Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold preliminary assessment: Discovering new causes to be excited

Nearly a 12 months after making a splash within the foldable scene, Google is again once more with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Whereas there are many modifications to be discovered throughout the board, there’s nonetheless loads to be involved about Google’s plans for its future foldable telephones. 

That being mentioned, Google marched ahead, seemingly dedicated to providing an alternate choice to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line. Contemplating that the choices in North America are already slim, I am pleased to see the 9 Professional Fold hit the market, even when it regarded precisely like the unique Pixel Fold. 

Fortunately, that is not the case right here, as Google went again to the drafting board, and never only for the design. There are a bunch of latest software program options that you will solely discover on Google’s foldable cellphone, all aiming to offer one of the best Pixel expertise that cash should purchase. 

On the time of this writing, I’ve solely had the Pixel 9 Professional Fold in my possession for lower than every week, so I have never had sufficient time to return to a remaining conclusion.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: Worth and availability

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold was introduced on the Made by Google occasion on August 13, 2024 alongside the remainder of the Pixel 9 lineup, Pixel Buds Professional 2, and Pixel Watch 3. There are solely two configurations accessible, because the 9 Professional Fold comes with both 256GB or 512GB of storage. These arrive with a worth of $1,799 or $1,919, respectively. 

No matter which storage possibility to select from, the whole lot else in regards to the gadget stays the identical. This contains that includes 16GB of RAM throughout each configurations. Moreover, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is available in two colours, as you will get Google’s newest foldable in Obsidian or Porcelain.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: Design and shows

Going into the 12 months, I wasn’t precisely certain whether or not Google even had plans to launch a successor to the Pixel Fold. A part of it was due to how divisive the corporate’s first foldable cellphone was. On the one hand, it was nice to see Google take this new type issue extra significantly. On the opposite, it nearly felt just like the Pixel Fold was already out of fashion.

As I’ve spent extra time with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, it continues to blow my thoughts that this cellphone comes from the identical firm. It is modern, svelte, comparatively light-weight, and is the whole lot that I wished from the unique Pixel Fold.

Google appears to be laser-focused on creating the thinnest* foldable. Actually, it is simply that Google desires one thing that may assist it stand out from the group right here in North America. Even with stories claiming that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is falling in need of expectations, it is nonetheless Samsung’s world that we’re dwelling in. 

That being mentioned, the 9 Professional Fold is a enormous step in the fitting course. The duvet display screen is small and large sufficient to depend on it greater than I anticipated. It is a “downside” that I had with the unique Pixel Fold, together with the OnePlus Open, as I simply do not discover myself unfolding it as regularly as I did with the Fold 6. 

In actuality, it isn’t truly an issue; it is simply one thing that I discover humorous. One of the simplest ways I can consider to clarify that is that the Fold 6 entices you to open it everytime you wish to do one thing greater than activate some lights or reply to a textual content. whereas the 9 Professional Fold goals to offer a conventional cellphone expertise with the added bonus of providing a bigger display screen if you’d like it.

Talking to that bigger display screen, I actually simply do not discover myself utilizing all of it that usually, until I wish to play a sport or must do some split-screen multitasking. Effectively, there’s one different motive, however I am going to get to that in a bit. 

That is to not say that the internal display screen is unhealthy, as that could not be farther from the reality. You will not discover headlines in regards to the 9 Professional Fold not having the ability to fold flat or that the crease feels such as you’re working your finger throughout a canyon. It is nearly as good as it could get, not less than in comparison with different foldable telephones that I’ve used and examined.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: Efficiency

In an ideal world, Google’s Tensor collection of chips would be capable of rival Qualcomm, however we’re merely not there but. The Tensor G4 within the Pixel 9 lineup does not provide loads in the best way of overly significant enhancements in comparison with the G3. As an alternative, Google opted for the “protected” strategy of optimizing it for higher battery life and for Gemini. 

Positive, I want this weren’t the case and that Google was in a position to actually take the battle to Samsung and Qualcomm. However, seeing as that is the hand we have been dealt, there’s actually not a lot I’ve discovered to complain about. Day-to-day duties are a breeze, battery life lasts all day, and I can play a lot of the video games I wish to. 

The one exception to this, that I’ve discovered to date, is that I have never been in a position to make use of a Swap emulator. Nonetheless, a part of that is doubtless as a result of drivers not being suitable with the emulators I am utilizing. 

It may additionally simply be the emulators themselves, as I have never run into another issues when utilizing the 9 Professional Fold as a transportable retro handheld. Nonetheless, it is reasonably curious seeing as each different Android cellphone and handheld I’ve is ready to not less than boot right into a sport, whereas I am unable to even make it that far with the 9 Professional Fold. 

One thing else I’ve seen about utilizing the cellphone for multitasking is that Google might need one of the best split-screen expertise in the marketplace. Due to the modifications to the design, utilizing two apps side-by-side is principally the identical as in the event you have been holding a Pixel 9 Professional in both hand. 

I have never discovered any points with apps scaling, save for 1Password which nonetheless does not appear to know learn how to deal with bigger screens that are not tablets. It is actually attending to the purpose that I am contemplating making the swap to a special password supervisor fully, simply due to how irritating it’s.

Presumably, that was not less than a part of why the choice to overtake the design was made. In fact, it isn’t your entire story, however I’ve honesty been appreciating and having fun with this fashion of multitasking. Positive, there are occasions that I need the extra strong choices supplied by the Fold 6. However, it does not take a lot to get overwhelmed with attempting to position your app home windows within the “right” places.

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: Sudden usecase

As a result of nature of what we do, I truly my assessment unit truly arrived whereas I used to be vacationing on the seashore with my household. This meant attempting to take as many footage as doable at any time when I may. Most of the greatest footage have been taken by my spouse along with her iPhone, however I discovered one sudden advantage of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. 

Seeing as my son is nearly to be seven months outdated, he is solely now beginning to develop into extra cellular. So I haven’t got to fret all that a lot about blurry footage whereas he is enjoying with toys on the ground. Nonetheless, one thing that we do wrestle with is getting him to truly have a look at the digicam. 

Enter “Made You Look.” 

This is not a brand new Android function, as Android Central’s managing editor Derrek Lee identified to me. An identical function, referred to as “Digital camera Cartoon” was already accessible for telephones just like the Motorola Razr Plus 2023. Nonetheless, “Made You Look” rapidly grew to become my favourite function on the 9 Professional Fold. 

After a number of moments of switching between the 4 totally different “faces” to see how he would react, I used to be lastly in a position to get a smile out of him. Arguably simply as vital, he was truly wanting on the digicam, versus attempting to take a look at the folks strolling across the restaurant. 

This turned out to be one more feather within the cap of why foldable telephones may be extra versatile than slabs. To not point out that I am much more excited to take footage since I’ve a greater likelihood of getting a smirk or smile. 

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: Competitors

The largest competitors for Google continues to be the Galaxy Z Fold 6. That could be a special story if the OnePlus Open have been accessible from carriers, however alas, it isn’t. Samsung nonetheless owns the foldable area in North America, and for good motive. Not solely is the software program expertise refined, however you even have the choice to use a stylus with the S Pen. 

Ignoring provider availability, I’d argue that the OnePlus Open supplies even stiffer competitors than Samsung. Each the Open and 9 Professional Fold provide comparable designs, seeing as each gadgets have cowl screens that align higher with conventional smartphones. Whereas Open might need higher digicam {hardware}, Google nonetheless leads the best way in picture processing. 

Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold: Conclusion and what’s subsequent

You in all probability made it this far and are questioning about all of Google’s different options. Like, how does Gemini Stay carry out? What in regards to the photograph and video choices in addition to Made You Look? Effectively, as I acknowledged initially, I’ve solely had the 9 Professional Fold for a number of days, so I have never but had sufficient time to place the whole lot by its paces.

The AI options are solely part of the story, and regardless of Google leaning extra closely into Gemini, there’s much more occurring right here. I plan to place the brand new Desktop Mode by its paces, together with attempting to see how arduous I can push the Tensor G4 earlier than and the way it stacks as much as the competitors. So make sure you preserve a watch out, as I will be updating this assessment within the coming weeks.