The software experience of the Pixel Fold is similar to that of the Pixel Tablet. It features a taskbar at the bottom of the screen which can be dragged up in any app. One of the standout features is the ability to launch apps in split-screen mode by pressing and dragging them to one side of the screen. This makes multitasking and using multiple apps simultaneously much easier. The user doesn’t have to learn any unfamiliar gestures or controls, as the interface is intuitive and user-friendly.
Split-screen mode is particularly useful when using apps that benefit from a larger display. For example, users can have Chrome open on one side of the screen and use Telegram on the other side to send messages or make suggestions. It’s also convenient for checking the calendar and responding to emails and messages without having to switch between apps constantly. One could even make a phone call while looking up information on the right-hand screen. These capabilities enhance productivity and make it easier to handle various tasks seamlessly.
Google has updated more than 50 of its apps to take advantage of larger screens on tablets and folding phones like the Pixel Fold. Gmail, for instance, provides a two-pane view where users can see their list of emails on the left screen and open the content on the right screen. Google Maps delivers a desktop-like experience with the location displayed on the right and details about a place on the left. Although Chrome doesn’t have a default desktop mode, it offers tabs at the top for quick switching between them.
Several apps are particularly enjoyable to use on the Pixel Fold, such as third-party Reddit app Reddit Sync. This app displays Reddit posts on the left screen and opens the corresponding thread on the right, making it easy to scroll through comments and move on to the next post. Messaging apps like Telegram, Google Messages, and WhatsApp also work seamlessly with the split-screen functionality. Additionally, apps like Airtable and Google Calendar look fantastic and make good use of the larger display.
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However, not all apps are optimized for big-screen Android devices like the Pixel Fold. Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter may open with black areas on the sides of the display, not utilizing the full screen real estate. It’s expected that as foldable devices become more popular, app developers will optimize their apps for these devices, providing a better user experience.
When it comes to the camera performance, the Pixel Fold doesn’t disappoint. While the hardware may not be as advanced as that of the Pixel 7 Pro, it still delivers excellent results. The device features a 48-MP main camera, a 10.8-MP ultrawide camera, and a 10.8-MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The exterior selfie camera has a resolution of 9.5 MP, and the inner selfie camera has 8 MP. The quality of the innermost camera may be underestimated, but it actually outperforms the inner camera of Samsung’s Fold4, capturing well-exposed selfies.
In conclusion, the Pixel Fold offers a seamless software experience with its intuitive interface and convenient split-screen functionality. It provides an excellent platform for multitasking and using multiple apps simultaneously. Google has updated its apps to take advantage of the larger screen, offering a desktop-like experience in applications like Gmail and Google Maps. While some apps are not yet optimized for big-screen Android devices, the camera performance of the Pixel Fold is impressive, delivering high-quality photos and selfies. Overall, the Pixel Fold offers a versatile and enjoyable user experience.
