Google Pixel Fold Vs iPhone 13

Google Pixel Fold
Google Pixel Fold
Starting at

Refurbished price:£370.00

Versus £1,499.00 new

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iPhone 13
iPhone 13
Starting at

Refurbished price:£180.00

Versus £599.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Google Pixel Fold, released in June 2023, represents Google's entry into the foldable smartphone market, offering a unique form factor that transforms from a compact device into a larger tablet-like screen. In contrast, the iPhone 13, launched in September 2021, is a traditional slab-style smartphone from Apple's established lineup. These devices cater to different user preferences, primarily distinguished by the Pixel Fold's adaptable display and the iPhone 13's conventional, streamlined design, both running on their respective Android and iOS operating systems.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support play a significant role.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 13 was released in September 2021, making it an older model compared to the Google Pixel Fold, which launched in June 2023. This difference in release year impacts their expected software longevity.
  • OS Support: The Google Pixel Fold is expected to receive OS and security updates until at least June 2028, offering a substantial period of software support. The iPhone 13, typically receiving updates for about 5 to 6 years from its release, is likely to continue receiving major iOS updates until around 2026 or 2027, with security updates potentially extending further.
  • Repairability: The iPhone 13 initially received a repairability score of 5 out of 10 from iFixit, which later improved to 6 out of 10 with an iOS update addressing Face ID issues after screen replacements. The Pixel Fold received a PBK Reviews repairability score of 6.5 out of 10, noted for its manageable disassembly but with some challenges like the USB-C port being attached to the motherboard.

Year of Release

2023

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

Yes

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to demanding multimedia. Both devices offer capable performance for their respective ecosystems.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Google Pixel Fold is equipped with a processor designed to handle multitasking and the unique demands of a foldable display, ensuring smooth operation across various applications. The iPhone 13 features a powerful chip that delivers responsive performance for everyday use, gaming, and content creation, known for its efficiency and speed.
  • Multitasking and RAM: The Pixel Fold comes with 12GB of RAM, which supports extensive multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously on its larger internal display without significant slowdowns. The iPhone 13 includes 4GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS's optimized memory management, provides a fluid experience for switching between apps and handling typical smartphone workloads.
  • Battery Behavior: The Pixel Fold houses a 4821 mAh battery, and user experiences suggest it generally provides sufficient power for a full day of use, though heavy usage of the larger inner screen may require more frequent charging. The iPhone 13, with its 3240 mAh battery, is recognized for its improved battery longevity compared to its predecessors, often lasting a full day or more for many users.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interaction point, and these two devices offer distinct visual experiences.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Google Pixel Fold features two OLED displays: a 5.8-inch outer cover display and a 7.6-inch foldable inner display. Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of OLED technology. The iPhone 13 has a single 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also known for its rich colors and high contrast.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Pixel Fold's inner display has a resolution of 2208 x 1840 pixels (380 ppi), while its outer display is 1080 x 2092 pixels (408 ppi), providing sharp visuals on both screens. The iPhone 13 offers a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels at 460 ppi, resulting in a very clear and detailed viewing experience.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both Pixel Fold displays support a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, with peak brightness levels of 1450 nits for the inner screen and 1550 nits for the outer screen. The iPhone 13 features a 60Hz refresh rate display, which is standard for many smartphones, offering typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak of 1200 nits for HDR content.

Resolution

1840 x 2208

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Foldable OLED

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though their approaches and capabilities differ.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Google Pixel Fold features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 48MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 10.8MP ultrawide lens, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and OIS. The iPhone 13 is equipped with a dual-camera system, comprising a 12MP wide lens with sensor-shift OIS and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The Pixel Fold leverages Google's computational photography for excellent image processing, producing sharp details and accurate colors, particularly praised for its overall camera quality. The iPhone 13 is known for its consistent image quality, offering sharp and accurate details, rich colors, and improved low-light performance compared to previous models.
  • Video and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The Pixel Fold supports 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 13 also records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and introduced Cinematic Mode for a professional-looking depth effect in videos. Both offer stereo speakers for media consumption.

Main camera

48 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Google Pixel Fold supports modern connectivity standards including 5G and Wi-Fi 6, and features a USB-C 3.2 port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 13 also supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6, but utilizes Apple's proprietary Lightning connector.
  • Biometric Security: The Pixel Fold incorporates a fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 13 relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Durability: The Pixel Fold, when folded, measures 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm and weighs 283 grams, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus on the cover and back, and an aluminum frame. It boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating. The iPhone 13 measures 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm and weighs 174 grams, constructed with a Ceramic Shield front, glass back, and an aluminum frame. It carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Weight

283 g

173 g

Screen size (in)

7.6

6.1

Mobile 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 offer distinct experiences tailored to different user needs. The Pixel Fold is often praised for its innovative foldable design, providing the versatility of a large screen in a more portable form factor, and its strong camera performance, benefiting from Google's computational photography. However, some users have noted its weight and the current state of app optimization for foldable screens as areas for improvement.

The iPhone 13, on the other hand, is frequently lauded for its robust performance, significantly improved battery life over its predecessors, and reliable camera system that excels in various conditions. A common point of discussion for the iPhone 13 is its 60Hz display refresh rate, which some users compare to the smoother experience offered by higher refresh rate screens on other devices.

Users prioritizing a large, adaptable screen for productivity and media consumption, coupled with a strong photography experience, may find the Google Pixel Fold well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals seeking a consistently high-performing, durable, and long-lasting traditional smartphone with excellent battery life and a dependable camera will likely lean towards the iPhone 13. Both devices represent quality options in the smartphone market, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.