Pixel 9 Pro Fold brings larger displays, updated hinge and slimmer profile

13 August 2024
It's taller, slimmer, and lighter than its predecessor while featuring larger displays and the latest Tensor G4 chip.

Sort by:

  • A
  • A ruffian
  • jY6
  • 14 Aug 2024

Wesker, 13 Aug 2024"Pixel 9 Pro Fold" yet even vanilla Pixel 9 has b... moreThe naming just sounds a bit off to me, and yeah, from what you said, it probably doesn’t need to have “pro” in it.

    • D
    • AnonD-1167022
    • mAe
    • 14 Aug 2024

    1900€ for the 256GB model, and 2030€ for the 512GB.
    Let's compare them with the Oneplus Open, another globally avaible foldable, that is currently being sold at 1500€ for the 512GB. Mind you, Oneplus had the common sense of making the only model avaible the 512GB one.

    Let's start with the cameras!
    Main cams: 48 MP 1/1.43" for the Open, 1/2" for the Pixel.
    UW: 48 MP 1/2.0" for the Open, 10.5 MP 1/3.4" for the Pixel.
    Telephoto: 64 MP 70mm 1/2.0" for the Open, 10.8 MP 112mm 1/3.2" for the Pixel.

    For a phone that calls itself a "Pro" device and whose brand identity was built around flagship camera performances, these sensors sure aren't impressive for the money. Putting aside the image processing differences, the gap here is really big and should genuinely be pointed out as something to be rather ashamed of when considering the price at which Google's trying to sell you the phone.
    You could also argue, albeit that's a personal preference, that letting a 1/2" sensor handle everything from 1-4.9x is a worse approach than letting the main cam handle everything up to 2.9x. 70mm is also an easier focal lenght to work with for portraits, again, another massive selling point from Google that keeps showing people taking pictures of their families or friends in their ads.

    The selfie cameras for the inner display are pretty much roughly equivalent, but the outer display's is higher res and houses a larger sensor on the Open. Arguably, that's not very important considering how easy it is to use the main cam to take selfies on foldables.


    And now let's quickly go over the rest:
    -The Open features faster charging and comes with the charger in the box, alongside a (rather thin) case. The Pixel on the other hand will not come with any accessories besides a cable.
    -Open has the 8 gen 2 which is very likely to still be more efficient overall than the Tensor G4, we'll have to see if GSMArena tests the battery of the Fold 9 Pro, but last year's Pixel Fold suffered heavily from the tensor chipset.
    -The Pixel fold is a 1.2mm thinner when folded, and is wider to achieve a 1:1 ratio for the inner display. Some people may prefer it. The Pixel fold is also heavier at 257g, over the Open's 239g (for the leather back model). It seems like a minute difference but when one handing a device, I'd say it'll be noticeable.
    -The Pixel fold is rated IPX8 instead of the Open's IPX4.

    Now, the biggest difference left to talk about is the software. In the OP Open is left with 3y of OS updates and 4y of security updates remaining after its first year on the market. Not bad but you are indeed purchasing a "last gen" device. The Pixel on the other hand will offer 7 years of OS updates.
    Some people may also prefer Google's UI, but in practice, there doesn't seem to be any real software advantage to the Pixel Fold aside from the software support promises. OxygenOS (really, colorOS) has been really well optimized for the company's foldable and users online seem very pleased with the multitasking features implemented. Maybe I'm wrong, but aside from personal preferences, I do not think you're making a sacrifice in functionality by going with either of these smartphones.

    Now, let me ask you all, are personnal preferences for how your everyday UI looks worth spending 530€ more and genuinely compromising on the camera performance of a phone that'll cost you a little over two thousand euros?
    My personal opinion is that, no, it's not worth it. In fact, I find the pricing here very insulting considering just how poor the SOC performance and efficiency will likely be and how poor the camera hardware is. Paying 2k€ for camera specs straight out of 2019 doesn't sit well with me at all. They're selling this as a luxury product, but can't even provide hardware that matches their flagships.
    The software support promises are very strong, but Google should provide you with hardware that actually will last until 2031 without feeling outdated, but here they have provided you specs that feel outdated at launch.

      Somehow I didn't notice the dimensions. What is the height and how wide and how big is the sensor for the main camera.

        Having bought the previous Pixel Fold, whilst it was by no means perfect there's a lot to like about it, not least the width of the folded display. GSM clearly thought otherwise as they didn't even review it.

          Google is funny.
          With its specs compared to price they could sell it for up to 500 euros and would be happy if they sell more than 5-10 units per country.

            Shame that it doesn't share the same camera hardware as the Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • L2r
              • 14 Aug 2024

              1900 € for 256 GB lol no one buying this buy Pixel diehard fans with too much money

                Jon8652, 13 Aug 2024Heavy, tiny battery, slow Tensor chip, overpriced. Vivo ... moreEven Samsung is lighter than this, doesn't get more embarrassing than that lol

                  Wesker, 13 Aug 2024"Pixel 9 Pro Fold" yet even vanilla Pixel 9 has b... morezamn you're one based guy and I agree, I'd be embarrassed of making a product like this. Google is 2 years late in making a decent foldable. This is 2022 or 2023 tier stuff.

                    • f
                    • fren
                    • 2xx
                    • 13 Aug 2024

                    such an expensive phone only FHD screen resolution!!!!

                      • R
                      • Romario
                      • K3m
                      • 13 Aug 2024

                      Looks pretty good

                        Forgot to mention can you imagine the amount of chicken wings you can buy with £1,749?! Yeah don't buy this!

                          4,650 mAh battery and 21w wired charging?! I need to know what Google is smoking because they got so high they're definitely not on this planet anymore!

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 0BM
                            • 13 Aug 2024

                            i wait the honor or xiaomi in Europe way better phones

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • xjH
                              • 13 Aug 2024

                              Tensor is like having the snapdragon 810, but every year.

                                • Z
                                • Zero
                                • LEb
                                • 13 Aug 2024

                                Jon8652, 13 Aug 2024Heavy, tiny battery, slow Tensor chip, overpriced. Vivo ... moreHeck, even the Galaxy Fold 4 is better... and yeah, Fold 4, not 5, not 6.

                                Shows how Google is way behind the competition.

                                  • k
                                  • kajam
                                  • IbL
                                  • 13 Aug 2024

                                  One thing for sure that Google designers are good at, is making bulky ugly phones.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • A{L
                                    • 13 Aug 2024

                                    Gor that price I expect Vivo X Fold 3 Pro hardware with google/samsung software

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • 0p}
                                      • 13 Aug 2024

                                      Booky foldables = too big as phones, too small as tables. Cost more than both combined. Fragile screen + crease ( nothing gonna change when apple makes one fyi ) , poor battery endurance even when folded.

                                      Samsung Germany website

                                      Z Fold 6 512GB : € 2119

                                      S24 Plus 256GB + Tab S9 Plus 512GB = € 969 + € 989 = € 1958

                                      None of them is worth the money.

                                        • 2
                                        • 21W Wired charging
                                        • CbI
                                        • 13 Aug 2024

                                        …in 2024 ?!

                                          1 of 2