Google is set to announce the Pixel 9 Pro Fold next month, at an event that will take place earlier than usual in Mountain View. And as usual, Google has had trouble keeping all the details from leaking. So we know quite a bit about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold — Google even teased it on YouTube a few weeks ago.
So what’s Google’s big mistake with this phone? Well, there are a few, but most of them I can get over. Changing the front display is a big mistake, though. On the original Pixel Fold, Google opted for a more passport-sized front display. It was wider with a 17.4:9 aspect ratio (for reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 22:9 aspect ratio and was thinner in previous versions).
There were two things that made this wider front display so much better than the competition. For one, it meant that the Pixel Fold could be used with one hand because it was wider than most other foldable phones. Secondly, and most importantly in my opinion, when you unfolded it, you were already in tablet mode since it was in landscape orientation. With all other foldable phones (except the OPPO Find N2), you need to rotate the phone to go into tablet mode. It doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but it really makes a difference over time.
While I like the more OnePlus Open-like styling of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I’ll still miss the passport-sized Pixel Fold. The cover display is rumored to be a 6.3-inch Actua Display, which means it will address one of the biggest complaints about the Pixel Fold: screen brightness. The inner display will be an 8-inch Super Actua Flex Display. That actually makes the inner display one of the largest among foldables. Many others measure around 7.6 to 7.9 inches.
Many people who own the Pixel Fold love the wider front display. In fact, I’ve seen many Reddit users claiming that they won’t be upgrading their device because of this change and a few others who opted to buy the year-old Pixel Fold instead of waiting for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This was also something that set the Pixel Fold apart from other foldable devices. Instead, it looks like Google is using a version of the OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3. In fact, in the latest renders, it looks a lot like that phone, with the main difference being the camera module, which itself is an odd design.
Google refuses to put flagship cameras on its foldable phones
Google isn’t alone in this though, it would be great if they set the standard for putting flagship cameras on their foldable device. Arguably the only real foldable that has flagship cameras is the OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3. While the Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 has pretty good cameras, I wouldn’t call them “flagship” as Xiaomi usually has 1-inch sensors on its flagships, like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and the MIX Fold 4 doesn’t have that sensor.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, HONOR Magic V2, and many others, will once again feature entry-level cameras. It will reportedly feature a 48-megapixel main camera, a 10.5-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto sensor. Even the cheaper Pixel 9 features a better ultra-wide sensor than this phone.
While I have no doubt that Google will be able to deliver a great photography experience with these cameras, I can’t help but wonder why Google didn’t include at least a 48-megapixel ultra-wide or telephoto lens, even if they didn’t include the dual 48MP sensors that the Pixel 9 Pro has.
I think the only way Google could get away with this is if the price is lower than the original Pixel Fold. Last year it debuted at $1,799, the same price as Samsung’s, which increased to $1,899 this year. If Google can get it down to $1,299, I could probably forgive Google for the worse cameras. But I highly doubt that’s what’s happening here.
Despite this, I’m still excited about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Even though the Pixel 9 Pro Fold seems to be pretty underwhelming so far, I’m still looking forward to the announcement in a few weeks. I really liked the Pixel Fold, not just because of its size and aspect ratio, but also because of the Pixel software. I prefer it to other manufacturers’ foldables, but Google needs to add a few more features so that users can really take advantage of the different screen sizes that foldables offer. I would love for Google to just copy OnePlus’ Open Canvas feature and put it on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. That is by far one of the best ways to multitask on a foldable right now.
We already know quite a bit about this phone, but Google still has a lot more to reveal at its August 13 event, including pricing. I’ll be in Mountain View for this launch event and can’t wait to see it in person.
