Google Pixel Fold, Google's First Foldable Phone | Verizon (2024)

FAQs

What was Google's first folding phone? ›

Pixel Fold, Google's First Foldable Phone - Google Store.

It was officially announced on May 10, 2023, at the annual Google I/O keynote, and was released in the United States on June 28.

The bottom line

Foldable phones are great and offer a lot to the right user, but to get the best out of them is expensive. For one thing, the device alone is nearly $1,799, but you'll also need a case and ideally an S pen. If you have the money to spend then yes, a foldable phone is worth your time.

But two options stand above the rest if performance and power are what you're after: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold. They both start at $1,799, transform into 7.6-inch mini-tablets when unfolded, and represent the best that their respective manufacturers have to offer in a foldable form factor.

Before Google called its smartphone line the Pixel, Google smartphones were actually called the Nexus series. They were initially designed for developers.

A Chinese company called Royole released the first foldable smartphone, the Royole FlexPai, in October 2018. However, the phone had multiple malfunctions, including false touches and not being pocket-friendly.

It has an IPX8 water resistance rating, the same as Samsung's folding phone, meaning it can survive a dip in the pool, but it's not rated for dust protection. It should be fine, but this is a $1,799 smartphone, so I wouldn't take it to the beach.

Split screen: Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs. Pixel Fold. Additionally, the Z Fold 5 supports stylus input via an optional S Pen. The Pixel Fold lacks stylus support.

Highly Fragile

However, they are more prone to damage in many ways. In particular, the hinges and folding mechanisms are delicate and may get damaged if you drop the phone or mishandle it. Again, the larger screens on these devices are more susceptible to scratches and cracks, which are expensive to repair or replace.

How many times can you fold a foldable phone? ›

Note: The Flex hinge is designed to handle over 200,000 folding and unfolding cycles on average. Therefore, the device should last more than 5 years if opened and closed 100 times a day.

Flip phones give off a retro vibe that stands out in a sea of smartphones, making a statement that you're not afraid to go against the mainstream. They embody a sense of simplicity and focus, reminding us of a time when phones didn't come attached with distractions.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of our favorite foldables. Foldable phones have been readily available for the last five years, but they were hard to recommend in their early days. Their high prices, limited software functionality and fragile builds initially detracted from their appeal.

The company may also be working on a folding tablet with a screen around the size of an iPad Mini. But we may not see an iPhone Flip for years. By mid-2024, market analysts at TrendForce estimated that issues with the display crease might push back an Apple foldable until 2027, according to 9To5Mac.

In more practical terms this means the Motorola Razr Plus Ultra hinge would be fine for roughly two years of using the phone an average of 60 times a day, with the screen surviving for five years and nine months. The Samsung Z Flip 5 would instead give you around 10 years of use before the hinge failed.

Fast-forward to Jan. 5, 2010, Google launched its first smartphone ever – the Nexus One. Developed along with HTC, the Nexus One was launched as a showcase of Google's vision. The Google Nexus One was praised for its design and build quality.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Z Flip 5G were released on 14 February 2020 and 7 August 2020 respectively, and was the first device to be marketed under the "Z" brand.

The Pixel Fold is one of the best first-generation devices Google has launched. From performance to the overall experience, there's a lot to like. The landscape-like orientation of the internal display is sure to be a turnoff for some, and if that's you, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the better pick.