I’ve been using my Pixel Fold for almost 2 weeks, and I love it. Actually using the new Sync app to write this and it looks beautiful on the inner screen.
I have used the Fold3 since launch (still have it), an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and Galaxy s23U over this past year as well. The iPhone I used for a couple of months and face it to my wife. While I know I’m still in the honeymoon period, I really enjoy using my Pixel Fold.
The Pixel Fold is exactly what I wanted from a folding phone. When closed it’s the perfect size for using it like a regular phone. I really liked the size of the Pixel 6a and iPhone Xs and the PF when closed is similar to those. Obviously, a little heavier and slightly thicker. Once you open it, you have a nice mini tablet for consuming media or running 2 apps together.
My battery life has been great, performance has been stellar, cameras are also fantastic. I wish more apps were optimized for the inner screen like Sync, but even if they’re not I can rotate it or run 2 apps.
I know people worry about durability, for good reason, the Fold3 that I’ve had for almost 2 years has done great so far. I’ve had to get the inner screen protector replaced twice, but other than that it’s still hanging in there.
It will be great when the prices start coming down. I think with Google and Motorola really moving into this class it will help drive the price down. It will be nice when more people have the option of foldables, it’ll force developers to optimize for them.
Honestly, the main thing that annoyed me on the Fold3 was the very narrow outer screen. I hated doing just about anything on it so I always felt like I needed to open it up and use the inner screen. I’m not a super multitasker so I would only open up 2 apps at once and even then not very often (you get 2 narrow screened apps). The camera was also a little disappointing even when I first got it 2 years ago. It’s nice having the SPen, but it’s never been a deal breaker for me.
I have enjoyed how OneUI has matured over the years and don’t mind it. They do give you a lot of flexibility. About a year ago I bought a Pixel 6a, it was the first Google phone I had since the Nexus days, and I loved the Pixel software experience.
When the s23U came out I was sick of the Fold3 narrow screen and wanted a better camera, although I really love the Pixel 6a camera, so I ended up changing out my Fold3 for the s23U. Again, I enjoy the OneUI experience.
The Pixel Fold, for me is just about my perfect phone. The Pixel experience is great, cameras are amazing, and the outside is a joy to use. My Fold3 usage was 20/80 outer/inner screen usage. Again, mainly because the outer screen on the Fold3 was just not for me. My Pixel Fold usage is now more like 60/40 because I really enjoy the experience on both screens.
I know people critique Pixel devices, mainly for Tensor issues of overheating, battery, and performance. I haven’t noticed any of these issues on my Pixel File. The Pixel 6a did have kind of bad battery when I first got it but since has been great. I started my Pixel Food with Android 13 and it was good, but I changed to 14 beta and have been on that for over a week. The beta has been great and again, performance and battery have been very good as well.
I hope that helps some. I really can’t wait until foldables become a more viable option for more people. It’s such a great experience.