Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold – Specifications and prices
After years of rumors and hopes, Google is finally joining the foldable phone market with its own foldable phone. This is the Google Pixel Fold, its first foldable phone, and unlike the rest of the Pixel line, this is a premium and expensive device that doesn't shy away from competing with the best devices, both in terms of features and price. Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold – Specifications and prices.
Pricing for the Pixel Fold starts at $1.800, and that's probably no coincidence. That's exactly the same price as its biggest competitor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, but Google managed to make up the four-year gap it Samsung does it have in the flip phone market? Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold.
That's the biggest question about the Pixel Fold, and Google is starting to differentiate itself from Samsung's foldable right from the start. The Pixel Fold opens like a book, just like the Galaxy Fold, but it's a different size. It's not as tall, it has a wider and arguably more comfortable outer screen, Google has created a more durable hinge, and it's also added a lot of really cool software features that make use of this phone's ability to stand on its own .
Google Pixel Fold Specifications
Here's an overview of the Pixel Fold's specs against major rivals.
The special specs we noticed about the Pixel Fold are that it's thinner than the Galaxy, while also having nearly 10% more battery capacity. However, no laws of physics have been broken because it weighs more.
Google Pixel Fold - Colors and Design
Open, with a large 7,6-inch screen, the Pixel Fold will be big and heavy. A disadvantage in Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold.
In terms of design, the Pixel Fold is actually thinner than the Galaxy Fold and shorter, so it fits more easily in a pocket. At the same time, Google's foldable phone weighs quite a lot at 283 grams (10 ounces). It is quite difficult to carry in a pocket!
Also, one look at the Pixel Fold and you'll know it belongs to the Pixel family thanks to the usual camera bar on the back of the phone.
The big concern with foldable phones is always durability, and we're glad that Google is touting the hinge on the Pixel Fold as extremely durable, better than that of the Galaxy Fold 4. Of course, time will be the best judge, but so far, this it is gratifying.
Google's foldable phone comes in two colors: Porcelain and Obsidian, meaning a white version and a black version.
Display Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold
7,6 inch is a tablet display.
The Pixel Fold's outer screen is wider, giving you valuable space for typing, which is a common complaint for the Galaxy Z Fold 4's form factor.
Flip open the phone and you're treated to a large 7,6-inch main screen. Interestingly, there is this large bezel for the main screen that steals from the design. I haven't seen anything this big on other flip phones. We don't know if this is intentional, it's not a very nice sight, but it might help with accidental touches when picking up the phone.
On a positive note, both the outer and main screens run at a refresh rate of up to 120Hz for ultra-smooth scrolling.
Is there a "wrinkle"? The answer is yes, as so far this seems to be a thing that comes with the folding feature.
For biometrics, Google uses a fingerprint scanner built into the power key on the side of the phone, just like Samsung does with its Fold series.
Camera – Google Pixel Fold
In terms of design, the camera bar on the back of the phone, which stands out in relief, attracts the most attention.
This houses three main cameras, very similar to the ones on the Pixel 7 Pro, so you'll have a main (wide), an ultra-wide and a 5x periscope zoom lens.
The Pixel Fold also has a selfie camera on the outer screen and one on the main, tablet-sized screen. But if you can, you should use the main cameras for higher-quality selfies, because you can simply turn the phone with its back towards you and the display on the cover serves as a viewfinder.
Pixel Fold Performance & Benchmarks
Pixel Fold is powered by the chip Google Tensor G2, and this is the same chip used in the series Pixel 7 and also yes it is the same chip used in the Pixel 7a.
And that's probably the most controversial decision Google made with the Pixel Fold: a super-premium phone that costs a fortune and… comes with the same chip you use on a $500 phone? This doesn't sound very good.
Tensor G2 it's a pretty decent chip in its own right, but make no mistake – it's no match for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor expected to power Samsung Galaxy Fold 5! So if you care about long-term performance or running more intensive tasks or gaming, well... the Pixel Fold isn't the fastest.
Otherwise, the base model Pixel Fold comes with 12 GB of RAM LPDDR5 and the base model has 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, or you can step up to 512GB of storage for a slightly higher price.
Pixel Fold – Android Version and Software
The Pixel Fold comes with special software, offering a number of interesting features that make use of the foldable form:
Tabletop mode – place the phone on a table and half open it to watch videos. This feature is perfect for YouTube, half the screen shows the video and the other half offers quick controls (these will come with an app update).
Tabletop mode for photography – you can leave your phone on a table, set a timer and take a photo with a group of friends without needing a tripod. This feature is also great for astrophotography, as you can point your cameras skyward and take a shot of the Milky Way!
Camera Selfie Mode – use the outer screen as a viewfinder and take a selfie using your phone's main cameras for the best selfie quality on a Pixel.
Android 14 comes with features like:
Dual Screen interpreter – use both screens to translate a conversation in real time, and the person you're talking to will see your sentences translated on the outer screen.
We're also curious to experience split mode and the overall approach to multitasking, which are so important for a foldable phone.
How long will it takemi Pixel Fold software updates? Google promises five years of security updates, but we still have no information on how many years of major OS updates it will receive.
Battery life Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold
The considerable weight of the Pixel Fold is certainly a drawback, but on the other hand, it allows for a battery almost 10% larger than the one on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4.
The Galaxy Fold 4 comes with a 4.400mAh battery, and the Pixel Fold increases this to 4.821mAh. That's a significant increase, especially for such a thin phone.
Official battery life numbers for the Pixel Fold are as follows: 24 hours on average or up to 72 hours in power saving mode.
Pixel Fold loading speed
Pixel is known for its slow charging speed compared to other phones in the industry, and the Pixel Fold is no exception.
Google recommends its 30W charger, but the phone only supports wired charging up to 21W, which seems very slow for such a large battery. As a note, the Pixel 7 Pro supports charging at 23W, so not much more.
There's also support for wireless charging, but again, at rather slow speeds of just 7,5W.
Pixel Fold Audio Quality & Haptics
Flip phones are larger in size and this provides an opportunity to use speakers with higher quality sound than traditional phones.
We've seen Galaxy Fold phones consistently have better speakers than, say, the Galaxy S series.
We're expecting a similar powerful speaker system on the Pixel Fold, but so far we don't have any information on the exact specifications or sound quality.
Google also promises the same haptic experience as the Pixel 7 Pro, even if the slimmer design forced the company to redesign the phone internally.
Google Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Fold
The biggest rival of the Pixel Fold is clearly the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but especially the Galaxy Z Fold 5 which is due to appear in August, just a few months after the launch of the Pixel Fold. This phone will bring many improvements, including a new and more powerful processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which surpasses the Tensor G2. However, the phone will still be taller and not as comfortable as the Pixel Fold.
Another great alternative is the Oppo Find N2. It's also a foldable phone that opens up like a book, but it's much more compact and lightweight. It doesn't have the periscope zoom function, but it's very interesting otherwise. Unfortunately, you can't officially buy this phone outside of China.
Conclusion Google Pixel Fold
It's good news that Google has entered the world of foldable phones. While many Chinese companies have released impressive foldable phones, the Pixel Fold is the only one available in the West.
We like that the phone has a wider shape that feels more practical than the Galaxy Fold, we like how thin it is and how strong the hinge and water protection is.
The only thing that makes us doubt the very high price of 1800 dollars and the slower Tensor G2 chip. Buyers should also be aware that the Pixel Fold is one of the heaviest foldable phones on the market.
Is it worth buying?
