AT&T won’t sell Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Google’s ongoing struggles with Pixel devices
Top 3 Key Points:
- AT&T drops Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AT&T won’t offer Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which could impact Google’s sales in the U.S.
- Hardware challenges persist: Google’s Pixel series continues to struggle with hardware issues, despite improvements in AI and design.
- Questionable feature choices: Google faces criticism for inconsistent feature offerings and pricing strategies, particularly in global markets.
Google has recently introduced the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, their second-generation foldable phone. However, if you’re an AT&T customer eager to buy this new device, there’s some bad news. AT&T has confirmed that they will not be offering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a decision that could potentially hurt Google’s sales in the U.S. market. This is significant because AT&T is one of the largest carriers in the country, with nearly 72 million postpaid phone customers.
For many U.S. consumers, buying a phone through a carrier is the norm, as it often comes with attractive deals and promotions. While the original Pixel Fold was available through AT&T, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold won’t be, although other Pixel 9 series devices, such as the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and Pixel Watch 3, will be offered by the carrier. It’s unclear whether AT&T will certify unlocked Pixel 9 Pro Fold devices for use on their network.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts several upgrades over its predecessor, including the powerful Tensor G4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and Google’s latest AI features. It’s also lighter and features larger displays, with a 6.3-inch cover screen and an 8-inch main screen. Despite AT&T’s decision, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will still be available on Verizon and T-Mobile, with a starting price of $1,799 and a release date of September 4.
As a fan of Pixel phones, I appreciate their clean software and consistent camera performance, which often makes them my go-to device despite using various phones throughout the year. However, Google’s Pixel series isn’t without its flaws. Over the years, I’ve encountered several hardware issues, from screen problems on the Pixel 2 XL to random detachment of the volume rocker on the Pixel 7 Pro. These issues are more common with Pixels compared to other brands, raising concerns about the durability of these devices, especially now that Google is offering seven years of updates.
While Google’s focus on AI and software is commendable, the company still struggles with getting the basics right. Some of this can be attributed to hardware choices, such as using Samsung’s Exynos 2400 as the foundation for the Tensor G4 chip. Although Google doesn’t prioritize raw performance, the lack of effective thermal management in the Pixel 9 series makes them prone to overheating and throttling.
Moreover, Google has made some questionable decisions regarding feature availability across different markets. For instance, most global models of the Pixel 9 series come with a Wi-Fi 7 modem, but the models sold in India are stuck with an older Wi-Fi 6 modem. Similarly, certain features like 8K video and Night Sight video are limited to the Pro variants, and the base models still come with just 128GB of storage, which feels outdated in 2024.
It’s also puzzling that the base models of the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL have 16GB of RAM paired with only 128GB of storage, a combination that doesn’t make much sense. Google seems to be following Apple’s pricing strategy, encouraging customers to pay more for higher storage options, but without offering the same level of features and trade-in deals as competitors like Samsung.
While these might seem like minor annoyances, they add up, especially in the competitive flagship market where every detail counts. Google may position its devices as the best in AI, but if it wants to compete with Apple and Samsung on pricing, it needs to deliver on the basics as well.