Google wrapped the Pixel 9 series event and the most impressive member of it is probably the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Didn't expect that, did you?
This is only Google's second attempt at a foldable Pixel, but the device has already surpassed Samsung's Fold, now in its sixth generation, in some key ways.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. the Galaxy Z Fold6
In fact, we can make a strong argument that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold generally has better hardware than the Galaxy Z Fold6which shows that the Korean company may be getting a little complacent with the lack of global competition. Well, here's some awesome competition coming to seventeen countries around the world.
Better aspect ratios
The biggest issue users have with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series is the aspect ratio of the displays, especially the cover screen. Samsung has been improving that a bit lately, but the crux of the matter is that the cover screen on the Galaxy Z Fold6 is too narrow compared to all modern bar-style smartphones.
In contrast, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 6.3-inch cover display with a standard 20:9 aspect ratio. As a bonus, it’s also a 1080p panel, while the Z Fold6’s is a few pixels short at 968p.
Image is not to scale
The foldable display on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is larger (207.4cm2 vs. 185.2cm2), has a higher resolution, and a closer to 1:1 aspect ratio, which is better for multitasking. And multitasking is what book-style foldable phones are typically bought for.
Thinner, but heavier
Google has slimmed down the Pixel 9 Pro Fold to an impressive degree. It’s just 10.5mm when folded, very close to a normal phone, and noticeably thinner than both the Galaxy Z Fold6 (12.1mm) and OnePlus Open (11.7mm). Unfolded, the Pixel is just 5.1mm – barely thicker than its USB-C port.
The thin Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Galaxy Z Fold6 is a fair bit lighter though – 18 grams to be exact – which isn’t insignificant. But then again, a book-style foldable is the kind of device where you might expect something a little heavier, even though you generally feel a little more thinness in day-to-day use.
Google also made the Pixel 9 Pro Fold water resistant, but you wouldn't go swimming with it.
More RAM and better cameras
The Galaxy Z Fold6 uses a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which will likely have the upper hand over the new Tensor G4 in terms of performance. The clock speeds of the two chipsets' processors indicate as much, but we won't know for sure until we've completed a full review of the new Tensor.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, comes with 16GB of RAM, which is a step up from the Galaxy Z Fold6's 12GB. More RAM means more apps can run in the background and responsiveness should improve overall.
Foldables make it tricky to fit the most advanced camera hardware, as these top-of-the-line foldable phones can attest. Still, the Pixel Foldable has an edge here on paper. The main camera on the Galaxy Z Fold6 has a larger sensor and a slightly wider lens. But the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has nearly double the zoom (112mm versus 66mm), and autofocus on its ultra-wide camera.
Bigger battery, but is the battery life better?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a slightly larger (~6%) 4,650mAh battery, though charging speeds of both are rather disappointing. And actual battery life has yet to be tested, so this is more of a maybe than a sure advantage.
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold6 is still the mainstream choice
The fact that the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an all-around better hardware package likely won’t cost the Galaxy Z Fold6 much sleep. The Galaxy Z Fold6 will outperform the Pixel 9 Pro Fold by miles, and not just because it’s more widely available. Samsung’s foldable phone has more polished multitasking and S Pen support. It’s also somewhat protected against dust. And you’re likely to find a better deal on the Galaxy Z Fold6 if you shop outside of Samsung’s own site.
However, it is rather damning that a company that is hardly known for its cutting-edge hardware has overtaken a company that has become the number one maker worldwide thanks to its impressive hardware. Sure, Samsung is increasingly focusing on the software side and building an ecosystem and that is commendable, but it should not forget what made it the dominant force in the smartphone market in the first place. Let alone in a niche that is still relatively new and where there is clearly still a lot of room.
Because between Google's latest Fold and the long-awaited launch of foldable devices from Chinese companies with even more impressive hardware, the device risks being pushed out of the niche it has worked so hard to create.