Google’s original Pixel Fold made a huge splash in the smartphone industry back in 2023. It was one of the few Android-powered foldable smartphones available on the market, and the device’s design and cameras were met with positive reception.
A year later, Google released a successor—the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The 9 Pro Fold was first unveiled at the Made by Google event on August 13, 2024, and released almost a month later on September 4, 2024.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was released alongside the other Pixel 9 series of phones and the Pixel Watch 3. The 9 Pro Fold features seamless integration with the smartwatch as well as other devices part of the Google Android ecosystem.
The foldable phone-tablet hybrid is a massive improvement over the original Pixel Fold, with enhanced design and specifications. If you’re in the market for a foldable smartphone, it is hard to beat Google’s new 9 Pro Fold hardware.
Foldable phones have received criticism over the years concerning their durability and the design of the hinges used for folding. In this article, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the new Pixel Fold durability and how it compares to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold durability. We’ll also be delving into the specifications and features.
Specifications and Features of Google’s Pixel 9 Fold
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available now in two colours: Obsidian (Black) and Porcelain (White). Google’s new Gemini AI assistant powers the phone, which can help with quality of life, editing photos, note-taking, and more.
Build
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold measures 155.2 mm (height) x 77.1 mm (width) x 10.5 mm (depth) when folded. It is 155.2 mm (height) x 150.2 mm (width) x 5.1mm (depth) when unfolded. It weighs 257 grams.
The outer frame is made completely of 100% recycled aluminium, which is not only tough but also eco-friendly. The highly resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 also protects the outer glass panels.
Display
The outer display on the 9 Pro Fold is 6.3 inches and shares its size and resolution with the base model Pixel 9 screen. The outer screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is scratch and wear-resistant.
The display itself allows for up to 1,800 nits (HDR) and up to 2,700 nits (peak brightness). It also features HDR support and a 60 to 120 Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 9 Fold unfolded features an impressive 8-inch Super Actua Flex inner display.
Performance
The 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s all-new custom chipset, the Tensor G4. This chip outperforms the previous G3 used in the Pixel 8 line of phones in all areas, including gaming, intensive apps, and artificial intelligence-related tasks.
The powerful G4 chip is also paired with 16 GB of RAM. Together, this easily makes the 9 Pro Fold Google’s strongest phone when it comes to performance. It doesn’t have any issues multitasking or running the latest games on high graphic settings.
Camera
Google’s Pixel range of phones has always been known for its cameras and editing capabilities, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is no different. It features an advanced triple rear camera system: 48 MP Wide, 10.5 MP Ultrawide with Macro Focus, and 10.8 MP 5x telephoto lens.
The front and inner camera lenses are 10 MP Dual PD. The phone supports various camera features, including Pro controls, Portrait mode, Face Unblur, Long Exposure, Panorama, Night Mode, and more. It also features AI-powered tools for editing and enhancing photo quality.
The phone's rear camera also records 4K video at 24/30/60 FPS and 1080p video at 24/30/60 FPS.
Google Pixel Fold’s Durability
Whenever a new foldable smartphone is released, the first question is always about durability, especially with the hinges. Since the dawn of foldable smartphones, there have been concerns about whether the phone can handle the folding-and-unfolding process and whether it can impact or damage the screen long-term.
Google’s original Pixel Fold had no issues with its folding mechanisms. The hinges were tried-and-true, and there were no reports of durability problems. Even so, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a massive improvement over its predecessor.
The hinges in the 9 Pro Fold are made out of multi-alloy steel with aerospace-grade high-strength aluminium alloy cover. All the glass screens are also protected with the highest-quality Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover, which is the best in the industry.
Google Pixel Fold Compared To Other Foldable Phones
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s biggest competitor is Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. If you’re trying to decide between them, they’re both amazing phones and a great entry point into the Android foldable ecosystem.
If you’re looking for raw performance for the best experience when playing high-end games, the Z Fold 6’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outperforms Google’s new Tensor G4 chip. Even though the Z Fold 6 has less RAM at 12 GB, it still performs better in almost every aspect.
However, if you want a phone with a bigger screen and better form factor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold excels. Its inner screen is 8 inches, whereas the Z Fold 6 is only 7.6 inches.
The 9 Pro Fold offers much more space with its display, which is perfect for gaming and streaming on the go. The phone is also the thinnest foldable phone on the market right now. When folded, it is 10.5 mm thick and 5.1 mm thick unfolded.
In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is much bulkier and doesn’t fit in a pocket as comfortably. So, if you’re looking for a sleek design and a large screen, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is perfect. If you’re looking for the best possible performance, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s chipset is slightly more powerful than Google’s Tensor G4.
The 9 Pro Fold also has a better battery life than its main competitor, the Z Fold 6. It features a 4,650 mAh battery compared to the Z Fold 6’s 4,400 mAh battery. In tests conducted by reviewers, the 9 Pro Fold’s battery lasted longer and supported more charging options.
Buy A Refurbished Google Pixel 9 Fold at OzMobiles
Unlock the power of versatile phone-tablet hybrids with the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If you’re looking for the best deals on Google’s latest foldable device, buying refurbished is the go-to cost-effective choice. Here at OzMobiles, we stock a range of foldable Android devices, including the 9 Pro Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold phones.
At OzMobiles, we pride ourselves on our prices. So, if you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10 (terms and conditions apply). All of our phones also come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return policy, so you can shop with confidence.
All the devices we sell, including foldable smartphones, undergo a comprehensive refurbishment process. During this, a qualified technician tests all the components, from the hardware to the software, to ensure the device is fully functional and running optimally. This also includes checking the phone's durability and ensuring the folding hinges are in top condition.
If you have any questions about our refurbishment process or need assistance finding the right foldable smartphone, contact us today. The OzMobiles team would love to connect you with the perfect device.
