Pixel Fold Review: The Price Isn't The Point

[GOOGLE PIXEL FOLD REVIEW]

If you haven't noticed, MrMobile has had a busy month. In the “hot foldable summer” of 2023, I find myself reviewing the most significant Android in ages, on short notice, while traveling … and folks, that’s exactly the kind of lifestyle the book-type foldable was made for.

For the past three and a half years, a Samsung Galaxy Fold has filled that need in my life – for a laptop when there isn't space for a laptop; a tablet when a phone isn't quite enough. Well, Google’s new Pixel Fold turns the equation on its side, in a way that’s been done before, yes – but this time the company doing it is the company that makes Android. That means this device is different (in ways both delightful and disappointing), and I think it was built to change the future of foldables.

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[ABOUT MRMOBILE'S GOOGLE PIXEL FOLD REVIEW]

MrMobile's Google Pixel Fold Review was produced following ten days with a Pixel Fold review sample provided by Google. Preproduction device running pre-release software.

MrMobile does not accept compensation from the manufacturers of the products he reviews in exchange for producing content. No payment was provided and no manufacturer or carrier was afforded a preview, editorial input or copy approval rights concerning this review. The lone sponsor of this video is dbrand.

[LINKS]

RIP to my Pixel Fold: Dead after four days [Ars Technica]:

Someone already broke a Pixel Fold display, but Google will let you fix it yourself [9to5Google]:

[MUSIC]

"Take A Ride" by Abloom [Soundstripe]:

"No One Around" by Strength To Last [Soundstripe]:

"Park Pier 3" by JeesGuy [Soundstripe]:

"Today Is Your Day" by Dr. Delight [Soundstripe]:

“E-Business” by Olive Musique, available at Premium Beat:

"This Is The Way" by Dr. Delight [Soundstripe]:

[CHAPTERS]

00:00 Hot foldable summer
01:04 The importance of going wide
04:09 Daily driver – done different
07:14 The best camera on a foldable
12:05 A Pixel phone (for better or worse)
14:15 Does Google actually want your $1799?
15:29 Shilling for Robots
16:09 Disclosures

[SOCIALIZE]

[DISCLOSURES]

#pixelfold #googlepixel #google #googlepixelfold #googlefold #foldable #android #foldingphone #BorrowedFromGoogle

[small-frygamer]

Michael, you truly are my trusted opinion for all things foldable. No disrespect to other great reviewers, but there is comfort in knowing that these reviews come from someone who really lives their lives with foldables. Once again, fantastic review 👍🏻

[JerryRigEverything]

Great vid - Looking forward to getting my hands on one.

[Evie]

Michael brings out the best foldable coverage of any reviewers out there (and just one of the best reviewers ever), his reviews are not just simple analyses, he shows what it's like to live with the devices, and his delivery is top notch :D

[doniscoming]

As a Z Fold 4 user I'm really glad to see Pixel Fold cause I cant wait for future of these devices and we NEED more contenders in this space. BTW my Fold has 2 dead spots in the middle of the screen 6 months after purchase so I'm sending it on warrant to Samsung next week - its still definately not for everyone 😅

[StayConnectedEV]

Keep the great work Mike. I’ve been following you for 20 years. I used to be running Dave’s iPaq and Mobility Today back in the day 😊

[ELJefeReviews]

Hey! I know that guy at 4:23! 😂 Awesome video Michael. I'm enjoying the heck out of my Pixel Fold. I'm finally part of the foldable family!

[michaelinterbartolo]

As long as google stays committed to the fold concept then apps will come along eventually. I look forward to where the hardware and software will be in another few years.3+ apps at once is nice on my Galaxy fold 4 but the cover screen is just too narrow for other than a quick notification triage. The pixel form factor is definitely more appealing

[bug-kong]

This is the aspect ratio I’ve always wanted! I’ll never be able to afford this one but I hope this wider form factor survives the slow transition to mid-range phones.

I loved it on old iPads. I loved it on my blackberry passport. I’ve stuck with iPhone SE instead of any of the taller/thinner screened devices.

Fingers crossed companies keep making these extremely readable and usable devices

[seantaylor]

I've had the Pixel Fold for a little while now. I had the Z Fold 4 before that (technically still do) so can definitely compare the two. I was a long term iPhone user before that. I've been really surprised by my time with the Pixel. I went into my time with the Pixel thinking I knew what was coming. My short summary is that it's more than the sum of its parts. Also, there are psychological aspects that are hard to reason prior to use. The Pixel's choice to make the outer screen a primary screen and not a cover screen is important. It has a greater impact than I expected. Unfolding into landscape also has a bigger impact than I expected. I dismissed it as you can simply rotate the device. Obviously you can... but you don't... certainly not as often as I thought I would. There is something about using the Pixel that makes it my favourite phone. It's not something you get by looking at the specs on paper. The Z Fold, be that 5 or 4, is the better phone on paper. It is the better phone, in the same way that the iPhone is the better phone than all of these. I'll take the Pixel Fold every time, warts and all.

[LionelGeek]

Excellent review sir! If the Z Fold5 is as same as the leaks suggest, think I'll sit out this product cycle and hold onto my Z Fold4. It's been great at multitasking and surprisingly durable, so don't think that keeping it for another year will be a problem. That said, having a wide front screen will be a key reason I upgrade when the time comes. I admit, I do miss a lot of the Goole-y features that come with a Pixel. So, most likely, there will be a Pixel Fold 2 in my future. Thanks again for the excellent review Mr. Fisher!

[tonymarenno]

I love your narration style. You were a journalist before. It takes special training to be so consice yet informative 🙂

[majtechtings]

I can't believe i missed this but...i just saw the nod to the movie contact in this review. "Why have one when you can have two for twice the price?" Is such a good line. I love that film.

[PeteOliva]

Amazing review. I absolutely adore mine. Perfection? No. Hardly. But the positive changes this brings to the foldable experience over the Z Fold 3 I've neen working with over the past couple of years greatly overshadows the flaws.

I use this, much as you said, like a normal phone most of the time, but it's still as glorious as ever to be able to open that middle screen when you need a tablet-sized view. And I LOVE the horizontal aspect ratio by default!

[AuthenTech]

Just insane that just ONE guy produces this whole video?! 🤯

[DustySquitoNM]

That water proofing thing is a nice trick. The bezels aren’t bad, coming from a surface duo. I really do find width better on phones than more excess height.

[manuelelkess]

the way you film all of your videos outside is truly awesome. I wish you make a video to show us how you do it someday

[hasturxix]

I find it interesting that Google was able to achieve water resistance on their first gen foldable as opposed to Samsung which took 3 generations to get water resistance. Interesting to see if Google adds stylus support to their foldables.

[TimWeekly]

12:26 An immediate rush of nostalgia from the background music and your voice! I’ll go back and watch your review of the Pebble Time just to bring me back to the good old days! Fantastic review!

[siamakzahmat]

So hyped! I hope the next edition will get stylus support! If so, then it will definitely be my first foldable.
Now I'm using a Pixel 7 Pro and iPad Air, a good foldable will be able to replace both!
Great review!

[at_once]

Michael I'm from Hampton Roads. We are proud of you!!!