_front.svg){kind=tracking}
Review · Google
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Review: 2024 Best Foldable, Now Heavily Discounted
Won Best Foldable at MKBHD's 2024 Smartphone Awards. Google's second-generation book-fold is now heavily discounted in 2026 ($300+ off launch) and remains an excellent buy for anyone who wants the cleanest Android experience in a foldable form factor — particularly photographers who want Magic Editor and Best Take.
By SmartphoneAwards Editorial · Published · Updated
Pros
- MKBHD's 2024 Best Foldable winner
- Best AI-powered photo editing in any foldable
- Wider unfolded aspect ratio than rivals (better for video/reading)
- Now $300+ off launch — exceptional value
Cons
- Inner display dimmer than Z Fold 7
- Tensor G4 trails Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Heavier than Z Fold 7
- Three years of update support remaining (vs 6+ on a new Z Fold 7)
Why it won Best Foldable
MKBHD's 2024 award called out two things: 'cleanest software for a foldable' and 'genuinely useful AI features.' Both still hold in 2026. The Pixel pipeline (Magic Editor, Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser) is uniquely useful in a foldable form factor because the inner display gives you more room for editing.
Hinge & build
Second-generation Google hinge — solid but less refined than Samsung's seventh-gen Z Fold 7 design. The build is premium but heavier than the Z Fold 7. Crease is similar across both.
Displays
Inner: 8.0-inch LTPO at 120Hz, ~2,400 nits peak. Outer: 6.3-inch ratio more like a 'normal phone' than Samsung's narrower outer screen — meaningful advantage for daily slab-style use. Inner display is dimmer than Z Fold 7's but still excellent.
Performance & AI
Tensor G4 + 16GB RAM. Performance is good but trails Snapdragon 8 Elite under sustained loads. AI features are the strongest selling point — Magic Editor, Pixel Studio, Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take all work identically to the Pixel 9 Pro and use the inner display effectively.
Camera
Triple-camera system: 48MP main + 10.5MP ultrawide + 10.8MP 5x telephoto. Hardware specs trail the Pixel 9 Pro's main array, but Google's processing closes most of the gap. Magic Editor and Best Take work better here than on slabs because of the inner display.
Battery
4,650 mAh battery, 21W wired, 7.5W wireless. Real-world: 5–6 hours of screen-on time across both displays. Charging is slow vs Samsung; the wireless cap is particularly low.
Verdict · 4.5 / 5
Buy the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at the discount — $300+ off launch makes it one of the best phone bargains in 2026, particularly if you want clean Android and AI photography in a foldable. If you want the latest book-fold and you can afford new pricing, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (MKBHD's 2025 Best Foldable) is the more refined product.
🛒 Buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold on AmazonAlternatives to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold worth buying in 2026?
Yes — at $300+ off launch, it's one of the best phone bargains in 2026. Won MKBHD's 2024 Best Foldable, has 3+ years of Google updates remaining, and offers the cleanest Android in a foldable.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs Z Fold 7?
Z Fold 7 (2025 Best Foldable) is the more refined product. Pixel 9 Pro Fold (2024 Best Foldable) is the value pick — same software experience at $300+ off list.
Does the Pixel 9 Pro Fold get 7 years of updates?
Yes — Google guarantees seven years of Android updates from launch. As of mid-2026, that's 5+ years of remaining support.
How we rate
Our editorial score is anchored to outcomes from MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025), then refined for everyday usability. Phone of the Year winners earn 5/5; category winners 4.5/5; runners-up 4/5; otherwise we score on merit. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.