Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

Competition

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold doesn't have many natural competitors for two reasons. Firstly, the foldable market is still rather limited. Secondly, as is the case with all Pixel phones, regional availability isn't great, so we have only a handful of markets where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has more than one rival.

One alternative that's available in all markets where the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available is, of course, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. The 6th generation foldable from Samsung is arguably the golden standard and the Pixel has a hard time competing. Mostly because Samsung already has a huge experience in the field and feels like a more complete package. The build quality and design are nicer on the Z Fold6; the software has more features that help you get the most out of the foldable form factor; it runs on a more powerful chipset, charges slightly faster, and it supports stylus input. Camera quality is comparable, but we give the Pixel extra points for having a 5x telephoto camera instead of just 3x.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 • Honor Magic V3 • vivo X Fold3 Pro

The 9 Pro Fold has other advantages, though. It has a bigger inner display, and the outer screen has a more convenient aspect ratio. The Z Fold6 is just too tall. Also, the Pixel has brighter displays in auto and manual mode, and subjectively speaking, the crease on the Pixel is less noticeable.

However, the price difference might help in this dilemma more than you imagine. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold goes for €1,900 in Europe, $1,799 in the US, while India should expect the device for INR 172,999. In contrast, the Z Fold6 goes for less than €1,300 in Europe, less than INR 165,000 in India, while the US price is somewhat similar at $1,600-1,700. So, in most markets, the Z Fold6 is sensibly cheaper, and Google's alternative will have difficulty competing.

The Honor Magic V3 should definitely be considered by European and Indian buyers. Although availability is still scarce or even non-existent in some regions, Honor will be selling it for €1,999 in Europe, while Indian pricing is unknown yet. But even with the European, higher-than-Pixels price, it can be argued the Magic V3 offers enough extra features to justify its price premium.

The Magic V3 is a more advanced foldable with better cameras, more powerful chip and faster charging. It has a shorter battery life, but it's also considerably thinner and lighter to make up for it. You should expect longer software support from Google, though.

Lastly, we have the vivo X Fold3 Pro, which is targeted specifically for Indian users. It's going for INR 159,999, undercutting the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It employs equally bright displays, faster charging, longer battery life, a more potent camera setup, a snappier chipset and is also a tad lighter. We also like the two fingerprint readers approach under both displays. It's hard for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to match the vivo X Fold3 Pro's value.

Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold brings a solid experience without any major issues and holds its own in a market with limited competition. While it may not lead the pack in every area, it’s certainly a step forward compared to its predecessor. The camera performance, though competent, doesn't quite reach the heights of some competitors. Charging speeds could be faster, and the chipset, while reliable, isn't quite on par with the other top-tier devices. The design is a bit polarizing as well with the contrast strip stretching the hinge and the cover display.

However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has several standout features. It offers an impressive 7 years of Android OS updates, one of the largest displays on the market, and both the main and cover screens are brilliantly bright. Google's AI smarts, particularly with its Gemini AI, are a highlight, often outshining even Samsung's Galaxy AI, provided your language is supported.

In conclusion, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold faces stiff competition at its premium price point, it offers a strong overall package. It may not introduce groundbreaking innovations, but for those looking for a reliable foldable with long-term software support and excellent AI capabilities, it’s a solid option to consider.

Pros

• One of the brightest displays on a foldable.
• One of the biggest main displays around, has a smaller crease than most.
• Dependable battery life.
• Loud and nice-sounding speakers
• 7 years of Android OS upgrades, all sorts of AI smarts.

Cons

• Thick bezels, polarizing back design.
• One of the slowest charging around.
• Camera quality isn't flagship-level.
• The Tensor G4 chip drags behind the competition.
• A bit pricey at launch in most markets.