Depending on how old you are, you’ll remember the time when every phone was either a folding or sliding device, and you had to click a single button three times to input one letter of your text message. Thankfully, that technology evolved into the full-touch screen phones that we’ve come to adore. However, I suspect it was more than just one person (me) who missed the satisfying feeling of ending a call with a firm clap of your phone because, in 2019, the folding phone made a comeback. And since Google announced their first take on a foldable device this month, the Google Pixel Fold, it appears they’re here to stay. 

All foldable devices that have been created until now run on Android OS. So it’s a big deal when Google, the creators of Android, decide to join the game and produce a foldable Android from start to finish. Because Google has had the time to observe and take note of what’s currently being offered in the market, the expectation is that they’ll come up with something that ticks all the boxes the first time. With that in mind, it’s exciting to imagine how the Google Pixel Fold compares to the current leader in the market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 which was featured on the Heyup Tryouts not too long ago. 

Even though Google has been announcing the arrival of their first folding smartphone for more than just a few months, they’ve only just started on this journey, so it’s also quite riveting to imagine what the second generation Pixel Fold will look like.

Here’s What We Know So Far

We’ve only just seen the first look and unboxing of the Google Pixel Fold, so although there are no in-depth reviews just yet, what we know so far makes it a serious contender for the title of the best foldable smartphone of 2023. 

Design

The Google Pixel Fold is said to feel sturdy and slightly heavy to hold, but this is compensated by the surprisingly small size of the phone. The folding mechanism is designed to make the phone close completely, which ultimately makes it thinner in folded mode, and leaves no gaps for dirt particles to penetrate and damage the inside screen. 

This could be a welcomed improvement from the design of the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which our reviewer noted as being less discreet when placed in their pocket. Additionally, the hinge is firm enough to give the phone the ability to stay open at virtually any angle when you want to capture some tricky shots with the powerful Pixel Camera.

Battery

A significant feature that could make this phone rank highly on the best phones list is the 4821 mAh battery that it’s equipped with. It is by far the largest battery in any folding device currently available, getting quite close to the 5000 mAh that most standard devices have. Google says it should deliver all-day battery life, and you’ll be able to charge wirelessly or with a relatively slow 30W cable connection.

Display

Both displays on the Pixel Fold are OLED with a 120Hz screen refresh rate. The main screen measures at 5.8-inches, while the bigger tablet-style display is a large 7.6 -inches that’ll let you get the most out of the split screen feature and deliver a satisfying display of your favorite videos.

Camera

The powerful 48MP main camera is a standard feature for Pixel devices, even though it is slightly less powerful than the 50 MP main camera offered by Samsung on their foldable. The cameras on the screen are where Pixel has the upper hand because both are slightly more than 10 MP, whereas Samsung only has 4 MP on their larger inside screen. 

Price

The Google Pixel Fold is expected to retail at $1800, which is the same price that Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 4 at.  

A New Take on the Foldable?

Since Google has already started teasing the release of Android 14, it may be safe to assume that the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet will be the first to get the new OS when it’s released. Since pre-orders opened on the 10th of this month, it’s expected that the Google Pixel Fold will start shipping in June. Until then, it’s a guessing and waiting game for what can truly be expected from the first ever Google foldable. 

Which features would you be most keen to try out and interact with if this device made it onto the Heyup Tryouts list? Join the conversation in the Heyup Community, and let us know what other tech releases you’re looking forward to in the second half of 2023.