The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold still makes camera compromises

Alongside its traditional candybar style phones, Google has also announced the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the latest iteration of its foldable smartphone. While the majority of its improvements relate to the phone part of it, there are some updates to the camera, too.

Like its predecessor, the Fold has a three camera array: the mix of wide, ultrawide and telephoto we’ve come to expect from most modern smartphones. While its cameras aren’t up to par with the ones found on the non-folding Pixel 11 Pro – in fact, one of them is worse than the one on the standard Pixel 11 – the sensor in the main wide camera is an improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It now uses the same 48MP Type 1/1.56 sensor (48mm²) found in the standard Pixel 11, which is noticeably larger than the Type 1/2 (30.7mm²) model used by its predecessor.

Otherwise, the phone features the same ultrawide and telephoto sensors as its predecessor, though Google now gives you the option of doing a 30x “Super Zoom” crop on the 5x lens. The camera bar has also been redesigned, and now includes the “HiLight” multi-color notification indicator, which can tell you if you’re receiving a call from a particular contact, even when your phone is face-down.

While the cameras may represent relatively mild upgrades, the rest of the phone has gotten more attention, starting with its build. Google says it’s 10% lighter and 1mm thinner than its predecessor, and yet three times more durable. While it’s hard to really quantify durability in a way that can be multiplied, like its predecessor the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating.

The real gains likely come from the back of the phone, which Google says is made from a glass fiber composite that’s “nearly impossible to crack.” The front 6.5″ display also now uses an “ultra durable” ceramic glass.

Speaking of those displays, the front one is now 20% brighter, shining at up to 2400 nits while displaying HDR content, and capable of reaching peaks of 3600 nits. Those specs are matched by the internal 8″ display, again representing an improvement over the Pro 10 Fold. Google also says the phone now has the thinnest bezels in its series.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold uses the same Tensor G6 processor as the mainline Pixel 11 phones, but comes stock with 16GB of RAM, which is no surprise given the company’s increased focus on multitasking this year. Google has also upgraded it to Qi2.2, allowing for 25W wireless charging.

It also has the same upgraded set of photography features, including the “Camera Looks” feature that gives you more control over how your photos are processed, the faster capture and processing for low-light “Night Sight” photos and the “Magic Capture” mode meant to hand over control of which moments to photograph to the phone, so you can focus on what’s happening in front of you.

The phone now starts at $1899 for the model with 256GB of storage, which is $100 more than the previous version. While that’s not a surprise given the current state of pricing for electronics, the price increase also comes at a time when the competition is fiercer than ever. Samsung’s latest foldables, especially the passport-style Galaxy Fold 8 are getting a lot of buzz, despite their also-hefty price tags.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be available in “Olive” green and “Obsidian” black.