Honestly I've tried a couple different things. If you're just trying to get a little bit of dust off, you can use like a camera cleaning brush. They are super fine bristles that are meant to clean off DSLR cameras. Otherwise I also do something you do which is take a little bit of water and a clean cloth, preferably microfiber to just wipe it a little bit clean

If you want a little extra clean maybe some disinfectant you can use like 75% alcohol wipes. Just wipe the screen in One direction so you don't get swirls. Just in case there's something under it. And then you can finish it off with the microfiber

As far as some of the launcher stuff, yeah that's the one downside to being on the pixel operating system. Things are a little more closed off similar to Apple, but they provide a pretty decent service. Here's hoping that Android 14 will let you expand those services to other launchers and shit

Based on the leaks the fold five is the same thing as four with upgraded specs. I was never much of a gamer on the phone so I don't really need to hottest fastest processor as long as the software is pretty good.

The OnePlus phone looks interesting but honestly, the thing that is the killer feature for me is the software and that's what Pixel has done so smooth and cohesive.

So unless something really unexpected happens for either of those phones or probably stay with the pixel but I'll see

I mean credit to both when they both feel very sturdy and a complete package.

But I think because the pixel folds flat and has much more usable front screen It feels like less of a prototype and more like a functional product

Yea the hardware was top notch. It was even pretty reliable. But I had the same issue. One UI is better than TouchWiz by miles but still lacks that something that makes it smooth compared to the pixels.

But yes the cons definitely do not outweigh the pros

Yea i heard all the doom and gloom about first gen pixel products and was prepared for the worst. So far, I have absoutley no reason to return it. In fact, kinda rejuvinated my love for the market since the folded form factor is so nice! and damn do i love the pixel OS and ecosystem. the closest thing android has to iPhone smoothness

It's funny cuz I thought it would be much heavier and much thicker than a traditional phone too. But at least with the pixel folds hinge design, it folds pretty flat. Its not that much thicker than a regular phone.

The same goes for the weight. It's not like double the weight of a normal phone. Maybe it's like 20 25% heavier but it's not super noticeable like you're holding a brick or something. Over the past couple years I would definitely say you get used to it much quicker than you think and then it just becomes like a normal phone

I think because the galaxy fold is very like hinge-based, It feels heavier in the hand. Like the pixel spreads out its weight pretty well

I mean they are both really sturdy. Kind of a toss up. However the clap when you close the pixel is very satisfying

I mean it's kinda up to your use case but I really like the idea of having a small tablet with my at all times to read, watch, or do work. Plus the outside screen. It really makes things easier to like are Just send messages and stuff and use it as normal phone

It really blows my mind to hear opinions like this because my viewpoint is so overwhelmingly the opposite. To me it seems like the clear next step; we have phones in our pockets and tablets in our homes. What if we could combine them to get the best of both worlds? The biggest issues I've heard are durability and price; both things that plagued early smart phones. You dropped your iphone from 2 inches or let it touch your keys for two seconds and the screen is ruined. The iphone 1 was $500, post subsidized, something unheard of back then.

Both of those are solved now and I'm sure in time foldables will do it as well. It might just end up taking apple hopping on board to really bring it to the mainstream like how they're going to do with their VR set.

Can I ask why you think it's such a gimmick?

I heard a rumor that this guy is known to break phones lol. I don't know how true it is but this doesn't worry too much. I have had folds for the last 3 years and not one broke so far. knocks on wood

It's still a little early to tell but it's definitely average. Not amazing by any means. It's pretty similar to the fold I think if not a bit worse.

As far as overheating, I had one instance with it when I was in the car, using wireless Android Auto, while charging and in direct sunlight and the display got less bright and a message came up that it was hot. A couple seconds under the AC vent and it was fine.