Of the three devices showcased onstage during the Google IO 2023 conference, the Pixel Fold is the most intriguing. The Fold has the shape of a regular and even somewhat compact Android phone as its screen is 5.8 inches diagonal. But simply fold it in half to reveal a second, larger, 7.6-inch display. It gives the impression that we have a tablet in our hands.
The Pixel Fold looks very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold but is slightly thinner at just 6mm thick. Google says the camera is better quality than Samsung’s, which hasn’t been proven yet. The rear camera has a 20x optical-digital zoom and can be used for simple selfies: when the device is open, the main camera is on the same side as the smaller of its two screens. We therefore see in advance the selfie that we are going to take.
The mechanics of the Pixel Fold are the same as the Pixel 7 range: Tensor G2 processor with Titan M2 coprocessor. But we promise more storage: you have to choose between 256 and 512 GB. The promised autonomy is one day of use per charge.
Android for tablets
On the screen, Android has been redesigned to take advantage of the larger display area. Around fifty applications have already been received for this format, and around thirty more are being planned. Google is rolling out a new drag-and-drop multitasking mode, as well as a “table” mode that allows the device to be folded in half to be placed on a flat surface for hands-free use. Google Meet is specifically designed to work well under these conditions.
The Pixel Fold is sold by Google in the US, UK, Germany and Japan. The retail price is 1,799 US dollars or around 2,400 CAD. Canada is therefore excluded from eligible markets. However, a Google spokeswoman said that could change later if the request is positive.