Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Doing more but not quite enough
Engadget · C · trust 60/100
Google’s latest foldable sports some welcome upgrades, but its lack of a major design change is disappointing.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget RATING : 8.5 / 10 Pros New main camera sensor Updated Pixel software Slimmer bezels and 10 percent lighter than before Much faster 25-watt wireless charging Cons Design still feels chunky Smaller battery than last year HiLight doesn’t do enough (yet) No 120x Pro Res Zoom like on the other Pixel 11 Pros The original Pixel Fold borrowed some of the best elements from the Surface Duo and added class-leading cameras and a more refined design. Then its successor the Pixel 9 Pro Fold switched things up again by shifting to a taller chassis with what at the time was the largest main display of any foldable phone on sale. However, last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold was a much more iterative update, and Google has taken the same approach with its new Pixel 11 family.
This puts the Pixel 11 Pro Fold in a tough spot. Priced at $1,899 (which is $100 more than before), even though Google's latest foldable is 10 percent lighter while also sporting updated software, a new main camera and faster charging, it's facing tougher competition than ever. So while long-time Pixel fans can look to this handset as a continuation of what Google does best combined with a big foldable screen, its rivals are shining just a bit brighter than the latest folding Pixel.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget Aside from a handful of fresh color options, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold looks and feels almost exactly the same as last year's phone. That said, I do enjoy the olive model, as its pale gold frame really compliments the handset's matte green back. Furthermore, that rear panel is now made out of a glass fiber material that Google claims is "nearly impossible to crack," though I hope you'll forgive me for not throwing this thing down a flight of stairs to confirm.
I also suspect the switch to that new composite back helped Google reduce the P11PF's weight (238 grams), as the phone is 10 percent lighter than its predecessor (258 grams). Unfortunately, despite thinner bezels, the Pro Fold (10.1mm thick when closed) still feels significantly bulkier than both the base Galaxy Z Fold 8 (201 grams and 9.7mm) and the Z Fold 8 Ultra (215 grams and 8.9mm). Even the Motorola Razr Fold — which sports similar dimensions (243 grams and 10.1mm) along with a slightly larger main display — feels a bit sleeker due its more tapered sides. Plus, both Samsungs and the Razr are easier to open too.
Elsewhere, you get familiar features like a side-mounted fingerprint reader built into its power button, a USB-C port on bottom and a big triple cam module around back. Google has also retained native support for magnetic accessories, so unlike with the Z Fold 8 line, you don't need a case to attach things like wireless chargers or stands. Finally, I should note that while the rest of the Pixel 11 family (at least in the US) is eSIM-only, the Pro Fold still has a physical SIM tray.
As for its displays, not a ton has changed here either, but that's OK, because both the 6.5-inch exterior and 8-inch interior OLED displays are rich and colorful. Peak brightness has increased a touch from 3,000 to 3,600 nits, allowing for even better outdoor visibility. And between a new ceramic cover glass for its outside screen and the same class-leading IP68 rating we got on the previous model, what the Pixel 11 Pro Fold lacks in slenderness is offset by top-notch durability.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget By adding a new set of LEDs inside the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's rear flash module, Google created a subtle way to keep people informed even when the phone is face down on a table. The issue is that I feel like this feature is a victim of the company's seemingly single-minded focus on AI, because the only things HiLight can do is turn on when you trigger Gemini or get a call from one of your designated contacts. Google says it's looking into adding support for texts and messages, but at least at launch, that won't be available. I also wish I could use HiLight to show battery status or when specific apps send out notifications, neither of which seem all that difficult to implement. Instead, we got the ability for the LED to change colors when you talk to AI, which isn't even in my top 10 most desired functions. But then again, I don't spend a ton of time having deep heart to hearts with Gemini, so your mileage may vary.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget Google's Tensor chips have long been maligned by gadget nerds for not offering the same kind of clockspeeds or general performance you get from the Snapdragon processors in rival devices. And despite some notable jumps in speed, including 25 percent quicker web browsing and 15 percent faster app loading times, Google's new Tensor G6 probably won't do much to change those opinions. That said, even when loaded up with tons of apps running in the background and a split-screen multitasking going on up front, the P11PF never felt slow or sluggish. Most games including my current go-tos such as Sword of Convallaria and Pokemon Champions run quite smoothly too. The one issue is that framerates still lag behind just a touch for more demanding titles. Thankfully, even with the global RAM shortage, all versions of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold come with at least 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, so there's no drop in base specs like you get on the standard Pixel 11 Pros this year.
Sam Rutherford for Engadget Between Night Sight mode and its 5x optical zoom lens, last year's phone already offered the best image quality of any foldable. This year, Google has extended its lead by giving the P11PF a new 48-megapixel sensor for its main camera that's larger than before along with a bunch of new tools and features.
Pics snapped in both bright and low light environments were consistently sharper and more detailed than what I got from all of its rivals and I really appreciate Google's new slate of Camera Looks, which allow you to…
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