I switched from a big foldable to a small Pixel 9 Pro and I’m not going back anytime soon

foldable phone Admittedly cool. The idea of ​​carrying a tablet-sized monitor that folds neatly into your pocket still amazes me. As a journalist covering consumer technology, I have the privilege of working with a variety of devices. But when I put the SIM card back into the phone, OnePlus Open This was my choice last year.

At first, the Open seemed like the perfect match for me. The larger screen is great for working on documents, Excel spreadsheets, or even relaxing with a movie on the plane. In fact, for a while I stopped carrying my iPad at all. But here’s the thing: Those “big screen moments” don’t happen nearly as often as I expected. I often find myself using the Fold, which ironically has almost the same screen size as the smaller Fold. Pixel 9 Pro.

This is where the Pixel 9 Pro comes into play. After a year of lugging around a bulky foldable phone, switching to the compact Pixel 9 Pro was a revelation. I won’t go back. Here’s why.

Foldable phones promise a lot, and in many ways they deliver. But there’s a big gap between how you imagine a foldable device to be used and how it’s actually used. Of course, I enjoy viewing presentations and browsing spreadsheets on a larger monitor. Split screen multitasking with Open Canvas is absolutely fantastic. However, for most tasks I still use a laptop or tablet. This is mainly because the software experience lags behind the hardware experience.

The truth is, my smartphone usage doesn’t revolve around gaming or binge-watching. For me, the folding screen became a feature I liked but didn’t really need. Beyond that, foldable devices require more careful handling than I’d like.

The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, keeps things refreshingly simple. Its 6.3-inch screen is just the right size for swiping, browsing, and social media. With some tricks, I can even view Excel sheets on it. But that’s a small compromise for the phone’s sheer portability.

Between foldable phones and large phones approaching 7 inches in size, Pixel 9 Pro’s small size is a breath of fresh air. It fits my hands perfectly and my skinny jeans don’t fit 2024 standards. I can easily reach the top of the phone – something I haven’t been able to do in years. These may seem like small things, but they add up to a big deal. As my use cases evolve and I spend more and more time in front of a computer or tablet, I prefer a smartphone that prioritizes the smartphone over the all-encompassing computer in my pocket.

The fact that it’s all part of an uncompromising flagship makes it even better. You see, for a long time the only real option for a small flagship was the iPhone. While I did dabble in the iPhone world, my primary platform was still Android, and for a long time, there was no real alternative. The Pixel 9 Pro is that phone. Plus, this year, Google has seriously improved the quality of the hardware to the point where I can toss the phone on or off the couch without a second thought when I’m relaxing for the day.

Of course, durability is only one aspect of a phone. One feature I’m not willing to compromise on is the camera. My camera may always be within reach, but my smartphone camera is used multiple times a day to capture my neighbor’s cat begging for food or other interesting moments outside my window. Pixel 9 Pro offers the same full-featured camera as its full size Pixel 9 Pro XL No cuts. For a long time, compact phones meant weak sensors or defective telephoto sensors. That’s no longer the case and I’m all for it.

Google’s efforts to improve the Pixel experience have also paid off. I have serious concerns about the battery life of the Pixel 9 Pro. Its physical capacity is much lower than any phone I’ve used recently, and the Tensor chip isn’t the most frugal either. However, battery life isn’t an issue at all.

A lot of it depends on how I use my phone. Social media, browsing, phone calls, and music streaming aren’t nearly as taxing on the processor as gaming. However, I definitely didn’t expect that one day, this phone would get some use. Frankly, it’s impressive.

I’m also glad I can use wireless charging again. I have wireless charger All over my house, it’s my preferred way to top up my phone. Is this the most efficient way? Won’t. And of course, my other foldable product Pixel 9 Pro folding screendoes have wireless charging, but the way the coils are arranged makes it too cumbersome to line up with most of my chargers. The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, is effortless.

The Pixel 9 Pro reminded me why I love a phone with basic features. Foldable phones like the OnePlus Open are undoubtedly impressive and fun to use, but for my daily needs, the Pixel 9 Pro strikes the perfect balance between form and function. It’s compact, durable and powerful, delivering an uncompromising flagship experience in just the right size.

Whether it’s the great camera, the convenience of wireless charging, or the portability that fits seamlessly into my lifestyle, the Pixel 9 Pro has become the ideal companion for my phone today. It doesn’t try to be a tablet, a gaming device, or a portable movie theater – it’s just a smartphone that’s good at it. For me, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for.