Pixel Fold One Year Review: Still My Favorite Foldable? (Even After the Crack?!)

Google Finally Replaced My Cracked Pixel Fold! The Final Chapter... 😂
• Google Finally Replace...
Buy Google Pixel Fold on Amazon: amzn.to/3OyDmP5 (affiliate link)
Buy Google Pixel Fold on the Google Store: store.google.com/product/pixe...
Google Pixel Fold on Best Buy: howl.me/ckcaxXVkqFC (affiliate link, #BestBuyPartner)
🦊Save BIG on your cell bill with my partner Mint Mobile: mint-mobile.58dp.net/c/250849...
🧵Follow me on Threads: www.threads.net/@shanec.irl
🚨Support the channel by using this link to buy from Amazon: amzn.to/3p2mcfd
Assume all links are affiliate links and help support the channel
Intro 0:00
Hardware 2:02
Not a large phone 5:48
Not all apps make sense 6:48
Split screen 8:16
There's something about it.. 9:08
Display, fingerprint scanner and battery 9:34
Performance 15:01
Software 17:28
Speakers 24:03
The cameras 25:32
The feature gap 29:35
Conclusion 31:25

[@The40ishDad]

Really weird thing... if there were a smartphone with only the cover screen from the Pixel Fold I would also buy that. 😋

[@Markus56165]

Asus ZenFone 10. VERY close in size and has amazing battery life and is a damn good phone. Won "best small android phone" multiple times.

[@waywardwest]

I think a lot of people are tiring of the large phone format but keep buying them because they don't want to compromise when it comes to hardware specs. I think if one of the companies made a top spec (Ultra) phone in the smaller footprint they would have a number one device more people would want.

[@Markus56165]

@@waywardwest unfortunately this isn't true. The most popular phones are iPhones. The most iPhones sold every year are the non-pro models. When Apple released the iPhone Mini models... No one bought them.

[@The40ishDad]

@@Markus56165 sadly this is correct. rip small phones. small phones = niche phones.

[@ezradanger]

@@Markus56165 that's true, but the mini was actually mini, not just compact. The 6.1" iPhone still sells by far the most units, so a 5.8" screen with this aspect ratio isn't much smaller in terms of the way it feels, both physically and visually. I think a phone of this size with top end specs could do pretty good, and I think the iPhone pro (non max) shows that.

[@thetruthstand]

Pixel fold owner watching pixel fold year review on his OnePlus open. In truth, the pixel fold is my primary device 😁

[@D_Bear85]

I think you've nailed it personally. And this is exactly why I returned my Pixel 8 Pro and have gone back to another Fold

[@METAx55]

Very informative and thorough video.

[@aljosacebokli]

Great overview, speaks volumes that you'd keep the pixel fold as your default fold/device that's quite incredible given that it was relatively bashed on release.

[@majtechtings]

Ohhhhhh...I was waiting for this one.

[@scaryifliteral]

The review that nearly didn't happen.. lol

[@jebaker2]

I have mentioned this in other videos with regard to the "6th app" on that taskbar. I essentially never watch KZbin with my Fold closed... so I find that to be a great app to place in that mystic 6th spot.

[@iainlivingstone319]

Love my Pixel Fold 👌 but after your crack issues I'm now panicking to be honest! In the UK on 02 I can change every 90 days! Was seriously thinking of switching to the 8pro at the end of June instead of waiting for the second generation Fold!! Did Google give you any reason for the cracks? I'm ultra careful with my phones!! Fantastic video as always 😎 respect from Northern Ireland ✊

[@philsaitta8820]

Pixel fold size, when folded, is my ideal size. My other phone is the iPhone 15 pro Max. Love both. My entire family is on iPhone. The size and the ability to transform into a tablet is the driving factor. I'm also on T-Mobile. They do not have a simple story about esim. My iPhone is esim, which forces the fold to be esim. To swap phones it requires 30 minutes and a phone call. Not ideal. Before the esim days it was a swap every 2 weeks. Now it's every couple of months. After 1 year, the pixel fold is still in play...a lot

[@joshuabergeman354]

Sincerely, this was a great video! I don't have a Pixel fold, but I do have a OnePlus Open and a zfold 5. And personally I think the Pixel fold looks great. And I'm saying that as someone who loves the Zfold 5. Kinda disappointed that we're loosing that passport shape in favor of a more OnePlus Open form

[@jinvid]

I frickin LOVE this Passport Size form factor. I hope Google continues with this shape and size because I think it's perfect for most hands.

[@geneacosta5203]

Love my fold! It looks more like the pixel 9 from the back than the next gen fold, wonder why

[@mandroid5678]

From a lefty, in screen fingerprint sensors rock. Pixel 8 face unlock how I usually unlock though. Sucks that the Fold has the Pixel 7 not 8 version of face unlock 🙃

[@nayan454]

Do you recommend getting this phone used? In UK you can get it for around £650 now. I have the pixel 7 pro, so how does the camera between them two compare?

[@disciple37mt]

The form factor of the pixel fold is unmatched in my book. I just wish they would have invested more into with AI and features to make it worth having for several years.

[@Lnclt-tc3ln]

Got my Pixel Fold in the 512GB version about 3 months ago for 1.499€. Was the cheapest deal I could find anywhere on the web so far (for the 512GB one) Love the form factor as it works perfectly as a "book" replacement (Kindle app...) and with office apps installed and a foldable bluetooth keyboard it even works as a mini laptop if needed. I DID replace the launcher with Nova Launcher though as I've been used to that one for years on all my previous devices. Adding an equalizer app (Poweramp Equalizer) improves the audio a bit as well. Hoping Google keeps adding features to it and my inner screen holds I couldn't wish for a better phone.

[@TerrySteiner]

I actually broke down and ordered the Fold a few hours before you posted this. I was up for a new phone and my 6 Pro is having battery issues and decided not to wait another 4-5 months for the next gen.

[@TerrySteiner]

I've been on a weird cycle of buying almost year old phones the last few years. I have had a 2XL, 4a and 6 Pro. All bought right before the next model was released. I've been pretty happy because most complaints have already been addressed by the time I get one, usually at a discount.

[@joewongtube1]

Lol. Was it my complaint about the 6 month review on the OnePlus Open? Excellent video.

[@scaryifliteral]

Refresh my memory? People complain at me a lot lol

[@joewongtube1]

I jokingly complained about your 6 month review of the Open when the phone hadn't been released for 6 months. Then you responded SIXTH month review. I found it very witty. The intro on this video you prefaced the Fold being 3 weeks short of being a year.

[@scaryifliteral]

Oh, I think I remember that now lol. It might have been in my subconscious somewhere 😅

[@kazumak.1542]

have you tired hex on your one ui device? System wide themes without root. you just have to do this wireless debugging thing

[@NarutoUzumaki-pi7cw]

Where did u get the smoke wallpaper from?

[@jasonbaker5430]

I think that's a good looking phone. For myself, I think I would like a slab phone with the dimensions of that outer screen.

[@waywardwest]

Having owned a ZFold5 for months I'd like to know how the hinge design of the Pixel Fold differs and does that make the screen fold at a more extreme angle than the Samsung. The ZFold5 is more of a bend when folded which I think improves the screen durability. Other than that I really like what I see in the Pixel format over the fold.

[@Maxx134a]

You have it backwards. I owned zFold 3&4 and they have same exact fold design as the fold 5, which is a narrow yet deep crease. The pixel has a more shallow and wider crease, which means it won't suffer the notorious zFold center crack. The issue with the Pixel double line crack, alludes to where the screen adheres, & the slight bulge/flex in screen which occurs when closed. IMO a screen protector on top would help a Pixel Fold from excess flex, whereas it would be detrimental to a zFold which needs some flex due to the sharp bend in center .

[@ezradanger]

I wish the pixel 9 would be the size of the outer display of the pixel fold. I would love a slab phone with that form factor

[@seapanda-117]

And the same thickness. Make room for a big battery and bigger/better camera hardware. Would be legit amazing. I would leave iOS (and let’s be real the Apple Watch not iOS lol) for that.

[@ezradanger]

@@seapanda-117 seriously. If the phone was thick enough that you no longer had a camera protrusion, you can put a monster battery in there and actually cool it properly.

[@goff256]

A good review, and I'm glad it's going well for you. I have a used Fold 4, myself. I want to like the Google software on here, but for some reason, I keep going back to OneUI built-in apps. I even use Samsung Messages for the UI. Looking forward to seeing how the Fold 2 improves upon the already good Fold 1. Let's hope it pushes Samsung forward.

[@tonytupy]

I wish we could get rid of the gesture bar on the bottom! At least give us an option

[@2MenEQ]

The Pold was made for me...

[@matesims23]

Love my Pixel Fold! Way better overall than the Z Fold i had before IMO of course.

[@nunosantos2015]

Not better than OnePlus open

[@joshuabergeman354]

​@nunosantos2015 not better than the Zfold 5 IMO! But that's the great thing about variety, more of us get to find a form factor that suits our personal tastes and preferences

[@Maxx134a]

Own both for a month. Check reviews . Most reviewers that own more foldables keep the Pixel Fold as one of their daily regardless of the others.

[@ps3fan19686]

@@Maxx134a Because it's simply different. All the other foldables are too similar, as someone who had the Fold5, OnePlus Open and Pixel Fold I now only own the Pixel Fold. Something about it just feels special.

[@Dantastic123]

I really want to hold and use a Pixel Fold! I have never seen one in real life. And i have only even ever seen 1 fake demo device in real life either. I have seen 4 or 5 Z Fold devices in the wild, but never a Pixel Fold. I just can't get over the pricing. It actually angers me. I cant understand how a Z fold 5 with 512GB is cheaper than a Pixel Fold with 256GB. And we all know about Google's joke of a trade-in program. Its been beaten to death. The closest I've come is getting a used P fold off a secondhand website for ~$800. But i can't justify it as a second device.

[@djpywell]

Opened mine up today after 5 weeks of ownership and being very careful with it. A bit of pocket lint has got stuck next to the screen protecter and has now broke the inner screen. It was in my pocket. The screen is far too fragile. Google not interested in repair unless a fork out another £900. Yeah I don’t think so, I just lost £1800, I’m not spending another penny with them ever again. Had a z fold 2 for 3 years and didn’t have any issues

[@scaryifliteral]

I can't say I've ever closed any of my foldables on something big enough to break the screen, but I'm sure it wouldn't be that difficult to do. Sorry you're going through that. I know the feeling, even if the circumstances weren't the same.

[@barriemoorcroft534]

Maybe there is some merit to the Fold 3 and fold 4 NOT folding flat, to avoid this issue.

[@Maxx134a]

Use the outer screen untill able to use it for a trade in.

[@milogu9079]

I think oneplus open is a winner overall speaking though pixel fold is better in the form factor and genuine android experience, especially oneplus has done alot of optimization for softwares when unfolded, to fully utilize the bigger inner screen, not just simply make it look bigger, and oneplus is much lighter in hand, plus it supports sytlus pen, i have all the fold phones in hour videos

[@Randomness662]

Sucks that all foldable are migrating to a portrait aspect ratio. Makes me wonder.. if Apple's foldable wound up being a landscape foldable reminiscent to the Pixel Fold 1, would you cave?

[@scaryifliteral]

Not a chance lol

[@Geerod]

I really feel like Google should have tried to continue this form factor. However they did a oppo and change the form for the second version of this device. Which foldable you think it's the best in the world ?

[@scaryifliteral]

Ranking them is difficult because there's so many that I haven't tested. Of the ones I'm familiar with, I would say the OnePlus Open is the best. My favorite is the Pixel Fold.

[@Maxx134a]

At 2:47 I now believe the double hairline cracks on either of the wide crease, alludes to where the screen adheres. Then there is the slight bulge, which flex of both halves of screen at that line, which occurs when closed. IMO the lines were created by that flex when quickly slapped closed, which apply stress to detach & cause the line. So IMO it's a bad habit to slap-closed the Pixel Fold... Stop clapping your fold closed. Close & open it smoothly so it wont suffer impact stress. IMO, I believe a screen protector on top would help a Pixel Fold from excess screen flex, whereas it would be detrimental to a zFold which needs some flex due to the sharper & deeper bend in center crease.

[@scaryifliteral]

Interesting theory!

[@Notinuse664]

Say whatever u want about the pixel fold but on ebay uk it's alot cheaper than iphone 15 pro max ill say this I use a z fold 5 but I would use pixel fold 2 if has less bezel

[@Maxx134a]

Bezel helps holding it while open. Really a petty issue tho

[@Dantastic123]

Also, in reference to your comment at the end about the durability.... I think the Pixel Fold is the only foldable device to fail the Jerry Rig testing. So your anecdotal experience might have more merit than you think.

[@scaryifliteral]

Failed in an entirely different way under extreme circumstances though.

[@Dantastic123]

@@scaryifliteral it failed the bend test. And it broke along the antenna lines first. I'd say that if the frame is weak enough to flex and bend, that's pretty conducive to screen cracks, like yours got. And none of the other foldables failed the test.

[@scaryifliteral]

Mine wasn't bent though? I get where you're coming from, I'm just not sure it makes sense. He had to exert so much force on the device that his hands were shaking, and he's a big dude lol. Nothing even approaching that sort of force had ever been placed on mine, and there was no other discernible damage to the hardware. Screens on other foldables which did not fail the test have had failures tons of times too.

[@Dantastic123]

@@scaryifliteral we'll probably never know what causes some of these devices to crack unexpectedly, but what we do know is that we should always have the insurance! Lol

[@Maxx134a]

It is rediculous to say it " failed" the Jerry test, when it was the goal to bend until failure. That's a left field position to take, in order to try knock the Pixel Fold. Yet if you owned one you probably would say it's your favorite. Your loss.

[@garethdavies9141]

I really enjoy using the Pixel Fold. Google are annoying though with their lack of communication. You don’t know what new features will come, they should all come at this price. It’s a year now so they need to tell us about the fold 2. I’ve just received my reminder to renew the phone insurance in 4 weeks time. Without knowing for certain the form factor and specs, I can’t make an informed decision. I’m not paying insurance to then change the phone. So if I renew I won’t change this year. This annoys me more than anything else and makes me less likely to buy another pixel

[@nationharris]

1:54 yep 100%

[@tyre536]

you can get one used for 500-600 pristine condition they are not worth 1000$ imo

[@ecotreck]

The hardware of the device is quite solid but the inner screen cracked and it didn't fully unfold flat. Those 2 things seems contradictory.

[@scaryifliteral]

I don't think I can explain my thinking any better here than I did in the video.

[@kylepayne1091]

If you had to choose 1 phone, which would it be: Pixel Fold or 8pro?

[@scaryifliteral]

Fold

[@MJK0627]

Many people talk about the cost of foldable phones being so high, but in reality aren't you essentially getting the equivalent of two phones in one device? I have never had one so I am just curious. I have never understood the complaints about these phone being so expensive but not having the flagship components. These aren't the carriers flagship devices. What make them expensive is the two screens, correct?

[@sparky6757]

It's the two screens, the folding panel, and the r&d. Now, if you're getting a fold instead of a phone and tablet, they're not so expensive. Having had my Z Fold 4 for about 8 months now, I can confirm that it was not big enough to fully replace a tablet and I now have a Tab S8 Ultra. Now, I bought both of those seconhand, and only spent around $1200 for both devices with their respective accessories (S Pen for each, keyboard case for the Tab) so it's not *that* expensive to own a fold. You do pay more though.

[@joshuabergeman354]

​@@sparky6757I think it's more having a phone plus a tablet you can fit in your pocket that makes foldables so awesome

[@stephanieoppon-kuntu1080]

Because it a book style that why

[@edwinsr1908]

Hey I love my Pixel fold but she really is a fatty 😂😂😂. I'm hoping the next fold is lighter. Take care Pixel family 😁

[@sparky6757]

Never really understood the complaints that folds are heavy. I mean, I periodically hold and use my Tab S8 Ultra in one hand (1.6lbs not counting the case) and it's not a big deal, so the Pixel Fold at a little over a third of that weight shouldn't be a problem? My only-marginally-lighter Z Fold 4 certainly isn't too heavy.

[@jmoparhemi]

I wish I would have kept my PF.

[@Dantastic123]

What did you get?

[@jmoparhemi]

@@Dantastic123 Z fold 5. I will be getting the PF2

[@JoshuaBrown-is8fb]

Only got 2 minutes into for video and it’s annoying me that your camera bar housing seems to be crooked.

[@scaryifliteral]

It's not

[@JoshuaBrown-is8fb]

@@scaryifliteral I figured it’s just the camera angle making it seem so.

[@Markus56165]

I do really like the aspect of the outer display... But the inner display is absolutely horrible to me. The entire point (to me) of a larger display and a fold style device in general, is to provide a larger inner screen to view not only larger content, but more of it. The OPO inner display has so much more content and real estate. I don't see 3rd party Android apps really making future adjustments to allow landscape optimization, because it honestly doesn't make a ton of sense... Again, in my eyes. With all that being said, once Pixel switches to TSMC, I may get a Pixel Fold.

[@hutzdani87]

Failed instantly to be worth buying, all the foldables have displays that crap themself after a random amount of time. Fold 2 - two of the displays failed on both my OG and a replacement. Fold 3 - failed after 7 months The display tech is nowhere near ready ! Imagine if you bought a casserole dish and it shattered after a undetermined amount of expected usage within 12 months but it cost 10x as much as a mid ranged 1 year old phone. People need to stop kidding themselves, no OEM can build a foldable display that can last a whole 24 months

[@MrCougar56]

Shane! Did you sell ur soul to the devil (google) by posting this video to get ur google fold fixed?🤔😈 Love ur videos,keep it up

[@scaryifliteral]

There was no such agreement 😐

[@sudipto.sarkar]

I think pixel fold most 3rd class and cheap looking folding phone ever.

[@scaryifliteral]

Between the Z Fold, the OnePlus Open, and the Pixel Fold, I feel like the Pixel is far and away the best looking one. But you know what they say about opinions... lol.

[@barriemoorcroft534]

App pairing has been on samaung forever! I also had app pairing on my 2013 LG Optimus G from 2013 that had split screen action then, on Android 4.4, on a 4.7inch screen!

[@Maxx134a]

Thinking is not owning. You wouldn't say that even if you owned them all