Google’s Pixel Fold is just around the corner, and we expect the company to debut it at this year’s Google I/O. It packs the Google Tensor G2 chipset that powers the Google Pixel 7 series, 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and 120Hz displays on both the outside and inside. In other words, it’s going to be a decent high-end folding device. But hardware is only half the battle.
While companies like Samsung are at the forefront of the foldable package, devices from Oppo and Honor are also competitive in this space. The reason Samsung is at the top is its availability, but more importantly, its software, and that’s an aspect Google really needs to nail in order not to screw up the Pixel Fold. Hardware is one thing, but software can make or break a phone.
Given Google’s software prowess, we’re optimistic the company will pull through. It frequently introduces new software features that set its devices apart from the rest, even if it doesn’t have many of them unique Characteristics. But there are so many things it needs to do to give the Pixel Fold the best chance of success.
Bring flagship cameras
If there’s one major criticism of foldable smartphones right now, it’s the lack of flagship cameras. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a pretty good camera, but the cameras on the Galaxy S22 Ultra are just… better, and of course the same goes for the S23 Ultra. It always seems with foldables that the camera takes a backseat to the rest of the phone development.
So it seems imperative that the Pixel Fold has good cameras. It would be an easy way to outperform much of the competition, and good cameras and camera software are synonymous with the Pixel brand at this point. In fact, they’re so important that even the mid-range A series can take good photos, so it would be really weird for the fold not get good cameras anyway. Google has mostly shut down the software portion; it just needs the hardware to back it up.
Introduce foldable software features
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but the Google Pixel Fold actually needs to take advantage of the unique hardware it has. Not every phone folds, meaning the experience will be different than a traditional Android smartphone. Features like the bottom dock need to be leveraged, and improving the multitasking experience is essential.
Google will also arguably have to do what Samsung has done and roll out features that work in specific apps depending on the device’s folded state. For example, if you fold your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in half with the YouTube app open, the UI will be adjusted to fit the display nicely, using the hinge as a turning point. If Google has a similar kind of Flex mode, then features that use it will be important to make it feel cohesive.
Actually good battery life
Google’s battery life has been a bit torn on the Pixel line over the past few years, and foldable devices can be quite power-hungry. The Tensor G2 may not be up to the task, and I’ll admit that seeing it on the spec sheet worries me a bit. A foldable device needs all the functionality of a smartphone while also being a tablet, and that includes the ability to stay on without running out of power half of the day.
Without that guarantee, the Pixel Fold will be a non-starter for many people, including myself. I struggled with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4’s mediocre battery, and I don’t see a change in a larger form factor.
Little to no creases
Something a lot of companies have figured out, but apparently Samsung hasn’t, is how to hide the crease. Samsung’s foldables suffer quite a bit, while other devices that use what’s known as a “waterdrop” hinge don’t. These don’t actually fold the display fully, but rather roll it into a teardrop shape when the phone is folded. It protects the display and ensures that the crease is not as noticeable when it is opened.
If Google implemented something similar, it would give Samsung a head start in the design department. From what we’ve seen so far, the Pixel Fold has some fairly large bezels, so it won’t win in all departments, but the inner display will be one of the most important parts of the overall experience.
decent prices
Like most products, the Google Pixel Fold has to be well priced, competitively priced to actually stand a chance, and luckily that seems to be the case. According to leaks, it starts at $1,799, which is a high price for a smartphone. But this isn’t just any other smartphone; This price corresponds exactly to the starting price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
But that is only half the picture. It may start at $1,799, but that doesn’t include pre-order offers or other airline offers that may be available. Leaks and rumors currently suggest the phone will come with a Google Pixel Watch for free if you pre-order it, which is a pretty nifty deal for a watch that starts at $350. I actually still use mine and it’s a pretty nice addition to a Pixel phone.
The Google Pixel Fold is expected to be announced at this year’s Google I/O and will cost around $1,799 according to recent leaks and rumours. It’s expected to be available for pre-order shortly after when the device ships later in June. We look forward to playing with one and believe Google is capable of creating an excellent foldable device, especially given the company’s software prowess. Hardware is a bit more of a question mark, but we’re hoping the company nailed it like they did with the Google Pixel 7 Pro.
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