Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

Design and ergonomics

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a well-built device using high-quality materials. It has a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 sheets protecting the back of the device and the cover display, while the chassis is aluminum. It's even IPX8-rated against water but has no protection against dust.

Although Google doesn't go into details about the hinge design, it's supposed to be improved and is now more durable than before. Subjectively speaking, it feels stable and robust. It's a bit on the tight end but supports all angles and doesn't snap until the two halves come really close to each other.

We noticed that the phone closes completely, leaving virtually no gap between the two halves. Something not all foldables can do.

The overall design is somewhat unorthodox, though. When folded, the phone's right side takes a more oval shape with curved corners, while the right, where the hinge resides, is square-ish. The contrast between the sharp corners and the rounded ones on the right looks kind of weird. Some may like the asymmetry, though. We believe it's more of a personal preference.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The side frame is flat, in line with the current design trends, and houses everything you'd need. The power button and the volume rocker are conveniently positioned and easy to reach. Keep in mind, in typical Pixel style, the power button is placed above the volume rocker.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The power button also acts as a fingerprint reader; by default, the phone is unlocked after a button press. Just touching the fingerprint reader won't do anything. As far as usability goes - it's snappy and reliable. We had no issues with the reader's functionality.

When it comes to handling, the device feels comfortable, as long as you use it with your right hand. Otherwise, the sharp corners on the left delve into your palm, and the extra space between the hinge and the cover display makes it hard to reach the other side of the screen. But in general, we are surprised by how natural it feels when folded - it's like using a standard glass sandwich phone that's slightly thicker.

When unfolded, it feels like most foldables on the market. Since it's slim, relatively light and has a big display, the weight distribution is optimal and feels nice in hand. We are also pleasantly surprised by the foldable display. It's one of the panels with the least noticeable creases.

Objectively speaking, there's nothing wrong with the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It's thin and relatively light, although there are lighter foldables too. We can also see how some users won't like the design with those different corners that have empty space between the hinge and the cover display, making it look clunky. It feels like there might have been a better design solution for this. Not to mention the thick bezels on both screens.