yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
I was getting ready to get all pedantic old man on you gents so you'll be glad to hear I don't feel like typing it all out. :) In any event, I think it should be said that one of the fundamentals of economics is that both cost and value are relative concepts, they are not absolutes.

The toys you play with tend to be heavily skewed towards those you can afford and affordability doesn't just mean you can write the check, it means you also don't mind doing so, until then it's not really affordable. On the Camaro forums you will often read something to the effect of "I'll never buy a Corvette, the Camaro is 9/10ths the car at half the price." Get on corvetteforums and its "I'll never buy a Porsche, a Corvette is 9/10s of a 911 for half the price." Get on rennlist and its "I'll never buy a Ferrari, a 911 is 9/10s the car at half the price." Of course most of those owners had something that was less before they bought the car they then called a "good value", you don't usually get out of school and get all the good stuff right away, you have to put in your time. But value and cost is relative and as their income went up what was affordable changed.

The thing about it is, no one really needs any of those cars just like no one really needs this phone. In fact most of you that are complaining about the cost of this phone probably already own a phone that cost more than you actually had to pay to get the job done. You just wanted it, and you could.

That's how toys work.
[Google Pixel Fold] :
Nevermind.
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
I may just want to add that anyone who has enough money to not bother about value is unlikely to surf through forums to hear people's experiences and opinions.

They would buy, and if they aren't happy, would discard it and buy another one.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Almost everyone considers value in their purchasing decisions but value is not an absolute, it's relative.

By your reasoning, anyone that bought the latest S23 ultra and ignored the better value of a mid-ranger would be unlikely to surf a phone forum. For that matter, anyone who bought that mid-ranger wouldn't be here either because they could have bought a better value entry level device. All of these people would be unlikely to surf these forums to hear other people's experiences or opinions because they have enough money to "not bother about value" and therefore wouldn't be interested in others opinions or experiences.

They would just buy their flagship, mid-ranger, whatever, and if they weren't happy; discard it, and get another. Because that's what people who aren't value conscious do, right? We know they don't surf forums, that's already established in your first paragraph.

The reason that your argument fails to hold up is you're painting with too broad a brush. This is exacerbated by conflating your own opinion of what a value is as universal vbut it is not: Value is relative and inextricably linked to cost which is also relative because it's linked mathematically to a fraction of your wealth.

I think it's just possible that for some people a cost/benefit analysis makes the Fold a buy, in the same way that an S23 Ultra owner decided the value was there to buy that. Or a mid-range buyer decided that's where the win was at. All of them are right because cost and value are relative to wealth, need, and further subject to various emotional inputs.

I don't really have anything further to add in this regard so I'll give others the last word on value.
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
Value and Budget are two different considerations, and both are important in a purchase decision.

1. A person may have the budget to buy a product, but won't if he doesn't see value in it. This means either the product itself is bad and doesn't justify the price it is asking, OR there are better products in the market for the same price range.

A person who spends sensibly would get the product that provides best experience for the price. In a wealthy family, that would usually be people from the 1st and 2nd generation, because these are people who are actually creating wealth. It is often seen that the 4th generation onwards lack this sensibility and this is where the Empire starts to crumble.

2. A person may see value in a product but still nof buy it if budget doesn't permit it. This doesn't mean that he saw most value in the product he eventually bought.

The point is just this: everyone is free to buy what they want if they have the budget. But it is always a good idea to make an informed decision by looking at options available in detail, than fall for marketing hype.

Personally, i don't see a point in paying the same price for sub-par hardware and equally sub-par software experience. But human beings are diverse. There are many things we buy because we like it, and then look for reasons justifying the purchase.

My arguments are limited to individual products, and NOT targeted at brands.​
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Sub par hardware and sub par software are really subjective. Some people prefer stock android some prefer oneui some even prefer IOS . Some prefer pixel camera some prefer sony some prefer Samsung. As for processor yes on benchmark SD kills the Tensor but the Tensor chip was designed for AI , image processing and Google assistant integration. I have a xaiomi mi max thats 5 years old and still seems fast. It all depends on what you want to use your phone for, all pixel users know what they are buying in to
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Yes exactly. Mr Mystic...

As far as software and hardware goes, you don't seem to have an understanding of these devices or time using them in the real world. I'm going to flesh that out for you.

That Z Fold you mention: All those things you could do with the Z Fold in hybrid mode, where you're using the screen partially open, I only used one and that was the camera mode. That wasn't to interact with the screen though, it was just a way to hold the phone up to take a picture. A built-in tripod. After some experimentation, I didn't use any of the others. Ever. When the screen is folded, in hybrid mode, it is just too narrow to be useful or enjoyable. This is an opinion but it's shared by a lot of people. That would include most of the reviewers and influencers who commented on the Pixel versus the Samsung at IO. The form factor is the biggest failure of the Z Fold and it's built in and unavoidable. You can't work around it.

It isn't just the device in hybrid, I tried to make friends with the front screen itself but after I while I didn't use it for anything but reading notifications. That's it. Typing can be done but it's a chore and if you're going to be doing much at all it's faster to open it up. After a while you learn to skip it altogether and just go to the meat screen. Another thing that finds a lot of agreement among those who actually owned these hones.

So all those folding specific optimizations; worthless to me. The front screen; not quite worthless but doing what screens on dumbphones did years before forlders were a thing. Samsung did one thing for us with folders and one thing only: They made them a reality, for that I thank them. I love having a tablet I can drop in my pocket.

The Pixel Fold on the other hand has a front screen that I'll actually use. When it's open it's already in landscape so you don't need to do the open and flip dance that you did with the Z fold. Of course the multitasking works better that way too which is just more gravy. Then you've got the typical bad android app formatting which could break them on the Z Fold and while that's an android issue it will cause less failures with the Pixel form factor.

That hybrid mode, its going to be much better. You could see this in the hands on where videos look better, the camera app looks better, etc.

That isn't all of it. Many of those influencers talked about how much easier the Pixel is to pocket than the Samsung. All of them talked about how the phone will almost certainly deliver the best point and shoot folder in the business. I'm pretty sure they're right. That matters to me.

The Pixel line has many features I enjoy and use every day. I like their GUI better than Samsung's. I like the fact that they're easy to root and will see far more development.

I would be careful about confusing your opinions with factual data. The best GUI, best value, best at the price point, these things are subjective.

I give you the respect of allowing you your opinion, I expect the same from you. I'll decide what I like, you don't get to make that determination for me.
[Google Pixel Fold] :
Empires? People are just buying a phone. There's no need in being overly dramatic.

I didn't fall for the marketing hype. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I simply want the phone. It's really that simple.

Whether someone wants to call someone else not sensible (irresponsible) because they don't share your opinion of what is "better", well...
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
Hardware isn't subjective. The Tensor chips are indeed not comparable to SD chips seen on other flagships both in terms of performance and in terms of battery efficiency.

That is an assumption.

Nobody is showing disrespect or telling anyone what one should buy. You brought in the definition of 'affordability', and I completely agree with it. But unfortunately, it is true only in an ideal world.

In the real world, most users (and by that I mean a very large majority) do buy expensive items just because they like it, even if they can't 'afford' it, going by the definition. So VALUE becomes an extremely important consideration, even if it is 'relative'.

There was nothing if that sort in my comment. The issue of affordability was brought in, so I added sensibility to it to make it complete.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Your kind of missing my point. I'll gladly concede the battery efficiency,the new SD is superb. But the Tensor chip i,s better at AI , image processing and Google assistant integration which is what it's designed for. I much prefer every thing about my z fold 3 over the pixel fold apart from 2 things. The camera and the form factor, the outer screen and opening into landscape are worth the trade off IMO. Plus I can root again and build custom ROMs again
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
Yes, I agree. But what specific benefits do these carry over other devices, as much of these are pretty much available on all devices (except Huawei)? And whether these advantages are worth the trade-off in terms of performance, battery life and heating problems

I don't like the form factor of the Z-Folds either. The outer screen is a bit too tall and narrow. I do like the Pixel's dimensions more, just as I like the Oppo's dimensions (of which Pixel is a copy). Better hardware in the flagships of respective brands would be my preference over the form factor of foldables which today are still far from providing a proper tablet-like experience in the unfolded state. But to each, their own.

This is probably the only other benefit of Pixels (Graphene OS is available only for Pixels today), but not everyone would install a custom ROM (including myself).
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
The Tensor chip is pretty much custom made for Google to their design/needs. Don't think it's really meant for other devices. Like I said people who like pixels know what they are and what there shortcomings are. Let's be honest all phones are too expensive for what they say are. Every year nothing changes just faster processor and better camera. A galaxy s7 still takes excellent pictures and is fast enough to run anything. Invocation has completely stagnated which is one of the reasons people like foldable as it's the 1st thing different for year's. Stuff a better processor start worrying about battery instead. It's like having a 500 mile an hour car when you never go over 70mph and then they give you the world's smallest gas tank.
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
If you could do, would you choose removable batteries?

Or something else that makes it easier to repair?
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
It's not going to work Mystic. You first tried to claim that value and affordability are yours to decide. They are not.

You then tried to state that better items existed or equal items could be had for less. Not true objectively because in the US market there isn't a single device of this new and better form factor available. Not one. Zero. It is also subjectively wrong because "best" is just another of many things you don't own and don't get to define for anyone but yourself.

I'm done with you, I don't share your need to win the Internet so you get the last on this as well.
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
Please try to keep this thread friendly without any arguments. I didn't make this thread to make arguments. I asked for peoples opinion.

Thanks.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Clue is in the title isn't it " What do people think of the pixel fold" it wasn't " what do people think of users who are buying it"
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
I would try to make phone repairs easier and add:

- better batteries (5000-or 5500mAh batteries)

- repair tutorials for beginner people

What would you add? Let me know! :)
[Google Pixel Fold] :
The last paragraph you wrote was directed at me.

Not being sensible is another way of calling someone irresponsible or unwise for something that you considered "better", which is subjective in its own right. You may not have meant to come off that way, but judging from what's been said above... I'm not the only person who's felt that you're coming of as disrespectful.

People who want to buy this device are not sensible, buying into marketing hype, and are contributing to the fall of an empire because we want to buy a phone that in your opinion is not better. It's not that serious.

If I facepalmed any harder, my palm would be in my brain.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
While I wholeheartedly agree with making phones (more) repairable, that horse has already left the barn. I don't mean that argumentatively; I question if it's possible without passing Right to Repair legislation that mandates it?

The battery idea is one manufacturers have embraced and capacities in general have been growing. I'd certainly like to see that continue. Not sure which I'd prefer with a folder though, fatter, or more batt? They're a lot to pack around right now and thinner and lighter would also be welcome.

I think with this device in particular, batt isn't going to be great; I'm expecting less than Pixel 7ish performance due to the bigger screen. I'll likely carry an external battery if I'm going to be out and about all day and away from the possibility of charging.

Something related I'd like to see with Pixel devices is faster charging. I've got 67 watts going on right now and that's a feature I didn't know I needed until I had it. It really changes the charging game when you can come home, plug in, take a quick shower, dress, grab the phone and it's full or taken a substantial charge in a very short time.
[Google Pixel Fold] Droid_Nut:
LOL, we are going back to the folding phone once again.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Well, some of us have been back for a few years. :) I fully believe an expandable format will be common not too far down the road. Folding, rollable, a combination of the two, it's just a matter of pricing that makes the tech affordable to more buyers and the continued maturing of the devices.

If you think about it we got away from the Moto Razors of the day because a full screen GUI controlled device couldn't be made in that form factor with the available tech at the time. It wasn't that getting a smaller, easier to pocket device, that opened up to a bigger device was a bad idea. It just wasn't possible until now.
[Google Pixel Fold] blackhawk:
Make them more efficient. Larger batteries make the phones larger, heavier, and more likely to be damaged by drops.

No expandable storage only exacerbates this issue by forcing the use of cloud storage.

The old MS it's all in the cloud game play invariably screws the end user, you.
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
Happy to oblige.

Removable batteries: I have moved on. By the time the battery dies, I tend to buy a new phone, so I'm not worried about it.

Headphone Jack: I have moved on. Wireless earphones are very convenient if they have a good fit.

What I would instead love to still have (although not from repairability point of view):

1. Expandable storage support: It would be perfectly fine to not allow apps to use it to write their data. Only users should be allowed to save their files.

2. Superfast charging: Anyone that is used to fully charge their phones in about 40 minutes would find it very inconvenient to go back to charging speeds that take twice the time. So iPhones, Pixels and Samsungs are a huge disappointment on that front.

3. Proper dual speaker system instead of using the earpiece.

4. IR Blaster.

5. Face ID like on iPhones: they work like magic even in pitch dark environments.
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
Now I guess this could be solved with an OTG cable and an SD card reader
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
I won't say it 'solves' it, as you need to carry them along with you separately. It is inconvenient and there are chances of losing them.

At best, it is a workaround that gets the job done.
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
Hey guys!

In your opinions, is it worth to get a case for your pixel fold?

Also, when will it get delivered for you?
[Google Pixel Fold] wattsja:
There is already a delivery thread.

When I ordered my Fold, I did go ahead and ordered the Google case so I can have some protection until I see if anything better comes out.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
I'm holding out on the case until closer to the ship date; try and go directly to the case I want and skip the placeholder if it works out.
[Google Pixel Fold] force70:
As someone who has been waiting to jump on the Pixel fold for awhile Its a bit disappointing, they waited until very late in the game to jump into foldables and really havent been able to progress the tech. Still a big crease in the inner screen which I am used to now with a Fold 3 and 4 but really google couldnt fix that?

That big ugly bezel on the inner screen is just sad, it makes the device look very dated, i couldnt stand looking at that daily. There is just no excuse for that in 2023

Running last years tensor chip which is vastly inferior to the 8 gen 2 yet charging $1800? nope sorry cant go along with that one.

While I dont love the Folds tall skinny screen I am not a fan of the short and fat screen either, I was expecting Vivo fold proportions not Oppo Find N.

No 1tb storage option? that right there means Its a tough sell for me, all my devices from the last several years are 1tb or had SD support.

Lastly they are not even making it available in Canada lol!! sure I can order it online easily enough but why would I support a company that doesnt care about Canadian customers?

Pass for me guys as painful as it is not to pick one up.
[Google Pixel Fold] cmfCyangenModteam:
Phone seems pretty nice,

The RAM amount is just mad!

But the battery capaticy scares me.

Sadly, no 4k resolution.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
If the front screen works out as hoped I won't be opening it up every time I use it as I did with the Z folds I had. I'm expecting it to be a somewhat worse than the 7 pro but not completely horrid. Just about certain in my mind it's going to take a butt-whooping from the XF5.

All that said I haven't made it through the day with any of my folders. With the Zfolds I carried an external batt, the Vivo charges so fast I just plug it in here or there. I'm figuring external for this one, charges too slow to make the occasional top-off work.
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
I have said this several times already:

Google sells mediocre phones at flagship prices.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Yes, you're very proud of your opinion and willing to express it as fact over and over.
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
Google made some really good phones actually
[Google Pixel Fold] notnoelchannel:
Yeah the battery scared me too but I think it's enough for this phone.
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
That's true, but only when you don't compare them to what else is available in the market for the same price.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Google have never tried to boast the biggest technical specs they concentrate on software and camera. I have an old Samsung note 4 that is still fast enough to run anything I throw at it and takes great photos.

The Tensor chip was designed for ai and machine learning integration and will still be fast enough to throw anything we throw at it. All our phones are 500mph cars when speed limit is 70mph. But unfortunately we all have tiny gas tanks. Manufacturers should be concentrating on battery technology not a chip that is more powerful than we'll ever need
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
Can you elaborate on what that AI does which other phones can't do? GCam mods work very fine on other brands.

Let's look at some facts:

Source

"the chip is quicker at handling tasks like real-time language translation for captions, text-to-speech without an internet connection, image processing, and other machine learning-based capabilities, like live translation and captions. It also allowed the Pixel 6 to apply Google’s HDRNet algorithm to video"

Now compare this to what other brands offer:

1. They run faster

2. They run cooler

3. They charge wayyy faster

4. They sell much cheaper

5. They also do pretty much the same things as above.

The first 4 points are extremely important considerations. It is now a question of which set of features matter to you more as a user, even if point 5 isn't true (highly unlikely). Text to speech, captions, live translations, real-time transcriptions aren't features one would use regularly, and certainly not features for which most would sacrifice performance, device running cooler, superfast charging, etc.

"Google’s other custom inclusion is its Titan M2 security core. Tasked with storing and processing your extra sensitive information, such as biometric cryptography, and protecting vital processes like secure boot, it’s a secure enclave that adds a much-needed additional level of security."

There is not much info on how this is better than how the same is handled by other brands.

I have a OnePlus 8T that is excellent in everything it does, except for the cameras which do a bad job in most indoor conditions and low light conditions (night sight is good, and so is outdoor photography during daytime). I bought (pre-ordered) the S22U last year just for its cameras, and the S-Pen is more like a bonus which I rarely use, but is still a good tool to have. OneUI too is very good, although there are some features I miss from Oxygen OS. Earlier this year, I bought the iQOO Neo 6 just to try out this brand. At that time, the Pixel 7 was a consideration, but I ruled it out because of it's mediocre hardware and largely hollow software experience. FunTouch OS 13 is excellent (you can read about it here) after I cleaned it up (by simply changing some built-in settings, without adb or external tools; it takes less than 30 minutes) and the device with its powerful hardware runs as good as any flagship phone. I might add that gaming is probably even better on the OnePlus and iQOO than on my S22U. I'm saying probably because my S22U is overloaded with apps (more than 1,000 including system) and so that might be a reason why it tends to run a bit warmer compared to my other phones.

If the Pixel phone was launched by some other brand, no one would buy it. Pixels are more hype than quality.
[Google Pixel Fold] Dayuser:
Before Pixel phones, Nexus phones made by other brand and Nexus phones was very popular.

Pixels is so popularity because of software.
[Google Pixel Fold] TheMystic:
Everyone who bought it knew it was a Google phone manufactured by another company.
[Google Pixel Fold] Dayuser:
Yeah and it's same thing if Google Pixels are made by other brand in future.