Google's New Foldable Smartphone Reviewed By a YouTube Tester, an Android Blog, and iFixit (ifixit.com) 31
Google's describes their new Gemini-powered foldable phone as "an epic display of Google AI" (also calling it "unfoldgettable").
The Android Authority blog says the phone is "impressive," "incredibly thin" — and, at $1,800, expensive.
But long-time Slashdot reader mprindle notes some complaints from the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything ("known for in-depth testing of phones and other devices".) The blog 9to5Google summarizes some of the video's findings: - When exposed to dirt and sand, we hear the hinge start grinding since there's no dust protection...
- A closed bend test reveals no problems for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but the issues arise when it's open and bent from the back. Despite the left/right back panels meeting and covering the spine of the hinge, "there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of resistance."
"Not sure why Google thought it was a good idea to put an antenna line right here at the weakest point in an already thin frame," the video notes (arguing it's "like putting an exhaust port in the Death Star...")
But they also tell their 8.8 million subscribers that "One cool thing that Google has done is that they've made every single part of this metal frame from recycled aluminum." And "Out of the box, I'm already a huge fan of how it looks," the video begins. "It feels amazing, and folds completely shut and appears like the hardware has finally caught up to the folding form factor to where it looks just natural."
One thing to note... "Moving to the inner display, I start to get the vibe that when Google says 'super durable', they mean 'regular durable', since the inner display is made from the same soft flexible plastic that we've seen on every folding phone so far, which scratches at level two. Even fingernails can leave very permanent marks on the center screen. This is absolutely normal for a folding phone, though, and really not too big of a deal if you take care it, making sure there are no bits of dust or dirt in the screen when you close it will go a long way to keeping things pristine, since there's not a lot of room between the two halves."
iFixit makes an interesting observation: "Over half of the phone's internal area is occupied by the lithium polymer battery cells!" (They've also created another teardown video available on YouTube.)
"There's no denying that the inner screens are delicate and prone to damage," according to an accompanying iFixit blog post, "and the mechanical nature of the hinge mechanism provides additional avenues for dust and liquid ingress that may eventually become a problem."
But it also applauds "the less obvious repairability wins, from repair guides and a detailed Bill of Materials to spare parts that are available without malicious restrictions... [T]he Pixel team has gone to great lengths to support your right to repair the device you paid for and own" — and from Day One. There's really only a single criticism I'd direct at the Pixel 9 Fold from my own disassembly experience: the battery removal tabs. These tabs simply do not work, with or without the application of heat. They are flimsy and break often, require a second pair of hands to secure the device, and they fail to cut through adhesive reliably. Whether they should even try to cut through adhesive is debatable. Stretch release adhesive might age and break over time but at least they give you a chance at removing the adhesive. Pull tabs don't even work when the adhesive is brand new, they literally have no redeeming qualities when compared to other battery release mechanisms. Even the more robust pull tabs Samsung uses in its phones work better than this, though they aren't necessarily the easiest to use either.
As for the device itself, it prompted one of my colleagues — an iPhone user since forever — to say "this is nice, I'd switch to Android for this"... Setting aside the downsides of owning a foldable smartphone, I am excited to see Google and the Pixel team devoting so much time and energy towards improving the overall repairability of the device. The effort is seen and appreciated by device owners and as a technician, I look forward to seeing how manufacturers will continue to innovate for repairability.
Slashdot reader mprindle reminds us that when it comes to waterproofing, the JerryRigEverything video "noted that the footnotes say the device is rated IP68 yet the Sim tray is rated at IPx8."
The Android Authority blog says the phone is "impressive," "incredibly thin" — and, at $1,800, expensive.
But long-time Slashdot reader mprindle notes some complaints from the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything ("known for in-depth testing of phones and other devices".) The blog 9to5Google summarizes some of the video's findings: - When exposed to dirt and sand, we hear the hinge start grinding since there's no dust protection...
- A closed bend test reveals no problems for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but the issues arise when it's open and bent from the back. Despite the left/right back panels meeting and covering the spine of the hinge, "there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of resistance."
"Not sure why Google thought it was a good idea to put an antenna line right here at the weakest point in an already thin frame," the video notes (arguing it's "like putting an exhaust port in the Death Star...")
But they also tell their 8.8 million subscribers that "One cool thing that Google has done is that they've made every single part of this metal frame from recycled aluminum." And "Out of the box, I'm already a huge fan of how it looks," the video begins. "It feels amazing, and folds completely shut and appears like the hardware has finally caught up to the folding form factor to where it looks just natural."
One thing to note... "Moving to the inner display, I start to get the vibe that when Google says 'super durable', they mean 'regular durable', since the inner display is made from the same soft flexible plastic that we've seen on every folding phone so far, which scratches at level two. Even fingernails can leave very permanent marks on the center screen. This is absolutely normal for a folding phone, though, and really not too big of a deal if you take care it, making sure there are no bits of dust or dirt in the screen when you close it will go a long way to keeping things pristine, since there's not a lot of room between the two halves."
iFixit makes an interesting observation: "Over half of the phone's internal area is occupied by the lithium polymer battery cells!" (They've also created another teardown video available on YouTube.)
"There's no denying that the inner screens are delicate and prone to damage," according to an accompanying iFixit blog post, "and the mechanical nature of the hinge mechanism provides additional avenues for dust and liquid ingress that may eventually become a problem."
But it also applauds "the less obvious repairability wins, from repair guides and a detailed Bill of Materials to spare parts that are available without malicious restrictions... [T]he Pixel team has gone to great lengths to support your right to repair the device you paid for and own" — and from Day One. There's really only a single criticism I'd direct at the Pixel 9 Fold from my own disassembly experience: the battery removal tabs. These tabs simply do not work, with or without the application of heat. They are flimsy and break often, require a second pair of hands to secure the device, and they fail to cut through adhesive reliably. Whether they should even try to cut through adhesive is debatable. Stretch release adhesive might age and break over time but at least they give you a chance at removing the adhesive. Pull tabs don't even work when the adhesive is brand new, they literally have no redeeming qualities when compared to other battery release mechanisms. Even the more robust pull tabs Samsung uses in its phones work better than this, though they aren't necessarily the easiest to use either.
As for the device itself, it prompted one of my colleagues — an iPhone user since forever — to say "this is nice, I'd switch to Android for this"... Setting aside the downsides of owning a foldable smartphone, I am excited to see Google and the Pixel team devoting so much time and energy towards improving the overall repairability of the device. The effort is seen and appreciated by device owners and as a technician, I look forward to seeing how manufacturers will continue to innovate for repairability.
Slashdot reader mprindle reminds us that when it comes to waterproofing, the JerryRigEverything video "noted that the footnotes say the device is rated IP68 yet the Sim tray is rated at IPx8."
Re:Reviews where Google demands a positive review (Score:4, Interesting)
Well, I watched the videos and linked articles and it looks nice, at least at first glance, that Google published all the manuals and howtos in sync with releasing the product.
Not that I care a lot about such a foldable phone. Dumb phones are fine with me. I spent enough time on computers to not want to be tethered 24/7 when I am not working. Bring a laptop if you plan to answer any emergencies when away from work for extended periods of time.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Yeah, I recall installing Linux on Thinkpads as early as in 2000 maybe even 1999, running vmware on linux to run windows and get the corporate stuff and everything went pretty smoothly. I wasn't aware IBM (back then) made specs available easily, thanks for that.
As an anecdote, company would provide the Thinkpad laptop with windows which I wiped and installed Linux on it instead and used vmware (back then, now using qemu) to run corporate windows. Once, a tech support guy came to my cubicle because I had win
Re: (Score:3)
If you're talking about the #TeamPixel stuff that came up a few weeks ago - those aren't your average reviewers. They're very specific people that are basically marketing partners. Everyday YouTube reviewers are NOT subject to the nonsense you're trying to spread.
https://9to5google.com/2024/08... [9to5google.com]
Re: (Score:2)
Don't trust any of these Google reviews where Google threatens reviewers to ignore them if they don't write exactly the kind of review that Google expects.
When I see comments like this it always makes me wonder whether the poster legitimately failed to understand the story they're alluding to or if they're doing it intentionally. I know, Hanlon's Razor and all that, but so often even if they're corrected (with evidence), they just double down.
$US1800, wow. (Score:3)
Still saving for a house...
Re: (Score:2)
It is too expensive, but given they are saying they will support it for 8 years it might be justifiable if the battery isn't too hard to replace.
I was kinda interested, but it doesn't even have the Pro cameras. And this year there was no camera upgrade anyway, so even the P9 Pro doesn't do anything more than my P8 Pro. If they had put the fancy new Sony sensor in the ultrawide as well I might have been tempted - it's great for walking videos, but the older sensor is too noisy in low light.
Re: $US1800, wow. (Score:1)
All iPhone models have been supported with repair parts for 8-10 years and donâ(TM)t cost that much.
People will be much more likely to buy the equivalent $300-500 Android every 2 years as they do now that is not repairable because at the end of 8 years you will have a better Android than the 8yo model and it will be cheaper too.
Re: (Score:2)
It is too expensive, but given they are saying they will support it for 8 years it might be justifiable if the battery isn't too hard to replace.
Judging from the video, if you open the phone flat, then keep opening it to about 270 degrees, all the internals become pretty easy to access. Reversing the process, however, appears to be the problem. I'm guessing there's some sort of an entropy issue. :-)
Hey (Score:3)
At least it has a SIM tray...
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah, I noticed that as well, I guess removable batteries are out of trend for good now although but it seems pretty easy to swap according to the videos I watched. Easily swapable usb connectors module is nice too, you wouldn't believe how careful I am with those nowadays.
Re: (Score:2)
For now...
Swiss watch (Score:2)
They? (Score:1)
Really? Muscular bald dude named Zack and people are not sure about the gender?
This phone seems great, but there are 2 problems (Score:2, Funny)
1. It involves giving Google money to get one
2. AI
Ergo, hard pass.
Re: This phone seems great, but there are 2 proble (Score:2)
LMAO. "Ergo". Must be a fan of The Matrix sequels.
Better that than Idiocracy.
Re: recycled aluminium? so? (Score:2)
So it doesn't really sound any better (Score:2)
My wife finally gave up on her foldable Samsung.
She loves the form factor -"smart" phones are all so #$&@#$ tall now, that having it fold to fit in a little purse or waist pack is awesome - but it just eats screens. The screen just disintegrates at the fold.
From these reviews, it doesn't sound like Google has solved this either.
Re: (Score:2)
Yawn (Score:2)
Wake me up when the vertical crease in the middle of the screen is no longer visible.
Yes, it's a pet peeve, but at $1800, you better provide a PERFECT screen, or you're not gonna get my money.
Weird (Score:1)
All that said, one of my biggest problems with foldables is the damn crease on the display. Now that might be because I'm a stickler for a proper display, and some others might not care.
I think the main impetus for foldables is that the millennials, the first g
Re: (Score:3)
So apparently the foldable phone crowd is willing to put up with screens that can be damaged by a fingernail.
I've owned 6 different foldable devices over the last 4+ years and have never damaged a single one with a fingernail (or anything else, for that matter). Turns out, I don't use my fingernail to interact with my phone. I'd find it strange if you do.
Re: (Score:2)
So apparently the foldable phone crowd is willing to put up with screens that can be damaged by a fingernail.
I've owned 6 different foldable devices over the last 4+ years and have never damaged a single one with a fingernail (or anything else, for that matter). Turns out, I don't use my fingernail to interact with my phone. I'd find it strange if you do.
"Was the reviewer who wrote this wrong? "Moving to the inner display, I start to get the vibe that when Google says 'super durable', they mean 'regular durable', since the inner display is made from the same soft flexible plastic that we've seen on every folding phone so far, which scratches at level two. Even fingernails can leave very permanent marks on the center screen.
I'm not going to own a foldable phone, so I'm taking his word for it
Re: (Score:3)
"Was the reviewer who wrote this wrong? "Moving to the inner display, I start to get the vibe that when Google says 'super durable', they mean 'regular durable', since the inner display is made from the same soft flexible plastic that we've seen on every folding phone so far, which scratches at level two. Even fingernails can leave very permanent marks on the center screen.
I'm not going to own a foldable phone, so I'm taking his word for it
I'm not saying it's not physically possible or that he's wrong - I'm saying that in reality, it's not an actual concern. It's something parroted as a "problem" by people who doesn't actually use them. And it's totally fine if they're not for you in general or someone doesn't want/ to/can't spend the money on one... but this bullshit of scratching with a fingernail is so incredibly overplayed, it's completely ridiculous.
Jerry Rig everything (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
How do you think OEMs do durability testing of their devices? But they don't publish videos.
Ever since Apple's "Bendgate" [wikipedia.org], savvy shoppers know to first consult online reviewers to learn the weak points of expensive devices on their wishlist.