Key Points:
- Pixel 9 Pro series launching on August 22
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel Buds Pro 2 release in September
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold to be thinner, brighter than Galaxy Z Fold 6
A new rumor suggests that the Pixel 9 series will be available just over a week after the announcement. According to Android Headlines, the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL will launch on August 22, which is nine days after the launch event. Pre-orders start on August 13, as confirmed by Google.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to go on sale on September 4, while the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be available from September 26. There’s no information yet about the shipping date for the Pixel Watch 3.
It’s likely that the Pixel 9 series will come with Android 14 right out of the box. Google is launching the phones around two months early, which is an unusual move.
In contrast, the original Pixel Fold was launched over a month after its announcement. The fact that Pixel Buds Pro 2 won’t be launched alongside the phones is surprising. There’s also speculation about what the Google Store pre-order gift might be, with some guessing it could be a free 1-year Gemini Advanced subscription worth $240.
The competition in the foldable phone market is intensifying, especially for Samsung. Leaks indicate that one of Samsung’s main competitors in the US will be Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This new foldable will reportedly be bigger, brighter, and thinner than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Recent leaks suggest that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be one of the thinnest foldables available in the US, measuring 10.5mm thick, which is 1.6mm thinner than the previous Pixel Fold.
Google is also enhancing the inner screen of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, removing large bezels and increasing the size to 8 inches. This makes it the largest book-style foldable in the US. The display is expected to be ultra-bright at 2,700 nits, a significant improvement from the original Pixel Fold’s 1,450 nits. However, some leaks suggest the peak brightness might be 1,600 nits, which refers to HDR brightness.
If these leaks are accurate, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will have a larger and brighter display while being thinner than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also expected to have a larger battery (4,650 mAh compared to Samsung’s 4,400 mAh) and better cameras, including support for secure face unlock.
The original Pixel Fold was impressive but had some flaws, such as the Tensor G2 chip, which couldn’t handle the heat well. Despite this, the Pixel Fold had the thinnest profile for a while and one of the best cameras on a foldable phone. With the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google aims to build on these strengths.
Google’s advancements in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold highlight Samsung’s lack of innovation in the foldable market. While Samsung was once a leader in foldable technology, it now faces tough competition from Google, which is only on its second-generation foldable.
Only time will tell if the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will meet expectations. The first Pixel Fold had issues like a super-reflective display, noticeable crease, heavy weight, and poor heat management, making the Galaxy Z Fold 5 a better choice overall.
