Google's making a Huge Mistake with Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google is set to announce the Pixel 9 Pro Fold next month, at an earlier than usual event in Mountain View. And as usual, Google has had trouble keeping everything from leaking out. So we know quite a bit about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold – even Google teased it on YouTube a few weeks ago.

So, what’s Google’s huge mistake with this phone? Well, there are a few, but most of them I can sort of get over. However, changing the front display is a big mistake. On the original Pixel Fold, Google went after a more passport-sized front display. It was wider at a 17.4:9 aspect ratio (for reference, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is 22:9, and it was skinnier in previous versions).

There were two things that made this wider front display so much better than the competition. For one, it meant that the Pixel Fold could be used with one hand because it was wider than most other slab and foldable phones. Secondly, and most importantly, in my opinion, when you unfolded it, you were already put into tablet mode since it was in a landscape orientation. With every other foldable (that’s not the OPPO Find N2), you need to rotate the phone to get into tablet mode. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it really does make a difference over time.

While I do like the more OnePlus Open-esque style of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I’m still going to miss the passport size of the Pixel Fold. The cover display is rumored to be a 6.3-inch Actua Display, which means it is going to fix one of the biggest complaints with the Pixel Fold – screen brightness. The inner display is going to be an 8-inch Super Actua Flex display. That actually makes the inner display one of the largest among foldables. Many others are around 7.6- to 7.9-inches.

Many people who own the Pixel Fold absolutely love the wider front display. In fact, I’ve seen quite a few Redditors claiming they won’t upgrade because of this change and a few others opting to buy the year-old Pixel Fold versus waiting for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This was also something that set the Pixel Fold apart from other foldables. Instead, it looks like Google is using a version of the OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3. In fact, in the latest renders, it looks a whole lot like that phone, with the main difference being the camera module – which in itself is a weird design.

Google refuses to put flagship cameras on its foldable

Google’s not alone here, however it would be great for them to set the standard of putting flagship cameras on its foldable device. Arguably the only real foldable that has flagship cameras is the OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3. While the Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 does have pretty good cameras, I wouldn’t call them “flagship” since Xiaomi typically does 1-inch sensors on their flagships – like Xiaomi 14 Ultra – and the MIX Fold 4 does not have that sensor.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, HONOR Magic V2 and many others, will be sporting downgraded cameras, once again. Reportedly sporting a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 10.5-megapixel ultrawide and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto sensor. Even the cheap Pixel 9 is sporting a better ultrawide sensor than this phone.

While I have not doubt that Google will be able to offer a really great photo taking experience with these cameras, I can’t help but wonder why Google didn’t include at least a 48-megapixel ultrawide or telephoto, even if they didn’t do the dual 48MP sensors that the Pixel 9 Pro sports.

The only way I think Google could get away with this is, if the price is lower than the original Pixel Fold. Last year it debuted at $1,799 – the same price as Samsung’s, which did increase to $1,899 this year. If Google can bring this down to $1,299, I could probably forgive Google for the worse cameras. But I highly doubt that is what’s happening here.

Despite this, I’m still excited for Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Even though the Pixel 9 Pro Fold seems to be rather disappointing so far, I’m still excited for the announcement in a few weeks. I really liked the Pixel Fold, not only for its size and aspect ratio but also for the Pixel software. I prefer that over other manufacturers’ skins, but Google does need to add some more features so users can really take advantage of the different screen sizes that foldables offer. I’d love it if Google just ripped OnePlus’ Open Canvas feature and put it onto the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. That is by far one of the best ways to multi-task on a foldable right now.

We know quite a bit about this phone already, but there’s still more for Google to unpack at its August 13 event. Like the price. I’ll be in Mountain View for this launch event, and can’t wait to finally see it in person.