The Pixel 9 series has landed, and with it comes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google’s latest foray into the foldable phone market. As the second generation of Google’s foldable technology, it raises the question: How does it compare to its predecessor, the Pixel Fold? In this article, we’ll dissect every aspect of these two devices, from their design and display to their performance and software, to help you decide if the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is worth the upgrade.
Table of Contents
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Pixel Fold: A Snapshot of Specifications
| Specs | Pixel 9 Pro Fold | Google Pixel Fold |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| RAM/Storage | 16 GB RAM + 256 GB UFS 4.0 Storage | 12 GB RAM + 256/512 GB UFS 3.1 Storage |
| Cover Display | 6.3 inches, Full HD+ (1080 x 2424), 120 Hz OLED, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, HDR | 5.8 inches, Full HD+ (1080 x 2092), 120 Hz OLED, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, HDR |
| Inner Display | 8.0 inches, 2076 x 2152, 120 Hz Foldable OLED, HDR 10+ | 7.6 inches, 1840 x 2208, 120 Hz Foldable OLED, HDR 10+ |
| Rear Camera | 48 MP Main + 10.5 MP Ultra-wide + 10.8 MP 5x Telephoto | 48 MP Main + 10.8 MP Ultra-wide + 10.8 MP 5x Telephoto |
| Cover Display Camera | 10 MP Selfie | 9.5 MP Selfie |
| Inner Display Camera | 10 MP Selfie | 8 MP Selfie |
| Video | Up to 4K at 60 FPS, 10 Bit | Up to 4K at 60 FPS, 10 Bit |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC |
| Port | USB Type C 3.2 | USB Type C 3.2 |
| Battery | 4,650 mAh | 4,821 mAh |
| Charging | 45-Watt fast wired charging, 23 Watt Wireless charging | 21-watt fast wired charging, 7.5 Watt wireless charging |
| IP Rating | IPX8 | IPX8 |
| Software | Android 14, 7 years of OS updates | Android 13, 5 years of OS updates |
Design and Build: A New Look and Feel
The design evolution from the Pixel Fold to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is significant. The Pixel Fold had a broader, passport-style form factor, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro Fold embraces a taller aspect ratio that resembles a traditional smartphone more closely. This change not only impacts the device’s handling but also aligns its front design with the rest of the Pixel 9 series, maintaining a consistent aesthetic across the lineup.
Upon unfolding the device, the differences become even more pronounced. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features slimmer bezels and a selfie camera embedded directly into the display, a design innovation that minimizes distractions and aligns with trends seen in competitors like the OnePlus Open. The hinge mechanism has been refined, allowing the device to lay flat and reducing the visibility of the crease—a notable improvement over the previous model.
The rear design has also been revamped. While the Pixel Fold’s camera bar spanned the entire back, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold sports a new, streamlined camera module. Some users might find this design reminiscent of a Power Rangers Zeo helmet, but it adds a touch of sophistication. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold retains the IPX8 rating, providing water resistance but still requiring caution against dust ingress.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Pixel Fold: Display: Bigger and Better
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s display improvements are significant. The cover display has grown to 6.3 inches, compared to the Pixel Fold’s 5.8 inches. Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, 1080p resolution, and HDR support, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold benefits from the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced durability.
Inside, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s display is now 8.0 inches, up from 7.6 inches on the Pixel Fold. It boasts a new 1:1 aspect ratio and a higher resolution of 2076 x 2152, though the original Pixel Fold’s 1840 x 2208 resolution gives it a slight edge in pixel density. Despite these advancements, the inner displays on both devices remain prone to scratches, an issue noted with the Pixel Fold.
(Also see: Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Pixel 8 Pro: What’s New and Worth the Upgrade?)
Hardware: Under the Hood
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 chipset, which is built on a 4-nanometer process. This represents a notable upgrade from the Pixel Fold’s Tensor G2, which uses a 5-nanometer process. The Tensor G4’s improved core configuration promises better performance, especially in demanding tasks, making it a significant leap forward.
Tensor G2 (5nm) vs. Tensor G4 (4nm)
| Core Configuration | Tensor G2 | Tensor G4 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 2x Cortex-X1 (2.85 GHz) | 1x Cortex-X4 (3.1 GHz) |
| Efficient Cores | 2x Cortex-A78 (2.35 GHz) | 3x Cortex-A720 (2.6 GHz) |
| Efficiency Cores | 4x Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz) | 4x Cortex-A520 (1.95 GHz) |
The Tensor G4’s superior cores suggest smoother multitasking and overall performance. Although the Tensor G2 is still capable, it shows signs of aging, particularly in performance-heavy scenarios.
Software and AI Features: A Leap Forward
Both the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Fold run on Google’s Pixel UI. However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold ships with Android 14, while the Pixel Fold debuted with Android 13. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is set to receive seven years of OS updates, potentially extending up to Android 21, while the Pixel Fold is slated for five years, maxing out at Android 18.
Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with advanced on-device AI capabilities, including Gemini Nano, which provides a significant edge in software performance over the older Pixel Fold. The Pixel Fold lacks many of these enhancements due to its older chipset.
Cameras: Still Leading the Way
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold retains the 48 MP primary camera from its predecessor, which remains a strong performer thanks to Google’s computational photography. The new model introduces a 10.5 MP ultra-wide camera, replacing the Pixel Fold’s 10.8 MP sensor, while keeping the 10.8 MP 5x telephoto lens.
For selfies, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold upgrades to a 10 MP shooter on both the cover and inner displays, a notable improvement from the Pixel Fold’s 8 MP inner display camera. Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 and 60 FPS, although the Tensor G2 tends to heat up with extended use. Both phones also support various frame rates for 1080p recording, including 30, 60, 120, and 240 FPS for slow-motion videos.
Battery Capacity and Charging: Power Play
The Pixel Fold’s 4,821 mAh battery delivers around 5-6 hours of screen-on time, which is impressive given the foldable form factor’s usual limitations. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with its slightly smaller 4,650 mAh battery, benefits from the more efficient 4-nm Tensor G4 chip, promising similar screen-on time.
Charging speeds are another area of improvement for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It supports 45-watt wired charging and 23-watt wireless charging, compared to the Pixel Fold’s 21-watt wired and 7.5-watt wireless options, ensuring quicker power-ups.
Conclusion: Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold the New Foldable Monarch?
In conclusion, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold may not claim the top spot in the foldable market—where Samsung and Chinese manufacturers still lead—it represents a significant upgrade over the original Pixel Fold. The enhanced display, refined design, and updated processor mark clear improvements. Despite not being the groundbreaking device some anticipated, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a robust contender for anyone in the U.S. looking for a foldable alternative to Samsung.
