Pixel Fold video suggests it could trump the Galaxy Z Fold 4 in a few key areas

Date:
Thu, 19 Jan 2023 11:49:13 +0000

Description:
A hands-on video of a Pixel Fold highlights many potential advantages of this forthcoming foldable phone.

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Samsung has done well with foldable phones, but with the upcoming Google
Pixel Fold it could have some serious competition, and a new video highlights the advantages Googles debut foldable might offer.

YouTuber Dave2D has got hold of a blank reference model of the phone, which
is supposedly dimensionally accurate. Its the sort of thing case
manufacturers might get access to so they can design accessories for a
device, before its launched.

If this is accurate, it reveals a lot about the functionality and hardware layout of the Pixel Fold. For one thing, this Google Pixel Fold looks to have a shorter, wider screen than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 , which could make the 5.79-inch cover display easier to use with one hand. It also means that you get more a widescreen, landscape-style 7.67-inch foldable display.

This model is also very slim, coming in at just 5.7mm at the thinnest point, when open and 8.7mm including the camera block which juts out a lot like on the Pixel 7 series.

The hinge sounds promising too, folding in such a way that theres no real gap between the two screen sections, which is likely to also mean the crease in the screen is less visible than on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 though its impossible to say for sure with a blank dummy unit.

Other notable details include the positioning of the dual speakers, with one on the top left and one on the bottom right (when held open in portrait), which means that whatever orientation you hold the Pixel Fold, youll get stereo sound.

As for the cameras, theres apparently space for three lenses on the rear camera bar. Theres likely to be a punch-hole camera on the cover screen, and theres a lens in the bezel at the top right above the foldable display.

Speaking of the bezel, thats the one main weakness of the Pixel Fold as shown here, as theres quite a large bezel both above and below the foldable
display, which could leave the Pixel Fold looking less premium than most
rival foldables. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Dave2D) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Dave2D) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Dave2D) Analysis: the big bezels could be a secret strength

We said above that the big bezels here could be seen as a weakness, but they could also end up being a strength because, as Dave2D points out, Google likely decided on this design in order to cut costs.

Foldable phones particularly of this form factor are notoriously expensive, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, for example, starting at $1,799 / 1,649 / AU$2,499, and the price goes up if you want more storage.

So, if Google can knock some money off the price with Dave2D predicting we could be talking a $200 to $300 difference by including relatively large bezels, then that might well be worthwhile; as it could make this phone a lot more affordable and therefore a lot more mainstream.

Couple that with the other advantages the Pixel Fold might have over Samsungs top foldable like an easier to use form factor and a less visible crease
and Google could have one of the best foldable phones on its hands.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/google-pixel-fold-reference-video-galaxy-z-fold -4


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