Google has officially launched its first-ever foldable smartphone at the Google I/O 2023 event on Wednesday, May 10. The Google Pixel Fold is powered by the in-house Tensor G2 SoC and runs on the latest Android 14 operating system. The phone boasts a triple rear camera setup, a folding hinge of 180-degrees, and a strong 4,821mAh battery. The smartphone will compete head-to-head with other foldable smartphones such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, Oppo Find N2 Flip, and Huawei Mate X2.
Google Pixel Fold Price and Availability
The Google Pixel Fold price starts at $1,799 (roughly Rs. 1,47,500) for the variant with 256GB storage, while the model with 512GB storage is priced at $1,919 (roughly Rs. 1,57,300). The phone is available in two colours – Obsidian and Porcelain. It is already available for pre-order in the US and will be released to customers next month. The foldable smartphone will only be sold in select markets globally.
Google Pixel Fold Specifications
Display
The Google Pixel Fold has a 7.6-inch inner display with a 6:5 aspect ratio, delivering up to 380ppi pixel density with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a 5.8-inch full-HD+ OLED outer display with a 17.4:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. The external display features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, while the inner display has a plastic coating.
Processor and Memory
The Pixel Fold is powered by Google’s in-house Tensor G2 SoC with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM for enhanced performance. It also features a Titan M2 security chip for added security measures. The foldable comes in two storage variants – 256GB and 512GB, respectively.
Camera
The triple rear camera unit comprises a 48-megapixel primary wide-angle lens with OIS, CLAF, and an f/1.7 aperture. It also has a 10.8-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 121-degree field of view along with an f/2.2 aperture and a 10.8-megapixel dual PD telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and 20x Super Res Zoom. Pixel Fold has a 9.5-megapixel sensor with a 1.22pm pixel width on the outer display while the internal display features an 8-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus.
Battery and Connectivity
The smartphone has a strong 4,821mAh battery along with a promise of 30W charging support. This foldable phone can also be charged wirelessly on a standard Qi charger. The connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. The phone supports a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for authentication and complements it with a face unlock feature.
Pixel 7a also announced
During the Google I/O keynote, the tech giant also announced its latest addition to the Pixel line-up, the Pixel 7a. Priced at INR 43,999 ($599), the smartphone will be available for purchase on Flipkart from May 11. This handset is powered by a Snapdragon 765G SoC and comes with a 6.2-inch OLED Full HD+ display along with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone’s camera setup features a 48-megapixel primary sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The front-facing camera comes with an 8-megapixel resolution. The Pixel 7a also comes with a 4,800mAh battery that supports 30W wired charging.
The Verdict
The Google Pixel Fold has finally made its way into the market, bringing tough competition against other foldable phones from Samsung and Huawei. The Tensor G2 SoC, triple rear camera unit, a folding hinge of 180-degrees, and a strong, long-lasting battery are some of the phone’s most impressive features. The only concerning aspect for some customers may be the phone’s price as it starts at $1,799, which puts it in the upper tier of high-end smartphones. Nonetheless, the Google Pixel Fold will undoubtedly find a place in the market with its cutting-edge technology and unique design.
