Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: A Breakthrough in Folding Phone Design

Upon returning from Australia, the first thing I did was catch up on everything I missed. I inserted my SIM card into the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and I was truly impressed. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, considering how great the other Pixel 9 series phones already are. But this is a folding phone — and folding phones are tricky. The second generation of any product tells you a lot, and although it’s called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it’s actually the second iteration of the Pixel Fold. The first one, released last year, was solid — one of my favorite foldables with its passport-style aspect ratio. However, it did have some trade-offs, especially considering its price.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold makes significant improvements. Let’s dive into the details.

1. Pixel 9 Pro Fold Design: Significant Refinements

One topic that generated a lot of buzz was the camera bump on the back. Some find its design odd, but honestly, it doesn’t bother me much. It’s not overly pronounced, though I do wish it was wider, like the other Pixel models. However, you don’t have to look at it much, and I suspect the design was driven by the complex internals of a folding phone.

The rest of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s design is much better. It’s thinner than last year’s model, with flattened sides, giving it a more modern, squared-off shape, similar to other flagship phones. The rounded sides from the previous model were actually easier to pry open, especially on a foldable. But, overall, it’s not a deal-breaker. Additionally, there are numerous refinements: the hinge is smaller, and the sides now feature a matte finish instead of glossy surfaces.

When closed, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels more like a regular slab phone. While it’s not yet perfect, measuring just over 10mm thick when folded, it’s thinner than many phones from the past year.

2. Improved Display: Larger and Brighter

The most notable upgrade is the main display. Gone is the smaller passport-size screen from the previous model. Now, you get a 6.3-inch, 1080p, dynamic 120Hz AMOLED display, offering a large, high-quality screen that’s still usable with one hand. The display is reminiscent of the OnePlus Open, and although it has noticeable bezels and a slightly off-center screen, it’s still highly usable.

Once you open it, the benefits of the larger size become clear. You now get an 8-inch screen that’s slightly narrower but taller, essentially giving you a more square screen. The new display is significantly improved, reaching up to 2700 nits of brightness, making it brighter than its predecessor. The inner display now uses LTPO technology, unlike the cover screen.

The bezels have also been greatly improved. They’re more consistent and even, and the selfie camera is now placed in a punch-hole cutout instead of a thick bezel, making the screen even cleaner. The hinge has been designed to open smoothly, and the phone folds flat easily — a significant improvement over last year’s model.

3. Battery, Speakers, and Other Features

Inside the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a 4650mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than last year’s model but still above average for foldable phones. The speakers are impressive for such a thin device, delivering full, rich sound. Water resistance is present, with an IPX8 rating, and the fingerprint reader is fast and responsive.

In terms of overall feel, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is deserving of the “Pro” moniker. However, there are a few areas where it could be improved, such as the outer display not being LTPO (which would have made the always-on feature more efficient) and the slower charging speeds. Additionally, the absence of Qi2 wireless charging support may be disappointing for some, especially given its $1800 price tag.

4. Pixel Software Experience: A Major Advantage

One area where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold shines is the software. Unlike other foldables with flashy designs but lackluster software, the Pixel provides a smooth, feature-rich experience. You get all the great features from the rest of the Pixel 9 series, like call screening, the Pixel Weather app, and other useful tools. It also benefits from Gemini, which is improving in functionality, and the Circle to Search feature, although it takes some getting used to due to slight differences in how gestures work on the inner screen.

The Android 14 software on this device, along with optimizations for foldable devices, offers excellent multitasking, split-screen layouts, and seamless app switching. The larger screen also improves productivity, especially with features like Picture-in-Picture mode for multitasking.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is future-proof, with Google promising seven years of software updates, which is impressive for a folding phone.

5. Downsides: Camera and Performance Limitations

As great as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is, there are a couple of downsides to consider. The first is the camera. While the camera sensors are smaller than those in the main Pixel 9 models, the performance is still decent. Photos are contrasty with high dynamic range, but they lack the sharpness of flagship devices, especially in low-light conditions. It feels like a Pixel 7 Pro camera in terms of quality. If you’re a photography enthusiast, this may be a deal-breaker.

The second downside is the Tensor chip. Google’s Tensor chips have always been solid but never the most powerful in terms of performance or efficiency. While the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is good, it’s not exceptional. High-end gaming and future-proof performance are areas where the Tensor chip falls short. There’s talk that Google’s next-generation chip may finally address these issues, but until then, it’s something to consider, especially if you’re looking for peak performance.

6. Final Thoughts: A Solid Foldable Phone with Room for Improvement

Despite these limitations, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is one of the best foldables I’ve used. It’s sleek, powerful, and practical. If you’re looking for a device that combines the functionality of a flagship phone and a mini tablet, this is a great choice. However, if you’re after top-tier camera performance or a device with the absolute best processing power, you may want to wait for future iterations of the Pixel Fold.

In conclusion, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a fantastic option for those who appreciate the foldable experience, with great software, hardware improvements, and a satisfying overall experience. However, those willing to wait for next-gen chips and camera upgrades may find it worthwhile.