The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold signifies a notable advancement in technology.
Google's preliminary attempt at a foldable smartphone was commendable, but it fell short compared to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold surpasses expectations and offers a formidable rival to Samsung's device in many aspects.
Refreshed Design
Google has significantly revamped the design. Weighing 257 grams, the device is 25 grams lighter yet more compact than its predecessor. When folded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold measures 155.2 x 150.2 x 10.5 millimeters, making it as portable as a standard smartphone. The new 6.24-inch external display in a 20:9 format enhances this portability, allowing you to use the device without unfolding it.
The OLED screen boasts a pixel density of 422 ppi, providing sharpness that's noticeable even in sunlight. Contrasts and colors are exceptional, and a refresh rate of 60 to 120 Hz ensures a smooth display.
Enhanced Displays
Unfolding the Pixel 9 Pro Fold reveals an 8-inch flexible OLED display that's remarkably brighter than its predecessor. With a pixel density of 373 ppi, it's more than sharp enough and offers excellent contrasts and colors. Its refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz makes it extremely adaptable, surpassing the external display.
The internal screen also features a consistently wide bezel, which is significantly narrower than before. This accommodation allows the selfie camera to be placed under the display, giving the new foldable smartphone a more modern appearance than the initial Pixel Fold.
Holding the unfolded Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels delightful, as the device thickens to just 5.1 millimeters. The slim frame provides enough space for the buttons, with the power button featuring a remarkably precise integrated fingerprint sensor.
Visible Crease, High-end Hinge
The device's impressive appeal is slightly diminished by a noticeable and deep crease along the longitudinal axis. While your brain quickly gets accustomed to it, the fold is less pronounced on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. It's unfortunate that, despite the larger display, you can still only display two apps in split-screen mode.
The hinge itself, arguably the most critical component of a foldable smartphone, is exceptionally well-engineered by Google. The resistance when opening and closing is just right, and when folded, a magnet keeps the two halves together seamlessly. However, dust and other fine particles can still seep in. Therefore, like its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is only water-resistant to IPX8 standards.
Impressive Battery Life, Excellent Cameras
Despite its slimness, the foldable smartphone lasts for an extended period. A single charge of the 4650 milliampere-hour (mAh) battery was more than enough to power the device through a day's use, as long as the device wasn't unfolded too often. If you frequently use the internal display, the battery might run out near the end of the day, but you should still make it through.
Another notable feature is the dual-camera setup on the rear. Equipped with a main camera capable of up to 48 megapixels (MP), an 10.5-MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10.8-MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, the Fold may not be as well-equipped as the other two Pixel 9 Pro devices. However, the photo and video quality is barely inferior, and Google's new Fold leaves the Galaxy Z Fold 8 well behind in this regard.
Enjoyable AI Capabilities
The Fold's internals, featuring Google's new Tensor G4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256 or 512GB of flash storage, are state-of-the-art. Consequently, the device effortlessly handles new AI tricks. Although their scope is currently limited in Germany, as with the other 9-series Pixels, they provide more functionality than the new iPhones.
Among these AI features are group photos where you can add yourself later. It's also entertaining to select individual elements and alter them using text prompts. It may not be overly complex, but the AI can easily replace a remote control with a wooden ruler.
Conclusion
Google has made a significant leap with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Despite introducing its first foldable smartphone late last year, it has already reached the top with the second generation, offering stiff competition to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8. Although priced at around 1900 and 2030 euros, Google's new Fold offers seven guaranteed years of Android updates, ensuring long-term satisfaction.
In terms of improvements, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold excels in its technical tests, as the new 6.24-inch external OLED display and the enhanced 8-inch flexible OLED screen surpass the specifications of its predecessor. The camera setup on the rear, featuring a main camera, ultra-wide camera, and telephoto camera, delivers impressive photo and video quality.
Furthermore, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's AI capabilities are noteworthy, enabling features like adding oneself to group photos and altering individual elements using text prompts. These AI tricks, combined with the device's powerful internals, provide more functionality than the new iPhones.
