Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold preliminary overview: Finding new causes to be excited

Almost a 12 months after making a splash within the foldable scene, Google is again once more with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. While there are many modifications to be discovered throughout the board, there’s nonetheless so much to be involved about Google’s plans for its future foldable telephones. 

That being mentioned, Google marched ahead, seemingly dedicated to providing an alternate choice to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line. Considering that the choices in North America are already slim, I’m comfortable to see the 9 Pro Fold hit the market, even when it appeared precisely like the unique Pixel Fold. 

Thankfully, that is not the case right here, as Google went again to the drafting board, and never only for the design. There are a bunch of recent software program options that you’re going to solely discover on Google’s foldable telephone, all aiming to supply the most effective Pixel expertise that cash can purchase. 

At the time of this writing, I’ve solely had the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in my possession for lower than every week, so I have not had sufficient time to return to a last conclusion.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Price and availability

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was introduced on the Made by Google occasion on August 13, 2024 alongside the remainder of the Pixel 9 lineup, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3. There are solely two configurations out there, because the 9 Pro Fold comes with both 256GB or 512GB of storage. These arrive with a worth of $1,799 or $1,919, respectively. 

Regardless of which storage possibility to select from, the whole lot else in regards to the system stays the identical. This contains that includes 16GB of RAM throughout each configurations. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available in two colours, as you will get Google’s newest foldable in Obsidian or Porcelain.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Design and shows

Going into the 12 months, I wasn’t precisely positive whether or not Google even had plans to launch a successor to the Pixel Fold. Part of it was due to how divisive the corporate’s first foldable telephone was. On the one hand, it was nice to see Google take this new kind issue extra significantly. On the opposite, it nearly felt just like the Pixel Fold was already out of favor.

As I’ve spent extra time with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it continues to blow my thoughts that this telephone comes from the identical firm. It’s smooth, svelte, comparatively light-weight, and is the whole lot that I wished from the unique Pixel Fold.

Google appears to be laser-focused on creating the thinnest* foldable. Really, it is simply that Google needs one thing that may assist it stand out from the gang right here in North America. Even with stories claiming that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is falling wanting expectations, it is nonetheless Samsung’s world that we’re residing in. 

That being mentioned, the 9 Pro Fold is a enormous step in the precise path. The cowl display is small and vast sufficient to depend on it greater than I anticipated. It’s a “drawback” that I had with the unique Pixel Fold, together with the OnePlus Open, as I simply do not discover myself unfolding it as continuously as I did with the Fold 6. 

In actuality, it isn’t truly an issue; it is simply one thing that I discover humorous. The finest manner I can consider to clarify that is that the Fold 6 entices you to open it everytime you wish to do one thing greater than activate some lights or reply to a textual content. whereas the 9 Pro Fold goals to supply a standard telephone expertise with the added bonus of providing a bigger display if you need it.

Speaking to that bigger display, I actually simply do not discover myself utilizing all of it that always, except I wish to play a recreation or have to do some split-screen multitasking. Well, there’s one different cause, however I’ll get to that in a bit. 

That’s to not say that the interior display is unhealthy, as that could not be farther from the reality. You will not discover headlines in regards to the 9 Pro Fold not having the ability to fold flat or that the crease feels such as you’re working your finger throughout a canyon. It’s nearly as excellent as it will possibly get, not less than in comparison with different foldable telephones that I’ve used and examined.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Performance

In an ideal world, Google’s Tensor collection of chips would have the ability to rival Qualcomm, however we’re merely not there but. The Tensor G4 within the Pixel 9 lineup would not supply so much in the best way of overly significant enhancements in comparison with the G3. Instead, Google opted for the “protected” strategy of optimizing it for higher battery life and for Gemini. 

Sure, I want this weren’t the case and that Google was capable of actually take the battle to Samsung and Qualcomm. But, seeing as that is the hand we have been dealt, there’s actually not a lot I’ve discovered to complain about. Day-to-day duties are a breeze, battery life lasts all day, and I can play a lot of the video games I wish to. 

The solely exception to this, that I’ve discovered thus far, is that I have not been ready to make use of a Switch emulator. However, a part of that is doubtless as a result of drivers not being suitable with the emulators I’m utilizing. 

It might additionally simply be the emulators themselves, as I have not run into some other issues when utilizing the 9 Pro Fold as a transportable retro handheld. Still, it is relatively curious seeing as each different Android telephone and handheld I’ve is ready to not less than boot right into a recreation, whereas I can not even make it that far with the 9 Pro Fold. 

Something else I’ve observed about utilizing the telephone for multitasking is that Google might need the most effective split-screen expertise available on the market. Because of the modifications to the design, utilizing two apps side-by-side is mainly the identical as for those who have been holding a Pixel 9 Pro in both hand. 

I have not discovered any points with apps scaling, save for 1Password which nonetheless would not appear to know learn how to deal with bigger screens that are not tablets. It’s actually attending to the purpose that I’m contemplating making the swap to a special password supervisor totally, simply due to how irritating it’s.

Presumably, that was not less than a part of why the choice to overtake the design was made. Of course, it isn’t the whole story, however I’ve honesty been appreciating and having fun with this manner of multitasking. Sure, there are occasions that I would like the extra sturdy choices provided by the Fold 6. But, it would not take a lot to get overwhelmed with making an attempt to put your app home windows within the “appropriate” areas.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Unexpected usecase

Due to the character of what we do, I truly my overview unit truly arrived whereas I used to be vacationing on the seaside with my household. This meant making an attempt to take as many footage as doable every time I might. Many of the most effective footage have been taken by my spouse together with her iPhone, however I discovered one sudden advantage of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. 

Seeing as my son is nearly to be seven months previous, he is solely now beginning to grow to be extra cellular. So I haven’t got to fret all that a lot about blurry footage whereas he is enjoying with toys on the ground. However, one thing that we do battle with is getting him to truly take a look at the digicam. 

Enter “Made You Look.” 

This is not a brand new Android function, as Android Central’s managing editor Derrek Lee identified to me. An analogous function, known as “Camera Cartoon” was already out there for telephones just like the Motorola Razr Plus 2023. However, “Made You Look” shortly grew to become my favourite function on the 9 Pro Fold. 

After just a few moments of switching between the 4 completely different “faces” to see how he would react, I used to be lastly capable of get a smile out of him. Arguably simply as necessary, he was truly trying on the digicam, versus making an attempt to take a look at the individuals strolling across the restaurant. 

This turned out to be one more feather within the cap of why foldable telephones may be extra versatile than slabs. Not to say that I’m much more excited to take footage since I’ve a greater probability of getting a smirk or smile. 

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Competition

The greatest competitors for Google remains to be the Galaxy Z Fold 6. That is likely to be a special story if the OnePlus Open have been out there from carriers, however alas, it isn’t. Samsung nonetheless owns the foldable house in North America, and for good cause. Not solely is the software program expertise refined, however you even have the choice to make use of a stylus with the S Pen. 

Ignoring service availability, I’d argue that the OnePlus Open offers even stiffer competitors than Samsung. Both the Open and 9 Pro Fold supply comparable designs, seeing as each units have cowl screens that align higher with conventional smartphones. While Open might need higher digicam {hardware}, Google nonetheless leads the best way in picture processing. 

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Conclusion and what’s subsequent

You most likely made it this far and are questioning about all of Google’s different options. Like, how does Gemini Live carry out? What in regards to the photograph and video choices in addition to Made You Look? Well, as I acknowledged initially, I’ve solely had the 9 Pro Fold for just a few days, so I have not but had sufficient time to place the whole lot via its paces.

The AI options are solely part of the story, and regardless of Google leaning extra closely into Gemini, there’s much more occurring right here. I plan to place the brand new Desktop Mode via its paces, together with making an attempt to see how laborious I can push the Tensor G4 earlier than and the way it stacks as much as the competitors. So you’ll want to hold a watch out, as I’ll be updating this overview within the coming weeks.