The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, introduced at the Made by Google event on Tuesday, is finally here. It’s the thinnest foldable you can buy, according to Google. Thin has always been in when it comes to tech products, but tech giants have been really ramping up the competition lately to see which brand can deliver the slimmest, sleekest design to attract consumers.
A folded Google Pixel 9 Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
For example, Apple called its latest iPad Pro “thinpossible” because the tablet is its slimmest product ever, even thinner than the iPod Nano, and sales for the iPad Pro have gotten a sizable boost year-over-year. There’s no data that confirms that its compactness was the biggest draw for consumers, but the growing trend of ultra-thin devices in recent years indicates that this form factor likely resonates with a significant portion of the market.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the thinnest foldable you can buy. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The first-generation Google Pixel Fold launched last year, claiming to be the thinnest foldable on the market. However, some consumers reported issues with the screen, including dents and cracks. It’s difficult to say whether this issue was widespread — and Mashable’s Alex Perry didn’t experience any problems with his Google Pixel Fold when he reviewed it last year.
Still, as someone who has reviewed the likes of ultra-thin foldables like the Microsoft Surface Duo that just couldn’t overcome the compromises that come with a slim chassis, I can’t help but feel a bit anxious about the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold announced at Made by Google 2024
Let’s talk about some of the new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold features:
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
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It’s got the largest display of any foldable
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Its 8-inch screen is now 80% brighter
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It’s got a new-and-improved hinge made of stainless steel
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It’s packed with a new suite of incredible AI features
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It’s the thinnest foldable you can buy
It’s the “thinnest foldable” part that’s got me feeling a bit apprehensive. This is only because, as I mentioned at the outset, slimness means you’ll have to make some compromises because you’re packing powerful components into a razor-thin chassis. Don’t underestimate the engineering expertise required to strike the perfect balance between sleekiness, durability, and satisfactory performance. It’s quite challenging, to say the least.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
This is why I wasn’t surprised that the original Google Pixel Fold, which we heralded as a “quality-first swing at a foldable,” had a few screen issues, according to some users. Last year, it was touted as the thinnest foldable (with the biggest battery) in the US. When the Surface Duo launched, Microsoft also boasted that its first foldable project had record-breaking thinness — it, too, suffered some design issues.
As such, as a tech reviewer who has had experience reviewing foldables, while everyone else thinks “compactness” and “pocketability” when they see the word “thinnest,” I’m consumed with fears of fragility.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
On the other hand, I did a little scouring on the internet to determine a consensus of which new features Pixel Fold owners want to see on its successor — and the most common answer was lightness. So I’m not surprised Google went full force with the “slim is in” strategy. After all, they’re just giving the people what they want.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 257 grams, which is lighter than its predecessor (283 grams). The original Pixel Fold is 5.8mm thick unfolded. However, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold is now 5.1mm thick.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold display is a visual treat
My fears, however, could very well be unsound. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold could launch and not have any issues with delicate hardware at all. And on the plus side, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is one of the most exciting devices I got to play with this year.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
I will always have a soft spot for a phone that can unfold into a stunning 8-inch, 2076 x 2152 OLED display. (The external screen has a 6.3-inch, 1080 x 2424-pixel OLED display.) In the words of Brennan Huff from Step Brothers, “there’s so much room for activities!”
I could see myself firing up the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for mobile gaming experiences that my narrow Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra can’t offer. Mashable’s Alex Perry, our resident sports fan who has YouTube TV, was excited about a new multi-view feature that lets him set up four streams in each quadrant. He was fired up at the thought of running multiple Olympic games, a max of four, on a single 8-inch screen.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
And not to mention that the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold continues to be one of the best for anyone seeking to facilitate their multitasking needs. You can run several apps on this bad boy simultaneously.
My favorite, however, was the massive viewfinder that pops up when I used the 10MP inner camera.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Other camera specs worth noting:
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48MP wide camera
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10.5MP ultra-wide camera
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10.8MP telephoto camera
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10MP front camera
Between the selfie camera and the massive display that’s ideal for gaming and long-form articles, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is perfect for consumers who are tired of their limiting, mono-display smartphone.
This one AI feature is worth it for parents
The new “Made You Look” feature on the Google Pixel 9 Pro will pull your heart strings. Only available on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the device takes advantage of its external display to run animations that are designed to attract the attention of children. Once the AI detects that the child is smiling, it will snap the picture without you needing to lift a finger.
“Add Me” in action Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at $1,799 and it’s available in Porcelain and Obsidian.
Just keep in mind that the foldable space is still nascent and it may not be the most durable, sturdiest device on the market, but if you’re down for being a tech explorer of sorts, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is truly one of the most entertaining devices you can get.
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