Google has thrown down the gauntlet to Samsung when it comes to foldable phones, the tech giant officially debuting its Pixel Fold at Google I/O 2023.
The Pixel Fold combines the helpfulness of Pixel with a design that unfolds into a compact tablet, taking the number of uses for the device to the next level. In addition, Google’s Tensor G2 chip ensures the phone is safe and secure.
Unlike Samsung’s more vertically gifted models, the Pixel Fold offers a much more familiar smartphone silhouette that, when folded, fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. It flips open to reveal a 7.6-inch screen with a thinner profile than any other foldable phone on the market.
Form and function are not compromised for this sleek design as many of its components (camera, battery, speakers, and haptic technology) were redesigned to fit within the thinner frame. Another essential feature, at least to many of us, is that the Pixel Fold has an IPX8 rating for water resistance.
Why have one screen when you can have multiple screens? When closed, the device acts like any Pixel phone. However, once it unfolds, that is where the magic truly begins.
The large, immersive screen allows your favourite apps to take full advantage of the new real estate. Which manga or movie lover would say no to that?
The Taskbar lets users switch between apps or drag a compatible app into split-screen mode. This makes it fantastic for workaholics, as you can easily drag and drop files across different apps like Google Photos to Messages and Slides. Taskbars can be pesky, but this one disappears once you are done using it, giving you an unrestricted view of the screen.
Speaking of multitasking, the Pixel Fold lets you go hands-free with Tabletop mode. This allows you to stream your favourite movies while engaging in other tasks without worrying about getting any tripod attachment or what object you can lean your phone against.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so best get a good one. The Pixel Fold has many camera experiences— from Super Res Zoom with 5x optical zoom, Real Tone, Night Sight, and Portrait photography to pro-level modes from Pixel 7 Pro, such as 10-bit HDR video, not to mention its Rear Camera Selfie that will give you the most Insta-worthy selfies.
Google also dropped a sneak peek of an experience coming to Pixel Fold when Android 14 launches this year.
Powered by Tensor G2, Dual Screen interpreter mode cuts down on the awkwardness of huddling around a single screen when translating live conversations by simultaneously using both the inner and outer screens.
The Pixel Fold is currently available for pre-order at US$1,799, but those of us in Singapore might need to hold our horses as the phone is currently only available in Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Other announcements from the tech giant include Google Pixel Tablet, Google Bard and Google Workspace. Google has also teamed up with Singapore Tourism Board for AI-powered AR guided tours.
Sasha has been a lover of all things geek since before she could read, having driven her mother up the wall in providing geek material as fast as her daughter could get through them. While Fantasy has been her greatest love, Sasha won’t say no to anything Horror, Action-Packed, or Sci-Fi!
Si Jia
Trinity Sun
