Google Pixel Fold: Everything You Need To Know [UPDATED]

Google has finally dipped its toes into the foldable smartphone market with the release of its first foldable smartphone, the Google Pixel Fold. Here’s everything you need to know about the Pixel Fold…

Sporting a sleek design, robust build, and Google’s signature software experience, the Pixel Fold is a bold entrant into the foldable phone territory. But is it worth the massive asking price? Here’s an in-depth look at what the Google Pixel Fold has to offer.

Pixel Fold Release Date & Price

Customers eagerly waiting for the first foldable phone from Google can preorder the Pixel Fold right away, with shipping expected to start in June. For those on the Verizon network, the release date is set for June 27.

The pricing for the Pixel Fold starts at $1,799 for the 256GB variant, while the larger 512GB model is priced at $1,919. Although a significant investment, the innovative features and top-tier specs of the Pixel Fold are likely to justify the premium price for many tech enthusiasts.

Google has said it is very happy with the pricing for the phone. But it will be consumers that have the final say in whether the phone is too costly. Personally, I thought Google would have tried to undercut Samsung with the Pixel Fold’s pricing – as it does its Pixel phones – but instead it has opted to “match” Samsung’s pricing.

As for availability, Google has confirmed that the Pixel Fold will initially be available in the U.S., UK, Germany, and Japan. All three major U.S. carriers will offer the Pixel Fold, providing flexibility in terms of network choice.

A notable highlight of the Google Pixel pre-orders is the inclusion of a free Google Pixel Watch, a smartwatch valued at $349. This generous bonus makes the Pixel Fold pre-order deal even more enticing.

Lastly, if you’re in the U.S., the Google Store might be your best bet for grabbing the Pixel Fold. Google is offering some incredibly lucrative trade-in bonuses, making the deal even sweeter.

Google Pixel Fold Design

The Pixel Fold, true to nearly all the leaks and rumors prior to its launch, looks very much as you’d expect: it has all the usual iconic Pixel design traits, just with the added bonus of being able to fold and house a large, sprawling OLED display.

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It’s a fairly smart design but it doesn’t really do anything different than we’ve already seen from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold phones. You have two modes to play with, essentially: folded, whereby you can use a standard-sized screen, and unfolded, where a larger, 7+ inch screen becomes available.

The camera module uses the same design, including its wrap-around visor-design, as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. You also get access to all of Google’s latest camera goodies, including the new 48MP main sensor. In this respect, Google has done very well – Samsung ALWAYS sandbags the cameras on its Fold phones.

The Google Pixel Fold is a handsome device. Unfolded, it measures 158.7 x 139.7 x 5.8 mm, and when folded, it’s a pocket-friendly 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm. Weighing in at 283 grams, the Pixel Fold is substantial without feeling overly bulky.

The build quality is premium, with a Gorilla Glass Victus front when folded, a plastic front when unfolded, a Gorilla Glass Victus back, and an aluminum frame, offering a blend of durability and elegance. It’s also IPX8 water-resistant, unlike most other foldable phones, save for Samsung’s latest, adding an extra layer of protection against accidental spills or splashes.

Additional Resources:

• Best Google Pixel Fold Cases

Google Pixel Fold Battery

The Pixel Fold is powered by a non-removable Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) 4821 mAh battery which should provide AMPLE performance and all-day charge, even with moderate-to-heavy usage. We have yet to test the phone, though, so we cannot say for sure how good its battery will be.

The capacity of the Pixel Fold’s battery, rated at 4821 mAh, is pretty large and, given the demands of the foldable phone’s dual displays, this is a welcome addition. With two screens, you’re going to need a massive battery to support the Fold’s extensive capabilities and features, ranging from multitasking to graphics-intensive gaming, and extended periods of video streaming.

One of the key aspects of the Pixel Fold’s battery is its charging capabilities. The device supports wired charging with Power Delivery 3.0 (PD3.0). PD3.0 is a fast-charging protocol that is not only faster but also safer and more efficient than its predecessors. This technology enables the Pixel Fold to recharge at a much faster rate, reducing the time you have to wait for your device to reach full capacity.

Moreover, the Pixel Fold also supports wireless charging, a feature that adds a layer of convenience for users. Wireless charging eliminates the need for cables, allowing you to simply place your device on a compatible charging pad to replenish the battery. This makes the Pixel Fold an excellent choice for those who value the convenience and flexibility of being able to charge their device wirelessly.

It’s important to note, however, that the actual battery life can vary significantly depending on a multitude of factors including screen brightness, network conditions, and the specific apps you use. The fast-charging features can also be influenced by the type of charger and cable used.

For this reason, it’s always recommended to use official Google chargers or certified third-party chargers to ensure optimal charging performance.

Pixel Fold Display

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The Google Pixel Fold is all about its display. The main foldable OLED screen is a substantial 7.6 inches with an 82.7% screen-to-body ratio.

This display runs at a refresh rate of 120Hz and supports HDR10+, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. It has a resolution of 1840 x 2208 pixels, providing sharp visuals at around 378 pixels per inch.

When folded, the Pixel Fold offers a 5.8-inch OLED cover display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 x 2092 pixels. This secondary display is perfect for quick interactions when you don’t want to unfold front display the device.

Performance

At the heart of the Pixel Fold is Google’s very own Tensor G2 chipset, a cutting-edge piece of tech manufactured on an ultra-efficient 5 nm process. This powerhouse of a chipset houses an Octa-core CPU and is paired with a Mali-G710 MP7 GPU.

This dynamic duo ensures that the Pixel Fold delivers top-tier performance, handling everything from casual browsing to intense multitasking with seamless ease. Whether you’re working on multiple apps at once or diving into the latest high-end games, the Pixel Fold is up for the challenge.

The smartphone operates on the fresh-off-the-press Android 13, opening the door to the most recent Android features. This includes a range of Google’s unique software enhancements designed to streamline your user experience, making it a breeze to navigate through your daily digital tasks.

Pixel Fold Specs

Memory & Storage

When it comes to memory and storage, the Pixel Fold plays it smart and straightforward. While it doesn’t support expandable storage, it makes up for it by offering two generous storage options – one model boasting a hefty 256GB coupled with 12GB of RAM, and a more substantial 512GB model that’s also backed up by 12GB of RAM.

With these configurations at your disposal, you’ll have ample room to house your apps, photos, files, and more. Additionally, the hefty RAM ensures a smooth and lag-free experience, even when running the most demanding apps or gaming titles.

Pixel Fold Camera

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As for the camera system, the Pixel Fold doesn’t disappoint. The phone sports a triple camera setup on the rear, comprising a 48 MP wide sensor, a 10.8 MP telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom, and a 10.8 MP ultrawide sensor.

This versatile camera array excels at capturing intricate and vibrant photos under a variety of conditions, offering you the tools to express your creative vision with stunning clarity.

But the Pixel Fold doesn’t forget about the selfie enthusiasts among us. It includes an 8 MP wide sensor on the inside and a 9.5 MP wide cover camera on the outside, ensuring that your self-portraits are as detailed and clear as possible.

What’s more, both the primary and selfie cameras support 4K video recording at 30/60 fps, making it a capable companion for vloggers and content creators alike, although I cannot see many iPhone 14 Pro Max users ditching their phones for this…

Is The Pixel Fold Worth It?

I like what Google has done with the Pixel Fold. The design is smart and well executed. It pairs up well with its existing phones – the Pixel 7 / 7 Pro and Pixel 7a – but offers enough unique features and abilities to not only stand out from these phones, but also Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold too.

It has all the things you’d expect from a Pixel phone, a killer camera module complete with Google’s latest 48MP main sensor, IP68 water and dust resistance, a feature that has only just become available on Samsung’s foldable phones, and it runs a perfectly foldable-optimised version of Android 13.

For most people looking to buy a foldable phone, I think the Pixel Fold ticks all the right boxes. It has everything you need – from stuff like battery life and storage to performance and solid camera specs – but, like all foldable phones released to date, it is still very, very expensive.

You’re looking at the best part of $2000 to pick up the Pixel Fold and, for me, that’s just too much. And I don’t think I’m alone in this sentiment; it is the main reason why you seldom see anyone using a foldable smartphone.

But what makes things even worse is when you consider that this phone, like all of Google’s current Pixel phones, will only get three major builds of Android before it is no longer supported. And for me, that’s just not good enough when you’re shilling out almost two thousand bucks for a phone…