Pixel 9 Professional Fold assessment: A grown-up, glowed-up foldable

Rising up. It’s one thing all of us do, and gadgets do too. Whereas there’s been little or no innovation in mainstream smartphones these days, foldable telephones have been maturing over the previous couple of years and eventually appear to be coming into their very own. It’s like they’re within the younger grownup section of their lives, whereas the traditional “candybar” handset has largely been found out. Not less than, on the surface, anyway.

If foldables are the merchandise, then corporations like Samsung and Google are the mother and father, and every of these two has taken a special strategy. Samsung has been extra experimental, letting its child flail round within the playground, falling off swings and cracking its face. Google seems to have been extra cautious, maybe sheltering its product earlier than releasing it for the primary time final 12 months. And let’s not discuss in regards to the elephant in (or lacking from) the room — Apple might be ready until its foldable is mature sufficient to skip straight to highschool earlier than exposing it to the world.

All that’s to say the Pixel 9 Professional Fold seems like a glowed-up younger grownup, prepared for actuality. Although it could have been extra apt to name this the Pixel Fold 2 (because it’s solely Google’s second foldable), I can see why the corporate needs us to consider it as a part of the 9-series. With the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, the complete Pixel 9 lineup feels refined and well-equipped to tackle the competitors. And possibly even win our hearts.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s design

Considered one of my favourite issues in regards to the Pixel foldable is its facet ratio. In comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which my colleague Sam Rutherford has described as extra like a thin baton, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold feels extra like a traditional cellphone when folded. In actual fact, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a lot an extension of the Pixel 9 sequence that its 6.3-inch exterior show is just about the identical dimension because the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional.

However as a result of that panel is encased in a body designed to accommodate a hinge for the versatile inner display screen, the Fold truly appears extra related in dimension to my iPhone 15 Professional Max. Once I picked them each up, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold felt a bit heavier, however I guessed that it was most likely near the iPhone 14 Professional Max in weight. I used to be fallacious — the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is definitely 17 grams heavier than the iPhone 14 Professional Max and 36 grams greater than the 15 Professional Max. Extra importantly, at 257 grams (9.06 ounces), the Pixel foldable is eighteen grams heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

It will not be the lightest foldable round, however the Pixel 9 Professional Fold actually ranks among the many thinnest. When open, its profile measures simply 5.1mm (0.2 inches) thick, whereas Samsung’s Z Fold 6 is barely thicker at 5.6mm.

Numbers alone don’t inform the complete story. Small dimensions look good on paper, however the best way the Pixel 9 Professional Fold feels to carry is a big a part of its evolution. Final 12 months’s mannequin felt a bit unfinished, with a little bit of a duct-tape vibe to its development. This time, the system feels strong, due to its “aerospace-grade high-strength aluminum alloy” and “matte back with satin metal frame.” The exterior display screen and rear are coated with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, serving to it’s extra scratch-resistant.

In fact, as is often the case with foldables, sturdiness is a priority and one thing that we will solely gauge with time. The excellent news is, Sam not too long ago revealed a sturdiness report after , and the system not solely withstood the wear and tear and tear of day by day life, but additionally survived being within the normal neighborhood of an lively toddler for 12 entire months.

Some fast closing notes on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s design: In case you’re right-handed, you may admire that the underside proper nook of the cellphone (when folded) is barely curved. It rests properly in opposition to your palm and is marginally extra fulfilling than the expertise for many who are left-handed, who won’t just like the sharper angle of the underside left nook. I used the Fold in each fingers and didn’t discover this a serious subject, however our videographer Hayato Huseman didn’t just like the design for left-handed use.

I even have a minor grievance that the system is difficult to open with out first getting a fingernail in between the 2 halves, however I count on this can get simpler in time. Extra annoying is the slight creak each time I open the cellphone, however this obtained smoother over time. Once in a while, there’s additionally a mildly regarding rattle once I shake the Fold, which is one thing my good friend Julian Chokkattu at Wired dropped at my consideration, so it feels like an issue that isn’t distinctive to our unit.

I’ve requested Google if this is a matter with simply our assessment samples or if it’s extra widespread and in accordance with the corporate “this is expected behavior that’s due to the telephoto camera VCM. You will likely notice this on Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL as well.” I’ll say that I hear an analogous (although much less pronounced) sound once I shake my iPhone 15 Professional Max the identical means, so this might simply be the optical picture stabilization system shifting about.

A story of two Pixel 9 Professional Fold shows

Collect up, facet ratio nerds, have we obtained an journey in intricate numbers for you! Although final 12 months’s Pixel Fold had a 5.8-inch exterior show with an ungainly 17.4:9 facet ratio, this 12 months’s mannequin is far more intuitive. It’s the identical 6.3-inch 20:9 display screen as the usual Pixel 9, making it a extra acquainted dimension and form. I’m a bit bummed that it has the 1,080 x 2,424 decision and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh charge of the bottom Pixel 9, versus the sharper panel on the Professional (which fits right down to 1Hz), however it’s not an enormous drawback.

Sam identified that there’s the teeniest change within the Pixel Fold’s inner display screen. The unique was just below 5.875 inches large when held in panorama, and whereas the brand new Pixel Fold’s inside show is similar dimension in the identical orientation, in portrait mode it’s truly 5.625 inches large. This implies the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s inner show has an virtually sq. 1:1 facet ratio that’s 8 inches large diagonally, which is bigger than its predecessor’s 7.6-inch panel.

This doesn’t dramatically enhance issues while you’re viewing widescreen content material, and Sam would even name it a “very tiny downgrade” in that situation. The brand new display screen dimensions will make extra of a distinction while you’re gaming and multitasking than watching movies. The tweak seems to be extra for compatibility, and I nonetheless needed to dwell with empty house on both aspect of movies (in each portrait and panorama orientations) once I performed YouTube clips in fullscreen mode.

I ought to level out that the interior show does truly go right down to 1Hz, however has a decrease pixel density due to its 2,076 x 2,152 decision. I wasn’t ever blown away by both show, although, and merely discovered them perfunctory. They each go as much as 2,700 nits of peak brightness, and are straightforward sufficient to learn in daylight, although the entrance display screen can rise up to 1,800 nits with HDR whereas the one inside solely goes to 1,600 nits with HDR.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s cameras and images options

Google’s unique foldable already had higher cameras than Samsung’s newest, providing an extended optical zoom, sharper photos and superior low-light efficiency. So although it’s barely disappointing that the Pixel 9 Professional Fold doesn’t include many {hardware} upgrades, what it does carry remains to be higher than the Z Fold 6. In actual fact, Sam says the Pixel 9 Professional Fold has the very best cameras on any foldable you should purchase within the US.

Google has stored the principle sensor at 48 megapixels and upgraded the ultra-wide digital camera to allow macro focus. You’ll nonetheless discover a 5x optical zoom on the telephoto digital camera, which is longer than the 3x choice on Samsung’s Z Fold 6. What’s fascinating is that with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, Google needed to tweak its digital camera {hardware} to “fit our unique ultra thin architecture,” which is a reasonably spectacular engineering feat.

When it got here right down to precise photos, the Pixel persistently outshot the Z Fold 6, with Sam going so far as to say it’s “generally a tier level higher.” Colours are brighter and extra correct, and the telephoto {hardware} makes a noticeable distinction in zoomed-in photographs. That’s even earlier than utilizing Google’s Zoom Improve software program, too. Given Samsung has been utilizing the identical sensor for the principle digital camera for the final three years, that doesn’t appear shocking, however it’s actually a disgrace that those that shelled out $1,900 for the Z Fold 6 are caught with poorer specs right here. It’s unusual too, contemplating Samsung’s important sensor is a higher-res 50MP.

It’s value noting that Google’s major {hardware} replace additionally gave the Pixel 9 Professional Fold extra of an edge, since with the ability to use its ultra-wide digital camera as a macro shooter made its close-up photographs higher than Samsung’s. Plus, Google continues to steer in low-light images, producing sharper, extra vibrant and higher uncovered pictures than the Z Fold 6.

In actual fact, software program is the place the Pixel cameras proceed to shine. Google added new options like Add Me and Made You Look this 12 months, with the latter being an unique to the Professional Fold. Is sensible, since that makes use of the interior and exterior screens. Whilst you have the digital camera app open on the within, tapping an icon above the shutter button permits you to select between twin display screen, rear digital camera selfie or Made You Look. Choosing the final one brings up 4 choices of various cartoon animations, and the respective character seems on the surface show. The hen, or fish, or blob will dance round and make noises to get the eye of your topic. That is meant to work predominantly on youngsters, although I think about it’ll additionally pique the curiosity of cats and canines. I attempted it out totally on adults, and obtained a slew of images of my pals wanting incredulously on the digital camera. Principally this works for individuals aged one and up!

Whenever you’re able to edit your photos, you’ll discover the identical suite of instruments which are on the Pixel 9 Professional. Which means issues like Magic Editor, Reimagine and Autoframe are additionally out there to spruce up your photographs. I received’t retread floor we already coated in that assessment, however like we talked about earlier than, these generative-AI options are considerably efficient however sometimes problematic. I like utilizing it to create extra bushes or greenery within the background so I can middle my pals in a candid photograph, however discover it regarding that Reimagine might be used to , in accordance with The Verge.

In case you can avoid the problematic AI instruments, although, it’s heartening to see that the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can ship photographs which are nearly as good as those I obtained from my iPhone 15 Professional Max. In any case, you’re paying $1,800, try to be getting flagship-level cameras.

Efficiency and in use

Neither Sam nor I’ve had greater than per week with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, so it’s a bit too early to speak about longterm efficiency and day by day use. Basically, although, to date we’ve seen the brand new Fold runs easily and coolly, identical to the opposite Pixel 9 Execs. That’s largely due to the Tensor G4 processor and built-in vapor chamber, and naturally, possibly I simply haven’t had the Fold lengthy sufficient however it by no means obtained too heat.

I loved watching YouTube with Threads open subsequent to it on the interior display screen, and the bigger canvas additionally made Instagram photos simpler to scrutinize. I want extra apps had been appropriate with the larger format, although, since my current favourite video games like Fruit Merge don’t broaden to the total width and as an alternative sit within the center, flanked by two bars of empty house.

It’s additionally unusual that flexing the display screen, which is meant to routinely change appropriate apps right into a half-and-half structure, solely works in panorama mode. Which means in case you open YouTube, bend the Pixel 9 Professional Fold barely and flip it so the rear digital camera is on the highest left nook, you’ll see movies take up the highest half of the show. The underside portion is the place the title, description, feedback and different movies sit.

This structure is intuitive, and is smart within the panorama orientation the place the clip you’re watching is propped up for simpler viewing. I simply want there was an equal while you’re holding the Fold in portrait mode that may make the feedback take up the appropriate half of the show as an alternative of the awkward column it presently makes use of.

Sam’s expertise with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 leads him to search out Samsung’s taskbar “a touch better for power users,” since you’ll be able to set it to all the time stick round it doesn’t matter what app you’re on. This makes it simpler to launch apps in splitscreen or simply bounce between duties. It’s additionally value noting that Google doesn’t assist stylus enter, whereas Samsung does, and the latter’s DeX multitasking software program is useful for productiveness. The Pixel Fold doesn’t have such an interface the place apps seem in floating home windows, although I do like when appropriate apps show additional columns or sidebars once they’re on the larger display screen.

Nonetheless, these are typically minor quibbles that really feel straightforward sufficient to resolve with software program updates you may obtain over time. In case you’re not an influence consumer or itching to make use of a stylus along with your foldable, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a strong choice over the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s battery life

The Pixel 9 sequence has been delivering significantly good outcomes on our video rundown battery take a look at and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is not any exception. When working on simply the exterior show, the Fold clocked 27 hours and 9 minutes, which is mainly the identical as what the usual Pixel 9 obtained. When utilizing simply the inside display screen, the Fold lasted 23 hours and 22 minutes, which is spectacular for a way a lot bigger the panel is.

These numbers are about two to 3 hours higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which notched 25 hours and 19 minutes when folded and 20:07 when open. The brand new Pixel Fold additionally beat its predecessor and the OnePlus Open, as neither of these even handed the 20-hour mark on our take a look at.

Wrap-up

Though the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is simply Google’s second foldable system, it’s already come a great distance. It each appears and feels higher than earlier than, with a dimension and form that’s extra much like an ordinary cellphone when closed. When open, the system is simple to carry and supplies a roomier canvas for mild multitasking and gaming. Plus, in comparison with its important competitors within the US, the Pixel Fold 2 (spiritually anyway) has a superior digital camera sport and longer battery life. It’s additionally $100 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, although it’s nonetheless fairly expensive at $1,800.

Google’s foldable line nonetheless has some quirks to work out, however that’s all a part of rising up. For a tool that’s solely been round for 2 generations, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a strong foldable for anybody trying to dip their toe into versatile telephones that may double as tablets.