Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A More Refined Design, Yet Retains Google's Minimalist Style

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A More Refined Design, Yet Retains Google's Minimalist StyleGoogle today unveiled the latest generation of its foldable phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the successor to the Pixel Fold. This new device offers significant upgrades in both design and features

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A More Refined Design, Yet Retains Google's Minimalist Style

Google today unveiled the latest generation of its foldable phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the successor to the Pixel Fold. This new device offers significant upgrades in both design and features. Let's delve into this highly anticipated foldable phone.

More Refined Design, Thinner Body

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is thinner than its predecessor, unfolding to a near-square shape, a departure from the style of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. The unfolded height is about 15.5 mm taller than the Pixel Fold, even exceeding the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. Folded, it measures just 10.5 mm thick, thinning to 5.1 mm when unfolded, offering a slim feel. It's 13% thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, and the weight has also been reduced to 257g. Despite this, the weight remains substantial, earning it the nickname "half-pound" phone among consumers.

The phone comes equipped with IPX8 water resistance, giving users greater peace of mind in everyday use. The outer screen measures 6.3 inches, while the inner screen unfolds to an 8-inch square display. Both screens boast FHD+ resolution, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2700 nits, providing a clear and smooth visual experience.

Upgraded Imaging System for Sharper Images

In terms of imaging, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a 48MP main camera, coupled with a 10.5MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom. The 12MP ultrawide lens has also been upgraded to capture a wider field of view.

Tensor G4 Chip for Enhanced Performance

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google's latest Tensor G4 chipset. This chip is fabricated using Samsung's 4nm process, featuring 1 Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.1GHz, 3 Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6GHz, and 4 Cortex-A520 cores at 1.95GHz, along with a maximum of 16GB RAM + 512GB storage combination, delivering powerful performance.

Improved Battery Life, But Fast Charging Still Lags

The battery capacity is 4650mAh, and Google claims a 24-hour normal battery life. However, fast charging remains at a mere 21W, lagging behind the fast charging capabilities of other flagship phones.

Price and Color Options

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in two color options: Ceramic and Obsidian. The 256GB version is priced at $1799 / 1899 / 1749, while the 512GB version costs $1919 / 2029 / 1869.

Conclusion

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a refined and feature-packed foldable phone that retains Google's minimalist style while introducing several upgrades. The thinner body, more powerful performance, and enhanced imaging system make this phone even more appealing. Nevertheless, the relatively low fast charging power and the comparatively high price might be deterrents for some consumers. Ultimately, whether this phone gains market acceptance remains to be seen.