Price, release date, specs, news, and features

It’s no secret that the first-gen Pixel Fold had some problems. Perhaps owing to just how long Google’s foldable phone existed as a rumor — not to mention the company’s decision to hold back an even earlier iteration — the Fold struggled to keep up with its competition right out of the gate. And as phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open have launched with far more refined experiences, the difference between Google and the rest of the field has grown that much more obvious.

Thankfully, with first-gen jitters out of its system, Google is coming back swinging for its second time at bat. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is finally official, and it’s looking to improve on every aspect of the original model. From a thinner, lighter design to improved software, Google’s next-gen foldable is the real deal — it might even be enough to make Samsung look like a follower in the product category it created. If you’re interested in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, here’s everything you need to know.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Price and Release Date

Preorder now, get it next month

Following its official announcement at Google’s Pixel 9 event on August 13th, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is now available for a starting price of $1,800. Unlike some of the company’s other phones, the Fold won’t be available until September 4th, so you’ll need to be a little patient. Google’s staggered release schedule this year might feel frustrating, especially for those who have sunk themselves into the company’s Pixel ecosystem, but when you remember that these events usually take place in October, you’re still getting new hardware earlier than usual.

Last year’s Pixel Fold was only available in four regions: the US, UK, Japan, and Germany. Thankfully, its successor is seeing an expanded launch. This year, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK, and the US, for a grand total of 19 countries.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Design, Display, and Performance

This feels like a fifth-gen foldable, not a second-gen

Take it from someone who did not like the original Pixel Fold’s design: Google has learned its lesson. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an improvement in practically every way, and even if you did enjoy the look and feel of the company’s first-gen foldable, it’s hard not to see this as a big step in the right direction. In fact, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has much more in common with the OnePlus Open than the original Pixel Fold, and considering just how well-received that piece of hardware was, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

From the front, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is using the same exact panel as the regular Pixel 9. While it’s disappointing to see the improved 6.3-inch Super Actua display from the Pixel 9 Pro missing on this phone, it might actually be overkill, considering its main screen lies on the inside. This 1080p 120Hz AMOLED panel should do the trick in nearly all use cases, while feeling far more comfortable than the ultra-wide screen on the original Fold. The only difference between using this device when closed and the regular Pixel 9 is the larger side bezel next to the hinge.

Well, that, and the weight. Google has done a good job slimming its new foldable down from its massive 283 gram predecessor, but at 257 grams, it’s still a heavier piece of hardware than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the OnePlus Open. That said, at 10.5mm folded, it’s significantly thinner than any other folding phone in the US, and that might be enough to settle down anyone obsessed with the scale here. It’s certainly a more pocketable unit than the original Fold.

Also improved this year is Google’s hinge. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a redesigned hinge that allows it to actually fold completely flat — and this time, it’s actually true. The device opens and closes with far more impact than last year’s model, making the entire thing feel more in line with hardware from Samsung or OnePlus. It’s a big deal, and might be enough of a reason for original Fold owners to upgrade.

Opening up the phone reveals just as much of a change. Once again taking inspiration from the OnePlus Open, Google’s new foldable has smaller, rubberized bezels and a camera cutout. At 8 inches, it’s the largest display on a foldable to date, with that side bezel on the phone’s front allowing it to beat the Open’s 7.81-inch screen when fully expanded. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold isn’t quite as bright as what you’ll find on the other Pro-branded Pixel 9s, but at 1,600 nits for HDR content and 2,700 nits in peak brightness, it’s a much better panel than the 2023 model.

Like the regular Pixel 9 trio, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 processor, paired with 16 GB of RAM for Google’s latest AI obsession. Tensor G4 might be a small step for the overall lineup, but compared to the Tensor G2 SoC in the original device, it’s night and day. Expect better efficiency, longer battery life, and — fingers crossed — less overheating compared to the original device.

As for colors, Google is keeping it boring once again. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in Obsidian and Porcelain. Would it kill this company to bring some color to its folding phones?

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Cameras

Not quite the focus of this phone, but it’s still a Pixel

No foldable can hold a candle to the camera strengths seen on standard slab smartphones, but Google is hoping to come close with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This device pairs a 48MP main sensor with a 10.5MP ultra-wide lens and a 5X 10.8MP telephoto lens for something that, at least at its core, offers a similar shooting experience to the Pixel 9 Pro. That said, it’s clear these are smaller lenses, and not just in megapixel count. Whether low-light performance takes a big enough hit to matter compared to Google’s other Pro-branded Pixels remains to be seen — stay tuned for our full review.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also includes two front-facing cameras: one on the inside, one on the out. Both are seemingly identical: 10MP f/2.2 sensors with the same field of view. They should work fine for the occasional video chat session, but if you want the best quality selfie, you’ll want to utilize the front display paired with the main camera sensor around back.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Software and OS Updates

All AI, plus a little bit more

Like the regular Pixel 9 trio, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is launching with Android 14 in tow. Expect an upgrade to Android 15 to come sometime in the next couple of months. Unlike with Google’s mainline series, the choice to launch with an outgoing build of Android isn’t unprecedented for foldables. The original Pixel Fold launched last summer with Android 13, before receiving an update to Android 14 in October, alongside the rest of Google’s then-supported smartphones.

One thing that is new for the Fold series is a seven-year promise for feature drops and OS upgrades. Google’s current policies mean the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will receive updates through September 2031. Considering how much more wear and tear folding phones see on average, don’t be surprised if your hardware gives up the ghost long before software support comes to an end.

Most of Google’s new features for the entire Pixel 9 series revolve around AI. All of the tricks coming to the mainline trio — including Pixel Screenshots, Add Me for photos, Reimagine, and Pixel Studio — will be on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at launch, as will Gemini Live for Advanced subscribers. But if you’re looking to buy a foldable, you’re probably wondering what hardware-specific toolset you’re getting for all that hard-earned cash.

Google doesn’t have a ton of specific skills designed exclusively for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but it has continued to refine its foldable Android experience. The dock can now be toggled into an always-available mode, similar to how Samsung and OnePlus work, while app pairs are here in full force to make jumping back into two specific apps quick and easy. Google has also designed a new “Made You Look” feature for its camera, which uses animated cartoons on the front screen to help make the kids in your life smile for their picture.

The foldable revolution has only just begun

And Google might just be able to win this round

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is looking to improve on all of the shortcomings of the original model, and so far, it seems like Google has succeeded. From streamlined software to a much more premium feel for the hardware, this device excels in nearly every category where the first Fold fell short. With devices shipping in early September, it won’t be long until we know from first-hand experience if the Pixel 9 Pro Fold really is worth nearly $2,000 to be your next daily driver.