Pixel Fold review: The first foldable that actually feels like a tablet

Google takes foldable software to the next level, and it makes a big difference.

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[entropy_wins]

Excellent review from clearly an android user.

+1 for google support call out. I have been on a support call for 3 months to get LTE on my Samsung Galaxy watch 5 Pro, with Google Fi, and my Pixel 7 Pro.

It's bemusing they can solve so many difficult tech problems and fail on the human facing stuff....

 

[nick.brake]

I love the contiguous screen, can i get a pair tempered glass screen protectors, fitted for each side?

 

[dweomer]

This phone weighs 280 grams, about the same as the Dualsense 5 controller (281 grams).

Would really love to see a flip-style version that could fit in the palm of my hand.

 

[Bad Monkey!]

Google support was quick to help me get a replacement device ordered. The only issue is that they put in the wrong address and claim they have "no way of changing it" even though the device hasn't shipped yet. So it is now shipping to a different state and will be either stuck in the FedEx system until it is eventually returned or will be signed by someone at the other address.
Here's the final kick to the groin, Google charged me for the replacement device. In other words I have now paid for two devices, one doesn't work, and the other is being shipped to the wrong address. I have now spent $4k on two devices... one is broken... and the other will most likely be lost in the aether of the black hole that is the undelivered/lost packages of FedEx.

A few days later, the user offered an update: "We're on Day 6 and I still don't have a definitive answer on anything. My case has been 'escalated to a specialist team' (whatever that means) and Google Support refuses to give me a timeframe or let me talk to someone higher than bottom-tier customer support." I bring this up because it's exactly how most people predicted this would go.

Holy shit. I would be threatening to sue in small claims court the day the phone is signed for and I don't get my money back.

 

[tipsy.trex]

I really appreciate Rons criticism about how hard Google has been locking down android and limiting customization. The restrictions in the Pixel launcher are just ridiculous.

 

[Ulf]

It's bemusing they can solve so many difficult tech problems and fail on the human facing stuff....

Customer support is hard and expensive. Turnover is constant. It requires lots of physical space.. unless you outsource it, which is a whole different can of worms. It's basically a cost sinkhole, and they're refusing to put any money into it.

The camera bar is here, too, and it's still excellent.

I would almost prefer a bar on an iPhone instead of a zillion lenses sticking out in the corner. Put a case on, and it gives you a "fake" bar.

 

[Deleted member 545801]

Having used the Galaxy Fold for the last two years, I'm really curious to try the Pixel Fold in Best Buy whenever they get floor models. I tolerate the Galaxy's taller display, but I think the proportions of the Pixel will be better for me overall. I've also been content with Nova Launcher on the Galaxy and will use that day one if I get a Pixel.

I'll also disagree with Ron regarding fingerprint sensors, nothing beats a real, physical fingerprint reader, and the side of the phone is a great spot for it.

 

[ack154]

Having used the Galaxy Fold for the last two years, I'm really curious to try the Pixel Fold in Best Buy whenever they get floor models. I tolerate the Galaxy's taller display, but I think the proportions of the Pixel will be better for me overall. I've also been content with Nova Launcher on the Galaxy and will use that day one if I get a Pixel.

I'll also disagree with Ron regarding fingerprint sensors, nothing beats a real, physical fingerprint reader, and the side of the phone is a great spot for it.

I've had the original Z Flip, Z Fold 2, 3, 4 and now the Pixel Fold. I will probably stick with the Pixel Fold. The proportions are much better for every day use. Between the outside screen being more usable by itself and the inside screen opening to a default better format for multitasking, some of the usability is just better. I tend to use the outside screen much more on the Pixel than my Z Fold 4... and I also tend to multitask more on the Pixel already than on the Z Fold.

I had hoped to pick up a Find N when I was in China earlier this year but just didn't have time - but I had really wanted to try the "passport" format. So I'm happy Google went that way.

I'm in disagreement with both on the fingerprint sensor though - I'm left handed, so the sensor on the right side is pretty uncomfortable for me - but I've at least been used to it from the Z Fold. I'd still love a physical one on the BACK of the phone (though I'll admit I'm not sure how that would be usability-wise with the phone opened).

 

[DrewW]

You probably want that second option, which is 4:3.

Yes! I want a 4:3 phone to make it the ultimate retro gaming phone.

 

[Hemlocke]

I feel for the horror story user. Google support is atrocious, and their system behaves like it was designed by elementary school children.

That said, the price, the locking down of the phone, and the durability issues makes this a non-starter. I have had the Fold 3 and 4, and they were okay, but not good enough to keep. This sounds like more of the same.

 

[flunk]

If one reviewer breaks the device in a week or two, it's a red flag. If multiple do it, it's a solid red X to never buy the product.

 

[Findecanor]

If we look at this form factor from another perspective:... There are no non-foldable tablets that you could make calls with (using a headset, of course).
That is something that I have always thought was backwards.

I'm in my forties. My eye sight is not as sharp at close range as it used to be. I'd prefer the tablet size when having to interact with a screen. And I'd also prefer not having to use a screen when a connected smartwatch and headset would be sufficient.

 

[lurch1989]

I feel for the horror story user. Google support is atrocious, and their system behaves like it was designed by elementary school children.

I'm not sure I agree totally. It's absolutely perfect for fatal hardware issues, i.e dead batteries and such like. Call logged, send device in, get new device back. I do find it falls to pieces where bugs are involved though - Pixel 6 dropping calls on LTE, took weeks to get the device swapped even when proven it was the device rather than anything else.

 

[Hemlocke]

I'm not sure I agree totally. It's absolutely perfect for fatal hardware issues, i.e dead batteries and such like. Call logged, send device in, get new device back. I do find it falls to pieces where bugs are involved though - Pixel 6 dropping calls on LTE, took weeks to get the device swapped even when proven it was the device rather than anything else.

The fact that you cannot cancel orders or change shipping on products that haven't shipped is ridiculous. I have had it happen before where it was days before shipment and they refused to cancel an order. I had to double order because I needed a phone and the first order was wrong, so I just shipped back the first one without opening it. It was a hassle that is easily preventable.

 

[brewejon]

This thing weights literally twice as much as the iPhone 13 that I've got in my pocket. I just can't imagine lugging this thing around. It's only 13g lighter than an iPad Mini!

The tech is brilliant, I love that big screen, but until they get the overall weight down I just don't see how this is workable as your everyday phone. Maybe for women or men who always have a handbag or bum bag on them? The durability isn't anywhere near ready for the mainstream, either.

 

[jamiekitson]

The Pixel Launcher is very limiting, and there are no alternatives for foldables.

Is this true? I've tried several on my Surface Duo. Currently using Launcher 10, but there quite a few that work.
edit:

"foldable awareness" is not something that exists in any third-party launcher.

I am certain that this is not true. Launcher 10 for example has a setting which allows you to manually specify that you have a folding phone.

 

[barich]

I don't know why the at-a-glance widget doesn't work for you, Ron, but I really like it. It tells me when I need to leave to arrive on time for things on my calendar, what gate to be at for flights, weather and traffic alerts, etc.

Sure, I agree it should be removable if someone doesn't want it, but I personally wouldn't.

Also:

The largish bezels are not a big concern when you have the phone in your hands. The phone would look better if the bezels were smaller, but the bottom bezel does provide some options for holding the device. You can put three fingers on the back and a thumb on the center of the bottom bezel and hold the Pixel Fold the way you would a small paperback book.

Who kidnapped Ron and wrote this review?

 

[theizzz]

Shocking, Android tablet apps still suck.

Uh no lol. It's like you didn't read the article. The majority of the apps did work in tablet mode and worked very well. iPhone techies need to stop pushing this false narrative.

 

[ERIFNOMI]

The fact that you cannot cancel orders or change shipping on products that haven't shipped is ridiculous. I have had it happen before where it was days before shipment and they refused to cancel an order. I had to double order because I needed a phone and the first order was wrong, so I just shipped back the first one without opening it. It was a hassle that is easily preventable.

I pre-ordered the Pixel Tablet and I had the option to cancel my order right up until it actually shipped.

 

[ryanja]

For me, the biggest issue with foldables is being able to get a decent protective case for it. At the very least, to make it so the back is flush with that giant camera bump so when I lay it down flat it isn't at some weird angle. Phones like this aren't very durable (especially since, to quote, "...you can break it with almost anything, including a scratch, it's not really protective"). I'm not really willing to drop nearly $2k after taxes for something that can break with a scratch and can't get a decent protective cover on it. This is a phone that I'm going to be carrying around in my pocket, using on a daily basis, and will be subject to bumps and potential debris, and given Google's abysmal support, this model is definitely going to be a hard pass.

 

[ERIFNOMI]

I don't know why the at-a-glance widget doesn't work for you, Ron, but I really like it. It tells me when I need to leave to arrive on time for things on my calendar, what gate to be at for flights, weather and traffic alerts, etc.

Sure, I agree it should be removable if someone doesn't want it, but I personally wouldn't.

Also:


Who kidnapped Ron and wrote this review?

I also quite like the pixel launcher. I guess I can see people complaining about all the empty space if they just need to have app icons scattered all over the place, but I like the keep my home screen clean. My main home screen page has no icons on it, just a couple of widgets. One swipe over and I have some of my most used apps for quick access, but it's still less than half the screen. If I want to see every single app I have installed, I'll open the app drawer.

But I'm also the kind of person with no icons on my desktop. I know there are people that literally cover their desktop with shortcuts and files that they forget about and just let stack up in a cluttered mess.

 

[Zertz]

One could say the weather was nice that day.

 

[hertzsae]

Customer support is hard and expensive. Turnover is constant. It requires lots of physical space.. unless you outsource it, which is a whole different can of worms. It's basically a cost sinkhole, and they're refusing to put any money into it.


I would almost prefer a bar on an iPhone instead of a zillion lenses sticking out in the corner. Put a case on, and it gives you a "fake" bar.

I just wanted to say that while it is hard and expensive, turnover is not constant if you do it right. Support done cheaply is overworked and underpaid. This often ends up being more expensive in the long run, because you're constantly training new people and only the untalented ones stick around. Thus you're eventually left with a support desk of overworked people who take five times as long to troubleshoot issues. Not to mention having customers leave for greener pastures once they've been burned. I can't believe that more companies haven't realized that good customer support is more financially prudent in the long run.

 

[barktrees]

Very thorough review, and much more positive than I was expecting after the screen failure.

The Fold 4 fingerprint reader is miles better than the under display one on the Pixel 7 Pro. Not sure how the Pixel Fold compares, but for me power button readers are ideal and a huge selling point for foldables.

Niagara Launcher did a bunch of work to be foldable aware, but it's not a widget-based launcher so probably won't give Ron what they want. In the past, I've used Tasker to switch between different launchers for the cover screen vs inner screen, with two distinct layouts. I've been quite happy forgoing all that clutter though and just using Niagara.

FWIW, Gootle Play looks perfectly fine on the Fold 4, in both landscape and portrait. The Samsung UI in general is more compact and doesn't "crowd out" the content as much it seems.

By the way, on the bars topic, I wish the Ars Technica bar at the top of the webpage on mobile would disappear as you scroll. It creates a ton of empty black space when reading this site on a foldable.

The review could do with some discussion of performance. Squeezing a large battery in the phone is impressive, but does it actually get better battery life than a Fold 4? My impression from user reports is that it's worse, but the comparisons are mainly to other pixels. In the same vein, how do games perform? The big screen is more demanding on both horsepower and power budget. I would have also liked to see more on the cameras. I'm sure the processing makes them look similar to other pixels, but the hardware is unique as far as I'm aware, so I'm curious where they fit in and how close they get to the 7 Pro. I think limitations in performance compared to other flagships is the biggest downside of the phone. It's easy to overlook Tensor's limitations in a $499 Pixel 7, but the Fold is shipping with the exact same chip at a $1300 premium.

 

[Kensall]

I just wanted to say that while it is hard and expensive, turnover is not constant if you do it right. Support done cheaply is overworked and underpaid. This often ends up being more expensive in the long run, because you're constantly training new people and only the untalented ones stick around. Thus you're eventually left with a support desk of overworked people who take five times as long to troubleshoot issues. Not to mention having customers leave for greener pastures once they've been burned. I can't believe that more companies haven't realized that good customer support is more financially prudent in the long run.

Apple gets it but yes agreed!

 

[Mechjaz]

The pixel Launcher doesn't even work correctly ~30% of the time. I'll go outside, feel that it's clearly over 80 deg F, and the launcher is still dumbly reporting last night's low, yesterday's weather, etc. Sometimes the weather just disappears until I tap it, launching weather, which seems to refresh the widget state and force it to update - show again.

I get that this device isn't what I'm about to say, but why isn't this just a $300-500 tablet? It folds. I get it. Is that really a $1,300 feature?

 

[du_sumboudy]

Seems like the move here may be to adjust the scaling of the screen to make the interface components smaller. Usually one of the first things I do since the android UI started having big text and lots of padding.

 

[Mechjaz]

Can we please stop caring about the finish of the phone? I know exactly 0 persons who are using smartphone without some kind of protective cover. The last time I used one was when I had Samsung Galaxy S (the first one), which was plastic, very light, and when dropped would simple shed it's energy by ejecting the battery
I tried using a phone without a cover for like one month, and ended up cracking an edge (it was Galaxy S7, so I could live with cracked edge). These things are FRAGILE (and frankly, I'm turbocareful with my phones; my wife needs screen protector replacement like every other month).
Since then it's covers, covers, covers. I do not care what the back color or texture is, I won't be seeing it during entire life of the phone. Stop trying to make it pretty, make it DURABLE!

Every single article. I used a Motorola Droid, a Galaxy Nexus, and a Pixel 3a for at least two years per phone and never cracked a single screen. I hadn't ever bought a phone case until the stupid embiggening of all phones came for the Pixel line and the 6a would fall out of my pockets.

I would still not be using a case of the Pixel a-line sizes would come back down to earth. Your experience is not everyone's.

 

[ERIFNOMI]

Can we please stop caring about the finish of the phone? I know exactly 0 persons who are using smartphone without some kind of protective cover. The last time I used one was when I had Samsung Galaxy S (the first one), which was plastic, very light, and when dropped would simple shed it's energy by ejecting the battery
I tried using a phone without a cover for like one month, and ended up cracking an edge (it was Galaxy S7, so I could live with cracked edge). These things are FRAGILE (and frankly, I'm turbocareful with my phones; my wife needs screen protector replacement like every other month).
Since then it's covers, covers, covers. I do not care what the back color or texture is, I won't be seeing it during entire life of the phone. Stop trying to make it pretty, make it DURABLE!

Plenty of us use phones without cases.

 

[LucretiusNaturale]

Sounds like a pretty decent 1.0 release but am hoping they'll get it thinner/lighter next time and lower power draw allowing for smaller battery. As a global drifter a folding phablet would be good to have with a portable bluetooth keyboard/trackpad over lugging a tablet as well.

 

[symbolic-logician]

TIL: There's a fantastic weather app on Android! Thanks Ron! I entered the cheat code and now have it on my home screen. Didn't do the extra credit work (yet) though.

I have a suspicion that the Googler who developed this app didn't want too much visibility out of fear that it could get cancelled

 

[Stasheck]

Plenty of us use phones without case

I'm actually truly surprised. Perhaps it's the salary bracket thing? Or country-dependent?

If I'm to go off on a limb here, I'm from former Eastern Block country, and new things used to be hard to get here, so everyone was extra careful around stuff. As an example, from my (unusually large) collection of Lego I lost ~5 pieces as a kid (verified that when passing the collection to my kids).

Believe me, I am not exaggerating or lying when I say that nobody I can think of uses phone without a protector (quite often cover+protective glass). During my 25 years of mobile phone usage I broke 2 phones (+ that cracked edge I mentioned).

Can you share your experience on using phone without any cover? How are you going about your day with with it, do you slide it in your front/back pocket, throw inside a bag? Do you actually care if it breaks, or if it does you shrug it off and replace with a new one (perhaps on insurance)?

I'm legitimately curious to learn something new. I did not expect this to be myopia on my part.

 

[Voldenuit]

This phone weighs 280 grams, about the same as the Dualsense 5 controller (281 grams).

Would really love to see a flip-style version that could fit in the palm of my hand.

Caution: Contains anecdote.

I did a bit of international travel to Asia and South East Asia in Q1 this year, and saw a surprising number of travelers using flip phone foldables (Huawei Pocket, Oppo N2 Flip, Samsung Galaxy Flip). Maybe about 5-10% of passengers in business class, which exceeded my expectations by about 5-10x. I did not see a single tablet-style foldable (Galaxy Fold, Xiaomi Fold, Huawei Mate Xs etc).

Some of this may be attributable to sampling error, as a flip phone is much more identifiable than a foldable from a distance, but it certainly seemed to me that in the East Asia/South East Asia region, flippables are more popular than foldables, although still a distinct minority of the phone market. It could also be a matter of timing in the market, as the flip phones tended to come out earlier than the foldables, as the screens are smaller and presumably cheaper and easier to source.

I'd be curious to see what the trend looks like in the US and EU.

 

[Stasheck]

Caution: Contains anecdote.

I did a bit of international travel to Asia and South East Asia in Q1 this year, and saw a surprising number of travelers using flip phone foldables (Huawei Pocket, Oppo N2 Flip, Samsung Galaxy Flip). Maybe about 5-10% of passengers in business class, which exceeded my expectations by about 5-10x. I did not see a single tablet-style foldable (Galaxy Fold, Xiaomi Fold, Huawei Mate Xs etc).

Some of this may be attributable to sampling error, as a flip phone is much more identifiable than a foldable from a distance, but it certainly seemed to me that in the East Asia/South East Asia region, flippables are more popular than foldables, although still a distinct minority of the phone market. It could also be a matter of timing in the market, as the flip phones tended to come out earlier than the foldables, as the screens are smaller and presumably cheaper and easier to source.

I'd be curious to see what the trend looks like in the US and EU.

Haven't seen anyone with a tablet style, a few people with flip up. East EU.

 

[barktrees]

I'm actually truly surprised. Perhaps it's the salary bracket thing? Or country-dependent?

If I'm to go off on a limb here, I'm from former Eastern Block country, and new things used to be hard to get here, so everyone was extra careful around stuff. As an example, from my (unusually large) collection of Lego I lost ~5 pieces as a kid (verified that when passing the collection to my kids).

Believe me, I am not exaggerating or lying when I say that nobody I can think of uses phone without a protector (quite often cover+protective glass). During my 25 years of mobile phone usage I broke 2 phones (+ that cracked edge I mentioned).

Can you share your experience on using phone without any cover? How are you going about your day with with it, do you slide it in your front/back pocket, throw inside a bag? Do you actually care if it breaks, or if it does you shrug it off and replace with a new one (perhaps on insurance)?

I'm legitimately curious to learn something new. I did not expect this to be myopia on my part.

I keep my phone in my right pocket. Nothing else is allowed in there. I buy insurance anyway, so a case is just a waste of money as far as I'm concerned.

I have a dbrand skin and a magsafe ring on the back of my Fold 4. The magsafe is actually an excellent way of adding grip. It's just a fraction of a mm thick, but it adds a nice spot for my index finger to support the phone.

 

[ERIFNOMI]

I'm actually truly surprised. Perhaps it's the salary bracket thing? Or country-dependent?

If I'm to go off on a limb here, I'm from former Eastern Block country, and new things used to be hard to get here, so everyone was extra careful around stuff. As an example, from my (unusually large) collection of Lego I lost ~5 pieces as a kid (verified that when passing the collection to my kids).

Believe me, I am not exaggerating or lying when I say that nobody I can think of uses phone without a protector (quite often cover+protective glass). During my 25 years of mobile phone usage I broke 2 phones (+ that cracked edge I mentioned).

Can you share your experience on using phone without any cover? How are you going about your day with with it, do you slide it in your front/back pocket, throw inside a bag? Do you actually care if it breaks, or if it does you shrug it off and replace with a new one (perhaps on insurance)?

I'm legitimately curious to learn something new. I did not expect this to be myopia on my part.

My phone is always with me. I put it in my pocket, toss it on my desk, plug it into my car (or drop it on the wireless charger depending on the car). Phones aren't Faberge Eggs. They're plenty durable.

I've only shattered the glass on one phone, a Galaxy Nexus years ago. I had a Moto X that died because the screen got the OLED growing green algae, but the glass was perfect.

I recently dropped my phone and chipped the glass back a bit. It was still perfectly usable, but for $70 Google replaced it.

I don't like using phones with cases. They're bulky and it's so fucking annoying when you can't smoothly slide a finger from the very edge of the display because there's a bigger rubber condom wrapping around the edge.

 

[markgo]

All foldables break, what matters is the service is a strange take.

Still trying to understand the use case for an overly heavy, fragile phone that costs more than a phone + a tablet. Other than conspicuous consumption, of course.