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tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
So true! To be honest, I think it looks like a $1099 phone at the most. The bezels are ugly.
There's no way foldables of this size will be priced that low right now. A Pixel 7 Pro was originally $899--this has all the hardware of a traditional high end smartphone as well as everything needed for a small tablet using new folding glass and hardware that's going to cost more as it's unique to this device. I'll agree that $1799 feels too expensive but considering a Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max (256 GB) both cost $1200, why would anyone expect this type of hardware to cost less?
 

Tin Cook

Suspended
May 11, 2023
107
143
There's no way foldables of this size will be priced that low right now. A Pixel 7 Pro was originally $899--this has all the hardware of a traditional high end smartphone as well as everything needed for a small tablet using new folding glass and hardware that's going to cost more as it's unique to this device. I'll agree that $1799 feels too expensive but considering a Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max (256 GB) both cost $1200, why would anyone expect this type of hardware to cost less?
I was too extreme, but the bezels make it look much cheaper. Maybe $1599 would be acceptable.
 

Bkdodger

macrumors 68040
Jun 6, 2019
3,624
6,055
$1,500 would be a nice first gen price for Google I have to agree on that one...

I ended up canceling my pre-order today and reordering again as I realized I didn't select the LTE watch and although I'm selling it I would figure it would be a better use to someone with LTE... Also decided to go with the 256 GB version this time around
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
$1,500 would be a nice first gen price for Google I have to agree on that one...

I ended up canceling my pre-order today and reordering again as I realized I didn't select the LTE watch and although I'm selling it I would figure it would be a better use to someone with LTE... Also decided to go with the 256 GB version this time around

I think $1500 is the perfect price. I think that provides a good testing point to see who is actually interested in foldables. At $1800, I bet the return rate is as high as 50%. Tons ordering to try it out but not actually serious about being an owner. At $1500, people can rationalize spending a few hundred extra over the top of the line flagship slabs. At $1800, you need to have top of the line everything IMO and the Pixel Fold isn’t that.
 

Bkdodger

macrumors 68040
Jun 6, 2019
3,624
6,055
I think $1500 is the perfect price. I think that provides a good testing point to see who is actually interested in foldables. At $1800, I bet the return rate is as high as 50%. Tons ordering to try it out but not actually serious about being an owner. At $1500, people can rationalize spending a few hundred extra over the top of the line flagship slabs. At $1800, you need to have top of the line everything IMO and the Pixel Fold isn’t that.

Yup definitely can get more peeps on board... It's great to have Google on board though I just think they are okay with testing the waters at this stage ...
 

rillrill

macrumors 6502a
Jul 27, 2011
843
654
New York
totally. My monkey brain is like - “I want it now!!” But my rational brain is like, 6 months from now this device will be discounted for sure. Especially when the new iPhone is launched and the Galaxy Fold 5 is out.
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
One thing that surprised me about the presentation was the lack of fold specific software features. I figured Google might cut some corners on hardware as they do, but try to justify that high price tag with a lot of cool foldable specific software additions. Nope. It’s essentially just a foldable Pixel 7 Pro with some UI tweaks. No power user features and only the basic level of multitasking. That price is looking tougher and tougher to swallow.

But I think they nailed the form factor. Hopefully Gen 2 eliminates some bezels, adds a more efficient processor, and drops price before Samsung gets their head out of their ass and creates a better form factor.
I was not really expecting much in terms of features. I think we will have to rely on Samsung to lead the way there, however this is standard really as aside from the pixel specific features google often waits for other OEMs to develop features for their skins and then integrates them into android. The hardware is really good though. They nailed it.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
It’s pretty clear with the trade in prices that Google are serious about trying to convert Apple and Samsung uses while neglecting loyal Pixel customers. On one hand I get it but on the other it’s sort of a slap in the face of those that already support you.
 

Bkdodger

macrumors 68040
Jun 6, 2019
3,624
6,055
Those trade in prices for Pixel phones are definitely pathetic.. why not also entice your own to the foldable side
 
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tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
It's not that thick.

I have to say I think it's going to be pocketable IMO... I mean I don't pocket my s23u... throw it in the pouch since I carry it with the iPhone

Agree. Only 3 mm thicker than current Pixel Pro and barely thicker than the original iPhone.

Definitely not svelte but certainly thinner than traditional cell phones from years ago than quite easily fit in our pockets.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Original poster
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
I do think $1,499 is the magic number when it comes to foldables. It's still very expensive at that price, however it feels more justifyable than $1,799. $1,799 with state tax can bring you close to $2,000. Most consumers will not entertain any smartphone at that price. Even if it doubles as a tiny tablet.

We will eventually get there but it will take time.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,980
20,169
UK
I do think $1,499 is the magic number when it comes to foldables. It's still very expensive at that price, however it feels more justifyable than $1,799. $1,799 with state tax can bring you close to $2,000. Most consumers will not entertain any smartphone at that price. Even if it doubles as a tiny tablet.

We will eventually get there but it will take time.
Issue is a lot of the mindset is if I’m paying that much I would rather buy a phone and a tablet for less without the concerns. Hear that all the time from people I know. I’m not convinced we will ever see foldables at a reasonable price
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
Issue is a lot of the mindset is if I’m paying that much I would rather buy a phone and a tablet for less without the concerns. Hear that all the time from people I know. I’m not convinced we will ever see foldables at a reasonable price
There’s too much involved in the hardware for foldable prices to drop much lower. Again, we already have traditional style smartphones well over $1100. Foldable phones certainly need to lower in price, and that will come eventually with scale and manufacturing efficiency but they’re not going to fall that much, maybe below $1400-$1500 at some point.

There’s a market for them though. Millions of customers spend well over $1K for their phones now. And we all know, if Apple makes one, there will be a lot of customers lining up. Google just doesn’t have the perceived premium caché…yet.
 

SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,513
4,751
Land of Smiles
Issue is a lot of the mindset is if I’m paying that much I would rather buy a phone and a tablet for less without the concerns. Hear that all the time from people I know. I’m not convinced we will ever see foldables at a reasonable price
The Flip is at a far more friendly price point than when it was first released :)
 
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tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
Yup...it'll be $500 more than any of the competition and the Apple fans will buy 10X the number anyone else sells.

Apple's customers just have a different tolerance for price.
 
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