It’s strange to write this review when the world is focused on the passport-sized iPhone Duo, and China-based companies are busy releasing wide foldables with a similar design. However, Google stuck to its guns this year and produced a Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which is quite similar to last year’s foldable.
The changes include a lighter design, a brighter display, better wireless charging, and an updated camera sensor. The new olive color looks subtle but gorgeous, so that’s a bonus. However, with all the options out there, the device may not attract people looking for their first foldable — unless they’re serious Pixel fans.
Still, I enjoyed using the device because the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s cameras are competent enough, even if they’re no match for the Pixel 11 Pro’s setup, and the screen is nice to use despite the very visible fold.
Design
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is 5mm thick when unfolded (vs 5.2mm of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold) and 10.1mm thick when folded (vs 10.8mm of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold). This is for the spec sheet because you might not feel that much difference. Still, the phone is not as thin as a device like the Honor V6 Magic.
The difference you’ll notice – if you hold both this year’s and last year’s foldable – is that the new device is 19 grams lighter. But when you buy a new device or switch from another foldable, it is hardly noticed.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold was already a rugged device. With this year’s version, the company claims to have increased durability by three times. Plus, there’s a new glass-ceramic lid and a fiberglass composite back cover to absorb any impact. My Pixel 10 fell off the table and out of my pocket a few times, but there was no visible dent or scratch. Well done, Google.
One downside of a strong hinge is that you can’t unfold the 11 Pro Fold with one hand, and that’s by design.
The outer display is ever so slightly larger, but the more noticeable change is the 3,600-nit display which is an upgrade from last year’s 3,000-nit peak display. This means you can use the phone better in bright conditions.
Google’s folding bar still has a very visible fold in an age where phone manufacturers like Oppo and Honor have managed to significantly reduce visibility. The crack is more pronounced in bright light, because there is no reflective display on the device.
On the back there is the new HiLight indicator, which still lights up only for calls from your favorite contacts, and when you talk to Gemini. There is not much to talk about this feature.
Software and AI
Reading and watching videos on a folding bar is still fun, although a wide folding bar could have an edge on videos. The multitasking is good, but you can only open two apps side by side. Some apps that are optimized for folding are great to use. For example, Gmail, as a Google app, lets you see your inbox on one page and a specific email on the other. This can help you get through emails faster. However, Slack doesn’t have this split view, and it’s frustrating because we’ve been through many cycles of Android collapsible with apps that still aren’t suitable for the extended screen.
Given how quickly Apple’s developer system moves, Android might feel stuck in foldable experiences after the iPhone Duo is out. Camps are divided on how the apps look on the duo’s unfolded phone, but developers are quickly updating their apps to fit the unfolded screen.
The bubbles that allow you to access apps in floating windows and minimize them in a taskbar are a good idea. This way, you can view temporary information in an app without having to open a full-size window.
Gemini updates this year have been muted. The company built on their idea of Magic Cue to provide timely suggestions in various apps. As I mentioned in my Pixel 11 Pro XL review, Rambler was my favorite feature to use in the new Pixel lineups. I was able to easily reply to emails and texts, and take notes, without having to involve texting on a wide keyboard.
Camera
Foldables have mostly had inferior cameras to their candybar counterparts for years now. Although this year is no different, Google continuing to use the “Pro” moniker for its foldable feels like a disservice. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold cameras are good, but they are not Pixel 11 Pro XL good.
There are some positives with the new version. There is an updated main sensor, still a 48-megapixel one, which lets in more light for photos with better detail. Google has also updated its models to support 30x Super Res Zoom, up from 20x Super Res Zoom.
Although Google wouldn’t include the same ultra-wide and telephoto sensors as the Slab Pro devices, I wish they’d use the same main sensor on the Fold as the rectangle phone. The telephoto and ultrawide sensors are similar to last year’s device, so there is hardly any improvement in the images taken from them.
In terms of software features, there is Looks, which can change the tone of an image with various presets, and Magic Capture, which can select the best frames from a video – useful if you have pets or children.
Price
At $1,899, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is for someone who likes Pixels and wants a foldable, as it’s barely $100 less than the new iPhone Duo and the same price as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, both of which are wide-format phones. In the US, the larger Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at $2,099.
In Europe, companies like Xiaomi and Honor will also release their folding bars. So Google’s folding bar will face a lot of competition.
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