{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
There are some unusual omissions on this system in comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional. The outside display screen (the one you may use probably the most), doesn’t function LTPO expertise, 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 function shouldn’t be accessible. (It is accessible on the internal display screen.)
On different Pixel telephones, you possibly can high up different gadgets—like your earbuds’ charging case—wirelessly with a function known as Battery Share. I’ve by no means felt the necessity to use this function, but it surely’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 remember this system is rated IPX8, so it is advantageous to submerge it in a pool, however watch out with mud (keep away from the seashore!).
Essentially the most annoying flub is wi-fi charging. It is supported on this system, but it surely would not work with Google’s very personal Pixel Stand Gen 2 wi-fi 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 number of different charging stands I had mendacity round and the reply was no. Properly, form of. It really works on some should you put the cellphone in panorama orientation, however not should you place it in portrait on a stand. You will be higher off utilizing a charging pad that sits flat.
General, the digicam system is analogous however not similar to the Pixel 9 Professional, and whereas the outcomes are typically nice, I’ve observed pictures from the ultrawide and telephoto cameras are noticeably not as sharp in low-light situations in comparison with the cheaper sibling. I additionally do not like the truth that the selfie digicam on this cellphone would not function autofocus. It is good that you could take selfies with the superior rear cameras, however typically you do not wish to unfold the entire thing, after which your picture is not as sharp as what you get with the Pixel 9 Professional.
It is a lot of these little issues that add as much as make the Pixel 9 Professional Fold really feel a bit … bizarre. It does its job properly if a mini pill is what you need—I choose utilizing it over the Galaxy Z Fold 6—however Google must work on its function parity in order that you do not really feel such as you’re lacking out on the most recent and biggest when you’ve the corporate’s most costly piece of {hardware} in your arms.
