Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: Twice as Beautiful, High Price

Photo: Julian Chokkattu

There are some odd omissions on this device compared to the Pixel 9 Pro. The outer display (the one you’ll use the most) doesn’t LTPO technology featuresallows the display to dynamically switch between 1 and 120 Hz. This is a more battery-saving process, but instead the Fold will only switch between 60 and 120 Hz. This is a bit confusing, but then again, you’d have to spend $1,800 just to see this flagship feature unavailable. (It To be available on the internal display.)

On other Pixel phones, you can charge other devices—like your headphone charging case—wirelessly using a feature called Battery Share. I’ve never felt the need to use it, but it’s not available on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Also, some camera features are missing, like Cinematic Blur, which adds a portrait mode effect to your videos. Oh, and don’t forget the device. Rated IPX8So you can dip it in the pool, but be careful of the dust (stay away from the beach!).

The most annoying bug is wireless charging. It is supported on this device, but does not work with Google itself. Pixel Stand Gen 2 Wireless Charger because the coils aren’t aligned. (Google says the Pixel Stand is discontinued, but… it still sells the charger in its store.) Oddly enough, I tested to see if wireless charging would work on some other charging pads I had, and the answer was no. Well, maybe. It works on some pads if you put your phone in landscape orientation, but not if you put your phone in portrait orientation on the pad. You’d be better off using a charging pad lie flat

Overall, the camera system is similar but not identical to the Pixel 9 Pro, and while the results are generally great, I found that images from the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras weren’t as sharp in low light as their cheaper siblings. I also don’t like the fact that the selfie camera on this phone doesn’t have autofocus. It’s great that you can take selfies with the superior rear camera, but sometimes you don’t want to open it all the way up, and then your photos aren’t as sharp as what you get with the Pixel 9 Pro.

Little things like this add up to make the Pixel 9 Pro Fold feel a little… weird. It does its job well if you want a mini tablet—I prefer it to the Galaxy Z Fold 6—but Google needs to improve the features so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the latest and greatest when you’re holding the company’s most expensive hardware.