Google Pixel Fold
Announced June 28, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
Google Pixel Fold delivers a versatile, pocket-friendly foldable experience with a highly usable outer screen and a premium, gap-free hinge design. That said, the device is burdened by a steep price, significant internal display bezels, and software inconsistencies that underscore its first-generation status.
Weighted from 49 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent camera system and photo quality
- Sturdy, gap-free hinge and slim construction
- Useful multitasking and software optimization
- Vibrant and responsive displays
- Highly usable and comfortable cover display
Cons
- Heavy, bulky design and durability concerns
- Software optimization and multitasking limitations
- High price point
- Thermal issues and inconsistent performance
- Thick bezels and visible crease
- Launch price $1,799 (USD)
- Main camera 48MP f/1.7 + 10.5MP Ultrawide + 10.8MP 5x Telephoto
- Video 4K 60p
- Display 6.4-inch / 8-inch OLED 120Hz
- Chipset Google Tensor G2 12GB
What the Reviewers Say
All 49 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 7/10
The main strength of the Fold lies in its immense work surface when using apps or when you want some big-screen entertainment, but the main hindrance is the fragility that comes as a result of the hinge and the $1799 asking price.
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It's got just the right set of quirks and features to that that I like it over the regular Pixel, which I had been using.
- The Verge 6/10
The Pixel Fold is a powerful device with an entertainment-friendly inner screen, but it feels like it’s at least one generation away from greatness.
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Google’s first foldable phone isn’t quite a home run, but after spending a week with the Pixel Fold, I have to admit: I love it.
- WIRED 8/10
The Pixel Fold is the most well-rounded large-screen folding smartphone to date, so much so that I don't want to go back to using a normal phone anymore. But I also don't have $1,799 to spend on a smartphone.
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For a first-generation product, I’m blown away at just how good the Pixel Fold has proven itself to be. It’s so much better than it should be.
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What it feels like instead is a somewhat watered down afterthought that demands too much for too many compromises and relies too heavily on AI gimmicks to give it value.
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The Google Pixel Fold will be a great foldable – just probably not until the second-gen device.
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[T]he Google Pixel Fold has a lot going for it: the most balanced camera system of any mainstream foldable; its front screen is much more comfortable to use than that of the Z Fold 5, the part-folded inner screen is great for watching 16:9 video on [...]
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The Google Pixel Fold offers solid performance and strong build quality in a versatile folding form factor but is outperformed by Samsung when it comes to productivity.
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The Google Pixel Fold is an excellent, multidimensional handset that feels equally at home as a beefy smartphone or a pint-sized tablet, and it marries that versatility with strong performance and stellar photography.
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The Pixel Fold is a very good first foldable phone from Google, offering a front display that’s comfy to use, smart multitasking software and multiple usage modes along with strong cameras.
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For Google's entry into the world of flexible phones, the Pixel Fold feels like a win. Its clever hinge and slim chassis make it easy to use and carry, while its wider body delivers on Google's promise of making the phone's exterior screen a lot more usable.
- Digital Trends 7/10
The Google Pixel Fold has a lot to love. With a comfortable design, excellent displays, and fantastic cameras, it's a true contender in the foldable race.
- CNET 7.8/10
Google gets a lot right with its first foldable phone.
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Google's first-generation Pixel Fold is mostly a win with a couple of big misses. The worst parts of the phone can be narrowed down to gaming performance and overall battery life.
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The Google Pixel Fold attempts to adapt everything we love about the Pixel experience into a pocketable tablet.
- PhoneArena 6.1/10
As it is now, the Pixel Fold is the foldable phone I have enjoyed using the most so far, yet it still feels like a niche rather then the mainstream.
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The Google Pixel Fold is such a good foldable, that I can barely put it down.
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The overall experience of using the Pixel Fold is excellent and I'm shocked that Google did this well right out of the gate with its first foldable, but I am having a hard time reconciling that price, particularly in light of its Tensor G2 chipset.
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It's a very comfortable form factor all the way around in my opinion.
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The Pixel Fold takes Google's phones in a new direction, embracing the next-gen screen tech and presenting a premium PIxel option. It's a great quality phone, but it's clear there's still work to be done on app optimisation to enhance the experience.
- SlashGear 8/10
If, however, we try to forget about the price for a bit, it becomes clear that the Google Pixel Fold is one of the most interesting and surprisingly solid devices Google's ever released.
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A fantastic form factor and streamlined software, but the Google Pixel Fold feels like a first effort in several key areas.
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The biggest turn-offs are the price and hefty weight, though these are intrinsic if you want a phone that unfolds into a tablet.
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The Pixel Fold is good enough as a first outing. Unfortunately it’s not the revolutionary product that foldables need to convince an everyday user, perhaps not even the most dedicated Pixel user.
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For a first-generation foldable, the Pixel Fold gets more right than wrong. After one week of testing, I’ve yet to experience any app crashes or weird deformation of visuals when switching between the two displays.
- CGMagazine 7.5/10
The Google Pixel Fold makes the switch to a foldable easy for the uninitiated but still has a few kinks to work out for future iterations. Its price point is competitive, but other brands offer more for the base cost.
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Google’s debut in the realm of phones that bend is almost entirely a successful one.
- BGR 8/10
I'm a sucker for a great Pixel phone. I love the software experience, and I really like how streamlined it all feels compared to Samsung's software.
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I really liked my time with the Pixel Fold. Despite its shortcomings, I think it’s probably the correct step forward for the future of handsets.
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The Google Pixel Fold certainly is a fantastic effort for a first foldable from Google. I wasn't expecting it to be quite this good.
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I'm going to take it a step further and say I love it.
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[...] I think that the hardware is fine. It's a little bit heavier than I would like for it to be, but the thickness is well within range of a normal phone.
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[A] year later, looking back at this, I think it's mostly a failure, but it did have some positive things and I have had some good experiences with it.
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Google's first foldable is slim and pocket-friendly, but its unfolded form factor could use some work.
- Pocket Tactics 8/10
If money is no object for you, this is a fine choice - I just wish it were a little cheaper.
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For those looking to invest in a foldable phone, the Pixel Fold is a worthy contender to consider.
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For now, the high price tag and unstable software makes the Google Pixel Fold a hard recommendation, even for the biggest Google and folding smartphone fans. But, with some work and key changes, Google will soon be fighting Samsung to be the folding smartphone of choice.
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The Google Pixel Fold is a great first attempt at a folding phone. While it has some way to go, it's worthy of its spot in the competition.
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If you're someone who values what Google provides here, you actually want that bigger battery, you want that dust resistance, you want better speakers, and maybe you like the aspect ratio and the Google software.
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The Pixel Fold is a mixed bag. The design is sublime, it includes great cameras and both of the screens are really good.
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The pros here are that it is really fast, it’s a 2-in-1 and it’s really good for Google’s first foray into a foldable.
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I feel like they knocked it out the park for their first try.
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[I]n its current state, at its MSRP of $2,400 Canadian, I think that you could do better with your money.
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It's a first generation fold that I think could be a lot better with software updates because most of the annoying things that I ran into are mostly software problems, and I think the overall hardware on the Google Pixel Fold is top notch.
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Despite its turbulent launch, lack of the latest chipset or top-notch specs from Google's own lineup, and its hefty $1,800 price tag at launch, I still believe it's the top choice for a foldable device in the US market currently.
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After a year, this Pixel 9 Pro Fold does really feel like that more polished, reliable, daily device, daily foldable, than its predecessor, like an early gen foldable.
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Again, while this phone is not perfect, I'm glad Google took some time to really get this phone right and ship a tablet size foldable that is ready to compete against the Galaxy Z Fold line on day one.
