Almost ten percent lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold
In terms of basic design, Google remains true to its existing concept. When folded, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold can be used like a classic smartphone; when unfolded, an 8-inch internal display is available.
Google has primarily reduced the weight and thickness. At 239 grams, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is almost ten percent lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. When folded, it measures 155,2 × 76,0 × 10,1 millimeters; when unfolded, it measures 155,2 × 150,4 × 5,0 millimeters. According to Google, this makes the new model about one millimeter thinner than its predecessor.
The display bezels have also been reduced. The color options are limited to Obsidian and Olive. Google combines Olive with a gray metal frame, while Obsidian has a dark, matte finish.
New hinge and more robust back.
Significantly more changes have been made to the foldable's construction. For the first time, Google is using a gearless hinge, whose larger bending radius is intended to make the crease in the inner display less visible. Additionally, the glass layer beneath the flexible display has been reinforced.
On the back, Google no longer relies exclusively on glass, but on a fiberglass composite material. The outer display is protected by a particularly durable ceramic cover glass.
According to internal tests, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is three times more durable than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The IP68 certification, already present in its predecessor, remains, meaning the foldable is protected against dust and temporary immersion in water.
6,5 inches outer diameter, 8 inches inner diameter, and up to 3.600 nits brightness.
The outer Super Actua display measures 6,5 inches and has a resolution of 1.080 × 2.342 pixels. The OLED panel dynamically adjusts its refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz.
When unfolded, an 8-inch Super Actua Flex Display is still available. It has a resolution of 2.076 × 2.152 pixels and also operates with an adaptive refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz.
Google has significantly improved the brightness. Both the outer and inner displays reach up to 2.400 nits with HDR content and a peak of 3.600 nits. According to the manufacturer, this makes the screens 20 percent brighter than those of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
This is particularly relevant for the external display, which in a foldable device is often used in everyday life like the screen of a regular smartphone.
HiLight is also coming to the Fold
Like the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, the foldable also receives the new HiLight feature. LEDs are positioned around the camera flash on the back, which can display information without requiring the screen to be turned on.
For example, a custom color can be displayed when receiving calls from favorite contacts. HiLight also indicates whether Gemini is listening, processing a request, or responding when used hands-free.
At launch, the range of functions will be relatively limited. Google plans to expand HiLight to include further uses in the future, including notifications about messages from selected contacts.
Tensor G6 and 16 GB RAM
Inside, like the rest of the Pixel 11 series, it uses the new Google Tensor G6 processor. It also features 16 GB of RAM and the new Titan M3 security chip.
Compared to the Tensor G5, the new processor offers 50 percent more TPU computing power for AI tasks, according to Google, while simultaneously being up to 20 percent more energy efficient. This additional AI performance benefits, among other things, Gemini Nano and the new camera features.
Internal storage options include 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB. According to Google, the two larger options use Zoned UFS to accelerate certain storage accesses.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold ships with Android 17. Google promises seven years of operating system, security, and Pixel Drop updates.
More multitasking on the large display
A foldable smartphone's success depends not only on its larger screen area, but also on how the software handles it. Google is expanding its so-called "bubbles" for this purpose, among other things.
Apps can be placed as floating bubbles and quickly reopened on the unfolded display. The bubbles appear in the lower right corner and are intended to make switching between multiple applications easier.
Familiar Fold features like drag and drop, split screen, and instant view remain. Blickfang, which displays animations on the external screen to, for example, encourage children to look towards the camera during a recording, will receive two new animations.
Circle to Search has also been expanded. The search function can now be used directly within the Pixel camera. Objects in the camera image can be identified, texts translated, or information about the surroundings accessed without having to take a photo first.
New 48-megapixel main camera
The rear still features a triple camera system, but the main camera has been redesigned.
The new 48-megapixel main camera uses a 1/1,56-inch sensor and an aperture of f/1.7. According to Google, it captures 56 percent more light than the main camera of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
It is complemented by a 10,5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with autofocus and macro function, as well as a 10,8-megapixel telephoto camera. The latter offers optical image stabilization and five times optical zoom.
Digitally, the Super Zoom reaches up to 30x. This puts the Fold behind the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, whose larger telephoto cameras enable up to 120x Pro Zoom.
There are 10-megapixel cameras on the front and inside the foldable device.
Magical shot and camera looks
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold inherits several new features from the rest of the Pixel 11 series. One of these is Magic Shot. This new camera mode captures photos and videos of a moment without requiring constant attention to the exact moment the shutter button is pressed. The Pixel then processes the footage, including cropping and sharpening.
With Camera Looks, Google is also introducing new ways to visually enhance photos and videos during recording. The Real Tone adjustment used by Google is intended to ensure consistent rendering of different skin tones, even with stronger looks.
In addition, special foldable features such as Dual Screen Preview, selfies with the rear camera and hands-free shooting in the partially unfolded state are retained.
25 watts wireless instead of 15 watts
The battery has a typical capacity of 4.806 mAh. Google states a runtime of more than 24 hours.
When using a wired charger, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold should reach 50 percent in about 30 minutes with a suitable power adapter.
The progress in wireless charging is more significant. Pixel Snap now supports Qi 2.2 with up to 25 watts. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold was limited to a maximum of 15 watts. Google claims up to 20 percent faster wireless charging.
Prices and availability
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold, like the other two Pro models, includes six months of access to Google AI Pro with the purchase. This includes, among other things, higher usage limits for Gemini, 5 TB of cloud storage, and Google Health Premium.
The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold can be pre-ordered from August 12th and will be available from August 20th. Prices start at €1.999.
Source: Google press release
