u/ShakeAndBakeThatCake

Bought fold 8 ultra on sale. I have a fold 8. I like my fold 8 but I just can't get over the main camera being worse. It is noticeable. I have young kids and take a lot of pictures. Also hard to hold this phone with one hand and take pictures without my finger being in the frame. I usually hold my phones with one hand while taking pictures or filming my kids and this is just a tough phone to do that with.

I had a fold 7 before so I know what to expect. Fold 8 is a great phone but I hope Samsung still keeps the fold 8 ultra skinny form factor. Front display is same size or larger then iPhone 18 pro so it's not like it's that skinny in actuall use.

I also miss flex mode. I usually don't have a stand so when eating breakfast or lunch I just prop it up with flex mode. I know tent mode exists but it's not the same because it's harder to navigate UI using tent mode. For example when leaving YouTube video YouTube app defaults to the portrait view.

My main reason for going back though are the cameras. I just can't sacrifice the better main camera when I have kids I want to capture. If I didn't have kids I probably wouldn't care. Fold 8 ultra will be my main phone.

Apple nailed the hardware. And I predicted they would. Apple is a hardware design company and they always have great hardware. The software looks good with animations but at the end of the day it's still ios and will have more software restrictions on how you use your phone. I still prefer android over ios regardless. Android gives me better integrations with Gemini and Google apps. I do not use apple apps. I don't use iCloud email. I prefer to use Google apps which won't have the same level of integration on an iPhone.

Let's not forget you still can't show number row on an iPhone. Or show the comma and period on their keyboard. Android still has so many software benefits that apple just doesn't allow.

Remember, Samsung and Google might add some of these improvements next year. Well definitely Samsung. Google you never know. I still like that fold 11 has a normal front display.

I am a new CPA firm. Growing my client list. I basically acquired a new client with small schedule C business who could save a lot of money being an S-Corp. The books are done once a year right now but I will suggest monthly bookkeeping so it's clean. Overall bookkeeping plus S corp return plus individual and state returns will be around 9k to 10k in total per year. Bookkeeping I plan to quote at $600 a month. I am in HCOL area.

Should I charge an S corp conversion fee? They are also on Quickbooks Desktop so I have to convert them to Online but it might actually be easier to just start fresh for 2027 using online.

Should I just eat the conversion fees so I get the $10k of recurring yearly revenues. Even with these fees client still saves a few k a year on taxes and ends up with better and cleaner books.

Currently use Google for personal life. Use Office 365 with co pilot, plus zoom phone for phone stuff and virtual meetings.

I think I could save money on tech if I migrated it all over to Google workspace. Google workspace also has a nicer interface that's easier to use and manage settings. Microsoft gives you everything and the kitchen sink but it's difficult to use and manage if you are a small firm without an IT guy.

Most of my clients also use Gmail so sending Google meet meetings is probably a little better than using zoom for them.

I would still consider buying a cheap license for MS excel. Not sure I could get rid of excel although I don't use excel a ton. I could probably get away with Google sheets for most things.

I also use Claude and Claude does work well with excel.

Thoughts and opinions?

Both seem to have pros and cons but MS seems better geared towards large enterprises than a small local CPA shop. Currently one man operation. I plan to hire some part-time people eventually though. Even still Google workspace seems easier overall.

Just curious is there are benefits to using Google hardware on Google Fi?

See question above. How long does IRS take to process this?

Just curious how these hold up? Google went with different strategy than Samsung. Samsung folds user can fairly easily change the protector themself. Google folds it's a fairly involved process to even try and replace the inside screen protector and they recommend using a professional.

Any recommendations? Currently have official case but I don't love the fit. Maybe would like something slimmer.

Mostly venting. Client originally said they were just a single member LLC. Now I find out they are a partnership. Business started in 2025. Schedule C was finished. Now I have to go back and prepare a 1065 and two K-1s. I am going to charge them for this extra work too.

They also didn't file an extension for 1065. They have a net loss but will still have failure to file penalties. I can probably abate them but still this client has been a huge pain to work with.

Loving this device so far but man the stock front display is super reflective. Anyone have recommendations for a anti glare front display screen protector?

While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is getting all the spotlight right now, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold deserves far more credit than it’s receiving. After hands-on time with both, Google built an exceptional foldable that outclasses Samsung in several key daily-use areas.

​Thermals and Battery Life

Thanks to its copper vapor chamber, the Pixel runs noticeably cooler under load. My Fold 8 overheats quickly—even throwing temperature warnings during basic tasks like Android Auto—which leads to sluggish app loading. The Pixel rarely breaks a sweat. Battery life has also been stellar, consistently beating both the standard Fold 8 and the Fold 8 Ultra in real-world endurance. While the Tensor chip isn’t built for hardcore mobile gaming, that’s a non-issue for me; I have a Switch 2 for heavy lifting and only run the occasional Game Boy emulator on my phone.

​Software and Performance

Pixel UI remains unmatched in daily fluidity. App switching and navigation are remarkably smooth, whereas the Fold 8 frequently stutters and drops frames—especially once thermal throttling kicks in.

​Camera and Image Quality

Google’s computational photography still leads the pack. Megapixel counts on spec sheets are largely marketing noise; in actual use, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold captures significantly better, more consistent photos than both Fold 8 models.

​Durability and In-Hand Feel

The IP68 rating provides genuine peace of mind for everyday pocket lint and dust protection. Beyond durability, the ergonomics hit the sweet spot:

​Outer Display: The LTPO cover screen finally feels like a standard, properly proportioned smartphone rather than a cramped secondary panel.

​Inner Screen & Handling: While the Fold 8 is slightly lighter, the Pixel’s larger interior canvas is far better for multitasking, and the rounded chassis edges make it much more comfortable to hold for extended sessions.

​Connectivity (Google Fi vs. T-Mobile)

After switching from T-Mobile to Google Fi, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is consistently pulling double the download speeds of the Fold 8 on the exact same network infrastructure—likely due to an upgraded modem and superior software optimization.

​Pixel Watch 5 LTE (45mm)

I also picked up the Pixel Watch 5. The software experience and interface are great, though Samsung’s Watch Ultra 2 still holds the crown for rugged build quality. Google could really benefit from introducing an "Ultra" hardware tier to its wearable lineup.

​If the Pixel 11 Pro Fold continues to perform this reliably over the coming weeks, the Fold 8 is going up for sale.

Yes AI helped clean up my writing. But the thoughts are all original.

Doesn't seem like this is an option.

Have clients with small S corp. Use a local payroll firm but not happy with service. I dont offer payroll services. Who should I recommend they use for payroll that will be full service? Gusto?

I do books and taxes but not payroll. I find payroll to be a pain in the but and not worth the hassle.

I have to agree. I dont have a 11 fold yet but I had a 10 fold and the processing was just so much better than even my fold 7. He'll i would argue my 10 fold took some pictures that were even better than my iPhone 17 pro max. Googles processing is just so much better. Videos are a different story though lol.

I have a client who did their own tax return in 2023 and did not include 30k of income. IRS found out and is proposing deficiency tax of $10k and penalty of $2500.

I amended their return and the amended return also changed filing status so they have a refund instead of owing on the amended return even when including the income they failed to report.

I submitted the amended return in April this year. The IRS has their return but has not processed it.

We responses to the letter saying we disagree and included a copy of amended return.

Should we still file petition for tax court since IRS has not processed the amended return?

Should I call the IRS?

What steps should I take to help my client with this.

Currently using a fold 8. And overall it is a great phone. But I really miss the pixel experience and google software integration. I also miss dual meet video calls. I call my family a lot and the dual meet calls makes calling them a lot of fun when I show my son on camera.

I also think the pixel fold takes better pictures which is important for me since I have kids. Fold 8 pics are not bad but not great. And the pixel has the 5x zoom lens.

What is the best AI tax prep and review software right now. Is it Juno? Filed.AI?

Claude can do a decent job reviewing the returns right now. It will sometimes catch minor mistakes. But I am curious if there is anything else out there that works well?

Claude is probably the cheapest option for review right now.

Trying to decide if I should keep the trifold and use it as a secondary phone or sell it. I also have a fold 8. I love the fold 8 form factor and front display. It beats the trifold front display in my opinion. Also this phone is like 50% lighter and is so nice to hold. The trifold is nice but it is thick and heavy most of the time.

Client is asking if I will use their account and make the quarterly estimated payments. Seems like it will be more of a pain than its worth. Do you offer this as a service? Should I tell them its $300 a quarter for me to do this?

They get tax planning advice for free from the wealth manager so I can't really charge for tax planning as they won't want to pay for that. Thought about wrapping estimated payment services into a tax planning fee but won't be able to for this client.

Currently use MS Office and zoom. I feel like good workspace could replace both of these.