Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: A strong contender in the foldable race as shipping delays hit
Top 3 Key Points:
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Samsung: Google’s second foldable outperforms Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 in key hardware features, marking a significant shift in the foldable market.
- Shipping Delays: High demand causes Pixel 9 Pro shipping delays, with some variants pushed back to mid-September.
- Stock Issues: Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s “Porcelain” variant faces early stock shortages, hinting at limited availability.
Google recently held its Pixel 9 series event, and the standout device is the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This marks only the second foldable from Google, yet it’s already challenging Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6, which is in its sixth generation.
Superior Hardware Features
Despite being new to the foldable scene, Google has managed to outdo Samsung in several critical areas with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. A major complaint with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series has been the aspect ratios of its displays, particularly the narrow cover screen. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold addresses this with a 6.3-inch cover display that boasts a standard 20:9 aspect ratio and a 1080p resolution. This is a noticeable improvement over the Z Fold6’s narrower 968p cover screen.
Moreover, the folding display on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is larger, with a size of 207.4 cm² compared to the Z Fold6’s 185.2 cm². It also offers a higher resolution and a nearly 1:1 ratio, which is more practical for multitasking—one of the primary reasons users opt for foldable devices.
Sleeker Design, Heavier Build
Google has made the Pixel 9 Pro Fold impressively thin, measuring just 10.5mm when folded—thinner than both the Galaxy Z Fold6 and the OnePlus Open. Unfolded, it’s only 5.1mm thick, which is just slightly thicker than its USB-C port. Although the Z Fold6 is lighter by 18 grams, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s slim profile might be more noticeable in daily use. Both devices are water-resistant, though neither is suitable for swimming.
Enhanced Performance and Camera Capabilities
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is equipped with 16 GB of RAM, a step up from the Z Fold6’s 12 GB, allowing for smoother multitasking and better responsiveness. While the Galaxy Z Fold6’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip might have a performance edge over Google’s Tensor G4, the extra RAM in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold could offset this difference in everyday use.
In terms of cameras, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold stands out with a longer-reaching zoom camera and autofocus on its ultrawide camera, despite the Z Fold6 having a larger main sensor.
Battery Life and Availability
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also has a slightly larger battery, though real-world endurance tests will determine if this translates to better battery life. However, both the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Z Fold6 have relatively slow charging speeds.
Despite these advantages, the Galaxy Z Fold6 is still expected to outsell the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, thanks to Samsung’s established reputation, broader availability, and additional features like S Pen support.
Shipping Delays and Stock Issues
Google announced that the Pixel 9 series would start shipping on August 22. However, due to high demand, the Pixel 9 Pro’s shipping dates have been pushed back to mid-September. The most affected variant is the 128GB “Hazel,” with delays extending to September 17 in some regions. Third-party retailers like Best Buy have listed the device as “coming soon,” while Amazon is still accepting pre-orders with slightly better availability.
As for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the “Porcelain” variant is already out of stock, though the “Obsidian” model is expected to start shipping in early September. These early stock issues suggest limited availability, similar to what happened with the original Pixel Fold.
In conclusion, while Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 remains a strong competitor, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold is making significant strides in the foldable market, offering a fresh challenge to the foldable market leader.
Key Points:
- Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
- Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
- Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.
Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:
Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.
Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.
Other Chrome Updates:
Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.
These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.
YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.
- AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
- AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
- AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.
YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.
Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.
Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.
For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”
YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.
For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.
These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.
Key points:
- Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a new navigation bar key for quick keyboard switching.
- This allows for faster switching between multiple keyboard apps and languages.
- The feature is currently being tested and is expected to become standard on Google Pixel devices in December.
Android users will soon experience a significant improvement in keyboard switching. A new feature being tested in Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a dedicated key on the navigation bar that allows for rapid switching between different keyboard apps and languages.
Imagine having the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple keyboards without navigating through settings or menus. This new key, visually represented as a globe, provides a direct and intuitive way to change keyboards on the fly. Whether you need to switch between different languages or prefer different keyboard apps for specific tasks, this feature offers a convenient solution.
For example, if you have multiple languages enabled and use both Gboard and SwiftKey, you can quickly toggle between them by pressing the new key. This eliminates the need for extra steps and ensures a smooth typing experience.
While this feature is currently in beta testing, it’s expected to become a standard part of Android 15 QPR1, which is scheduled to be released on Google Pixel devices in December. This means that many Android users will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of faster and more efficient keyboard switching.
-
News7 months agoSamsung USA crafting One UI 6.1.1
-
Apps7 months agoGboard Proofread feature will support selected text
-
News6 months ago
Breaking: Samsung Galaxy S22 may get Galaxy AI features
-
News6 months agoSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with One UI 6.1 and all S24 AI features revealed
-
News7 months ago
One UI 6.1 Auracast (Bluetooth LE Audio) feature coming to many Samsung phones
-
Apps4 months agoGoogle’s fancy new Weather app is finally available for more Android phones
-
News7 months agoSatellite SOS feature coming to Google Pixel phones, evidence leaked
-
News7 months agoGoogle Pixel evolves as Europe’s third best selling flagship