Google Pixel Fold Review: Is It the Best Foldable Yet?

Foldable phones have come a long way since their awkward debut a few years ago. What started as novelty gadgets with creaky hinges and battery life that barely lasted a coffee break have evolved into sleek, productivity powerhouses that blur the line between smartphone and tablet. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series has long dominated the space, but Google's Pixel Fold—launched in 2023—threw its hat in the ring with a fresh take on the form factor. Fast-forward to 2025, and with prices dropping and software updates rolling in, the original Pixel Fold is more relevant than ever. But is it truly the best foldable you can buy right now? I've spent the past month putting it through its paces alongside the competition, and spoiler: it's closer than you might think.

In this review, we'll dive into the design, display, performance, cameras, battery, and more. I'll compare it head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 (the current king) and touch on why the Pixel Fold feels like a steal in 2025. Let's unfold the details.

Design and Build: Compact When Closed, Expansive When Open

The Pixel Fold's design was a breath of fresh air at launch, and it still stands out in 2025. When closed, it's a pocketable 5.8 x 3.0 x 0.5 inches (148 x 79.5 x 12.1mm) and weighs 9.8 ounces (283g)—not the lightest foldable, but balanced enough for one-handed use. The outer display is a more traditional 6.2-inch OLED with an 18:9 aspect ratio, making it feel like a regular Pixel phone rather than the tall, skinny slab you get on Samsung's Z Folds. No more fumbling with a cover screen that's too narrow for comfortable typing or scrolling.

Unfold it, and you reveal a stunning 7.6-inch inner OLED with a landscape-oriented 6:5 aspect ratio—wider and squarer than most competitors. This makes multitasking a joy: apps like Gmail or Chrome render in proper desktop-like layouts without massive black bars or awkward stretching. Google's hinge is engineered for durability, opening fully flat (no visible gap when closed) and surviving over 200,000 folds in tests. It's IPX8 water-resistant, but no dust rating—something the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold is rumored to fix with full IP68.

In hand, it's premium: a matte glass back in Porcelain or Obsidian, aluminum frame, and a satisfying "snap" when folding. However, it's thicker than the ultra-slim Galaxy Z Fold6 (0.4 inches closed), and the bezels around the inner screen are noticeably chunky— a relic of its first-gen roots. If you're upgrading from a slab phone, the weight might take getting used to, but it's a small price for the tablet-like experience.

Pros: Intuitive outer screen, flat-folding hinge, premium materials. Cons: Thick bezels, heavier than rivals like the Z Fold6 (239g).

Display: Optimized for Real-World Use

Google nailed the screens here. The outer 6.2-inch OLED hits 1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR) and refreshes at 120Hz for buttery scrolling. Indoors or out, it's vibrant and readable. But the star is the inner 7.6-inch panel: 2,208 x 2,440 resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh, and up to 1,450 nits. It's protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, and the under-display selfie camera is nearly invisible—no notch ruining your Netflix binge.

What sets it apart is the software optimization. Android 15 (with updates promised through 2028) includes a taskbar for quick app switching, split-screen multitasking, and app continuity that resizes content seamlessly as you fold/unfold. Videos in Flex Mode (phone bent at 90 degrees) play perfectly on the top half, with controls below—like a built-in stand for hands-free viewing. Compared to the Z Fold6's taller 7.6-inch inner screen, the Pixel's wider aspect ratio feels more natural for side-by-side apps or reading e-books.

One nitpick: Some third-party apps still don't play nice with the wide ratio, showing stretched interfaces or bars. But Google's first-party apps (Photos, Maps, etc.) shine, and with Android 15's tweaks, battery drain on the inner screen is minimal.

Performance: Smooth for Everyday, Not a Gaming Beast

Powered by the Tensor G2 chip (same as the Pixel 7 series) with 12GB RAM, the Pixel Fold handles daily tasks like a champ. Multitasking three apps at once? No sweat. Editing 4K videos in Google Photos or running Gemini AI features? Fluid. Benchmarks put it behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Z Fold6 (Geekbench: ~1,100 single-core vs. ~2,200), so heavy gaming like Genshin Impact can cause throttling after 20-30 minutes.

In 2025, with Android 15's efficiency boosts, it's snappier than at launch—no more stutters during app switches. Storage starts at 256GB (up to 512GB), and it's expandable via cloud, but no microSD slot. For most users (email, streaming, light productivity), it's plenty; power users might crave the Z Fold6's raw horsepower.

Cameras: Pixel Magic in a Foldable Body

Cameras have always been the Pixel's superpower, and the Fold delivers. The triple rear setup—48MP main (f/2.2), 10.8MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 10.8MP 5x telephoto (f/3.05)—produces natural, vibrant shots with excellent dynamic range. Low-light performance is stellar thanks to Night Sight, and the 5x zoom holds up for portraits or moon shots. Selfies? Use the rear camera unfolded for 48MP glory—way sharper than the 9.5MP/10.8MP punch-hole/in-display sensors.

AI tricks like Magic Editor (reposition objects in photos) and Best Take (swap faces in group shots) are foldable-optimized: Edit on one half, preview on the other. Video stabilization is top-notch at 4K/60fps, though it lacks the Z Fold6's 8K option. Overall, it's the best foldable camera system for point-and-shoot users—colors pop without over-saturation, beating Samsung's sometimes garish results.

Pros: Natural colors, AI editing, rear-camera selfies. Cons: No 8K video, telephoto not as sharp as Pixel 9 Pro's.

Battery Life: A Pleasant Surprise in 2025

The 4,821mAh battery was middling at launch but shines now. With Android 15 optimizations, I got 7-8 hours of screen-on time: 3 hours YouTube on the inner screen, 2 hours browsing, and the rest social/email. It edges out the Z Fold6 in web/video tests by ~30 minutes, lasting a full day easily. Standby drain is low, and tent mode extends media sessions.

Charging is the weak spot: 30W wired (full in ~90 minutes) and no charger included. Wireless is 7.5W Qi—slow compared to the Z Fold6's 15W. In 2025, it's adequate but not exciting.

Software and AI: Google's Secret Weapon

Pure Android 15 is clean and bloat-free, with seven years of updates ensuring longevity. Fold-specific features like App Pairs (save split-screen combos) and a persistent taskbar make it more intuitive than Samsung's One UI. Gemini AI is baked in: Live Translate works across both screens for real-time conversations, and Pixel Screenshots organizes notes effortlessly.

It's the most "set-it-and-forget-it" foldable OS—less overwhelming than Samsung's feature overload, but missing DeX-like desktop mode or S Pen support.

Price and Value in 2025: The Deal of the Year?

Originally $1,799, the Pixel Fold is now ~$500-600 refurbished or on sale—half the Z Fold6's $1,899 starting price. At that cost, it's a no-brainer for foldable newbies. Trade-ins sweeten the deal, and Google's update promise keeps it future-proof.

Pixel Fold vs. Galaxy Z Fold6: Head-to-Head

The Z Fold6 wins on slimness, speed, and extras like S Pen, but the Pixel Fold's wider screens and camera prowess make it more approachable.

Yes—If You're Smart About It

The Google Pixel Fold isn't perfect—thicker bezels, slower charging, and no dust resistance hold it back from dethroning the Z Fold6 outright. But in 2025, at its fire-sale price and with polished software, it's the best entry-level foldable for most people. If you crave a phone that feels like a tablet without the bulk, excels at photos, and won't break the bank, grab it. For power users or stylus fans, stick with Samsung.

Score: 8.5/10 Buy if: You want foldable magic on a budget. Skip if: You need top-tier performance or the thinnest design.

What do you think—ready to fold? Drop your thoughts in the comments! If you're eyeing an upgrade, check current deals. Stay tuned for our Pixel 10 Pro Fold preview next week.