Buy the Pixel Fold Now or Wait for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold? Here's How to Decide

Google just recently entered the foldable phone market. The global search engine and tech company released the first Pixel Fold model in 2023, stealing the thunder from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold – the first foldable smartphone.

With a Pixel Fold 2 on the horizon (officially called the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold), many wonder if it's worth the wait. The original did warrant an impressive overall quality and was considered one of the best next-gen foldables.

This article pieces together rumors on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold to help you decide whether to snag the original now or wait for its successor. We'll also weigh the pros and cons of the current Pixel Fold against the potential upgrades of the Pixel Fold 2.

Google surprised the tech world when it launched its first foldable phone in late June 2023. It featured a 7.6-inch flexible OLED display that folds in half like a book, giving the user more screen real estate when unfolded.

It comes with a triple-camera system, 5G capabilities, and impressive battery life, running Android's latest operating system at the time – Android 13. It was priced at $1,800, which is on par with other high-end smartphones on the market.

A little more than a year since its conception, here’s what we know so far about Google’s Pixel Fold series.

• Display: A large, foldable main display with a smooth refresh rate and a smaller cover display for basic tasks.

• Performance: Powered by Google's Tensor chip and RAM for seamless multitasking and video streaming.

• Camera: Excellent camera system with stunning image quality and computational photography; Also comes with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto camera lenses.

• Battery life: A solid, larger battery that gets you through the day, with a 4,821mAh capacity.

• Software: Clean and up-to-date Android experience with guaranteed updates for several years.

There were mixed feelings about the Google Pixel Fold. While there’s a lot to love about it, some questionable design choices have left some consumers feeling underwhelmed.

On the positive side, some believe the Pixel Fold presents itself as a tough Samsung challenger.

Rumors initially said the Google I/O event happening around May of 2024 will also un"fold" their latest foldable. Now that that has clearly passed, we can likely expect it to come out later, along with the Pixel 9 series sometime in the fall.

On the bright side, reliable leakers hint that Google’s second foldable will see improved hardware this year and a bigger screen. Ross Young, a Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO, shares on X that the upcoming Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold will have an 8.02-inch main screen and a 6.29-inch cover display.

With a bigger display comes a bigger battery. Larger screens typically demand more power, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold may not disappoint in this area. A larger battery with increased capacity would certainly be a welcoming improvement.

Beyond screen size, leaks suggest the Pixel 9 Pro Fold might boast a next-generation Tensor chip from Google, tentatively named the Tensor G4. This upgraded processor promises even faster performance and improved efficiency. However, other reports suggest Google might stick with the current Tensor G3 chip found in the Pixel 8 series – a strategic decision to expedite the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold launch.

Another area rumored for improvement is the crease. While details remain unconfirmed, some sources hint that Google might be implementing an improved hinge for a flatter fold. This would be a major selling point for users who found the crease distracting on the original Pixel Fold.

We listed down full specifications from the OG Pixel Fold and the rumored specs for the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Here’s a quick breakdown.

Below are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding between a new foldable and the 2023 Pixel Fold version. Consider this your checklist.

✅Urgency: Do you need a new phone right away?

✅Budget: Can you afford the Pixel Fold 2's rumored premium price tag?

✅Tech Enthusiast: Do you crave the latest and greatest tech of the Pixel Fold?

✅Longevity: Will the Pixel Fold support software updates for many years?

✅Usage: How will you use the phone and what is your priority usage?