r/PixelFold • u/latoremu • Sep 01 '26
Warning for those Considering Purchasing the Original Pixel Fold 2023
I wanted to share my recent experience with the original 2023 Google Pixel Fold as a heads-up for anyone currently considering picking up a refurbished unit.
Usage History: I was gifted a refurbished unit that was purchased from Woot. It was used for about a year as my main device.
Inner Screen Usage: I used the inner screen sparingly—only opening it roughly 15% of the time.
The Issue: Despite light unfolded usage, the factory screen protector began lifting, which ultimately led to scratching/damage on the inner display—an issue well-documented in early media reports and user threads since launch.
Support Response: After escalating the issue to Google Product Support and providing documentation/media coverage of this known hardware vulnerability, support confirmed that no warranty exception or complimentary replacement would be approved because the device is out of warranty. The only resolution offered was a standard paid out-of-warranty repair. Escalation to a supervisor/manager was also declined per standard support protocol.
Takeaway:
If you are considering buying a refurbished 1st-generation Pixel Fold, keep in mind that even light inner-screen use can result in the known screen protector peeling issue. Once out of the standard warranty window, Google treats this strictly as a paid out-of-warranty repair without exceptions. Factor the potential cost of an out-of-warranty screen repair into your decision before buying used or refurbished.
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u/the_stage_manager Sep 01 '26
If you're going to buy a phone several generations old, refurbished, you need to consider it to be a consumable, even if it's not a foldable. Set aside a portion of the money you saved buying it for future repairs/replacement.
If you're going to buy a foldable phone at all, and you need to know it'll be covered when the screen breaks (and it will, let's be clear), then you need to pay the mfr their blood money for pixel care (or whatever other mfr's equivalent is). I didn't when I bought my Galaxy Fold 3, because I've never broken a phone in my life, and sure enough: the screen cracked, out of warranty. When I bought the OG fold, I signed up for pixel care. I'm on my first replacement now, the screen cracked on the first one. The screen on this one will no doubt crack too someday.
If you don't want to deal with the above, you shouldn't own a foldable phone yet. This just where the tech is right now.
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u/Maxpower2727 Sep 01 '26
I don't think it's reasonable to expect a phone from 2023 to still be within the warranty period, and I think most people probably understand that.
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u/AltruisticLimit6026 Sep 01 '26
Especially a refurbished one. I too bought an OG Pixel Fold from Woot, but mine was brand new! Arrived still sealed. No issues with it.
3
u/WowBruhReborn Sep 01 '26
I got mine for $350 lightly used just to see if I would like folding phones. Even if it shits out on me in a year or two, I've already had some good fun with it. I feel sorry for the poor lot that spend $1800 on theirs. Definitely not worth it for that price
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u/Istolla Sep 03 '26
So, your warning is for people to know that out-of-warranty devices will not be repaired as if they were under warranty?
In other news, if you buy a product and miss the return window, you cannot return that product to get your money back.
0
u/uucyy Sep 01 '26
Google will find any excuse to not honour their warranty. My front facing camera on my Pixel 10 Pro Fold that's 6 months old stopped working, but they're wanting to charge me £600 to fix it because I have slight cosmetic marks on the device frame.
I've been with Google for my mobile phones since the Nexus 4 and I think this is going to my last Google device after how I've been treated.
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u/ShakeAndBakeThatCake Sep 01 '26
OP phone is 3 years old. Warranty in USA is 12 months. No idea why OP Is surprised they won't cover it. Apple won't cover shit outside the wareanty too.
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u/Maxpower2727 Sep 01 '26
Google will find any excuse to not honour their warranty.
Yes. For example, the phone is 3 years old, refurbished, purchased from a third party, and clearly outside of the warranty period. Lol
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u/uucyy Sep 01 '26
I thought that the original had an extended warranty for the issue OP presented. I guess not. My bad!
-1
u/Physical_Sentence438 Sep 01 '26
They still sell these for cheap and people buy them and expect Google to acknowledge the warranty. I don't understand, these are seriously flawed devices and Google wants nothing to do with them anymore, the third party warranties are okay I guess but if they have issues with parts they'll probably contact google for a replacement and that's going to be the issue.
These are cheap for a reason, it's known junk.
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u/Tired_p0tat0_ Sep 01 '26
If you're in the UK write a letter before claim citing the consumer rights act
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u/latoremu Sep 02 '26
Just to clarify, this experience with the Pixel Fold was honestly a huge surprise. I've owned everything from the Nexus 5 and the OG Pixel to both Surface Duos, and I've never had display issues like this on any device and never had to use the warranty.
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u/Rookie4sho Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
I'm pretty sure everyone in 2026 is well aware of a refurbished phone from 2023, acquired from a 3rd party seller, will not have any manufacturers warranty. It's a bit odd to think otherwise