Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each inside and outside of the confines of Mountain View.
Time flies if you’re having enjoyable, proper? Effectively, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold made me understand that Google’s taking the foldable form-factor critically, even when it hasn’t dipped its toes into the flip-style but. So with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold across the nook, it is a good time to replicate earlier than I must determine whether or not to improve or not.
Since its launch, I’ve mainly been going backwards and forwards between the Pixel 9 Professional Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6. On a couple of uncommon events, I simply tossed a spare SIM into considered one of them, ditched my iPhone, and simply carried two foldables for a few days. It is not one thing I actually advocate, however so long as your pockets are sufficiently big and also you’re sporting a belt, it is manageable.
The {hardware} holds up
Till the unique Pixel Fold was lastly unveiled, I had been clamoring for Google to hitch the parade earlier than it was too late. Then the Pixel Fold landed, and whereas I used to be elated to see my needs turn into actuality, I got here to the conclusion that Google may not be lower out for this type of {hardware}.
Then got here the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and to today, I am nonetheless flabbergasted by the stark distinction between the 2 telephones. In my preliminary impressions piece, I stated that Google “actually went for the ‘Pixel 5 to Pixel 6’ improve path, and if it weren’t for the ‘G’ on the again, I would go as far as to say these have been made by utterly totally different corporations.” That sentiment nonetheless rings true at this time.
Positive, the cellphone continues to be slippier than I would really like, however that is been remedied with the Thinborne MagSafe case. It provides hardly any further thickness to the cellphone, however provides me MagSafe assist, one thing that I am hoping will really find yourself within the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.
In addition to that, I actually have not had a lot to complain about with the design. The quilt display is identical measurement because the Pixel 9 Professional, giving me a slab cellphone for one-handed use, however with the apparent good thing about unfolding right into a Pixel Pill Mini.
The place the software program falls brief
As for the software program, I might be mendacity if I weren’t a bit frightened about how Google deliberate to fight the continued complications when utilizing apps on foldable telephones. Samsung manages to clear a number of the hurdles by together with the “Multi-window” choice to “drive” apps into working by way of the Labs Settings.
As a substitute, Google took a distinct method, which additionally performed a serious position within the general design. When utilizing two apps in split-screen portrait mode, the side ratio is virtually equivalent to that of a standard smartphone, which means that it is mainly like having an app open on two telephones and holding them side-by-side. It is an ingenious answer to a seemingly unsolvable downside, given the sheer variety of Android apps on the market.
Nonetheless, that answer instantly falls aside as quickly as you wish to add a 3rd app into the combination. With the Galaxy Z Fold, you possibly can have three apps in split-screen, together with a couple of extra in Pop-up View. OnePlus and Oppo have the Open Canvas, permitting you to have apps open, transfer them off-screen a bit, after which faucet the sting of the app to convey it into focus.
With the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, when you decide the 2 apps you wish to use, that is all you’ve got obtained. A standard instance for me was having two apps open after which needing to seize one thing from my password supervisor. As a substitute of having the ability to simply have the app open in a floating window so I can seize what I want with out leaving the app pair, the third app simply takes over as the first.
It is extra of an annoyance than anything, however I can not assist however marvel why Google hasn’t added some sort of implementation. I perceive the need to face out and supply a distinct expertise, however when each different foldable cellphone allows you to open a floating window, it simply seems like poor execution.
My favourite characteristic of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold
What is not poor execution is how invaluable the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s digicam has been. No, it is not fairly on the identical degree because the Pixel 9 Professional XL or Galaxy S25 Extremely by way of {hardware}, however that is not my level.
Google’s “Made You Look” characteristic has turn into so vital that my spouse will get aggravated every time she asks if I am utilizing the “Google Fold” and I regretfully inform her if I am not. Our son is now virtually 18 months outdated and continues to be distracted by every thing and something round him, except he can hear Ms. Rachel.
Nonetheless, as soon as I take out the cellphone and activate Made You Look, that is the place his consideration instantly goes. And if I activate the sound so he can hear the varied noises from the totally different animals, good luck getting him to concentrate to anything for a couple of minutes. However as a rule, that is loads of time to snap some pictures when he’d in any other case be attempting to run away to plot his revenge.
I have been capable of take some completely unimaginable and cute footage of him, and it would not have been potential with out the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.
Trying Forward
Clearly, I’ve relatively loved having the Pixel 9 Professional Fold by my aspect, and actually, ever since sending it off to a colleague for added testing, I miss having it. Along with what I’ve already lined, I wish to experiment with Google’s new Canary Launch Channel and see how far I can go in making a Linux desktop setting on the cellphone.
If the Pixel 10 occasion wasn’t proper across the nook, I would most likely be very tempted to try to get one other Pixel 9 Professional Fold, if not only for the Made You Look characteristic. However earlier than we all know it, Google can have unveiled the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, and I do not wish to waste an improve on my account beforehand.
That stated, even when it weren’t for the tsunami of leaks in latest days, leaving little to the creativeness with Google’s subsequent foldable, I might need thought of utilizing the improve anyway.
I’ve already written about whether or not you must watch for the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, and even with the leaks, my emotions stay the identical. However whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 7 might need extra options and a greater digicam, the Pixel 10 Professional Fold will most likely be my subsequent each day carry, simply because the Pixel 9 Professional Fold usurped the Z Fold 6.
For extra information and data on Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 refresh, take a look at our Final Information.
