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# Introduction

Growing up Asian (and as a teacher no less), there’s no bigger honour than being the first. For the latest pixel fold, coming in second (or getting bumped straight to 9), has brought many useful changes. Some welcome and some not so. Google has achieved in two generations what took other companies took up to 5 to refine. What we have today is a more functionally usable phone. Sure, it had to give up what made the first fold unique, but I feel it was for the better. We have a new foldable that doesn’t do much new but instead takes the opportunity to refine a tried and tested formula.

Specs overview

# Design

I’m biased but I love the new sleek and industrial makeover the phone has been given. A combination of smooth sides and rounded edges gives it a slab like feel. Your milage may vary, but to my personal taste, it’s a handsome and futuristic look.

Build Quality and handling

It feels solid in the hand, and has a nice weight to it. My hands are not large by any means, but I feel that I’m able to use it one handed and it feels premium. Given the hefty price tag, it’s nice to know that your investment in a pixel comes with a reassuring weight. Because your wallet will be much lighter after shelling out 1800 USD for this.

Hinge quality? Top notch. You’re going to love snapping this fold over and over with a satisfying thud. The hinge gives no play when adjusting it to different angles which hopefully will contribute to the lifespan of the device.

Display

Bright and usable outdoors. Now that phones have broken the 2000 nits barrier, it’s not something that you can understate. If you’re going to be out and about, having a matte but bright screen aids in the usability experience. While the front screen not having LTOP is strange overall, it isn’t something I notice on a regular basis as I’m browsing the web or getting reading done on the go.

There are reports that the screen still remains fragile just like the original pixel fold, but I’m happy to report even despite a short drops, it feels well-built enough to handle day to day usage as long as you’re being careful.

But there’s one big problem with the screen and I don’t think I can let it go given that it’s 2024. The awful crease right in the middle really distracts you from the fact that this is a flagship foldable from one of the largest companies on the planet. Given how much One Plus, Oppo, Samsung, everyone has basically come close to making a crease-free (or as close as possible) experience, this is the biggest letdown that almost led me to not get this phone. But hey, Mr Gerald wastes his money so you don’t have to.

Battery life & charging

I’m happy to report that the phone comes with a great battery life and that it handles more than a day’s worth of usage without the feeling of battery anxiety. (I’m looking at you, iPhone)

It doesn’t come with quick charging, which I’m spoilt by after handling a range of other phones, but you don’t miss what you don’t have as long as you don’t think about it. For an average user, I can’t see this being too big a problem. Wireless charging isn’t a big factor in my life so it isn’t something I’ve tested because it doesn’t make or break the experience for me. With cats in the house, I’d have to be extra careful so wired all the way for me.

Software

I’ve dabbled a lot with Android software but never fully committed to the experience. Now this, this makes me want to use it a whole lot more. I’m using this side by side with the Honor Magic V3 (review incoming) but the sleek and streamlined software experience that the pixel provides just makes me want to come back for more. Sure, it isn’t the slimmest nor is it the fastest, but when you need a phone to work without tweaking settings and downloading extra apps, the pixel experience is as complete as it comes.

Everything fits where it needs to fit and I felt it was much easier to customise the experience on the pixel overall. This is one of the key areas where buying a pixel makes a lot more sense over the competition.

Camera

The camera created a ripple in the community when the specs were released. But in no way does it take bad photos. Now, is it worse than the competition? Perhaps if you’re going as far as to zoom in to look for muddy details or if you’re going to display it on a huge 4K monitor. I’m not going to apologise for Google, we should have gotten a better camera given this price point. We’re allowed to demand for flagship level hardware when paying flagship level prices.

Now is it bad…? I don’t feel that way. The camera wizardry behind the system is still top notch. So you get crisp and pleasing images with ever shutter click. But computers can’t outrun the demands of physics. In low-light, the camera begins to struggle and show its age. But you also need to ask yourself how harshly are you judging a tiny sensor of a camera in challenging conditions.

Would the average user be happy with the camera system? I would think so. But given that the target market of the pixel fold seems to want the “pro” moniker, i think this will be one of the biggest make or break areas for the phone.

Features I wish I could have: a stylus

# Final weighing & would I recommend this?

It’s important to start this section by saying, I can understand why this phone isn’t for everyone. It doesn’t feel like an A* project. More like…an easy A but there’s room for improvement to make it truly great.

Especially happy with how this is an easy transition for a long-time iPhone user to get used to the software. Also loving the overall feel despite it not being the slimmest or lightest on the market.

I love the fact that it feels dependable and that it’s a competent device to enjoy. But we can’t avoid the elephant in the room: the price is not worth it given what other competitors are doing. If you can’t get your hands easily on an Honor, Xiaomi or Samsung, maybe this is a great choice for you.

More so than anything, it represents a big step forward for the pixel line up and I’m happy to have tried it out.

Rating: not a waste

Blog Post Title One

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Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.