Google has put out some comparatively small telephones, however they have been by no means actually true mini or compact units. Fairly, they have been simply on the smaller facet of common, with the brand new design language launched by the Pixel 6 growing the show dimensions. I’ve largely been utilizing the Pixel Fold as Google’s smallest telephone (by display dimension) within the present lineup, and it’s been fascinating.

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The market has spoken, however I nonetheless want small telephones and don’t have an excessive amount of use for an enormous cell show. The Pixel 4a was nice, with its 5.8-inch show and pretty minimal bezels. The Pixel 7 is okay however could possibly be smaller.

An experiment I’ve been operating is to simply use the Pixel Fold closed. Its extensive 5.8-inch display has been nice, and general, the physique may be very stout. The width is one thing I can get used to, however it’s definitely totally different and sudden at first. I’d say that the Pixel Fold (coming from a Pixel 7) is as should you subtracted an app icon row (from the homescreen launcher) price of area. I haven’t encountered any points with that shrinkage.

Then there’s the thickness of what’s basically two Pixel 7 Professionals stacked collectively. Whereas I do discover extraordinarily skinny units to be futuristic, I’m greater than prepared to just accept just a few extra millimeters for higher battery life and different improved specs. The Pixel Fold is clearly too thick if it didn’t unfold, however it’s surprisingly livable and even pocketable (extra on that beneath). You may say the very same concerning the weight. It’s too heavy to be thought of something however that. If it have been only a tiny bit lighter, you could possibly argue the heft felt premium. In all, I’d a lot fairly maintain a candybar-style telephone any day of the week.

The broader display makes the Pixel Fold really feel like a unique kind of system. While you issue within the weight and thickness, it’s very clearly a foldable. Nevertheless, should you think about the width alone, the Pixel Fold feels prefer it could possibly be in a unique class, which I’d think about to be a small paper pocket book, like a Moleskine, or (word)pad. (We beforehand reported “Pixel Notepad” was an in-consideration name.) It feels rather more like a really small pill than a telephone.

The width, thickness, and weight contribute to creating the Pixel Fold bodily really feel like one thing I haven’t skilled within the realm of shopper tech. The factor I maintain going again to, for no matter purpose, is the devices that seem in older sci-fi reveals, particularly Star Trek, the place the so-called futuristic know-how (tricorders) remains to be fairly thick and enormous. It’s very odd, and that’s my finest estimation. In the meantime:

I’m constantly shocked that the Pixel Fold matches in any pair of pants, together with common denims. Issues would emerge if it have been even a hair heavier, wider, or thicker.
I completely love how a lot taller the facility button is in comparison with different Pixel telephones. The additional 1.5x to 2x of peak is clearly wanted for the fingerprint sensor (which is extra correct than the Pixel Pill’s implementation), however it ought to actually be the default dimension. That’s particularly for those who use it to launch Google Assistant, although the nook swipe conduct is ingrained in me. In the meantime, after utilizing one for the previous two years, I’d want an under-display fingerprint scanner. The facet reader just isn’t as simple to entry, and I’ve come to get pleasure from tapping the literal unlock UI to get entry.
Coming from a Pixel 7, the practically 500 mAh of extra battery has been good once I don’t use the internal show. Whereas I don’t have to recharge the Pixel 7 within the afternoon to get to bedtime, I achieve this anyway for security. That hasn’t been the case in my use of the Pixel Fold as a small telephone. In the meantime, the USB-C port not being centered and as an alternative decrease than normal is so annoying that I plug within the cable by turning the Pixel Fold to its rear.
I’m ambivalent about excessive refresh charges, however 120 Hz is definitely simpler to differentiate than the 90 Hz I’m used to.
Surprisingly, I believe I’ve felt going from 8 GB to 12 GB of RAM rather more prominently than I anticipated getting in. Apps really feel like they keep in reminiscence for much longer with fewer reloads.
Having a telephoto lens is a enjoyment of a return to the Pixel 4 period, whereas that is my favourite iteration of the digicam bar in comparison with the Pixel 6 and seven, particularly while you come into contact with the rounded corners. It’s additionally barely extra Materials You-esque for some good {hardware}/software program synergy.

Anyway, the Pixel Fold makes for an absurd “small” telephone from a bodily dimensions perspective. Nevertheless, it serves as an amusing what-if.