Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Evaluate: This Folding Telephone Is A Winner

	Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold – MSRP $1799, Sale Worth $1499 The Pixel 9 Professional Fold delivers all of the Google software program goodness wrapped in a few of the most interesting folding {hardware}, making it among the finest book-style folding telephones accessible within the US.
	Normal 20:9 kind issue Premium, skinny and light-weight design Lovely shows Glorious cameras Excellent software program Sharp, shiny show with 120Hz refresh ×Quick 80W charging and included plug ×Glorious efficiency with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ×Alert slider is again	Final yr’s SoC efficiency Downgraded shooters vs. Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL Sluggish charging speeds, no charger within the field Off-center wi-fi charging coil No pen assist

Then, in October 2023 got here the superb OnePlus Open ($1699, at present $1299), which some would argue stole the book-style folding cellphone torch from Samsung, and gave the US market a glimpse into the superior folding {hardware} and software program extensively accessible in China. We anticipated Samsung to step up its recreation, however when the Galaxy Z Fold6 ($1899) arrived in July 2024, it was considerably disappointing with solely minor revisions to the identical ol’ Samsung system.

Evidently, when Google introduced the Pixel 9 Professional Fold ($1799, at present $1499), we had excessive hopes. We’ve been utilizing the second technology Pixel Fold for a few months now. So, how does this new book-style folding cellphone stack up in opposition to the mighty OnePlus Open? Is it higher than Samsung’s Z Fold6? Is Google’s new Tensor G4 chip a handicap? Are the cameras nonetheless Pixel worthy? Let’s discover out in our full evaluation.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold {Hardware} And Design

As a substitute of retaining final yr’s passport-like kind issue – or copying the Galaxy Z Fold6’s tall and slim design – Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold adopts the OnePlus Open’s wonderful kind issue, with a 6.3-inch outer show and normal 20:9 facet ratio. Whereas the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is 3.8mm wider and 1.8mm taller than the OnePlus Open, it is also thinner, each when closed (10.5 vs. 11.7mm) and when open (5.1 vs. 5.8mm).

Digicam pod apart, the design of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is similar to the OnePlus Open’s, and simply as refined. We like how the outer display and glass again are inlaid into the steel body with completely matching nook radii. However, not like the OnePlus Open, the symmetry is disrupted by the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s steel body, which is thicker close to the hinge than across the edges. This accounts for the cellphone’s further width, and sure some added sturdiness.

As such, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold seems and feels premium and sturdy, not like the unique Pixel Fold, which, in our opinion felt, extra like a prototype gadget. And whereas it’s heavier than the OnePlus Open (257 vs. 239g), it presents higher water resistance (IPX8 vs. IPX4). The interior show can also be barely bigger at 8 inches (vs. 7.82-inch). Pixel 9 Professional Fold colorways embrace Obsidian (black, like our evaluation unit) and Porcelain (off-white), each with a matte glass again.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s digicam bump is attention-grabbing. As a substitute of being round just like the OnePlus Open’s, or pill-shaped like the remainder of the Pixel 9 household’s “visor”, it’s principally two horizontally stacked “visors” melded collectively right into a rounded rectangle. On the highest row you’ll discover the laser AF sensor, 48MP principal shooter, and an LED flash, whereas the underside row is house to the ten.5MP ultrawide, 10.8MP 5x periscope telephoto, and a pair mics.

Open the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and also you’ll discover the amount rocker and energy / lock key (which doubles as a capacitive fingerprint sensor) on the correct aspect. The USB Kind-C port, nano SIM tray, a speaker, and a pair of mics are situated alongside the underside edge, whereas the mmWave antenna window, one other speaker, and a 3rd mic are mounted on prime. Apparently, there are not any buttons or openings on the left aspect, simply antenna bands.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Specs And Options

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Show High quality

Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s packs two lovely shows. Each ship vibrant colours, deep blacks, and wonderful viewing angles. On the within, there’s a 8-inch 2k folding LTPO OLED panel (2152 x 2076 pixels, 373ppi, HDR10+) with an nearly sq. 1:1 facet ratio and 120Hz adaptive refresh fee. Fortunately, the crease on this new display is considerably much less pronounced than it was on final yr’s Pixel Fold. It’s additionally much less reflective.

The outer show is a 6.3-inch FHD+ OLED panel (2424 x 1080 pixels, 422ppi, HDR10+) with a typical 20:9 facet ratio and 120Hz refresh fee. However, as a substitute of utilizing an LTPO outer display just like the OnePlus Open and Galaxy Z Fold6, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold shares its LTPS cowl panel with the bottom Pixel 9. Regardless of the spec variations, each shows are pleasantly very shiny (2700 nits peak), making them simple to learn in direct daylight. Each screens have skinny, uniform bezels throughout, together with punch holes for the 2 10MP selfie cameras, that are positioned prime middle for the outer panel, and prime proper for the interior show, like on the OnePlus Open.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold Digicam Efficiency And Picture High quality

Across the again, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold packs a 48MP f/1.7 0.8-micron principal shooter with dual-pixel PDAF and OIS, a ten.5MP f/2.2 1.22-micron 127-degree ultrawide with PDAF, and a ten.8MP f/3.1 1.22-micron 5x telephoto with PDAF and OIS. The interior and outer selfie cameras are an identical, and include a 10MP sensor with a f/2.2 lens. So, in comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL, the 9 Professional Fold will get smaller sensors with smaller pixels.

Clearly, the 48MP principal shooter advantages from pixel binning, which outputs 12MP photographs by combining teams of 4 pixels into one bigger pixel. This improves dynamic vary, low-light efficiency, and helps with magnification as much as 5x. However not like the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL, binning isn’t potential with the Fold’s 10.5MP ultrawide and 10.8MP telephoto, leading to barely decrease high quality images in decreased gentle and when zooming past 10x.

In all, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold takes attractive photos (and selfies) in most situations, with very good element, correct publicity, and pure colours. Dynamic vary is first rate, and low-light efficiency stays stable though evening mode kicks in sooner. Zoom high quality is superb contemplating the 5x periscope telephoto’s small sensor. 10x outcomes look nice, and even 20x photographs are nonetheless usable due to Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom algorithm.

As you’d count on, this handset presents a bunch of capturing modes, together with portrait, evening (referred to as Evening Sight), professional (handbook), panorama, lengthy publicity, astrophotography, and Add Me (which mixes two photographs to incorporate the photographer in a bunch shot). Evening mode and professional mode assist all 5 shooters, which is sweet, however the Fold lacks the Motion Pan (movement blur) and 48MP (principal digicam) modes discovered on the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL.

As for video recording, all 5 shooters seize stabilized video (with stereo audio) at as much as 4k/1080p 60fps. Video modes include evening (principal solely, 4k/1080p 30fps), HDR (4k/1080p 30fps), sluggish movement (principal solely, 1080p 240fps/480fps), time lapse (4k/1080p 30fps), and cinematic Pan (rear solely, 4k/1080p 60fps). The cinematic Blur (portrait video) and 8k modes accessible on the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL are additionally lacking from the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

Movies captured with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold are aggressive total, however exhibit barely extra noise than different Android flagships. Then once more, solely the highest handsets from Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi can rival the iPhone with regards to video recording efficiency.

Subsequent up: audio, benchmark efficiency, and battery life…