What annoys and fascinates me with my Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the Pixel’s second generation foldable phone. Unlike the Pixel Fold which did not have a traditional retail release in Canada, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold hit Canadian shelves in September 4, 2024 with a hefty CA$2399 price tag – specifically for the 256GB model.

I wanted to try going back to Team Pixel but with a foldable phone as my primary phone. And nothing as large as a Pixel 9 Pro XL. The size of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s cover display was enough as a functional phone and its tablet screen looked fantastic.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold functioned how I expected especially as 6.3″ phone. It felt complete at the cover-display level. And it was easy to switch as a tablet. But there were a few unexpected things that annoyed me too with this phone. I’ve titled my article this way not to bash it but mainly to express my fascination as to why? It’s an amazing foldable phone. But why these bugs? Why the oddities, or why do these special “features” exist with this phone? I’ve had this phone for almost a year now and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has released already.

What I like with the Pixel 9 Pro old

• What I like most is its 6.3″ cover screen which makes it the same size as the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s functionally wide enough to use unlike earlier Galaxy Z-Folds before the Z-Fold 5.
• Easy to type on the cover display.
• Its inner tablet screen appears to be creaseless at certain angles.
• Furthermore the phone displays a vivid picture.
• Supports running multi-apps well with its split screen mode. For example, running the Amazon app on the left, and the calculator on the right. As well as running two sim games. It takes a bit of practice to multi-task with these type of phones. For example with LG phones and their dual screen accessory. Simply fascinating to run multiple games on it.

• Superb combo of the Pixel camera and the Tensor Processor. Having another CPU player is also a bonus in the market.
• Useful editing and touch-up tools for the camera.
• The hardware possesses a 16GB RAM with its 256GB storage. It’s an underrated pro for me unlike other phones having RAM dependent on storage capacity. I’m paying a 2k phone so it should have all the top of the line specs even if one argues that 12GB vs. 16GB is unnoticeable at 256GB storage. 4GB more on RAM is mighty attractive.

What annoys me with my Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• Sometimes a few apps won’t load. It may be a compatibility issue with its OS.
• There are ALWAYS two streaks of dried moisture or dirt on the tablet screen. And it does not matter how much I clean it off. The inner-screen traps dust when screens fold and touch together.
• Home screen glitches.

The ghosting images of the home and the wallpaper after unlocking. Yet the toolbar and the icons near the bottom are crisp clear.

• The YouTube music app randomly stops playing on rare times. It closes and not paused.
• Also on rare occasions, the phone’s Bluetooth remains connected to a disconnected device. So there’s no sound and I need to manually set the phone’s speaker.
• Rarely the Bluetooth doesn’t want to turn on. Either restarting the phone or clearing the cache fixes it.
• Then it takes a minute to a few minutes to restart the phone.
• A minor gripe: it’s not called a Pixel Fold 2. But it’s a Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Good thing there’s no Pixel 9 Pro Fold Limited Founder’s Edition.
• Battery life could be improved. I don’t know if it’s coincidence but I always find it already at battery saver mode when I’m home. Bluetooth is off and I’m often away from my phone when I’m home. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 4650 mAh battery but it should be competing with Motorola phones running 5000 mAh batteries.
• Samsung Buds don’t work properly sometimes. I can’t use the touch commands and it plays on a constant volume that can’t be changed.
• The curved bezel cuts off a portion of the screen and it’s frustratingly annoying when ads hide their small x button behind it.
• It’s funny-complicated to display the phone’s RAM: enable developer options and Memory profiling.

What I think about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Q. Do I hate the Pixel 9 Pro Fold?

No. I think it’s a charming phone. But I’m just stumped why the dirt on the tablet, or why there’s some connectivity issue with my Samsung Bluetooth devices. One can argue on using a Pixel accessory instead, but that’s another expense.

It also doesn’t have a Samsung Routines app that I could program. Such as pulling off an alarm when the battery reaches 100% while charging. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an Android phone with its own quirks and a different experience than my previous foldables.

Q. Am I getting the Pixel 10 Pro Fold?

Probably not since it’s expensive.

Q. So am I thinking of switching back to Samsung?

Probably yes.

Q. Now how about trying an iPhone?

Possibly an option. But I have an old iPhone XR by the way.

Verdict on the experience

I bought my Pixel 9 Pro Fold last November. I like how it is a functional phone via cover display and also acts as a gorgeous tablet. Although I haven’t felt personally attached to it at this point.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold hasn’t failed as a phone but it has quirks such as apps being weird, having streaks of dirt on the screen, or rare BT issues. The camera is among the best. Portability wise, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is on the chunkier end with a case. I just wish it had a bigger battery (from the start) as much as the Pixel 9 Pro XL or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. For example, finding it on battery saver mode when I’m home.

As mentioned, the next-gen Pixel 10 Pro Fold has been released. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold improves on having a bigger battery at 5015 mAh, an IP68 rating (+dust protection) and a Tensor 5 chip. Coming from a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, I don’t see an urgent need to jump to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold today. It’s obviously an expensive phone. But if you’re looking for a new foldable, then the Pixel 10 Pro Fold would be a fine choice. Alternatively, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 possesses a 200MP main camera, is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite, and sports a thinner body. Or maybe hold off and wait for iPhone’s foldable phone.