Google’s Pixel Fold Is The Most Important Foldable In Years [Hands-On]

[GOOGLE PIXEL FOLD HANDS-ON]

Even if 2023 ended tomorrow, it would have been a great year for foldables. TECNO launched the cheapest book-type folder ever; Huawei raised the bar for industrial design yet again; and Oppo and Vivo refreshed the flip-phone space with their own takes on the clamshell phone (all while the leaks suggest that the best in that category is yet to come).

But none of those are as crucial to the future of foldables as the phone I just spent two hours with at Google’s New York City offices. I’m Michael Fisher and this is a first look at the first foldable built by the people who make Android: the Google Pixel Fold!

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[ABOUT THIS VIDEO]

This video was produced following two hours with a Google Pixel Fold review sample at a media briefing at Google's NYC offices.

Google provided travel and lodging for MrMobile to attend Google I/O 2023 in Mountain View, CA. However, 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]

Tutorial: How to stop apps like Authy, Venmo etc. from being locked to portrait mode on Android tablets/foldables [Reddit]:

Follow Mishaal Rahman [Twitter]:

Follow Kieron Quinn [Twitter]:

[MUSIC]

"Ran Ran" by Bellodrone [Soundstripe]:

"Sense" by Elision [Soundstripe]:

"Twennysomething" by Daniele Musto [Soundstripe]:

[CHAPTERS]

00:00 Foldable reboot
00:52 Samsung competitor, or a Surface Duo sequel?
03:49 Foldable software, right from the source
06:09 Pixel perks (and pauses)

[SOCIALIZE]

[DISCLOSURES]

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

[TheMrMobile]

I learned a few more bits and pieces about the Pixel Fold while roaming Google I/O! They're threaded here:

[twopercentgaming]

Using the terms "Dorsal and Ventral, Port and Starboard" to describe the bezel sides that were fattened, is exactly the reason that I'll watch your reviews regardless of what's being reviewed. It's just great writing with character and class!

[Thetechchap]

Really excited about this one - but I think it needs 2nd gen with thinner bezels, less pronounced crease & tensor G3 to warrant a $1799 price tag. Excellent video as always!

[zrox]

Respect to Google for letting the folding tech connoisseur take a look at this.

[mannypr]

That disclaimer at the end is what makes your word and content so trustworthy. I admire your honesty and as well the quality of your videos. Thank you Michael.

[shisnatz]

Went from fold 3 to fold 4. Had my eyes on the 5 but I'm glad google threw their hat in the ring to offer some viable competition to the foldable king. Can't wait for the full review.

[Bhatouwree]

Have been following his journey from pocket now to this channel. And it amazes me how well mrmobile has been able to differentiate from rest of the tech channels. Also, I don't think the bezels are much, they hide the camera and if you're lying down on the bed, they give you space to hold the phone and control phantom touches. Again, just my opinion.

[PCJesus]

THE FOLDABLE KING IS SHOWING IT OFF!!!!

Edit: because a lot of people seem to be getting confused, I'm calling Mr Mobile the foldable king, not the pixel fold

[KevinFrost]

Much like the early smartphones of the mid 2000s, each new iteration brought so many improvements it was hard to justify buying last years model, even if it meant you could save a ton of money. Nowadays though, you could buy a 3 year old phone and probably not notice too much different compared to the brand new, full priced phone. I feel like foldables will get to that same point in the next ~5 years or so, and that's probably when I can justify buying one. For now, I live vicariously through people that can afford them.

[jacksonsneed]

Thanks so much for bringing us with you to check out the Pixel Fold! I'm looking forward to the software optimizations this device will bring to the entire Android foldable space (hopefully). The Fold & Pixel Tablet are the two things I'm most interested in at this year's I/O; hopefully you get a look at the tablet as well. Your reviews are very straightforward, with clearly stated pros & cons of the devices that you review, and I very much appreciate that aspect of your content.

Thanks again brother, and safe travels!😀👍🐧🐧

[schak]

Your review videos of foldable phones are fantastic. Every time I watch any foldable review, I feel mesmerized. The phone specifications are covered in great detail. The reviews are finely edited. I wish I had those wonderful phones. Please keep on making great review videos.

[johnnybravo]

Exiting times ahead for the foldable side of things. Great storytelling as always. I still seem to be tilting on the side of Galaxy Fold 5 when it’s out.

[MiguelRPD]

Sir I had a fold 1 and currently a fold 3. Thank you so much for your constant fold coverage. You are a big reason I got into foldables 😌

[Thisath]

It's so exciting to have your commentary on this. You did a great job at capturing the genuine excitement this phone brings to the market!

[javezkeith]

Really interesting to see how the screen stands up to 12 months of use and how the warranty will support wear and tear of the hinges and on/off button and screen quality. Very interesting mix of subjects. A comparison between Galaxy and Google is exciting.

[willkirby]

So excited you're covering this, first foldable I've considered since hearing about it. Very excited for your coming reviews of it.

[heroprodygee]

I always come back to Micheal a couple a times every year for his Pixel videos. His style of filming, and dialogue is always so on point and friendly.

[abcdelicious]

LOVE how you banged out this video while Google IO was still going on. I would say it definitely looks impressive. As a person who has a Fold 3 and only rocks a Google Pixel 6 Pro because I LOVE the Google UI, Haptic feedback as well as the camera, I may have to scoop this up. I also LIKE the shorter/wider form factor compared to the longer/narrower one of the Fold series. Honestly it's either this or the OPPO Find N2(which I can get for cheaper here). Thanks again for this LOVELY video and we all look forward to the real review. 📱📱❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[StetsonDoggett]

I love how the Pixel Fold still has a physical SIM tray!

[thlasthop]

Was refreshing like mad for this video