Google reveals the ‘Phone-First’ design approach for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Google has unveiled the redesign of its new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, highlighting it as a “fully redesigned and upgraded” version of the original Pixel Fold. The updated model is slimmer and more compact, representing a significant evolution beyond just an iteration of its predecessor.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Key Improvements

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is significantly slimmer than its predecessor, with a reduction in folded thickness by 1.5mm, making it only 2mm thicker than the Pixel 9 series phones.

A Phone-First Design Approach

The redesign was influenced by user feedback, as noted by Claude Zellweger, Google’s director of industrial design. “We observed that people frequently used the device in its closed form,” Zellweger said. While users valued the tablet-like experience, their primary desire was to use the device as a standard smartphone.

This understanding prompted the design team to embrace a “phone-first” philosophy. “Our objective was to create a foldable device that felt, looked, and operated like a regular smartphone, while still providing extra functionality,” Zellweger explained.

Jon Prowse, a Pixel product manager, emphasized, “You need to start with a great phone, and then you can build a great foldable.” The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts a 20:9 aspect ratio, akin to the Pixel 9 Pro, and features premium finishes with slimmer bezels.

The goal was to make the new Fold feel familiar to users, offering an experience that closely resembles that of a traditional smartphone, whether it’s for web browsing or messaging, he added.

A New Hinge for a Thinner Design

Despite its slimmer profile, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an 8-inch tablet-like display, which is one of its most significant upgrades.

This sleek design was made possible by a newly developed hinge, crafted from multi-alloy steel and high-strength aluminum alloy. The hinge allows the device to snap shut and open flat with a satisfying click.

George, a member of the design team, noted that the new hinge is more durable than its predecessor while preserving the same torque feel as the original Pixel Fold.

The hinge design also features a fluid-friction mechanism and optimized magnets to improve the opening and closing experience. “We wanted it to feel just right,” Claude added, emphasizing the importance of tactile satisfaction in the overall user experience.

Upgraded Camera in a Slimmer Frame

Creating a slimmer phone while preserving high-performance camera features was a challenging task.

Jon Prowse explained, “To achieve a thinner design, we had to redesign the camera bar and integrate customized optical modules.” The result is an enhanced ultrawide camera and two upgraded selfie cameras, all fitting seamlessly into the new optical modules.

The double-stacked camera bar is placed in the top left corner, allowing the phone to rest flat on surfaces and contributing to its slimmer profile. This redesign also made space for a larger battery.

Several smaller adjustments contributed to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s slim profile. The haptics driver has been made thinner while delivering a more pronounced tactile response.

The USB-C port has been redesigned to be more compact, and the speakers have been updated. Additionally, the thermal system has been re-engineered with a new vapor chamber and graphite thermal spreader to effectively manage heat in the slimmer device.

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