Google Pixel Fold Review: Maybe Next Year! 

Google’s phones have never been about the best hardware, but for $1800 this one needs to be

bet i can get it to fold flat....

4 hours of battery life is an instant pass from me but I’m excited to see where the foldable market goes in the next year or two

You are simply the best. Have been watching you since videos from your bedroom! Really appreciate your thoughts and beautiful visors.

You gotta give it to Samsung for taking the risk and start the production of folding phones early when there wasn't more advanced technology at the time. They made a good progress overtime and they are making good foldables on the smartphone market right now.

The bezels surprisingly don't annoy me as much as I thought they would, they remind me of the bezels of a regular tablet which actually makes perfect sense for a phone that unfolds to be a tablet-sized device.

I am getting this phone next week based on your review from this and your month-long review ....I just love your reviews. Please keep up the good work.

The Pixel Fold costs $1800, and has a four hour battery life. That is unacceptable.

In a way this really gets me excited for the next generation of Pixel Fold but also for foldables in general. It feels like aside from Samsung and maybe Motorola, there's no "real" competition in the foldables space which means that these phones aren't improving as quickly as one might hope. I'm not (yet) interested in owning a foldable, mostly because to me they still look quirky compared to their relatively gorgeous counterparts, but this feels like a step in the right direction of maybe one day going for that foldable format.

My only complain and hold-back about the Pixel Fold is the lack of stylus support. A passport formfactor like this would've been perfect to use a stylus on for making art or creating notes. Other than that it's a great first gen product and i can't wait to see how the second gen will be like

I’m sorry if I missed that but there’s one more thing that probably needs to be fixed, it’s the fact that the bezels are not even slightly raised like on other foldables, so when it’s closed if anything gets at very small but still present gap between the screen protector and bezel could potentially damage the screen.

MKBHD...always the most thoughtful and insightful of all reviews. Thanks.

This is the kind of in depth review that I love! Great video! I want this phone but I don't want it strong enough to pay 1800$

Looks like Google took inspiration from the MS Duo not only in terms of design but in terms of how the home screen works as well. A shame they didn't incorporate the Duo's superior multitasking feature. If you set-up the homescreen in this way then Duo style multitasking is possible as well.

Thanks for your great, thoughtful review! Really appreciate the info you gave

Enjoy your reviews, very thorough, appreciate you.

I really like the formfactor of pixel fold when it's closed. Google should just make a phone of this size and call it a Pixel mini or something like that.

Xiaomi and Vivo do something similar with the homescreen. The outer display on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 and Vivo X Fold series act as sort of windows, a peak into the larger inner display. I personally don't mind that, on all the Z Fold's I set up both displays identically but I do agree there should be an option to treat the outer and inner displays as different homescreens.

I'm actually so stoked for the internal bezels. On my fold 4, I keep accidentally turning pages in books while lying down. A problem I hope the bezels resolve.

Hey, thank you for this review. It was thorough, thoughtful, and concise. Exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate it!

Always appreciate the honest reviews. For once I have the product pre-ordered that you are reviewing. Also have the Razr+ coming, which I watched your review of as well. Interesting times for phones.

Despite the "weirdness", I'm actually really impressed with how much you like it for a first gen device. Sounds promising for the future, even if it's not a device for me.

The general lighting of this video is just so good. On top of the review and video in general, but just the lighting is so good. Kudos.

Been waiting to hear from you on this...

I wouldn't want to sacrifice a good inside camera and thinness in order to have smaller bezels. I feel like that would just increase accidental touches, the bezels can be smaller though. Also I would like to see the practical downside to losing 2 degrees of rotation on the hinge, especially with a camera bump already present on the back. What is that extra two degrees going to change for it to be a main point of improvement? I think the app ecosystem should be the largest focus for Google. For many of these apps the PWA versions scale properly anyways, but most users won't ever figure that out unless PWAs become more visible to end user somehow.

great review! would love more on the sustainability aspect of new products in the future, or maybe some shoutouts/reminders to buy used/refurbished when you can. What sites do people use to buy refurb tech?

I think the thing with foldables is that we seem to be at or near the limit of durability for the screens, and they are still relatively fragile compared to normal glass screens. Which means to be more practical, they need to be cheaper or at least cheaper/easier to replace the screen, which doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon. I love my Z-flip4 but I worry about replacing it or the screen when it inevitably wears out

Im sure im not the only one with this like warm take, But I do not mind bezels, and if i dare to say, that I prefer bezels on my devices. Extra protections, preventing accidental touches, something to grip onto, better phone cases and screen protector design. Like I miss me led notification light so bad it's not even funny

Thank you for the update GPT44X is done right, and waiting is part of the process,

First of all, I'm not that interested in flip phones as of now at least. However, I think the Pixel should automatically do the mirror of folded to outside screen for new users and then have a setting to change it to customize the inside, if possible. Great review.

Thank You so Much for the video Marques! Love your videos! Cant wait for an android 14!

It'd make a big difference to be able to have a different set of home screens for the inside an outside; that's very important to me. The only reason I'd get a foldable phone would be to have a phone-and-tablet-in-one, and such a feature is integral to this.

I know the bezels get a lot of bad press, but as someone who still uses a Microsoft Surface Book for work purposes only I can say sometimes bezels are nice when using a tablet. its more comfortable to rest your thumbs somewhere for longer periods of time. my Zfold I have to hold a specific way with it resting on my pinky to avoid accidental touches. Bezels always melt away with larger screens when you are actually using them.

As a Fold user I'm interested in trying this form. The fold accidental touching while unfolded drives me nuts. That bezel for holding seems better.

Hey Marques, love your work. I've seen you've been talking about the Fairphone. It would be really nice if you could emphasis in your videos the environmental impact of digital equipments! (and reparability!) Not always an easy thing to do, but worth it!

As a Z Fold 3 daily driver, my main concern about upgrading to a Pixel Fold is when you open the Pixel, the inner screen is a landscape display. I think this is causing some apps not to display across the whole display for example twitter spans the whole display on my Z fold and is a great experience.

I've been daily driving the Razr + since release and I am extremely happy with it. The external screen is large enough to do so many things, and coming from the Pixel 7 pro, I'm alright with the slightly less camera quality.

Upgrade from the fold 3 to the pixel fold and it has been a huge improvement. The large outer screen is soo nice.

It's about $800 too expensive for me but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for future iterations!

the main and if not only thing i'm looking hoping with the folding phone wave is not the folding phones themselves, but for fingerprint sensor/lock combo buttons to show up on more phones in the future. ever since i upgraded from my s10e, i've missed it so much.

Looking forward to comparisons to the upcoming ZFold 5. Samsung may have made a good decision on the launch date.

I am getting really excited for the state of foldables in the next year or two. I cannot wait to see what Samsung has been cooking with the new Fold 5 when it is finally released. I would really like to buy one but it seems like the market just isn't up to scratch yet.

Cant wait to get it into my hands by the end of this month and many thanks Marques for your thoughts on this device as this means a lot to me. Too bad Google is only releasing it in Europe in Germany and UK. Although not perfect yet I am convinced it will satisfy me. I like the form factor a lot. When you are on the move you keep it closed and in that form its big enough for everyday use (WA, Social Media, Email, etc...). When you have more time you will be able to fold it open en enjoy the wide screen. I have used the Samsung Z Fold 4 and I find that screen too narrow for everyday use resulting in opening up more often. Also in occasions that it was not handy to do so. Furthermore I want to say that everyone is complaining about the price. And yes it is a lot of money but dont forget that many people now have the iPhone 14 pro Max which costs almost 1500 euro and that is quite normal these days. Well done Google!

It looks like a solid first effort. There is definitely some issues to fix for future generations, but I might get the Pixel fold 2 or 3

Been waiting ages for this review. Helped me decide to wait for Fold 5. Thanks MKBHD!

Why are your videos so sharp? Looks very high resolution. Love your video making style ❤.

Nice lighting on face Marques…especially from left side…looks like golden hour😍

I feel like I want a pixel that's just the front screen with camera on the back. That aspect ratio and thinness seems dope.

I was sure the year would end badly for me but I think Amazons GPT44X is spot on with what they do and how they do it. Can't say for how long it's gonna work effectively and for sure it is overyhped right now but even for half a year or something it would be smart to ride the wave and then eventually jump away but the thing is why this is smart right now is because it's so cheap, won't ever find a better entry than now

Tried it out yesterday, and I really liked it-a lot! I loved the aspect ratios of all the screens. I didn’t like the way the keyboard separates for each thumb when opened or has a weird space between each keyboard side. Compared to the Samsung Fold, Google really got the aspect ratios right-it’s just what I want to see on each screen. “Passport” sized front screen is a good way to put it.

I never thought I would watch a sponsor/ad part of the video that too at the end of video. Marques really has that quality.

I definitely believe that the next will be better as everyone else I suppose. I am not big Google fan but honestly they make a great start to the point I will definitely spend my money for it

waiting for your Zenfone 10 review. From the leaked specs i hope it would be good or even better than previous.

The Pixel Fold is one of the few foldables that actually interest me. So many of them treat the outer screen as an afterthought.

I didn't imagine that this would be the day where Amazon runs with *GPT44X* which has been hugely improved ever since the first rumors. Nothing can't be close to that and if I help one person here by showcasing this then I think my day was well spent. Good luck to all of you and stay happy even when times are rough

I agree about setting up inside and outside screens set up differently

As a fold 4 user this is about what I expected. I knew the tensor wouldn't be good for battery life but most importantly the software for foldables from Samsung is just miles ahead of pixel. I'm glad there's finally some competition for Samsung here in the US, also the one plus fold is looking intriguing but with z fold 5 just a month away I'm glad I didn't order this phone. Maybe 2nd or 3rd gen.

honestly I really enjoy the thinner cover screen of fold, if I have 2 hands I am almost always opening the phone. Also the galaxy fold inner screen rotated 90 is basically the same as the pixel fold screen.

I personally like a bit of a bezel it gives buffer room on the edge of the device that prevents accidentally triggering something on the phone without meaning to. It just allows you to hold the device better

I ordered my fold a couple weeks ago, so exited for when it gets here. Going from my pixel 4 to the fold will be quite the jump lol

The intelligent apes within us already went to Amazons *GPT44X* before you even read that. Wonder how much ape is in you

One thing Google absolutely nailed with this is the form factor. The screen size, especially closed is perfect. I have never been a fan of Samsung's long skinny form factor.

I simply love colour pallet in this video. Orange light, blue screen, red Rubik's cube... Love it!

Fantastic review, as always 👌🏼 Definitely well said - it's a phone for early adapters and Pixel fans. But still I think they did a great job as for the first-gen phone

My biggest concern are possible quality issues and the way Google handles them. The camera glass on the 7 or the fingerprint on the 6 pro were nothing I want to see on a +700$ phone and especially not on a 2000$ phone. For me Google right now is a no, but maybe the second or third iteration of this device.

Speaking of battery life - this video just finished up the battery on Pixel 7 Pro 😂. Great review as usual, Marques!

The second biggest drawback with foldable phones has been the outside screen. This is a nice advance to fixing that. (The primary problem has always been the plastic screen and the crease).

My comments on the fold since receiving it as my work device. I currently use my fold for work and I absolutely love the device. I love that I have both a phone and a tablet in the palm of my hand. Since using the phone its been great using it to showcase my Powerbi to clients, answer emails, media consumption and web conferences. So far the phone will last me all day without a charge. I have not had the phone on the charger since 9am this morning and I still have over 30% of battery left and that running the phone at full brightness and using the main display for 80% of my day. I think when it comes to battery life and experience with the device, it is going to come down to user preference. Everyone uses their phones differently and really everyone is going to have a different experience with their Fold. I definitely recommend you go into your closest carrier store and see if they have a demo of the device just to experience it before making your final decision about this phone.

Bring the force to *GPT44X* they said and then it delivered in impossible ways. That's a story for the next centuries

I can wait one more year having the Pixel 6 as my daily while the Pixel Fold matures in hardware and software. Maybe it’s half baked now but its long-term potential is limitless.

Very interesting points.

I'm looking to upgrade within the next few months and I was gunning to get this device.. now that I've watched your video I may just wait until the fold 2.0...

This really reminds me of the Pixel Watch. Overall cool design with big bezels and poor battery life, but still a decent first try.

Being a late adopter of the surface duo I fell in love with the form factor and the pixel fold has it plus the outer sceen. But for 1800 and maybe 4 hours screen on time I'll pass. Really wish zfold had this form factor

I LOVE the way it looks while folded. Shorter wider screens are a huge plus phone makers! Get to it!

One of the reasons almost every reviewer enjoys using the Pixel Fold closed is its display aspect ratio. Instead of making phones taller/longer, more manufacturers should've been exploring wider displays.

been keeping my eye on this since it was first announced. I've got a Pixel 7 Pro but I've been using Google sheets more while out of the house and the size closer to a standard smartphone while closed is one thing that I prefer over the tall and thin like the Samsung. if sheets is optimized for the Pixel Fold then I very well may be one of the early adopters.

It's cool seeing this technology coming along. As for the design choice, I personally prefer a little bit of a bezel, over a complete edge to edge design.

I love foldables, and I love Pixel... The price doesn't scare me away, but the crease does. I just bought the Lenovo Yogabook 9i, and I think I would have preferred to see a similar hinge and dual display design in the Pixel Fold. I also think it would have helped it lay more properly flat. Other than that, I like everything else about it... Even the software and the bezels.

It will be interesting to see it running with alternative roms. I have a Pixel 7 and I now get 3-4 days on the battery, I use an alternative loader that I have been using for years and almost the same set of apps. On stock Android, 2 days.

I think the bezels aren’t that much of an issue, and I can’t wait to try it out for myself (don’t think I’ll get one though) I’ll maybe wait for the pixel fold 2 before considering buying one.

Yea right meanwhile half world talks on Amazons *GPT44X* and this is solely a distraction, I don't understand why the people always have to be distracted with nonsense to drag them even deeper in the hole. Don't be naive guys

I picked up a pixel fold on the 27th of Oct, I had to exchange it today on 5 Nov due to the right screen flickering and being a lot darker than the left. Other than that I didn't have any issues. Hopefully this one lasts a lot longer with no issues!

Been waiting for this

I've been waiting for this video! I'm still on the line if I should make the switch. Currently using Pixel 7 Pro and I love it but thinking I might just go 8 Pro and wait until 2nd Gen Pixel Fold 🤔

That google pixel fold looks so cool and nice video man :]

Wow, great review and insifght. Google presentation :"one more weird thing" :D

I like the consistency between the outside and inside screens, the bigger screen seems like an extension to me rather than a separate device. Like when you plug in a second screen to your laptop: it extends the desktop without acting like a completely different device with a different layout.

Review for the new Amazon *GPT44X* would be good, pls bro

This is the only real other option for when I upgrade from my lgv60 dual screen, because I REALLY need the wider screens. Unless Samsung makes a z fold xl or something so hopefully next year they get this all ironed out

The tensor chip usually takes time (around a week) to optimize battery usage.

$1800 for using mostly the outside screen because of the battery life isn't good enough to use inner screen 😅 Better to get flagship instead for now 💯 Great video as always 👍

Samsung definitely still holds the folding crown. I can’t wait till they actually get affordable! I’ve always wanted one

the number one thing I like about it, it is roughly the size of the Duo 2 and I love the size of the Duo just not the scree setup. I have the Fold 4 and I mostly use the inside screen because the outside screen feels squashed to me. The not fully open does not bother me as when I used the duo I dont think I used it fully open, the fold I do because the inside screen is perfect to me, other than the durability, and does everything I need it to do.

that Studio branded band is sick! Did nobody else notice that?

Never been a fan of foldables but this one is not bad, wouldn't mind one

One request for MKBHD. Would be nice to see how these foldables work with popular launchers like Nova

Not sure , but maybe the 178 degree flatness is intentional for accomodating for camera bump, so as to not create pressure on the hinge while using or keeping on table.

👍👍 I just discovered this channel and am amazed at the content quality. 👍👍👍

I love Pixel phones, but for 1800 it definitely needs more love or better yet, the price should just be more reasonable. But without talking about price, I actually appreciate Googles first/flagship devices not being super crazy and more thoughtful of design hardware wise and then nicer software wise. I don't expect the first versions to be perfect, but it's nice to know that it started pretty solid and that further development can happen with feedback in the right direction. My Pixel 6 Pro after the few years I've had it and with heavy use, still works amazingly. It's only had 1 or 2 hiccups in that time, mostly because it overheated when playing games but after I cooled it down and did a small reset on it, it went back to perfect again. I consider that more user error than Pixels though. I'll run apps on it all day, I constantly check it, play music through casting, doom-scroll RU-vid, Facebook, and Twitter a lot and will still have half my battery at the end of the day. It's almost 9 where I'm at and my battery is 53%. That is so much better than any other phone I've ever had. I'll probably always get Pixels in the future since I know that from this point on they will get even better. Which I appreciate, and I don't feel like I have to do that because the phone "goes bad over time" It's because I know the phones will actually outlast others. My parents buy new iPhones like every year because they have so many issues with apple slowing their phones down on purpose. I hate that so much.