Introduction
Google second foldable phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold review, is finally here. It’s available on Google’s website, with some decent trade-in deals. The new version boasts a fresh design, brighter displays, and AI enhancements, all powered by the upgraded Tensor G4 chip. However, the camera tech feels familiar,
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s battery is slightly smaller than its predecessor’s. So, is it worth the investment? Let’s dive into this unboxing review and compare it against its rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Unboxing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review
Inside the box, you’ll find the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a USB Type-C cable, the usual warranty documentation, and a stylus (Pory S Pin). That’sThat’s all you get. Google keeps things minimal in terms of accessories.
Design and Build Quality
I’ve been using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as my primary phone for a week, and there are noticeable design changes from the original. Unlike the squat design of the original Pixel Fold, the new version features a more traditional smartphone screen aspect ratio with thicker bezels.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s hinge design isn’t as sleek as that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. The device is thinner and lighter than the first Pixel Fold, but at 257 grams, it’s still heavier than Samsung’s offering. Despite this, it folds with zero gaps between the two halves and comes in two colours: porcelain (white) and obsidian (black). Both options feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and shatter resistance.
Display Quality
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold sports a 6.3-inch OLED display on the front, with a resolution of 1080×2424 pixels. While it’s great for web browsing and messaging, the screen isn’t as crispy as the Pixel 9 ProIt and is slightly less sharp than the Samsung Z Fold 6. However, the display is impressively bright, hitting around 2700 nits outdoors and offering excellent visibility.
Unlike Samsung’sSamsung’s Z Fold 6, which boasts LTPO tech for adaptive refresh rates, the Pixel’sPixel’s cover screen doesn’tdoesn’t dip as low as 1Hz, which could be a drawback for always-on display enthusiasts.
Hinge and Internal Display
The hinge on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is smooth and holds well at various angles, though not as stiff as the Z Fold 6. Inside, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a larger 8-inch internal display than the Z Fold 6, 7.6-inch screen. The resolution is also slightly higher at 2076×2152 pixels, and the screen is noticeably brighter than the original Pixel Fold. Both devices have subtle creases, but it’s hardly an issue during everyday use.
Security Features
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung Z Fold 6 have side-mounted fingerprint sensors, which work flawlessly. Both phones offer facial recognition as a backup and excellent security features to keep your data safe.
Software and AI Features
Both phones run Android 14 and are expected to receive Android 15 updates soon. Google promises seven years of OS updates and security patches for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, making it a long-term investment. Why Lenovo Laptops Stand Out, While both phones offer great software experiences, the Pixel provides a cleaner Android stock experience than Samsung’s feature-heavy UI.
Both devices focus heavily on AI-powered features. Google’s Tensor G4 chip allows for features like real-time image editing, object removal, and auto-framing, making the Pixel 9 Pro Fold more efficient in handling daily tasks.
Performance and Gaming
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold runs on Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, while the Samsung Z Fold 6 uses a customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 version. Both devices perform well in everyday usage, but the Pixel struggles a bit when handling graphics-intensive games like Wetter and Waves, with noticeable frame drops after prolonged sessions. On the other hand, Samsung’s Z Fold 6 maintains smoother performance during gaming and heats up slower than the Pixel.
Battery Life
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s battery is slightly smaller than the original Pixel Fold, but it’s still more significant than the Z Fold 6. The Pixel’s 4,650mAh battery generally lasts a full day, even with heavy use. However, both phones have relatively slow charging speeds, with the Pixel maxing out at 21W wired charging and Samsung at 25W. Wireless charging on the Pixel is also inconsistent due to misaligned coils.
Camera Performance
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a 48MP primary camera, while the Z Fold 6 has a 50MP shooter. Both phones produce excellent results, but Samsung tends to oversaturate colors, while Google keeps things more natural. The ultra-wide cameras on both devices perform well, and the Pixel’s 10.8MP.
A telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom is solid, though not as advanced as the Pixel 9 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra setups. Both devices can capture up to 4K for video recording, but the Pixel lacks 8K support, which the Z Fold 6 offers.
Conclusion
After a week of using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I can say it’s a worthy competitor to the Samsung Z Fold 6. Its bright display, AI features, and long-lasting battery are standout features, but it struggles with gaming performance and wireless charging. Whether you prefer the Pixel’s clean Android experience or Samsung’s feature-packed UI will ultimately depend on your preferences.
FAQs
1. What is unique about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold design?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a traditional smartphone aspect ratio with a smooth, gapless fold. It’s lighter and thinner than its predecessor and comes in porcelain and obsidian colors.
2. How is the display quality of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold?
The phone has a 6.3-inch OLED cover screen with a bright display that offers good outdoor visibility. Its 8-inch internal screen provides excellent brightness but lacks LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates.
3. How is the battery life?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 4,650mAh battery, lasting a full day under heavy use. However, it has relatively slow charging speeds at 21W wired and inconsistent wireless charging.
4. How does the Pixel 9 Pro Fold camera compare to competitors?
With a 48MP primary camera and 5x optical zoom, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold delivers natural photos, unlike Samsung’s tendency to oversaturate colors. It supports 4K video recording but lacks 8K.
5. Is the phone suitable for gaming?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold performs well in daily tasks but struggles with graphics-intensive gaming, showing occasional frame drops during long sessions.
