The State of Foldable Phones: Is the Pixel Fold 2 Worth the Wait?

The foldable phone market has moved past the experimental phase. What used to be a category filled with fragile screens and clunky software has matured into a legitimate alternative to traditional slab phones. If you are holding out for Google’s next move, you are likely asking one specific question: Is the sequel better than the original?

Google is poised to release its second-generation foldable, but leaks suggest a major rebranding. Most evidence points to the device launching not as the “Pixel Fold 2” but as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This name change signals that Google views the device as a top-tier flagship rather than a side project. With the official “Made by Google” event scheduled for August 13, 2024, the wait is almost over.

Here is a detailed look at the leaked specifications, design changes, and how this device stacks up against heavy hitters like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the OnePlus Open.

A Major Design Shift: Goodbye Passport

The original Pixel Fold was distinct because of its “passport” shape. It was short and wide, which made the outer screen comfortable to use but led to large black bars when watching video on the inner screen.

According to leaked renders and supply chain reports, Google is abandoning this squat form factor. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expected to adopt a taller, narrower ratio closer to the OnePlus Open.

  • Main Display: The inner screen is rumored to expand to a massive 8.02 inches (up from 7.6 inches).
  • Cover Display: The outer screen will likely measure 6.29 inches.
  • Bezels: The thick top and bottom bezels from the first generation are gone. The internal camera is moving to a corner cutout or under-display location, allowing for a uniform, modern look.

This design pivot addresses the biggest complaint about the first model. Many apps struggled to render correctly on the wide internal screen of the original Pixel Fold. By moving to a near-square or slightly taller aspect ratio, app compatibility should improve significantly immediately out of the box.

The Engine: Skipping a Generation

Performance was a sore spot for the original Pixel Fold. It launched with the Tensor G2 chip right before the G3 was released, meaning it felt outdated within months.

Google appears to be correcting this timing mismatch. The new foldable will reportedly skip the Tensor G3 entirely and launch with the Tensor G4 processor. This is the same chip powering the upcoming Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

While Tensor chips generally trail behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors in raw benchmark speed, the G4 is expected to bring improvements in two critical areas:

  1. Heat Management: Foldables have less space for heat dissipation. The G4 is designed to run cooler, which prevents the screen from dimming during heavy use.
  2. Battery Efficiency: Powering two screens is draining. The G4, paired with Android 15’s battery optimizations, should offer all-day longevity.

Memory is also getting a boost. Leaks suggest the device could ship with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This is necessary to support Google’s on-device AI features, such as Gemini Nano, which requires significant memory overhead to run smoothly.

Camera Hardware: The Foldable Compromise

Photography is usually the primary reason to buy a Pixel. However, physics creates a problem for foldables. The device must be thin, leaving little room for the massive camera sensors found in the Pixel 8 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Leaks regarding the Pixel 9 Pro Fold camera setup indicate a redesigned camera island. Instead of the long “visor” bar, the phone features a rectangular island with two pill-shaped cutouts.

  • Main Sensor: Expected to be 64MP or 50MP, likely the Sony IMX787 used in the previous model or a slight upgrade.
  • Telephoto: A dedicated periscope zoom lens is expected, likely maintaining the 5x optical zoom capability.
  • Ultrawide: Updated sensor for better low-light performance.

While you should expect excellent photos thanks to Google’s computational photography (HDR+ and Night Sight), the hardware itself may not match the sheer size of the sensors in the standard Pixel 9 Pro.

The Hinge and The Crease

The “crease” (the visible line where the screen folds) remains the biggest visual hurdle for foldable buyers. The OnePlus Open currently holds the title for the least visible crease in the US market.

Google has reportedly redesigned the hinge mechanism for the second generation. The goal is two-fold:

  1. Flatness: The original Pixel Fold famously struggled to open a full 180 degrees flat without significant force. The new hinge aims to fix this.
  2. Durability: The device is expected to retain an IPX8 water resistance rating, meaning it can survive submersion but is not rated for dust protection.

Comparing the Competition

To understand if the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is worth the wait, you have to look at what you can buy right now.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Samsung is the veteran here. The Z Fold 6 offers the most refined software experience for multitasking. It allows you to run three apps at once seamlessly and has a taskbar that works perfectly. However, the outer screen remains narrow and cramped for typing. If you rely on the S Pen (stylus), Samsung is currently your only option.

OnePlus Open

Released late last year, the OnePlus Open is widely considered the best hardware on the market. It has a usable outer screen, a nearly invisible crease, and incredibly fast 67W charging. Google’s main advantage over OnePlus will be software support (7 years of updates vs 4 years) and exclusive AI features like Call Screen.

Pricing and Release

The original Pixel Fold launched at $1,799. Despite the upgrades, Google is expected to maintain this price point to remain competitive with Samsung.

If you are price-sensitive, waiting for the launch is still a smart move. Google is known for aggressive pre-order bonuses. Last year, they gave away a free Pixel Watch with the purchase of a Fold. This year, trade-in values for older iPhones and Galaxies are expected to be high to tempt users to switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Pixel Fold 2 / Pixel 9 Pro Fold release date? Google has confirmed a hardware event for August 13, 2024. The phone will likely be announced then and ship shortly after.

Will the Pixel Fold 2 have a stylus? There are no credible leaks suggesting integrated stylus support for this generation. Samsung remains the leader for stylus input on foldables.

Is the new Pixel Fold waterproof? Yes, it is expected to carry an IPX8 rating. This means it is water-resistant (protected against submersion) but not dust-proof. You should still be careful at the beach.

Should I buy the first Pixel Fold now at a discount? Unless you find it for under $900, it is better to wait. The processor leap from Tensor G2 to G4 and the form factor change make the second generation a significantly more future-proof investment.