Next Generation for Foldable Innovation:
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold finally lands in the foldable smartphone market and is bigger and sleeker than before. With Google seemingly eager to cut a marked foothold as a leader in foldable, this is a defining step forward on both design and performance fronts. With its lesser characteristic features but more improved functionality, this product can become a contestant that battles the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold in the foldable industry. Starting at a premium price, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is amazingly solid innovation, convenience, and power.
A Salute to Foldable Innovators: Samsung’s Pioneering Contribution
Foldables were pioneered by Samsung; all the merit is with them for initiating the trend. That is when the Galaxy Fold that came out in 2019 raised so many eyebrows and fueled more interest. Samsung’s pushing and perfecting over the foldable form factor forced other players to take part in the race, which led Google to officially enter into the foldable world with the original Pixel Fold back in 2023. Google finally entered this space, showing foldables can be more practical and user-friendly, and the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold tries to build on that starting point.
If you are new to foldable tech, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is an excellent alternative to the Pixel Fold series. Its design and features are up-to-date, too: Here’s Samsung’s foldable lineup.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A Bigger Screen in a Slimmer Design
While the foldable was launched- as one of the Pixel Fold versions, one of its top selling points was that it was small, thus easily maneuverable than most other foldables. In the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a large display is presented in an equally big and yet a bold and user-friendly design.
- Front display: Increased from 5.8 to a more generous 6.3 inches and enough screen real estate to be used for everyday tasks like checking emails and messaging, browsing, etc. The nearly edge-to-edge screen gives better viewing experiences without taking up too much space.
As for the screen, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold unfolds into a mini-tablet with an interior display of up to 8 inches in size. The device features an impressive 120Hz AMOLED display that will serve for bold colors as well as seamless video flow when, for instance, watching films, playing games, or running apps. To put things into perspective, its screen is about the same size as on the iPad Mini, which is only a little larger at 8.3 inches.
Refined Design: Lighter and More Efficient
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold grows in screen size but has actually lost some weight, coming in at 257 grams, whereas the first Fold tipped the scales at 283 grams. The device would indeed feel a little better in one’s pocket and easier to carry around for longer periods of use. This design pays for the thinner profile with a slightly smaller battery capacity, dropping from 4,821mAh to 4,605mAh.
Thankfully, Google remedied this prospective issue by the inclusion of the more power-efficient Tensor G4 chip, hence ensuring there was no major drain on the battery as one executes anything they want on the device. Due to the fact that the Pixel 9 series is a generation ahead in chip technology, Google made sure to keep the Tensor G4 uniform throughout the lineup of devices, and hence the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has the same processing heft as its non-foldable siblings.
For those in the mood for comparison of performance, you can read more elaborative reviews on the Google Tensor G4 chip here.
Camera Upgrades: A Photographer’s Dream
But where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold particularly shines is in its camera system. Google leads the charge in computational photography, and these enhancements apply to the 9 Pro Fold as well.
- The 48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, and 10.8MP telephoto cameras all come together for really great images-even in low light. The numbers are little changed from the first Fold, but Google’s refinement of its image processing algorithms has helped produce images that are sharper and brighter than before.
- Whether breathtaking landscapes, super-detailed close-ups, or just whatever you can get hold of to fill the viewfinder, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold camera system strikes at professional-level results. In fact, all of the images in our recent Snap Spectacles review were taken with the Fold’s camera, and so prove this point about handling product photography effectively.
For more information on Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s camera, see this review.
Performance and Software: Foldables for Every Task
Of course, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is much more than just the hardware bit-it’s about how seamlessly Google has put together the software experience. One of the most exciting features of a foldable phone is the ability to multitask in ways you’ve never been able to before. You can check your email or scroll through your social feed on the front display, unfold the device, and switch to a bigger screen for movie watching or document editing.
Google has also come up with various software optimizations designed specifically for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to derive maximum fun out of the folded screen. Be it split-screen functionality or intuitive user interface, this foldable makes productivity and enjoyment easier and smoother.
Foldable Pricing and Competition
This, at least a price that reflects its ultra-premium positioning, is the starting price at which the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be sold. Therefore, it cannot be called budget-friendly. Google clearly charges the $1,000 price difference between the standard Pixel 9 and the Fold, and there’s clearly an audience it’s targeting with this. If you want the newest foldable experience, the price could be very worthwhile.
Other foldables are worth your consideration, including the OnePlus Open, and the Oppo Find N. Each provides a rather different interpretation of the foldable form. They only contribute to a growing foldable competition that’s sure to prod companies like Google to move up a gear.
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