Google Pixel Fold Launched at $1800 to Rival Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Google has announced its first folding device, the Pixel Fold, after years of rumors and leaks. Priced at $1,799, it will compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4. Preorders begin on May 10th, and the Pixel Fold will be available in black or white. It will start shipping in June.

The Pixel Fold belongs to the type of folding device that transforms from a compact phone into a small tablet when opened. Unlike the other folding devices that open to a normal size phone, this device has a flexible screen and hinge that enables it to expand from a 5.8-inch to a 7.6-inch screen size. This makes it ideal for running apps, watching videos, playing games, and other tasks that require a spacious screen on a mobile device.

All About Pixel Fold’s Display

The Pixel Fold has two OLED screens with 120Hz refresh rates. The inner screen is covered in ultrathin glass and has a factory-installed screen protector which should not be removed. The outside screen has a resolution of 1080 x 2092 pixels and can reach up to 1550 nits of brightness.

The inner display has a resolution of 2208 x 1840 pixels and can reach up to 1450 nits of brightness. These specifications suggest that both screens are suitable for outdoor use without compromising on quality, which is impressive considering the device’s high price of nearly $2,000.

Other Specifications and Features

The Pixel Fold comes with a premium internal configuration, featuring the Tensor 2 processor, which is also present in the Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7A, and Pixel Tablet announced today. The device is equipped with 12GB of RAM and offers storage options of either 256GB or 512GB, which cannot be expanded later.

According to Google, the Pixel Fold, which has a battery capacity of approximately 4,800mAh split into two cells, can last for more than 24 hours. It can be fast-charged at 30W or charged wirelessly on a standard Qi charger. However, it’s important to note that the device doesn’t come with a charger.

The Pixel Fold has a 5.8-inch display that can be used with one hand when it’s closed. It also has a total of five cameras, including two 8.3MP cameras for selfies and video calls, and three cameras on the back. These cameras include a 48MP main camera with optical stabilization, a 10.8MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto camera. The camera on the Fold has similar features and capabilities as the Pixel 7 Pro, but it uses different sensors. This is because the larger sensors of the 7 Pro couldn’t fit into the Fold’s slim frame.

The Pixel Fold lacks support for stylus input and output to an external display, unlike the Galaxy Fold 4 which offers both. Additionally, the Pixel Fold only allows for two apps to be used side-by-side, limiting multitasking options. However, Google aims to provide existing Pixel owners with a familiar and streamlined experience, incorporating their latest Material Design aesthetic.

Google touts that more than 50 of its apps have been optimized to make the most of the Pixel Fold’s large inner display. Users can perform tricks like starting to use an app on the outer display and then opening it directly when they launch the phone. The Pixel Fold will be launched with Android 13, and it will receive additional features that utilize its unique hardware when updated to Android 14 later this year. Google has assured that the phone will receive software and security updates for a period of five years.

Rivaling Samsung For Good!

We are happy that there is now competition for Samsung in the US market. However, we are sceptical that the Pixel Fold will make folding phones more accessible to the public. The high price may still be a barrier for many people, despite Google’s pre-order deals. We are uncertain about Google’s ability to make the Pixel Fold widely available. Samsung consistently offers promotions for their similarly priced Z Fold 4, which remains a niche device that most people are unfamiliar with.