{
  "id": 3332804,
  "title": "Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Review: Better, Not Best",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/google-pixel-11-pro-fold-review-better-not-best",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-25T18:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wired",
    "slug": "wired",
    "url": "https://www.wired.com/review/google-pixel-11-pro-fold/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold is an iterative upgrade from last year’s foldable, boasting slight enhancements to performance and camera capabilities. However, it comes with an additional $100 price tag. Standout features include the IP68 water and dust resistance rating and Qi2 25W magnetic charging support—advancements that position Google in a category where the company typically lags. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold's software is where it truly shines, with AI-infused features that appeal to many users. While Google excels in elevating its devices beyond the spec sheet, the 11 Pro Fold appears to be just a step above the Pixel 11, a more affordable option on paper. Beyond the expansive screen and customizable rear LEDs, the \"Pro\" designation seems difficult to justify. With Samsung's recent Fold8 design and an upcoming folding iPhone, the value proposition of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is questionable. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't differ significantly from the 10 Pro Fold, but Google has made minor adjustments—reducing its weight by 19 grams and shaving off a fraction of a millimeter. Nevertheless, it remains heavier and thicker (239 grams and 10.1 mm) compared to competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold8 (201 grams and 9.7 mm), the Fold8 Ultra (215 grams and 8.9 mm), and the Honor Magic V6 (219 grams and 8.75 mm). This makes the Fold 11 Pro Fold a tad less comfortable to handle, although the horizontal camera bar reduces the rocking effect when the phone lies flat. The double-camera module has undergone a makeover, appearing less bulky and now features a matte-textured glass back, which feels premium. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold excels in IP68 water and dust resistance ratings, surpassing Samsung's IP48 ratings. While both phones can withstand shallow water submersion, Google's device is dust-tight, while Samsung's are vulnerable to fine dust and sand. The Fold 11 Pro Fold is exclusively available in two colors: Obsidian, a dark matte gray, and Olive Green with a shiny gold frame. Personally, I find Google's asymmetrical design unappealing. When closed, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold displays a curved corner cutout, and upon opening, the two halves have slightly varying thicknesses. While most folding phones exhibit a discernible fold line in the center of the screen, Google's model stands out due to its prominent fold line. Some users may not notice or mind this, but as someone who prefers alignment, it's a dealbreaker. The fingerprint sensor in the power button is another point of frustration when using folding phones. I must lift the device to access and unlock the screen, as opposed to pressing the screen like most phones. Face unlock is functional with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, particularly in well-lit environments, but it falters in low-light conditions, which remains inconvenient. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold incorporates two high-quality OLED displays: an 8-inch main screen and a 6.5-inch cover screen. Both screens boast peak brightness of 3,600 nits, ensuring legibility even in direct sunlight, and offer a variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz. However, the crease is a minor drawback. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is powered by the latest Tensor G6 processor and offers 16 GB of RAM paired with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage. While the upgrade from the Pixel 10 Pro XL is largely smooth, occasional freezes occurred during split-screen usage in Gmail and after launching an app on the outer display followed by unfolding the inner display. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold largely mirrors the regular Pixel 11, as it lacks the high-end camera found in its Pro counterparts. Folding phones generally struggle to match flagship specifications due to form-factor constraints, and they must include two front-facing cameras—one for open and one for closed. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold shares the same 48-megapixel main camera and 10.8-megapixel telephoto as the Pixel 11, but it trades down to a 10.5-megapixel ultrawide camera. The main camera excels in various scenarios, and the telephoto lens is frequently utilized. The 5X zoom produces sharp, detailed images, although maximum digital zoom (30X) may lead to slight fuzziness. The ultrawide camera is a notable weakness, producing grainy images, albeit with decent, albeit slightly distorted, close-ups. The 10-megapixel front-facing cameras are adequate for selfies. Overall, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's camera performance is commendable, comparing favorably with other foldables, and certain features like the telephoto lens prove more valuable than an ultrawide. However, the Fold 11 Pro Fold falls short in battery life. The 4,806-mAh battery is smaller than the one in the previous 10 Pro Fold (5,015 mAh). While this reduction is partially offset by the improved power efficiency of the new Tensor G6, it still falls short of competitors.",
  "summary": "A polished update to Google’s foldable brings real improvements, but the price bump and rampant competition make it a tough sell.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}