The Pixel 9 series has officially launched, with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold emerging as the standout feature. Packed with all the latest advancements from the 9 series, this second-generation foldable phone raises an important question: How does it measure up against last year’s model? Explore our comparison to discover how the Pixel 9 Pro Fold compares to the Pixel Fold.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Pixel Fold: Specifications
Design and Build
The most noticeable change between the two devices is their design. The original Pixel Fold featured a wider, passport-style form factor, but Google has now opted for a taller aspect ratio with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, giving it a more traditional smartphone feel in hand. This new design also aligns with the aesthetics of the other Pixel 9 series devices. The overall look remains consistent, with the same metal stem and frame.
When unfolded, the differences become even more apparent. While I’ll delve into the details of the screen later, it’s clear that the newer model sports slimmer bezels and has relocated the selfie camera from the bezel to the display. This design choice makes the inner screen resemble that of the OnePlus Open.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold introduces a new hinge design that allows the phone to lay completely flat, a feature the previous model lacked. Moreover, the crease is less noticeable in this version. On the device, you’ll find the power and volume buttons on the right side, with the power button also serving as a fingerprint sensor. The bottom of the phone features a USB-C 3.2 port, a speaker grille, and the SIM card tray, while the top houses the microphone and a second speaker.
At the back, the new camera module stands out. Although I prefer the Pixel Fold’s camera bar that extends across the back, this new design offers a clean and sophisticated look. Fans of Power Rangers Zeo might notice a resemblance to the Yellow Ranger’s helmet. However, the camera module does tend to cause the phone to wobble when placed flat on a table.
Oh, and don’t forget both devices have an IPX8 rating, so you don’t need to worry about water exposure, though it’s still best to be cautious around dust. Overall, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold still has some ground to cover compared to other foldables, it represents a significant upgrade over last year’s Pixel Fold.
Display
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a taller aspect ratio, resulting in a larger 6.3-inch cover display, compared to the 5.8-inch screen on the Pixel Fold. Despite the size difference, both displays share similar features, including a 120Hz refresh rate, 1080p resolution, and HDR support. Notably, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s cover display is protected by the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2, whereas the Pixel Fold used Victus 1.
The inner display has also increased in size from 7.6 inches on the previous model to 8.0 inches on the new one. This larger screen features a new 1:1 aspect ratio and a higher resolution of 2076 x 2152 pixels (374 PPI). Despite the enhanced resolution, the original Pixel Fold still has a slight advantage in pixel density, with its 378 PPI and 1840 x 2208 resolution display.
Both inner displays feature a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR 10+, and 10-bit color support. However, they lack the advanced protection found on the cover screens, making them more susceptible to scratches over time—an issue that was notably prevalent with the Pixel Fold.
Hardware
Regarding internals, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 chipset, built on Samsung’s 4-nanometer architecture. This marks a significant upgrade from the Tensor G2 in the Pixel Fold, which is two generations older and uses the 5-nanometer architecture.
The Tensor G4 boasts more powerful clocked cores, suggesting it can handle demanding tasks more efficiently. While the Tensor G2 still performs adequately, it can show its age during intensive multitasking and may struggle at times.
Neither chipset is likely to set performance records or deliver flawless gaming experiences, but the Tensor G4 should offer a more consistent and smoother overall performance compared to its predecessor.
Software and AI Features
Both devices run Google’s Pixel UI, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with Android 14 pre-installed, while the Pixel Fold launched with Android 13. Despite both running the same version of Android, there are a couple of notable differences in their software experience.
Firstly, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a longer support lifespan, with 7 years of OS updates, potentially extending up to Android 21. In contrast, the Pixel Fold is limited to 5 years of updates, reaching up to Android 18 at most.
Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features Google’s latest on-device AI capabilities with Gemini Nano, showcasing all of the company’s advanced AI features. The Pixel Fold, due to its older chipset, will not receive many of these new AI enhancements, giving the Pixel 9 Pro a significant edge in terms of software features.
Cameras
Google has chosen to keep the same 48 MP primary camera on the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold as on its predecessor. While it’s not a bad lens, featuring an f/1.7 aperture, an 82-degree field of view, a 1/2″ sensor with 0.8 μm pixel size, and OIS, its performance is largely bolstered by Google’s advanced computational photography.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also retains the 10.8 MP 5x telephoto lens from the previous model. However, it now features a new 10.5 MP ultra-wide lens, replacing the 10.8 MP sensor found in the earlier generation.
For selfies, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold introduces a new 10 MP camera on both the cover and inner displays, offering an upgrade over the Pixel Fold’s 8.5 MP inner camera. Both phones support 4K video recording at 30 and 60 FPS without issues. However, the Tensor G2 in the Pixel Fold can become warm after 5–10 minutes of recording. Additionally, both devices offer 1080p video recording at 30, 60, 120, and 240 FPS for super slow-motion shots.
Battery Capacity and Charging
The Google Pixel Fold was equipped with a 4,821 mAh battery, offering around 5–6 hours of screen-on time, which is respectable given the constraints of the foldable form factor. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a slightly smaller 4,650 mAh battery. However, with the more efficient 4-nm chip, it should provide comparable screen-on time to its predecessor.
In line with the Pixel 9 series, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold benefits from improved charging speeds. It supports fast charging at 45 watts, so if your battery runs low, you won’t have to wait long to recharge. Additionally, wireless charging speed has been upgraded to 23 watts from the previous 7.5 watts.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold the New Foldable Champion?
After reviewing the comparison, it’s clear that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn’t likely to claim the title of the best foldable phone, especially with stronger competitors from Samsung and other Chinese brands. However, it represents a significant improvement over the original Google Pixel Fold.
The larger display, slimmer bezels, and newer processor address some of the shortcomings of the Pixel Fold, which felt somewhat outdated. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might not live up to the high expectations set by early leaks and designs, it remains an excellent choice. If you’re in the U.S. and prefer not to go with Samsung, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a strong alternative.
