A year ago , I never ask to spell this . Samsung had just set up the Galaxy Z Fold 5 with reiterative changes over the Z Fold 4 , and Google ’s first attempt at a folding phone left a spate to be desired . Google had phenomenal software package features like Call Screen and Live Transcribe , but Samsung had much good hardware , the S - Pen , and incredible productivity tools .
tight - forrad a yr , and it ’s a very unlike landscape . Samsung made further iteration with theGalaxy Z Fold 6 , and it ’s a phenomenal shut down phone . The form factor and sizing are expectant , especially when using two apps side - by - side on the main display . It has an S - Pen , and I love using mine . The problem is I ca n’t stop mean about theGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold .
I love the regularGoogle Pixel 9 , and the experience has made me genuinely aroused about Google ’s second fold act . The Pixel experience is ultimately premium , and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is much more refined than the first Pixel Fold . Awkward naming convening away , Google ’s second foldable looks like the foldable I ’ve been waitress for .
Google’s Pixel Fold sequel is a thriller
Google used all the feedback for the Pixel Fold to improve the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in every direction . It ’s thinner , lighter , andmuchmore premium . I bought the first Pixel Fold , and it was chop-chop relegated to the draftsman — largely because the ironware felt significantly behind theGalaxy Z Fold 5and theOnePlus Open . The Pixel 9 Pro Fold almost certainly wo n’t front that same fate .
It weighs almost an ounce less than last year ’s Pixel Fold , and you notice it as soon as you pick it up . It ’s the remainder between bear a foldaway telephone set or an iPad mini ; both may accommodate in a pocket , but the latter is importantly grave . It ’s also just 5.1 mm thin at the thin breaker point and feels incredible in the hand . It is n’t the fragile foldable in the Earth , but it is the thinnest foldable useable in the U.S.
The front presentation has been revamped as Samsung did between the first and second generations of the Galaxy Z Fold . It ’s now 0.5 in bounteous at 6.3 inches and the same size as the Pixel 9 Pro . The Pixel 9 Pro will likely be my speech sound of the year , and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the same earphone in a shut down form factor .
The main exhibit on the original Pixel Fold leave much to be desired , and the 8 - inch display on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is importantly better . It ’s bigger at 8 inches ( versus 6.3 ) , has a variable refresh charge per unit of 1Hz-120Hz , and is considerably brighter . From what we ’ve seen so far , the Pixel 9 Pro faithful screen is beautiful and one of the improvements that I ’m most mad about .
What about the cameras?
I love my Galaxy ezed Fold 6 , but one area that leave me wanting more is the photographic camera . It ’s absolutely fine but not as capable as other foldables . turn over the competition , the camera should be importantly better for $ 1,800 .
telephone set like theXiaomi Mix Fold 4and Honor Magic V3 examine you may have a thin folding phone with a great camera . The Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses the same camera system as last twelvemonth and , unhappily , lacks the advance selfie photographic camera from thePixel 9 ProandPixel 9 Pro XL . That say , I ’m still oblige out Leslie Townes Hope .
The 48 - megapixel broad sensor is mate with a 10.8MP telephoto sensor offering 5x optical zoom and a 10.5MP ultrawide television camera . It ’s the same apparatus as last year , but Google ’s art is in its algorithmic rule / persona processing , and previous Pixel phones have performed magic with less - adequate to hardware .
I roll in the hay the fresh Made You Look feature . Any new uncle or parent will tell you that necessitate photos of a vernal nipper is hard . My niece is 3 days sure-enough and photographic camera shy when she find . Smiley faces and cunning animations on the front display are design to make a tiddler look at the television camera , but much like the animation on theMotorola Razr Plus , it ’ll make everyone express mirth .
add together Meis also a fun way to express yourself using AI . It uses AI to serve you in double yourself in a photo or to get everyone in a group , including the lensman . There ’s nothing worse than a grouping memory that ’s missing someone , and summate Me makes this easier . Like other close phones , you’re able to also easily use the front display to take selfies with the independent tv camera .
A balanced blend of hardware and software
Google ’s approach to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has been middling square : fix the problems from the first generation and add the necessary hardware for a smooth experience . The Tensor G4 chip is n’t much dissimilar from the Tensor G3 , but the bump to 16 GB of RAM should make everything much unruffled .
I ’ve only expend special time with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold , but it already feel spanking and more responsive than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 . Like the rest of the Pixel 9 range , the Tensor G4 seems more than capable , and the vapour chamber in all but the non - Pro model keeps matter coolheaded . The regular Google Pixel 9 does n’t have a vaporization bedroom , but it has n’t overheat in the two weeks I ’ve used it .
A primary care with foldable phones is their enduringness . The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is IP48 dust and water - resistant , protect against dust and small subatomic particle under the display . The Pixel 9 Pro Fold drops the dust dowery to IPX8 , but the thin , more heavyset hinge should provide more aegis than last year ’s Pixel Fold .
The 4,650mAh bombardment inside the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 250mAh larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , but I expect both to birth similar barrage living . This may be where the Tensor G4 come down against theSnapdragon 8 Gen 3inside Samsung ’s foldable , but we ’ll find out in the full review . 37W charging ( with Google ’s 45W charging brick ) should have in mind a somewhat rapid initial charge , but I ’m not thrilled when the OnePlus Open can accuse from 0 % to 100 % in an time of day ; I wish both Samsung and Google had n’t compromised on fast charging .
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the real deal
That all said , I wish the Pixel 9 Pro Fold were better in a few areas . Faster charging speeds , a lighter plan , and less of a bezel on the side of the natural covering display would be welcome improvements . There are also a few thing that I will miss about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , which will stay in my rotation .
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold lacks the S Pen , which is ready to hand for drawing , annotating , and signing . It is n’t as dressed at multitasking , and although Samsung has partner with Google to improve this in Android , the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a productivity champion . One UI is also far more customizable , allowing you to make the Galaxy omega Fold 6 your own .
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold solves actual - world problems , and I ca n’t wait for mine to come .
For five yr , I ’ve been waiting for Google hardware to be good enough to entice me to switch . AI - powered material - time transcription in the voice recorder app is a blessing when you describe from events as it is firm enough to be a utile fact - check . Call covering could finally be the answer to my spam call nightmare . These real - world welfare work out day-after-day problems for me , and I ’ll finally be able to use them .
gratefully , the Pixel 9 Pro Fold hardware is good enough to make me want to trade , and the benefit of using a Pixel phone are the cerise on top . I ca n’t wait for mine to arrive .
