Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: a sturdy foldable with modest upgrades
Google's new Pixel 11 Pro Fold foldable smartphone is a lightly updated version of last year's model, with a lighter body, brighter display and a new main camera sensor. It costs $1,899 in the US and faces strong competition.
Google has released the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, a foldable smartphone that closely resembles last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold in design and concept. According to a review by TechCrunch, the tech news site, attention is currently on Apple's wide-format iPhone Duo and similar wide foldables from Chinese manufacturers, yet Google has kept its existing form. The phone costs $1,899 in the US.
Design and display
Unfolded, the device is 5 mm thick (last year: 5.2 mm), and folded it measures 10.1 mm (last year: 10.8 mm). It is 19 grams lighter than its predecessor. Google says durability has increased threefold, helped by a new glass-ceramic cover and a glass-fiber composite back. The reviewer's phone fell from a table and a pocket several times with no visible dents or scratches. The strong hinge means the phone cannot be opened with one hand.
The display reaches a peak brightness of 3,600 nits (up from 3,000 nits), making it easier to use in bright conditions. The crease remains clearly visible, especially in bright light, while Oppo and Honor have significantly reduced it on their devices. On the back, the HiLight indicator lights up for calls from favourite contacts and during hands-free conversations with Gemini.
Software and cameras
Only two apps can be open side by side. Gmail works well in this view, but Slack is not adapted to the larger screen. Gemini updates this year are modest, though the reviewer's favourite feature is Rambler, which helps reply to emails and texts.
The 48-megapixel main sensor has been updated and lets in more light. Super Res Zoom has risen from 20x to 30x. The ultrawide and telephoto cameras are barely changed, and overall the cameras fall short of those on the Pixel 11 Pro XL.
Price and competition
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is only about $100 cheaper than the iPhone Duo and costs the same as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. In Europe, Xiaomi and Honor are also set to launch foldables.
