That’s a ton of cash to spend on a smartphone, even one which Google {hardware} chief Rick Osterloh promised would set “a brand new commonplace for foldable know-how.”

So, was he proper? I’ve been dwelling with the Pixel Fold for per week now, and I’m not completely satisfied.

That doesn’t imply I don’t prefer it: The Pixel Fold is extra comfy to make use of than its rivals, and I’ve actually been having fun with its cameras. It truly is a step in the proper path for foldable telephones. The catch? It’s not a really huge step in the proper path.

Right here’s what you need to know.

The design is generally improbable. Foldable telephones typically fall into two camps: regular-sized telephones that fold in half for straightforward pocketability, and extra standard wanting telephones that unfold to develop into small tablets. The Pixel Fold is likely one of the latter — and one of many nicest I’ve ever used, at that.

That’s as a result of, not like rival units from Samsung, the Pixel Fold has a wider 5.8-inch outer display that makes utilizing it as a cellphone a lot much less awkward. (I don’t wish to use one other foldable that isn’t this form, frankly.) And once you open the Pixel Fold, you’re left with just a little pill that’s noticeably slimmer than different fashions, too. So why is the design simply “largely” improbable?

The interior display isn’t excellent. If you open the Fold, you’ll discover a 7.6-inch interior display that’s crisp and many vivid for out of doors use — however I’ve seen higher.

For one, the large crease in center of that display the place the cellphone hinges in half is tough to overlook — folding units from firms with extra expertise have creases that don’t stand out as a lot. And whereas the large bezels round that interior display give your thumbs a spot to relaxation once you maintain the cellphone excellent, they make the Pixel Fold look a lot much less premium than rival units.

Cameras edge out the competitors. Day or evening, the Pixel Fold’s primary digital camera often reveals off effective element in photographs higher than its closest competitor, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold4. The Pixel Fold’s colours look extra true-to-life than what comes out of Samsung’s cameras too, which is nothing new — Samsung produces photos with poppy, eye-catching colours which might be barely out of step with actuality.

In equity, you actually need to go on the lookout for a few of these variations, and there are undoubtedly occasions when Samsung took a greater image than Google. However on the entire, Google’s foldable cameras have an edge right here — even when only a small one generally.

Battery life is strong. My rule of thumb for battery life is straightforward: if I neglect to plug it in on the finish of a busy day and nonetheless have sufficient juice to get a number of issues performed the next morning, I’m glad. To this point, the Pixel Fold has cleared that check with no issues — one thing I couldn’t all the time say about units like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4.

What the advertising doesn’t point out

Conventional smartphones have higher cameras. The Pixel Fold could produce nicer wanting photographs than different foldable telephones I’ve examined, however you’ll nonetheless doubtless get higher footage from extra standard fashions. The iPhone 14 Professional and Google’s non-folding Pixel 7 Professional, as an illustration, seize and spotlight extra element in photos in comparison with the Pixel Fold. The iPhone produces noticeably cleaner evening photographs, too.

Few distinctive experiences. Ever since Google launched its first Pixel cellphone in 2016, it’s been banging the drum in regards to the options you gained’t discover anyplace else. Pixels can, as an illustration, unblur photographs you took that just about look nice, and allow you to extra simply navigate annoying customer support menus once you name your financial institution.

All of these Pixel-exclusive options are again, however — for now, not less than — Google hasn’t included any instruments that make the Pixel Fold shine in comparison with different foldable telephones.

This may change in time, beginning with a brand new “interpreter” mode for Google Translate that makes use of each of the Fold’s screens coming quickly, however nonetheless — contemplating how centered Google is on making its Pixels really feel distinctive, it’s just a little disappointing that the Fold doesn’t attempt to break extra new floor right here.

Individuals who need do extra with a single system. That is actually the entire of level of a tool like this — the Pixel Fold is a superb little pill for studying and watching movies once you’re within the temper and an everyday smartphone the remainder of the time. Multitasking is very good on units like these, too; you possibly can run two apps facet by facet on that greater display, making it simpler to confer with paperwork whereas whipping up an e-mail.

Google devotees. Google treats Pixel house owners just a little higher than everybody else with an Android cellphone. These units get — amongst different issues — free use of Google’s VPN to maintain your on-line looking extra personal, plus quick entry to the newest variations of Android, and Pixel unique software program instruments that arrive in common “characteristic drop” updates.

Some folks could shudder on the some ways Google has a maintain on our lives on-line and that’s truthful. However in the event you’ve already embraced a life stuffed with Google, units just like the Pixel Fold reward you for getting in much more.

Individuals who can’t cope with heavy devices. The Pixel Fold seems tremendous slim when it’s open, however at 10 ounces, it’s additionally one of many heaviest foldables you’ll discover in america. (You’ll discover it most once you’re utilizing it in its folded, cellphone mode). Everybody I’ve proven the Fold to has remarked on its weightand it’s hefty sufficient to make units just like the roughly 7.3 ounce iPhone 14 Professional really feel downright dainty.

Individuals who need the highest-end {hardware}. The Pixel Fold typically seems to be nice, but it surely makes use of a processor — the Tensor G2 — that Google began placing in its telephones final yr. Now, you possibly can even discover that very same chipset within the firm’s most cost-effective new smartphone, which implies there isn’t an enormous distinction in efficiency between a Google cellphone that prices $1,799 and one which prices $449.

That’s to not say the Pixel Fold feels sluggish or disagreeable to make use of — it’s greater than speedy sufficient for all the every day duties and video games I’ve thrown at it. Nonetheless, Google’s determination right here makes the Fold’s lofty price ticket tougher to swallow.

What are the alternate options?

We’ve already seen Motorola — which hasn’t launched a brand new folding cellphone right here in three years — return with a brand new, $999 model of its RAZR cellphone that’s an enormous enchancment over earlier fashions. It’s not a book-style foldable, however it might scratch the itch for folks on the lookout for one thing totally different.

For people who actually need a phone-tablet hybrid just like the Pixel Fold, new fashions from Samsung — the most important title in folding telephones in america by far — and OnePlus are anticipated to seem earlier than the tip of the summer time.

You’ll have extra choices to select from than ever earlier than in the event you’re prepared to attend a bit, and we’d strongly advocate it. In spite of everything, why splurge earlier than you’ve seen all of your choices first?