Pixel 9 Professional Fold evaluation: 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 few years and at last 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. At the least, on the skin, 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 method. 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 yr. And let’s not speak 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 looks 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 think about 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

Certainly one of my favourite issues in regards to the Pixel foldable is its side 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 standard cellphone when folded. In reality, 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, the Fold truly appears extra comparable 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 mistaken — 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 major a part of its evolution. Final yr’s mannequin felt a bit unfinished, with a little bit of a duct-tape vibe to its building. This time, the machine feels stable, because of its “aerospace-grade high-strength aluminum alloy” and “matte back with satin metal frame.” The exterior display and rear are coated with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, serving to or not it’s extra scratch-resistant.

After all, as is often the case with foldables, sturdiness is a priority and one thing that we are able to solely gauge with time. The excellent news is, Sam not too long ago revealed a sturdiness report after a yr with the unique Pixel Fold, and the machine not solely withstood the wear and tear and tear of day by day life, but in addition survived being within the normal neighborhood of an energetic toddler for 12 complete months.

Some fast ultimate notes on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s design: When you’re right-handed, you would possibly recognize 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 satisfying 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 arms and didn’t discover this a significant challenge, however our videographer Hayato Huseman didn’t just like the design for left-handed use.

I even have a minor grievance that the machine is tough to open with out first getting a fingernail in between the 2 halves, however I count on it will get simpler in time. Extra annoying is the slight creak each time I open the cellphone, however this received smoother over time. Occasionally, there’s additionally a mildly regarding rattle after 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 evaluation samples or if it’s extra widespread and in keeping with the corporate “this is expected behavior that’s due to the telephoto camera VCM (voice coil motor). 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 after I shake my iPhone 15 Professional Max the identical means, so this might simply be the optical picture stabilization system transferring about.

A story of two Pixel 9 Professional Fold shows

Collect up, side ratio nerds, have we received an journey in intricate numbers for you! Although final yr’s Pixel Fold had a 5.8-inch exterior show with a clumsy 17.4:9 side ratio, this yr’s mannequin is way more intuitive. It’s the identical 6.3-inch 20:9 display 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 fee of the bottom Pixel 9, versus the sharper panel on the Professional (which works right down to 1Hz), however it’s not an enormous downside.

Sam identified that there’s the teeniest change within the Pixel Fold’s inner display. The unique was slightly below 5.875 inches broad 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 broad. This implies the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s inner show has an nearly sq. 1:1 side ratio that’s 8 inches broad diagonally, which is bigger than its predecessor’s 7.6-inch panel.

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

I ought to level out that the inner show does truly go right down to 1Hz, however has a decrease pixel density because of 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 simple sufficient to learn in daylight, although the entrance display 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 pictures 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 deliver continues to be better than the Z Fold 6. In reality, Sam says the Pixel 9 Professional Fold has the most effective 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 possibility 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 constantly 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 predominant sensor is a higher-res 50MP.

It’s value noting that Google’s main {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 guide in low-light pictures, producing sharper, extra vibrant and higher uncovered photographs than the Z Fold 6.

In reality, software program is the place the Pixel cameras proceed to shine. Google added new options like Add Me and Made You Look this yr, with the latter being an unique to the Professional Fold. Is sensible, since that makes use of the inner and exterior screens. Whilst you have the digital camera app open on the within, tapping an icon above the shutter button helps you to select between twin display, rear digital camera selfie or Made You Look. Deciding on the final one brings up 4 choices of various cartoon animations, and the respective character seems on the skin show. The rooster, or fish, or blob will dance round and make noises to get the eye of your topic. That is meant to work predominantly on kids, although I think about it’ll additionally pique the curiosity of cats and canine. I attempted it out totally on adults, and received a slew of images of my buddies trying incredulously on the digital camera. Mainly this works for folks aged one and up!

Once you’re able to edit your photos, you’ll discover the identical suite of instruments which can be on the Pixel 9 Professional. Meaning issues like Magic Editor, Reimagine and Autoframe are additionally obtainable to spruce up your photographs. I received’t retread floor we already coated in that evaluation, 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 heart my buddies in a candid picture, however discover it regarding that Reimagine may very well be used to add “wrecks, disasters and corpses” to photos, in keeping with The Verge.

When you can steer clear of the problematic AI instruments, although, it’s heartening to see that the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can ship pictures which can be pretty much as good as those I received from my iPhone 15 Professional Max. In any case, you’re paying $1,800, you need to be getting flagship-level cameras.

Efficiency and in use

Neither Sam nor I’ve had greater than every 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 this point we’ve observed the brand new Fold runs easily and coolly, identical to the opposite Pixel 9 Professionals. That’s largely because of 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 received too heat.

I loved watching YouTube with Threads open subsequent to it on the inner display, 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 increase to the complete width and as a substitute sit within the center, flanked by two bars of empty area.

It’s additionally unusual that flexing the display, which is meant to robotically swap appropriate apps right into a half-and-half structure, solely works in panorama mode. Meaning if you happen to 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 sensible within the panorama orientation the place the clip you’re watching is propped up for simpler viewing. I simply want there was an equal once you’re holding the Fold in portrait mode that will make the feedback take up the precise half of the show as a substitute of the awkward column it at the moment 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 soar between duties. It’s additionally value noting that Google doesn’t help stylus enter, whereas Samsung does, and the latter’s DeX multitasking software program is helpful 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 after they’re on the larger display.

Nonetheless, these are usually minor quibbles that really feel simple sufficient to unravel with software program updates you would possibly obtain over time. When you’re not an influence consumer or itching to make use of a stylus together with your foldable, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a stable possibility 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 check and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold isn’t any exception. When working on simply the exterior show, the Fold clocked 27 hours and 9 minutes, which is principally the identical as what the usual Pixel 9 received. When utilizing simply the inside display, 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 a few 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 check.

Wrap-up

Though the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is barely Google’s second foldable machine, it’s already come a good distance. It each appears and feels higher than earlier than, with a dimension and form that’s extra much like a typical cellphone when closed. When open, the machine is simple to carry and gives a roomier canvas for gentle multitasking and gaming. Plus, in comparison with its predominant 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 dear 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 stable foldable for anybody seeking to dip their toe into versatile telephones that may double as tablets.