As Samsung and Apple push wide foldables towards the mainstream, Google’s older Pixel Fold offers a cheaper, less compromised way to try the format.
Wide foldables have moved closer to the mainstream, helped by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 and Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo. Both devices follow the shorter, wider approach that is meant to feel more natural when closed and more useful when opened for video, multitasking and reading. Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at $1,899 and ships with a 7.6-inch inner display and 5.5-inch cover screen. Apple says the iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, with a 7.6-inch inner display, a 5.4-inch outer panel and pre-orders due to begin on 16 October, ahead of release on 23 October.
Against that backdrop, the original Google Pixel Fold remains notable not because it is the newest, but because it occupies a useful middle ground. It is less aggressively wide than Samsung’s latest model and Apple’s new entrant, yet it avoids the more square shape associated with other book-style foldables. That makes it easier to use as a standard phone when shut, while still giving users a large internal screen for entertainment and work. Its 5.8-inch cover display is also larger than the outer panels on the Galaxy Z Fold8 and iPhone Duo, which gives it a less compromised feel for everyday tasks such as messaging, calls and browsing.
The Pixel Fold’s inner display is another reason it still makes sense in 2026. At 7.6 inches, it matches the size of Samsung’s and Apple’s main folding screens, but its proportions are more forgiving for portrait use. That matters for reading, social media, note-taking and split-screen work, where a more flexible aspect ratio can be easier to live with than a near-square panel. Google also continues to support the device with current Android features, including split-screen layouts and floating app windows, which keeps it competitive on software even if its hardware is older.
That age shows in other areas. The Pixel Fold is heavier and less durable than current premium rivals, and its Tensor G2 chip is no longer cutting-edge. Even so, the calculation changes sharply if the phone is bought refurbished, where it can cost roughly a quarter of the price of a new Galaxy Z Fold8 or iPhone Duo. For buyers who are curious about wide foldables but reluctant to commit close to $2,000, that lower entry point makes the original Pixel Fold a practical way to test the form factor without taking a large financial risk.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
