Price/affordability is easily the biggest obstacle holding these back from becoming much more the norm over slab phones but there are still other drawbacks that at least in Google's case they have not solved yet that Sam does a good job of highlighting. The camera's are one obvious downside then you have the smaller battery even though it's less of a big deal as the cameras are. Also in this particular case you have some oddities like the really low placement for the wireless charging coil which hopefully is an oversight by Google and not intended.
I have the Pixel 9 pro fold and it's so freaking good. I also have the 16 pro and man I don't care about the iPhone because of the fold. Google knocked it out of the park with pixel 9 series. Pixel 10 series just needs Qi2 and the 10 fold needs better cameras too. Loving my phone!
Pixel 9 pro fold is digital convergence at its best and in this age of digital reading and audio visual media consumption, this is the next logical upgrade from the slab phone and I am sure once a person uses P9PF, he/she is not going to go back to the slab phone, ever ... I saw a lot of comments about the Tensor chip - actually speed and benckmarks are like a wrong race we are running - a crude example is it is similar to a students getting high marks, but not gaining corresponding knowledge. What counts is smooth performance, AI features running smoothly (requires a lot of computing) and simultaneously the phone not getting heated, with optimum battery usage - P9PF excels in all the above - couple that will slow charging, which is definitely good for longer healthy battery life; if someone is investing a lot of money on this phone, its battery should also last long (not just software updates) and I am happy Google is not in a mad race for speed and benchmarks - heavy gamers, this phone is not for you, rest of the people - go for it; it will change the way you look at a phone, forever and in a good way !!!
Sam if you watch some of the more notable reviews of last years Pixel Fold, many of the reviewers said the same thing as you about using it mostly closed cause that outside passport like display was so perfect in terms of the aspect ratio that many went on using that and rarely opened the device. This is what I suspect will happen with me and any foldable which is another reason buying one now at the the premium they go for over a standard 9 Pro/Pro XL makes no sense if I might go days without opening it.
Had the privilege of using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold pre-release and it's definitely my pick for a book-style foldable. For the reasons you cited... but also because you feel like an absolute baller using it, even moreso than with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Folding phones still feel like novelties. Sure, they are neat .. but the compromises made with all of them do not satisfy the features. In a way ... Microsofts dual screen (or other dual screen phones) were "better" in that respect .. but not nearly as flashy. By and large .. you are much better off buying a tablet and a phone separately. It is cheaper, both items are magnitudes more durable .. and you are likely getting much better items than any folding phone can aspire to. For the price of a pixel 9 pro fold .. i could get a tab s10 and a s24 ultra .. and the only thing i sacrifice is the 2 in 1 aspect. (if i need a tablet so badly .. carrying a phone + tablet in my bag is not exactly a sacrifice worth speaking of) In my opinion .. both, the hinge and the screen technology still need to mature to justify folding phones and the technological advancements in folding devices has not exactly made huge steps forward.
I saw it in person in a store and the fold feels super premium,still not at Samsung Z fold level but very close What's the model of the mouse at the beginning of the video?
Yeahh, honestly, you look like Peter Mckinnon but for phones lmao. I like your editing and montage views. I appreciate you reviewing the phones I'll never be able to afford. Maybe in the future I will be able to though. XD.
I'm not a fan of of the side bezel hinge area either HOWEVER, I believe Google added that as a way to increase the inner display size. It's almost identical to the OnePlus Open. However, it has a larger inner display because of it while also making the outer display the same size as a Pixel 9.
I use a 9 pro fold and 16 pro. The 9 pro fold does everything the 16 pro can neck and neck, sometimes faster. I don't game so I can't talk to that but benchmarks don't mean shite
Also I've had my phone screen crack by itself before on an older smartphone! I found out it was due to the phone heating up and rapidly cooling down. I know you said it was the back glass, but maybe it's the same issue.
Biggest problem right now is, that screen is not scratch resistant. Btw if I am going to use external display most of the time then normal phone is already there.
So many complains he has but nicely says "nothing to complain much". Funny :-). Used this phone and can pretty well say, a sheer waste of money. Those things he talks as a non-issue, are pretty big issue when you face day in day out. Not sure why these reviewers cant talk straight and be candid that these phones are a shit load.
@@brucebanner1968 guys I have never even met the guy! I just want him to ship me a pixel 9 pro fold. Plus I really think he can get all of us pixel 9 pro folds. But me first....because Zambia !
@@brucebanner1968 sorry to let you know this late , we talked about it and he said he'll be giving you a clone and the real one to me so you won't get disheartened..oops I just spilled the beans.Sorry!
I dislike the pixel 9 pro fold (aka pixel fold2) it looks janky, feels like first gen product, huge hinge, ugly cover screen bezel! Compare to Z Fold 6 or any other 2nd gen chinese Foldable, it's way worse!
Once foldables become more affordable, the markets' gonna SHIFT big time
I’ll never buy one tho
@@moneyfldr why?
Price/affordability is easily the biggest obstacle holding these back from becoming much more the norm over slab phones but there are still other drawbacks that at least in Google's case they have not solved yet that Sam does a good job of highlighting. The camera's are one obvious downside then you have the smaller battery even though it's less of a big deal as the cameras are. Also in this particular case you have some oddities like the really low placement for the wireless charging coil which hopefully is an oversight by Google and not intended.
Aspect ratio needs to be right and also slimmer!
I have the Pixel 9 pro fold and it's so freaking good. I also have the 16 pro and man I don't care about the iPhone because of the fold.
Google knocked it out of the park with pixel 9 series. Pixel 10 series just needs Qi2 and the 10 fold needs better cameras too.
Loving my phone!
I'm guessing your 16 Pro is a company phone
just 10 months to wait for the version thats finally worth my money
Your videos are aesthetically pleasing. 😊
Pixel 9 pro fold is digital convergence at its best and in this age of digital reading and audio visual media consumption, this is the next logical upgrade from the slab phone and I am sure once a person uses P9PF, he/she is not going to go back to the slab phone, ever ... I saw a lot of comments about the Tensor chip - actually speed and benckmarks are like a wrong race we are running - a crude example is it is similar to a students getting high marks, but not gaining corresponding knowledge. What counts is smooth performance, AI features running smoothly (requires a lot of computing) and simultaneously the phone not getting heated, with optimum battery usage - P9PF excels in all the above - couple that will slow charging, which is definitely good for longer healthy battery life; if someone is investing a lot of money on this phone, its battery should also last long (not just software updates) and I am happy Google is not in a mad race for speed and benchmarks - heavy gamers, this phone is not for you, rest of the people - go for it; it will change the way you look at a phone, forever and in a good way !!!
just got one yesterday. change from an iPhone as been soo good so far.
Sam if you watch some of the more notable reviews of last years Pixel Fold, many of the reviewers said the same thing as you about using it mostly closed cause that outside passport like display was so perfect in terms of the aspect ratio that many went on using that and rarely opened the device.
This is what I suspect will happen with me and any foldable which is another reason buying one now at the the premium they go for over a standard 9 Pro/Pro XL makes no sense if I might go days without opening it.
Good job pixel u are there keep the momentum!! Next year will be big
Had the privilege of using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold pre-release and it's definitely my pick for a book-style foldable. For the reasons you cited... but also because you feel like an absolute baller using it, even moreso than with the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Folding phones still feel like novelties. Sure, they are neat .. but the compromises made with all of them do not satisfy the features. In a way ... Microsofts dual screen (or other dual screen phones) were "better" in that respect .. but not nearly as flashy.
By and large .. you are much better off buying a tablet and a phone separately. It is cheaper, both items are magnitudes more durable .. and you are likely getting much better items than any folding phone can aspire to. For the price of a pixel 9 pro fold .. i could get a tab s10 and a s24 ultra .. and the only thing i sacrifice is the 2 in 1 aspect. (if i need a tablet so badly .. carrying a phone + tablet in my bag is not exactly a sacrifice worth speaking of)
In my opinion .. both, the hinge and the screen technology still need to mature to justify folding phones and the technological advancements in folding devices has not exactly made huge steps forward.
I saw it in person in a store and the fold feels super premium,still not at Samsung Z fold level but very close
What's the model of the mouse at the beginning of the video?
Can you please tell us where the wallpaper is from? It is awesome!!!
Yeahh, honestly, you look like Peter Mckinnon but for phones lmao. I like your editing and montage views. I appreciate you reviewing the phones I'll never be able to afford. Maybe in the future I will be able to though. XD.
Great video Sam! I really think Folds are super underappreciated for how useful they can be.
I'm not a fan of of the side bezel hinge area either HOWEVER, I believe Google added that as a way to increase the inner display size. It's almost identical to the OnePlus Open. However, it has a larger inner display because of it while also making the outer display the same size as a Pixel 9.
Where did you get these wallpapers from?????
Check the description 😉
if only Android has Capture One, this would be the perfect road warrior gadget
Why can't they just stick a Snapdragon inside so everyone can use it 😭😭😭
because no
Benchmarks mean nothing
@@jetmyron8494 thank you.
@@jetmyron8494 keep crying with your tensor chip pal.
I use a 9 pro fold and 16 pro. The 9 pro fold does everything the 16 pro can neck and neck, sometimes faster. I don't game so I can't talk to that but benchmarks don't mean shite
Also I've had my phone screen crack by itself before on an older smartphone! I found out it was due to the phone heating up and rapidly cooling down. I know you said it was the back glass, but maybe it's the same issue.
is it me or your videos look better tghan MKBHD's
UA-cam is not a competition
Have you tried installing windows?
What? 😂
Is that even possible?
@@danielosawaru9045 yeah
Biggest problem right now is, that screen is not scratch resistant. Btw if I am going to use external display most of the time then normal phone is already there.
Can you share what that tiny speaker thing is?
It's so good that I've seen zero Google folds in the wild!
I’ve seen zero foldable phone period. And I take subway in NYC daily
@@oui0384 i see a lot of samsung folds around lmao. google though none so far
"But folks, we're using Android here..." best line in this vid. Customization incoming.
The lack of one handed mode is baffling
The camera actually looks better to me
Google, lower the price please.
They already have
This is my favorite phone of 2024 too
9 pro fold or 9 pro xl?
Pro fold here
thicc aspect ratio.
what does the screen look like after 2 years of use. That is the only question i care about.
How about a foldable only screen phone. It should be cheaper since no outside screen. More of a foldable tablet.
install gentoo
The software is still way behind most foldabe competitors
So many complains he has but nicely says "nothing to complain much". Funny :-). Used this phone and can pretty well say, a sheer waste of money. Those things he talks as a non-issue, are pretty big issue when you face day in day out. Not sure why these reviewers cant talk straight and be candid that these phones are a shit load.
Could you buy me one and ship it to Zambia ?
Nah! he isn't going to cuz he is giving it to me😅
Nah. He gave it to me. I am his cousin
@@brucebanner1968 guys I have never even met the guy! I just want him to ship me a pixel 9 pro fold. Plus I really think he can get all of us pixel 9 pro folds. But me first....because Zambia !
@@brucebanner1968 sorry to let you know this late , we talked about it and he said he'll be giving you a clone and the real one to me so you won't get disheartened..oops I just spilled the beans.Sorry!
This Phone looks like a Prototype
I dislike the pixel 9 pro fold (aka pixel fold2) it looks janky, feels like first gen product, huge hinge, ugly cover screen bezel! Compare to Z Fold 6 or any other 2nd gen chinese Foldable, it's way worse!
I stopped watching as soon as he lied and said one of the best phones period 😂😂😂.
You stopped watching after finding out you can't handle someone's opinion? Got it.
🫡💥🔥