Google Pixel Fold review 2024: great foldable phone

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The Google Pixel Fold is the company’s first attempt at the foldable smartphone market, which until now has been utterly dominated by Samsung. Also, this is not a device that has been used before. The Pixel Fold stands out from other folding smartphones because it has the smallest design of any foldable device, a large front display that is simple to operate, and, of course, cameras that are up to Pixel standards.

After putting the Google Pixel Fold through its paces for a few days, I can confidently declare that it is the first foldable smartphone that I can imagine really making use of on a regular basis. Google has done an outstanding job in this regard of locking down the software. The split-screen multitasking is very user-friendly, and there are a good number of applications that are optimized for the Fold’s large internal 7.6-inch display (but there ought to be more).

Both the performance of the Pixel Fold and the longevity of its battery life are really good. But what about the price of 1,799 dollars? It is extremely pricey, just like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is also available. There are some further compromises to consider as well. But as you’ll see in my review of the Google Pixel Fold, the search giant has done more than just show up to the party of the greatest foldable phone; it has spectacularly disrupted the proceedings.

Google Pixel Fold Specifications

The Google Pixel Fold is a strong and flexible folding phone that boasts a sleek and beautiful design, superb camera system, huge and bright displays, and long battery life. It folds up like a book and can be used in landscape or portrait orientation. Nevertheless, it is pricey and its durability isn’t as good as that of some other folding phones.

Feature	Details
Price	$1,799
Processor	Google Tensor G2
Display	5.8-inch AMOLED display (when folded) and 7.6-inch AMOLED display (when unfolded)
RAM	12GB
Storage	256GB or 512GB
Camera	50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 48MP telephoto camera, and 10.8MP front-facing camera
Video	4K video up to 60 fps
Battery	4,821 mAh
Operating System	Android 13

Google Pixel Fold: Design

Samsung has been placed on notice in a very literal sense by the Google Pixel Fold in terms of how to manufacture a foldable phone. And it all starts with a front display that measures 5.8 inches and has a more natural feel to it than the cover panel of the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which is claustrophobic and small. Because the aspect ratio is larger, using applications and typing on the front panel are both simplified. This is not a preview display; rather, it is a separate presentation that comes after the first.

When open, the Pixel Fold is just 0.2 inches thick, making it the thinnest foldable device available. This is a significant improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which measures 0.25 inches thick when open. When I unfolded the tablet and used it to view videos or check my email on the enormous 7.6-inch display, the device felt very comfortable to use in my hands. However, in comparison to the Z Fold 4, which weighs 9.28 ounces, this handset is significantly heavier at 10 ounces. The Google phone is small enough to slip in the pocket of a shirt, but using it will make you feel heavier.

The relatively large bezels that surround the internal display on the Google Pixel Fold are the most distracting aspect of the device, as they give the impression that an otherwise cutting-edge smartphone is stuck in the past. However, once you are fully engaged in the material, you will not pay as much attention to the bezels. There is clearly a crease here, which you will see more when the sunlight is shining directly on it. When you are inside, the crease will be much less noticeable, but you will still feel it when you drag your finger across the display.

Google Pixel Fold: Display

The Pixel Fold’s OLED displays are excellent, each providing plenty of color and wide viewing angles in addition to smooth refresh rates of 120 Hz for their respective panels. The Ahsoka trailer was very entertaining to watch, especially the part where she used both lightsabers at once. However, I do have one criticism to make regarding the primary screen, which measures 7.6 inches.

It does a fantastic job of hiding imperfections when shown indoors, but it can struggle when exposed to sunshine. When trying to read the content of the display on the phone while using it outside in the bright sun of Central Park, it was occasionally difficult to do so. Make sure that the adaptive brightness setting is turned on.

According to the results of our tests, the inner display of the Pixel Fold achieved a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, while the brightness of the inner display of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 was only 905 nits. The brightness of the 5.8-inch display on the outside of the Pixel Fold may reach up to 1,172 nits, making it noticeably more luminous. That scores higher than the 870 nits achieved by the Z Fold 4 monitor.

Google Pixel Fold: Cameras

The Pixel Fold maintains the high standards set by the Pixel brand in terms of its photography capabilities. It begins with a trio of rear cameras, including a main sensor with 48 megapixels, an ultrawide shooter with 10.8 megapixels, and a telephoto lens with 10.8 megapixels and a 5x optical zoom. The camera on the front of the Fold features 9.5 megapixels, and the camera on the interior has 8 megapixels.

Try out the Time Lapse mode of your camera if you want to give your photographs an artistic blur. When you use it, this miniature waterfall gives the impression that it is moving. Rear camera selfie mode is an additional amazing function that was stolen from the Galaxy Fold line of smartphones. This mode allows you to use the back lenses to take images of yourself that are incredibly crisp and clear.

You can also shoot selfies by holding your hand in front of the camera, but in order to do so, you will need to go into the settings menu and activate the timer feature first. In general, the Pixel Fold offers excellent picture quality and may be put to a wide variety of uses. Check out the slideshow above to see some of the photographs that I took in Central Park.

Google Pixel Fold review: Performance and Battery Life

The Pixel Fold is powered by the same Google Tensor G2 processor that runs the Pixel 7 phones. The Pixel Fold runs smoothly. Apps open quickly, games like PUBG Mobile and Shadowgun: Legends work well, and switching between the front and back screens takes almost no time. After about 10 minutes of gaming, the back of the phone got warm enough to be visible but not uncomfortable. At the time of writing, CNET wasn’t able to run its standard benchmark tests to check how well computers and graphics work in general. We will add those results to this study at a later time.

The Pixel Fold has a 4,821 mAh battery, which, based on my experience, should last you most of the day. During one day of testing, I started using the Pixel Fold on and off at 7 a.m. to take pictures, surf the web, and play games. When I stopped around 10 p.m., 28% of the battery power was still left. In 60Hz display mode, the Pixel Fold lasted 10 hours and 21 minutes on the Tom’s Guide Battery Test, which involved continuously browsing the web over 5G at 150 nits of screen brightness. Considering that the Galaxy Fold averaged 9:17 with the same display setting, that’s pretty good.

Google Pixel Fold: Durability

In contrast to its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Pixel Fold can be folded all the way closed without leaving a gap around its hinge. Despite the fact that both the Z Fold 4 and the Pixel Fold have the same IPX8 durability rating, this offers the Pixel Fold a more streamlined appearance when it is closed. Even though neither one of them is deemed dust resistant or waterproof, this indicates that they should be able to withstand some degree of immersion in water.

Pricing and Availability

On June 27, the Google Pixel Fold will be available for purchase through wireless carriers. You may also get the device directly from Google or through shops like Best Buy. The Pixel Fold has an extremely high starting price of $1,799 for 256GB of storage and $1,919 for 512GB of storage.

The good news is that we’ve seen a number of really competitive pricing options for the Pixel Fold. For instance, AT&T is currently selling the Pixel Fold for under $900 with the purchase of a new three-year service agreement from them. And if you trade in a phone that meets certain criteria, Verizon will knock $900 off your bill. Be sure to visit our Pixel Fold offers page in order to stay up to date on our current price reductions.

Final Words

Google’s foray into foldable smartphones with the Pixel Fold appears to have been successful. Its wide body does what Google promised it would do: making the phone’s exterior screen considerably more usable. Its innovative hinge and slim design make it easy to use and carry. When compared to Samsung’s Z Fold 4, the Pixel Fold holds its own. It can withstand splashes and rain, and the upgraded cameras and user interface make multitasking a breeze.

To say nothing of the unique capabilities of the Pixel, such as the Call Screener, Recorder, and more. This was the very first mobile phone, obviously. Google’s Pixel Fold was a championship bout in which the company’s signature flair and beat prevailed.

Google Pixel Fold review: The good and The bad

The Google Pixel Fold is now the foldable device that has the most impressive design, and it finally gives Samsung some much-needed competition.