Samsung better watch it
I was originally quite skeptical about the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, especially since I didn’t get the opportunity to try the previous model as it never came to Australia, where I am based.
Foldables exist in a tenuous space where it’s difficult to know who these handsets are really for. The gimmick of a folding screen comes with a large price tag and specs that are often not as great as similarly priced flagship phones. It’s no wonder that they struggle to fly off the shelves – but after using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a week, I’m feeling a bit better about this smartphone subcategory.
This year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 were brought more into line with the Galaxy S24 range of devices in terms of specs and aesthetics, but this is only Google’s second foldable attempt. Google’s phones are also known for being a bit underpowered compared to other Android devices – that rings true for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but Google’s brilliant operating system makes the jump to a foldable form factor all the more easy – and, in my opinion, it makes all the difference.
I’ve written about Google’s brilliant operating system before and I’ve long raved about it, but with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I’ll take my assessment a step further. I think that this is the phone that’s perfect as your first foldable, irrespective of if you’re a longtime iPhone user or if you’re curious about folding screens.Open up
As I’ve already mentioned, Google’s first foldable completely skipped an Australian release, so I never got a chance to check it out, but for its second attempt, the Search giant has remembered the market Down Under and put its flashiest toy on sale. Over the past week, I’ve finally gotten to go hands on with what the company was cooking, but you can read more about it in our in-depth Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review.
I’m quite a big fan of the Google Pixel range. Ever since the gentle reboot that introduced the camera bar with the Pixel 6 range, it has maintained a top spot for me as the phone I recommend to iPhone users that want to leave to Apple’s walled garden. I don’t think Google’s phones are as well suited for longtime Android users as you’ll get better performance from similarly priced flagship phones from Samsung, but the clean and lightweight Android OS on Pixel phones would give Apple lovers a sense of familiarity.
