Pixel 9 Pro Fold hands-on: Google nailed it

The leaks have finally ended, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has officially arrived. This isn’t the Pixel Fold 2—no, Google’s foldable phone now shares the same name as this year’s other Pixel devices. That means you’re getting the same Tensor G4 processor, the same Gemini AI software features, and some exciting new camera capabilities. But since this is the Fold, it’s really the hardware that steals the show.

In a world where Samsung continues to release slightly refined versions of the Galaxy Z Fold year after year, Google’s second attempt at a foldable phone is a significant departure from its first. Personally, I really liked the original Pixel Fold. Its short, squat, passport-style design gave it a unique appearance compared to the competition, offering both character and ease of use with one hand. However, there was one major drawback: the weight. Even as someone with large hands who typically gravitates toward big phones, I found the Fold’s heft less than ideal.

The new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, on the other hand, feels much lighter in the hand. Perhaps the taller design helps distribute its 257 grams more effectively, but regardless, it’s a noticeable improvement. And it’s still impressively thin. Yes, the passport form factor is gone, but with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, you now have a full-fledged phone on the outside and a full-fledged tablet on the inside. The 6.3-inch outer display is almost identical in size to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. I thought I would miss the old style, but I was wrong. Once you hold it, it becomes clear that this is the way to go. And once you open it, you’re greeted by a massive 8-inch screen. Both displays boast a peak brightness of 2700 nits, which will perform much better in direct sunlight compared to the first fold.

The OnePlus Open is the closest thing to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold right now. Both offer a similar concept: a regular phone on the outside and a spacious screen on the inside. I love editing photos on these devices, and they’ve convinced me that this is the ideal design for a foldable phone.

One issue Google faced last year was that many apps weren’t optimized for the wider aspect ratio of the inner display, leading to black bars on both sides. The 9 Pro Fold should have fewer problems in this regard, as many apps will now use the full screen by default. This has also been my experience with the OnePlus Open. Oh, and did I mention that Google’s new phone actually opens and lays flat this time? The first fold didn’t quite go flat unless you forced it, but the new one snaps into place effortlessly. Everything about this hardware feels more thought-out this time around. I just hope the speakers are better, as that was one of my complaints with the original Fold.

On the software side, you get all the same features as the rest of this year’s Pixel lineup. You can get creative with Pixel Studio, making any kind of art you want. There’s also a new Pixel Screenshots app that can understand the content in your screenshots, making it easier to find those things later, similar to Microsoft’s Recall. The camera also has new tricks, like the "Add Me" feature, where someone can take a group photo, hand the phone to someone else, and then jump into the frame. You’ll get a composite shot that makes it look like they were there all along. Be sure to check out Becca’s video on everything new with the Pixel camera this year.

I’m really excited about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, though I’m less enthusiastic about the name. The hardware is incredibly impressive, marking a significant shift from Google’s first approach to a foldable. I think this is the right direction. However, there are still plenty of unknowns, like battery life and the performance of that Tensor G4 chip. We’ll have to wait for the full review to find out more. And let’s not forget that this phone costs $1,800, while Samsung and Motorola offer cheaper flip-foldables. Unfortunately, if you’re a Pixel fan, there’s no such luck with a more affordable option this year. But on the bright side, there are more regular Pixel devices to choose from than ever before.

We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s new in the Pixel hardware lineup today. There are new earbuds, new watches, and a bunch of new phones. For the full story, be sure to check out The Verge. We love that site.