Google Pixel Fold Vs iPhone 13 Pro

Google Pixel Fold
Google Pixel Fold
Starting at

Refurbished price:454.00

Versus €1,750.29 new

See options
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:313.00

Versus €1,149.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Google Pixel Fold, released in June 2023, marks Google's entry into the foldable smartphone market, offering a unique design that transforms from a traditional smartphone into a larger screen device. In contrast, the iPhone 13 Pro, launched in September 2021, is a premium, conventional smartphone from Apple. The primary distinctions between these two devices lie in their form factor, with the Pixel Fold featuring a flexible display and the iPhone 13 Pro maintaining a rigid screen, alongside their respective operating systems, Android and iOS.

Scores

Durability

These devices offer different timelines for software support and expected practical lifespans, influenced by their release dates and design philosophies.

  • Release Timeline: The Pixel Fold, being a 2023 device, benefits from a more recent release, which typically implies a longer period of future software updates compared to the iPhone 13 Pro, released in 2021. Google has committed to several years of security updates for its Pixel devices.
  • OS Support Duration: While Apple is known for providing extended iOS support, often for five to six years or more, the Pixel Fold's newer launch date means it will likely receive Android updates for a comparable or potentially longer duration from the current date.
  • Repairability and Durability: The folding mechanism of the Pixel Fold introduces complexities that can make repairs more challenging and potentially more costly than for the more conventional iPhone 13 Pro. Early reports for the Pixel Fold indicated some concerns regarding the durability of the inner screen and the frame under certain stress tests. The iPhone 13 Pro features Ceramic Shield protection on its front and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, contributing to its robust build.

Year of Release

2023

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

Yes

No

Performance

Both devices deliver robust performance, though their underlying architectures and memory configurations differ, impacting how they handle various tasks.

  • Storage Options: Both models offer various internal storage configurations, allowing users to choose based on their needs for applications, photos, and videos.
  • Battery Behavior: The Pixel Fold features a larger battery capacity to power its dual screens, often providing all-day usage for many users, though heavy use of the inner display can consume power more quickly. The iPhone 13 Pro is recognized for its efficient power management, often delivering a full day of use for most users, with some reporting exceptional battery life.
  • System Responsiveness: The Pixel Fold, with its current-generation processor and 12GB of RAM, handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, though some users have noted it may struggle with sustained heavy gaming. The iPhone 13 Pro, equipped with its powerful processor and 6GB of RAM, provides a highly responsive experience for everyday tasks, gaming, and video editing.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a major differentiator, with the Pixel Fold offering a versatile dual-screen setup and the iPhone 13 Pro providing a single, high-quality display.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Pixel Fold features two OLED displays: a 5.8-inch outer cover screen and a 7.6-inch foldable inner screen, both offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The iPhone 13 Pro has a single 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also known for its excellent contrast and color accuracy.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Pixel Fold's inner display has a resolution of 1840 x 2208 pixels, while its cover screen is 1080 x 2092 pixels. The iPhone 13 Pro offers a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations. The Pixel Fold's cover display can reach a peak brightness of 1550 nits, while the iPhone 13 Pro's display offers up to 1200 nits peak brightness for HDR content. Some users have noted the Pixel Fold's inner screen can be less bright in direct sunlight.

Resolution

1840 x 2208

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Foldable OLED

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems, excelling in different aspects of photography and videography, often leveraging their respective software processing.

  • Camera System Capabilities: The Pixel Fold features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 48MP main, 10.8MP ultrawide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The iPhone 13 Pro also has a triple-camera system with 12MP main, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, offering 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Pixel Fold leverages Google's computational photography for impressive results, with users often praising its camera system. The iPhone 13 Pro is known for its consistent image quality, good low-light performance, and features like Macro Mode. Some users have noted that the Pixel Fold's main camera sensor is smaller than some other Pixel phones.
  • Video Recording and Features: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The iPhone 13 Pro includes advanced video features such as Cinematic mode, which allows for depth-of-field effects.

Main camera

48 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core functionalities, several practical elements differentiate these devices in terms of connectivity, physical design, and user interaction.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Pixel Fold and iPhone 13 Pro support 5G networks. The Pixel Fold utilizes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, a widely adopted standard. The iPhone 13 Pro, in contrast, uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port.
  • Biometric Authentication: The Pixel Fold incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 13 Pro relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
  • Weight and Dimensions: The Pixel Fold is notably heavier at 283 grams and thicker when folded (12.1 mm) due to its dual-screen design, offering a different feel in hand compared to the more slender and lighter iPhone 13 Pro, which weighs 204 grams and measures 7.65 mm thick.

Weight

283 g

203 g

Screen size (in)

7.6

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

The Google Pixel Fold and iPhone 13 Pro cater to distinct user preferences and needs, primarily due to their fundamental differences in form factor and operating system.

Users often praise the Pixel Fold for its innovative foldable design, which offers the versatility of a large screen for media consumption and productivity in a more compact form factor when folded. Its camera system, powered by Google's computational photography, also receives positive remarks for its image quality. However, common concerns among users include its heavier and bulkier design when folded, potential long-term durability considerations for the folding screen, and the fact that some applications are not yet fully optimized for the larger inner display.

The iPhone 13 Pro is frequently lauded for its robust performance, efficient battery life that often lasts a full day, and a consistent camera system that delivers reliable results. Its traditional slab design is generally considered durable, with features like Ceramic Shield contributing to its resilience. Some users have noted instances of overly saturated photos or lens flares in certain camera conditions.

Users prioritizing a versatile, large screen experience for multitasking and media consumption, and those who appreciate Google's approach to computational photography within the Android ecosystem, may find the Pixel Fold well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users seeking a traditional, highly refined smartphone experience with strong, consistent performance, reliable battery life, and a dependable camera system within the iOS ecosystem will likely lean toward the iPhone 13 Pro. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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