Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A Comprehensive Review of Specifications and Features

Design and Build

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a sleek and premium design that highlights the best of both worlds: a compact, pocketable device and a full-fledged tablet. This device combines the elegance of glass and metal with a durable hinge mechanism that promises smooth, reliable folding over time.

• Dimensions (Folded): 165.1 x 72.9 x 15.9 mm
• Dimensions (Unfolded): 165.1 x 144.3 x 6.8 mm
• Weight: 284g
• Materials: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and back) and aluminum frame
• Colors: Available in Obsidian Black, Snow White, and Coral Pink

Google has paid extra attention to the hinge design, aiming for a minimal crease when unfolded, offering a smooth screen experience. The phone is also IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, which is rare among foldable devices.

Display

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features dual displays: the outer “cover display” and the inner “foldable display.” Both offer OLED panels with stunning clarity, color reproduction, and responsiveness.

Outer Display:

• Size: 6.4 inches
• Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels, 400 ppi
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• HDR Support: Yes
• Brightness: Up to 1,500 nits

The outer display serves as the primary screen when the device is folded, offering a near edge-to-edge experience for basic tasks like checking notifications, sending texts, and taking quick photos. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations.

Inner Foldable Display:

• Size: 8.1 inches
• Resolution: 3200 x 1800 pixels, 450 ppi
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• HDR Support: Yes
• Brightness: Up to 1,800 nits

When unfolded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold transforms into a tablet-like device, ideal for productivity tasks, gaming, and content consumption. The foldable display also features LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology, dynamically adjusting the refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz to save battery life.The inner display supports multitasking, with the ability to open up to three apps simultaneously in split-screen mode. Additionally, Google has optimized several apps, including YouTube, Gmail, and Google Photos, for a foldable form factor, making the experience seamless.

Performance and Hardware

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s custom-designed chipset, the Tensor G3, which offers significant improvements over its predecessor in AI processing, machine learning, and raw computing power.

Processor:

• Chipset: Google Tensor G3
• CPU: Octa-core (1x Cortex-X3 at 3.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A715 at 2.85GHz, 2x Cortex-A710 at 2.35GHz, and 3x Cortex-A510 at 1.8GHz)
• GPU: Mali-G710

The Tensor G3 leverages AI-powered optimizations, improving the device’s efficiency in tasks like real-time language translation, speech-to-text, image processing, and gaming performance. Paired with a Mali-G710 GPU, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold can handle the latest mobile games and demanding applications with ease.

RAM and Storage:

• RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X
• Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (UFS 4.0)

With 12GB of RAM, multitasking between apps is smooth and responsive, and the UFS 4.0 storage ensures faster data transfer speeds. Unfortunately, like previous Pixel models, there’s no microSD card support, but the larger storage options cater to heavy users.

Battery and Charging:

• Battery Capacity: 5,500mAh
• Charging: 45W fast wired charging, 30W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging support
• USB-C: 3.2 Gen 2

The 5,500mAh battery is more than capable of lasting a full day, even with heavy use of the foldable display. The improved adaptive battery management powered by the Tensor G3 ensures optimal power distribution, reducing battery drain in idle apps and background tasks. With 45W fast charging, the device can charge from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Camera System

Google’s Pixel series is renowned for its cameras, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold continues this tradition with a versatile and powerful camera system. It features a triple-camera setup on the rear, alongside advanced AI enhancements powered by the Tensor G3.

Rear Cameras:

• Main Camera: 50MP (f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF)
• Telephoto Lens: 12MP (f/2.4, 5x optical zoom, OIS)
• Ultra-wide Lens: 48MP (f/2.2, 120-degree field of view)

Front Cameras:

• Cover Display Camera: 10.8MP (f/2.2)
• Inner Foldable Display Camera: 12MP (under-display)

The 50MP main sensor delivers crisp, detailed photos in all lighting conditions, thanks to Google’s computational photography. Features like Night Sight, Astrophotography, and Super Res Zoom continue to set the Pixel series apart from competitors. The telephoto lens provides a 5x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom without compromising image quality.On the video front, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold supports 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K recording at 60fps. Real-time HDR and Cinematic Mode enable dynamic adjustments to lighting and focus while recording, producing cinema-like video quality.

Software and Features

Operating System:

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold runs on Android 14, offering a pure Android experience with zero bloatware. Google’s Material You design language is more customizable than ever, allowing users to personalize their home screens, icons, and system colors based on their preferences.One of the standout features of Android 14 on the foldable is its seamless multitasking. Google has optimized the OS to take full advantage of the foldable screen, enabling split-screen and drag-and-drop functionality between apps.

AI and Machine Learning:

With the Tensor G3, Google pushes the limits of AI on mobile devices. Some of the new and enhanced AI-driven features include:

• Live Translate: Real-time translation of texts and audio in over 40 languages, making conversations and travel more accessible.
• Magic Eraser: Quickly remove unwanted objects from photos with Google’s enhanced AI-powered photo editing tool.
• Real-time Voice Assistant: Improved voice commands, dictation, and Google Assistant integration for seamless hands-free interaction.
• Call Screening and Hold for Me: Google’s AI helps screen calls from unknown numbers and can even wait on hold for you.

Connectivity

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with the latest in connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with the most advanced networks and technologies.

• 5G: Sub-6GHz and mmWave support for blazing-fast downloads and streaming.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7 support, offering improved speeds and lower latency, ideal for gaming and 4K streaming.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 for fast, stable connections to wireless accessories.
• NFC: Yes, for Google Pay and other contactless services.
• USB-C: USB 3.2 Gen 2 for faster data transfer and charging.

Additional Features

Biometric Security:

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers multiple ways to secure your device, including:

• In-display Fingerprint Scanner: Fast and reliable, embedded directly under the foldable display.
• Face Unlock: Secure facial recognition for unlocking the device or authenticating payments.

Stylus Support:

Google has added stylus support to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, making it ideal for note-taking, sketching, and productivity tasks. The stylus offers low latency and pressure sensitivity, though it is sold separately.

Audio:

• Speakers: Stereo speakers tuned for high-fidelity sound.
• Microphones: Three high-quality mics with noise cancellation for crystal-clear calls and recordings.

Google Ecosystem:

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold integrates seamlessly with Google’s ecosystem of devices and services. Features like Fast Pair, Nearby Share, and Google One storage are tightly integrated for an enhanced user experience. The device also works well with Pixel Buds and Nest devices, offering a connected smart home experience.