For the first time in years, I’m thinking about giving up on Google Pixel phones

Joe Maring / Android AuthorityWe’re just about two weeks away from a new lineup of Google Pixel phones. As a Pixel fan myself, I should be thrilled right now. I should be counting down the days in anticipation of finally seeing what the Pixel 11 series has in store.Instead, I’m not really thinking about Google’s new Pixels at all. Despite being a Pixel user for the last several years, the Pixel 11 lineup isn’t on my mind. That’s partly due to the latest rumors about the phones not inspiring much confidence, but also because I can’t imagine Google one-upping the Android phone I’ve been using for the last few months.Ultimately, I find myself in a position where — for the first time in ages — I think I might be giving up on Pixels.Do you plan on getting any of the new Pixel 11 phones?0 votesI’ve already found my favorite Android phone of 2026Joe Maring / Android AuthorityThe Android phone calling my Pixel loyalty into question is none other than the Motorola Razr Fold.Going into this year, I wouldn’t have expected that at all. I’ve long enjoyed Motorola’s Android phones, but they’ve never held my attention long-term over a Pixel. And as someone who’s still not fully bought into book-style foldables, I just didn’t anticipate the Razr Fold having any lasting impression on me.However, fast forward about three months since I first got my hands on the Razr Fold, and I haven’t been able to put it down. The Razr Fold is a successful phone for so many reasons, but as a longtime Pixel user, a few things have really stood out to me.Joe Maring / Android AuthorityOne of the biggest reasons — and the thing that surprised me most — is the Razr Fold’s camera experience. If you had told me at the start of 2026 that my favorite camera phone would be a Motorola foldable, I would have laughed you out of the room. But somehow, just like Palpatine’s return, that’s what happened.I’ve used the Razr Fold to capture so many different types of photos since I got it. It’s been my go-to camera for date nights with my partner, critters I’ve found on nature walks, gorgeous Michigan sunsets, and hundreds of pet photos. No matter what I’m taking a picture of, no matter how grand or small it is, the Razr Fold always finds a way to make it look fantastic.All three of the Razr Fold’s rear cameras get the technical details right, capturing lots of detail and performing well in low light. But what’s impressed me the most is Motorola’s color science. Every single photo I take has a real sense of character. There are rich, deep shadows. Opinionated and contrasting colors. Warm hues that actually shine through.The Razr Fold absolutely takes some creative liberties with photos, and I wouldn’t always call the pictures I take with it true-to-life. But that’s why I love it. My Pixel 10 Pro may capture more lifelike images, but next to the Razr Fold, they often look quite dull. This has been a thorn in the side of Pixels for years, and it’s something the Razr Fold absolutely doesn’t have a problem with.While the camera experience has been a big reason why I’ve kept the Razr Fold in my pocket rather than a Pixel, it’s far from the only one.Joe Maring / Android AuthorityIt also has to do with the Razr Fold’s chipset. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 was an interesting choice for Motorola, choosing to forgo Qualcomm’s highest-end “Elite” chip in a $1,900 smartphone. But as it turns out, it was an ingenious decision.The Razr Fold’s performance is, in a word, excellent. It absolutely blows past the Tensor G5 chip powering the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, both in terms of its horsepower and — more importantly — thermals. Even after prolonged multitasking or Call of Duty: Mobile sessions, the Razr Fold stays as cool as a cucumber while still churning out flagship-grade performance. If you’ve used a Pixel ever since Tensor chips were introduced, that’s not a familiar experience for you.Joe Maring / Android AuthorityYou know what else isn’t a familiar experience for Pixel owners? Big batteries and fast charging. You know what phone has both? The Razr Fold.Cramming a 6,000mAh battery into a foldable is a truly impressive feat, and Motorola managed to pull it off — thanks to its willingness to explore silicon-carbon battery technology. It’s why I can squeeze two days of battery life out of the Razr Fold with light use, or a day and a half with more sustained use. And when the battery does run dry, having up to 80W wired charging is a darn treat. I’d kill for a Pixel — foldable or not — with battery and charging specs this impressive. Unfortunately, I just don’t see that happening anytime soon.I’m not impressed by the Pixel 11 leaksI say that not only based on the last few years of Pixel releases, but also given what we know so far about the upcoming Pixel 11 series.The folding aspect of the Razr Fold notwithstanding, Motorola has really impressed me in four key areas: camera quality, performance, battery life, and charging. Based on leaks and rumors about the Pixel 11, there’s simply no indication that Google will offer any meaningful upgrades on any of these fronts.Rumor has it that Google has upgrades in store for the Pixel 11 Pro/11 Pro XL’s ultrawide and telephoto cameras, plus some much-needed new sensors for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. This is good news, but the weight of these upgrades is rumored to be pretty minor. More importantly, there’s no evidence that Google is overhauling its image processing pipeline for the Pixel 11 series, meaning it’s unlikely to match the colorful, contrasty look I’ve been loving from the Razr Fold’s cameras.What about performance? The new Tensor G6 reportedly delivers better CPU performance, which is great. Unfortunately, it also appears to have a downgraded GPU. Gaming performance is an area the Tensor G5 already struggles with, and if the rumors are true, that won’t get any better with the G6.Combine that with Google likely forgoing any major battery capacity or charging upgrades for the entire Pixel 11 family, and I really struggle to see why I should pay much attention to any of these phones. I love Google’s Pixel software and all of the exclusive features that come with it, but is that still enough in exchange for notably worse cameras, performance, battery life, and charging speeds? I’m not so sure anymore.I still love Pixels, but something’s gotta giveJoe Maring / Android AuthorityEven though I’ve enjoyed my time with the Razr Fold, and despite how much better it is than my Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro Fold in so many ways, there are things I still miss about the Google smartphone experience. I miss having Now Playing automatically ID songs wherever I am. I miss Google’s unmatched spam calling tools. I miss all of the little touches and refinements throughout the UX that Pixels do better than any of their competitors.Software has always been one of my biggest reasons for sticking with the Pixel line, and there is a part of me that wants to give in to those software goodies and go back to Google when the Pixel 11 family arrives on August 12. Doing so has always come at the expense of other specs, but it feels like that gap is widening more than ever while Google sits back and twiddles its thumbs.The last few months with the Razr Fold have made me realize just how much I've been sacrificing by sticking with Google.Glowing LEDs on the back of the Pixel 11 Pro are cool, but I need to see tangible camera quality improvements. If prices are rising this year, I need a chipset that delivers true flagship-grade performance with minimal thermal concerns. I need serious battery upgrades and charging speeds that feel like they belong in the year 2026.As much as I like the Pixel experience, the last few months with the Razr Fold have made me realize just how much I’ve been sacrificing by sticking with Google. And pending any secret Pixel 11 upgrades we haven’t heard about, this may be the year I finally say enough is enough.Motorola Razr Fold (2026)Motorola Razr Fold (2026)Tablet-size display • Periscope zoom • Stylus support • MultitaskingMotorola's first book-style foldableThe Razr Fold marks Motorola's entry into book-style foldables with an 8.1-inch 2K LTPO main display and a 6.6-inch cover screen. It features a triple 50MP camera system with periscope zoom, stylus support, and optimized multitasking software.Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.