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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold First Impression: Elegant Yet Pricey Foldable

Sahil Mohan Gupta Aug 14, 2024

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold makes its debut in India as the company’s most expensive foldable phone, offering a blend of advanced hardware, superior camera processing, and a large display. However, questions around durability, performance, and value for money remain.

Google’s second foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, marks the company’s first entry into the Indian foldable market. Starting at Rs 1,72,999, it’s the most expensive foldable phone in India, particularly in its 256GB and 512GB variants. The device boasts 16GB of RAM and is powered by the new Tensor G4 SoC.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold feels like a blend of the OnePlus Open and Vivo X Fold 3 Pro—two foldables that have impressed me recently, especially from a hardware perspective. Its external 6.3-inch screen is broader than that of the new Galaxy Z Fold 6, making it more akin to a regular smartphone screen—a feature I appreciated in the OnePlus Open.

While I haven’t fully tested the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s cameras, I expect the triple-camera setup to be formidable, leveraging Google’s renowned image processing to challenge the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. However, it’s worth noting that Google hasn’t significantly upgraded the camera hardware from last year’s Pixel Fold. Instead, they’ve focused on overhauling the HDR pipeline, which could yield significant improvements even without new hardware.

Users can expect the usual stock Android experience, enhanced by the Titan 2 security chip. When unfolded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold reveals a broad 8-inch display, larger than an iPad Mini and comparable to the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. It’s also larger than the latest OnePlus and Samsung foldables, offering a superior viewing experience. That being said, its crease was quite visibly evident and the hinge had a gap that was certainly larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. But the display quality on both the screens was world class.

Despite its IPX8 rating, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold lacks dust resistance—a feature now included in the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Although the 16GB RAM should eliminate previous performance issues, the Tensor G4, while improved, may not match the raw power of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or that of the iPhone. Google's focus on AI processing and power efficiency is promising, but how well this foldable handles gaming and video editing remains to be seen.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with a larger battery than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which should theoretically offer better endurance. However, the actual performance will depend on the efficiency of the Tensor G4 chipset and the updated modem, which now includes satellite connectivity for U.S. users.

On paper, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold appears to be a strong contender in the foldable market. However, at Rs 1,72,999, it’s a substantial investment, and Google cannot afford to falter. Only thorough testing will reveal if this device justifies its premium price tag.

Sahil Mohan Gupta

BW Reporters Sahil is an experienced tech and auto journalist with more than 15 years in the field. He has played a pivotal role in launching major tech platforms in India across TV, print, and web. As the Tech and Auto Editor at BW Businessworld, he covers consumer technology and automotive sectors through reviews, reports, interviews, and analyses. Readers can anticipate insightful, witty, and deeply analytical content with a focus on the end user. In his leisure time, he enjoys music, particularly stone cold blues and progressive rock from the 60s.