Samsung’s affect on folding telephones cannot be understated. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 solely options minor refinements, making me really feel there’s extra to expertise elsewhere. Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold seems to pack a punch, which is why I believe it is the higher selection.
1 The Pixel 9 Professional Fold Has a Extra Compact Kind Issue
Samsung hasn’t pushed the boundaries of what folding telephones can supply with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This refresh rejigs the design just a little, making the gadget a bit extra helpful, but it surely nonetheless leaves quite a bit to be desired, particularly for compact telephone fans like me.
I every day drive an iPhone 15 Professional, and something taller than this feels awkward to make use of. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold, with its wider and fewer tall design, provides an answer for this choice of mine.
To not be missed, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can be slimmer than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. When unfolded, the Pixel measures 5.1mm in thickness in comparison with the Z Fold’s 5.6mm, and when folded, it is 10.5mm thick in comparison with 12.1 mm on the Z Fold 6.
I am used to getting out of my consolation zone with the variety of units I evaluation. However with regards to a private telephone that I plan to make use of long-term, I would love it to be simple to make use of with one hand.
2 I Need Higher Cameras on My Telephone
Transferring on to the cameras, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are fairly related, I really feel minor nuances stack the tables in favor of the Pixel. I am not docking any factors on the Z Fold 6’s digicam {hardware} as a result of these folding telephones have {hardware} an identical to their predecessors.
First up is the first shooter. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s 48MP extensive digicam has an 82-degree subject of view, which implies the photographs can be flatter in comparison with the 85-degree subject of view on Samsung’s 50MP extensive digicam. This additionally means there can be much less of a fish-eye impact with the Pixel’s digicam.
Then, on the ultrawide digicam, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold provides a devoted macro mode, which implies you may get nearer to topics and take a variety of photographs. For somebody who likes to journey and seize photographs, it is an possibility I would moderately have than not.
Lastly, let’s discuss in regards to the telephoto digicam. After I received the iPhone 15 Professional, I advised myself I would not miss the 5x optical zoom—accessible on the 15 Professional Max—however boy, was I improper. This is the reason the Pixel Fold’s 5x optical zoom is a way more enticing providing for picture composition than the Z Fold 6’s 3x optical zoom.
Add to this the varied software program options that Google tosses into its digicam expertise, like Prime Shot and “Add Me,” and you’ll have an expertise that the Z Fold 6’s cameras simply cannot match.
3 The Pixel 9 Professional Fold Will Get Updates Faster
Like different posts about Pixel units, there’s one different clear benefit of proudly owning Google’s telephone. It’s going to get updates faster than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. I take pleasure in this facet of the possession expertise; ready for updates is not my cup of tea.
When a few of Android 15’s finest options come to appropriate units later in 2024, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can be one of many first few units to obtain them. With the Z Fold 6, I will have to attend weeks, if not months, earlier than Samsung rolls out the OneUI-flavored model.
That stated, it is value appreciating that each Samsung and Google supply seven years of software program upgrades and safety updates for his or her units.
4 I Can Count on New Options With Pixel Drops
The ultimate cause I am choosing the Pixel 9 Professional Fold over the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the options Google brings to its first-party units over time with Pixel Characteristic Drops. These quarterly updates carry extra performance after launch, which means the Pixel 9 Professional Fold will get even higher over time, identical to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional did since they launched in 2023.
Even at launch, the Pixel 9 Professional Fold boasts thrilling options like Pixel Screenshots and Add Me. Each are AI-based options that use photographs in fascinating methods. For example, Pixel Screenshots can keep in mind particulars from a display seize after which make the most of the Gemini Nano mannequin to make it simple to arrange knowledge, recall areas or occasions, and extra.
With the competitors in folding telephones ramping up, I imagine Samsung can do much more to distinguish its Z Fold line. One UI already provides probably the most polished multitasking expertise, which supplies the corporate an higher hand, however I really feel {hardware} enhancements are lengthy overdue.
Then again, Google’s Pixel 9 Professional Fold brings many noteworthy modifications in comparison with its predecessor—each {hardware} and software program—which supplies it an pleasure issue that I can not wait to expertise.
