Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in for review

2024-09-09

It"s Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold time, folks! Google"s first foldable, the aptly named Pixel Fold was interesting for being first but ultimately proved too rare and slightly weird. Google"s second attempt - the Pixel 9 Pro Fold - could easily be your best choice of book-style foldable at the time of this article.

Despite its exorbitant price tag of €1,899, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold starts at just 256GB and ships with only a USB cable. But that"s the accessory situation with the Galaxy Z Fold6 as well.

You can pick up this original case from Google for an extra €60.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold retail package and optional case

So what"s so good about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold? In the hand, it"s very sturdy and fills you with the feel of robustness and good craftsmanship. It"s also nicely tout and flat - closing tightly and without a gap.

Inside, there"s hardly a noticeable crease in the folding screen. One thing that makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold excellent for the category is its aspect ratios. The cover display is a 6.3-inch panel with a regular 20:9 aspect ratio. Inside is a large 8.0-inch unit with a 1:1 ratio that"s perfect for reading or viewing two apps side-by-side.

Great aspect ratios on both sides

Google clearly saw Oppo"s Find N3 (globally known as the OnePlus Open) as a good blueprint for this type of device. Put side-by-side, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is slightly taller and wider, and in the hand, it"s heftier as well.

The Pixel foldable against the fan-favorite Oppo Find N3 (OnePlus Open)

Samsung"s Galaxy Z Fold6 is a bit infamous these days for its insistence on the narrower cover screen aspect ratio. It"s not as comfortable to use as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold but it does allow for a much smaller and lighter device - the Galaxy Z Fold6 is 18g lighter.

The Pixel foldable against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

Here"s a look at Google"s entire Pixel 9 lineup. Interestingly, apart from the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL, the rest of the series is 6.3-inch. From left to right we have the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

We"ll take our time with this review as there"s a lot to go over, but expect a detailed comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold6 at some point too!