The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the latest foldable device from Google, and today, we’re comparing it to the OnePlus Open, which was released a year ago. When it comes to pricing, the OnePlus Open is notably cheaper, retailing at $1,299 compared to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s $1,799 price tag. The question remains: does the higher price of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold justify its features, or should you save your money and opt for the OnePlus Open? Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these two flagship foldable phones!
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Specs at a Glance
| Specs | Pixel 9 Pro Fold | OnePlus Open |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.5 mm (Folded) 155.2 x 150.2 x 5.1 mm (Unfolded) |
153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm (Folded) 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mm (Unfolded) |
| Weight | 257 grams | 245 grams |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 (4nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (TSMC 4nm) |
| RAM + Storage | 12GB RAM + 512GB UFS 3.1 Storage | 12GB LPDDR5X + 512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Display | Main Screen: 8.03-inch 120Hz OLED, 2076 x 2152 pixels, LTPO, 2700 nits Cover Screen: 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED, 1080 x 2424 pixels, 2700 nits |
Main Screen: 7.82-inch 120Hz AMOLED, 2440 x 2268 pixels Cover Screen: 6.31-inch 120Hz AMOLED, 2484 x 1116 pixels |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Primary + 10.5MP Ultra-wide + 10.8MP Telephoto 5x Optical Zoom | 48MP Sony LYT-T808 OIS + 48MP Sony IMX581 + 64MP OmniVision OV64B Telephoto 3x Optical Zoom |
| Front Camera | 10MP (Cover Screen) + 10MP (Main Screen) | 32MP (Cover Screen) + 20MP (Main Screen) |
| Video | Up to 4K at 60FPS | Up to 4K at 30FPS |
| Dual SIM | Yes; Supports eSIM | Yes; Supports eSIM |
| Connectivity | 30 5G bands, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Satellite SOS service |
19 5G bands, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Infrared |
| Port | USB Type C Gen 3.2 | USB Type C Gen 3.1 |
| Battery | 4,650mAh | 4,800mAh |
| Charging | 21W fast charging, 7.5W fast charging | 67W fast charging |
| IP Rating | IPX8 | IPX4 |
| Software | Android 14, Pixel UI, 7 years of OS updates and security patches | Android 14, OxygenOS, 4 years of OS updates, 5 years of security patches |
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: What’s in the Box?
One standout feature of the OnePlus Open is its impressive box contents. It includes an 80W charger (despite the phone’s ability to support 67W), a high-quality foldable case, a SIM ejector tool, and accompanying paperwork.
In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s packaging is quite barebones, offering only a Type-C to Type-C cable, a SIM ejector, and paperwork, with Google eliminating the Quick Switch adapter from the box this year, resulting in a less exciting unboxing experience.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Design and Build
Comparing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the OnePlus Open, particularly the Obsidian and Emerald Dusk color options, reveals a noticeable improvement in Google’s foldable design this year. Upon picking the devices up, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold felt noticeably heftier. Both designs use aluminum, though the OnePlus Open appears slightly thicker.
Surprisingly, the OnePlus Open is lighter, and it didn’t take long for my hands to adjust. The sharper edges of the Open can feel a bit prickly, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has smoother, more rounded edges, making it more comfortable to hold. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also wider, providing additional space on the cover screen.
However, the OnePlus Open opens more easily due to its clever construction. While it closes neatly, it has raised edges for convenient unfolding, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is somewhat trickier to open.
The rear panels of both devices feature a matte satin-like finish, yet the camera module designs differ significantly. The Open sports a classic OnePlus circular module, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro Fold showcases a unique squircle design, moving away from the pill-shaped camera style seen in the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
This design contributes to solid weight distribution and stability when placed on a surface. Aesthetically, I prefer the Pixel 9 Pro Fold due to its understated elegance.
Button placement is another highlight for the OnePlus Open, as its buttons are well-spaced and less sensitive to accidental touches. The Open also includes the coveted alert slider! In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s buttons are quite sensitive, resulting in accidental locking during activities like gaming or movie watching.
In terms of durability, I would likely feel more at ease with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both glass surfaces. The OnePlus Open, however, uses Gorilla Glass Victus.
Winner: Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Display and Speakers
Both the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OnePlus Open feature a comparable 6.3-inch 120Hz cover screen; however, the Open benefits from a sharper 2K external display with LTPO technology that dynamically adjusts from 10Hz to 120Hz. By contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s cover screen is a 1080p panel without LTPO, showcasing slightly older technology.
Inside, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts a 2K 120Hz LTPO display, although its resolution still falls short compared to the OnePlus Open, without noticeable impact. However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s display has an undesirable yellowish tint, while the Open delivers excellent white balance.
Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s cover screen is notably brighter, with a LuxMeter measurement indicating up to 2,850 nits, exceeding Google’s own claims. Its internal display achieves approximately 2,700 nits. It’s important to note that the crease on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s screen is also more prominent.
The OnePlus Open’s cover and internal screens, meanwhile, peak at around 2,050 nits and 2,480 nits, respectively. This difference in brightness translates to better visibility in various lighting conditions, giving the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a slight edge.
When streaming 4K HDR videos on YouTube, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers slightly more vibrant colors across both displays. Even with 1080p content, the Pixel generally outperforms the OnePlus Open.
Ultimately, I would lean towards the OnePlus Open for a superior multimedia experience. Its triple-speaker setup is a significant advantage over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s dual-stereo speakers, which can sound flat and crackle at higher volumes.
Winner: OnePlus Open
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Software Experience
While Pixel phones are known for an exceptional software experience, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold falls short in the foldable category. It lacks foldable-centric features, relying mostly on AI functionalities like Pixel Screenshots, Add Me, Reimagine in Magic Editor, and Pixel Studio for enhanced usability. Users will find a multitasking bar at the bottom, but split-screen functionality is limited to two apps.
Conversely, OxygenOS excels with its Smart Sidebar, File Dock, and Recent Files that enhance multitasking. Its customizable Task Bar creates a robust foldable experience, allowing the integration of three apps in Split View.
Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold suffers from serious software optimization issues. Many apps struggle to adapt to split-screen mode, with some either overlapping the hinge crease or misaligning completely.
Some applications fail to utilize the internal screen effectively, resulting in unsightly black borders. The OnePlus Open, in contrast, presents a much smoother app experience with excellent optimization. Both phones feature commendable haptic feedback.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold takes the lead in software longevity, providing 7 years of major OS updates and security patches. The OnePlus Open, on the other hand, offers a 4+5 software support plan.
Winner: OnePlus Open
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Performance
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features the Tensor G4 processor, which is noticeably less powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in the OnePlus Open. Additionally, while both devices offer 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Open utilizes the faster UFS 4.0 technology compared to the Pixel’s UFS 3.1.
Benchmarks: When evaluating performance through benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 significantly outperforms the Tensor G4, achieving better scores across the board. Below are some benchmark comparisons:
Day-To-Day Usage: In day-to-day usage, both devices perform smoothly, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s software issues detract from its overall experience. The OnePlus Open stands out with stable performance, making it more enjoyable to use.
Gaming: Both devices handle similar graphic settings for games, as shown below:
| Games | Settings |
|---|---|
| CoD Mobile | Max Graphics = Max + Max Max Framerate = Medium + Ultra (120FPS in Multiplayer, 90FPS in Battle Royale) |
| 1. BGMI | Max Graphics = Ultra HDR + Ultra Max Framerate = Smooth + Extreme (90FPS) |
| Warzone Mobile | High + Uncapped (Average 60FPS) |
| Genshin Impact | Highest Settings – 60FPS |
However, the gaming experience differs significantly. While the Tensor G4 sometimes sputters during intense moments, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers a smooth and responsive gaming performance.
Winner: OnePlus Open
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Cameras
On paper, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s camera setup appears lackluster, featuring a 48MP Primary + 10.5MP Ultra-wide + 10.8MP Telephoto 5x Optical Zoom combination. In comparison, the OnePlus Open enhances photography with a 48MP Sony LYT-T808 OIS + 48MP Sony IMX581 + 64MP OmniVision OV64B Telephoto 3x Optical Zoom arrangement.
The front camera comparison reveals that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a dual 10MP setup, while the OnePlus Open features a superior 32MP + 20MP configuration. Let’s assess their real-world performance:
Daytime
In daylight conditions, both phones capture impressive details with their primary sensors. However, the OnePlus Open excels in dynamic range and portrays more natural colors, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro Fold displays more saturated tones. Additionally, the Pixel manages light sources effectively, while the Open can occasionally overexpose them.
However, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold exhibits inconsistencies, often oversaturating images. Portraits taken with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are lacking, suffering from poor edge detection and improper depth mapping, while the OnePlus Open produces high-quality portraits without these issues.
Night
In low-light conditions, the OnePlus Open shines, producing more noise-free, detailed images. While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold captures detail, excessive noise detracts from its shots. Notably, the Pixel captures colors slightly better, yet the OnePlus tends to saturate them more. Both devices manage light sources well, though the OnePlus Open may exhibit lens flare occasionally.
Selfies
When it comes to selfies, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s quality is not up to par. Selfies tend to look overexposed and overly saturated, while the OnePlus Open delivers highly detailed images with improved edge detection.
Videos
In terms of video recording, both phones can capture video at up to 4K at 60FPS through their main sensors, although the front-facing camera on the OnePlus Open is limited to 4K at 30FPS. Both phones have optical image stabilization (OIS), ensuring stable footage without focus hunting issues.
Winner: OnePlus Open
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Battery Life and Charging
Featuring a 4,650mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold contrasts sharply with the larger 4,800mAh battery of the OnePlus Open. Though the difference seems minor, real-world testing demonstrates that the Open provides nearly double the battery life.
In typical usage scenarios, including running benchmarks, watching 1080p videos, and playing CoD Mobile, I was able to achieve roughly 6 hours of battery life on the OnePlus Open.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, managed only about 3 hours, and at best, I could stretch it to around 4 hours.
The OnePlus Open excels in charging speed as well, supporting 67W fast charging that allows it to reach full charge in about 45 minutes. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold struggles with a maximum charging speed of 21W, requiring almost 1.5 hours or more to fully charge.
Winner: OnePlus Open
Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs OnePlus Open: Which Is the Better Fold?
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold represents a significant upgrade compared to its predecessor, but it still lags behind the foldable technology showcased by competitors like the OnePlus Open from a year ago. While the design of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is commendable, that’s about where its advantages end. The OnePlus Open exceeds the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in nearly every other metric.
Better display technology? Absolutely. Superior processor? Definitely. Enhanced camera capabilities? Most certainly. Longer battery life? For sure. Given these aspects, I’d advise against purchasing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and risking disappointment. Google still has a way to go in fulfilling the promise of a high-quality foldable experience. In contrast, OnePlus has honed its craft, and the OnePlus Open is clearly the superior choice for significantly less money!
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