Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold Would possibly Be a Sequel That Truly Delivers

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold enters a crowded house of recent foldable phones from Samsung, OnePlus and Xiaomi. The brand new cellphone is a follow-up to Google’s original Pixel Fold, and as sequels go, this might be a serious one. Unveiled on the Made by Google event alongside the Pixel 9, 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL, the brand new book-style foldable has been overhauled in practically each manner, together with its identify.

Learn extra: Made by Google Live Blog: Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 3 and More Expected

Google’s announcement follows the releases of Motorola’s Razr and Razr Plus and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6. In the meantime, abroad, Honor introduced one of many thinnest and lightest book-style foldables, the Magic V3, just for Xiaomi to match these superlatives with the Mix Fold 4.

Now it is Google’s flip.

Of all the businesses releasing foldables, Google has the trickiest path to navigate. The 9 Professional Fold has to handle and enhance on the original Fold’s numerous shortcomings whereas additionally being aggressive. And from what Google confirmed me, I feel it has an excellent probability of doing each.

Watch this: Every little thing Introduced at Google’s Pixel Gemini Occasion

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Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s new identify

This isn’t the Pixel Fold 2. No, no – it is the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. It is not probably the most catchy identify, however it sort of doubles as a mission assertion. In the identical manner that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 was like a foldable clamshell model of the Galaxy S24, Google appears to be positioning this new Fold as a Pixel 9 Professional that folds in half.

And in some methods, that appears true. It has Google’s new Tensor G4 processor, 16GB of RAM and the identical new AI options because the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional (extra on that later). In comparison with the unique Fold, which had a Tensor G2 chip and 12GB of RAM, this ought to be one heck of a efficiency improve. However in different methods, the 9 Professional Fold is not fairly residing as much as the “professional” in its identify: The digital camera specs appear to be a step down from the Pixel 9 Professional and the battery is smaller than the primary Fold’s. 

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s thinner design

The 9 Professional Fold weighs practically an oz lower than final yr’s Fold, and that is noticeable from the second you choose it up. (Although it is nonetheless heavier than the Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open.) And while you open up the 9 Professional Fold, you’ll be able to actually discover simply how svelte Google made issues. It is simply 5.1 millimeters thick, which is ridiculously skinny. In comparison with the unique Pixel Fold, it looks like a very completely different cellphone.

Whereas the 9 Professional Fold is not the thinnest foldable – that may be the Xiaomi Combine Fold 4 or Honor Magic V3 – it’s the thinnest book-style foldable you will get within the US.

When it comes to shows, the duvet display screen grew half an inch and is now 6.3 inches, the identical measurement because the Pixel 9 Professional’s display screen. The 9 Professional Fold’s cowl display screen has a 60-120Hz variable refresh charge and now has a better peak brightness of two,700 nits, a dramatic enchancment over final yr’s 1,550 nits. All this, together with a better distinction ratio, ought to make the brand new outer show simpler to see outdoor on a vivid day.

The inside display screen additionally acquired a glow up. It is 8 inches in comparison with the Pixel Fold’s 7.6-inch show and makes use of an LTPO panel, which supplies it a variable refresh charge of 1-120Hz. The inner show’s brightness can be 2,700 nits and the distinction ratio has additionally been doubled, like the duvet display screen, to 2,000,000:1. This could assist make studying, writing, scrolling social media and watching movies so significantly better.

The quilt glass and again glass are made from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the rear will get a beautiful matte end. The 9 Professional Fold is available in Obsidian or Porcelain colours.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s cameras

Pixel telephones are recognized for his or her swanky digital camera tech, and the brand new Fold’s cameras get some enhancements. On the again, there’s the identical 48-megapixel predominant digital camera and 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto digital camera as final yr’s mannequin. However the ultrawide has a brand new 10.5-megapixel sensor, however that is one space the place it falls behind the Pixel 9 Professional, which has a 48-megapixel ultrawide.

The selfie digital camera and inside display screen cameras additionally get upgrades. I am eager to check these out as the unique Pixel Fold had the best all-around camera system discovered on any foldable we examined in 2023. I am curious to see if the picture high quality improves sufficient to be on the identical degree as Google’s Pixel Professional slab telephones.

Being a foldable cellphone, Google has additionally added some additional digital camera modes which might be only for the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, comparable to Made You Look. Like Motorola, this allows you to show a enjoyable animation on the duvet display screen whereas taking a photograph so to get the proper pic of your child trying on the digital camera. The animations additionally react when the topic of the photograph is smiling.

The cameras have a brand new AR-powered feature called Add Me that is designed for group pictures the place the individual taking the photograph can add themselves in. Mainly you are taking one photograph of the group and AR on the display screen helps line up the photographer in the identical locale for one more photograph which the cellphone merges along with the primary. It appears completely wild and prefer it might be sort of helpful.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold has a lot AI

It is sort of superb that I made it this far with out mentioning AI, however this cellphone is packed to the gills with it.

The Magic Editor will get extra AI instruments and may now develop the body of a photograph you took and generate a fill to match the sides. Magic Editor may recommend crops and methods to reframe photographs you took. There’s additionally a brand new Reimagine function that allows you to remodel your photograph by getting into a immediate. For instance, you may need it make the grass within the picture greener. Or you’ll be able to change what’s within the photograph solely. When CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco tried this function, she was capable of remodel the bottom in a photograph to a sandy seashore by typing that in as a immediate.

The Pixel 9 Professional Fold can use AI to enhance movies shot at night time or in low gentle – and that is simply the cameras! Google Gemini is in all places on this cellphone. What’s nice is you get a yr of the Google One AI Premium Plan while you purchase a 9 Professional Fold.

Google has additionally sprinkled AI all through the consumer interface in additional sensible methods. There are AI-generated climate summaries within the Climate app, for instance, and a Pixel Screenshots app, which helps you to seek for data saved in screenshots. 

Pixel 9 Professional Fold battery life and Satellite tv for pc SOS

One spec I am slightly apprehensive about is the battery. Final yr’s Pixel Fold had a 4,821 mAh battery and principally made it via a day on a single cost. The 9 Professional Fold has a smaller 4,650 mAh battery, which makes me surprise how lengthy it can final. Possibly the brand new Tensor G4 chip is extra environment friendly and can make up for the smaller battery? We’ll see as soon as we will check it.

I’ve saved two of the perfect new options for final: Google now has Satellite tv for pc SOS that will help you join with emergency providers even when you do not have a cell sign. Google additionally ensures seven years of OS, safety upgrades and Pixel function drops. Which means a 9 Professional Fold ought to be operating simply as securely and safely within the yr 2031 because it does right this moment.

Watch this: First Look: The Pixel 9 Professional Fold Will get Important Upgrades

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Google made all of those modifications whereas maintaining the value the identical: The Pixel 9 Professional Fold is $1,799. If that is certainly a Pixel 9 Professional that folds in half, you are paying $800 only for the folding half.

For extra on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, try the specs chart beneath.