenly, making it extra wieldy.

When open to its tablet-like type, Pixel Fold is the thinnest in its class, measuring half a millimeter lower than the Galaxy Z Fold4 at its edges. The distinction may appear minuscule, nevertheless it’s fairly an achievement, because the folding Pixel additionally packs an even bigger battery.

Just like the lower-priced 7 Professional, the waterproof Pixel Fold is impeccably crafted utilizing a mix of steel and glass. The machine’s exterior show and again are lined by sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, whose matte end rivals these of high-priced Samsung and iPhone rivals. Its foldable inside show has an ultra-thin plastic protector to maintain it intact.

With a hinge that feels reassuringly sturdy and sturdy, folding and unfolding the Pixel Fold gave me the texture of interacting with a high-tech, high-quality tech product.

DISPLAY(S)

The Pixel Fold’s screens have vibrant, high-resolution OLED panels that produce fascinating visuals with vibrant colours and infinite distinction. Each shows have a most refresh charge of 120 Hz for clean onscreen interactions (e.g., scrolling via webpages, emails, social media feeds, gameplay, and many others.).

With a 17.4:9 side close to an ideal 2:1, the 5.8-inch exterior display screen of the Pixel Fold is superb for on-the-go use. In an inevitable comparability with the longer however narrower 6.2-inch 23.1:9 exterior display screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, the Pixel’s felt extra spacious and comfier to sort on with two arms. Transferring between assembly and product briefing venues throughout a number of hectic days, I may use the Pixel as an everyday smartphone with out sacrificing ergonomics.

Unfolding the Pixel Fold transforms the telephone right into a compact pill with a squarish 7:6 display screen. The massive panel makes interacting with apps, navigating the Android interface, multitasking, watching movies, studying e-books, and gaming (particularly with a wi-fi controller) extra partaking. Whereas noticeable, its crease within the center didn’t distract me from my duties.

In a head-to-head comparability with the inside display screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, the Pixel Fold’s huge display screen has the next peak brightness however wider bezels — however given these bezels make for a superior digicam, the trade-off is appropriate. To be honest, the Galaxy’s display screen has an edge with its S Pen stylus — an elective accent that significantly expands its utility, whereas Google presents no such product.

CAMERA

The triple rear digicam of the Pixel Fold is great, as anticipated from a Google-made telephone, no matter its value vary. Throughout my testing, the Fold snapped stunning, detailed, and lifelike photographs, together with in low-light scenes. The 4K video clips I recorded turned out nice, too.

Certainly one of my favourite bits in regards to the Pixel Fold’s digicam setup is its telephoto digicam with a 5-times optical zoom — the identical because the Pixel 7 Professional. The characteristic made the exercise of snapping photographs of wildlife in Central Park simple and enjoyable, with rewarding photographs to savor. Its optical magnification capabilities exceed the 3-times zoom of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and lots of different high-end telephones, together with the iPhone 14 Professional.

On the subject of zoom vary that depends on {hardware} as a substitute of picture processing, the Pixel Fold is the very best amongst foldable telephones I examined and second solely to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely. In my expertise, foldable telephones skimped on optical zoom vary as a result of their distinctive type issue and the completely different method to inside packaging it requires. Google made the wait for his or her first foldable telephone effectively value it, treating the Fold the identical zoom capabilities because the Pixel 7 Professional.

The foldable design and top-notch rear digicam additionally make sure that the Pixel Fold is phenomenal at taking selfies. When open, the telephone will mean you can depend on its triple rear digicam and use its entrance display screen to compose your photographs. As well as, when positioned on a flat floor partially unfolded, the telephone can simply seize lengthy publicity and evening sky photographs or time-lapse movies, amongst many different situations.

Total, the Pixel Fold is among the most interesting digicam telephones available on the market, and given its price ticket, I anticipated nothing much less. The unimaginable versatility of its digicam {hardware} and foldable design will change your method to capturing reminiscences.

PERFORMANCE

As anticipated, the Pixel Fold is quick and succesful, because of its Tensor G2 chip — the identical silicon that powers your entire Pixel 7 lineup and the Pixel Pill. Paired with a beneficiant 12GB of RAM — greater than the MacBook Air I used for creating this overview — the {hardware} constantly supplied me with instantaneous app interactions, seamless switching between 10-plus open apps, and clean gameplay.

Throughout my testing, I may get a day of mixed-use from the Pixel Fold if I balanced my display screen time between the exterior and foldable show. I wasn’t shocked to find that relying extra closely on the massive display screen would require a charging session within the late afternoon as a substitute of earlier than bedtime.

Recharging the machine is quickest through its onboard USB-C connector. Wi-fi charging can be out there, although it’s slower than on the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Professional. Battery share — the useful Pixel 7 characteristic that lets you energy up suitable wi-fi earbuds by putting them on its again — can be lacking, although its absence isn’t a dealbreaker.

USER EXPERIENCE

Paired with an Android platform tweaked to put it to use, the design of the range-topping Pixel brings a brand new set of interactions that its rectangular slab-shaped siblings don’t supply. One which stood out for me was the flexibility to run two apps aspect by aspect when open, giving the sensation of getting two telephones side-by-side. Having the ability to reference and take notes whereas taking part in a distant work session was notably handy.

The newest Pixel telephones ship excellent haptic suggestions, and the Fold isn’t any exception. Mundane operations like unlocking it with its fingerprint sensor, switching between open apps, and typing, to call a number of widespread ones, have been accompanied by satisfying sensory suggestions. The latter gave me a way of event each time I interacted with the Pixel Fold — it is the very best within the enterprise and forward of the product’s opponents.

After all, the Pixel Fold will obtain well timed Android updates for years, like all Google telephones. Given its folding design and futureproof {hardware}, it is secure to anticipate that the machine will get even higher over time, gaining new options and enhancing upon current ones through new platform iterations.

WRAP-UP

The Pixel Fold appears and looks like a elegant product when it comes to design, sturdiness, {hardware}, and on a regular basis efficiency. Somewhat than dashing a foldable machine to the market sooner, Google took its time to ship this type issue, and after my time placing it via its paces, I can verify the range-topping Pixel was well worth the wait.

When you’re an Android fanatic who can match the Pixel Fold’s thunderous price ticket into your improve finances, go forward and splurge on one. You’ll benefit from the cutting-edge Android expertise with out lacking out on a fantastic digicam and lots of different Pixel calling playing cards. In case you are (understandably) cost-averse, you will be higher off spending much less on a Pixel 7 Professional and Pixel Pill combo — Google gained’t thoughts.

I’d select the Google Pixel Fold over a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 for its superior digicam, exterior show, and superior hinge design. That stated, it’s best to know that the Samsung rival can multitask higher on its S Pen-ready huge display screen and report 8K video. If these options are essential to you, give the Galaxy a glance, however needless to say it’s due for a substitute quickly.

You may order the Google Pixel Fold in porcelain and obsidian colours with 256 or 512GB of storage. The larger reminiscence capability prices $120 extra.

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Senior Know-how Editor

Stefan is the senior expertise editor for , the place he’s been protecting the tech business and testing the newest devices since 2015. He has greater than a decade of expertise protecting client tech merchandise, particularly smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was beforehand the US editor for ; his work can be discovered on Common Mechanics and different Hearst publications.Within the uncommon moments when he’s not enjoying with a brand new gadget, Stefan likes to observe reside Premier League video games or hang around together with his cat and rabbit. He’s additionally an espresso snob.