Almost XL Nice, Higher Than Fold

The Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a much better model of the first-generation Pixel Fold. It has a canopy show that is successfully the identical because the Google Pixel 9 and a foldable show that is 8 inches in dimension with a 1:1 facet ratio, (however with 2076 x 2152 pixel decision in play). And it has very spherical corners.

Commercial

It additionally comes with a substantial price ticket at $1,799. That offers the Pixel 9 household of units a surprising worth vary — together with the Pixel 9 (non-Professional) on the low finish for $799. We have mentioned in our Google Pixel 9 Evaluate {that a} stunning array of options on the Professional lineup will also be discovered on this far inexpensive gadget. We have additionally present in our Google Pixel 9 Professional (and XL) Evaluate that it is clear Google’s newest Professional is likely one of the most all-round glorious telephones ever made.

Then this is the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold — a tool that is considerably dearer than every other Pixel 9 gadget, however whose solely function that is higher than the remainder is its foldable main show. The Google Pixel 9 Professional XL’s beginning worth is $1,099 — may downgrading in just a few locations and upgrading to a foldable show be price the additional money?

Commercial

Google despatched a Pixel 9 Professional Fold for our full assessment. That is the Porcelain (white) model — there’s additionally an Obsidian (black) model, and each can be found with 256GB inside storage or 512GB inside storage — for $1,799 or $1,919 respectively.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is similar to the Pixel 9 Professional on the skin. Folded closed, the foldable smartphone has a (cowl) show (at 6.3-inches and 1080 x 2424 pixels) that is solely barely much less spectacular than the 9 Professional (non-fold) (at 6.3 inches and 1280 x 2856 pixels). The Fold’s cowl show has a peak brightness of 2700 nits whereas the 9 Professional’s show’s peak brightness is 3000.

Commercial

It is a more-than-standard form of panel, that’s to say — OLED, 120Hz, and HDR capabilities included. In testing this gadget, I very often discovered myself not even bothering to unfold the cellphone as a result of the quilt show is massive sufficient that I really feel no want. I can not all the time say the identical for any cowl show on earlier foldables I’ve reviewed — the final couple of Samsung Galaxy Fold units and the primary Pixel Fold included.

The hinge and the protecting capability of its coverings feel and appear considerably higher than their predecessor. I by no means felt fairly certain about bringing the primary Pixel Fold out within the wild, particularly if there was any hazard of mud, dust, or water concerned. The whole hinge system on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold makes the unique Fold really feel like a take a look at run.

Commercial

I used to assume {that a} passport-sized foldable Android gadget is perhaps a good suggestion. However at this level I am undecided I agree with the concept that an unfolded show needs to be something totally different from that of a small pill. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s foldable show is an 8-inch 2076 x 2152 pixel LTPO OLED panel with 120Hz refresh fee, HDR 10+, and the flexibility to achieve 2700 nits peak brightness.

Commercial

The facet ratio (peak x width) of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s foldable panel is 1:1. The unique Pixel Fold had a 6:5 facet ratio (7.6 inches, 2208 x 1840 pixels). Each units help you drive any app to suit to Full Display screen, 3:2, or Half Display screen. This function was additionally not too long ago added to the unique Pixel Fold.

Chris Burns/SlashGear

It is tough to evaluate whether or not it is smart for any given individual to need a foldable gadget like this (as a substitute of a regular, non-foldable different) as a result of it actually, actually is only a bigger show. It is an awesome show — it is tremendous vivid and colourful and the whole lot I may need in a show this dimension — however as has been my expertise with every foldable smartphone to this point: I am undecided why I would want it.

Commercial

Gemini AI is a giant promoting level for Google on the Pixel 9 line of units. It is excellent at understanding what you are asking or what you are saying, but it surely’s not assured to offer you correct info in return.

Commercial

Google’s Gemini is — for the time being — on-track to exchange Google Assistant sooner or later. For now, since each Google Assistant and Gemini are current and out there on this Pixel 9 Professional Fold cellphone, it is vital to make the excellence. As Google instructed us, whereas Google Assistant is supposed to be your assistant, Gemini is supposed to be your companion.

Gemini is, by default, related to Google Assistant and makes use of it (Google Assistant) to finish the duties it (Google Assistant) was chargeable for prior to now. I’ve grown to belief that the requests I make of Google Assistant can be accomplished. There is a simple arithmetic to it — I ask it to do one thing and it does it.

Gemini is a bit too unpredictable for me to really feel comfy with trusting, for now. As Google itself says on the “Evaluate key data to entry Gemini” display screen on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold (and different Pixel 9 units): “Gemini could make issues up, together with about folks, so double-check responses, use them responsibly and provides suggestions.”

Commercial

The digicam {hardware} within the Pixel 9 Professional Fold isn’t the very same as that of the unique Pixel Fold, however you would be hard-pressed to seek out one other gadget with as-similar cameras as what’s discovered on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold vs the Pixel Fold. That is not essentially a foul factor – In case you’ve used a Pixel of any type greater than a pair years in the past, you may be shocked and happy by the facility of the digicam setup on this Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

Commercial

Chris Burns/SlashGear

You won’t really feel the identical in case you’re evaluating the Pixel 9 Professional Fold to the opposite Pixel 9 Professional units launched right here in 2024. You might have successfully the identical digicam options onboard, however (whereas megapixels aren’t the whole lot, a distinction this massive is vital) the Pixel 9 Professional Fold has three cameras on its again: 48MP, 10.8MP, and 10.5MP, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional (and XL) have 50MP, 48MP, and 48MP.

Chris Burns/SlashGear

However possibly you are the form of person who would not discover the distinction in some way. Perhaps you are simply seeking to take images that nearly all the time look nice — and also you’re excited in regards to the means to have your digicam fold up in an “L” form and act as its personal tripod. If that is the case, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is a winner. In case you completely want the perfect Google Pixel digicam out there on the earth at the moment, that’ll nonetheless be the Pixel 9 Professional (and XL).

Commercial

Chris Burns/SlashGear

Above you may see a set of images captured with the back-facing digicam array of the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

The battery life on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is in every single place as a result of there are such a lot of other ways to make use of it and take a look at it. If I don’t unfold it in any respect, its battery life is extraordinarily much like that of the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Professional. To be clear, the Pixel 9 Professional XL lasts a pair hours longer not less than, however that is virtually definitely largely as a result of the gadget actually has a bigger battery onboard than both the Pixel 9 Professional or the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

Commercial

The battery within the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is 4650 mAh, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional is 4700 mAh, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL is 5060mAh. Charging velocity is 21W wired and seven.5W wi-fi (Qi-compatible). The Pixel 9 Professional prices 27W wired and 21W wi-fi (in case you’re utilizing the official Pixel Stand). So in case you’re in search of charging velocity, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold isn’t doubtless going to blow your thoughts — but it surely’s advantageous.

You possibly can cost this gadget from empty to full in a single day and you should use all of it day lengthy — as long as you are not utilizing the foldable show completely. In case you’re solely utilizing the foldable show, you may doubtlessly drain that battery in just a few hours, straightforward.

The Google Pixel 9 Professional makes Google’s foldable Android expertise really feel skilled. Whereas the common smartphone person in all probability will not discover sufficient added worth within the foldable show to pay the premium, the gadget does ship on what it guarantees. Google’s made the foldable I needed they’d made with the primary Fold — now it is nearly essentially the most pleasant smartphone I’ve ever used… or it will likely be, as soon as I discover some form of case to maintain it protected from mud and particles.

Commercial

Whereas the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold feels far more sturdy than its predecessor, it is nonetheless utilizing a foldable show — and there’s no foldable show that is impervious to the occasional rogue rock within the pocket. Pushing two doubtlessly fragile flat surfaces face-to-face is simply asking for hassle — however that is what seems good! And, to be truthful, that is essentially the most sturdy foldable smartphone I’ve examined to this point — I wasn’t frightened about inserting it in a little bit of dust for images.

The Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold will be bought from Google within the Google Retailer on-line for about $1,799 in both Obsidian (black) or Porcelain (white, as reviewed). Or you may head again to our assessment of the Pixel 9 or our assessment of the Pixel 9 Professional (and XL) to see what the remainder of this technology of Androids is all about.

Commercial