Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Review

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is a refinement rather than a reinvention. Google has trimmed 19g compared with its predecessor, made the body fractionally slimmer and slightly enlarged the outer screen. Those changes target the long-standing complaint that book-style foldables feel heavy and awkward when closed. The full IP68 water and dust rating is the standout. Few foldables can match the protection of an ordinary slab phone, and this one does, which removes a real source of anxiety about owning a fragile, expensive device.

Google is also adding conveniences that make the phone easier to live with day to day. Qi2 magnetic charging opens up the accessory ecosystem, and the HiLight notification LED is a quirky addition that takes the place of the camera flash. Gemini AI integration is front and centre, so the phone suits people who want Google's assistant features woven through the software. Taken together, it's aimed at Android users who want a large-screen foldable from Google and value durability and software. It isn't for anyone chasing the most cutting-edge folding hardware.

The case for buying this phone rests on practicality. The IP68 rating, the lighter build, the bright displays and the move to Qi2 all make a premium foldable easier to own and use. Those improvements are welcome. The weaknesses are harder to ignore at this price.

• Visible crease: Reviewers flag the crease on the main display as a drawback compared with the best rival foldables. On a device whose whole appeal is that large inner screen, this matters.
• Battery: Reviewers describe the capacity as modest. We don't have verified endurance results, so we can't say how much this affects real-world use. It is still a concern for a phone driving two screens.
• Incremental upgrades: Reviewers characterise the hardware changes as small steps. TechRadar argues the cameras should have gained more megapixels and better image processing.
• Price: At £1,799, it costs £50 more than the previous model. Paying more for a modest upgrade is a tough sell.

The information available to us has limits. We have no verified performance benchmarks for the Tensor G6, no measured battery life and no detailed camera image-quality assessment. That makes it hard to judge how the phone holds up against rivals in daily use, and our rating reflects that uncertainty. On the evidence we have, this is a well-built, durable and pleasant foldable whose refinements fall short of excellence. If you already own a recent Pixel Fold, there's little reason to upgrade. If you're new to foldables and want Google's software alongside rare IP68 protection, it deserves serious consideration, provided you can accept the crease and the price.