Google’s Foldable Evolution: A Reflection on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The release of Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold marked a significant turning point for the company’s venture into foldable devices, prompting a reassessment of its hardware strategy. Having spent considerable time alternating between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6—occasionally carrying both simultaneously—the experience has yielded surprising insights. Prior to the initial Pixel Fold’s debut, there was anticipation for Google to enter the foldable market, but early impressions suggested potential shortcomings in hardware execution.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold delivered a transformative upgrade, exhibiting a stark contrast to its predecessor that prompted comparisons to entirely separate manufacturers. While gripes about the device’s slipperiness were addressed with a Thinborne MagSafe case, which also introduced much-desired magnetic accessory compatibility, overall design improvements have been well received.
The cover screen’s size, mirroring that of the Pixel 9 Pro, facilitates one-handed operation while offering the added benefit of an expanded display akin to a miniature tablet upon unfolding. A notable software innovation addresses challenges associated with foldable app optimization. Rather than employing Samsung’s “Multi-window” approach, Google adopted a unique solution: maintaining a standard smartphone aspect ratio when running apps in split-screen portrait mode. This effectively simulates having two phones operating side by side, creatively circumventing compatibility issues inherent to the Android ecosystem’s vast application library. While this design choice limits simultaneous app usage—requiring closure of one app to launch another—it presents a novel approach to managing foldable functionality.
Despite not matching the hardware capabilities of flagship models like the Pixel 9 Pro XL or Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s camera has proven invaluable, particularly through Google’s “Made You Look” feature, which has become a source of family amusement and crucial for capturing candid moments with a young child. The recent absence of the device during testing has underscored its substantial impact on daily life, prompting reflections on whether to upgrade from previous models as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold approaches release.
