Google Pixel Fold Intro
The first folding phone by Google is right around the corner: multiple sources agree that Google will unveil the Pixel Fold at its annual I/O developer conference on May 10th.
Right before the launch, we summarize all the leaks and rumors about the much anticipated Google Pixel Fold.
First, it should be clear that the Pixel Fold will have a similar form factor to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, which means it will open like a book and be a similarly large phone. In fact, it is expected to be even heavier than the already quite heavy Galaxy Fold 4 as the Pixel Fold is said to weigh over 10 ounces.
What’s new about the Google Pixel Fold
- Google’s first foldable phone
- To show Google’s folding phone interface
- Extremely sturdy hinge
- Larger battery than Galaxy Fold 4
- Costly at expected $1,700 price
Table of Contents:
Google Pixel Fold Specs
Tensor G2 chip inside, but what else?
Here is an overview of the Pixel Fold specs against major rivals:
| Specs | Google Pixel Fold |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 |
Oppo Find N2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size and Weight | unknown dimensions over 10oz weight |
155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm 263g (9.3oz) |
132.2 x 140.5 x 7.4 mm 237g (8.36oz) |
| Displays | 7.6″ OLED 120Hz Cover: 5.8″ OLED |
7.6″ OLED, 21.6:18 ratio 120Hz Cover: 6.2″ OLED, 904p |
7.1″ OLED, 9:8.4 120Hz Cover: 5.5″ OLED, 1080p |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| RAM, Storage and Price | 12/256GB for $1,700 12/512GB for $1,800 |
12/256GB for $1,800 12/512GB for $1,920 12/1TB for $2,160 |
12/256GB |
| Software | Android 13 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 | Android 13 with ColorOS 13 |
| Cameras | Wide camera Ultra-wide camera Zoom camera Cover screen front camera |
50MP Wide, 23mm f/1.8 12MP Ultra-wide, 12mm f/2.2 10MP 3X Zoom, f/2.4 10MP Cover screen front cam |
50MP Wide, 24mm f/1.8 48MP Ultra-wide, 14mm f/2.2 32MP 2X Zoom, f/2.0 32MP front cam |
| Battery Size | larger than Galaxy Fold 4 | 4,400 mAh | 4,520 mAh |
| Charging Speeds | unknown | 25W wired 15W wireless |
67W wired no wireless charging |
As you can see, we still don’t know quite a few details about the Pixel Fold and in fact this is one of the better kept Google secrets. Things like the camera and unique features remain pretty much unclear weeks before the official announcement.
Pixel Fold Design & Colors
Unfolding to a large 7.6″ screen, the Pixel Fold will be big and heavy
One look at the Pixel Fold and you know it belongs in the Pixel family with that camera bar on the back of the phone.
But since this is a folding phone, what you should know is that it is quite big and even heavier than the already bulky Galaxy Fold 4. In fact, the Pixel Fold is expected to tip the scales at about 10 ounces (280g). That is one heavy phone to carry in your pocket!
Pixel Fold Display
A 7.6″ tablet-sized main screen
We still don’t know the exact size and dimensions of the Pixel Fold and concept renders suggest it will be more squarish than the Galaxy Fold.
However, we do know that it will come with just as big 7.6-inch main screen and you will also have a 5.8-inch cover type display on the front that is expected to have a wider aspect ratio and be more comfortable to type on than on the Galaxy Fold.
Will it have a crease? Probably yes, but we don’t know if Google has made some improvements in that.
We certainly expect a 120Hz fast refresh rate on a premium device like this one, though.
And for biometrics, chances are Google will use a fingerprint scanner built into the power key on the side of the phone, just like Samsung does with its Fold series.
Pixel Fold Camera
Triple camera, with a Pixel look
The camera bar on the back is certainly the most prominent design element on this phone and it is rumored to protrude noticeably out the back of the phone.
The Pixel Fold will also have a selfie camera on the cover screen, and also another selfie camera on the main, tablet-sized screen.
We are really curious to see whether the company has come up with some fancy new camera feature that would benefit from the folding form factor, but so far there is no specific information on that. We will be updating you though with the news as it comes in.
Pixel Fold Performance & Benchmarks
Tensor G2 might hold it back
While everything we discussed for the Pixel Fold so far looks good and checks out nicely, there is one feature that might disappoint you.
The Pixel Fold is said to come with Google’s Tensor G2 chip inside. The same chip as in the Pixel 7 series. And also, the same chip as in the Google Pixel 7a.
You will have the same chip on Google’s $500 phone and on this super expensive, $1,700 Pixel Fold!
So… what’s wrong with the Tensor G2? Well, it is a perfectly good chip when used on a sub $1,000 phones, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that is expected to power the Galaxy Fold 5 is an absolute beast and significantly more powerful than Google’s own solution. It will be a major selling point for Samsung. And if you care about performance (and you should on such a premium phone), the Tensor G2 is just not on par with the very best.
But let’s see if Google pulls some magic trick and maybe it has some tweaks to the chip in store for us.
Pixel Fold Software and Android version
Can Google match Samsungs multitasking features for foldable phones?
Another thing you should look out for is the Google Pixel Fold software.
Sure, it will probably run Android 13 at launch (even though Android 14 will be made official at Google I/O too). However, it’s Google’s first foldable and that means we have to see the split screen and overall approach to multitasking that are so important for a foldable phone.
How many years of software updates will the Pixel Fold get? Will it be just three years of major OS updates like the Pixel 7 series? This doesn’t seem right for a premium phone like the Fold, so this is one more thing that we have to be looking out for.
Pixel Fold Battery
Larger battery than Galaxy Fold 4
The chunky weight of the Pixel Fold is certainly a disadvantage, but on the flipside of that, you get a larger battery than the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
While we don’t know the exact battery size on the Pixel Fold, we do know that the Fold 4 comes with a 4,400mAh battery, so we would get a larger number on the Google folding phone.
Google will allegedly claim the Pixel Fold has 24 hours of battery life, or up to 72 hours in a low power mode, but that’s all the specifics we have so far.
Pixel Fold Charging Speeds
Google has been one of the most conservative companies when it comes to charging speeds. Or in other words, Pixel phones charge slowly and for a long time.
We don’t expect the Pixel Fold to change that. If we take the Pixel 7 Pro, that phone charges at up to 23W via a cable and at 15W wirelessly.
Pixel Fold Audio Quality and Haptics
Folding phones have a larger size and with that comes an opportunity to use higher quality loudspeakers than traditional slab phones.
We have seen Galaxy Fold phones consistently have better speakers than, say, the Galaxy S series.
We expect a similarly potent loudspeaker system on the Pixel Fold, but so far we have no insight about the exact audio specifications or quality.
We also expect nothing less than flagship-grade haptics, but again, more color on this when we get a hold of the phone.
Pixel Fold Competitors
Pixel Fold Summary
Finally, some competition for the Galaxy Z Fold!
It’s great to see Google joining the foldable phone space. We have seen a number of Chinese companies make great foldable phones, but up until now there was no true Galaxy Fold 4 rival in the US, UK and the rest of the Western world.
While the Pixel Fold launches a few years later, it seems to have the right hinge technology and even water protection, so it should check out the most important tab for durability of a foldable.
We have no doubts Google will have a great camera too, but one area we are concerned about is the slower than rivals Tensor G2 chip. This slower chip is not much of an issue in a $600 phone, but it becomes problematic for a device that costs nearly two grand.
We are also curious about this being a heavier phone than the Galaxy, but also the benefit of a longer battery life. Let’s see if Google has indeed managed to make the best foldable phone on the market from its very first attempt.
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