Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review
We’ve regularly featured Google’s foldable phone offerings on our recommendation lists, and this is because of how well they execute on the folding form factor. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold builds on these excellent handsets with customary upgrades we would expect, but the inclusion of AI takes things to another level this time around.
This review will take you into the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and its myriad of features, exploring its design, performance and more.
Pick up the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in Obsidian or Porcelain, with the option of 256GB or 512GB of storage.
Specs
• Dimensions – 155.2 x 77.5 x 10.5mm
• Weight – 257g
• OS – Android 14
• Display – 6.2” OLED (folded); 8” (unfolded)
• Resolution – 1080 x 2424 (folded); 2152 x 2076 (unfolded)
• Processor – Google Tensor G4
• RAM – 16GB
• Storage – 256GB
• Rear cameras – 48MP wide; 10.8MP telephoto; 10.5MP ultra-wide
• Front camera – 10MP (folded); 10MP (unfolded)
• Battery – 4650mAh
• Water and dust resistance – IPX8
• Connectivity – 5G; 4G; 3G; Bluetooth 6
Design
We praised previous Pixel Fold handsets, such as the original Fold, for nailing the foldable phone vision and ensuring that comfort wasn’t comprised. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold takes these sturdy foundations and builds on them, resulting in a phone that looks and feels fantastic.
This is best exemplified by how thin the handset is, even when folded. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold becomes barely noticeable when stashed away in a pocket, and its scratch-resistant display meant there was little risk of it coming out worse for wear. Unfolding the phone also creates a small footprint, giving the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a true, tablet-like feel.
Key to why the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a fantastic phone to hold is its durability, and the steel hinge is central to this. Not only is the crease where the handset folds barely noticeable, the hinge itself is purpose-built to withstand continuous folding. We had full confidence that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could handle the rigours of everyday use.
Like the other traditional Pixel 9 handsets, the 9 Pro Fold opts for a very different camera bar on the phone’s rear. Instead of the metal band that became so synonymous with Pixel devices, Google moved the camera array into a round module in the top corner. iPhone users will find this quite familiar, and the look is certainly more imposing than the elegant camera bar of old. Overall, however, it’s a bold aesthetic that demands attention.
To shield the Pixel 9 Pro Fold from scratches and damage, Google also includes several protective measures such as IPX8 ingress protection. Should it be splashed with water, this phone can shake it off no problem.
Display
We’ve reviewed many foldable phone displays, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold possesses one of the best around. In fact, there are two stunning screens on this handset that offer equally impressive experiences.
When using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as a traditional smartphone, you’re treated to a 6.2” OLED with a resolution of 1080 x 2424. This is very much what we’d expect from a top-tier handset, showcasing films, games and screenshots in brilliant detail. Switching over to the unfolded display, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold extends out to 8” with a resolution of 2152 x 2076. Entertainment and productivity are taken to another level here, elevated by the increase in screen size. Watching a film is far more immersive, and you can put two apps side-by-side without needing to swap between them.
Both of these displays also support HDR, which enhances the contrasts between colours to help them look more true-to-life. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s visual experience gets a huge boost from HDR, especially when watching a film on that dazzling 8” unfolded screen.
Performance & software
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s versatile form factor requires a processor that can handle these equally versatile use cases. Like the rest of the Pixel 9 series, this phone features the Google Tensor G4 processor; a speedy piece of silicon that is paired with 16GB RAM. This potent CPU and RAM combination enables the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to breeze through most workloads, and switching between the viewing modes is silky-smooth.
The Tensor G4 processor also plays a fundamental role in powering the Pixel Screenshots feature. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to recall details or information from an image, such as the recipe for a meal you took a picture of, Pixel Screenshots uses the Gemini AI functionality to present this information when you need it. This feature is hugely transformative for your screenshots library, and a great example of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s AI capabilities.
On the topic of AI, let’s circle back to Gemini. We touched on its role as part of the Pixel Screenshots feature, but Gemini goes much deeper than that on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As the replacement for Google Assistant, Gemini can help you organise your daily life by drafting lists or composing emails, among a plethora of other manual tasks. Because it’s also built on Google’s language-learning model, Gemini can grow and learn as you use it.
We can’t talk about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold without also mentioning Android 14. This version of Google’s operating system has a strong focus on personalisation, with features such as AI-generated wallpapers and monochrome themes providing plenty of ways to customise your phone. There’s also support for 7 years of updates, too.
Cameras
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 8” unfolded display serves as a unique way to take photos. Once you’ve taken the shot with the 48MP wide, 10.8MP telephoto or 10.5MP ultra-wide cameras, you can marvel at the results in all their OLED and HDR-boosted glory. This extra screen space enables you to assess the scene more clearly; something that a typical smartphone display can’t provide.
Editing an image is also much easier on this phone’s unfolded screen, bringing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold closer to a tablet experience while remaining far more portable. This opens up more opportunities to use the Magic Editor feature, which uses AI to easily crop, frame or add elements to an image.
Another useful tool in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s photography suite is the Add Me feature. Ever found yourself not being able to include the photographer in an image? Add Me solves this issue by merging two images together, one of the group and another of the person taking the photo. We enjoyed this clever use of AI to tackle a common problem, and the results were impressive to say the least.
Battery
There’s an immense amount to appreciate on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, all of which is powered by a 4650mAh battery. This doesn’t quite match the giant battery life you’ll find on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but it provides more than enough juice to get you through multiple gaming sessions or film viewings.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold can also be charged with a wired cable or wirelessly, should you have a charging pad handy.
Summary
Whether you’re a fan of Google’s phones and want a foldable option, or you are keen to try one of these unique devices for the first time, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is one of the best options available. It radiates quality across every inch, exemplified by stunning displays and useful AI features that transform this handset into a truly intelligent piece of tech.
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