Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold First Look - Their Thinnest Foldable vs Samsung Z Fold 6!

Brian Tong is here, and I'm excited to bring you an exclusive first look at the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This device represents the most significant design overhaul we've seen in the foldable market, marking a substantial upgrade from Google's first Pixel Fold, which was released just about a year ago. While that initial foldable had its merits, there were also some concerns and criticisms. Google has clearly listened to this feedback, delivering the most substantial upgrade we've seen in any foldable device to date.

The new Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn't just a refined version of its predecessor; it's a bold statement that foldables don't need to compromise on power or features. While the original Pixel Fold was too thick and heavy for me to use as a daily driver, this new iteration is the thinnest foldable on the market, measuring just 10.5mm at its thinnest point when closed and an impressive 5.1mm when unfolded. To put that in perspective, the Samsung Z Fold 6, a leading competitor, is thicker at 12.1 mm when folded and 5.6 mm when unfolded. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also feels remarkably good in hand, thanks to its reduced weight of 257 grams, though it's still slightly heavier than the Z Fold 6, which weighs in at 239 grams.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a 6.3-inch external OLED display with rounded corners, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 422 pixels per inch, supported by HDR at 600 nits and a peak brightness of 2700 nits. This means you get the same screen-to-body ratio as the Pixel 9 Pro phone on the outer cover, which feels incredibly natural in hand. When you open up the device, you're greeted by an 8-inch OLED display that is 80% brighter than the last generation, with a variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, 1600 HDR, and a peak brightness of 2700 nits. Despite the inevitable crease in the display, it's something I've learned to overlook, as the functionality and experience of a foldable far outweigh this minor inconvenience.

Google's attention to design is evident in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with its silky matte-like finish that is classy without being too slippery, complemented by a satin metal frame that isn't overly shiny. The device also introduces a new stainless steel hinge made with an aerospace-grade high-strength aluminum alloy, promising durability that can withstand the rigors of frequent folding. Powering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's latest Tensor G4 processor, equipped to handle all processing and AI tasks, with Gemini AI integrated throughout the device. With 16GB of memory and storage options of either 256GB or 512GB, this device is more than capable of meeting any user's needs.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also claims to have the best camera system ever on a foldable device, featuring a triple-lens rear camera setup: a 48-megapixel wide camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 10.5-megapixel ultra-wide camera with autofocus and an f/2.2 aperture, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera with an f/3.1 aperture. You also get 5x optical zoom and up to 20x digital zoom. The front-facing camera is a 10-megapixel shooter with an f/2.2 aperture, making it a solid choice for selfies. Unique camera features, like using the external 48-megapixel camera for high-quality selfies and the new "Major Look" feature, which uses fun animations to grab kids' attention, make this device even more compelling.

Google's renowned photo editing capabilities are also present, with the Magic Editor and the new "Add Me" feature, which allows you to insert yourself into a photo after the fact, creating seamless group shots even if you were the one taking the picture initially. This initial hands-on experience with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has been nothing short of impressive. The device is snappy, intuitive, and easy to navigate, with split-screen functionality and a taskbar that enhances multitasking.

This device also comes with a 24-hour battery life, fast charging, wireless charging, and an IPX8 rating for water resistance, though it lacks dust resistance. Available in two colors, porcelain and obsidian, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will run on Android 14 and start at $1,799, which is $100 less than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. In my opinion, this offers better value, a superior form factor, and an overall better camera system.

In conclusion, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is not just another foldable; it's a game-changer that pushes the category forward in a significant way. I can't wait to dive deeper into this device, but based on my first impressions, it has skyrocketed to the top of the foldable market, making it one of the most exciting devices we've seen in a long time.