Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold rumors: Everything we know and what we want to see

Update: July 26, 2024 (15:10 PM ET): We’ve updated the Pixel 9 Pro Fold rumor hub with the latest leaks, including fresh official renders, official promo material confirming the phone’s specs, and an exclusive Android Authority report about the phone’s new display sizes.

Original article: There was a long trail of rumors and leaks before the Google Pixel Fold launched. By this time last year, Google’s first foldable was already out in the real world. Google’s second foldable is yet to launch officially, but thanks to a stream of recent leaks, we finally have concrete details to share about the phone. We’ve got the low down on the specs, design, and other hardware of Google’s upcoming foldy boi, along with confirmation from Google that its second generation foldable will be called the “Pixel 9 Pro Fold” instead of “Pixel Fold 2.” Read on for all the latest.

Will there be a Pixel 9 Pro Fold?

February 2024 was the first time we heard anything substantial about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It looked like the device exists but is in the early stages of development. Google is clearly dedicated to foldable technology, and we don’t expect the company to stop at just one foldable phone.

As expected, a second-generation foldable is coming from Google, and the company has confirmed that it will be called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

This name wasn’t always on the cards. Google used to call the foldable the Pixel Fold 2, but our sources claim that Google started referring to it as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as of April 15, 2024.

There are also rumors that Google could be working on a flip-style phone similar to the Galaxy Z Flip series. An exclusive Android Authority leak of Google’s Pixel roadmap suggested this in 2022. However, we have no hard evidence for this phone quite yet.

What is the most likely Pixel 9 Pro Fold release date?

• Google Pixel Fold — June 27, 2023

It was difficult to predict when the next Pixel Fold would launch since there has been only one launch in this series. Earlier this year, we revealed in an exclusive that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might feature the Tensor G4 chipset instead of the Tensor G3 found on the Pixel 8 series. This basically confirmed that Google might launch the Pixel 9 Pro Fold along with the Pixel 9 series because that’s when it generally debuts the new Tensor chip.

In an interesting twist, Google announced an August 13 launch date for the Pixel 9 series. When the company confirmed the new name of the foldable, it confirmed that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will launch on the same day as the Pixel 9 series, i.e., on August 13.

What will the Pixel 9 Pro Fold look like?

Google has confirmed what the Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks like through its official reveal video above. The teaser pretty much confirms the design changes we’ve been seeing in the past leaks, including this Pixel 9 Pro Fold prototype. The prototype photo suggested that the second-generation Google foldable could feature a narrower form factor and a redesigned camera module.

Earlier this week, we exclusively reported that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will feature completely new dimensions for both its screens. The inner screen will measure 8 inches diagonally, while the original Pixel Fold’s was 7.6 inches. This change in size is largely due to the external screen getting taller and narrower to fit a more conventional ~20:9 aspect ratio. It’s also grown in size, with a diagonal of 6.24 inches compared to 5.8 inches on the original Pixel Fold. An interesting tidbit is that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s outer display dimensions feel very close to those of the Pixel 9’s screen.

Apart from the new sizes, the screens are also going to get a lot brighter. Our report points toward a peak brightness of 1,800 nits and 1,600 nits for the external and internal screens, respectively. The same numbers were at 1,200 nits and 1,000 nits on the original Pixel Fold. The refresh rate on both screens is going to be 120Hz.

Our source also told us that the selfie camera cutout on the inner display of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is in the top right corner instead of the top bezel, as was the case on the Pixel Fold. Unfortunately, the information we received tells us that the display crease is still very much visible on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

In terms of the rest of the design, the official teaser has confirmed that the camera bar we saw on the Pixel Fold will be replaced by a much smaller squarish camera bump on the top left of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It appears to have four camera sensors, an LED flash, and a microphone. However, the phone will only have three camera sensors. More on that in a bit.

The dimensions of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are also very different from those of the original Pixel Fold, at 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.54mm. This means the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be taller and thinner than the original.

The Android Authority team recently uncovered exclusive details about the Pixel 9 series appearing on the NCC certification website, providing us with some real-life photos showcasing the phone from all possible angles.

Firstly, these images further verify that Google is shifting the inner selfie camera to the screen’s corner, which aligns with previous render hints.

From the images, it’s also evident that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will have noticeably slimmer top and bottom bezels on its internal display compared to the original Pixel Fold. Even the display crease appears less prominent, but we’ll have to see the phone with its screen on to know for sure. Interestingly, the phone lies completely flat in these photos, a notable improvement from the first-gen Fold, which couldn’t be opened fully.

As the final piece of the puzzle, a new leak, courtesy of 91mobiles, has also graced us with what look to be the official renders of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in both the Obsidian and Porcelain colorways. The images pretty much confirm everything that has leaked so far and also make it a certainty that we won’t be seeing any fun new color options with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

What rumored specs and features could the Pixel 9 Pro Fold have?

At this point, we don’t know anything for certain about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold specs and features. However, the recent promo material leak, courtesy of OnLeaks (via 91mobiles), did confirm some of the rumors we had been hearing.

Firstly, it’s basically a given now that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will skip the Tensor G3 chip and opt for the unannounced Tensor G4 processor that’s expected to power the Pixel 9 series. This would be very different from how the first Pixel Fold handled processing. It was powered by the Tensor G2, which debuted first on the Pixel 7 series in October 2022.

Another upgrade that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could be getting is 16 gigs of RAM as default, as mentioned in the image above. The Pixel Fold shipped with 12GB of RAM, so this would definitely be a leg up for the new phone.

It appears that the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold might come with some downgrades compared to the original. The NCC listing we found indicates the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will have a battery capacity of 4,560mAh. For context, the original Pixel Fold had a 4,727mAh battery, which Google marketed as 4,800mAh. This suggests the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might have an advertised battery capacity of around 4,600mAh.

Charging speeds could also be slower. While the original Pixel Fold was advertised with 23W charging speeds, the NCC listing reported it as 22.5W. For the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the NCC lists charging speeds at 20.25W, which likely translates to an advertised speed of 21-22W. Interestingly, all other Pixel 9 models, including the non-Pro version, are listed with significantly higher charging speeds on the NCC listings.

Another small change that we expect to happen this year is the omission of the Quick-switch adapter (USB-A to USB-C adapter) that has been a part of every Google Pixel’s box contents so far. This could be a minor inconvenience at worst, as it’s fair to assume on Google’s part that most of us have already moved on to USB Type-C adapters.

Our Pixel 9 series camera leak also hinted at spec downgrades for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as compared to the original Pixel Fold. As per our report, the ultrawide camera could now be a Samsung 3LU (1/3.2-inch) instead of the old Sony IMX386 (1/2.8-inch). Both of the old selfie cameras (Sony IMX355, 1/2.8-inch, and Samsung 3J1, 1/3-inch) might be changed to the Samsung 3K1 (1/3.94-inch). The numbers differ slightly from the megapixel count mentioned in the promo material leak, so we’ll have to wait for the official launch to know the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s camera situation for certain.

Talking about cameras, Android Headlines leaked what we assume are the official TV ad videos for the Pixel 9 phones. The videos have since been taken down, but we got to know a little bit more about the new features of the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel 9 Pro video showed us the rumored “Add Me” feature in action. We could see a group posing against the same background twice, with different people in each shot. Add Me then combines parts of both photos to get everyone in one picture.

The rest of the ad talked a lot about Gemini, but we’re more interested in some of the other new features we’ve heard about. One of these is Pixel Screenshots, which is like Microsoft’s Recall feature. It uses AI to help you search through your phone’s screenshots. In the ad, a user types a few keywords to describe a screenshot they remember taking, like who sent it, and the phone quickly finds it.

The ad doesn’t specifically show the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with these features, but since they are shown as part of the “Pixel 9 Pro” series, we can reasonably assume they will be available on the Fold as well, aligning with its new naming scheme.

It’s believed that the Fold could receive a new modem. According to our information, Google’s next foldable will have a Exynos Modem 5400. This modem offers an upgraded software stack, as well as support for 3GPP Rel. 17, which brings support for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), or satellite-based communication in other words.

Speaking of satellite messaging, Google has been working on integrating support for satellite-based messaging in Android 15. At first, satellite communication will be text-based and provided by T-Mobile (built in collaboration with SpaceX). However, other providers will possibly join some time in the future.

Additionally, a special “Satellite Gateway” app will allow for easy communications with emergency services via a feature called “Emergency SOS.” This app will ask a few basic questions to narrow down the situation, and you’ll be given a choice to notify your emergency contacts.

Once the questions are answered, you’ll be able to converse with emergency services to get the help you need. Due to the nature of satellite connectivity, mobile solutions using it typically need very specific alignment to connect. Google has designed animations to help this process, such as the one below:

X (formerly Twitter) user Nail Sadykov, uncovered what this UI could like in a social post. This UI is part of the Adaptive Connectivity Services app, which is a Pixel-exclusive app.

The UI will prompt the user to move their phone to “center the satellite in the circle.” This coincides with the user facing and pointing to the nearest active satellite they can connect to. During this time, it will provide a reminder that the user must get a “clear view of the sky by avoiding buildings, trees, and mountains,” for it to work correctly.

Additionally, the UI can be minimized into a floating window with the PiP button at the top left. You can see an example in the image below.

A storage upgrade to UFS 4.0 is also expected on the phone, which could result in faster load times for apps and games.

What might the Pixel 9 Pro Fold price be?

• Pixel Fold 256GB: $1,799
• Pixel Fold 512GB:$1,919

The Pixel Fold was an ultra-premium device that started at $1,799. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 at the same price last year. We didn’t have any rumors about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s pricing so far, but a recent leak, courtesy of Dealabs, does give us some idea about what to expect from Google’s Pixel pricing this year.

According to the outlet, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could be priced at €1,899 (~$2,065) for the 256GB model and €2,029 (~$2,207) for the 512 GB model in France. These are the same prices that the Pixel Fold launched at in Europe, so we can expect Google to follow the same pricing strategy in the US, too. The leak also hints that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be available in the same Porcelain and Obsidian color options.

We think Google will want to keep the pricing unchanged and expectations tempered since this is only the second time it is releasing a foldable phone. A sudden price jump may not sit well with consumers who are now looking forward to more affordable folding devices anyway.

Should you wait for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold?

The Pixel 9 series launch event is only some days away, so if you can delay your purchase, it makes absolute sense to wait and see what Google launches on the day. The Pixel Fold still offers one of the most comfortable ergonomics on a book-style foldable, and arguably the most competitive set of cameras among all foldalbes, but it suffers from a lot of first-gen problems that Google will most certainly iron out in the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Of course, if you aren’t impressed by the original and are still looking for a foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 ($1899.99 at Samsung) is out now, and it’s better than ever. For even more foldable options, check out our guide to the best foldable phones.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold wishlist

The Pixel Fold was a pretty solid first effort. Still, there are many things we’d like to see improved on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Although it’s likely still months away, it’s fun to speculate what the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold might bring to the table. Here is our wishlist for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

A bigger battery and faster charging

Google claims the Pixel Fold can make it beyond 24 hours, but this isn’t the case unless you keep your usage very light or toggle on Extreme Battery Saver. If you actually use the foldable as intended, you’ll find it makes it through one day at most, and with heavy usage, you’ll likely be running to the charger before the day is up. We really want this to be addressed with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The Pixel Fold should move from a 4,821mAh battery to at least a 5,000mAh capacity, or at the very least, Google needs to improve power efficiency elsewhere. As much as I want a bigger battery, I also realize that real estate is a premium for foldables, so smaller batteries are often the name of the game.

At the very least, Google could give us faster charging so we can top the Pixel 9 Pro Fold off fast and be back in action. The Pixel Fold is capable of up to 30W charging, which is decent for a Google phone, but we’d like to see it at least jump up to 45W to match devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Refinements to its bezels, crease, and weight

While the Google Pixel Fold is a decent-looking phone, we’d like to see the Pixel 9 Pro Fold further refine this design by reducing its weight and crease. Sadly, rumors mentioned earlier suggest the crease might be here to stay.

The Google Pixel Fold is rather heavy at 283g. That’s significantly heftier than most candy bar phones, and even the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is lighter at 253g. On the bright side, the Pixel Fold is actually a bit smaller and thinner than the Fold. Still, we’d love to see Google further refine its design to bring the weight down to something a little more on par with the Fold 5.

The crease and bezels are kind of self-explanatory. Although Samsung has yet to completely reduce its crease, the Fold’s crease sticks out a bit more, and the larger bezels make the whole thing feel a bit like a first-generation product. Which, of course, it is. Here’s hoping the Pixel 9 Pro Fold takes everything we love about Google’s first foldable while reducing its footprint in the process.

Better heat management

The Google Pixel series is known for its overheating Tensor chips, and unfortunately, that remains the case for the Google Pixel Fold. The Tensor G2 gets hot easily and often to the point it causes noticeable discomfort. Google really needs to address this. The good news is the Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 doesn’t suffer as much with excess heat, so this won’t likely be a major issue for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, even if it comes with the Tensor G4.

Improved app optimization

The Google Pixel Fold has a lot of potential, and while Google did make several software improvements specifically with foldability in mind, app support remains a major sore point. Support currently is worse than you’ll find on the Samsung Galaxy Fold series, as the latter has a more standard portrait-oriented display versus Google’s unique landscape orientation.

The quirky app optimizations mean that simple things like switching from tablet to phone mode can cause glitches and other issues with the display, as seen in the photo above. While we don’t mind Google’s approach to its displays, it needs to find ways to attract more developers and work out the kinks so the Fold no longer feels like a beta product.

Stylus support would be amazing

Even though Samsung doesn’t bundle it with the device, we’re big fans of S Pen support on the Galaxy Fold 5. It seems like such a natural companion to a device that can transform into a tablet that’s the perfect size for drawing and taking notes.

We’d love for Google to compete by offering pen support of its own. Unlike Samsung, Google doesn’t necessarily need to invest in its own standard and could just offer USI support. For those who aren’t in the know, many Chromebooks currently use this standard, and while it hasn’t come to phones or even tablets formally, it would be a natural way for Google to extend pen support to more devices beyond just its laptops.