Pixel Fold 9 Pro
The developers developing the new foldable made significant changes to make it smaller in only its second iteration.
The newly released Pixel 9 Pro Fold has been completely revamped and improved over the Pixel Fold of the previous generation, making it more than simply an update of its predecessor. The fact that it is even smaller than the original Fold is among the greatest upgrades: When folded, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is only 2 millimeters thicker than their Pixel 9 series phones and is a full 1.5 millimeters thinner than its predecessor.
Additionally, the new Fold is narrower than other tablets, measuring 5.1 millimeters deep when open and shaving 0.7 millimeters off the previous open Fold. It is, in fact, the thinnest foldable phone available on the market, with the biggest display of any smartphone.
According to George Hwang, the product manager for Pixel, “they knew when they made the second one, it had to be thinner.” “However, they were unsure of the exact amount of thinner and the steps required to reach that point.” These are the answers the Pixel team provided in order to create a smaller Fold while still improving the phone’s cameras, screens, and other components.
Pixel 9 Fold Pro
Creating A Phone Design First, Then A Foldable
Director of industrial design Claude Zellweger explains that one realization that led the team to the phone’s redesigned design was how users interacted with the first Pixel Fold: “People were frequently using it closed, as they observed.” Many prefer to use their foldable smartphone as a conventional smartphone, even if they are drawn to the novel form factor and the extra benefit of a tablet-like experience. “That’s what made us realize that, in terms of design, they should make this a phone first,” says Claude. “‘Phone first’ became their motto.”
The idea was to create a foldable that, on top of feeling, looking, and acting essentially like a smartphone, added extra functions. Pixel product manager Jon Prowse said, “You have to make a great phone, and then you can make a great foldable.”
What exactly does being “phone first” entail, though? Many things, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold‘s display, which shares the Pixel 9 Pro’s aspect ratio of 20:9. Additionally, it has thinner bezels and the same high-quality finishes. In the end, these factors come together to more closely resemble the other Pixels in the 9 series, which helps them become more recognizable to the hand and eye: Activities including as web surfing and chatting with the smartphone is closed are more akin to the most recent Pixel generation than they are to the previous Fold.
Of course, a key component of this experience is that it is thinner than the Pixel 9 and hence somewhat smaller. It’s particularly amazing that the team managed to include the phone’s enhanced focal point a huge, 8-inch tablet-like display despite the increased “thinness.”
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Creating A Whole New Hinge
They knew it required a new hinge in order to get thinner, explains George. The group designed a multi-alloy steel hinge wrapped in a high-strength aluminum alloy that not only snaps shut but also opens completely flat with a gratifying snap. Though it retains some of the features that made the previous hinge so popular, the new hinge is also more robust than the old one. For instance, they replicated the torque sensation across the range of motion of the Pixel Fold hinge, claims George.
Similar to the last occasion, they looked at and investigated a variety of objects that were enjoyable to open and shut. According to Claude, this has a subtle impact, but it’s a detail that people like, so the team decided to pay attention to it as well. A perfectly balanced experience is provided by the improved fluid-friction hinge and enhanced magnets that snap the device shut.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Camera
Making A Better Camera In A Smaller Package
It’s not easy to build a slimmer phone with high-performance photography, even though camera technology may be quite space-consuming. Jon adds, “they decided to completely redesign the camera bar and include customized optical modules as google were designing this and thinking about making it so much thinner.”
In the end, they were able to replace the older, less competent optical modules with an upgraded ultrawide camera and two selfie cameras. The intention was to ensure that they lived up to the high standards that users had set for Pixel’s camera quality. And they carried out: Pro-level camera features like Video Boost and Pro Controls are included in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold‘s hardware enhancements; in fact, these changes make the Pixel 9 Pro Fold the greatest folding camera available.
The new Fold’s top left corner houses the double-stacked camera bar, which makes the phone slimmer and more level when it rests on surfaces. The modification also made it easier for engineers to install a larger battery.
Completing The Picture For A Significant Update
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold‘s thinness was aided by a number of minor adjustments in addition to modifications to the camera bar and hinge. It has a slimmer, customized haptics driver, for instance. According to George, “it actually makes the haptics feel more pronounced, so it’s an even nicer feel.”
Along with redesigned speakers, the Fold has a customized, smaller USB-C connector than the original model. The researchers also redesigned the thermal architecture using a new vapor chamber and graphite heat spreader to get around the thinner device’s thermal constraints.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Release date
Following Google’s yearly Pixel smartphone release timetable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to launch in the second half of 2024. Industry sources estimate the announcement in October, around the same time as other big Pixel product launches. Google has not announced a release date. This timeline matches Google’s foldable and flagship phone releases.
For release date changes, see Google’s events and announcements. This matches Google’s foldable and flagship phone release schedules. Stay tuned to Google’s events and announcements for release date updates. For the most recent information on the precise release date, keep a watch on Google’s events and announcements.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold Price
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold will likely cost more because to its cutting-edge features and folding design. From Google’s folding smartphone price history, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to cost between $1,799 and $1,999 in the US.
