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Google Pixel Fold: Price, specs, features, availability, all you need to know

Has Google made a better foldable phone than the rest of them?
By
December 28, 2023

Alongside the budget-friendly Pixel 7a, Google’s first folding handset is finally here. The highly-anticipated Pixel Fold will compete for your attention in a quickly crowding foldable phones market of which Samsung is currently king. Here’s everything you need to know about the Google Pixel Fold.

Google Pixel FoldGoogle Pixel Fold
AA Recommended
Google Pixel Fold
Excellent cameras • Comfortable displays • Pixel-exclusive features
MSRP: $1,799.00
Google enters the fold
Google is hitting the foldables market in style with the Google Pixel Fold. The pricey book-style phone brings Google's elite photography smarts to the folding form factor, plus the Tensor G2 chip, an IPX8 rating for water resistance, and a huge 7.6-inch AMOLED 120Hz internal display.

Google Pixel Fold: Release date, price, and availability

  • Pixel Fold (256GB storage): $1,799 / £1,749 / €1,899
  • Pixel Fold (512GB storage): $1,919

Google officially unveiled the Pixel Fold at Google I/O on March 10, 2023. It comes in two colors — Obsidian and Porcelain. You can also choose between three official Pixel Fold cases in Hazel, Porcelain, and Bay colors (pictured above).

Google is charging a similar price to the rival Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. The 256GB variant of the Pixel Fold will cost you a whopping $1,799. The 512GB version is even more expensive at $1,919, which seems costly for Google’s first attempt at a foldable phone.

The Pixel Fold is costly for Google's first attempt at a foldable phone.

Google hopes you buy the foldable Pixel for its thin form factor, “true pocket size,” loaded camera features, “all-day battery,” multi-tasking skills, and long-lasting software support. However, you can decide if that price is justified in our review of the device.

As for availability, Google is not casting a very wide net for the Pixel Fold. The handset will only sell in the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, at least to start with. The Pixel Fold is available for pre-order starting May 10, with general sales in June. Everyone who buys the device gets a 2TB Google One plan for six months and a three-month subscription to YouTube Premium.

There’s also a trade-in program for those who want to switch their current handset for the foldable. Google accepts products from Apple, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, and Samsung, and the trade-in’s value differs between the various models. Notably, you can also trade in Google Pixels. For instance, the 128GB Pixel 7 Pro will get you $380 off the Fold’s price. Visit Google’s trade-in portal for the full list of products and offers.

 

Google Pixel Fold features

Google Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold opened up on table 1 1
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority

As Google’s first foldable, the Pixel Fold aims to provide a different experience to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 series. For starters, the company has optimized over 50 Google apps for the larger screen. Some of these apps will be Pixel-first and won’t be available on foldables from other brands.

Google has also worked with some major apps like Spotify, Disney Plus, TikTok, eBay, Canva, and more to optimize them for the inner folding display. Streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and even Peloton support the Pixel Fold’s Tabletop mode (pictured above) for hands-free viewing.

Google promises three years of Android updates and five years of security patches.

Besides app optimizations, which Google says is a continuous effort, the Pixel Fold also has some cool multitasking tricks up its sleeve. You can drag and drop images, videos, links, and more between apps on the two sides of the display. A split screen view also lets you open two apps side-by-side.

Google Pixel Fold half closed on palm 1
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Pixel Fold

Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the Pixel Fold is the Live Translate Interpreter Mode. It allows users to simultaneously utilize the inner and outer screens for easier face-to-face conversations in different languages. This feature might not be available at launch, though. Google says support will roll out in the fall. Also, it won’t be available in all languages and countries.

As for software updates, Google promises its standard three years of Android updates and five years of security patches for the phone. It’s still not as good as Samsung’s four-year-update guarantee, but it’s still one of the best update pledges in the industry.

Are you buying the Pixel Fold?

771 votes

Displays and design

Google Pixel Fold opened up in garden
Kris Carlon / Android Authority
Pixel Fold

Unlike some tall foldable designs currently on the market, Google insists that the Pixel Fold will easily fit into your hands. The company chose a wider outer display that measures 5.8 inches and comes clad in Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for protection. When folded, the phone has a 3.1-inch width. Add on an official case, and it becomes 3.2 inches. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s outer screen is 2.64 inches wide, so you’re getting wider real estate on the Pixel Fold on the outside. According to Google, current foldable phones in the market don’t have a very usable front display. Hence, it went with a wider screen. Based on our hands-on experience, this was a good decision by Google. The Pixel Fold is far more accommodating to use folded than the Galaxy Z Fold, thanks to this wider display.

In terms of thickness, the Pixel Fold measures just over 12mm deep without the camera bump when folded compared to the 14.2mm measurement of the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

The inner display of the Pixel Fold measures 7.6 inches and is protected by ultra-thin glass (UTG), just like the Galaxy foldables. You get a 120Hz refresh rate both inside and outside.

The 180-degree Fluid Friction hinge that takes the phone from its folded to unfolded state and opens at any angle is made of stainless steel. Google calls it the “most durable hinge of any foldable phone.” This claim is based on the company’s own durability testing, which included 200,000 folds and tumble drop tests of one meter. Despite the testing, Google clarifies that the Pixel Fold is not drop-proof.

Like the current crop of foldables, the Pixel Fold is not exempt from the display crease curse. During our hands-on time with the phone, we did note a noticeable crease down the middle of the main display. It’s actually more pronounced than its competition from Samsung and especially OPPO. Granted, there are bound to be a few Google Pixel Fold issues as this is the company’s first foray into the folding space.

The good news is that the Pixel Fold is one of the few foldable phones on the market with an official IP rating. It’s IPX8 rated just like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which means it can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. The back of the phone is also covered in Gorilla Glass Victus, and the frame of the phone is made of aluminum.

Camera

Taking a selfie with a Google Pixel Fold 4
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

The Pixel Fold has five cameras in total. Three are on the rear, one on the outer display, and one on the inner folding screen. The main camera array leads with a 48MP wide shooter. That means you can expect pixel-binned shots of 12MP from it. Then comes a 10.8MP ultrawide lens with a 121-degree field of view. Another 10.8MP telephoto camera completes the primary setup. It can take 5x optically zoomed shots and also supports Google’s 20x Super Res Zoom.

Almost every Pixel camera feature you've ever heard of is present on the foldable handset.

Up front, you get a 9.5MP wide-angle lens, and the folding screen features an 8MP shooter for when you want your video calls on the big screen.

The photography story of the Pixel Fold doesn’t end here. Almost every Pixel camera feature you’ve heard of is present on the foldable handset and then some. Here’s a full list:

  • Rear Camera Selfie
  • Magic Eraser
  • Photo Unblur
  • Long Exposure
  • Real Tone
  • Face Unblur
  • Panorama
  • Manual white balancing
  • Locked Folder
  • Night Sight
  • Top Shot
  • Portrait Mode
  • Portrait Light
  • Super Res Zoom
  • Motion autofocus
  • Frequent Faces
  • Dual exposure controls
  • Live HDR+

Performance

Google is sticking to the tried and tested Tensor G2 chip for the Pixel Fold and is the muscle behind the aforementioned camera system. That means we can expect the same impressive AI-backed processing that we saw on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. You also receive 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM on the Pixel Fold alongside options for 256GB and 512GB internal storage.

For a quick reference, the graph below shows where Google’s Tensor G2 processor has stacked up against the competition in the past. It’s not the most powerful chipset on the market, but it handles everyday tasks more than well enough. We’re expecting performance in the Pixel Fold to land somewhere in the same ballpark as the Pixel 7 series. However, the current chip already runs hot, so we’ll watch how the chip fairs in the more constraining foldable form factor.

Battery and charging

Google Pixel Fold folded closed on table next to other Google devices
Kris Carlon / Android Authority

The entire package is powered by a 4,821mAh battery, which Google claims will easily last you over 24 hours. The company has opted for a dual battery architecture inside the Pixel Fold.

Google says you can stretch the Pixel Fold's battery life to 72 hours.

Google believes you can stretch the battery life to 72 hours, provided you use your Pixel Fold in the Extreme Battery Saver mode. But we doubt many folks would like to do that since the mode turns off many features, pauses most apps, and slows down processing for even more time between charges. Nevertheless, even 24 hours of screen-on time should be great. Google says it came up with the figure after observing a median user using the phone across a mix of talk, data, standby, and other features.

For charging, the Pixel Fold supports 21W wired speeds. However, you’ll have to purchase Google’s 30W power adapter ($25 at Google Store) separately. The phone also supports wireless charging at up to 7.5W and will work with any Qi wireless charger.

Google Pixel Fold specs

Google Pixel Fold
Display
Exterior:
- 5.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 2,092 x 1,080
- 408ppi
- 17.4:9 aspect ratio
- Gorilla Glass Victus cover
- Up to 1,550 nits brightness
- HDR support

Interior:
- 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 2,208 x 1,840
- 380ppi
- 6:5 aspect ratio
- Ultra-thin glass cover with plastic protection
- Up to 1,450 nits brightness
- HDR support
Processor
Tensor G2
Titan M2 security coprocessor
RAM
12GB LPDDR5 RAM
Storage
US, UK, DE:
256GB or 512GB UFS 3.1 storage

JP:
256GB UFS 3.1 storage

No microSD card support
Power
Minimum: 4,727mAh
Typical: 4,821mAh

21W wired charging
7.5W wireless charging
Cameras
Rear:
- 48MP wide main sensor (ƒ/1.7, 1/2-inch sensor, 0.8μm, 82° FoV, OIS, CLAF)
- 10.8MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2, 1/3-inch sensor, 1.25μm, 121.1° FoV, Lens correction)
- 10.8MP telephoto (ƒ/3.05, 1/3.1-inch sensor, 1.22μm, 21.9° FoV, 5x optical zoom)

Front:
- 9.5MP wide (ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 84° FoV, Fixed focus)

Internal:
- 8MP wide (ƒ/2.0, 1.12μm, 84° FoV, Fixed focus)
Video
Rear:
- 4K (30/60fps), 1080p (30/60fps)
- 10-bit HDR

Front:
- 4K (30/60fps), 1080p (30/60fps)

Internal:
- 1080p (30fps)

Formats:
- HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264)
Audio
Spatial audio support
Stereo speakers
Triple-microphone
Software
Pixel UI
Android 13
3 Android updates
5 years of security updates
IP rating
IPX8 certification
Biometrics
Power button fingerprint scanner
Face unlock (out display)
Ports
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
Dual-SIM (Single nano-SIM + eSIM)
Connectivity
All countries:
Bluetooth 5.2
Ultra-Wideband chip
NFC

US, UK, and DE only:
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz

JP only:
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4GHz + 5GHz
Bands
US, UK, and DE only:
- GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19
- LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/21/25/26/28/29/30/32/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/66/71
- 5G Sub6: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/28/30/38/40/41/48/66/71/75/76/77/78/79
- 5G mmWave: Bands n257/n258/n260/n261

JP only:
- GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1,2,4,5,6,8,19
- LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/21/25/26/28/29/30/32/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/66/71
- 5G Sub6: Bands n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/28/30/38/40/41/48/66/71/75/76/77/78/79
- 5G mmWave: Bands n257/n258/n260/n261
Dimensions
Folded:
- 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1mm

Unfolded:
- 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8mm
Weight
283g
Materials
Gorilla Glass Victus (external display)

Ultra Thin Glass with protective plastic layer
(Internal folding display)

Hinge:
Mirror-polished, multi-alloy steel construction
Custom dual-axis
Quad-cam synchronized mechanism
Fluid friction across the full 180° range of motion
Colors
Obsidian
Porcelain

Color availability varies by region and channel.
In-box contents
USB-C to USB-C cable (USB 2.0, 1m)
Quick Start Guide
Quick Switch Adapter
SIM tool

FAQ

No. Furthermore, the Google Pixel does not support pen/stylus input.

The Pixel Fold’s inner display is protected by Ultra Thin Glass, complete with a protective plastic layer applied. Gorilla Glass Victus protects the external display.

Yes. The Google Pixel Fold has an IPX8 certification, which means it can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.

No, Google no longer includes chargers with its smartphones. You’ll have to buy a compatible charger that supports USB Power Delivery PPS.

The Google Pixel Fold supports dual SIMs. One is a nano-SIM slot, and the second is via eSIM.

The Pixel Fold was announced on May 10, 2023. General availability of the phone will commence in June 2023.

Folding phones are great for those who want a large-screen device but don’t want the size penalty of carrying a tablet. Based on our hands-on experience, the Pixel Fold should also be a great traditional handset when folded.

There’s no indication that Google is working on a second, smaller flip phone to partner the Pixel Fold or challenge the Galaxy Z Flip series.

The first OnePlus foldable is a surprisingly stellar device. It offers a much lower price, much larger displays, and a faster SoC. You definitely shouldn’t ignore the OnePlus Open vs the Pixel Fold.