Second Time's the Charm? Meet the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google unveiled the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at its recent Made by Google event. This new device sports a design language similar to the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup but features a dual-section camera block. Let's delve into what makes this second-generation foldable from Google stand out, especially considering the numerous complaints users had about its predecessor.
Design and Display
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the fourth smartphone showcased today. Design-wise, it aligns with the rest of the lineup, boasting flat edges, slim bezels, and a thick, square camera module. On the outside, it features a 6.3-inch OLED Actua display with a 1080x2424 pixel resolution, a 60-120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2700 nits. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides screen protection. So far, so Pixel 9.
However, the internal 8-inch Super Actua Flex display is where things get interesting. It boasts a 2076x2152 pixel resolution, a 2-120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 270 nits, and is protected by a special matte, ultra-thin glass.
Each half of the phone measures a mere 5.08mm thin. When folded, its dimensions are 76.2 x 155 x 10.16mm, while unfolded it reaches 150 x 155 x 5.08mm. The device weighs 258 grams.
Features and Functionality
Google highlights a new, durable hinge that allows the phone to fold at a 45-degree angle for a more comfortable video-watching experience. The Split Screen feature divides the internal display into two independent sections, enabling multitasking with multiple applications simultaneously. For instance, you could watch a video on one half while browsing the web on the other.
Under the Hood
Powering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the Google Tensor 4 chip, built on a 4nm process. It packs 16GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. A triple camera setup adorns the rear, while a 10MP front-facing camera sits on both the inner and outer displays.
Camera Specs:
- Main Camera: 48MP (f/1.7, 82°, 1/2", OIS + EIS, Multi-zone LDAF)
- Ultrawide: 10.5MP (f/2.2, 127°, 1/3.4", Macro Focus)
- Telephoto: 10.8MP (f/3.1, 23°, 1/3.2", 5x optical zoom and 20x Super Res Zoom)
- Inner and Outer Front Cameras: 10MP (f/2.2, 87°)
Durability and Connectivity
The phone boasts an aircraft-grade aluminum body and is IPX8 certified for water and dust resistance. Additional features include satellite connectivity, the latest software enhancements from Google, a promise of 7 years of OS updates, USB Type-C 3.2, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, NFC, UWB, and a 4650 mAh battery supporting fast wired and wireless charging.
Pricing and Availability
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1799 for the 256GB variant and $1919 for the 512GB version in the US.
