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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: ONE MINUTE REVIEW
Throw away all of your knowledge regarding the Google Pixel Fold. The ‘Fold’ in the name is possibly the only thing that the new, deep breath, Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has in common with its predecessor, and that is a good thing. The original Fold is reduced to a prototype at best by the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Thankfully gone are the aspect ratio issues that several well-known apps, like Instagram, had with the phone, the excessively thick black bezel surrounding the primary screen (which was necessary to include the selfie camera), and the phone’s inability to lay flat when unfolded.
Compared to its initial version, Google’s new Fold is substantially lighter, taller, and significantly thinner. The new Pixel 9 Pro Fold reminds me of a Pixel 8 flagship, whereas the Pixel Fold reminded me of Microsoft’s unsuccessful Duo device, and not always in a positive way. The 6.3-inch cover screen is really a copy of the one on the upcoming Google Pixel 9.
It goes beyond the screen. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is only 2 mm thicker than the Pixel 9 when folded and flipped on its side. When unfolded, the thickness of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 5.1 mm, which is 0.5 mm thinner than the iPad Pro 13-inch and matches the thickness of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. It only has a weight of 257 grams, or 27 grams less than the Pixel Fold (but still heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 6).
Key Takeaways
- Foldable design for dual use
- 7.6-inch OLED vibrant display
- Tensor chip fast performance
- Advanced camera for great photos
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: OVERVIEW
That’s exactly what the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers. In contrast to the slightly plasticky appearance and feel of the original Fold, the new model emphasizes high-quality materials, smooth surfaces, and subtle design cues. The multi-alloy steel hinge, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and recycled aluminum work together to create that clean, crisp appearance.
It’s not simply how it looks. As soon as I opened the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I could tell that Google had redesigned the hinge system from the ground up. When the phone is folded, there is very little space between the two parts as they sit flush against one another.
Description
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold combines a versatile foldable design with high-end performance, featuring a 7.6-inch OLED display, Google Tensor G4 chip, and an advanced triple-camera system. It's built for seamless transitions between phone and tablet modes, offering both functionality and portability.Positives
- An excellent redesign
- Biggest main screen in the category
- Remarkably thin and light
Negatives
- Camera array's brutalist design looks out of place
- Still expensive
When I fully opened the phone, it snapped flat with a satisfying sound. I could open the phone from practically any angle. Saying something like “That’s nice” is possible if you are conversant with foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, you should be aware that this is a significant issue given the Pixel Fold’s inability to lie flat.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: SPECS
| Display (Main) | 7.6-inch Foldable OLED |
| Display (External) | 6.3-inch OLED |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 Chip |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage Options | 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (Wide) + 12MP (Ultra-Wide) + 48MP (Telephoto) |
| Front Camera | 12MP |
| Battery Capacity | 5000mAh |
| Operating System | Android 14 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Charging | 30W Wired, 15W Wireless |
| Folded Dimensions | 160 x 72 x 15mm |
| Unfolded Dimensions | 160 x 144 x 7.6mm |
| Weight | 283g |
| Water and Dust Resistance | IP68 |
| Security | In-display Fingerprint, Face Unlock |
With an IPX8 grade for toughness, the phone can withstand being submerged in a few feet of water for thirty minutes. I would exercise extra caution if you intend to take it to the beach because there is no indication of a dust or debris rating.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
The flexible Actua display a brand name for Google’s brilliant OLED screen technology unfolds as smoothly and predictably as you would expect. The huge 8-inch display appears to have the best crease in the industry when it is flat. That is to say, it’s almost imperceptible. To find out if my first assessment is accurate, I’ll need to compare it to the other top folding phones.
Google managed to make the eight-inch screen the biggest folding phone screen available by positioning the camera behind the screen (with an exposed punch hole) and returning to an aspect ratio of 20:9, which more closely resembles that of rival phones from OnePlus and Samsung.
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The 6:5 aspect ratio of the original Fold made it incompatible with a number of popular apps. Standard apps will look more normal and won’t be chopped off on the main display thanks to the more squarish aspect ratio, but the larger main screen size also benefits the cover display.
It’s full-flagship size at 6.3 inches, and even while I enjoy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which also has a 6.3-inch screen but is taller and narrower, having the extra cover display width increases the screen’s usability and should make typing easier. Additionally, it virtually blends the Fold 9 Pro’s appearance with that of a standard smartphone.
Last update on 2024-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
The only obvious indication that this is a foldable screen when viewed front-on is the squared-off left side, which houses the hinge, and the right side is curved; this creates an intriguing asymmetry. The bezel surrounding the cover screen of the Google Pixel Fold 9 Pro is likewise marginally thicker than that of the Pixel 9, although it does not result in a smaller screen.
During my brief hands-on session, I didn’t use every feature of the phone, but I did play with it and held onto it for over an hour because I didn’t want to put it down.
The only negative aspect of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s new design is its new camera arrangement. I’ve never been a fan of the metallic camera band on the Google Pixel Fold, therefore I find the brushed metal camera array box on the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold to be less appealing. One minor criticism would be that the curved rectangle is much larger than the rest of the device and lacks the same beauty.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: CAMERA
In reference to cameras, I utilized all five (! ), though not enough to make any judgments. What comes with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is as follows:
- 48 MP f/1.7 Quad PD for the main width
- 10.5MP f/2.2 Dual PD ultra-wide 127 FoV
- Telephoto: f/3.1, 10.8 MP
- 10MPf/2.2 front camera
- 10 MP Dual PD internal camera
That is a lot of cameras, I know. I appreciate that Google did not cut corners when it came to the primary camera; 10MP is more than twice as many megapixels as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s primary camera. Google’s explanation for the unusual telephoto and ultra-wide pixel counts is that it had to make some compromises to integrate the cameras into an admittedly extremely tiny device.
Last update on 2024-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
These figures are not a significant improvement over the last camera array, though. A minor MP improvement was made to the main-screen and cover cameras. From 121 degrees to 127 degrees, the Ultra-wide increases its field of view. Along with that, I’m relieved that Google decided against reducing the optical zoom from 5x to 3x.
2x camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Main camera (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
When I do a thorough review, I’ll have more to say, but for now, the photographs from my quick test of each lens appear fine. And yes, we did get to try one of the new photo-editing features that Google has been promoting for the entire Pixel line: “Add me.” It allowed me to add myself to a picture of two other Factic team members.
After taking the initial picture, all I had to do was go into the frame and position myself correctly, guided by the person shooting the picture as well as an augmented reality aid displayed on the screen. I believe owners of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold would adore this finished product, which makes it appear as though I was in the original photo.
I also witnessed a demonstration of the “Made you look” camera feature, which is exclusive to the Fold. The idea is straightforward: while attempting to take a picture of your subject (usually a youngster), you place something interesting or distracting on the cover screen. When you select this option in the camera app, an animation of, say, happy cartoon birds, shows on the cover screen. Yes, you smile at the picture, and that’s exactly the goal. It will make a child laugh, and you’ll get a fantastic picture of them. In the meantime, the large, clear viewfinder on the other side of the main screen remains intact. It’s a simple, yet witty, entertaining little photo feature.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: PEFORMANCE
I don’t have much to say about performance at this point, much like with most other essential elements. Google’s latest Tensor G4 processor is found inside the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. According to Google, the chip can process 45 tokens per second, or ToPs, and is 17% quicker when launching apps and 20% faster while browsing the web. Benchmarks will enable me to compare it against the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip from Qualcomm in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the A17 Pro chip from Apple in the iPhone 15 Pro.
Considering that some of the 16MP of RAM appears to be used for onboard AI functions, I’m happy that Google managed to fit it in.
Google Gemini, particularly its features like Gemini Live (which need a Gemini Advanced subscription), will be powered by one of those AI tasks. This incorporates a conversational AI chatbot that is more adept at handling interruptions than some humans I know and can respond to inquiries in a voice that sounds natural. I questioned Gemini in our talk about improving my sleep quality and the potential effects of caffeine on sleep. I interrupted as it was responding to ask if I could have some Coke. It said I could, but it also cautioned me that drinking Coke would keep me up at night because of its caffeine content. I cut it short at one point because I had to go. It said after pausing. “All right, good bye.” Quite remarkable.
In a notable move toward future-proofing, the dual-SIM (nano and eSIM) 5G phone supports Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 7. I believe the phone’s name is accurate, even though it may seem long and unmemorable. It’s a premium, foldable phone called Pro. Rather than drawing attention to itself, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold blends in with the other Pixel 9 phones.
All in all, the remake is quite well done. When closed, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks like a regular smartphone but opens up to reveal a small tablet. Both of the panels have a brightness of 2,700 nits and appear responsive. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an all-around dual-purpose package with good but unremarkable cameras and a lot of built-in AI. As such, it will likely appeal to a lot of potential buyers of foldable phones, so they should keep an eye out for trade-ins and other promotions that will lower the entry-level cost.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold with Gemini has the largest display on a phone and brings you the best...
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data...
- Unlock Gemini Advanced for a year at no cost to you; get access to even more powerful AI...
Last update on 2024-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Why Trust Factic
Berry Alex has been evaluating, testing, and reviewing tech, Household and travel items for several decades. He compiled all of the testers’ input, conducted extra research to assess each phone mount’s essential features and overall functioning, and reviewed professional profiles and verified customer reviews for each product.
