Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: the best folding phone for entertainment fans

As a tech enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has truly impressed me. The dual-screen setup is not just a gimmick; it’s a game-changer for productivity and entertainment.

Folding smartphones that transform into compact tablets are gaining popularity annually, and here are some considerations if you’re contemplating purchasing one: They excel in streaming TV on-the-go, offer an exceptional mobile gaming experience, and provide ample space for work during lengthy commutes.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that Google’s pioneering foldable device, the Pixel Fold, boasts an array of impressive features. However, when stacked against the crème de la crème of Pixel phones, it falls short in several aspects. It’s on the bulky side, battery life leaves much to be desired, and the internal screen feels a touch delicate. Fortunately, Google has taken significant strides with its 2024 foldable model to keep pace with the competition.

At a Made By Google gathering, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold made its debut together with the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The flagship phones from Google are among the best Android devices, and this foldable phone appears to be more cohesive within the series than previously.

As of composing this text, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold carries a price tag of approximately £1,749, making it quite an investment. However, it’s reasonable to anticipate that its price might be reduced in the future, particularly during events such as Prime Day and Black Friday.

So is this folding phone worth splashing out on? I’ve been trying it out over the last couple of weeks to answer that question, and here I’ll take you through everything you need to know about its design, display, camera, performance, battery and software.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: the best folding phone for entertainment fans

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: What’s new?

Compared to its previous model, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold underwent a comprehensive makeover, which isn’t limited to just a change in its name.

One noticeable variation is that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is significantly slimmer compared to the Pixel Fold. To be specific, it’s 1.5mm thinner when folded and a further 0.7mm thinner when unfolded. This reduction in size is achieved by slightly reducing the battery capacity. The battery, which was a 4,831mAh cell in the Pixel Fold, now has a capacity of 4,650mAh in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

This latest smartphone boasts larger screens compared to its predecessor. It’s upgraded from a 7.6-inch main screen and a 5.8-inch external display to an 8-inch main screen and a 6.3-inch external one. The foldable screen has been made more durable and brighter, which I’ll discuss in detail later on.

In terms of design, the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold exhibit distinct differences, with a freshly positioned square camera module located in the corner at the back, deviating from the traditional camera bar. Despite this change, the camera setup remains consistent; however, there’s an array of innovative software updates to enhance photo quality.

In other areas, Google has advanced the processor from a Tensor G3 to a Tensor G4 and boosted the RAM capacity to 16GB, replacing the previous 12GB.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: Design

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is designed to be a practical choice for your everyday phone. It shares the same elegant design aesthetic as the Pixel 9 Pro, featuring a polished matte glass back and a gleaming hinge. However, what stands out most is its slim profile, lightweight construction, and noticeable increase in sturdiness compared to its previous model.

When closed, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold resembles an ordinary smartphone, albeit with one straight edge and another with rounded corners, as well as slightly larger bezels compared to what’s typically found in high-end devices. Upon opening it like a book, you unveil a bigger mini tablet screen within.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available in both obsidian black and porcelain white for purchase. I had a chance to try out the obsidian black model.

The revamped camera setup at the back is noticeably squarer compared to the camera array on the Pixel Fold. However, I found one minor inconvenience: it protrudes further than previously. Thankfully, its positioning prevents it from wobbling when placed on a table.

When folded, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a similar size to one of the Pixel 9 devices, and when opened, it is slimmer than most tablets. Intriguingly, during testing, its size as a foldable phone didn’t bother me, allowing for easy pocket carry when not in use.

One of the biggest perks of buying a foldable phone is the fact that you can use it in a few different positions. In this case, you can open the phone partway and prop it up like a laptop, or use it flat like a tablet.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: Display

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts two screens: a 6.3-inch outer display, similar to a cover, and a spacious 8-inch foldable screen inside, resembling a compact tablet.

The compact screen of this device resembles a typical smartphone in size and form, and its quality is comparable to many other mobile phones available. Many basic tasks can be accomplished without opening the phone as the cover display performs adequately for these purposes. I utilized it to respond to messages, perform web searches, and browse through images captured by the camera.

With a maximum brightness of 2,700 nits, this cover display is exceptionally bright and suitable for use in various lighting scenarios, even under bright sunlight. Moreover, it boasts a refresh rate that reaches 120Hz, making scrolling and swiping on the phone feel incredibly smooth. However, it should be noted that the refresh rate can only decrease to 60Hz.

When you need more space for viewing, the screen boasts an exceptionally clear resolution, vibrant colors, and equally intense brightness. This remarkable display truly showcases the pinnacle of foldable screen technology, with the crease being hardly noticeable when viewed directly from the front of the device.

As a gamer, I absolutely adore my compact tablet screen for entertainment purposes! It’s perfect for binge-watching TV shows like “Selling Sunset” on Netflix and movies such as “A Star is Born” on Prime Video. The contrast feature ensures that every detail stands out, even in the darkest corners or shadows, and the small yet clear display guarantees I don’t miss a single scene or subtle detail.

Just like the external screen, the internal one boasts a top-tier refresh rate of 120Hz, but for power saving purposes, it can lower itself to as minimal as 1Hz.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review: Camera

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts an exceptional camera setup, although it didn’t receive the same advancements as premium smartphones. Remarkably, it shares some similarities with its initial version, yet it doesn’t require significant updates to excel.

With your purchase, you’ll receive a 48MP primary wide-angle camera, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens equipped for macro photography, a 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens that offers 5x optical zoom, and a digital Super Res Zoom capable of extending up to 20 times its original magnification.

The outcome: Consistently well-balanced, meticulously detailed images, regardless of whether you’re capturing close-ups or distant subjects. What makes the Fold’s camera stand out is its ability to thoughtfully manage shadows, resulting in more authentic-looking photos. Colors are subtly enhanced without appearing unnatural, and lines are crisp and clearly defined.

With a telephoto lens, you can capture sharp images in high optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, and 5x magnifications. However, what truly sets it apart is its 20x Super Res Zoom capability, allowing you to zoom into a scene so much that you can see details beyond what the naked eye can perceive.

As a gaming enthusiast, diving into the world of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels like stepping up my game. This bad boy packs all the top-tier tools its flagship counterparts boast. For instance, with “Add Me” feature, I can seamlessly include myself in my masterpieces. The “Best Take” function is a lifesaver when it comes to group photos, ensuring everyone’s best moments are captured together. Lastly, the “Magic Editor” lets me flex my creative muscles by easily resizing and eliminating any unwanted elements from my snapshots.

On the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, there’s a new feature called Reimagine by Google, which allows you to insert objects into photos using AI. All you have to do is type what you’d like to see, and it will magically appear within the image. However, the outcome can be unpredictable – sometimes it looks remarkably realistic, while other times it doesn’t work as intended. Whether this is a positive or negative aspect is for you to decide.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold sample photos

Check out the images in the following gallery, which show some raw, unaltered photos captured by the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

2024-09-17 18:19

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