Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review | Infinium-tech

Introduction and description

The original Pixel Fold wasn’t exactly the success Google hoped it would be. It had some advantages, but the device wasn’t well received by consumers. However, the company hopes to change things with the second version of the foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The name change also shows that Google has taken a different route this year.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is not just a full-fledged member of the Pixel 9 family this year, but it’s also a lot better than its predecessor. It has bigger and better displays, inside and out, it has a two-generation new chipset, updated camera hardware, and since this is a software-oriented company, the new Pixel has a few special features. However, they can’t be revealed through the spec sheet.

Furthermore, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is marketed to offer the largest display on a phone. With an 8.0″ display when opened, the 9 Pro Fold outpaces other phones like the Honor Magic V3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4. Still, the vivo X Fold3 Pro has a slightly larger 8.03″ display.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold specifications at a glance:

• Body: 155.2×150.2×5.1mm, 257g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminium frame; IPX8 water resistant.
• Display: 8.00″ foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 2700 nits (peak), 2076x2152px resolution, 9.33:9 aspect ratio, 373ppi; Cover display:, OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2424 pixels, 20:9 ratio, 422 ppi, 1800 nits (HBM), 2700 nits (peak).
• Chipset: Google Tensor G4 (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4×1.92 GHz Cortex-A520); Mali-G715 MC7.
• Memory: 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
• OS/Software: Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades.
• rear camera: Wide (main): 48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 10.8 MP, f/3.1, 112mm, 1/3.2″, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra Wide Angle: 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 127˚, 1/3.4″, PDAF.
• Front Camera: Wide (main): 10 MP, f/2.2, 23mm, 1/3.94″, PDAF; Wide (main): 10 MP, f/2.2, 23mm, 1/3.94″, PDAF;
• video capture: rear camera: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Gyro-EIS, OIS; Front Camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 4650mAh; 21W wired, 7.5W wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.3, aptX HD; NFC.
• various: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); Stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Satellite SOS service, Circle to Search.

This year Google seems to have taken a whole new approach with the form factor. The increase in display size has also brought different aspect ratios. Now, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a more familiar aspect ratio on both screens and feels like a regular smartphone when folded. Last year’s Pixel was boxy and more compact.

Not everyone might like this change, as the original Pixel Fold had that unique feel. It was more compact than the rest. Still, the new Pixel was able to shed a few grams of weight, so it’s now lighter and it’s also noticeably thinner.

Despite the thinner body, the new Fold has a proper triple-camera setup – a 48MP main camera, a 10.8MP periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, and a 10.5MP ultrawide unit. It also gets a pair of updated selfie cameras. After all, this is a Pixel phone, and users are looking for that great camera experience.

But how good is the camera experience, and how does the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold stack up against more established foldables in the market? Let’s find out.

Unboxing of Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in a simple package, which only includes some user manuals and a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and data transfer. A suitable charger is not included.

If you don’t already have one you should look for at least a 21W Power Delivery 3.0 charger.