Google has just released its new Pixel 9 devices and among the 2024 models is the second generation Pixel Fold. We were impressed by the Original Pixel Fold when it debuted last year, but noted that there is still room for improvement. Thankfully, Google has paid attention to this with the (somewhat confusingly named) Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which further refines the foldable smartphone's design and brings some important improvements to the table. Here are the most notable improvements that make the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a serious contender for the best foldable smartphone of 2024 .
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4 Larger screen, narrower bezels
And a significant increase in brightness
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has received a big upgrade to the fold-out display inside. The first-generation Pixel Fold opened up to reveal a 7.6-inch OLED screen with a 6:5 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1,840 x 2,208 pixels. The new Pixel 9 Pro Fold expands those dimensions a bit, featuring a larger 8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,076 x 2,152 pixels (roughly a 1:1 aspect ratio). Both models have similar pixel densities, but the second-generation refresh gives you more screen real estate to work with. Both foldable screens also offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, so no improvement was really needed here.
Brightness, however, is what makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's internal display stand out. The second-gen model's peak brightness is a whopping 2,700 nits, nearly double the 1,450 nit peak brightness of the first-gen Pixel Fold. That's a significant improvement. While the original Pixel Fold's display wasn't exactly dim, if you pull your Pixel 9 Pro Fold out on a sunny day, using the brighter screen will be significantly more pleasant.
3 Performance improvements across the board
The new Tensor G4 chip is powerful and AI-capable
Although the Pixel Fold didn't launch until 2023, it ran on Google's proprietary Tensor G2 system-on-chip, which appears to be the same generation as the SoC used in 2022's Pixel 7 series. Now part of the flagship Pixel family, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has the advantage of using the latest Tensor G4 chipset, giving it a two-generation head start over the first foldable. With that comes a significant performance boost. According to benchmark tests, the Tensor G4 significantly outperforms the G2.
It's no surprise that the new chip outperforms its two-year-old predecessor, but what's notable is its greater power efficiency (thanks to its 4nm architecture compared to the Tensor G2's 5nm architecture) and its much-improved neural processing capabilities. The Tensor G4 is designed for the generative AI features that make up an increasingly large portion of the apps we use every day. We're also hoping the improved power efficiency will improve battery life, as that was one of our biggest complaints with the Pixel Fold. However, these dual-screen devices will naturally consume more power than standard smartphones, so we're not expecting miracles.
2 Slimmer and lighter
Although a little wider
Image credit: Google
In addition to a larger display than its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has also been significantly reduced in size and weight. The second-generation Pixel foldable is a bit shorter than the Pixel Fold and a bit thinner, measuring just 0.2 inches thick (a 0.03-inch reduction). Admittedly, that's not a huge change, but it's impressive that Google has managed to shrink the already thinnest foldable smartphone of 2023 even further. One thing you will What feels in the hand is the weight difference. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold weighs 9.07 ounces, almost a full ounce lighter than the 9.98 ounce Pixel Fold.
The only exception to this downsizing trend is width. Despite slightly reduced bezels around the main display, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is nearly half an inch wider than the first-gen Pixel Fold when opened. But that's due to its larger 8-inch display and 1:1 resolution of the main screen, so we don't consider that a disadvantage. We'll take a larger display with an overall reduction in size and weight. This makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feel like a more refined design, and that's exactly what it is.
1 A better dual-screen Android interface with useful AI
Get more out of this big, beautiful display
The Pixel Fold.
Bringing Android to dual-screen foldable smartphones hasn't been without its challenges. Samsung has done an impressive job with its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip devices, but Google has less experience. In our hands-on testing of the original Pixel Fold, we found that the Android 13 interface still needed some time to settle into on the big screen. Multitasking and app juggling felt a bit clunky and awkward, as you often had to rotate the phone when using two apps side by side. While the Pixel software was clean, it lagged significantly behind Samsung's OneUI.
We've still got some time to get into it, but so far it looks like Google has improved the UI of its foldable Pixel enough that it's confident about including the Fold in its main Pixel 9 lineup this year. App compatibility should be much better than it was on the Pixel Fold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also comes with a number of useful Google AI features, including Gemini, Google's own AI model built right into the operating system. Android on Pixel still needs some polish for these dual-screen foldable phones, but the situation is much better than it was a year ago. We're sure it will only continue to mature with upcoming updates as these foldables become more popular.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the upgrade we wanted to see
Foldable smartphones are still a niche product, but with recent releases being as good as they are, it seems like they're really starting to gain traction in the extremely competitive mobile technology space. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold refines everything we loved about the Pixel Fold, including a sleek design that feels good in the hand, solid performance, and a camera setup that sets the bar. On top of that, it solves or improves on most (if not all) of the issues we had with the original version, improves the dual-screen Android experience, and adds some really useful AI features.
The second-generation Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a clear upgrade over Google's first attempt. It's the right device for Pixel fans looking for a foldable device and a worthwhile option for any Android user considering one of these unique foldable smartphones.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
With its brand new screens, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is automatically a huge upgrade over the original Pixel Fold. It also has a more powerful Google Tensor G4 chip and new features that take advantage of the dual screens.
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