Skip to main content

Something strange is happening with my Google Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold in Obsidian open on Google News.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

Google’s first foldable, the Google Pixel Fold, is now available for everyone. Even though Google is a few years late to the game compared to other brands like Samsung, it’s better late than never, right?

The Google Pixel Fold has received mostly positive reviews, including our own. But like any other foldable, it’s not without some issues. Since there are moving parts with foldable devices, there are more points of failure than a simple slab-style smartphone, especially as this category is still only in its infancy.

Recommended Videos

I’ve had the Google Pixel Fold for about two weeks now, and for the most part, the device has been a pleasure to use. Thankfully I did not have a completely destroyed inner display after four days as some other reviewers did. But I have started to notice something a little odd going on with my review unit.

There’s something about that hinge …

Google Pixel Fold in Obsidian open slightly on a planter.
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

I’m not sure when it actually began to start, but sometime this week, I began to notice that whenever I open up the Google Pixel Fold, a light pop or click noise came from the hinge. The noise does not happen when I close it. So far, that seems to be the extent of my problems with the Pixel Fold, and thankfully it does not seem to have any other effect on the inner display or usability of the device.

Popping sound on the Google Pixel Fold

But here’s the thing — it seems to come and go randomly. I have opened up the Pixel Fold numerous times in quick succession to replicate the issue, and sometimes it will make that sound repeatedly. Other times, it will be silent when I open and close it. And then other occurrences will have it make the sound once, and then it’s silent, and then it will come back for no reason at all. It truly feels random because I’m not doing anything different each time — I’m simply just opening and closing the Pixel Fold. In other words, I’m using it as intended.

It almost feels like a squeaky wheel or something that needs some good old WD–40. I’m just not sure. I’m thankful that it seems to be the only issue and doesn’t affect the usability of the screens on the device, but it’s also something I can’t not notice — and it’s driving me mad.

We’re currently working with Google to get this Pixel Fold unit sent back for a replacement one. If and when that happens, we’ll be sure to keep an eye on any similar popping sounds or any other issues that may arise.

Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
These dedicated Google Assistant car mics might be on the way out
Android Auto

If you interact with Google Assistant through the JBL Link Drive or Anker Roav Bolt, we have bad news: the microphones might be shutting down soon, if the code found in the Google app beta is any indication. The folks at 9to5Google stumbled across the code strings in an APK teardown that provided insight into the future of Google Assistant in cars.

The string is titled "assistant_car_accessory_deprecation" and reads: "By the way, Google Assistant on your car accessory will be discontinued in coming weeks. To keep using Assistant, invoke queries either on your Mobile or via Android Auto." These accessories originally came out in 2019 as a way for drivers with older vehicles to use Google Assistant, so even the oldest adopters would have only had these for six years.

Read more
Google brings Gboard voice typing toolbar beta to Pixel
Google Pixel 5 owner using Gboard.

Gboard on the Google Pixel 5 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Gboard Assistant Voice Typing toolbar is rolling out to Google Pixel phones in the latest beta test. According to a report from Android Authority, Google is testing out the new voice typing UI in version 15.0 of the Gboard app within its phones after the company implemented it to the Pixel Tablet last year.

Read more
Phone cameras are so good, they’ve finally replaced my camera for work
Close up of the camera on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro.

For almost two decades, I’ve carried more than twenty pounds of electronics in my backpack for the slightest chance of needing to capture content for my professional life. My backpack usually contained my MacBook, a full-frame camera with a big lens, a tripod, and an assortment of video and audio gear that I always deemed essential.

As it turns out, over the past two years, many of these items were rendered obsolete, as many companies launched new products that were quickly able to replace technology that I previously considered irreplaceable.

Read more