Design: An Appealing Upgrade

The only common aspect shared between the original Pixel Fold and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is that they are folding phones from Google. Pretty much everything else is new.

Google has changed the Fold's shape, which impacts nearly every other element. Closed, it measures 6.1 by 3.0 by 0.4 inches (HWD), which is taller, narrower, and thinner than the previous model, at 5.5 by 3.1 by 0.5 inches. It also drops a significant amount of weight, from 10.0 ounces to 9.1 ounces. This doesn't seem like a lot on paper, but it means everything when you hold the phone in your hand or put it in your pocket. The trimmed depth and lighter build are immediately obvious when comparing the two phones side by side. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will certainly be more pleasant to carry around and use on a daily basis.

The new dimensions mean all-new screens. The outer display grows from 5.8 inches to 6.3 inches—matching the size and resolution of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro screens exactly. It's an Actua Display with 2,424 by 1,080 pixels and a density of 422 pixels per inch (ppi). Its refresh rate varies from 60Hz to 120Hz, and the screen supports HDR content at 24 bits with a 2-million-to-1 contrast ratio, 1,800 nits of typical brightness, and up to 2,700 nits peak.

Opening the Pixel Pro 9 Fold reveals the new 8-inch screen, up from 7.6 inches. This LTPO panel has 2,076 by 2,152 pixels at 373ppi. It has a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ultra-thin glass, a 2-million-to-1 contrast ratio, and 1,600 nits of typical brightness, with up to 2,700 nits peak.

The new screens are quite spectacular to behold. The improved brightness is readily apparent, and on-screen elements pop with clarity. The phone should be much easier to use in bright light. The bezels are thinner, too.

An all-new hinge holds the two halves together. It's made from multi-alloy steel with a high-strength aluminum cover. The rest of the aluminum frame runs around the outer edges, while Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 forms both the front and rear panels. The rear glass has a silky matte finish that sticks to your skin in a good way, making it less likely you'll drop the phone. Google claims the aluminum in the phone is 100% recycled. Most importantly, the hinge allows the phone to open 100% so the inner display is at a perfectly flat 180 degrees. The hinge of the original Fold didn't lay flat, which is more of a visual annoyance than anything else. Either way, this is a welcome upgrade. Google says the hinge is stronger and better able to reject dust, though it doesn't commit to a minimum or maximum number of folds. The phone has an IPX8 rating for protection against water, which matches the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Google has also reimagined the camera bar on the rear. Where the bar on the Pixel Fold was just that, a rectangular bar that spanned most of the rear panel's width, the new bar is more of a square that's tucked into the upper-left corner. The Pixel family has featured a distinct camera bar since the Pixel 6, so this is a change for the line. It's a large module that stands out visually thanks to the aluminum frame.

Specs: The Expected Boost

The phone has the usual updates to the internals with just a few surprises along the way.

Google Tensor G4 processor with Titan M2 security coprocessor.  the G4 is distinctly more performant than the G3 and able to handle more on-device machine learning tasks, which are what power Gemini AI. The original Pixel Fold shipped with a G2 processor, so there should be a significant boost in speed. The RAM jumps from 12GB to 16GB, which is a nice improvement. This should help the device multitask better—something foldables are built to do. Storage options include 256GB or 512GB, but not 1TB. The units we saw in person were incredibly quick. They launched apps in a blink and easily multitasked with several apps running on the screen at once.

 4,821mAh in the original Fold to 4,650mAh in the 9 Pro Fold. Google claims the new battery is good for more than 24 hours of continuous use and up to 72 hours in extreme battery saver mode. The phone charges faster. It supports 30W of wired charging with Google's new 45W USB-C charger (sold separately). It handles Qi wireless charging at 15W. The original Fold was one of the worst battery performers among book-style foldables, lasting only 8 hours in testing, so we look forward to testing the new model to see how it stacks up. It supports sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, which means it will run on the C-band spectrum and high-frequency spectrum offered by some US carriers. It also has Wi-Fi 7, dual-antenna Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra-Wideband, NFC, and dual-band GNSS/GPS.

Ports include USB-C (3.2) and a slot for physical nano SIM cards. There's no memory card slot or 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone supports a single eSIM. It includes stereo speakers, three microphones, noise suppression, spatial audio, and a fingerprint reader built into the power button.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• 5G CapabilityYes
• DisplayFolded 6.285”, Unfolded 8.017”
• CameraRear: 48MP + 10.5MP + 10.8MP Front: 10MP Inner: 10MP
• OSAndroid 14
• Chip DetailsGoogle Tensor G4 (4 nm)
• SIM CompatibilityDual SIM (Single Nano SIM and eSIM)
• GB Size256GB storage
• ModelGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• HACComply with ANSI 2019 standard
• BatteryLi-Ion 4650 mAh, non-removable
• UnlockedNo
• Port-in RequiredYes

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