Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold is barely the corporate’s second try at a foldable, but it surely’s a shocking enchancment over the primary, and fairly presumably the foldable you’ve been ready for this entire time.

{Hardware} & Shows |

That is the very best foldable {hardware} most individuals should purchase

Final 12 months’s Google Pixel Fold was the corporate’s first try at a foldable and, in some ways, it was a powerful one. Google, on its first attempt, constructed a foldable with premium {hardware} that was a daring first step. As introduced out in our long-term evaluation not too long ago, although, it didn’t age very nicely. In any respect. The hinge by no means unfolds flat, the internal show was a multitude, the entire bundle was too heavy, and the Tensor chip left it consistently overheating. 

With the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, the poorly named sequel to the Pixel Fold, Google has addressed all of these points, and that begins with the primary {hardware}.

Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a very unimaginable year-over-year enchancment. The brand new design is remarkably skinny at simply 10.5mm thick when folded. This results in a tool that, when folded, simply appears like a traditional smartphone. In speaking about foldables with some associates who’ve by no means used them, thickness got here up frequently, however they have been shocked to search out that the 9 Professional Fold was typically thinner than their present cellphone in a case (even with the Fold in Google’s case).

That thinness isn’t only a occasion trick both. It leads to the Fold being extra comfy in my pocket, particularly mixed with the burden that’s been shed from the earlier era. The 9 Professional Fold weighs in at 257g, solely 25g heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. It’s nonetheless heavier than another foldables however, personally, I’ve by no means actually discovered that to be a difficulty. In truth, I discover the heft to be a bit reassuring when the machine is open. That is very a lot one thing that you just’ll both be wonderful with, or can’t bear, but it surely’s a whole non-issue to me. Even when it does really feel heavier than your final cellphone, you’ll most likely cease noticing inside a couple of hours of use.

The {hardware} design can be extremely nicely accomplished. The matte facet rails are grippy for opening and shutting the machine, and I’m glad they’re mixed with a matte glass panel on the again in contrast to the remainder of the Pixel 9 collection, the place a minimum of a kind of might be shiny/polished. I’m an enormous fan of the “Porcelain” colour variant, however the “Obsidian” black I ended up spending most of my time with has grown on me.

The digicam bump on the again can be somewhat tame, although I’m nonetheless unsure how I really feel in regards to the look. The 2-row design is bizarre to see on a contemporary Pixel, and I a lot want how final 12 months’s Fold seemed on this regard, but it surely’s additionally not a foul look by itself. It’s much better than the honking round digicam mountain jutting out of the again of the OnePlus Open, and I name that an enormous win.

Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s {hardware} actually holds up nicely towards the competitors too, a problem that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 fails miserably at. Within the US, I’d argue that that is really the very best you may get, because the Fold 6 nonetheless makes quite a lot of compromises on the cellphone facet, whereas the OnePlus Open’s large digicam bump is off-putting. Google additionally advantages from a variety of accent companions, with circumstances and display screen protectors being extensively obtainable already, whereas the OnePlus Open nonetheless has only a few choices even a 12 months later.

However, as with all foldable within the US, the asterisk is that you just’ll discover higher {hardware} outdoors of the States. A fantastic instance is the Honor Magic V3 which not too long ago launched all through Europe and different nations. The absurdly skinny foldable is over a millimeter thinner than Pixel 9 Professional Fold whereas nonetheless packing a a lot larger battery and higher digicam {hardware}, as we checked out in a current comparability. Even towards that machine, although, I believe Google’s efforts maintain their very own.

One massive query surrounding the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s {hardware} is how lengthy it’s going to final. Google is supporting this machine with the identical 7 years of updates as the remainder of the lineup, however foldables tend to age rather less gracefully. Nevertheless, I do suppose that Google’s efforts right here shine, and this appears like a foldable that may last more than most – so long as you don’t sit on it, apparently.

As with every foldable, I contemplate it a agency requirement to buy insurance coverage with the machine and to issue that value in. On the Google Retailer within the US, Most popular Care prices $15/month or $279 for 2 years. That covers drops, damaged screens, and extra with low deductibles. A damaged display screen, Google says, will value $29 to repair (as much as twice a 12 months) underneath the plan, whereas extra superior repairs could value $129.

Gorgeous shows, divisive side ratios

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold, like each book-style foldable, has two shows. The outer show this 12 months is a 6.3-inch FHD+ panel that’s mainly ripped out of the bottom Pixel 9. That’s to say it’s sharp sufficient, very brilliant, and an excellent measurement. The bezels and body make the general {hardware} really feel larger than the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional, however simply barely. Because of the skinny profile, utilizing the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s outer show simply appears like utilizing a traditional cellphone. 

In comparison with the unique Pixel Fold, which had a brief and broad side ratio, the 9 Professional Fold’s outer show makes you’re feeling extra at dwelling as a result of it’s not all that distinctive. It’s simply regular. I’ve blended emotions about that, although. On the one hand, there aren’t any surprises on this show. Apps work as you’d count on and there’s no affect to usability by any means. And my standard pitch for Samsung’s slim side ratio doesn’t apply right here as a result of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is so skinny. 

It’s virtually bizarre to lastly have a foldable with an outer show that’s not affected by the truth that it’s a foldable, however right here we’re, and it’s been fairly nice.

In the meantime, there’s the internal show, which is a blended bag. 

In some ways, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s internal show is an unquestionable win over the earlier era. The show crease is far smaller, being a crease somewhat than a canyon working down the middle of the show. The panel can be a lot brighter this 12 months, making outside usability really doable, and on par with a traditional cellphone’s show. I instantly discovered this brightness helpful on an extended layover earlier this month the place the Pixel 9 Professional Fold held up nice for watching content material even within the brilliant Newark United Membership. 

However it’s not fairly excellent. 

I observed that the show crease has some bizarre bumps which can be seemingly simply part of the machine (I’ve observed it throughout a number of items). Innocent, however unusual. The internal show can be nonetheless too reflective. It’s actually improved from the primary era, but it surely’s nonetheless extra reflective than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and albeit each foldable appears unhealthy on this regard after utilizing the OnePlus Open. 

The side ratio of this internal show can be a selection between two paths. Gone is the super-wide show of the unique, as an alternative with a near-square design that’s barely taller than it’s broad. This has software program implications, as we’ll get to shortly, but it surely additionally impacts the {hardware} itself. I’ve discovered that the advantage of this design is that the internal show is far simpler to deal with and to sort on as a result of it’s not so broad, but it surely’s additionally worse for watching media. Google additionally eliminated the thicker high and backside bezels which is visually pleasing, however takes away what was a pleasant method to maintain the machine one-handed.

Personally, I’m proud of the alternatives Google made with this new era of a foldable Pixel, however that’s my opinion. For many who got here to like the broader Pixel Fold design, I completely get it. There have been many advantages, but in addition quite a lot of downsides. It might have been good if Google caught to that authentic idea, however this design performs nicer with each the software program, total, and the {hardware}.

Software program & Efficiency |

The Pixel expertise is splendidly easy, however is it sufficient for a foldable?

The expertise of utilizing a Google Pixel smartphone is one which’s good and easy, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold isn’t any exception. Android 14 is out there out of the field on this machine with 7 years of updates to observe, and it’s largely the identical you’ll discover on the remainder of the Pixel 9 collection. Loads of AI smarts are discovered on high of what’s, at its core, a clear and easy-to-use smartphone expertise.

For extra on that, go try our Pixel 9 Professional evaluation. The query to reply right here is how that have scales as much as a foldable.

On the brilliant facet of issues, I believe the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the only foldable to know. Google’s expertise emphasizes simply getting extra display screen actual property out of your cellphone. When closed up, you’ve bought a traditional machine, and every little thing works the identical on the within. Your homescreen has the identical structure, simply exhibiting two panes without delay. The Fast Settings panel reveals the identical shortcuts, simply without having to swipe twice as a result of notifications are proven off to the fitting facet. The Settings app reveals two panes, as do many different apps.

However however, there’s rather a lot that Google isn’t doing with that added display screen measurement.

Android has, for years, supported split-screen multitasking with two apps without delay, and that’s all of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can do too. That’s whereas different foldables are pushing that numbers to a minimum of three, if not pushing it nicely past. Samsung, for instance, doesn’t actually have a restrict in what number of apps you possibly can present without delay in One UI. On the Fold 6, you possibly can present three apps in panes with a couple of extra in pop-up home windows. That’s helpful occasionally, however 9 instances out of ten, I’m simply utilizing two apps anyway, so I’m completely content material with the 9 Professional Fold’s implementation.

One thing new this 12 months too is the power so “save” a pairing of apps to the homescreen for fast entry. It’s a helpful trick, completely, however one I didn’t discover myself utilizing as I often discover split-screen to be a spur-of-the-moment form of factor somewhat than one thing I plan out.

Google additionally makes use of the shape think about some attention-grabbing methods, like leveraging the outer show for Google Translate (in a brand new and improved technique of entry), for exhibiting a Google Meet name on each the internal and outer screens on the similar time, and a “Made You Look” function that reveals cartoon characters on the outer show to maintain a toddler’s consideration whilst you take an image. Neat stuff, a minimum of to the fitting individual.

The double-edged sword of pill apps and the dearth thereof

The most important software program hiccup I’ve observed is that, because of this new internal show side ratio, most of the great pill optimizations from the first-gen Pixel Fold are gone. Gmail and so many different apps – Reddit, Fb, Threads, and Discord being examples that spring to thoughts – find yourself both caught into their cellphone layouts on the internal show’s “portrait” side ratio or aren’t as optimized on this new setup.

That’s turn into the internal show this 12 months is very near a 1:1 side ratio, very near a sq.. It’s simply 5mm taller than it’s broad, which implies you don’t get a lot added house from rotating the machine into “panorama.” In actual life, that separation shouldn’t matter, however some apps don’t actually care. As a result of the machine is “in portrait,” some apps simply act like your cellphone is actually broad. 

Google will not be failing throughout the board right here. Loads of apps do use pill layouts in “portrait,” like Google Residence, Messages, and the Pixel Climate app. And there are different third-party apps which can be doing nicely too, corresponding to Accuweather (which doesn’t set off a pill structure on Galaxy Z Fold 6), Instagram, and Spotify.

It’s actually irritating!

That is particularly maddening as a result of some apps merely don’t care about this distinction. Video games like Fall Guys simply work on that “portrait” structure, and YouTube can nonetheless present a fullscreen video this fashion too. On a tool like this, that’s the way it ought to work. Regardless of which means the consumer holds the cellphone, there shouldn’t be a distinction within the app structure as a result of, to the consumer’s personal eye, the distinction is mainly not there.

I’m positive Google can tackle this by software program, hopefully by a system OTA versus one million app updates that may take months to roll out.

Tensor G4 is an unimaginable leap ahead (even when it’s nonetheless behind)

My largest downside by far on the unique Pixel Fold was a shortly overheating Tensor G2 processor, however Tensor G4 is a drastic enchancment.

Mixed with 16GB of RAM, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a quick and fluid smartphone all through the entire expertise. Every thing runs stutter-free and with none notable issues. The cellphone additionally hardly ever heats up and, when it does, it solely will get to a sure level earlier than simply settling right into a heat state. That’s a far cry from the unique Pixel Fold’s dreadful surface-of-the-sun warmth that will kick in for no apparent purpose. Even whereas working classes of Fall Guys on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, the machine simply doesn’t get very heat, a minimum of no hotter than every other foldable I’ve used not too long ago.

On the Pixel Fold, I requested the query of whether or not or not the downsides of Tensor have been nonetheless acceptable on an $1,800 foldable. That’s nonetheless an necessary query, however one which’s extra private this 12 months. 

By way of expertise, except you’re taking part in the best of high-end video games, you most likely gained’t discover any actual deficiencies with Tensor G4. You aren’t getting the “better of the very best” on paper, however you’d most likely by no means realize it. Is that alright with you at this worth level? It’s with me, simply because every little thing else is pretty much as good as it’s.

Battey Life |

I nonetheless can’t imagine how good it’s

The opposite massive enchancment on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold due to Tensor G4 is the battery life, which is completely glorious. I’m frequently getting between 4 and 6 hours of display screen time over 15-18 hours of energetic use, which is kind of good for my private utilization – understand that display screen time metrics like these can fluctuate wildly from individual to individual. 

One more reason that metric will fluctuate relies on the way you’re utilizing the screens. The internal show inevitably eats up a bit extra energy, however in my roughly 50/50 use of the 2 (on some days leaning much more on the internal panel), the outcomes I’ve been getting from the battery have been past passable. In truth, I’d go as far as to say this machine has barely higher battery life than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. 

In my testing, the battery life on Pixel 9 Professional Fold is roughly on par with what I used to be seeing on the Pixel 9 Professional XL, regardless of the slab cellphone having an even bigger battery.

Genuinely, I can’t imagine the battery life is pretty much as good as it’s, particularly contemplating the battery measurement is definitely smaller than the earlier era.

The charging downside

However the good battery life is considerably offset by a irritating charging scenario.

To begin, wired charging is far slower than the Pixel 9 Professional XL. The place that machine can draw as much as 37W of charging velocity, the Fold is proscribed to 21W in our testing with a voltage meter – Google has additionally confirmed that’s the height velocity. That’s even decrease than the 27W obtainable on the bottom Pixel 9, which is kind of a disgrace on a high-end machine like this. 

In case you’re shopping for a Pixel 9 Professional Fold and need a dependable wi-fi charging stand, I can verify the Nomad Base Station Stand (third Gen) works flawlessly.

Cameras |

Top-of-the-line foldable cameras can be one of many worst on a Pixel

Persevering with on the theme of the place the Pixel 9 Professional Fold differs from the Pixel 9 Professional and Professional XL, there are the cameras. The {hardware} right here is totally totally different and it reveals.

The 48MP foremost sensor is bodily smaller than the one in the remainder of Google’s Professional telephones, and likewise captures much less gentle. This typically results in lacking particulars in decrease gentle, and total simply much less pleasing pictures. On the brilliant facet, you do nonetheless get a 5x telephoto lens, one thing typically missing on foldable.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold continues to be a succesful and constant digicam due to Google’s software program processing, however the hole in high quality has by no means been as apparent as it’s this 12 months.

Within the realm of foldable telephones, Google is on the higher finish of what’s obtainable. Once more, the Pixel’s software program leads to pictures from this machine being persistently strong, with typically contrasty appears and sufficient element particularly in good lighting, in addition to succesful low-light efficiency by Evening Sight. This 12 months, there’s additionally the addition of Evening Sight Video and Video Enhance, each of which make this machine much more succesful within the video division so long as you’re prepared to attend for the processed clips to be delivered by Google Photographs.

Full-size samples on Google Photographs

Certainly not by any means is the digicam on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold unhealthy, it’s simply not so good as the remainder of the lineup. You’re not getting a digicam pretty much as good as the bottom Pixel 9, nor are you getting one pretty much as good as even final 12 months’s Pixel 8 duo. The perfect comparability, loopy because it appears, is the Pixel 8a.

Sadly, that is the worst digicam on a flagship Pixel right this moment in a noticeable means, but it surely’s equally top-of-the-line cameras you’ll discover on a foldable smartphone right this moment.

Tidbits |

Official case

Google’s official Pixel 9 Professional Fold case is an excellent instance of how foldable circumstances have improved. It has a skinny profile, is grippy with out getting caught in your pocket like final 12 months’s case, and doesn’t overuse adhesive for the entrance panel. I’ve been utilizing the “Porcelain” case with the black Fold, and it’s an incredible look. The white case has additionally held up nicely and never but stained within the few weeks I’ve been utilizing it.

Haptics

Vibrations on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold are simply pretty much as good as they’re on every other Pixel 9, which is to say they’re somewhat good. I’m simply so unhappy that Google eliminated the pleasant little vibration that comes while you open the foldable. These are the sorts of little touches that units Google’s expertise aside, and it’s simply gone. 

Fingerprint sensor & face unlock

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold makes use of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor constructed into the ability button. It’s rather less constant (a minimum of for me) than the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor in the remainder of the Pixel 9 collection, but it surely’s the one method to implement a fingerprint sensor into this manner issue with out having a couple of. 

I’ve additionally been utilizing that sensor an entire lot much less this 12 months due to the arrival of Face Unlock. Each selfie cameras work with this function and it’s dependable and quick. That is camera-based, so in concept it’s not probably the most safe type of biometrics on the market, but it surely’s well-implemented and has confirmed reliable since Google first debuted it on the Pixel 8 collection final 12 months.

Is it actually a Professional?

One of many core questions across the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is correct there in its identify – “Professional.” Is that this actually a Professional cellphone in Google’s lineup?

It has worse cameras, lacks a “Tremendous Actua” outer show, has slower charging each wired and wi-fi, and lacks some options of the primary Professional telephones too, like 8K Video Enhance, Twin Publicity on the primary digicam, Motion Pan, and Cinematic Blur. 

I’d argue that, on the entire, the title is earned by the remainder of the bundle. You’re primarily dropping out on digicam options because of {hardware} limitations of a foldable, however you’re nonetheless getting the identical utility out of the digicam in addition to the 16GB of RAM that helps set the 9 Professional aside from the bottom Pixel 9.

Google has by no means had a nice argument for making its “Professional” telephones “professional” outdoors of slapping a higher-resolution show and a telephoto digicam anyway, so I’d argue there are larger fish to fry all through the lineup, like the truth that this cellphone ought to simply be known as “Pixel Fold 2” within the first place. However, understandably, it’s a little irritating to think about shopping for Google’s costliest cellphone, solely to have to surrender on a number of the issues that make the opposite two Professional telephones so good.

Remaining Ideas |

Not only a gorgeous enchancment, maybe the very best you may get*

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is what it appears the market has been ready for because the starting. Since Samsung’s authentic Galaxy Fold clients have cried out for a tool that’s as skinny as a traditional cellphone, has the identical show as a traditional cellphone, and has the identical digicam as a traditional cellphone. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is as shut as we’ve come, a minimum of outdoors of China, to that objective. 

That’s the place the asterisk falls in. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the very best foldable that most folks can get, but it surely’s not the very best one on the market. As talked about, the Honor Magic V3 and plenty of different foldables obtainable right this moment in China give Google’s efforts a run for his or her cash in additional methods than one, however Google has put out a strong exhibiting right here to the purpose the place I believe this could be the very best foldable obtainable right this moment. Between software program, digicam, and the shape issue and construct high quality, it’s a bundle that’s genuinely powerful to rival.

Within the US, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold solely has two rivals – the OnePlus Open and the Galaxy Z Fold 6. In comparison with the OnePlus Open, Google has better-feeling {hardware}, a extra constant digicam, and cleaner software program, the place the Open advantages from higher total {hardware}, extra uncooked horsepower, sooner charging, and a barely cheaper price. However the larger competitor is the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which is the established identify on this house and the one with the entire advertising and marketing {dollars} behind it. On a {hardware} degree, there’s no competitors. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a greater foldable than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, full cease. Samsung’s solely benefit is coping with any points with that {hardware}, as the corporate has had six years to construct out restore choices and programs. Google additionally has a greater digicam and higher battery life, whereas Samsung has higher multitasking within the software program and stylus assist. 

So, actually, evaluating these units comes right down to your priorities. If you’d like a cellphone with clear software program, a dependable digicam, good battery life, and {hardware} that feels “regular,” I believe the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a no brainer. The principle purpose to get a Galaxy Z Fold 6 over it, in my eyes, comes right down to Samsung’s restore system and trade-in values, the place the Open’s foremost attraction is, nicely, exhausting to search out when instantly in comparison with the Pixel.

The Google Pixel 9 Professional fold balances the wants of a cellphone with the utility of a foldable higher than most units, all whereas retaining the very best components of a Pixel for a beautiful, if nonetheless costly expertise.

Is the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is an ideal foldable? 

No! 

I don’t suppose that actually exists but, and it would by no means occur if we’re being sincere. Foldables are more and more a product constructed to serve a distinct segment that nobody is aware of fairly learn how to outline. That’s why having variations within the numerous choices in the marketplace makes a lot sense. 

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s energy is that it appeals to the broader market, not simply the individuals who have been on this area of interest from day one. That is the primary foldable, in most markets, that simply appeals to the concept of getting a traditional cellphone that opens as much as reveal an enormous show inside, and I believe that’s one thing that lots of people have been ready for.

Actually, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the very best foldable for most folks, a minimum of in my eyes.

The one half it doesn’t fulfill is dropping the value, which stays at $1,799. Evaluating to different choices, this can be a good a worth as you’ll discover, however like everybody else, I can’t look forward to the day the place these units are an entire lot cheaper.

The place to purchase the Pixel 9 Professional Fold