Google has introduced its latest foldable, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, marking its second attempt at conquering the foldable market. Priced at $2,099 (approx. ₹1,72,999 in India), it enters a burgeoning market full of competitors like Samsung, Vivo, and OnePlus. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold packs features like a slim profile, impressive AI-powered software, and water resistance, it struggles in key areas like camera performance, battery life, and durability.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold worth the investment? Here’s a detailed breakdown.
A Sleek But Functional Design
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts the slimmest design in the foldable category, measuring just 5.1mm thick when unfolded. Its minimalist aesthetic exudes an almost Scandinavian vibe, with flat panels and a slim aluminum frame. However, weighing 257 grams, it’s also one of the heaviest foldables on the market. The heft significantly affects comfort during extended use.
- Dimensions: 155.2mm x 77.1mm x 10.5mm (folded), 155.2mm x 150.2mm x 5.1mm (unfolded)
- Material: Aluminum alloy frame
- Durability: IPX8 water resistance
While the design is visually appealing, functionally it falls short due to some questionable choices:
- The frame feels fragile near the hinge area, raising concerns about long-term durability.
- The narrow aspect ratio of the cover screen offers a smartphone-first experience but requires reorienting for tablet-like use—an inconvenience many foldable enthusiasts won’t appreciate.
Verdict on Design
The design of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels like an experiment that prioritizes aesthetics over usability. Competing products like the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro and OnePlus Open deliver better ergonomics.
Stellar Displays With a Few Compromises
Both displays on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are high-quality and vibrant, perfect for media consumption or multitasking.
- Cover Display: 6.2-inch OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection
- Main Folding Display: 8.03-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz refresh rate
Colors on both displays are slightly punchy in Adaptive mode but fade in the Natural mode, which mimics realistic tones. The folding display is especially versatile for multitasking as it supports side-by-side app usage.
However, there are usability drawbacks:
- The main display’s squarish aspect ratio results in wasted screen space (letterboxing) when watching videos.
- The crease on the fold is very prominent, a distraction in an otherwise premium setup.
While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s displays are bright and color-rich, they lack optimization for modern media consumption. Competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 excel in this area.
Software That Shines With AI
The Pixel UI, based on Android 14, brings some innovative features to the foldable niche. Google has infused AI tricks to improve the usability of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold across various tasks. Here are some highlights:
- Made You Look: This feature displays fun animations to keep kids engaged when using the camera.
- Dual-Screen Modes:
- Use both front and rear cameras simultaneously during video calls.
- Leverage Live Transcribe to translate conversations into 120+ languages instantly—an accessibility boon.
- Split Notification Tray mimics the tablet experience, with toggles on one side and notifications on the other.
That said, the multi-tasking options are underwhelming. Unlike competitors such as the OnePlus Open (which supports running three apps and additional floating windows), the Pixel 9 Pro Fold restricts users to two apps in split-screen mode.
Google deserves credit for its 7-year commitment to OS and security updates, extending the device’s relevance in a fast-evolving market.
Cameras Fall Short of Expectations
While Pixel devices are known for their stellar cameras, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold disappoints sorely in this department. Its use of dated sensors undermines the “Pro” tag associated with the phone.
Camera Specifications
- Main Camera (48MP): Decent in good lighting but loses sharpness indoors or in low light.
- Telephoto Camera (10.8MP): 5x optical zoom produces soft results in low lighting.
- Ultra-Wide Camera (10.5MP): Underwhelming with limited detail and poor dynamic range.
- Front Cameras (10MP): Suitable for selfies and Meet calls but unremarkable.
Portrait photos show poor edge detection, often blurring out hair or glasses. Landscape images are also plagued by oversimplified colors and lack of refinement. Vivo’s X Fold 3 Pro delivers far superior camera performance in this price range.
Average Performance and Battery
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold runs on Google’s Tensor G4 processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. While the hardware is adequate for normal tasks, it isn’t competitive for gaming or heavy workloads.
Benchmarks (Comparison with Vivo X Fold 3 Pro)
| Test | Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Vivo X Fold 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 | 11,15,037 | 20,51,650 |
| Geekbench Single-Core | 1,872 | 2,143 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 13,686 | 14,489 |
Gaming performance is also average, with titles like Genshin Impact showing stutters at high settings. Adding to the underwhelming performance, battery life is mediocre:
- Battery: 4,650mAh
- Charging:
- 21W wired charging
- 7.5W wireless charging
The phone takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to fully charge. Foldable users who value battery endurance should consider the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, which lasts longer on a single charge.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold Worth It?
While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has its strengths in slim design, AI features, and a long software support commitment, it struggles to justify its hefty price tag of ₹1,72,999. Weak cameras, average performance, and limited multitasking capabilities make it inferior to alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Vivo X Fold 3 Pro.
If you’re a die-hard Pixel fan or someone looking for clean Android software, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a unique perspective on foldable potential. However, for those seeking a foldable that excels in everyday usability and performance, it’s best to look elsewhere.