The Google Pixel Fold made headlines earlier this month as one of the latest and most expensive 2023 smartphones. As the brand's flagship device hits UK shelves to pre-order, we've rounded up the best deals spotted so far.
It's Google's first-ever three-screen device which folds out into a tablet-sized device and is fitted with its notable Tensor 2 Chip, which speeds up the day-to-day functions of the model. As well as its impressive new features, it's also made headlines for being one of the most expensive handsets, costing £1,749.
Pre-order Google's new Pixel Fold with O2 and get a free Galaxy Pixel Watch
Since the launch, a handful of UK providers have offered pre-order deals on the new handset including O2, Vodafone, EE and Carphone Warehouse. This time round customers will be able to claim a free Pixel Watch worth £385 if they pre-order the Pixel Fold, but it's not on offer everywhere.
READ MORE: Best Google Pixel Fold accessories - from Casetify cases to Pixel Buds and Pixel Watch
Customers with O2 and Virgin Media can now pre-order the device from £64 a month, as the network becomes one of the first to launch its order offers. The handset can also be pre-ordered from Carphone Warehouse for £68 a month, but shoppers there won't get the same amount of inclusive data.
It's not uncommon for tech providers to include incentives for customers to buy the latest handset, and it's a feature that has previously been seen during the launch of the iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S23 devices, where shoppers could get their hands on either a free smartwatch or earbuds.
Google themselves also join the list of where eager shoppers can pre-order the new handset which will mean confirmed delivery when the device goes on sale and is available to buy in stores this coming June.
We've rounded up the Google Pixel plans now available to buy with UK providers, starting off with O2's plans to Vodafone's £67 a month deal, EE's Unlimited plan and the monthly price on offer at Carphone Warehouse. Those who place an order will get the device delivered by August 22, the same date shoppers can walk into a store and pick one up.
Why we recommend O2's Pixel Fold
So far O2 is one of the only UK networks to offer a pre-order deal on the Pixel Fold model as we are yet to see the likes of Vodafone, EE or Three launch their prices.
Shoppers can still choose to buy the phone outright and this is more readily available on Google and Amazon, although the £1,749 is likely to make this tricky for a lot of tech shoppers. This is where the added benefit of a monthly payment plan comes in, plus those who choose to go through a network will get included roaming and call costs covered.
O2's rates start at £64 a month, for the Pixel Fold handset and a monthly 1GB of data, but we'd suggest going for their more expensive tariff as there are more benefits.
The O2 unlimited deal is currently at the top of our list, as the £71.75 monthly cost (and an additional £30 upfront cost) includes unlimited data, 25GB of free roaming in the EU, three months of free Apple Music and unlimited minutes and texts. Of course, this is all on top of the £379 Pixel Watch which is thrown in for free.
The £71.75 monthly cost is broken down into £47.75 for the Pixel Fold and £24 for the unlimited airtime plan. Over the full 36 months, shoppers would pay a total of £2,613, which may seem overpriced considering the handset outright is £1,749 but customers will still end up saving money on the Pixel Fold.
How? The total cost of the phone comes to £1,719, £30 cheaper than the handset price. This leaves an additional £894, which can be broken down to cover the £24 a month airtime/unlimited data (£864 across 36 months) plus the £30 upfront cost. Proving that customers do get the Pixel Watch entirely for free and aren't paying any additional or hidden costs for it.
Carphone Warehouse
Carphone Warehouse is also offering the same pre-order deal with the free Pixel Watch at £65 a month using Vodafone's network, but the price does not come with a huge amount of data.
At first glance, it is one of the cheaper monthly tariffs but customers would have to pay £299 upfront on this 24-month long contract. The provider gives customers various options for tariffs and prices as it scours the network for offers.
Another option at Carphone Warehouse is the ID Mobile Google Pixel plan at £71.99 a month with an upfront cost of £129. The total contract length is also 24 months and it comes with a free Google Pixel Watch.
Vodafone from £67 a month
Vodafone is offering the new Google Pixel Fold from £67 a month with an initial upfront cost of £49, £19 more than the cheapest upfront offer so far at O2.
The price includes the Pixel Fold phone plan for a total of 36 months and an airtime plan for 24 months, so customers can choose a different data plan after two years. The plan breakdown of the plan is £47 a month for the Pixel Fold handset (plus the one-off £49 upfront cost) and £20 a month for the airtime plan and 3GB of data.
EE unlimited data plan
The provider's best-selling plan on the new Pixel Fold is its Unlimited data plan, costing £100 a month with an initial £30 upfront cost. This also includes the free Google Pixel Watch.
Those who opt for the more expensive Unlimited plan at £133 a month (with the same £30 upfront cost) will get three inclusive extras, either Netflix, Apple Music, BT Sport and Game Pass.
Of course, it's not the only tariff on offer though as EE customers can choose from a variety of data plans to go alongside the handset. The next plan down in size is EE's 125GB data plan which start at £94 a month with a higher upfront cost of £120.
