Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: A Sleek, Mature Foldable

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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: Google’s digicam and battery efficiency make up for minor shortfalls in software program.

Rising up. It’s one thing all of us do, and gadgets do too. Whereas there’s been little or no innovation in mainstream smartphones currently, foldable telephones have been maturing over the previous couple of years and eventually appear to be coming into their very own. It’s like they’re within the younger grownup section of their lives, whereas the standard “candybar” handset has largely been found out. At the very least, on the surface, anyway.

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If foldables are the merchandise, then firms like Samsung and Google are the dad and mom, and every of these two has taken a distinct strategy. Samsung has been extra experimental, letting its child flail round within the playground, falling off swings and cracking its face. Google seems to have been extra cautious, maybe sheltering its product earlier than releasing it for the primary time final 12 months. And let’s not speak concerning the elephant in (or lacking from) the room — Apple might be ready until its foldable is mature sufficient to skip straight to highschool earlier than exposing it to the world.

All that’s to say the Pixel 9 Professional Fold looks like a glowed-up younger grownup, prepared for actuality. Although it could have been extra apt to name this the Pixel Fold 2 (because it’s solely Google’s second foldable), I can see why the corporate needs us to consider it as a part of the 9-series. With the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, the complete Pixel 9 lineup feels refined and well-equipped to tackle the competitors. And possibly even win our hearts.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold

Google’s second foldable is all grown up, with refined {hardware}, superior cameras and long-lasting battery. It simply must iron out just a few software program quirks to complete maturing.

Execs

Slick design
Higher cameras than the competitors
Thinner and lighter than earlier mannequin
Runs cooler than earlier than

Cons

Nonetheless costly
Some software program quirks

$1,799 at Google

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$1,799 at Amazon

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s design

Certainly one of my favourite issues concerning the Pixel foldable is its side ratio. In comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which my colleague Sam Rutherford has described as extra like a thin baton, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold feels extra like a standard cellphone when folded. In reality, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a lot an extension of the Pixel 9 collection that its 6.3-inch exterior show is just about the identical measurement because the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional.

However as a result of that panel is encased in a body designed to accommodate a hinge for the versatile inside display, the Fold truly appears to be like extra related in measurement to my iPhone 15 Professional Max. After I picked them each up, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold felt a bit heavier, however I guessed that it was in all probability near the iPhone 14 Professional Max in weight.

I used to be mistaken — the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is definitely 17 grams heavier than the iPhone 14 Professional Max and 36 grams greater than the 15 Professional Max. Extra importantly, at 257 grams (9.06 ounces), the Pixel foldable is eighteen grams heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

It will not be the lightest foldable round, however the Pixel 9 Professional Fold definitely ranks among the many thinnest. When open, its profile measures simply 5.1mm (0.2 inches) thick, whereas Samsung’s Z Fold 6 is barely thicker at 5.6mm.

Numbers alone don’t inform the complete story. Small dimensions look good on paper, however the best way the Pixel 9 Professional Fold feels to carry is a big a part of its evolution. Final 12 months’s mannequin felt just a little unfinished, with a little bit of a duct-tape vibe to its building. This time, the machine feels stable, because of its “aerospace-grade high-strength aluminum alloy” and “matte again with satin steel body.” The exterior display and rear are coated with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, serving to it’s extra scratch-resistant.

In fact, as is often the case with foldables, sturdiness is a priority and one thing that we will solely gauge with time. The excellent news is, Sam not too long ago printed a sturdiness report after a 12 months with the unique Pixel Fold, and the machine not solely withstood the damage and tear of day by day life, but additionally survived being within the normal neighborhood of an lively toddler for 12 entire months.

Some fast ultimate notes on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s design: Should you’re right-handed, you would possibly recognize that the underside proper nook of the cellphone (when folded) is barely curved. It rests properly towards your palm and is marginally extra fulfilling than the expertise for individuals who are left-handed, who won’t just like the sharper angle of the underside left nook. I used the Fold in each arms and didn’t discover this a significant subject, however our videographer Hayato Huseman didn’t just like the design for left-handed use.

I even have a minor grievance that the machine is difficult to open with out first getting a fingernail in between the 2 halves, however I count on this may get simpler in time. Extra annoying is the slight creak each time I open the cellphone, however this received smoother over time. Once in a while, there’s additionally a mildly regarding rattle once I shake the Fold, which is one thing my good friend Julian Chokkattu at Wired delivered to my consideration, so it seems like an issue that isn’t distinctive to our unit.

I’ve requested Google if this is a matter with simply our overview samples or if it’s extra widespread and in response to the corporate “that is anticipated conduct that is because of the telephoto digicam VCM (voice coil motor). You’ll probably discover this on Pixel 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL as properly.” I’ll say that I hear the same (although much less pronounced) sound once I shake my iPhone 15 Professional Max the identical method, so this might simply be the optical picture stabilization system transferring about.

A story of two Pixel 9 Professional Fold shows

Collect up, side ratio nerds, have we received an journey in intricate numbers for you! Although final 12 months’s Pixel Fold had a 5.8-inch exterior show with a clumsy 17.4:9 side ratio, this 12 months’s mannequin is way more intuitive. It’s the identical 6.3-inch 20:9 display as the usual Pixel 9, making it a extra acquainted measurement and form. I’m just a little bummed that it has the 1,080 x 2,424 decision and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh fee of the bottom Pixel 9, versus the sharper panel on the Professional (which works right down to 1Hz), but it surely’s not an enormous downside.

Sam identified that there’s the teeniest change within the Pixel Fold’s inside display. The unique was just below 5.875 inches large when held in panorama, and whereas the brand new Pixel Fold’s inside show is identical measurement in the identical orientation, in portrait mode it’s truly 5.625 inches large. This implies the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s inside show has an nearly sq. 1:1 side ratio that’s 8 inches large diagonally, which is bigger than its predecessor’s 7.6-inch panel.

This doesn’t dramatically enhance issues once you’re viewing widescreen content material, and Sam would even name it a “very tiny downgrade” in that situation. The brand new display dimensions will make extra of a distinction once you’re gaming and multitasking than watching movies. The tweak seems to be extra for compatibility, and I nonetheless needed to dwell with empty area on both aspect of movies (in each portrait and panorama orientations) once I performed YouTube clips in fullscreen mode.

I ought to level out that the interior show does truly go right down to 1Hz, however has a decrease pixel density because of its 2,076 x 2,152 decision. I wasn’t ever blown away by both show, although, and merely discovered them perfunctory. They each go as much as 2,700 nits of peak brightness, and are straightforward sufficient to learn in daylight, although the entrance display can rise up to 1,800 nits with HDR whereas the one inside solely goes to 1,600 nits with HDR.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s cameras and pictures options

Google’s authentic foldable already had higher cameras than Samsung’s newest, providing an extended optical zoom, sharper photos and superior low-light efficiency. So although it’s barely disappointing that the Pixel 9 Professional Fold doesn’t include many {hardware} upgrades, what it does convey remains to be better than the Z Fold 6. In reality, Sam says the Pixel 9 Professional Fold has one of the best cameras on any foldable you should purchase within the US.

Google has stored the principle sensor at 48 megapixels and upgraded the ultra-wide digicam to allow macro focus. You’ll nonetheless discover a 5x optical zoom on the telephoto digicam, which is longer than the 3x choice on Samsung’s Z Fold 6. What’s fascinating is that with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, Google needed to tweak its digicam {hardware} to “match our distinctive extremely skinny structure,” which is a reasonably spectacular engineering feat.

When it got here right down to precise photos, the Pixel persistently outshot the Z Fold 6, with Sam going so far as to say it’s “typically a tier degree larger.” Colours are brighter and extra correct, and the telephoto {hardware} makes a noticeable distinction in zoomed-in pictures. That’s even earlier than utilizing Google’s Zoom Improve software program, too. Given Samsung has been utilizing the identical sensor for the principle digicam for the final three years, that doesn’t appear shocking, but it surely’s definitely a disgrace that those that shelled out $1,900 for the Z Fold 6 are caught with poorer specs right here. It’s unusual too, contemplating Samsung’s primary sensor is a higher-res 50MP.

It’s value noting that Google’s major {hardware} replace additionally gave the Pixel 9 Professional Fold extra of an edge, since with the ability to use its ultra-wide digicam as a macro shooter made its close-up pictures higher than Samsung’s. Plus, Google continues to steer in low-light pictures, producing sharper, extra vibrant and higher uncovered pictures than the Z Fold 6.

In reality, software program is the place the Pixel cameras proceed to shine. Google added new options like Add Me and Made You Look this 12 months, with the latter being an unique to the Professional Fold. Is smart, since that makes use of the interior and exterior screens. Whilst you have the digicam app open on the within, tapping an icon above the shutter button allows you to select between twin display, rear digicam selfie or Made You Look.

Deciding on the final one brings up 4 choices of various cartoon animations, and the respective character seems on the surface show. The hen, or fish, or blob will dance round and make noises to get the eye of your topic. That is meant to work predominantly on youngsters, although I think about it’ll additionally pique the curiosity of cats and canines. I attempted it out totally on adults, and received a slew of images of my pals trying incredulously on the digicam. Mainly this works for folks aged one and up!

While you’re able to edit your photos, you’ll discover the identical suite of instruments which are on the Pixel 9 Professional. Meaning issues like Magic Editor, Reimagine and Autoframe are additionally out there to spruce up your pictures. I gained’t retread floor we already coated in that overview, however like we talked about earlier than, these generative-AI options are considerably efficient however often problematic. I like utilizing it to create extra bushes or greenery within the background so I can middle my pals in a candid photograph, however discover it regarding that Reimagine could possibly be used to add “wrecks, disasters and corpses” to photos, in response to The Verge.

Should you can steer clear of the problematic AI instruments, although, it’s heartening to see that the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can ship photographs which are nearly as good as those I received from my iPhone 15 Professional Max. In any case, you’re paying $1,800, you need to be getting flagship-level cameras.

Efficiency and in use

Neither Sam nor I’ve had greater than every week with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, so it’s just a little too early to speak about longterm efficiency and day by day use. Normally, although, to date we’ve observed the brand new Fold runs easily and coolly, identical to the opposite Pixel 9 Execs. That’s largely because of the Tensor G4 processor and built-in vapor chamber, and naturally, possibly I simply haven’t had the Fold lengthy sufficient but it surely by no means received too heat.

I loved watching YouTube with Threads open subsequent to it on the interior display, and the bigger canvas additionally made Instagram photos simpler to scrutinize. I want extra apps had been appropriate with the larger format, although, since my latest favourite video games like Fruit Merge don’t broaden to the complete width and as an alternative sit within the center, flanked by two bars of empty area.

It’s additionally unusual that flexing the display, which is meant to robotically change appropriate apps right into a half-and-half structure, solely works in panorama mode. Meaning in case you open YouTube, bend the Pixel 9 Professional Fold barely and flip it so the rear digicam is on the highest left nook, you’ll see movies take up the highest half of the show. The underside portion is the place the title, description, feedback and different movies sit.

This structure is intuitive, and is sensible within the panorama orientation the place the clip you’re watching is propped up for simpler viewing. I simply want there was an equal once you’re holding the Fold in portrait mode that might make the feedback take up the correct half of the show as an alternative of the awkward column it at present makes use of.

Sam’s expertise with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 leads him to search out Samsung’s taskbar “a contact higher for energy customers,” since you’ll be able to set it to all the time stick round it doesn’t matter what app you’re on. This makes it simpler to launch apps in splitscreen or simply leap between duties. It’s additionally value noting that Google doesn’t help stylus enter, whereas Samsung does, and the latter’s DeX multitasking software program is useful for productiveness. The Pixel Fold doesn’t have such an interface the place apps seem in floating home windows, although I do like when appropriate apps show further columns or sidebars once they’re on the larger display.

Nonetheless, these are typically minor quibbles that really feel straightforward sufficient to unravel with software program updates you would possibly obtain over time. Should you’re not an influence consumer or itching to make use of a stylus along with your foldable, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a stable choice over the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s battery life

The Pixel 9 collection has been delivering significantly good outcomes on our video rundown battery check and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is not any exception. When working on simply the exterior show, the Fold clocked 27 hours and 9 minutes, which is mainly the identical as what the usual Pixel 9 received. When utilizing simply the inside display, the Fold lasted 23 hours and 22 minutes, which is spectacular for the way a lot bigger the panel is.

These numbers are about two to 3 hours higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which notched 25 hours and 19 minutes when folded and 20:07 when open. The brand new Pixel Fold additionally beat its predecessor and the OnePlus Open, as neither of these even handed the 20-hour mark on our check.

Wrap-up

Though the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is just Google’s second foldable machine, it’s already come a great distance. It each appears to be like and feels higher than earlier than, with a measurement and form that’s extra just like a typical cellphone when closed. When open, the machine is simple to carry and offers a roomier canvas for gentle multitasking and gaming. Plus, in comparison with its primary competitors within the US, the Pixel Fold 2 (spiritually anyway) has a superior digicam recreation and longer battery life. It’s additionally $100 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, although it’s nonetheless fairly dear at $1,800.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: Google’s foldable line nonetheless has some quirks to work out, however that’s all a part of rising up. For a tool that’s solely been round for 2 generations, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a stable foldable for anybody seeking to dip their toe into versatile telephones that may double as tablets.

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