With more foldables launching recently, we usually manage our expectations with them when it comes to cameras. Because of their form factor, it is hard to fit them with huge sensors and other cutting-edge imaging tech. While brands like HONOR push for the thinnest foldable, Google is more focused on cameras with its Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Just like how the OG Pixel Fold had the best cameras in a foldable last year, Google reclaims the crown once again with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, scoring 141 in DxOMark. For comparison, that makes the Pixel 9 Pro Fold at par with the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the Xiaomi 11 Ultra.
What’s also interesting is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s camera hardware, which is almost similar to what was used on the OG Pixel Fold. To recap, that includes a 48-megapixel main camera with dual pixel PDAF and OIS, 10.5-megapixel ultra-wide camera with PDAF, and a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, dual pixel PDAF, and OIS. Despite that, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold scored 8 points higher than its predecessor.
What made the Pixel 9 Pro Fold even better? DxOMark said that its ultra-wide camera has a shorter focal length and now doubles as a macro shooter for close-up shots, making it more versatile. Aside from that autofocus and exposure across all lighting conditions has improved as well, which can be credited to improvements in Google’s post-processing algorithm.
Where can the Pixel 9 Pro Fold–or any foldable in general–improve? It has to be video, as DxOMark said that it does not match up with Google’s non-folding devices like the Pixel 9 Pro. It’s still a long way to go for foldable devices when it comes to camera performance, but models like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold show a lot of promise.
