Google Trims the Edges on Its New Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Google spent this morning revealing the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and the biggest news may be how carefully the company stayed the course. After months of speculation about radical redesigns, the new phone arrives as a careful refinement of last year’s model rather than a complete reinvention. It is lighter, a little thinner, brighter on both screens, and built to take more of a beating, all while carrying a higher starting price of $1,899.

The weight drops by more than 10%, to 239 grams. When folded up, the thickness is reduced by one millimeter to 10.1 mm, while the open profile is a clean 5 mm. This makes the phone much more comfortable in your pocket and less difficult to hold open like a book. The same two colors are available: classic Obsidian and a completely new Olive finish. The back is made of a glass-fiber composite material that Google claims is practically impossible to fracture, while the outer screen is sandwiched between a new ceramic cover glass that is exceptionally tough. A redesigned gearless hinge protects the exterior screen while increasing the inside screen’s performance. Official testing indicates that the entire unit is three times more durable than the previous Fold, although the dust and water resistance rating of IP68 remains same.

The brightness of both screens has increased slightly, as the outer panel has grown in size to 6.5 inches and now peaks at 3,600 nits, representing a 20% increase. The 8-inch inner display has the same maximum brightness as the outer one, but it has thinner bezels and a thicker glass layer, which helps to soften the edge. This should make a significant difference for ordinary outside use, and the dual screen architecture remains ideal for split apps, real-time translation, and the new sign-to-text feature that supports American Sign Language.


The Tensor G6 CPU is combined with a total of 16 GB of RAM across all storage options. Google believes this will let the phone run more effectively, launch apps faster, and provide more on-device intelligence for all of the new Gemini features. The battery capacity has slightly decreased from last year, but Google still promises more than 24 hours of use. With a 30-watt charger, you can charge it up to 50% in around half an hour, and wireless charging now supports 25 watts according to the latest Qi2.2 standard.


The camera’s most significant change is that the main sensor has been replaced with a new 48-megapixel device with a bigger sensor capable of capturing 56% more light. This should make a substantial difference in low-light and nighttime photography. The ultrawide and 5x telephoto lenses are substantially unaltered, however Super Zoom has been extended to 30x. While Gemini is in listening mode, a small ring of LEDs on the camera bar known as ‘HiLight’ can shine in custom colors to highlight certain contacts or pulses. You also get some extra software capabilities, such Magic Capture for better action shots and Camera Looks, which let you effortlessly change your style. Taking rear-camera selfies on the outside screen remains a useful feature exclusive to the Fold. Software support is now guaranteed for seven years, much like the rest of the Pixel 11 lineup. Pre-orders began today, and your new phone will arrive on August 20.