There are some unusual omissions on this machine in comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional. The outside display screen (the one you will use essentially the most), doesn’t feature LTPO technology, which permits the show to dynamically ratchet from 1 to 120 Hz. It is a extra battery-efficient course of, however as an alternative, the Fold will solely go from 60 to 120 Hz. That is nitpicky, however once more, you are spending $1,800 solely to search out this flagship characteristic shouldn’t be accessible. (It is accessible on the internal display screen.)
On different Pixel telephones, you’ll be able to high up different gadgets—like your earbuds’ charging case—wirelessly with a characteristic referred to as Battery Share. I’ve by no means felt the necessity to use this characteristic, however it’s not accessible on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Additionally, some digicam options do not exist, like Cinematic Blur, which provides a portrait mode impact to your movies. Oh, and do not forget this machine is rated IPX8, so it is fantastic to submerge it in a pool, however watch out with mud (keep away from the seashore!).
Probably the most annoying flub is wi-fi charging. It is supported on this machine, however it would not work with Google’s very personal Pixel Stand Gen 2 wireless charger as a result of the coils don’t align. (Google says the Pixel Stand is discontinued however … it is nonetheless promoting the charger on its storefront.) Curiously sufficient, I attempted to see if wi-fi charging labored on a couple of different charging stands I had mendacity round and the reply was no. Nicely, form of. It really works on some for those who put the cellphone in panorama orientation, however not for those who place it in portrait on a stand. You may be higher off utilizing a charging pad that sits flat.
Total, the digicam system is analogous however not similar to the Pixel 9 Professional, and whereas the outcomes are typically nice, I’ve observed photographs from the ultrawide and telephoto cameras are noticeably not as sharp in low-light situations in comparison with the cheaper sibling. I additionally don’t love the truth that the selfie digicam on this cellphone would not characteristic autofocus. It is good that you may take selfies with the superior rear cameras, however generally you do not need to unfold the entire thing, after which your photograph is not as sharp as what you get with the Pixel 9 Professional.
It is a majority of these little issues that add as much as make the Pixel 9 Professional Fold really feel a bit … bizarre. It does its job effectively if a mini pill is what you need—I choose utilizing it over the Galaxy Z Fold 6—however Google must work on its characteristic parity in order that you do not really feel such as you’re lacking out on the newest and biggest when you’ve gotten the corporate’s most costly piece of {hardware} in your fingers.