Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: A Slim Foldable That Does It All

Foldables have certainly come a great distance, particularly in India. Whereas earlier restricted to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold vary, 2024 has supplied sufficient selection from plenty of producers throughout foldable segments. Now you can get one for as little as Rs. 64,999 in a flippable clamshell type issue or pony up Rs. 1,59,999 for a top-of-the-line book-style foldable that actually competes with premium slab-style smartphones. With the emergence of tri-fold units, foldables even make these bloated iPhone value tags in India seem palatable for Android customers.

And for these curious iPhone Professional customers eager to check out one thing new, a foldable affords a brand new type issue and is a value-for-money providing on condition that they’re already paying effectively over Rs. 1,00,000 for a “Professional” iPhone. And what higher Android machine to start with than Google’s personal Pixel foldable! It has an nearly iPhone-like philosophy, with each the software program and chip design managed by the model.

Certainly, that is one thing we’re witnessing for the primary time within the foldable section (at the very least in India). With a protracted moniker that is smart given the quite a few options it brings to the desk, is Google’s first Professional-branded Pixel worthy of its “Professional” branding and its price ticket?

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Evaluation Design: Magnificence and the beast

• Dimensions (Folded) – 155.2mm x 77.1mm x 10.5mm
• Dimensions (Unfolded) – 155.2mm x 150.2mm x 5.1mm
• Weight – 257 grams
• Sturdiness – IPX8 water resistance

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold certain appears cool. It has a slimmer, leaner and minimalist avatar, nevertheless it’s additionally the heaviest foldable within the section

The Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold presently has the slimmest design of any foldable in India. When positioned on a desk subsequent to the OnePlus Open, it actually feels half as thick when folded (due to its thinner digital camera bump) and abnormally slim when opened. It appears very “Swedish” (learn minimalist) when it comes to total design, and I might have liked holding it if it had not weighed over 1 / 4 of a kilo.

Vivo’s X Fold 3 Pro is taller and thicker (by a few millimetre) and is surprisingly extra comfy to carry than the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. That is partially on account of its barely slender design (accompanied by skinny bezels), however it is usually lighter by 21 grams and has bevelled corners and curved edges.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold (left) is slimmer and flatter, whereas the Vivo X Fold 3 Professional (proper) is less complicated to carry because of its curved edges and bevelled corners

I want that Google had caught to its smaller passport-sized design (just like the outdated Pixel Fold), which was distinctive and particular. The unique Fold’s design additionally meant that the machine all the time opened immediately in a pill state (horizontal versus vertical) and so didn’t have to be reoriented when watching films. It was the proper design for a foldable (which most individuals anticipate to show right into a tablets when opened), however Google’s designers took a smartphone-first design strategy and form of ruined its USP.

How slim is the Pixel 9 Professional Fold? Right here, it’s pictured subsequent to Google’s personal slab-style Pixel 9 Professional XL flagship

This new strategy leads to a narrower cowl show, which I agree is extra comfy to carry, however this additionally means you’ll have to reorient the telephone when watching a film, as defined within the show part beneath.

Google makes use of aluminium alloy for the steel elements and has the slimmest profile because of its use of flat entrance and rear panels. Nonetheless, I am not assured about its sturdiness as a result of the body is skinny. It is barely 1mm thick close to the hinge, and whereas it appears glossy, it additionally feels fairly delicate.

With such skinny margins for its entrance and rear frames, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold does really feel fairly delicate across the hinge space

One other space the place Google manages to chisel down its foldable to beat the competitors is the bezel surrounding the principle folding show, which accurately appears like a shiny sticker.

Lastly, the general end of the Fold is a bit missing when in comparison with the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s design. Whereas the buttons and port cutouts are a bit sharp, there are minor gaps the place the glass panel meets the steel body. The telephone is IPX8-rated, which means that it may well stand up to splashes of water from any course, however do understand that the guarantee won’t cowl any harm attributable to the identical.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Evaluation Show: Truly good

• Cowl show – 6.2-inch, 1080 x 2424 pixels, full-HD+, 120Hz
• Principal show – 8.03-inch, 2076 x 2152 pixels, 120Hz
• Show Sort – Cowl: OLED, Principal: LTPO OLED
• Show safety – Cowl: Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Principal: UTG

As you may inform from the specs listed above, solely the folding show of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold affords the battery-saving LTPO expertise. Each shows present barely punchy colors on the Adaptive setting, with the identical getting toned down on the Pure setting. Should you choose the Pure setting for true-to-life colors, remember to change to the Adaptive setting when watching films on OTT apps, because the shows are inclined to lose distinction on this mode.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold has a pretty total design, nevertheless it’s laborious to disregard these thick borders round its cowl show.

I favored how broad the quilt show is, which additionally reduces the necessity to open the telephone on a regular basis. Like with the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s display, The well-rounded nook cutouts of the Fold’s design additionally eat into the viewable show space. It solely makes issues worse on a foldable as these corners make the oblong show seem squarish.

Given the principle folding show’s dimension, you get a extra usable video viewing space when holding the machine horizontally, and that is the explanation why it’s a must to reorient it when viewing video on full display screen (non-cropped view). And even then, there’s tons of wasted area above and beneath (letterboxing), so the squarish facet ratio is best suited to run two apps side-by-side than for leisure.

Whereas its bezel is now thinner than earlier than, the principle show on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold has a really noticeable crease

The truth is, if you’re simply on the lookout for an even bigger show for watching films on, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is a more sensible choice as a result of it’s going to last more than the 9 Professional Fold with a single cost as effectively.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Evaluation Software program: AI-tastic

• Software program – Pixel UI
• Model – Android 14
• Software program dedication – 7 years of OS, safety and Pixel Drop updates

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is the one foldable to supply a correct tablet-style break up notification tray with toggles on the left and notifications on the precise

There may be a variety of element and a spotlight given to the folding expertise. There is a refined closing animation with the house display screen icons and widgets transferring inwards when closing the principle show. The lock display screen clock additionally glides to the left when unlocking the machine immediately from the principle show, which is a pleasant contact. My favorite is the break up structure for the notifications tray with toggles on the left and the notifications on the precise, which is often discovered on Android tablets that run near-stock Android software program.

Nonetheless, the Pixel 9 Professional’s multi-tasking capabilities are removed from what the competitors affords. Presently, it is simply restricted to working two apps (displayed in full) in Cut up Display screen mode, and that is about it. The OnePlus Open, regardless of being the oldest foldable presently accessible, nonetheless appears to supply the very best productiveness setup with the power to run three apps in full and one other app in a small floating window, for individuals who want it.

The Pixel 9 Professional’s multi-tasking capabilities are restricted to working two apps at a time

Whilst you can examine all of the AI options in my review of the Pixel 9 Professional XL, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold does include a couple of enjoyable extras. This would come with the lovely Made You Look function, which performs humorous animations on the quilt show to make youngsters chuckle and smile when on digital camera. Twin Display screen on Meet additionally lets customers present the output from each entrance and rear cameras collectively when on a Meet video name. Twin-Display screen mode for Reside Transcribe can be very helpful when on a vacation and may immediately translate 120+ languages. It additionally is available in use for these with listening to and speech disabilities.

Similar to the Pixel 9 Professional XL, Automotive Crash Detection is now accessible, with the satellite-based Emergency SOS coming at a later date.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL Evaluation Efficiency: Fairly common

• Processor – Google Tensor G4
• RAM – 16GB
• Storage – 256GB

Regardless of the various foldable-friendly software program refinements, it’s a bit disappointing to see the UI stuttering with random apps (together with the Google Uncover feed). I perceive that the Fold’s cowl show just isn’t an LTPO unit, however I observed this very apparent lack of scrolling fluidity with each shows when searching any app. This turned extra apparent once I in contrast it with the Pixel 9 Professional XL aspect by aspect. I imagine the offender right here is the stricter battery optimisations. Both approach, Google desperately wants to repair the jitter and stuttering, as Vivo’s X Fold 3 Professional affords a a lot smoother software program expertise at a cheaper price.

Google additionally skimps on storage, given that almost all foldables at this value level simply supply 512GB of storage. In a approach, they do again it up with a free 2TB Gemini Superior plan (for a 12 months), however once more, we’d have liked to see extra storage on a telephone that is this costly.

I used to be not capable of check out Google’s in-game split-view, which is offered for sure titles as a Beta tester, due to some access-related points. Nonetheless, I attempted Name of Responsibility: Cell (at Max and Extremely body fee) on the quilt and predominant show and located its efficiency fairly passable. Genshin Impression stuttered lots when the settings have been maxed out. Contact sampling or sensitivity just isn’t as correct, and it felt a bit bizarre to play FPS video games on a sq. show, though it supplies you with a a lot larger show in comparison with the quilt display screen.

The telephone will get sizzling whereas utilizing the digital camera app open air, nevertheless it doesn’t appear to have an effect on digital camera efficiency (like on earlier Pixel fashions) because of the vapour chamber cooling system.

It certain is spectacular how Google managed to pack in wi-fi charging and VC cooling right into a telephone that is as skinny as a USB-C port when unfolded

For some purpose, quantity ranges like these on the Pixel 9 Professional XL don’t appear adequate, particularly whereas watching films. I usually discovered myself maxing it out more often than not and nonetheless didn’t discover it adequate when it comes to sheer loudness. It additionally lacks a adequate bass (even for a foldable).

Whereas the side-mounted fingerprint reader labored simply wonderful, I solely wanted to make use of it in dimly lit settings, or these with no gentle in any respect, because the safe face unlock system did the job fairly effectively.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL Evaluation Cameras: Not what we anticipated

• Principal digital camera – 48-megapixel (OIS), f/1.7 aperture, AF
• Telephoto digital camera – 10.8-megapixel (OIS), 5X optical, f/3.1 aperture, AF
• Extremely-wide digital camera – 10.5-megapixel, 0.5X, f/2.2 aperture, AF
• Selfie cameras – 10-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture, AF (cowl/predominant)

Google’s digital camera system on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold stays just like the older Pixel Fold

Certainly, there’s nothing “Professional” in regards to the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s cameras, as they do not maintain a candle to the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s cameras. Regardless, issues solely worsen when put next with the Vivo X Fold 3 Professional, as could be seen from the digital camera pattern comparability beneath.

Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold loses to the sharper and extra detailed photographs produced by Vivo’s X Fold 3 Professional. Additionally, discover the higher dynamic vary in low gentle (faucet photos to increase)

Not like most producers attempting to squeeze high-resolution digital camera sensors into their foldables. It stays to be seen whether or not Google desires to repeat Samsung’s digital camera {hardware} technique and follow the identical set of cameras for 3 generations, as the one actual upgrades we have now seen this 12 months are with its selfie cameras.

Images from the first digital camera are respectable and are available out a bit gentle when taking pictures indoors or in opposition to any out of doors lighting. When taking pictures open air, colors seem pure, with resolved element on the decrease aspect and a few minor purple fringing. In low gentle, photographs have respectable element however are inclined to crush the blacks because the older Pixel cameras did.

Edge detection in Portrait mode actually wants a variety of work… even for a foldable (faucet picture to increase)

As with the Pixel 9 Professional XL, Portrait taking pictures is proscribed to 1.5X and 2X. Nonetheless, in contrast to the XL, the Fold has to deal with all of it with a somewhat dated digital camera sensor, so these digitally scaled crops do not look nice. Portrait mode photographs from the rear digital camera not solely lack element and distinction but in addition have horrible edge detection that may minimize out hair, ears and glasses. So, I like to recommend utilizing it solely in daylight (if you happen to actually need to). The truth is, I most well-liked taking pictures common photographs at 1X and including an AI blur impact to them within the submit, which additionally supplied higher element.

Images captured at 5X (optical zoom) seem a bit flat and gentle (faucet picture to increase)

Images from its main digital camera (1X) come out alright (faucet picture to increase)

The 5X telephoto digital camera, whereas managing high quality photographs in daylight, shoots gentle photos in low gentle even when resorting to the Evening Sight mode. The ultra-wide digital camera actually feels prefer it’s been added to finish the spec sheet. Video efficiency is satisfactory in daylight however comes out very noisy in low gentle; even Google’s Video Increase device can’t appear to show water into wine right here.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL Evaluation Battery: A bit beneath expectations

• Battery capability – 4,650 mAh
• Wired charging – 21W
• Wi-fi Charging – 7.5W wi-fi (Qi)

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s battery life lasts a full day on a single cost with reasonable use. This would come with some calls, digital camera utilization, gaming, and regularly switching to the principle show. In our video loop battery check, the telephone managed to final 12 hours and 50 minutes when utilizing the quilt show and eight hours and eight minutes when utilizing the bigger predominant show. These numbers are beneath common for a foldable machine, as I’ve seen higher battery efficiency on foldables just like the Vivo X Fold 3 Professional and even the OnePlus Open (which is now a bit dated).

Google doesn’t present the Pixel 45W charger within the field

Charging speeds are comparatively sluggish, with the telephone managing a full cost in 1 hour and 45 minutes when linked to a 61W PD charger. They’re on par with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 however nowhere near what the present Chinese language foldables supply each when it comes to wired and wi-fi charging.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL Verdict

Google’s neatly laid out software program and segment-leading AI methods could come to the 9 Professional Fold’s rescue, which finds itself within the palms of Pixel followers who’ve been desperately ready for the foldable to achieve Indian shores. However its dated digital camera system desperately wants an improve and doesn’t match the “Professional” moniker that Google’s chasing for its foldable.

On the subject of sensible options that matter to most shoppers, like clean software program, good battery life, quick charging and high quality cameras, it comes up horribly wanting Vivo’s X Fold 3 Pro (Review), making it an antithesis to this 12 months’s Pixel 9 Pro XL (Review), which was an enormous step in the precise course for Google’s slab-style smartphones.

If you’re on the lookout for your first foldable, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 (Review) and OnePlus’s Open (Review) supply prolonged restore warranties to present you higher peace of thoughts and each of those, just like the Vivo, are priced decrease than Google’s foldable Pixel.