Pixel 9 Pro Fold preview: will the next Google foldable soar high?
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Pixel 9 Pro Fold Intro
Google has just dropped a full quad set of Pixel phones and we are spoiled for choice! We have the "regular" Pixel 9, then a Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the hottest form factor — the Pixel 9 Pro Fold!
The latter is, of course, the second generation of a foldable by Google. The OG Pixel Fold launched in the summer of last year, and it was a pretty fine device. Its value offer, as opposed to the Galaxy Z Fold, was that the Pixel Fold has a wide external screen and a thinner overall build. So, you can, kind of, use it like a regular smartphone when it's folded — though, it was a bit heavy, and it came with a Tensor G2 processor, which was quickly succeeded by the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 phones just a few months down the line.
Now, Google is committing. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is coming out with the "regular" Pixel phones — it even has the Pro in the name — so it will feature the newest hardware and all the software tricks (take a shot every time you hear "AI") as its 2024 siblings. Well, kind of. It oddly still falls behind in camera, but more on that later.
Table of Contents:
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Specs
Tensor — always the rebel
Let's kick things off with the specs — this is what you are getting for your $1,799:
| Specs | Pixel 9 Pro Fold |
|---|---|
| Size and Weight | Folded 6.1 x 3.0 x 0.4 in (155.2 x 77.1 x 10.5 depth mm) Unfolded 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.2 in (155.2 x 150.2 x 5.1 mm) 257 g |
| Display | 8" main screen, almost square OLED, 120 Hz 6.3" cover screen, 20:9 OLED, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 |
| Software | Android 14 |
| Cameras | 48 MP main 12 MP ultra-wide 10.5 MP telephoto 5x 10 MP front 10 MP front inside |
| Battery Size | 4,650 mAh |
| Charging Speeds | Fast wired with compatible 45 W charger Fast Qi wireless |
| Prices | 16 GB / 256 GB for $1,799 |
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Design and Display
Bigger, better
As with the OG Pixel Fold, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is big and wide on the outside — granting a nicely spaced display for dual-thumb typing. It has a 6.3 inch diagonal with a ratio of about 20:9 — the same as a regular Pixel 9.
It's a metal construction and is slightly thinner than before, but not really lighter. We do hope the hinge gets some love, though — the hinge in the Pixel Fold does feel great, but it doesn't open all the way to make the phone flat, which is a bit weird. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has IPX8 ingress protection — water-resistance is there, but Google didn't try the limited particle protection that Samsung achieved with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
The camera bar on the back is replaced by a new square shape on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold only — all other Pixel 9's have a flat, pill-shaped visor on the back. Its outside panels are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 both front and back. The colors the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in are two — Obsidian and Porcelain.
Once we open up the phone, we should be greeted by a new, 8" display with a nearly square aspect ratio — 1:1.04 — a slight change from last year's model with 7.6 inches in 6:5 format. It'll clearly be an OLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Outside, we will also get a 120 Hz OLED cover display. Peak brightness has also gotten an upgrade — 2,700 nits for both screens!
No under-screen scanners to be used here — Google will rely on the fingerprint reader embedded in the power switch yet another time. And facial unlocks, of course — thanks to advancements in machine learning, Google was able to make the simple selfie camera unlock so secure and reliable, that it has been approved to work with banking apps. That happened with the Pixel 8 phones last year, and it carries over to the Pixel 9 series.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Camera
Excuse me, I have "Pro" in my name
Google insists on calling the Fold a Pixel 9 Pro, right? But that doesn't carry over to the camera department. While the rest of the line got fancy new hardware, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 48 MP main, 10.5 MP ultrawide, 10.8 MP telephoto camera with 5x zoom. With digital zoom, it taps out at 20x SuperRes — unlike the regular Pixel 9 Pro which gets up to 30x.
At least we get Video Boost — you can have your videos, shot on Pixel 9 Pro Fold, uploaded to Google's cloud to get enhancements in details and dynamics. While regular Pixel 9 Pros will also be able to upscale to 8K via Video Boost, this feature is unclear in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's specs.
The selfie cameras seem to be identical both inside and out — 10 MP cameras with phase detection autofocus, both on the cover screen and on the main display.
More to come when we get to put it through our PhoneArena Camera Benchmark and take a bunch of samples!
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Performance & Benchmarks
Tensor smarts
By now, it's an established trend that Google doesn't chase the biggest and best benchmark numbers with its processors. The Tensor line of silicon is designed in-house by the search giant, and it's made to work with the Pixel phones, enable their exclusive Google Assistant features, and support the AI tricks with Google Gemini.
What it doesn't have is extreme performance bragging rights. We don't expect the upcoming Tensor G4 to be more powerful than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 — history teaches us so. It will be good enough to run Pixel phones smoothly, and yes — it will play games. But it won't be crushing benchmark scores.
Performance Benchmarks
Thus far, we haven't been disappointed by the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 phones, nor the Tensor G2 in the Pixel Fold. So, we are not worried.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Software
Google's Pixels come with close-to stock Android. Difference being is that the Google Assistant gets extra features — like Guide My Call, where you don't need to listen to the full automated message in a robo support line — the Pixel will tell you which numbers you need to press to proceed to the relevant menu. Or Call Screening, where the Assistant will pick up the phone for you, ask what the call is about, and relay via text — you choose whether you want to answer or go to voicemail after that.
Advanced features in Google Photos also first launch on Pixels — or remain exclusive to them. Like the Magic Editor in the past or, more recently, the Video Booster feature, which is on all Pixel 9 phones this year.
Google is also hard at work to fuse Gemini AI with the Android experience. And, of course, Pixels will be the launchbed for everything that's new (and may get quite a few exclusives). Here's what's coming:
- Multimodal integration - you will be able to ask Gemini to pull data from multiple of your Google apps and services and accomplish tasks with them. For example "Find my resume from Drive, summarize it in a paragraph", or "On which day next week will I be free to go to the movies?".
- Gemini Live - natural conversations with the Assistant. Interrupt and change topics on the fly!
- Add Me - when taking group photos, take a picture of the group, then swap in with someone else. Pixel AI will be able to stitch a photo as if you were all in it
- Auto Frame - part of the Magic Editor. Will edit and change framing of photos, based on what the AI knows about good photography practices
- Reimagine - edit a photo via text prompt. Type out what you'd like to see and have the AI edit the photo for you
- Video Boost - will upscale video up to 8K resolution. Now works twice as fast
- Weather app - Gemini Nano will now give you a quick summary of weather conditions
- Magic List - ask phone to create complex shopping lists automatically. "Plan a taco dinner for 6, one vegetarion option"
- Screenshots app - use Gemini Nano to quickly recall old screenshots that you once took to remember something. On-device processing only
- Call Notes - comes up after a voice call with a quick summary of your conversation. On-device processing thanks to Tensor G4
As far as the UI goes — it's good ol' Android. Colorful, simple, snappy, big buttons, bold colors. Of course, we will have AI wallpaper generators — can't be seen wearing the same wallpaper two days in a row!
Software updates? Google commits to seven years of Android builds! This means the Pixel 9 Pro Fold should be considered viable well into 2031... granted you take good care of that battery!
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Battery
Bigger phone, smaller battery?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 4,650 mAh cell, which is slightly smaller than what the Pixel Fold had in its trunk — 4,821 mAh. We won't be panicking here — the Tensor G4 is advertised as being more energy-efficient, and the G2 inside the original Pixel Fold is a bit long in the tooth already. We wouldn't be surprised if the Pixel 9 Pro Fold lasts a bit longer in our battery tests.
Charging specs are a bit of a mess right now. Google says "charge the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with the 45 W Google charger" but that doesn't mean it's going to be pulling that much power. In fact, the only spec on charging speed we have right now is "You get hours of use from minutes of charging". Sooo... stay tuned!
Should you wait for it?
Well... at this point, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is literally here. There's very little reason to go out and buy a Pixel Fold right now. But, if you happen to be underwhelmed by the improvements and upgrades — go out and buy an OG Pixel Fold at a clearance price!
If you are wondering how the Pixel 9 Pro Fold compares to Samsung's excellent Galaxy Z Fold 6 — of course, we have a Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 6 comparison! Full reviews pending after we get it and run it through our demanding tests!
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