GoKawiil
Tech News
Google has released the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, an incremental update to last year's foldable that keeps the same overall design but adds a lighter body, a brighter display, improved wireless charging and an updated camera sensor. The device is thinner and 19 grams lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Google says durability has tripled thanks to a new glass-ceramic cover and glass-fiber composite back.
Samsung and Motorola have issued guidance on maintaining foldable phone hinges, recommending users clear debris from the inner display before closing the device and avoid excessive pressure. Samsung notes its Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 carry IP48 ratings, meaning protection from objects 1mm or larger but not full dust resistance, while Motorola warns that dust buildup can shorten hinge life and damage internal displays, advising against pressurized air dusters.
Google has rolled out its September 2026 Pixel Drop, a smaller update separate from the broader Android Drop released earlier this month. The headline feature upgrades the Pixel VIPs widget, first introduced in June 2025, by letting users call or text saved contacts directly from the home screen instead of tapping into a profile card first. The update also expands Scam Detection to monitor text messages for suspicious content and flag likely scams as users type responses.
An Android Authority reviewer who tests dozens of phones annually reports being unable to put down the Galaxy Z Fold 8 nearly two weeks after switching his SIM into it. The writer, who has historically preferred clamshell foldables over book-style ones, says Samsung's latest model finally closes the gap between niche enthusiast gadget and a phone suited for everyday users. Despite acknowledging the device has flaws, the reviewer says its form factor outweighs them.
Google has reduced trade-in credits offered toward Pixel 11 series purchases, ending the launch-window bonuses it previously offered. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold saw the steepest cut, dropping from $1,000 to $850, while most other recent Pixel models lost $50 or less in trade value. Google says these new lower rates will remain in effect through September.
Pixel 10 owners attempting to trade in their phones for the new Pixel 11 on the Google Store are reporting broken trade-in workflows, according to complaints on Reddit's Pixel community. Users describe receiving conflicting confirmations about whether their trade-in was accepted, only to have their cards charged the full price anyway, with Google reportedly unable to retroactively apply the promised credit.