Over the past few years, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has dominated the market for large flexible phones. However, Google’s Pixel Fold has emerged as a strong contender and addresses some of Samsung’s weaknesses in this space. Priced at $1,799, the Pixel Fold may not be affordable for everyone, but it offers innovative design features worth noting.
The Pixel Fold boasts a 5.8-inch exterior screen and a flexible 7.6-inch interior display with 120Hz OLED panels. Unlike Samsung’s narrower design, Google opted for a wider 17.4:9 aspect ratio for the exterior display, resembling a passport shape. This design choice allows for more comfortable usage without frequently needing to switch to the larger interior screen.
The Pixel Fold’s hinge and chassis design also minimizes the gap between the phone’s halves, resulting in a less than 6mm thin profile. It is slightly heavier than the Z Fold 4 but feels more balanced. The device is also water-resistant with an IPX8 rating, providing protection against accidental splashes or submersion.
One of the notable advantages of the Pixel Fold is its wider exterior screen, which offers a landscape orientation when unfolded, ideal for watching videos without needing to rotate the device. The slightly larger bezels accommodate an 8-megapixel camera, eliminating the need for a low-resolution under-display selfie camera found on the Z Fold 4. The extra space around the hinge allows for a comfortable grip similar to holding a paperback book.
The Pixel Fold comes with a pre-installed screen protector, and Google advises against removing it or using third-party screen protectors. Repairs can be done at Google service centres for a fee. Over 50 first-party apps have been optimized for the device, providing a seamless transition between the exterior and interior displays. The camera performance of the Pixel Fold surpasses that of the Z Fold 4, capturing sharper, more detailed, and well-exposed photos. Google’s Night Sight feature excels in low-light photography.
Powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip, 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage, the Pixel Fold delivers a satisfactory level of performance. It runs smoothly even during multitasking, though it may occasionally run warm. The battery life is comparable to the Z Fold 4, and the Pixel Fold outlasts it in video playback on the external display.
The Pixel Fold proves to be a strong competitor to the Z Fold 4, offering a well-designed device with improved usability, water resistance, superior cameras, and multitasking capabilities. Google’s entry into the foldable phone market sets the stage for future advancements and shaping the future of Android.
