I have been using the Open since launch here in the U.S. I love the device and will never go back to a slab phone. I pre-ordered the first Pixel Fold, but returned it immediately, the display gutter was bad and was hot garbage outside where I use it daily on a motorcycle or convertible car. However, I pre-ordered the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for the design and display improvements and 2 main reasons not discussed in the article; wireless charging and SOS satellite messaging via Garmin. I really miss wireless charging on the Open, loved it on every phone since the Palm Pre and I am tired of fumbling for power cords in the dark every night...just my use case at bedtime and in a vehicle with wireless charging docks.
I also pay for a Garmin inreach mini satellite communicator subscription and insurance for my outdoorsy lifestyle , and I will be able to cancel that plan and sell my device. I would expect the satellite messaging will have some sort of paywall at some point and similar insurance plant to Garmin devices in the future, otherwise its brand suicide for Garmin.
Other reasons, I've never owned a Pixel..there's always been something missing. Looking forward to the better camera software processing and editing. I don't currently care about Gemini and AI, and I certainly don't want to pay for that in the future.
For now I will keep my Open as a backup and to compare. I will return the P9P Fold if the display sucks outside and battery size becomes an issue.
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